I have tons and tons more pictures to share. However, it takes some time to upload pics. Here is a link to pictures of our school and home. This is a good starting point I thought! :) Enjoy!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020438&id=151100035&l=b92f7b9fe3.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
More of what I am learning... Politics - ANZUS Treaty
Hello all-
So this Blog will be a little different in the fact that it is going to be a mini history lesson. We were asked to Blog about something we have learned through politics, arts, and or culture. I just did a pretty intense project on the ANZUS treaty. I wanted to share a little of what I learned but more than anything I wanted to stress some lessons I learned through this research. I'll speak on behalf of my K-12 education only (but I would fathom other education systems across the country are the same), we miss out of the rest of the world. We do not really study the relationship with have with other countries, the effects of our decisions in D.C., and other countries' strengths. We learn great deals about the land of the free and the land of opportunity. Through researching, I've realized what a difference it makes to read foreign policy through authors of both countries. I could go into a long rant about this but as I said in the other Blog, I'll be general but I am very willing and highly interested in having conversation about things I am learning.
The treaty came about after the cooperation of the United States, Australia and New Zealand during World War II. Japan attacked Australia. It was the United States (not Great Britain) who stood to protect Australia. Australia was very gracious and extended their loyalty to the US. The result was the security alliance between Australia (A), New Zealand (NZ) and the United States (US).
Side Notes to the treaty:
*During the 1980's New Zealand pulled out from the treaty due to disagreements with the US over nuclear power.
*Australia and the United States have a trade relation that Australia depends greatly upon. The US imports (to name a few) beef, sugar, and dairy products. 1/4 of Australia's agricultural exports are to the US. If the US chooses to find goods within the states or even in other countries - Australia is stuck with the oversupply and the economic fall. A quote from one source states, "...the central role of the U.S. Dollar in International finance gives the U.S. government enormous influence and capacity to disrupt world markets." THE US DOLLAR CAN DISRUPT WORLD MARKETS. I understand with the global economic crisis our dollar is suffering as well. None the less, it is important for us to understand our trade relationships and it's effects on other countries.
*The decisions the US makes within their relationships towards other nations affect Australia's safety. The close relationship Australia has with the US has in turn affected Australia's relationship with the Soviet Union (due to the formation of NATO) and Australia's relationship with the Middle East (due to Australia's aid in 9/11).
*The United States benefits from Australia's surveillance for the area between the Eastern Indian Ocean to the South-West Pacific. Australia is expected to maintain technology and the mechanical standards the United States requests for this surveillance. This is costly. In return, the US gives Australia intelligence and technology information. However, with the size of America, the number of foreign relationships American has and the level of security/secrecy our nation holds - Australia has to take the amount of information they are given without questions. Interesting.
The side notes mentioned and the soap box speech I gave at the beginning of this Blog are some of what I experienced/learned through this project. In addition to this project a trip to Canberra (Australia's capital) would make foreign policy come alive. As one ambassador from the Indonesian Embassy stated, "Foreign Policy stands to show the life values of a country." I've lived in the United States my entire life and I have found I am pretty clueless and naive to the life values of our country. I would guess there are people like myself within every country (not just the US). I am now inspired more than ever to understand my country's (and others) life values - not through what I read in books from authors of my own country, not from the news that can be biased in every way/shape/form, and not from word of mouth. Instead I can learn these things through the actions and decisions a country makes - through our relationships (past/present/future) with other countries.
*Oh and disclaimer: I realize the world of Foreign Policy/Relations/Politics is like a jungle. I have no idea just how much is out there. However, I believe having a desire to know something no matter how incomprehensible it may seem is ALWAYS worthwhile in the end. So get out there and tackle the world!
The ANZUS treaty as documented is the following:The ANZUS TreatyThis is the full text of the Security Treaty Between Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRSCANBERRA
Security Treaty between Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America [ANZUS]
(San Francisco, 1 September 1951)
Entry into force generally: 29 April 1952
AUSTRALIAN TREATY SERIES1952 No. 2
Australian Government Publishing ServiceCanberra
(c) Commonwealth of Australia 1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITY TREATY BETWEEN AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
THE PARTIES TO THIS TREATY,
REAFFIRMING their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and all Governments, and desiring to strengthen the fabric of peace in the Pacific Area,
NOTING that the United States already has arrangements pursuant to which its armed forces are stationed in the Philippines, and has armed forces and administrative responsibilities in the Ryukyus, and upon the coming into force of the Japanese Peace Treaty may also station armed forces in and about Japan to assist in the preservation of peace and security in the Japan Area,
RECOGNIZING that Australia and New Zealand as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations have military obligations outside as well as within the Pacific Area,
DESIRING to declare publicly and formally their sense of unity, so that no potential aggressor could be under the illusion that any of them stand alone in the Pacific Area, and
DESIRING further to coordinate their efforts for collective defense for the preservation of peace and security pending the development of a more comprehensive system of regional security in the Pacific Area,
THEREFORE DECLARE AND AGREE as follows:
Article I
The Parties undertake, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, to settle any international disputes in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered and to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.
