The topic for the final blog of the trip is to revisit your first blog, see how you have really changed and your thoughts on the trip. In my first blog, I said I wanted to gain a better appreciation for life in America and a better understanding of life in Italy. I came into this trip not knowing what to expect or how things would turn out. I can honestly say that this trip has met, and far exceeded any expectations I had coming in to it.
During this trip I have added so many things into my life. One thing I have gained from this a new appreciation for my life in America. Since I have been in Italy, I keep asking myself "Am I really seeing this right now?" We have seen and experienced so many amazing things while here, I finally have realized how fortunate I am. I have a new appreciation for my family, who have been there and supported me through not only this trip, but my entire life. Without them and their encouragement I don't think I would have ever came on this trip. This experience has shown me how truly blessed I am to have an opportunity to do the things I have done here.
I have also gained so much knowledge of Italians and daily life in Italy. Almost everything here is different that in the U.S. I will not say things in Italy are any better or worse than America, they are just different. Their have been things about Italy that I have found annoying. For example in my first blog I mentioned nearly getting pick pocketed, and since then we have numerous incidents of things being stolen or nearly being stolen. However through all of this I still love Italy. Whether it is the simple hand gestures or seeing the Scavi Tour, I have enjoyed every minute of Italian culture.
As I said earlier, this trip was everything I expected, and much, much more. I can honestly say that the past 8 weeks of my life have been the best I have ever experienced. I have never been able to say that I honestly did not want something to end, until now. While I am looking forward to going home, if it were up to me, I would extend our time here. One of the reasons this trip was so incredible is obviously the sights and the city of Rome itself. However, the main reason why I have loved this experience so much is because of the people I have been able to share it with. I could not imagine coming on this trip with anyone other than our group. The memories we have made I assure you will last a lifetime. I came into this experience not really being friends or knowing anyone. However I am leaving with 11 new friendships that I can't imagine not being present in my life.
I don't think I will really realize how much this trip has changed me until I go back to the United States. I am looking forward to it though because I know that any change that has occurred while I have been in Italy is only for the better. The past 8 weeks have been surreal. I don't know if I'll ever be able to truly explain to you how much they have meant to me. As I am preparing to depart from Italy, I can not help but feel that I am leaving a place that I will forever refer to as my "second home"
Thank you to everyone who made this trip possible at Walsh University: Dr. Palmer, Ryan Ozar and all those in the Global Learning Department. Special thanks to Danilo Mori, Sara Rathbun and Prof. Mustafaga you guys are incredible and made this trip "da best".
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
225 Week 7
This will be my last art blog, how time has flown. For my last blog, I am doing the baldachin in St. Peters Basilica. Gian Lorenzo Bernini sculpted it from 1623-1634. The baldachin is meant to mark the site of St. Peters tomb beneath the altar in St. Peters. It is also used as a point of reference so visitors to St. Peters can grasp how big the basilica truly is. The baldachin is made of sculpted bronze and is approximately 4 stories high.
The formal aspects of this baldachin represent the start of a change in the church designs of the Baroque period. The baldachin is an example of how Bernini was able to fuse his knowledge of architecture and sculpting into a single work of art. Its' four columns are made of bronze that tradition says was taken from the ceiling of the Pantheon. These columns are spiraled and stand on four marble bases
The formal aspects of this baldachin represent the start of a change in the church designs of the Baroque period. The baldachin is an example of how Bernini was able to fuse his knowledge of architecture and sculpting into a single work of art. Its' four columns are made of bronze that tradition says was taken from the ceiling of the Pantheon. These columns are spiraled and stand on four marble bases
Sunday, April 11, 2010
325 Week 7
For our walking tour evaluations Danilo, Carol, Pam and myself did a tour of the Borghese Gardens. Our tour was prepared by Ben, John and Andrea. The first thing we did after leaving Termini was take the Metro to the Gardens. After that, we decided to get some lunch. At first our tour started off fairly uneventful. It was a usual walking tour filled with some great sights and great information from Ben, Andrea and John. However about halfway through the tour trouble arose.
As we walking down one of the paths in Borghese, a man approached us and asked if we had seen a four year old girl, wearing a blue shirt and white skirt. We said no we had not, and asked if that was his daughter. He said yes and that she had wandered off about 15 minutes ago and that he had not notified the police. First thing we did was call the police. After they were on their way Danilo stayed to talk to the police while Carol, Pam and myself went looking for her. We looked all over, but the Carabinieri found her. After this adventure we continued with the tour.
Overall I would say Ben, Andrea and John's tour was excellent. They provided us with excellent directions and a lot of information on the sights within the park. We also had excellent weather, which is always good. My favorite part of the tour was the statue of Umberto. Without their tour, I do not think I would have ever known it was there. It is very easy to get lost in the park but they did a great job of navigating us around. They also had the idea of giving us bread to feed the ducks in the pond. A great way to finish the tour.
