Road+Blocks+&+Bridges

Bridges: Local & Global Literal Definitons Global Metaphorical Definitions Local Metaphorical Definitions Roadblocks And Bridges

=Bridges:Local & Global Literal Definitions=


 * Kenny Lindberg
 * Brian Vital
 * Bill Doepp


 * Doğu Yürür
 * Anıl Tetik
 * Sevki Hasırcı


 * Tuğba Gedleç
 * Dilek Mustafaoğlu
 * Şefika Bulut
 * Merve Yeniad





This is our definition in the making: Let us know what you think. Please add your definiton.

Bridges are used everyday and and seem to fall short of appreciation. Bridges are infrastructural features that connect two land masses. These landmasses could be from an island to an island or even a country to a country. Bridges don't connect just land masses, but also civilizations, societies, and communities. Bridges are built to ease the way for people and business. Bridges enable people to cross where Earth has made it difficult to do so.

The Peace Bridge in Buffalo, New York, is a local bridge to us, but the landmasses it connects are global. The peace bridge doesn't just connect two towns, or two cities, the Peace Bridge connects two countries, it connects the United States and Canada. The Peace Bridge spans across the Niagara River, allowing the United States and Canada to do business with one another. The Peace Bridge helps these countries deliver and exchange goods, whatever they may be, to each other and even to other countries as well. Not only does the Peace Bridge allow for easier shipping of goods, but it also allows for people to trave easier as well. To get to other cities in the Great Lakes region became more reasonable by cutting through Canada rather that driving through the United States, around all of the lakes. The name of the bridge, The Peace Bridge, was given that name to celebrate the 100 years of peace between the United States and Canada which is still present today. Though local to Buffalo citizens, it can be seen as a global bridge.

The ability to cross from once side to another is in most cases very hard without the use of a bridge. This is shown very good in Venice, Italy. Two of the most common bridges the tourist will most likely go across in Venice are the Rialto Bridge, and the Scalzi Bridge. The Rialto Bridge located fairly close to San Marcos Square, is one of the most famous bridges in all of Italy. The Scalzi Bridge is one that most tourists will cross when arriving to Venice from most out of town locations. This bridge has fourty steps up, and then fourty back down, and is a great picture taking locartion.



top

=Bridges: Global Metaphorical Definitions=


 * Miles McCray
 * Öznur Davran
 * Berfin Beşiroğlu
 * Neslihan Kılıç



Toronto's Humber Bay Arch Bridge, Source: http://wvs.topleftpixel.com/08/03/12/

A dictionary would state the common definition of //Bridge // would be a structure spanning and providing passage over a river, road obstacle, or the like. I don’t believe that’s the whole truth. //Bridge // in my opinion can be defined as a goal attained through experience that allows a person or diverse group to arrive at shared conclusions on many issues. This great connector can be open or disguised in many forms.  www.daleyblog.com/ weblog/images/roadblock.jpg My definition can be exemplified by the developing world. We would not have come as far as we have without the United Nations. The name alone suggests a goal to bridge differences between people. The U.N. is an organization that includes virtually all countries in the world, with nearly 190 member nations. An important division of the United Nations is the Security Council, in which five powerful nations have a majority. The Security Council’s duty is to solve crises and keep peace. The United Nations was formed after World War II as a successor to the League of Nations and has served as a forum for many international disputes, notably the Arab- Israeli conflict and the Cuban Missile crisis. Because of these conflicts, our leaders arrived to this successful conclusion of the U.N. Although this is a great bridge to peace, many have yet to cross.  United Nations Emblem

<span style="font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Perhaps there is a less obvious view of bridges such as The Arts. Theater, film, music, and visual arts serve as connectors between people. There is a story titled “Roadblocks and Bridges” by Roberta Levitow that reveals this sort of bridge. Levitow, an American actress, traveled from Los Angeles, California, United States; to Nairobi, Kenya, to participate in the East African Theater Workshop. This workshop included fourteen talented men and women from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. This group communicated between English and Swahili. Levitow, along with the Ugandans and Kenyans used English, and the Tanzanians and some Kenyans used Swahili. This in itself was a tremendous roadblock that required a bridge. Being among playwrights, directors, and actors, posed as an advantage. They all used their creative skills and allowed song, dance and improvisation to serve as the group’s language. The goal in this situation was communication. And through the experience of theater was this bridge built.

