Hey all!!
It is I once again, sending a message that is hopefully a bit more upbeat than my last update. Life here has been progressively been returning to normal, thank God, and I am back to enjoying my time here whole-heartedly.
After three days of mourning that was both profound and intense, we all had to go back to our mid-terms, which I finished up today. With only 4 subjects, one would think that I would be able to really focus on what I have. (is anyone else laughing yet?) Let's just say that I am getting a "cultural education" more than anything else though. I'm just glad that I have a Dad (and a scholarship advisor) that lets me get away with that. :-)
Last week was a bit of a doosy, in that the Tribune quoted me out of context, and I had to put out some major fires because of that. Damn. Then I went to go talk to a local priest, and he started to say some really vile things about gay people and such, and I couldnt stand up to him, so I was in a very anti-church mood for about a week. But yesterday I got an email from my Spiritual Director that put everything in perspective. "He's an idiot. Dont listen to him." Something sooo simple really worked to make me feel worlds better.
Last weekend our program took us on a divinely timed trip down south to the magical city of Granada. There we saw the burial sites of the Catholic Kings, Ferdinand and Isabella, and the Alhambra, led by the quirky, faux-fur (aka carpet) wearing local guide Carmen. Then we went to a site to watch Flamenco. The mini-bus ride there was led by an Argentinean who terrified all of us ripping around the ancient Muslim streets. It was actually quite entertaining to see my life wiz by my eyes so quickly: I’ve had a fun life!
The actual Flamenco took place in a narrow cave, with the spectators lining the walls, and the dancers in the center, literally inches away from our tender tootsies with their hard-wood heels. The best part was a woman had to be 70 years old who got up and "got her Flamenco-groove on" (in the words of a friend)
I have been a slug the last couple days, preparing (hah) for my last exam and visiting the Royal Palace (cool weapons collection) and getting ready for my big travelling stint this weekend. I feel as though I am saying goodbye to many of my Spanish friends because tonight is the last night I am going to see them in three weeks! Wow. It may be hard to leave this place.
Tomorrow, I meet up with Dad and Carey in Paris. I cannot describe how stoked I am to see them. I recently re-cut the mohawk, so you'll all have to ask them what they thought. After a few days hopping around Paris (Carey wants me to teach her to dance... we're gonna have a blast! two lanky white Eichenlaubs in Paris) we are going to London for a couple days. After that, they fly back home, and the 4th I fly to Italy to spend Holy Week there with some girlfriends. All in all, I wont be back in Madrid until April 13th. Im sure I'll have much to write about then.
I simply cannot believe that I am this far through this experience. While I long for my family and friends back home, and the University I love, I am going to relish every moment left of this time. Looking toward home, I am currently running for President of the Gay Straight Alliance. How, you ask? Through wonderful supportive friends. I am also thinking about applying to be a columnist next year for the Tribune, the school paper. I have all my classes figured out, and so I guess I am ready now for my Senior year. (very scary)
So, I guess that is it for now,
As I will be travelling, I will not be able to check my email for a good amount of time. I will be in contact when I get back.
Blessings,
Christian
"And if I was perfect, I wouldnt need mercy, I wouldnt need God. When will I learn to accept my mistakes? When will I learn to accept your grace?" Jars of Clay
Thursday, March 25, 2004
Thursday, March 18, 2004
regarding our converstaion yesterday (letter to the A&S Dean after Madrid bombings
Dean XXXXXXXX,
Below is a (slightly) edited version of the original letter. It is still a bit more angry than I am completely comfortable with, but the facts and concerns remain the same. Again, please let me know if I can help to make positive changes in any way with this process,
Christian
Dear Dean XXXXXXX,
I write this letter in regards to my telephone conversation with you yesterday, in further hopes that our overseas programs can live up to the integrity of what Marquette would call them to be. Again, this comes not just from me, but about ten other students who were willing to sign this letter (or some form of it) so that it could be seen that improvements are indeed called for. I would also ask you to regard this letter as private information, and not share it directly with the director, with OR without my name.
Because of the attacks here in Madrid this last week, several faults have been noted by many of the students here, and I believe that they are solvable problems. In the mindset of Cura Personalis, it is my belief that Marquette should put every effort forth to insure the comfort of students in times of tragedy, much as we saw on our campus after the 9/11 attacks.
