one minor crisis after another...

05:30 pm

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, even if we don't speak often, please post a comment with a memory of you and me. It can be anything you want, either good or bad. IRL-memory or e-memory.

When you're finished, post this little paragraph on your blog and be surprised (or mortified) about what people remember about you.

01:01 pm

10:11 pm

Quote of the day:
Laugh, and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone.
For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,
But has trouble enough of its own.
~Ella Wheeler Wilcox

<rant>

(I realize that some of you will probably not agree about some of the things in this post. I have no problem with that. I just wanted to put this little note in here--acknowledging that I know there are other points of view and that even if I don't agree with them they are valid--because lately I've been noticing that some opinionated people come off as completely full of it when expressing their views which to me detracts from what they're saying even if I agree with them. Oh, and I'm fully aware that I'm rather ignorant on these issues; if I'm making any glaring errors, please do tell me.)

(*sigh* Another addition. Upon telling my father what I'm writing about, he said "But whoever reads it will think you're gay!" If it's that important to you and if you actually had doubts (an idea which makes me laugh), I am absolutely not gay. That's my father for you. News flash, Dad--not all people who support gay rights are gay.)

First, Prop. 2. (That is, the marriage amendment to the Texas Constitution; the exact wording is "The constitutional amendment providing that marriage in this state consists only of the union of one man and one woman and prohibiting this state or a political subdivision of this state from creating or recognizing any legal status identical or similar to marriage.") I was having an extensive discussion about this with my family the other day. My father is a conservative and a homophobe; my mother fairly liberal and not homophobic. My father was saying, "They shouldn't allow gay marriage; it's unnatural." My view on it? Who cares whether or not it's unnatural? So gay couples can't physically produce kids. Plenty of married couples can't either, or choose not to have kids. And the other physical issues...well, let's go by the definition of sex as vaginal, oral, or anal. Using that definition, gay couples can have sex. And then there are the legal ramifications involved...insurance, taxes, inheritance and so forth. Being married comes with legal benefits. Benefits that homosexual couples can't take advantage of. Let's have more specific examples. Say you've got a dying hospital patient in intensive care. Family only allowed. This person is gay and has been with their partner for years--but the partner isn't allowed in. Here's another one. Another dying homosexual person has left instructions to their partner that they don't want to be kept on life support. But since they're not married, the partner doesn't have the authority to do that. Things like that. And that's not even getting into the inheritance examples. So some people are homophobic. I'm not. That's fine. But being homophobic doesn't mean that you can't decide that homosexual couples should have the same rights as heterosexual couples. Here's my main issue with this amendment. Certain religions are vehemently against homosexuality. Fine...I don't agree, but they have a right to their beliefs. And if they don't allow gay couples to get married, well that's sad, but fine. You're entitled to believe whatever you want, just like I am. But the government shouldn't get involved.  And that's my main issue with this whole thing. I was watching a TV show and they put up stats--at the time it was 73% for to 27% against the bill. Thank you, Bible Belt. But you know, the people who are against the bill made a serious mistake. Only 16% of people were predicted to vote. People should have been informed...maybe then it wouldn't have been such a landslide. But finally, moving on.

Speaking of politics (of sorts *grins*), I've been keeping up with that new show Commander in Chief--you know, the one about the woman president. I'm enjoying the show, actually...I think they're striking the right balance between politics and family crises as far as attracting viewers go. But anyway, I was reading a newspaper the other day and I saw a blurb about how the show is opening people's minds to the idea of a woman president so that Hilary Clinton can run in 2008. I was talking to my mother about this earlier, about how she wouldn't get elected if she ran because let's face it, even a lot of the people in her party hate her.

And that conversation led to the double-standard for women. When a man plays politics a certain way, he's called ambitious. When a woman does it, however, she's called a backstabbing bitch. Now, I've never considered myself a radical feminist, but that really angers me. Some women are stupid. Some women are emotional to the point of sheer insanity. But so are some men. And some women are brilliant, and make fantastic leaders. America considers itself the major world power, the place where everyone has equal rights. But look at history, people. England has had the Queen Elizabeths, Queen Victoria, Margaret Thatcher. The Habsburgs had Maria Theresa. Spain had Queen Isabella. India is a third-world country, supposedly backwards--but we had Indira Gandhi. There are countless other examples, but I don't want to make this even longer than it already is. And we, the glorious Americans, freest of the free and bravest of the brave--who have we had? Sandra Day O'Connor? Condoleezza Rice?

...Hilary Clinton? *grins*

(And no, I'm not the type of person who would vote for a candidate just because she's a woman.)