Article II
In order more effectively to achieve the objective of this Treaty the Parties separately and jointly by means of continuous and effective self-help and mutual aid will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack.
Article III
The Parties will consult together whenever in the opinion of any of them the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened in the Pacific.
Article IV
Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific Area on any of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common danger in accordance with its constitutional processes.
Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall be immediately reported to the Security Council of the United Nations. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security.
Article V
For the purpose of Article IV, an armed attack on any of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack on the metropolitan territory of any of the Parties, or on the island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific or on its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific.
Article VI
This Treaty does not affect and shall not be interpreted as affecting in any way the rights and obligations of the Parties under the Charter of the United Nations or the responsibility of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security.
Article VII
The Parties hereby establish a Council, consisting of their Foreign Ministers or their Deputies, to consider matters concerning the implementation of this Treaty. The Council should be so organized as to be able to meet at any time.
Article VIII
Pending the development of a more comprehensive system of regional security in the Pacific Area and the development by the United Nations of more effective means to maintain international peace and security, the Council, established by Article VII, is authorized to maintain a consultative relationship with States, Regional Organizations, Associations of States or other authorities in the Pacific Area in a position to further the purposes of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of that Area.
Article IX
This Treaty shall be ratified by the Parties in accordance with their respective constitutional processes. The instruments of ratification shall be deposited as soon as possible with the Government of Australia, which will notify each of the other signatories of such deposit. The Treaty shall enter into force as soon as the ratifications of the signatories have been deposited.[1]
Article X
This Treaty shall remain in force indefinitely. Any Party may cease to be a member of the Council established by Article VII one year after notice has been given to the Government of Australia, which will inform the Governments of the other Parties of the deposit of such notice.
Article XI
This Treaty in the English language shall be deposited in the archives of the Government of Australia. Duly certified copies thereof will be transmitted by that Government to the Governments of each of the other signatories.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries have signed this Treaty.
DONE at the city of San Francisco this first day of September, 1951.
So this Blog will be a little different in the fact that it is going to be a mini history lesson. We were asked to Blog about something we have learned through politics, arts, and or culture. I just did a pretty intense project on the ANZUS treaty. I wanted to share a little of what I learned but more than anything I wanted to stress some lessons I learned through this research. I'll speak on behalf of my K-12 education only (but I would fathom other education systems across the country are the same), we miss out of the rest of the world. We do not really study the relationship with have with other countries, the effects of our decisions in D.C., and other countries' strengths. We learn great deals about the land of the free and the land of opportunity. Through researching, I've realized what a difference it makes to read foreign policy through authors of both countries. I could go into a long rant about this but as I said in the other Blog, I'll be general but I am very willing and highly interested in having conversation about things I am learning.
The treaty came about after the cooperation of the United States, Australia and New Zealand during World War II. Japan attacked Australia. It was the United States (not Great Britain) who stood to protect Australia. Australia was very gracious and extended their loyalty to the US. The result was the security alliance between Australia (A), New Zealand (NZ) and the United States (US).
Side Notes to the treaty:
*During the 1980's New Zealand pulled out from the treaty due to disagreements with the US over nuclear power.
*Australia and the United States have a trade relation that Australia depends greatly upon. The US imports (to name a few) beef, sugar, and dairy products. 1/4 of Australia's agricultural exports are to the US. If the US chooses to find goods within the states or even in other countries - Australia is stuck with the oversupply and the economic fall. A quote from one source states, "...the central role of the U.S. Dollar in International finance gives the U.S. government enormous influence and capacity to disrupt world markets." THE US DOLLAR CAN DISRUPT WORLD MARKETS. I understand with the global economic crisis our dollar is suffering as well. None the less, it is important for us to understand our trade relationships and it's effects on other countries.
*The decisions the US makes within their relationships towards other nations affect Australia's safety. The close relationship Australia has with the US has in turn affected Australia's relationship with the Soviet Union (due to the formation of NATO) and Australia's relationship with the Middle East (due to Australia's aid in 9/11).