First and foremost, the day of the attacks, an administrator at Marquette called our parents and told them that we had all been accounted for. While this was a wonderful touch on the part of the university, at that point several students had yet to have any contact with the director of the program. There was no way that he could know that we were safe and accounted for. At least one student who lived in that area of the attack, assures me that she had NO contact with the program, the university or the director that day. The university should be extremely concerned about this action in particular. This is both ethically and legally dangerous.
The second complaint that I believe needs to be recognized was the apparent lack of emergency protocol for the director of this program. For this reason I believe that Public Safety needs to be consulted for our international programs. Very little was said or done to consol students about their own safety and the emotional impact of the events. This could stem from the fact that the director is a trained professor, and not a long-term professional administrator. Without any protocol to turn to, he was just as shocked as the rest of us.
The most concrete example of this is that there was no group communication up until Saturday when a group email was sent out planning a discussion of the events for Monday. Several students had requested this meeting on Thursday, and again on Friday. This meeting should have been IMMEDIATE, to help students assess their own safety concerns and comprehend what was happening in the situation around them. Should we have been taking the metro? Was it still safe to go to the soccer game that MU had bought tickets for? Was it safe to go to the peace rallies? All of these concerns were brushed off on an individual basis, leaving students very confused and anxious with the state of affairs. And as is well known in these circumstances, the more anxious a situation, the more stressful it becomes, and the more dangerous.
With no guidance, several students went to the peace rallies, although that was the one thing the Embassy warned against (information found out through individual students, not the program). Students also continued to use the metro system up until another bomb was called in. Both these actions put students in danger. Both could have been averted by a meeting with the group explaining the current dangers and investigating student concerns.
The director was also ill-informed about what was actually happening at the university were we have classes. Classes were canceled Friday, the day after the class, but apparently our director was the LAST person to know about it. He claimed that we definitely did have class, causing much confusion. Part of this is that he does not come to work until about 10:15 every day. While he claims that no-one knew about the decision to cancel classes until 9am, it was in the newspapers that morning, and every other program seemed to be well informed (part of that may be the result that they come to work at 9am, when classes start). The emotional strain of this situation should not be down-played. Waiting around a near-empty University the day after a terrorist attack for your director to wander in produces a certain amount of anxiety.
It should also be noted that within the country, the director should know that email is not a productive mode of communication for urgent events. Because of the sporadic availability of email to students, phone contact would seem much more appropriate. However, very few students have had any contact from the director by means other than the group email mentioned above. Although the director is accessable to us if we call him, I feel the initiative should be taken in this situation by the director to call each and every one of the students. American students from most of the other university programs who I talked to all received at LEAST one call from their directors. So much for BE THE DIFFERENCE.
When we finally did meet with the director on Monday, the discussion was purely academic, focusing on the facts, events and the consequences. There was NO overview of security status or advice (although the embassy had then changed Madrid to a “danger zone”). Never, at any point, did the director ask, “What do you need?” In my limited knowledge of emergency situations, this seems to be the FIRST thing required, so that needs can then be assessed. There was also no discussion of the emotional or spiritual aspects of these attacks. Students were told to see him privately if they would like to speak over such issues. I need not point out that the comfort of group solidarity is simply not present in that sort of situation.
Finally, and perhaps most personally important, is the lack of spiritual guidance and counseling available to the students of this program. As a Jesuit program, I would like to see a priest involved in some area of our activities over here. Many of the students of this program are extremely reliant on there faith (myself included), and it is harder than it sounds to walk into an unfamiliar church and ask for someone to talk to in a foreign language, about events as emotionally profound as these. Ideally, it would be wonderful to have one of the local Jesuits as a spiritual-liaison to the program. The effects of this would be felt throughout the program, which I feel has lost some bearing on what it means to be part of a Jesuit institution.
It is my hope that these complaints have illustrated enough reason to implement some sort of emergency protocol for ALL Marquette study-abroad programs, and review the administrative training given to the directors of those programs. In that the threat of terrorism does not seem to be going away, it seems that it is now more important to rectify these gaps in training and preparedness.
Again, I would like to make this as constructive as possible, so if you have any questions for me, please feel free to ask either by the email address above, or at my number in Spain (34)660-XXX-XXX.
