The Help

Tonight, the Austrian exchange students and I went to see the film, "The Help." It was difficult for me to watch. I was so saddened by what was happening in the film. It's hard to believe that, just 50 years ago, black people were treated as if they were the "hired help," and nothing else. My heart went out to the women in that film, and I cried with them throughout it; not only because I was appalled and saddened by what was happening, but because I know that this kind of thing still happens today. Let's be honest: often times police will pull black men over more often. If black men are taken to court, they are more likely to go to jail. Their skin color sometimes determines their fate. They are judged even before they stand trial.

I remember when I was discussing race with a black man that worked with me at the movie theater in high school. He said to me, "Don't base whether or not you like me on the fact that I'm black. Get to know me first. It's fine if you don't like me after meeting me, but at least have a reason." I never forgot that. Perhaps it is for that reason that I seek out those that are different from me. It is through them that I understand more about the world, and about myself.

Bowling Green, Ohio

On Sunday my grandparents and I picked up Astrid and Tina from the airport. After having spent a great deal of time with them in Salzburg, I looked forward to their arrival. I was able to find them at baggage claim and bring them back to my house. On Monday I showed them around downtown Birmingham and then we went to Somerset to go shopping. In the evening we went back to Birmingham to see the film Friends With Benefits. It was really cute.

On Tuesday I showed them around Ann Arbor, which included a walk through the quad at the University Michigan. It's really pretty there. I love the architecture. In the evening we went to my grandma's for dinner. She had also invited my dad and brother, as well as my cousin, Stephanie. I also invited Luiza, a good friend of mine. Dinner was delicious, and the conversation wasn't half bad either. All in all, it was a great night. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful grandma.

Today I drove to Bowling Green, Ohio, with Astrid, Tina, and my dad. My dad had to come with us because we needed an extra car to transport all of our stuff. We arrived safely at Tina's, where we unloaded our things. Astrid and I will move into our apartment on Friday, but in the meantime we will be staying at Tina's. That works out well, as I have my first day of graduate orientation early tomorrow morning.

Today we explored the town. It's a really cute, walkable city. I am really looking forward to my year here. :-)

<3 Molly

Up North

After spending 5 days with my favorite German family, I went up north from Thursday to Tuesday. My whole family was up and the Baisch's, a family with a cottage down our street, and their kids were there, too. We have grown up together and it was great seeing them. We went to Yeck's a couple of times, out to ice cream, swimming, had a picnic at the Point, etc. We even had a karaoke night at our cottage. That led to a lot of laughs. Try watching Robert and Kathy Baisch sing to each other...haha.

I have missed being up there. The view of Mackinac Island, the bridge, the water...I never appreciated it before spending a year away from home.

<3 Molly