Emma: Up Close

Of all of the many pieces of wisdom that my mother has given me, one that has far surpassed the others in prevelence in my life is:

"Emma, you're a weird magnet. Maybe you should learn to be kind from a distance. Kindness from a distance."

And this has become a mantra that I often repeat over and over in my head. Kindness from a distance, kindness from a distance, kindness from a distance. But I'll admit -- I've started to question the effects of this mantra. Yes, my weird magneticism and kindness up close has definitely led to some interesting stories and events that I could have (and many times would have liked to have) avoided. I worry, however, about putting excessive space between the people around me. I know -- this mantra is not to be directed at family and friends, but rather acquantainces who tend to spill their entire life story to me unsolicited. But in spite of the baggage that sometimes comes with the territory, I have learned a great deal about myself because I have learned a great deal about others.

When it comes to studying aborad, however, there's no internal debate. I'm jumping right in. Instead of seeing Germany as I do in the classroom, I see it up close. And while I could practice seeing Germany from a distance -- sticking with American foods, hanging out with only the people with whom I'm going, speaking English when I can, watching American television, and spending hours every day skyping home -- that's not why I'm going. Thus, my 6-Month resolution: see Germany up close. Yes, this means experiencing Germany's culture -- language, food, art, clothing -- but it also means experiencing the people of Germany. So, here goes nothing. Here's to being kind up close. Here's to seeing up close. Here's to hearing up close. And here's to loving up close.

P.S. I'll make sure to brush my teeth. Don't want getting too close to scare people away : )