In the hopes that this situation will never again need to be dealt with,
Christian Eichenlaub
Below is a (slightly) edited version of the original letter. It is still a bit more angry than I am completely comfortable with, but the facts and concerns remain the same. Again, please let me know if I can help to make positive changes in any way with this process,
Christian
Dear Dean XXXXXXX,
I write this letter in regards to my telephone conversation with you yesterday, in further hopes that our overseas programs can live up to the integrity of what Marquette would call them to be. Again, this comes not just from me, but about ten other students who were willing to sign this letter (or some form of it) so that it could be seen that improvements are indeed called for. I would also ask you to regard this letter as private information, and not share it directly with the director, with OR without my name.
Because of the attacks here in Madrid this last week, several faults have been noted by many of the students here, and I believe that they are solvable problems. In the mindset of Cura Personalis, it is my belief that Marquette should put every effort forth to insure the comfort of students in times of tragedy, much as we saw on our campus after the 9/11 attacks.
First and foremost, the day of the attacks, an administrator at Marquette called our parents and told them that we had all been accounted for. While this was a wonderful touch on the part of the university, at that point several students had yet to have any contact with the director of the program. There was no way that he could know that we were safe and accounted for. At least one student who lived in that area of the attack, assures me that she had NO contact with the program, the university or the director that day. The university should be extremely concerned about this action in particular. This is both ethically and legally dangerous.
The second complaint that I believe needs to be recognized was the apparent lack of emergency protocol for the director of this program. For this reason I believe that Public Safety needs to be consulted for our international programs. Very little was said or done to consol students about their own safety and the emotional impact of the events. This could stem from the fact that the director is a trained professor, and not a long-term professional administrator. Without any protocol to turn to, he was just as shocked as the rest of us.
The most concrete example of this is that there was no group communication up until Saturday when a group email was sent out planning a discussion of the events for Monday. Several students had requested this meeting on Thursday, and again on Friday. This meeting should have been IMMEDIATE, to help students assess their own safety concerns and comprehend what was happening in the situation around them. Should we have been taking the metro? Was it still safe to go to the soccer game that MU had bought tickets for? Was it safe to go to the peace rallies? All of these concerns were brushed off on an individual basis, leaving students very confused and anxious with the state of affairs. And as is well known in these circumstances, the more anxious a situation, the more stressful it becomes, and the more dangerous.
With no guidance, several students went to the peace rallies, although that was the one thing the Embassy warned against (information found out through individual students, not the program). Students also continued to use the metro system up until another bomb was called in. Both these actions put students in danger. Both could have been averted by a meeting with the group explaining the current dangers and investigating student concerns.
The director was also ill-informed about what was actually happening at the university were we have classes. Classes were canceled Friday, the day after the class, but apparently our director was the LAST person to know about it. He claimed that we definitely did have class, causing much confusion. Part of this is that he does not come to work until about 10:15 every day. While he claims that no-one knew about the decision to cancel classes until 9am, it was in the newspapers that morning, and every other program seemed to be well informed (part of that may be the result that they come to work at 9am, when classes start). The emotional strain of this situation should not be down-played. Waiting around a near-empty University the day after a terrorist attack for your director to wander in produces a certain amount of anxiety.
It should also be noted that within the country, the director should know that email is not a productive mode of communication for urgent events. Because of the sporadic availability of email to students, phone contact would seem much more appropriate. However, very few students have had any contact from the director by means other than the group email mentioned above. Although the director is accessable to us if we call him, I feel the initiative should be taken in this situation by the director to call each and every one of the students. American students from most of the other university programs who I talked to all received at LEAST one call from their directors. So much for BE THE DIFFERENCE.
When we finally did meet with the director on Monday, the discussion was purely academic, focusing on the facts, events and the consequences. There was NO overview of security status or advice (although the embassy had then changed Madrid to a “danger zone”). Never, at any point, did the director ask, “What do you need?” In my limited knowledge of emergency situations, this seems to be the FIRST thing required, so that needs can then be assessed. There was also no discussion of the emotional or spiritual aspects of these attacks. Students were told to see him privately if they would like to speak over such issues. I need not point out that the comfort of group solidarity is simply not present in that sort of situation.
