The other day my neighbor hosted a fashion party in her home. I enjoy going even though the garments are not designed for people of size. The ladies who attend are so nice to meet, and take turns modeling the attire for our critique. This time my upstairs friend, Debbie, was there which made it even more fun for me.
When I had an opportunity, I asked the hostess about her daughters. I didn't realize that both her daughters were in graduate school, only knew about one. Her older daughter is getting an advanced degree in her field which is civil engineering and urban planning. The study she is writing her thesis on is based in 'placement'. What does that mean?
I understand that her paper addresses communities and its people, and why they live where and how they do it. What keeps people living in the areas prone to natural disasters, or living in depressed economies when jobs are waiting for them elsewhere? Why do people endure those long, miserable winters up north instead of moving to more temperate states? Their company is closing in town with the option to relocate with the business to the new area, but they decline. Or, their home or neighborhood is crumbling but the thought of leaving is out of the question. I am sure her paper will be much more technically and academically presented but it sure is an interesting subject to consider.
Years ago some friends of mine built a home in a neighborhood not too far from where we lived. Oh, what a nice home it was going to be for this family! Not long after getting moved in, the districts for the gov't schools were redrawn and their kids would have to attend lesser rated schools. Oh, oh....They put their new house on the market and started looking in the area where the schools were better. I asked, "How can you leave this beautiful house???" and my friend said, "It's just a house..." Yes, I get that, having moved 27 times myself, but in my case, it was our business.
This subject is fascinating to me as I do observe people who are basically glued in place despite their circumstances because nothing can move them off of 'go'. It reminds me of the influx of staff at Sprint years back when a Voice Services center in Kansas City closed. Those willing to make the move with the company did so, and came halfway across the country to FL to continue in their employment. This was a blessing for the company as these people were already trained, all they had to do was plug in their headsets and start taking calls. How brave of them to uproot themselves and/or families in order to keep their jobs. There are some people who might think that is a ludicrous thing to do. "It's just a house..."
While I can't wrap my head around why people live in the less than ideal living situations (i.e. shoveling, scraping, salting, slipping, sliding, layering...), I also am reluctant to consider moving. No matter how many leaks I have or how often I am leaked on, 95% of the time I love it here. When people encourage me to move back to WI, (where I belong, according to my mom!) I am emphatic with my 'no!'. Some people can't imagine moving away from family, living where it is hot and humid, at risk for tropical storms or worse. And have real traffic! Barring unforeseen circumstances, I am affected by being stuck in place as well.
Do people who live in Siberia defend it because they are stuck there, or because they really love it? Do they defend their choice at all? How about people who live in Hawaii? You never hear people say to Siberians, "Man, you live in paradise!" With all the communication and transportation available, everyone must know there is something or somewhere beyond their back door. Is it contentment, satisfaction with being okay we are that keeps us where we are? Or, is it fear? Good stuff to think about!
When I had an opportunity, I asked the hostess about her daughters. I didn't realize that both her daughters were in graduate school, only knew about one. Her older daughter is getting an advanced degree in her field which is civil engineering and urban planning. The study she is writing her thesis on is based in 'placement'. What does that mean?
I understand that her paper addresses communities and its people, and why they live where and how they do it. What keeps people living in the areas prone to natural disasters, or living in depressed economies when jobs are waiting for them elsewhere? Why do people endure those long, miserable winters up north instead of moving to more temperate states? Their company is closing in town with the option to relocate with the business to the new area, but they decline. Or, their home or neighborhood is crumbling but the thought of leaving is out of the question. I am sure her paper will be much more technically and academically presented but it sure is an interesting subject to consider.
Years ago some friends of mine built a home in a neighborhood not too far from where we lived. Oh, what a nice home it was going to be for this family! Not long after getting moved in, the districts for the gov't schools were redrawn and their kids would have to attend lesser rated schools. Oh, oh....They put their new house on the market and started looking in the area where the schools were better. I asked, "How can you leave this beautiful house???" and my friend said, "It's just a house..." Yes, I get that, having moved 27 times myself, but in my case, it was our business.
This subject is fascinating to me as I do observe people who are basically glued in place despite their circumstances because nothing can move them off of 'go'. It reminds me of the influx of staff at Sprint years back when a Voice Services center in Kansas City closed. Those willing to make the move with the company did so, and came halfway across the country to FL to continue in their employment. This was a blessing for the company as these people were already trained, all they had to do was plug in their headsets and start taking calls. How brave of them to uproot themselves and/or families in order to keep their jobs. There are some people who might think that is a ludicrous thing to do. "It's just a house..."
While I can't wrap my head around why people live in the less than ideal living situations (i.e. shoveling, scraping, salting, slipping, sliding, layering...), I also am reluctant to consider moving. No matter how many leaks I have or how often I am leaked on, 95% of the time I love it here. When people encourage me to move back to WI, (where I belong, according to my mom!) I am emphatic with my 'no!'. Some people can't imagine moving away from family, living where it is hot and humid, at risk for tropical storms or worse. And have real traffic! Barring unforeseen circumstances, I am affected by being stuck in place as well.
Do people who live in Siberia defend it because they are stuck there, or because they really love it? Do they defend their choice at all? How about people who live in Hawaii? You never hear people say to Siberians, "Man, you live in paradise!" With all the communication and transportation available, everyone must know there is something or somewhere beyond their back door. Is it contentment, satisfaction with being okay we are that keeps us where we are? Or, is it fear? Good stuff to think about!