*The United States benefits from Australia's surveillance for the area between the Eastern Indian Ocean to the South-West Pacific. Australia is expected to maintain technology and the mechanical standards the United States requests for this surveillance. This is costly. In return, the US gives Australia intelligence and technology information. However, with the size of America, the number of foreign relationships American has and the level of security/secrecy our nation holds - Australia has to take the amount of information they are given without questions. Interesting.
The side notes mentioned and the soap box speech I gave at the beginning of this Blog are some of what I experienced/learned through this project. In addition to this project a trip to Canberra (Australia's capital) would make foreign policy come alive. As one ambassador from the Indonesian Embassy stated, "Foreign Policy stands to show the life values of a country." I've lived in the United States my entire life and I have found I am pretty clueless and naive to the life values of our country. I would guess there are people like myself within every country (not just the US). I am now inspired more than ever to understand my country's (and others) life values - not through what I read in books from authors of my own country, not from the news that can be biased in every way/shape/form, and not from word of mouth. Instead I can learn these things through the actions and decisions a country makes - through our relationships (past/present/future) with other countries.
*Oh and disclaimer: I realize the world of Foreign Policy/Relations/Politics is like a jungle. I have no idea just how much is out there. However, I believe having a desire to know something no matter how incomprehensible it may seem is ALWAYS worthwhile in the end. So get out there and tackle the world!
The ANZUS treaty as documented is the following:The ANZUS TreatyThis is the full text of the Security Treaty Between Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRSCANBERRA
Security Treaty between Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America [ANZUS]
(San Francisco, 1 September 1951)
Entry into force generally: 29 April 1952
AUSTRALIAN TREATY SERIES1952 No. 2
Australian Government Publishing ServiceCanberra
(c) Commonwealth of Australia 1997
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITY TREATY BETWEEN AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
THE PARTIES TO THIS TREATY,
REAFFIRMING their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and all Governments, and desiring to strengthen the fabric of peace in the Pacific Area,
NOTING that the United States already has arrangements pursuant to which its armed forces are stationed in the Philippines, and has armed forces and administrative responsibilities in the Ryukyus, and upon the coming into force of the Japanese Peace Treaty may also station armed forces in and about Japan to assist in the preservation of peace and security in the Japan Area,
RECOGNIZING that Australia and New Zealand as members of the British Commonwealth of Nations have military obligations outside as well as within the Pacific Area,
DESIRING to declare publicly and formally their sense of unity, so that no potential aggressor could be under the illusion that any of them stand alone in the Pacific Area, and
DESIRING further to coordinate their efforts for collective defense for the preservation of peace and security pending the development of a more comprehensive system of regional security in the Pacific Area,
THEREFORE DECLARE AND AGREE as follows:
Article I
The Parties undertake, as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, to settle any international disputes in which they may be involved by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security and justice are not endangered and to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force in any manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.
Article II
In order more effectively to achieve the objective of this Treaty the Parties separately and jointly by means of continuous and effective self-help and mutual aid will maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack.
Article III
The Parties will consult together whenever in the opinion of any of them the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened in the Pacific.
Article IV
Each Party recognizes that an armed attack in the Pacific Area on any of the Parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declares that it would act to meet the common danger in accordance with its constitutional processes.
Any such armed attack and all measures taken as a result thereof shall be immediately reported to the Security Council of the United Nations. Such measures shall be terminated when the Security Council has taken the measures necessary to restore and maintain international peace and security.
Article V
For the purpose of Article IV, an armed attack on any of the Parties is deemed to include an armed attack on the metropolitan territory of any of the Parties, or on the island territories under its jurisdiction in the Pacific or on its armed forces, public vessels or aircraft in the Pacific.
Article VI
This Treaty does not affect and shall not be interpreted as affecting in any way the rights and obligations of the Parties under the Charter of the United Nations or the responsibility of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security.
Article VII
The Parties hereby establish a Council, consisting of their Foreign Ministers or their Deputies, to consider matters concerning the implementation of this Treaty. The Council should be so organized as to be able to meet at any time.
Article VIII
Pending the development of a more comprehensive system of regional security in the Pacific Area and the development by the United Nations of more effective means to maintain international peace and security, the Council, established by Article VII, is authorized to maintain a consultative relationship with States, Regional Organizations, Associations of States or other authorities in the Pacific Area in a position to further the purposes of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of that Area.
Article IX
This Treaty shall be ratified by the Parties in accordance with their respective constitutional processes. The instruments of ratification shall be deposited as soon as possible with the Government of Australia, which will notify each of the other signatories of such deposit. The Treaty shall enter into force as soon as the ratifications of the signatories have been deposited.[1]
Article X
This Treaty shall remain in force indefinitely. Any Party may cease to be a member of the Council established by Article VII one year after notice has been given to the Government of Australia, which will inform the Governments of the other Parties of the deposit of such notice.