Finally, and perhaps most personally important, is the lack of spiritual guidance and counseling available to the students of this program. As a Jesuit program, I would like to see a priest involved in some area of our activities over here. Many of the students of this program are extremely reliant on there faith (myself included), and it is harder than it sounds to walk into an unfamiliar church and ask for someone to talk to in a foreign language, about events as emotionally profound as these. Ideally, it would be wonderful to have one of the local Jesuits as a spiritual-liaison to the program. The effects of this would be felt throughout the program, which I feel has lost some bearing on what it means to be part of a Jesuit institution.
It is my hope that these complaints have illustrated enough reason to implement some sort of emergency protocol for ALL Marquette study-abroad programs, and review the administrative training given to the directors of those programs. In that the threat of terrorism does not seem to be going away, it seems that it is now more important to rectify these gaps in training and preparedness.
Again, I would like to make this as constructive as possible, so if you have any questions for me, please feel free to ask either by the email address above, or at my number in Spain (34)660-XXX-XXX.
In the hopes that this situation will never again need to be dealt with,
Christian Eichenlaub
Friday, March 12, 2004
When the laughter dies (emails from abroad)
Dearest Friends,
I write to you primarily to relate to you that I am indeed safe, healthy, and extremely thankful right now for both those things. There is no need to worry about me. (any more than normal)
I also wish to communicate the first hand emotions of this tragedy. This will probably be the most profoundly sad of my memories here in Spain. We seek consolation and there is simply none to be had for an act this devastating.
Classes were cancelled today. We all sat on the floor and tried to comprehend what had happened to our joyful Spain, our exuberant Madrid. So full of life, bustling with an energy and zest of which I have never seen the like. And to see that energy forced into a conversion to solidarity in grief, a solidarity that quieted an entire metropolis for five minutes today at noon, is one of the most prominent losses I have felt in my young life. The streets that normally bustle with nightlife stood morbidly empty last night, as I'm sure they will again tonight.
Because I live in a sort of technological hole with neither television nor radio and only occasional internet access, the emotion of the events of 3/11 did not fully hit me until I saw today's newspapers. The numbness of human atrocity that I am familiar with only through 9/11 resurfaced, only this time with an edge of personal fear. This is a city I consider very much my own. This was a place that I have been to many times. The last bomb, found minutes ago, was in a Metro station I had used this morning.
An overwhelming, helpless fear overcomes me. What can I do? What can I say? Pray? My prayers feel altogether too weak to touch my sentiment, too feeble to soothe the pain of so many, too frail to forgive such an atrocity of men.
A few of us laughed. We took to laughter to soothe the rawness that we each felt inside. We had to laugh, otherwise we would dissolve in the salt of our own tears. But it was soon pointed out that our laughter was insulting to Spaniards on a day of such grieving. We are indeed foreigners here, and I respect the need for a healing sadness so encompassing that it covers the country like today's low-hanging stratus clouds.
So what is left? What happens when we have lost our laughter? We cry.
We cry for those who awoke yesterday in love with partners, in arguments with parents, in joy with the pleasure of another God-given day, only to be ripped from this world so furiously we all question our humanity.
We cry for those who no longer have their parents, lovers, friends, children, because we know how many have touched our own lives, and how horrendous it would be to have one, just one, of those threads torn from our tapestry of friendships, to leave us in ravels.
We cry for those who have lost so much of their human consciousness so as to be able to commit such an act. We cry that these people exist all over the world.
But we also cry in the bittersweet fact that although so much is lost, mush is also found in the Promise of our Lord. Those who died in faith will continue to live in faith. But we still cry.
I cry.
My friends. You all have blessed me continually in my life, and I am so grateful for you all. Please keep me and all those affected by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers. I send you all my love, and hope for a better world through forgiveness,
Christian
I write to you primarily to relate to you that I am indeed safe, healthy, and extremely thankful right now for both those things. There is no need to worry about me. (any more than normal)
I also wish to communicate the first hand emotions of this tragedy. This will probably be the most profoundly sad of my memories here in Spain. We seek consolation and there is simply none to be had for an act this devastating.