Wow, I'm on a roll here. This whole expressing-my-views thing is going so well that I don't want to stop. Let's talk about women some more. Let's talk about the feminine ideal. I borrowed a New York Times Magazine article from Mr. Popp the other day about modern feminism. It basically said that, after the feminist movement in the mid-20th century, we're regressing like crazy. Now, I'm not at all informed on the subject; all I know is what my views are. But that article, it made me think. And I'm going to put my views out here, just so I can say I did...and because I want to.

Folks, I did it. I conformed. I'm on a diet. Only for two weeks because that's the way the program goes, but I am. *waits expectantly for the gasps*

But let me elaborate. I was not forced into it by my mother, though she had a lot to do with it. Purely and simply, I think I ought to lose weight, because I've gained about ten pounds since the summer and I don't like that. But I'm not starving myself by any means. Quite the contrary, in fact...I get hungrier, so I'm eating more, in fact. Just healthier. But here's the difference between me and the stereotypical dieting female: I'm doing this for me. Not for guys. Because let's face it, people. I know how I look. And I know how males don't look at me. Fine, I asked for it when I went along with the young reader-girl image...which I actually don't particularly regret. And honestly? If no one's looked at me by now, losing ten pounds ain't gonna change things. And I don't have a problem with that. Lord knows I'm used to it by now. This is for me, and what I want to do. Regardless of how much I might complain about it. (God, how I miss my ice cream...)

Here's something I found interesting, though. Several people know about this diet thing. About half supported it and half objected to it. And I found it really, really interesting (yes, it could very well be coincidental but I thought it was noteworthy) that the ones who objected are all tallish and thin. I'm half-Indian. I'm built for baby-making. I will be fighting the keep-in-shape battle all my life, according to my mother. Most of said people probably won't. They're tall and thin--I'm short and (relatively) curvy.

And you know what? I like it. Not the short part so much, but I don't have as big a problem with that as I pretend I do. But it annoys me so much that every American supermodel I have ever seen is tall and thin. To the point of anorexia. And the media is rigged, people--most women don't look anything like that! Why should women have to be tall and thin to be supermodel material? Why should women over a certain size feel embarrassed about wearing bathing suits in public, or shorter skirts, or even jeans? They shouldn't. They should not feel ugly. They should not feel guilty. If they diet, they should diet to be healthy or because they really truly feel they should, not because they think guys won't look at them. And to the guys who don't look at women who don't have a certain body type? Shame on you. I can't speak for other females, but I personally wouldn't date or not date someone based on the way they look. And I know they don't, but I wish that guys would do the same for me. Women shouldn't have to wear makeup, or wear tight clothes, or be thin to attract notice. (And yes, I know I'm being idealistic.) And we shouldn't do those things just to attract notice. To be fair, looking good is...well, good--but for me personally, it's not a requirement. It should not be a requirement. 

</end rant>

More on my life later...I'm typed out. And still have a crapload of work to do.

01:33 pm

10:51 pm

Why will the cycle never end? To try and try and try and fail every single freaking time...*hits self on head* What the hell is wrong with me?

Oh, and we won the football game.

11:58 am

Quote of the day:
"[Happiness] comes with the dawn, my love."
"But it's not yet dawn."
"Somewhere it is."
--In Love and War

And here, during the calm before the storm, I write to you...

*grins* Don't you love melodrama? I was thinking about using "in the gathering dark," but that's a bit much even for me. Anyway, I haven't the time for a well-written post, but here's what I feel is worth noting, mostly so that I can remember it more than for anything else...

~Last Friday afternoon, when I went into the history office and showed Thacker that list of quotes from her class. And then she asked me to email them to her so Peter would believe that the stuff she's talked about actually happened. Only Thacker...

~Our friend Kef and his complaints about 'sucks.' I ask you, is that really the thing to be focusing on now? Episcopal Kefs! heh. That'd be great.

~That afternoon after school spent talking with Anjali and Daniel and just generally being crazy.

~Arabic music! Yes!

~Switching formations in Kantorei for "Draw On, Sweet Night" so I'm right in front of JP. It's intense enough being across the aisle and down a row from him in chapel. It's really intense being right there.

~My mother bringing back for me the program of the play she saw in London starring Ewan McGregor. Good lord, is that man attractive...and that accent...and he can SING!

~my New Orleans grandparents leaving for California

~my other grandparents coming back from New York

~not having to take the physics test (YES!), or having to turn in the history paper (appreciated), or having to turn the English paper in on Monday (THANK GOD!), and not having to sing at all-school convocation (no granny outfits! yay!)

~our good computer crashing (please, if anyone who's reading this is good with computers, call me...though I'll probably be calling you...after the hurricane)

~my brief flirt with death on Friday afternoon (again, I love melodrama. Though if you haven't heard the story, ask me and I'll tell you. It's amusing...or would have been, if the person in question hadn't been myself...)

