Understanding the human psyche of that time.

Well, here I am again, writing my second post. Things have been a little crazy between the time I first made this weblog and now. I had a little misleading week last week with a few lessons cancelled and something moved, and then this week has been an absolute horror, because (of course) all of my teachers wanted to catch up on everything this week. So I was a bit busy.

Besides that, it's been a week of accomplishments, for me. I know that last time I was complaining and nagging about the fact how horrible I felt about the whole broken leg-thing, but now that I've got a cast with which I can walk (although I am not allowes to put all of my weight on that leg), things are going a lot smoother. I'm more optimistic now, fortunately.

Done with the broken leg story for now. Let me tell you all a bit about what I'm doing. I'm studying History at the University of Leiden in Holland. I'm in my first year, and in my second semester. Last semester we covered Ancient History (failed that), Dutch History, Writing Skills, Introduction to Historical Science and History of the New Time (misleading title, covers European history from 1200 to French Revolution, failed that too). This semester, we're covering Medieval History, Economic and Social History, Contemporary History (modern history, roughly the last two or three centuries) and Writing Skills II.

I'm actually very interested in Medieval History, but the downside to the subject is that the book we're using is so incredibly dull... I can't get myself to read it properly. It's a real shame, but I reckon things will start to get better once we move further in history. Right now, we're covering the massive migration movements of barbaric peoples in the third and fourth centuries. Somehow, it's difficult for me to understand these people and their motives, maybe because the time gap is too big. I had the same with Ancient History. Apparently there's an invisible line for me, indicating at what time I start understanding the human psyche of that time. And that's where history gets interesting for me, being able to put myself in another's position.

Other than that, I'm very interested in the history of religion, which pretty much means that I'll deal with the Reformation and the Counter-Reformation a lot if I decide to specialize in that. But it's something like a recurring thing throughout the year, right now, it never fails to spark my interest. Just lately, I read an article from a historian who tried to draw a link between economical rationality (and thus economic succes) and Protestantism, especially Calvinism. Here's the explanation in short: the importance of labour has ever been stressed in the Calvinist religion, and that is linked to their strong belief in the predestination principle. Predestination means that God has elected a few good people to go to Heaven after their death. These 'chosen ones' don't really have to do anything throughout their life, because their election is self-evident from their faith. Any doubts are inspired by the devil, and thus already signifies that you are not one of the Chosen. Well, since the Calvinists were inspired by their preachers not to focus on the afterlife too much (they were already chosen after all), they should focus on working, fulfilling a goal set by God through labour, thereby honouring Him in daily life, besides just in Church. However, they have also been taught the principle of ascetism. Leading a sober lifestyle. That meant that they had to take every opportunity that got to earn money, because working hard would honour God, but that they could only spend it on what they really needed, because they needed to stick to the principle of ascetism as well. That eventually leaded to a sense of economic rationality and insight, and thus in an accumulation of capital.

Well, it seems true, doesn't it? But then again, religious motives may only contribute in the tiniest amount to the work ethic that may or may not occur more among people of the Protestant religion. It's a very dangerous claim to make, because he is dealing with something immaterial, something spiritual as his proof. Then again, it does raise eyebrows to know that Catholics have ever been poorer than Protestants, statistically.

Well, I suppose that's it for today! A little insight into what I do in daily life.

I'll keep you updated!

Linnaai.

For broken legs and blogging.

And the same goes for blogging. After having created an account on Twitter, recommended by a dear friend of mine that goes by the name of Jeanne, who compares herself a little too often with a monkey, I decided that I could just as well follow through with my attempt at a social digital life and create a WEBLOG. Oh my, am I actually going to follow through with this? Writing every day about my musings, writings, thoughts and daily activities? Well, perhaps not everyday, but at least I'll try and keep everyone who wishes to keep track of me updated.

So, what to write for the first post? For starters, I'm actually not in the best of moods. As some of you might know, I am dealing with a broken leg. I'm not going to give any specifics right now, so let it be sufficient when I say that it's not just a regular break. If everything goes against me, I may not be able to run again. I keep saying that to myself, but on the other hand, everyone is telling me that I'm young and strong, and that I'll get through it, that I'll eventually be able to do all the things I want to do. Well, I suppose that there is nothing to prove otherwise. I can't help but feel sad, however, when I think of all the things I want to do, but that might be prohibited if I end up limited in the movements of my ankle. Like rowing in the contest team, or walking St. Peter's path, or even just running. I guess that I just have to try my very best to get back to normal, and I'm not keen on being so limited. So there is a drive, a will to be able to do everything again. And I'll rely on that.

But you see, the effects of a broken leg, mentally, are twofold. You have the shortterm effects and longterm effects. Among the longterm effects are the annoyances like, not being able to go out to do sports, or not being able to go the city for some shopping. However, when you've come to terms with that (or to an extent, at least), the longterm effects begin. Not being able to do little things like walking to the kitchen to get myself something to eat, or not being able to go up and down the stairs to get something, it leaves you not only frustrated, but you also end up with all this unused energy. Then, at the end of the day, you find yourself in bed, tired mentally, but physically wide awake. Insomnia.

Oh well, just three weeks and two days to go until my surgery, and from then on, I can start gaining strength again. One benefit from the broken leg, although I have no clue how it is possible: I've lost weight.

Well, there's a first for everything. For broken legs and for blogging. And a lot more in the future.

I'll keep you updated!

Linnaai.