Article XI
This Treaty in the English language shall be deposited in the archives of the Government of Australia. Duly certified copies thereof will be transmitted by that Government to the Governments of each of the other signatories.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned Plenipotentiaries have signed this Treaty.
DONE at the city of San Francisco this first day of September, 1951.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Classes... What I am Learning...
Goodmorning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening - GDay!
Second Blog in a month - you can say it, I am just smashing at this Bloggin deal. Lies - I know.
First, thanks for takin a read!
Australia still remains beautiful and grand but I'll share more of what I am learning and more detailed description of life here in Sydney.
Let us start with classes. Our required class on Australia is a lot of reading and critical thinking. The questions asked in response to our reading and the class discussions is where I am learning most. Just to mention one class session in particular, we were priviledged to have a member from Parliament teach our class. He did a really great job explaining the history and government of Australia. It was really interesting to the learn some of the differences between America and Australia's founding stories and the structure of each government. It would be quite a task but it would be most interesting to learn the story of every country. To hear from natives how their country's government system works, and it's strengths and weaknesses is such an enlightening experience. We can read about government in other countries but it is so much more understandable while being present. It's encouraging to be in another country where things (I'm using a very broad word intentionally) are different but things work just as well or better. I am reminded also though, government and it's ways are fallen everywhere. The ways of American politics are often put down (understandably so in some cases) but other systems fall short as well. I hope this does not stir harsh thoughts or come off as I am making blanket ignorant statements or something horrible. I'd love to go deeper but I think one on one discussions are better for that. I wrote this meaning to bring about fruitful discussion and/or intrigue.
Onward to another class. I have a class titled "Urban Ministry". This class counts as a Sociology internship in the US. I will spend sixty five hours in a church called Newtown Mission Church (http://www.newtownmission.org.au/). Take a peek! I work with the Compassion Pastor, Pastor Brian - which is definetly the best title I have ever heard a church give a position. You will probably hear a significant amount about this experience! I will journal and set goals each week in order to complete this class.
I have two other classes - both with Grenvil Kent. He shares so many stories, loves his family, and has a wealth of knowledge I only dream of having. Grenvil spills over with information, is so willing to learn from his students and is passionate about what he teaches and it shows in how he teaches and how he spends his time pursuing the subjects outside of class. The two classes are titled Faith and the Christian Artist and Old Testament Covenants. Faith and the Christian Artist leads us through being an Artist, appreciating art, and seeing the vital role of arts and culture as a Christian. Truly though, that sentence does not give justice to the class. Each week we have art of some sort to appreciate and take in and then engage in intense discussion. In some of the past classes we have gone through Queen's entire album, talked through Paris Hilton's most recent book, and our last class we discussed the life of Porn Star Jenna Jameson. We talk about the meanings behind lyrics, their lives, what redemption looks like in the lives of the artists, and where Christ seemed apparent to us but why not them? It's refreshing to rip the divide between "secular" and "sacred". It might be one of my passions, no it is.
I truly love all of my classes, my teachers, what I am learning, the discussions and much more. I must admit though, Old Testament Covenants is a class that has my heart! I am learning so much. I am reading, outlining, and writing a review on a book titled, "The God of Covenant: Biblical, Theological, and Contemporary Perspectives" by Jamie Grant and Alistair Wilson. Through the Ocean City Beach project I was encouraged to read the Bible as a Metanarrative - Creation, Fall, Redemption and Consumation. We discussed reading the Bible through a Covenental perspective. I am not real sure that it clicked that summer. I was mostly enveloped in learning about the Redemption of the Heavens AND the Earth. This class examines Covenants in the OT and how the theme of Covenant is running through the entire Bible. The Covenant with the Israelites is not a distant, foriegn covenant that does not relate to us and or the NT. The Covenant with the Israelites and the responsibility of the Israelites is so much more closely tied than I have known. Knowing these couple details transforms the OT for me. I could go into much greater detail with the help of my notes because I am not as wonderful at regurgitating information as I'd like. I do truly understand the class though and feel a whole new passion. This class has helped me to love the OT and reading it more than I ever have.
I think I will close this Blog for a number of reasons. I really want to give credit to my classes. This experience is enriching because of the opportunity to study in another country, to study without also having to work a job, and in particular to study the subjects mentioned above. I will write again so soon, maybe even later. I also wanted to get some words out to those of you reading my Blog faithfully. I would love to hear responses, questions, and well just from you in general.
So much more to come. I am so blessed by this opportunity. I hope reading this is enlightening, encouraging, and enriching - because I hope that's what I am to you! :)
Much love.
Much love.
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