~Everything about going and hanging out with Cat yesterday. Playing the duets. Losing miserably to her younger siblings (and her, of course, but that was a given) at crud. Eating constantly. Doodling. Rita being angry because she doesn't have a boyfriend. And of course, the paper clip chain I made that was THIRTY-SIX FEET AND FOUR INCHES LONG...it was so awesomely intense. We named it Kef Bonzai. *grins*

Anyway, that's about it...we're sticking it out here at home and judging from the forecasts we'll be all right...I really do feel bad for those people in Louisiana. Be well, everyone, and hopefully I'll be talking to you all on Monday (or before). 

Current Mood: excited

04:05 pm

Quote of the day:
Hope dangles on a string
Like slow spinning redemption
Winding in and winding out
The shine of it has caught my eye
So mesmerizing, so hypnotizing
I am captivated...
--Dashboard Confessional

I've decided that I'm going to try to post more. I've kept a written journal on and off since the summer before seventh grade, and it's extremely valuable to me, if only because I like to look back and laugh (or look back and cry, as the case may be). Still, I don't have enough time to write as regularly as I'd like to, and typing is much easier than writing, so a blog is probably going to be it for me this school year. So these entries are likely going to get much more introspective. Probably not right now, though. I'm in the library, killing time before Spanish because I really don't feel like doing homework. I can afford to do that. I won't be able to have too many more relatively leisurely Wednesdays like this one, though; I turned in my Summerbridge application on Monday and if I get it, then there'll be no more lazy Wednesday afternoons for me. I don't know why I've suddenly become so interested, but I have. Apparently sometime this summer someone turned on my worry-about-the-future switch. Oh well. It had to happen sometime. But if I do get into the program, I'm going to be much more busy in general. *sigh* Lol...all of the non-SJS I've shown my things-I'm-doing list think I'm insane. Here it is:

English (H)
US History AP
Precalc (adv)
Physics (adv)
Spanish IV (AP)
piano lessons
Chorale
Kantorei
(hopefully) Summerbridge
Independent Study Project (yay duets!)

The really sad thing is that I know that many people here have schedules that are much more intense than that. At least I have a free period--sometimes two--during the day. School--at least the things listed above; I won't say anything about the social aspect--has actually been going fairly well. The idea of writing what is essentially a glorified fanfic for my English Honors project is one that amuses me immensely. And I'm actually enjoying USAP...isn't that sad? Popp is exactly what I thought he'd be--amusing and passionate enough about his subject that some of it spills over--and our term group is actually getting along smoothly (crack that whip, Zarah! *grins*). The choirs...Kantorei is becoming the highlight of my week. It's keeping me content right now, and I don't even know exactly why. I like the songs we're singing (Betsy, I'll meet you behind the barn...) and am getting absurdly excited about the Brazil trip, considering that it's only September.

The bad thing is that more and more I've been slapped in the face with a sense of my own inadequacy. Social inadequacy, certainly...I'm still wondering what exactly I'm lacking, here...at least if I knew what the problem was, I could do something about it, but I haven't a clue what everyone has that I don't. There has to be something, though, or I wouldn't be having as many problems as I have been. So much for regaining confidence. But then, adolescent females are stereotypically not self-confident, so I suppose I fit the norm there. On the other hand, I think that one of my problems is that I'm not like the stereotypical adolescent female in that I don't move on quickly at all. Quite the contrary, as I'm sure most of you have noticed. It would be much easier if I did, but such is life. What is my problem?

So that's social inadequacy, if you'll forgive the roundabout way I went about it...now for intellectual inadequacy. We SJSers truly are among some of the best and the brightest, and I fit into neither category and it's beginning to bother me a little bit. I was reading Dr. Raulston's blog yesterday (it's amusing, if you want to take a look--his user name is worldandtime, I believe) when he was talking about the relationships he forms with some of his students. There are some people who know what they are meant to be doing, meant to be learning--and since I'm not one of them, those people intimidate me. There are also those people for whom learning comes as easily as breathing, and while they don't intimidate me, they do drive home that sense of inadequacy...I'm not saying that I'm stupid, but I'm no genius either. Do you know how nervous I began to get when my father took me around to all of those Ivy League schools? *sigh* If I get into any of them, it'll be a miracle. But I'm really looking forward to being done with SJS, now--I love it, but the idea of something new is looking more and more wonderful as time passes.

In an ideal world, I would get into Columbia, meet/marry a sweet nerdish guy, become an editor and make a lot of trashy fantasy novels slightly less trashy, win the lottery, and retire to a villa in Greece. Wouldn't that be nice? *grins* I'll just keep dreaming, then, shall I?

