Blog 4: Creations, Myths, and Stories

Ever since people started to walk on this world, they have always told stories, or myths, that revealed their culture and how they live from day to day. Even now, when you look at every country and what that country possesses in terms to customs and behaviors, you might be a little surprised! Even though these are all referred to as cultures, they're not all cultures of the same kind. Some may be close to each other, and others very different... That just proves how much each civilization is unique in their own sort of way! However, no matter how different they may be today, they all started out with beliefs hundreds of years ago... Beliefs that turned into stories, that turned into creations, that turned into myths, that eventually characterized each individual culture... You may THINK that each culture just appeared out of nowhere, but honestly, you KNOW that each one started somewhere at a point in history of the world!

Every human culture, no matter where it may be, formed some sort of creation story or myth. In the early civilized days, who knows way back when, people were very confused and didn't know what was going on around them... They didn't know where they had come from, what their purpose was on Earth, or even what to do in this world, since they felt very alone, like a grain of sand in the middle of a road. This marked the point of when people actually started to use their intelligent minds and made up legends or stories using their imagination... Here, they believed that greater beings, like gods or spirits, created this world, piece by piece. People were surrounded by the same natural forms as we are today, like wind, rain, water, land, lightning, sun... I could keep on going forever! But even though they did, they were still confused as in where it all came from. They told stories in order to explain this process, how it all became what it is now, and made them feel important to where they were from... Not like they were "just there", but that they WERE there and had a purpose, a purpose even higher than just living from day to day. A purpose that guaranteed them to be safe, feel like they were to do great things someday in the near future! These creation stories explained why we are who we are, why we do the things we do, and why we act the way we do. These are questions still unanswered, but according to some cultures, they already were answered... Answered through myths, stories, and legends. Creation stories not only explain things we've always wanted to know, but they are also the foundation of pretty much any culture in the world today! Every culture is different, but that doesn't change the fact of how creation stories are the ideals of human culture. Even now, in the modern world, they are still being used to operate and inform what place we have in the world today... Besides what scientists have discovered over hundreds of years.

 The Australian Aborigines and the New Zealand Maoris are very different civilizations, especially when it comes to their creation stories, but they share the same thoughts on similar ideas. 

The creation myth of the Australian Aborigines explains how the main theme of the story is overcoming fear. The Aborigines believed that the Earth was already created preceding their civilization and that god and spirits created all living things, like plants and animals... Just like the Sun Mother was afraid of the Father of All Spirits, the story summarized that women should fear men because they had superiority. Her two children, the Morning Star and the moon, were based off of the creatures on Earth... This creation story explains how the Australian Aborigines valued all living creatures on the planet!

On the other hand, the creation myth of the New Zealand Maori explains how the main theme of the story is overcoming conflict, or any problems. The Maoris believed that the Earth did not exist before they were alive, and that it was merely nothing... No gods, no spirits, no creatures... However, later, when the spirits eventually awakened, they created elements like winds, storms, water, land, anything that pretty much involved nature. The children were based on these elements, who were also thought to force separation on their parents, even though they loved each other... This creation story explains how the New Zealand Maoris valued the Earth and its elements!

 

Both of these creation stories are very much in depth, especially when it comes to telling where their ancestors came from! Both cultures enhance the idea that their ancestors came from gods, but who knows what's beyond those thoughts... Not only this, but both are civilizations that have male dominance. Another similarity, includes having universal points as the parents, such as Sun Mother or Sky Father. Love and companionship is also emphasized and the idea that there will always be problems in the world, no matter what the case may be! There are definitely many similarities, but one major difference that these two creation stories both share, is that of their beliefs. Even though they value something on Earth, that "something", whether it's nature or elements, is different than the other, and is also valued in different ways... These two cultures have a different ideas of what is important, probably because of their beliefs and where they are from!

Beliefs are a MAJOR part of these creation myths and stories! They are the key to religions all around the world today... No matter if it's proven to be untrue to the modern world by scientists. I mean, yes, we may know why the sky is blue, or the grass is green, or even why the sun rises and sets, thanks to science. But, even though it's mostly all true, that shouldn't keep people away from believing in their own thoughts, especially if legends have been passed down from generation to generation, over a long period of time. These creation stories all hold morals, themes, and ideas essential to life, as does religion. However, in some countries, these contradicting beliefs to facts, may cause problems, such as wars and political or social issues, even nowadays. BUT, these changes in various thoughts lead to different cultures, which eventually separates once again, into religions. Some people believe in the science aspect, others believe in the religion aspect, as others are totally for the myth/legend aspect of beliefs. Some even believe in various different things. That's what is so unique about this! Whatever the case may be, every person in the world today believes in something that was originated from something in the past.... I think that's so cool! 