http://www.art4me.com/theater.html

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Just recently, America, perceived to be a falling nation, has offered bridges within itself and the rest of the world. I am referring to the elected Barack Obama for President of the United States. His election is a great step alone for wanting a better world. A huge problem we have worldwide is the war in Iraq. Obama introduced binding and comprehensive legislation that not only reverses the President's dangerous and ill-conceived escalation of the Iraq war, but also sets a new course for U.S. policy that can bring a responsible end to the war and bring troops home. This is only one of many issues presently, worldwide. Bridges within America are indeed being constructed considering President Barack Obama will be the first American President of African descent in this chief executive position. I believe one of the many reasons why Barack Obama was elected president is because people realize he represents many systems. Therefore, this is an optimistic solution for change.

http://www.thinkyouth.org/2007/08/26/barack-obama-crossing-party-lines/

text source: http://obama.senate.gov/press/070130-obama_offers_pl_1/

=Bridges: Local Metaphorical Definitions=

<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Bridges are common bonds that unite the relationships between people regardless to where they are in the world. <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">They can supply a connection between people without the infrastructure that you would typically think about when you think of a bridge. Music is very universal and can most definitely unite people. It acts as a common language, even when there is a language barrier. In addition, transitioning from High School to college is something that <span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">most people can relate to. It allows for new doors to be opened and new situations to be experienced. When faced in these new situations, people who are sharing the common feelings of uncertainty come together. Fraternities and sororities can also unite people by bringing people with common interests together. Belonging to a fraternity or sorority can then allow networking in future endeavors such as career opportunities. No matter where you are in the world, music is a bridge that can bring people of any culture together. Even with a language barrier serving as a setback, music can bridge that obstacle and allow for a common language that everyone, no matter who or where you are, can relate to. This musical bridge allows for cultures to become united. Music is usually introduced in grammar school by means of taking a simple music class, joining a chorus, and/or learning to play a musical instrument. By becoming acquainted with the world of music, many new opportunities and experiences may cross your path. Music may spark an artistic talent or interest in people and may act as a bridge for these individuals leading to whole new experiences. Singers, songwriters, and musicians of any kind were all introduced to music in some way, and it has led them to a rewarding career that they have a great love for. Some people take the lessons music has taught them as they further their education; lessons such as discipline, persistence, hard work, and dedication. These are all valuable qualities one can carry through life that will benefit them in whatever path they choose to follow, or bridge they choose to cross. Music can unite people all over the world by allowing for a common interest and universal language. Not only can music act as a bridge to bring people together, even when there is a language barrier, but a bridge can also be looked at as a personal obstacle. A bridge offers a fresh start to those who chose to cross. Transitioning from high school to college is an example of a personal obstacle and bridge leading to a fresh start and new opportunities. Like a bridge, college is a path to new places. College gives you an opportunity to try something new; something you have never experienced before. Once you have completed college, your degree opens doors for new paths and experiences. Your education takes you far, whether you stay at home or go abroad. I do believe every person has a desire to accomplish something. Many people do not know what that desire is because they are afraid of change. Breaking your initial fear is the first steep. If you decide the other side of the bridge is not for you, a bridge always offers a way back. Fraternities and sororities can easily bring anyone who has common interests together, and therefore, will act as a uniting bridge. Fraternities and sororities are social organizations presented at colleges and Universities in North America. “Fraternity” and “sorority” come from the Latin words, “frater” and “soror,” meaning “brother” and “sister." These organizations are usually single-sexed. The names of fraternities and sororities usually consist of two or three Greek letters, often coming from a Greek motto. Most of these organizations are formed on campus and involves an initiation. Fraternities and sororities today maintain traditions which are symbolic in nature and guarded secrets which may include handshakes, songs, and dances amongst other things. These formed social groups connect people who are more alike and help each other in society. Being a part of one of these groups affords people employment, status and business opportunities. As a member of a fraternity or sorority you become a part of a bridge of continuous networking. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> Bridges are a way of connecting people who are worlds apart, which enables us to gain another perspective on different aspects of life, or even enhance knowledge we already have. Bridges don’t necessarily need to be a physical structure in order to bring people together. By recognizing these metaphorical bridges, we can gain knowledge, experiences, relationships and alliances, and ultimately unite us. media type="youtube" key="kQMx5WNQD_w" height="344" width="425"media type="youtube" key="IYHr6MIcdcg" height="344" width="425" media type="youtube" key="2wn_KM8PO6Y" height="344" width="425"
 * Tammy
 * Jeremy
 * Tanya