Classes were cancelled today. We all sat on the floor and tried to comprehend what had happened to our joyful Spain, our exuberant Madrid. So full of life, bustling with an energy and zest of which I have never seen the like. And to see that energy forced into a conversion to solidarity in grief, a solidarity that quieted an entire metropolis for five minutes today at noon, is one of the most prominent losses I have felt in my young life. The streets that normally bustle with nightlife stood morbidly empty last night, as I'm sure they will again tonight.
Because I live in a sort of technological hole with neither television nor radio and only occasional internet access, the emotion of the events of 3/11 did not fully hit me until I saw today's newspapers. The numbness of human atrocity that I am familiar with only through 9/11 resurfaced, only this time with an edge of personal fear. This is a city I consider very much my own. This was a place that I have been to many times. The last bomb, found minutes ago, was in a Metro station I had used this morning.
An overwhelming, helpless fear overcomes me. What can I do? What can I say? Pray? My prayers feel altogether too weak to touch my sentiment, too feeble to soothe the pain of so many, too frail to forgive such an atrocity of men.
A few of us laughed. We took to laughter to soothe the rawness that we each felt inside. We had to laugh, otherwise we would dissolve in the salt of our own tears. But it was soon pointed out that our laughter was insulting to Spaniards on a day of such grieving. We are indeed foreigners here, and I respect the need for a healing sadness so encompassing that it covers the country like today's low-hanging stratus clouds.
So what is left? What happens when we have lost our laughter? We cry.
We cry for those who awoke yesterday in love with partners, in arguments with parents, in joy with the pleasure of another God-given day, only to be ripped from this world so furiously we all question our humanity.
We cry for those who no longer have their parents, lovers, friends, children, because we know how many have touched our own lives, and how horrendous it would be to have one, just one, of those threads torn from our tapestry of friendships, to leave us in ravels.
We cry for those who have lost so much of their human consciousness so as to be able to commit such an act. We cry that these people exist all over the world.
But we also cry in the bittersweet fact that although so much is lost, mush is also found in the Promise of our Lord. Those who died in faith will continue to live in faith. But we still cry.
I cry.
My friends. You all have blessed me continually in my life, and I am so grateful for you all. Please keep me and all those affected by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers. I send you all my love, and hope for a better world through forgiveness,
Christian
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
The rules of traveling and such (emails from abroad
Here I am, reporting in again! I have had a phenomenal couple of weeks, and have much to write. (I will try not to make it as long as the last one however)
First off, major claps to my little sis, Carey. I have to brag big-time… This girl is so unbelievable! Not only does she kick so much butt in her classes that she rarely needs to go anymore, and is a social mover/shaker at school, but she walked away from the ACTs (having only finished about 3/4 of the test) with a 30!! For those of you away from academia, that is a pretty damn good score, especially for the first time. Watch out colleges, you’re gonna have to fight for this one!
Not far from the academic scene himself (actually more immersed than any I know) my father is still teaching, and finishing up a Masters program in Education Technology. Believe me, he is working harder than I am right now, fo sho.
As for me, I just got over what the doctor described as an “indeterminate lung infection.” Not much fun, but nothing a little antibiotics couldn’t handle. (that’s a literal translation: penicillina—little penicillin) So, as I am starting to get over this sickness, do I lay low? Ha! You all know me better than that! I decide, no, not to go to a warm Spanish coast, but up into the snowy Sierras (mountains) with my boyfriend. It started off as quite an adventure in a house that had no heat. No prob, we’ll build a fire. But then we discovered there was no water… Okay, we can survive that… Then about midnight, the electricity went out. But I just kept evoking my Boy Scout spirit, and we actually enjoyed ourselves quite a bit (can you believe this guy had never seen snow falling?)
When I got back that night I went with a group of friends to Palacio Galviria, an old Bourbon Palace which has been converted into a disco. Copies of all the original artwork had been put in, and this spot was just amazing! With free entrance passes (it pays to know people) we all had a blast on a late Sunday night.
Last week was pretty uneventful, except that we are all starting to look at mid-terms (I actually started to do some reading!!) which begin this week. I also found an AIDS prevention group that distributes condoms around the bars, and so I am trying to see if I can get involved. Then Friday I stayed out until 7:30 in the morning at COOL, a simply amazing disco with three floors, and unreal lights and music.