When we were little, we were probably told so many stories... It didn't matter if they were related to something specific, or made up using imaginations... It WAS a story, and WE believed it! We might have even thought that wind was created when a cloud blew across the sky! It may be funny, but when we were younger, that's what we thought really happened.... However, as time passed and we grew up, we actually realized what the truth was and how it was realistically created. It just showed how much we matured, but the stories we heard as children were a basis for our beliefs now! It's just a way of life, and anything could've cause you to think otherwise or the same... 

Some people believe in evolution, and others listen to their religion... I could go both ways, but I personally am Catholic, the basis of my life and my "creation story". God created the world around me, all within a couple days! The animals, the people, the nature, pretty much everything I see with my own eyes! The world and the heavens... I believe that God created this atmosphere for me to live in and fulfill my dreams and my inspirations! This world is full of miracles, all for my advantage. All of the stories he has passed on throughout generations, shape the way I think about the world so that I could know everything about it. By learning from him, I can always look forwards into my future in a good way. From day to day, I always try to be a good person, help out others, and share my happiness with everyone around me... I have faith in everything, which makes me believe that I am here on Earth to accomplish great things! Because of my faith, I KNOW I can do anything if I believe hard enough and work hard towards my dreams!

 Creation myths were a part of mankind ever since we began to live, even if it were the "cheesiest" things we have ever heard! They were part of us and shaped who we are today and what we believe in! That's what I think the main purpose is of creation stories. 

If you believe in something, you know you will do great things in life!

Blog 3: Australia, New Zealand, and the United States...

When one thinks about Australia, New Zealand, or even the United States... they almost automatically think of how different they are, mostly because of the their location in the world... However, even though these countries may be a million miles apart, or probably even more, it doesn't make a difference of how similar they may be! Or different...

Australia, New Zealand, and the United States are completely different places and have different atmospheres, but in a way, they share the same ideas, cultures, and especially history, no matter how close or apart they may be!

Nowadays, these three countries have different cultures when it comes to people and their heritage, but when you look at it from a historical perspective, they all share almost exactly, somewhat different, history!

By the late eighteenth century, all three countries were settled by the English. Great Britain claimed Australia, an English explorer made his first of three voyages to the islands of New Zealand, and a "strip of land along the eastern seacoast was settled primarily by English colonists" in the United States (wikipedia.org 1). 

At the time, Great Britain was trying to dominate and settle as many colonies or countries as possible, so it's not surprising... Plus, all three countries had native people settle on the land, even BEFORE the British did! Aborigines in Australia, the Maori in New Zealand, and Native Americans in the United States.... (america.gov)

Shortly after these settlements, all three countries found gold somewhere in the country and an immediate gold rush was induced. By the end of the nineteenth century, entire settlements and groups of people rushed to the place where gold was found! Southern Australia, Tuapeka, and California were the main locations for gold-seekers. A lot was happening, everyone trying to find as much as they could in order to get wealthy; however, the actual amount of gold found wasn't very much...

At the same time, in all three countries, the original settlers gained their independence and had the right on claims for their lands. It was a legal turning point for the Aborigines when the Aboriginal Land Rights Act was passed in 1976, the Maori were guaranteed possession of their lands with the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, and the Indian Citizenship Act gave citizenship and righteousness of land to the Native Americans in 1924 (wikipedia.org 3). 

These were just some of the similarities found in the history of these three countries, but there are also some main differences. While the Aborigines didn't declare any type of war against the original Australian settlers (the British), the Maori people did so on the English, as well as the United States.Not only that, but Australia was originally formed as a prison colony, holding convicts that weren't able to fit in other British colonies. On the other hand, New Zealand was a place for convicts to go when they escaped Australia, either by whaling or sealing (convictcreations.com). These two countries seemed very apart at the time being.

As you can see, there are many similarities and some differences that occurred in the history of Australia, New Zealand, as well as the United States!