=Roadblocks And Bridges=

Everybody can face to face some obstacles during their lifetimes. These obstacles can overtake in everywhere, such as, in our daily life, in our schools , in our business life and moreover, when we want to go abroad. However these barriers, people should know open a window between these obstacles.

First of all, we want to talk about obstacle in our daily life. For instance, especially in Turkey traffic is a big obstacle for people. When we want to go from one side to the other side in limited time, traffic can be trouble for drivers. Moreover, there is an interruption between Europe and Anatolia side, I mean bridge’s traffic or bridge’s fee can be big obstacle for everybody when they want to go another side. Although people face these obstacles in the same city, connection with the abroad seems impossible in that circumstance. In addition, we can give another example about power outage. Everyone use the bank for financial work. Let’s think, when people go to the bank , they can’t do their work because of power outage. This is another obstacle as you see in people’s daily life.

We can see clearly other obstacles in schools. The first obstacle is impecuniosity, more parents can’t educate their children because of lack of money, and it becomes big obstacle in education life. On the assumption that, children can go school this time they face another problems such as ; wearing uniform in high schools, attendance or home works are big obstacle for student. Even if students don’t want to go school regularly, they have to go every day because of attendance. Moreover, students become asocial, because they can’t find any time to interest other things except school. They go school, they do homework and they sleep, whole days pass like that and this is big obstacle to live however they want. The other fence is about business, employers want employee who are under fourty-five or who are know two or three foreign language, and lastly they find who are graduated from university. Also, employers call an election between universities. I mean these criterias can be obstacle for people who are look for a job. In addition, several companies pay minimum wage to their employees , as a result of that poeople who are work with a minimum wage cannot afford their families necessities , and this situation is a huge problem to keep a family. If the employees want to earn much more money, they have to be promoted in their company, and this situation might create competitive atmosphere.

Different from all these obstacles, we see in roadblocks and bridges , different cultures , customs and languages are big blocks for travellers. Besides, they see as a problem roadblocks and bridges when they want to go abroad. Even if they go the abroad, this time different languages and customs can be problem for them. When they face with cultural diversities, they become group with each other, this means configuration occurs .They start to find other communication ways like using body language , or they give information about their culture instead of force another to concur their own culture. As we see in the text of the Roadblocks and Bridges, the American nations isolate themselves from the other culture. For instance, when the women asked “ where is the American Culture Centre ? “ she released that, although other culture centers located in the middle of the centre ,the American Culture Centre was out of the city centre. That’s why American people live awareness from the others pain. If we talk about bridges, some people seem bridges only as fence , also they complain about bridges’ expensiveness , but they overlook the major point : “bridges bring different cultures to us they contribute to hit it off with people who are living other countries.”

To sum up, however we face some roadblock and bridges in our lifetime , we must try to see well sides of these obstacles. Instead of complain about barriers and to see the differences as a problem, people should become closer with who believes various customs and cultures. As we see in the text, they give a ceremony with each other without taking care of differences.

DENİZ AYSU TAVŞANLI MERVE UÇAR HRİSTİNA DAVUL

Medaille students who have published essays about bridges on this wiki are:

Brian Vital Rebecca Centinello Tanya Turchiarelli Jeremy Gasiewicz

For an open blog on these topics, please go to the [|worldwriting] blog At this link, simply click the red "comments" button under the topic you want to join, and respond!