As we walking down one of the paths in Borghese, a man approached us and asked if we had seen a four year old girl, wearing a blue shirt and white skirt. We said no we had not, and asked if that was his daughter. He said yes and that she had wandered off about 15 minutes ago and that he had not notified the police. First thing we did was call the police. After they were on their way Danilo stayed to talk to the police while Carol, Pam and myself went looking for her. We looked all over, but the Carabinieri found her. After this adventure we continued with the tour.
Overall I would say Ben, Andrea and John's tour was excellent. They provided us with excellent directions and a lot of information on the sights within the park. We also had excellent weather, which is always good. My favorite part of the tour was the statue of Umberto. Without their tour, I do not think I would have ever known it was there. It is very easy to get lost in the park but they did a great job of navigating us around. They also had the idea of giving us bread to feed the ducks in the pond. A great way to finish the tour.
490 Week 6
The blog topic this week is can we cure disease through the power of prayer? During our class this week, we discussed the connection between spirituality, religion and health. The first thing we discussed was the difference between spirituality and religion. The main difference between the two is that religion is more focused on starting a community, formalities and traditions. Spirituality however, focuses on individual growth, less formalities, emotions and growth from personal experiences. We also discussed how an individual can be religious without being spiritual, or spiritual without being religious. You can be religious without being spiritual by attending church functions out of guilt or being forced to. It is possible to be spiritual without being religious if you believe that you do not need to attend organized functions to have a relationship with God.
I do believe there is a direct connection between prayer and your health. There has been many studies done on the connection between religion and health. Some of these studies have found that attending church slows the rate of cognitive decline, there is a positive relationship between religion and depression, suicide rates are lower among the religious and adults who attend weekly services and read scripture are less likely to have high blood pressure.
However, personally I feel that religion and spirituality impact your health the most by giving you more confidence. If an individual is fighting a disease or sickness and they believe a higher power is on their side, they feel more confident in their ability to get better. I have always felt that a positive attitude will affect the outcome in a positive way. The belief in God, religion and spirituality is an excellent way to cope with a disease and find the inner strength to overcome it.
I do believe there is a direct connection between prayer and your health. There has been many studies done on the connection between religion and health. Some of these studies have found that attending church slows the rate of cognitive decline, there is a positive relationship between religion and depression, suicide rates are lower among the religious and adults who attend weekly services and read scripture are less likely to have high blood pressure.
However, personally I feel that religion and spirituality impact your health the most by giving you more confidence. If an individual is fighting a disease or sickness and they believe a higher power is on their side, they feel more confident in their ability to get better. I have always felt that a positive attitude will affect the outcome in a positive way. The belief in God, religion and spirituality is an excellent way to cope with a disease and find the inner strength to overcome it.
Monday, April 5, 2010
225 Week 6
My work art for his weeks 225 blog is Cosimo Rosselli’s remake of “The Last Supper” in the Sistine Chapel. This picture is a Fresco, was painted in 1480, and is located on the chapel’s wall. It is the final scene of the works portraying Jesus’ life. The Sistine Chapel is located in the Vatican and is most famous for Michael Angelo’s ceiling and altar wall.
The Iconography of this fresco is deep and there are many different things that can interpreted. The first thing that jumped out at me was the scenes painted in the background. These scenes depict parts of Jesus’ life after the Last Supper. The first one shows Jesus in the garden asking God to not let him be killed, the second shows Judases betrayal and the third shows his crucifixion. These scenes are excellent examples of one the core themes of Renaissance art, depicting Christ as human. They show a human side of Jesus because they show Him being afraid and not wanting die, being betrayed by one of His closest followers and His death.
You can also see Judas in this fresco. He is painted in front of the table and is located on Jesus’ left. He is wearing a black or dark colored robe. He also has a dark halo above his head. The dark robe and halo are an obvious signal to how Judas betrays Christ. I also believe that Rosselli moved him from sitting behind the table (Where da Vinci has him) to the front to symbolize his importance in Jesus’ life. If Judas did not betray him, the scenes in the background would never have happened.
325 Week 6
At the start of every Easter and Christmas Papal address, the Pope starts out by saying: “To Rome and to the World”. Why does the Pope feel the need to single out Rome? Why don’t they just address the world as a whole? I believe they do this because the Papacy has qualities that make it both Roman/Italian and Universal.
The Papacy has Roman and Italian qualities because this is where Peter decided to found the church. Jesus Christ Himself trusted Peter to continue his teachings and his legacy after he was crucified. Peter travelled around the world and could have picked anywhere. However, he decided to found the church in Rome because is those times; Rome was the center of the world. In our readings, Barzini calls Rome “Gods seat on earth, the rock on which Christ had established His Church, the centre of a vast spiritual Empire”. The Papacy is also Roman because Peter, the Bishop of Rome and the first Pope, was buried there after being martyred.
I believe the Papacy to be Italian because Catholics in Italy are different than the rest of the world. In Rome, there are literally churches on every corner. Italians have such a strong belief in Christ and consequently the Pope that they felt the need to build hundreds of churches throughout the city. During our first week in Rome, Professor M also mentioned that more than 90% of the country is Catholic. When 90% of an entire country believes in someone or something, that object, person or thing will inherently become part of that country.