The next day, I left for Salamanca with my boy. It is a fascinating city, with incredible history, a lucky frog, and lots of bones of dead saints (a little creepy??). Its main claim to fame is that it has the oldest university in Europe (1240). I must make a confession though. I broke the first (few) rules of traveling:
1) I left Dorey (and my camera) at home. Duh!
2) I went on this trip with shoes I had bought the day before and had stayed out all night before. My feet were KILLING me by noon on Saturday. At least they weren’t heels I suppose. :-)
But now I find myself back in Madrid, actually looking forward to the academic challenge that will be the next couple weeks, then a paid trip to Granada and a RealMadrid soccer game. Fun times.
On a semi-political note, I am attaching a comic that I think is funny, ignore it if you like. Here is also a website for a great photo commentary (pure sentimentalism to be sure) about the San Fran weddings… www.ephemera.org/justly (check out the flash movie... and thanks to the absolute WONDER of a girl who made my day sending this too me)
That’s all from my end for now, Miss ya’ll
Christian
P.S. There are fotos up now if you want to check them out... new ones coming soon too(http://members17.clubphoto.com/christian810649/owner-4f86-1.phtml)
“The only time we waste, are the moments we think we are only.” The Five People You Meet in Heaven
First off, major claps to my little sis, Carey. I have to brag big-time… This girl is so unbelievable! Not only does she kick so much butt in her classes that she rarely needs to go anymore, and is a social mover/shaker at school, but she walked away from the ACTs (having only finished about 3/4 of the test) with a 30!! For those of you away from academia, that is a pretty damn good score, especially for the first time. Watch out colleges, you’re gonna have to fight for this one!
Not far from the academic scene himself (actually more immersed than any I know) my father is still teaching, and finishing up a Masters program in Education Technology. Believe me, he is working harder than I am right now, fo sho.
As for me, I just got over what the doctor described as an “indeterminate lung infection.” Not much fun, but nothing a little antibiotics couldn’t handle. (that’s a literal translation: penicillina—little penicillin) So, as I am starting to get over this sickness, do I lay low? Ha! You all know me better than that! I decide, no, not to go to a warm Spanish coast, but up into the snowy Sierras (mountains) with my boyfriend. It started off as quite an adventure in a house that had no heat. No prob, we’ll build a fire. But then we discovered there was no water… Okay, we can survive that… Then about midnight, the electricity went out. But I just kept evoking my Boy Scout spirit, and we actually enjoyed ourselves quite a bit (can you believe this guy had never seen snow falling?)
When I got back that night I went with a group of friends to Palacio Galviria, an old Bourbon Palace which has been converted into a disco. Copies of all the original artwork had been put in, and this spot was just amazing! With free entrance passes (it pays to know people) we all had a blast on a late Sunday night.
Last week was pretty uneventful, except that we are all starting to look at mid-terms (I actually started to do some reading!!) which begin this week. I also found an AIDS prevention group that distributes condoms around the bars, and so I am trying to see if I can get involved. Then Friday I stayed out until 7:30 in the morning at COOL, a simply amazing disco with three floors, and unreal lights and music.
The next day, I left for Salamanca with my boy. It is a fascinating city, with incredible history, a lucky frog, and lots of bones of dead saints (a little creepy??). Its main claim to fame is that it has the oldest university in Europe (1240). I must make a confession though. I broke the first (few) rules of traveling:
1) I left Dorey (and my camera) at home. Duh!
2) I went on this trip with shoes I had bought the day before and had stayed out all night before. My feet were KILLING me by noon on Saturday. At least they weren’t heels I suppose. :-)
But now I find myself back in Madrid, actually looking forward to the academic challenge that will be the next couple weeks, then a paid trip to Granada and a RealMadrid soccer game. Fun times.
On a semi-political note, I am attaching a comic that I think is funny, ignore it if you like. Here is also a website for a great photo commentary (pure sentimentalism to be sure) about the San Fran weddings… www.ephemera.org/justly (check out the flash movie... and thanks to the absolute WONDER of a girl who made my day sending this too me)
That’s all from my end for now, Miss ya’ll
Christian
P.S. There are fotos up now if you want to check them out... new ones coming soon too(http://members17.clubphoto.com/christian810649/owner-4f86-1.phtml)
“The only time we waste, are the moments we think we are only.” The Five People You Meet in Heaven
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