If you actually think about it, these countries aren't that far apart when it comes to history... 

But when you think of the distance in miles from one to another, that's a WHOLE different story!

Sources:

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_United_States

* http://www.america.gov/st/educ-english/2008/April /20080407162843myleen0.756222.html

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_Americans_in_the_United_States#Foundations_for_freedom

* http://www.convictcreations.com/culture/newzealand.html

Blog 2: Why We Travel

 

Traveling is, in my opinion, one of the most fascinating things a person can do in their entire lifetime! Not only are you able to learn something new, or see something you haven't yet seen, you can have the ability to be somewhere you never thought of being! Traveling is the best way to experience something unimaginable, and see the world through your own eyes in a completely new perspective.

I travel to see the world, and I travel to live and breathe other cultures.
I travel because I enjoy seeing how other people live and how it's different from my day-to-day life. I love to see what others eat, how they communicate, as well as how they travel around town. Not only that, but the landscapes around can pretty much sum up the entire place, wherever that may be!

When a person reads or hears about a place they have never been to, they usually always wonder what it would be like to be there. It's always different to actually be able to see places with your own eyes, rather than a picture on a random piece of paper or in a book... Traveling is seeing the world clearly by taking risks. One can always sit at home and travel within their mind, but it's definitely not the same thing! You can learn more about the culture of the people around you, and actually experience it, as well as learn some new facts or bring back interesting stories with yourself after the trip. It may seem like everywhere you go in the world, it's the same... It may be similar in some ways, but it's always a completely different world than where a person may live. In my case, Illinois. I bet that even Wisconsin, or Indiana, some of our bordering states, can be a truly different atmosphere. No matter where you go in the world, it's always an adventure, even if you've been there a million times. You always find something new or a breath-taking landscape in which you "lose your mind" in... Simply, we travel in order to keep our minds and heart wide open, and accept what is around us, as well as learn about the world, probably more than you even wanted to know! My thoughts on traveling completely agree with those of Iyer, in every way possible! As Pico Eyer says, "We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next, to find ourselves".

"The real voyage of discovery consists not seeing new places, but in seeing with new eyes". 

 This is one of many of Iyer's thoughts about travel. When you travel, you shouldn't expect something or make certain assumptions of wherever you may be... On the other hand, you should look at it more open-minded with a newer perspective! Look at your surroundings and indulge every second of it! That's the only way to take in this experience and remember it for the rest of your life...


 "What gives value to travel is fear", is another way of looking at travel from Iyer's point of view. Memories are your past, present, and future! No matter what kind of day you may be in at the moment, you always look back at certain days in your life and reflect and remember those good times you had with your friends, or family, and what it was like... Good things only come out of traveling when you fear the unknown. You don't have the slightest idea of WHAT you're going to stumble upon on a trip, and once something happens, you realize it was good and just makes those memories even stronger! You don't know what will happen... And on this trip, I will just do that: enjoy every moment of every day! You never know what will come your way in the next 2 seconds! Whether it be funny, sad, amusing, horrible, unexpected, serious, hilarious, happy, a total madness... I could go on, and on, and on! There are so many things that can happen in one single day, it's hard NOT to keep your mind open and laugh along with your new friends on this once-in-a-lifetime trip!

Let's pretend you got dropped off in the middle of nowhere... Now, what are you going to do? The first thing that probably comes to your mind is to take out that phone and call for help! That's the smart move (which probably is) for most people. But, if you're a traveler, you keep your phone in your pocket and start walking, looking at your surroundings, wondering what this place is like... You look one way and you see boring old trees, but you turn your head the other, and what seems to stand before you is gorgeous scene of mountains and a lake reflecting the sunshine from the sky... And you think: Wow, this is amazing! Automatically, you pull out that handy-dandy camera and take a snapshot. By the time you get back to town, your camera is full of pictures and you head is filled with wonderful views and memories that are worthy to be shown and told! Once you have someone's attention, you start telling them about your sudden adventure in that "middle of nowhere"! That is what being a "carrier pigeon" is all about! Not only are you transporting ideas and events, but you are actually retelling your entire trip, detail by detail. Whether it be about culture or sights, you, the traveler, have the responsibility and skill to share your knowledge and experience with all the people you know! A traveler can help images come to life in people's minds, especially those who haven't been able to experience what you did, or go to a certain place where you did, but they've always dreamed about...