The Papacy is also universal because while the Catholic Church was founded in Rome, it has spread to every country all over the world. The Pope is the leader of an institution that people from all over the world believe in. The current Pope, Benedict XVI, is also fluent in 7 different languages. This is necessary because how much the Church has spread all over the world. The Vatican itself is also a separate state apart from Italy and Rome. Since The Vatican is a different country, that makes the Pope a leader of a country as well.
The Papacy can also be called universal because of the amount of people that travel from all over the world to see him. Catholics from every continent and different countries make the pilgrimage to pay respect to their leader. The Churches traditions also make it universal. No matter what country you go to, or what language they speak, mass and the Sacraments do not change.
The Papacy has its foundations rooted in Roman and Italian history, however over the years it has expanded into a universal institution, with universal traditions.
The Papacy has Roman and Italian qualities because this is where Peter decided to found the church. Jesus Christ Himself trusted Peter to continue his teachings and his legacy after he was crucified. Peter travelled around the world and could have picked anywhere. However, he decided to found the church in Rome because is those times; Rome was the center of the world. In our readings, Barzini calls Rome “Gods seat on earth, the rock on which Christ had established His Church, the centre of a vast spiritual Empire”. The Papacy is also Roman because Peter, the Bishop of Rome and the first Pope, was buried there after being martyred.
I believe the Papacy to be Italian because Catholics in Italy are different than the rest of the world. In Rome, there are literally churches on every corner. Italians have such a strong belief in Christ and consequently the Pope that they felt the need to build hundreds of churches throughout the city. During our first week in Rome, Professor M also mentioned that more than 90% of the country is Catholic. When 90% of an entire country believes in someone or something, that object, person or thing will inherently become part of that country.
The Papacy is also universal because while the Catholic Church was founded in Rome, it has spread to every country all over the world. The Pope is the leader of an institution that people from all over the world believe in. The current Pope, Benedict XVI, is also fluent in 7 different languages. This is necessary because how much the Church has spread all over the world. The Vatican itself is also a separate state apart from Italy and Rome. Since The Vatican is a different country, that makes the Pope a leader of a country as well.
The Papacy can also be called universal because of the amount of people that travel from all over the world to see him. Catholics from every continent and different countries make the pilgrimage to pay respect to their leader. The Churches traditions also make it universal. No matter what country you go to, or what language they speak, mass and the Sacraments do not change.
The Papacy has its foundations rooted in Roman and Italian history, however over the years it has expanded into a universal institution, with universal traditions.
Monday, March 29, 2010
490 Week 5
For our 490 class excursion this week we were able to see an Italian hospital. This was definitely one of the most interesting site visits we have had while in Rome. We visited Santo Spirito Hospital. Santo Spirito is the oldest hospital in Rome. Before this visit I had no idea what to expect, but I wont lie I had pretty low expectations.
When we first arrived at the hospital, a doctor talked to us about the procedures of the hospital and of the health care system itself. While it was hard to understand what he was saying through his broken English, I think I was able to get the basic points. One thing that he told us that interested me the most was how they pay for health care in Italy. Each Italian citizen pays 1000 Euro at the beginning of each year. This is a annual fee that covers you whether you go to the doctors once for a cold or whether your a cancer patient.
One thing that impressed me about the Santo Sprito hospital is their prescription medication dispensing. They used what looked like a high tech vending machine, that was connected to a central network. Using bar codes on the medications and records of which nurse took out which medication, they are able to keep accurate records. This helps ensure that medications are not being wasted or abused.
John Goodman writes in Opposing Viewpoints that a common myth about an American single payer national health care system is it will reduce the cost of prescription drugs. However, Italy seems to have the proper regulations and networking abilities to make sure that most drugs are not lost to abuse or being misplaced. While this does not guarantee lower medication costs, it is most definitely a step in the right direction.
When we first arrived at the hospital, a doctor talked to us about the procedures of the hospital and of the health care system itself. While it was hard to understand what he was saying through his broken English, I think I was able to get the basic points. One thing that he told us that interested me the most was how they pay for health care in Italy. Each Italian citizen pays 1000 Euro at the beginning of each year. This is a annual fee that covers you whether you go to the doctors once for a cold or whether your a cancer patient.
One thing that impressed me about the Santo Sprito hospital is their prescription medication dispensing. They used what looked like a high tech vending machine, that was connected to a central network. Using bar codes on the medications and records of which nurse took out which medication, they are able to keep accurate records. This helps ensure that medications are not being wasted or abused.
John Goodman writes in Opposing Viewpoints that a common myth about an American single payer national health care system is it will reduce the cost of prescription drugs. However, Italy seems to have the proper regulations and networking abilities to make sure that most drugs are not lost to abuse or being misplaced. While this does not guarantee lower medication costs, it is most definitely a step in the right direction.
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