"Ah-hah"

Thinking back to day one when we discussed the outline of the course, the way blogster works, and the books we were to read over the semester I can still remember thinking “whoa, this is going to be a great class.” I remember one of the first blog prompts being to describe ourselves and whether or not we were Icurus (one who feels the need to leave home) or Hestia (who feels the need to stay in one place). I feel like at this point in our class we have come full circle or as Oprah would say it is an “ah-hah moment.” An “ah-hah moment” is a moment when you realize what something is all about.  Often times an "ah-hah moment" is an epiphony. At this moment I feel like I am beginning to realize what this course was all about.

With all of the different discussions we have had and with all of the books we have read over the course by such talented artists of the floating world (Ishiguro, Head, Mukherjee, Rushdie, and of course Burton), I see that what they all have in common.  It seems as though what it all comes down to is asking ourselves who we are and deciding for ourselves what kind of world we want to live in. What kind of world do we want to make as the educated youth (who will ultimately sustain or destroy this place)? What kind of legacies do we want to leave? It is about personal growth and finding our paths in this short time of existence that we call life.

Back in that first or second blog post where we as individuals were to discuss whether we felt more like Icurus or Hestia, I stated “I can't live my life thinking what if?” I was talking about how my life could have been...where I would be if I had not moved back to Chico (my hometown) time and time again.

Now with our blog prompt for our final being about globalization and the whole concept of “love it or leave it”, I see that we have come full circle. Are we a person who sees every country as our playground?...Or are we so territoria, patriotic, and prideful of our own countries, our own states, even our own hometowns so much so to where we can't see past it? Are we someone who can see ourselves as having many identities or are we stuck with, and possibly happy, with only one identity?  Are we someone who sees our life as the life we were dealt or can we change our own narrative tracks?  Are is our destiny planned or are our choices the determinate of our destiny?

When I think of “love it or leave it” I think of those prideful Americans who see no wrong in our government and who still trully believe in the “American dream”. I feel like there are manyof these people in this very town, people who I grew up with who do not see the world as our playground. Though I am from here and still live here I believe I will always be more like Icurus then Hestia. I will always have a yearning to be elsewhere and to be discovering the world because that is just the way I am. I hope to always be searching the world and seeking new adventures.  Possibly always living a frameless life (as described in Bessie Head's book "A Question of Power") that is exhilerating yet dangerous. I hope to always remember that there is “a whole world out there”, “a million fish in the sea”, “a world of opportunity”, and not just remember it or believe in it, but experience it. Though I have moved away twice, I plan on leaving again soon and from that point on I seriously doubt that there will be any turning back. I may want to live my life like Jasmine, (the character in Bharati Mukherjee's book “Jasmine”) a woman who changes her identity time and time again. I may choose to live in seven or eight different countries over my life time, if the opportunity allows. 

Of course there are those who have different views then I do. Of course there are people who love their home countries, or maybe even hometowns so much to where they would never leave for a million dollars, (my mom being one of them). Without these people the world would lack families and communities. I just feel like its sad to a degree when people don't see the potential of what life could offer them...or what unique people they could meet. Maybe I just have the heart of “a free bird” as my family says I do. But I just don't know if I will ever be able to settle...I think I will always be an Icurus, perhaps living somewhat of a frameless existence.

Either way, whether we are an Icurus or a Hestia, I hope that all societies can learn to see the world as one and to see all people as one – in that we are all human beings and we all share this place we call earth. We need to treasure it and learn to do what we can to preserve it so that for the Icurus in all of us – we can travel and explore this amazing place for decades upon decades to come. We need to preserve this place so that our kids can have a the same opportunities we do and so they too can have a place to float in. A place to call home. With globalization on the rise and and not stopping in the near future we should all learn that this place was created for a reason (whether it be by god, evolution, who really knows) but we outta value and cherish it for it is a gift. My “ah-hah” moment is right now as I realize this course was not simply an english course. It was a course that questioned our beliefs, our views, our knowledge, our learning capabilities, our goals, our paths, our lives. It questioned our importance in the world and taught us to look at the world in a whole new light. And another “ah-hah” moment comes to me as a type – As we ponder these thoughts and express our feelings and beliefs we share it with the world through blogster. Blogster is part of globalization. The whole purpose of blogster is to share with the world our feelings about the world. The world is indeed one.

I leave you with the lyrics of John Lennon's famous song "Imagine":

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one.