Last year I met two Dutch girls, Marieke and Sanne, who were volunteering at the Bem Youth Progressive Action Center in Yerevan, and I’ve now discovered that the latter has set up her own blog, Things that keep me busy in life, at http://thingsthatkeepmebusy.blogspot.com. Although it might not be Armenian-related now that Sanne has returned to the Netherlands, I’m sure that she’ll make reference to her experiences at some point, which she already has in a way.

As people in Armenia don’t have so much to spend, there isnt much to waste. Back here I realize how luxurious our live here is: we have running water, a shower (ah hot!), gas to cook on, electricity all day long, so light and working computers 24 hours a day!

Realizing this made me also realizing that so few people in this country seem to appreciate the things they have. Now you might consider this as an innocent ignorance, and yeah it might even be a good sign of this society that everyone sees this as normal to a civil society. I would like to see people openly appreciate it, but this is not my big concern.

This innocent ignorance though is sometimes combined with ignorance of waste.

Thanks Sanne for your kind words about meeting me and also about my blog. I welcome your move into cyberspace and look forward to reading more.

Last year I worked and lived in Armenia. As a result I came across the issue of independent media and the troubles of it in former soviet countries. Most likely I will post more about that topic in future. In Armenia I met Onnik Krikorian, a photo journalist, who has his own blog at www.oneworld.am. I started reading his posts and finally got the importance of blogging as a tool against censorship in countries like Armenia. I’m also a fan of Myrthe’s blog at http://www.armenianodar.blogspot.com, a Dutch girl living in Armenia and the newly set up blog by Tamar at http://armyouth.wordpress.com. Onnik is trying to stimulate blogging among Armenian youth and he makes me more and more realize how important blogging can be in countries like Armenia, where people are not allowed to write and say whatever they think.

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And suddenly, because of these questions, I realized the essence of freedom of speech. If there is no one to speak up, then why do we have freedom of speech? Every person on this planet has things to say, to share, to discuss.

Especially in countries like The Netherlands, where it seems like everything is perfect, there is the threat of laziness, lack of interest in social issues and losing of creativity because everything is ok anyway. Especially here people shouldn’t stop being idealistic, being open minded, having discussions. If I think the world would be a better place by discussing, sharing and getting to know each other, then why not start with myself?