A lot of people don't really like the new bridge at the entrance to the city...I can't remember if I have already had a blog about this...but I for one like it.
Did you know that the Eiffel Tower when it was first erected was referred to by PArisians as the 'tragic lampost'. Just as only now Jorn Utzon is revered for building the Sydney Opera House...architects are often not appreciated for their revolutionary design at the time...or rather I think the city has to integrate with the building and build a relationship...
I am not going all Howard Rourke...I would prefer to go all Dominique, I have a great dress to go with her personality as well...The point being, I am not trying to philosophise about this...
The construction has grown on me though to the point where I am even proud of it, and I think it has become an icon...you can see it from many different views and it attracts attention...apparently last winter when snow gathered on its strings and fell, it damaged cars...so you might need to beware...Even though there was a party to officially open it, it's not being used yet because the light rail isn't in existance yet after about 6 years of building...one day the messiah will come but until then, we at least have Arab workers...
In other news...I have decided to take Public Health promotion, and I am learning that marketing is a more effective way of reaching people that education...sad but true...
I am doing all these subjects like 'health economics' and 'health marketing' which seem to me to be what you would have learned in a basic all round american undergrad...economics 101 and marketing 101...now I am catching up and being exposed to these concepts which can really be applied across the board to anything...which makes me for the first time re-think about the idea of a general education being a positive thing, as opposed to my specific job orientated degree. If psych, economics, statistics etc are needed in almost everything then it makes sense to do them all first and then branch out and specialise...Whereas usually I am more in favour of getting a specific degree rather than 'wasting time' doing arts...perhaps this all makes sense...hmmm....
As I accumulate more initials next to my name, the academic environment here is rubbing off on me...and I am acutely aware of how much people here are degree heavy...having degrees here is like underwear....you can never have too many....
It's an interesting cultural difference...whereas in Australia, practical, work experience is valued, over here your pay is structured according to your academic credentials, which means people are clambering to get PHd's. Getting one from America means that you have really arrived...
Where is all this leading to?
Does it bode well???
There aren't many jingle bells around but Bethlehem is 15 mins away...and perhaps I can look for the North star out my window tonight...but it's cloudy and cold, so I will put on my heater instead.
Have a happy Chanukah.