"Travel in that sense guides us toward a better balance of wisdom and compassion- of seeing the world clearly, and yet feeling it truly. For seeing without feeling can obviously be uncaring; while feeling without seeing can be blind".

This is probably one of my favorite quotes! It pretty much explains the word "travel" in every way... It states the truth of what you can and can't get out of a trip, and what is the key to having the best experience EVER! Depending on how you look at the trip head of you, that's the way your trip will become. Taking risks and doing the unexpected and most unusual things, a simple trip across the world can become the memory of a lifetime!!!

I know this is probably the longest blog post ever created on this Earth, but I can't seem to say enough about what traveling is to me... Travel can open up a doorway to your dreams and goals and through it, you can become a much better, more intelligent person than you were before!

I can't wait until the first day of the Australia trip! I've never been there before, and by going there and experiencing the world in a different way, I will soon enough be able to say: "I have been to Australia and New Zealand!"

Blog 1: About Myself and the Start of My New Adventure

Hi! I'm Kasia! 

I am a girl that is always open to new things, no matter how funny or serious it may be! I am always determined to reach the highest point in everything I do, especially in school. I always aim to get straight A's and participate in as many activities as I can, as long as it all fits into my schedule. Here at North, I was on the Girls' JV Tennis Team this past season, and now take part in many, many clubs and activities, including Theater (working on this year's musical)...  And just now, I joined the Girls' Track Team... Even though it wasn't long ago that I just joined this school, I have so many new memories that are too much for words! Outside of school, I go to polish school every week on Saturdays and have been learning ballroom dancing for about 7 years or so... working hard and achieving my dreams at the same time! My life is so full of experiences and new things, it would take years to explain everything... :) I am always looking forward to learning something new, whether it's at school, on the tennis courts, on stage, or the dance floor...

But when it comes to traveling, I can't be more than excited to see the next day!

When I first heard and saw that there was an Australia and New Zealand trip being hosted by my very own school, I couldn't help but feel a "tinge" of excitement run through my body, from my head to my toes. After a while of thinking and deciding, my parents and I finally made the choice to sign up and take the risk of stepping into the memory of a lifetime! I've always loved to travel! And even though I travel a lot around the country, and have been out of the country several times, landing on two feet in a continent across the globe, exactly opposite of where I live... Well, it would be a dream come true! I always saw people talking about Australia on TV, or remember reading books about Australia, too. As a small girl, to honestly say, I have always thought what it would be like to actually be there in person. And with this once-in-a-lifetime trip on the tip of my fingers, who would want to pass up such an amazing opportunity? Not ME!

Traveling can always help bring many new excitements and twists to an adventure. By flying to the opposite end of the world to Australia and New Zealand, I hope to learn a lot of new things I never knew before, all by studying abroad! I want to learn about the culture of the people; what they eat, how they act, and how they travel from one end of the city to the other. I want to see the differences of various things compared to where I come from... I also want to realize that by traveling, it's far more interesting to see things you've never before seen, especially if you're standing right in front of it, looking at it with your own two eyes!

I've heard so many things about Australia and New Zealand, it's too much to grasp it all in one hand. However, there were always certain things I looked forward to seeing, if I ever had the chance. And now that I do, I can look forward to it! Not only do I want learn and see the culture of the people, but I also want to see the wildlife. I've always wanted to see koalas and kangaroos in person, and explore the Great Barrier Reef! This may seem a little odd, but whenever I heard the word "Australia", the picture of the Australia Opera House came into my mind and view. Not only am I excited for the sights themselves, but I also can't wait to the longest plane ride I have ever been on! I heard it's about 18 or so hours long... That would be a record for me! 

So now, since I am a couple months away from actually standing in Australia and New Zealand, these are some of the things interest me and I look forward to on the trip!

There are many reasons why learning about where you are going before actually going there can improve your traveling experience! I personally think that by doing this, you will know what to expect on the trip, not necessarily assume everything about it (by reading books or something). By knowing specific things, you will be able to look at things more open-minded... You will actually enjoy it a lot more, rather than stressing and complaining that "you haven't seen this, or haven't seen that". You will know a little bit more about where you are going, and then the only thing you have to worry about, is "to smile and live it"!

By doing just that, I will be able to live every moment of every day in Australia and New Zealand!