1/25/09
22:15 …23:15 after I set my clock ahead
Tonight has been interesting. I played scrabble with Jill, Caroline and Alicia. Jill says she is the master (she did win), but she has never played with my mom. She also claims that there are some two-letter word exceptions like QI. Sounds like cheating to me. I cheated as well, however, by using the proper noun Eagan (as in Eagan, Minnesota) and made the words EAR and JON while in the process. That’s my highlight of the game. My big win, if you will. I lost in the end. By a lot. I think I forgot to record my words once I was given VVEYCVT. Make something out of that, I dare you.
After that rousing game of Scrabble we all watched a documentary about a Cambodian woman, Marina, who was horribly disfigured after being doused with acid. She was a beautiful girl, famous for singing karaoke and appearances in music videos in Cambodia. She piqued the undersecretary of state’s (I think that was his government position) interest and began to date. Marina soon found out he was married and tried to end the relationship but he would not let her and threatened her life as well as her family’s lives. Receiving threats from both this man and his angry wife, Marina was trapped. Finally, the official’s wife and a group of men found Marina in a market and beat her and poured acid on her.
Apparently these sorts of attacks are not uncommon around the world. Marina went to the US to seek medical attention and her family never pressed charges for fear of their lives. The perpetrators have never had any sort of consequence.
It was really hard to watch this film and extremely emotional. Had a lump in my throat the whole time. It made me realize how truly lucky I am. I complain when I get a blemish, while some women have to get their entire faces and bodies reconstructed and have numerous skin grafts, only to look scarred and broken. And these attacks are basically the end to the victims’ lives for their face is their standing, their career, their whole being. They lose face literally and figuratively in the community. What a vain society we live in, myself included. I mean just a couple sentences ago I exemplify my vanity. I am lucky to have an unmarked face. But what about my mind? My health? My family? Friends? Freedoms?
It’s interesting that they showed this documentary tonight, because last night I was noticing how shallow I have become. I think I have become a harsher judge of looks than of character in the last year or so. Could be California. My awareness is a good sign, I think. I can catch myself during the judging process and alter my mindset. This voyage will undoubtedly give me a new perspective as well. Thank God. I need to be more grounded, more aware, more concerned about my surroundings and not myself.
Heavy. Perhaps a little too heavy? Let me lighten up the mood…..
(Insert fart joke here)
Did you laugh? I did.
Deep thoughts,
H
P.S.
E-mail me. If you read this blob you should e-mail me because you are the ones I miss the most. E-mail is my one form of communication that is not costly. hepeterson@semesteratsea.net
I want to hear about your lives and I will most likely write you back.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The Unexamined Life...Not Me
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ReplyDeleteIt’s that time of year when the dirty salty sludge of Minnesota winter slimes roads and cars and boots, the floors of parking ramps, shopping malls, and restaurants. Winter grime follows us like a bad reputation, painting our Technicolor world in black and white. If I were a season bigger than Mr. Winter, I’d kick his ask. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_zK2apRHI4)
ReplyDeleteBut the same sun you saw from the deck of your ship today, I saw too. The days get longer by the minute; I take heart in that. Wear sunscreen!
I’m so glad to hear you’re able to study painting while at sea. What a wonderful medium to capture your journey! Photos are lovely too, of course, but in painting you can express what’s happening inside you as well as around you. As for the instructor slaggin’ on you, if I were a college administrator, I’d kick her ask. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_zK2apRHI4
I laughed when I read your dreaming post. If I may, my Jungian interpretation of your dream is as follows: The lawn mower/shopping carts likely sounded like the rumbling of the ship engines as you slept. Where you are, I don’t suppose there is much lawn or need for mowers. The other rumbling sound was probably you’re tummy.
So you arrive in Cadiz, Spain on Wednesday, yes? And depart on Saturday? For those who don’t have it, I’m going to add the Semester at Sea Spring 2009 itinerary URL: http://www.semesteratsea.org/voyages/spring-2009/itinerary.php
Be careful when you go clubbing. Watch out for smooth talking Spaniards. Take pictures! Have fun. I love you!!!!!!!!!!
Hampie, post this URL in your blog. It will help the Luddites (like Kristina) figure out how to post on your blob. Love you. Adore you. Miss you. Love you.
ReplyDeletehttp://help.blogger.com/bin/answer.py?answer=42399