code: protected Configuration getGlobalConfiguration() {
  		if (!globalConfigurationLoaded) {
  			String location = getConfigurationDirectory();
  			GlobalConfiguration.loadConfiguration(location);
  			globalConfigurationLoaded = true;
  		}
  		return GlobalConfiguration.getConfiguration();
  	}
docs: Reads configuration settings. The default path can be overridden
  by setting the ENV variable "STRATOSPHERE_CONF_DIR".
  
  @return Stratosphere's global configuration