My topics for the KGP

Students scurrying around, the lack of enough feedback sheets and listening comprehensions and the struggle to maintain the time schedule - this is a perfect description for the culture days :-). However, the topics were well chosen and every presentation was informative.

On Wednesday I've seen these presentations:
America: Oprah Winfrey

Ireland:  The life of Irish Traveller Women, Bloody Sunday for the GAA, Gaelic and its use in Northern Ireland

On Thursday I've seen these presentations:

America: Harlem, Scientology

Ireland: Operation Demetrius, Patrick Nee, Oscar Wilde and William Yeats, the Integration of Islam in Ireland, Witchcraft in Ireland, Homophobic Bullying in Irish schools, Kilmainhaim Gaol, the Children of Lir, Gulliver's Travels and Pro-life

I was very indecisive at first concerning what topics I'll chose for the KGP. These are the ones I'd like to be questioned about in the KGP:

1. Operation Demetrius - I'm highly interested in the happenings of Northern Ireland and its history. Furthermore, it relates to my own Culture Topic as the Guildford Four were arrested 4 years after that. 
2. The life of Irish Traveller Women - I've never heard of "Irish Travellers" before so that's why I want to    know more about it.
3. Kilmainhaim Gaol - I myself have been to this jail in Ireland and its story really fascinates me.
4. Pro-life - This issue is currently very controversial and I'd like to be more aware of arguments against abortion
5. Oscar Wilde and William Yeats - As Oscar Wilde is one of my favourite authors, I'd like to get to know more about William Yeats in connection with Oscar Wilde. 

Shocking words

"Gerry Conlon" - A man who is willing to reveal the truth about victims of miscarriages of justice by reflecting every pain he himself had to go through!
In preparation for the presentation of my culture topic I have seen many interviews of Gerry Conlon. It appears to me that he still remembers every moment of these horrible 15 years in prison. When he talks it seems that he puts himself back into prison. He recalls the exact date and time of certain situations and his face becomes extremely terrified by these memories. Have a look at these 3 interviews of him! When I saw them for the first time I almost started to cry. It's quite unbelievable that human beings are able and willing to act in such cruel ways.

• Gerry Conlon 1
• Gerry Conlon 2 (Part 1)
• Gerry Conlon 2 (Part 2)

He wants to raise people's awareness for Gary Critchley and Shaker Aamer who both have become victims of flawed courts. They are falsely condemned prisoners in the 21st century!

I really recommend watching these interviews as I didn't have enough time to show them to you at my presentation. I guess it's a good way to bring yourself back down to earth and realise what a blessed life we lead. 

First time on a flea market

Last sunday I decided to go to a flea market with my mother. I had always wanted to see how a flea market looks like and especially what the people sell. I think it is a very personal thing to sell your own items. Through the years you collect a number of things and they somehow define your character. People give things some kind of meaning and that's the special part of a flea market. So many different people want to get rid of their stuff and it's actually very interesting to see what they posses and give meaning to. You automatically create a picture of the person's character. Anyway, I saw some really cool things there. Rummaging around I found old books, antique furniture, loads of records and some cool clothes. Most of the items were very special and unique. I don't quite understand why people are so reluctant to wear clothes from other people. Why not? If it's something very exclusive that you can't find anywhere nowadays why wouldn't you buy it? That's why washing machines are there for! :-)
However, I have to admit that some people wanted to sell their trash too. Well, it was worth a try :-)
The atmosphere was very great as all people were in search of something different and unique. I'll definitely will go to a few flea markets more often, you just never know what you can discover :-)

I extended my book collection by buying three books on the flea market. One book from 1942! is written by an Austrian author called Grillparzer. It is just about to fall to pices as it is very old. The other book is a thick one from 1944 and written by Nietzsche. It looks very dusty and really antique. The third one is a newer book written by Mario Puzo. I only spent three euro for these books. Unbelieveable! :-)