Current Mood: tired

11:49 pm

Quote of the day: "Wait, you're Anjali? Wow, you're beautiful!" --one of the New Orleans people

Just a really quick little note: The resilience of the human spirit astounds me sometimes. Actually I suppose that 'resilience' is too dramatic a term...the exact sentiment I want is bouncy-back-ness, but that isn't exactly a word. *grins* But I find it wonderfully amazing to contrast the absolutely horrible mood I was in for quite a bit of last night to the absolutely wonderful mood I've been in tonight. (You see, it turns out that the eight or so New Orleans people--that aren't staying at my house, that is--are going to come over pretty much every day or two for the duration, which will be absolutely intense...I've no idea how I'm to get my schoolwork done, what with helping to get a fifteen-person meal together and all that. But the point is that everyone was over here tonight, and we all played games and generally had a good time, and somewhere along the line I got out of the depressed mood that I'd been in since last night...after all, none of my possessions are submerged and I'm still living in my house--though not in my bed; too many people here for that since another relative came to stay yesterday--so I'm really quite well off. :)

08:08 pm

The person who can catch my reference to The Phantom Menace will earn her/himself major brownie points.

Quote of the day: "You touched his what?!" --me to Anjali during a conversation a couple of days ago

Lol...it wasn't as dirty as it sounds, I promise.

I'd intended to write a post about New Orleans and Katrina before now, but I hadn't gotten the chance to until now. It seems rather apt that I'm writing this now, with about a dozen refugees sitting downstairs at the moment.

As some of you may know, I do have family in New Orleans...my grandparents and aunt, whom I of course love (and like! It's not often enough that I both love and like relatives). So on...Sunday, I think, they came driving in, taking thirteen hours to do so (that must have been absolutely hellish). And they've had the news on pretty much 24/7 since...I don't blame them. I've lived in Houston my whole life, and if I had to see it as basically a ruin on television, I would be severely disconcerted, to say the least. As much as I complain about the heat and the bugs and the humidity and the flatness, Houston is my home. And they've lived in New Orleans for forty years, or thereabouts.

It's absolutely horrible, what's happening there (I know Katrina devastated many other places, but selfish person that I am, I have the most immediate connection with New Orleans). Not only the hurricane itself, which was of course horrible, but the fact that the levees broke just when they thought that they might be through the worst of it. It was the breaking of the levees that caused the most devastation, I believe...I remember that a couple of days ago New Orleans was about 80% underwater. There were convicts sitting on the interstate surrounded by officers with guns simply because the prisons were flooded. There were/are people without food, without water, without homes. The death toll is catastrophic. One of the parts that horrifies me the most is the looting that's going on. I understand that starving people have no choice but to steal...desperate times call for desperate measures...but the shameless looting? the people who are taking advantage of the chaos to wreak even more havoc? That's sickening. Absolutely sickening.

Still, though, there's the other side of it. I carpool with Cat every morning, and on that Christian station which they always have playing (and all of you know how I feel about that music), the morning talk show hosts are continuously talking about what people can do to help. One of my father's old, old friends called for the first time in ages and said that he remembers that my father has family in New Orleans, he's willing to help, and his garage apartment is open for use should anyone need it. And of course all of the wonderful things that schools and other organizations are doing...the schools won't open until December at the earliest, so it's just great that so many people are willing to help and make sure that those kids keep getting an education. I saw Hotel Rwanda fairly recently (an amazing movie), and there was an extremely powerful bit of dialogue in it that I think is pertinent to this situation. A reporter managed to get footage of the atrocities going on in the streets of Rwanda and informs the main character (a hotel manager). The hotel manager says that he's glad, that he thinks that the footage will show people what's going on and they'll be willing to help, and the reporter says, "I think if people see this footage, they'll say Oh, my God, that's horrible. And then they'll go on eating their dinners."

So many people are doing exactly the opposite of that. To those who are--thank you.

Anyway, my grandparents/aunt will likely be here for a month or so, and another relative (not from New Orleans or anywhere else affected by Katrina) is coming in tomorrow, so we've a bit of a full house at the moment. I'm hoping that they'll be able to stay for the choir concert, which I would love. Choir rehearsals are quickly becoming the highlight of my week, which amuses me. And my singing has always been a special thing to that side of the family especially (only God knows why; I think they're under the impression that I actually have a good voice, which I don't really--it's tolerable, but the only reason I got into Kantorei at all is because of the sight-reading I learned from piano), so it would be wonderful if they could stay.

That's about all, I think. I'm incredibly weary and will be glad to get some sleep tonight. I actually fell asleep--as in, totally asleep--during my free period today, and I never fall asleep during the day unless I'm taking medicine, which I wasn't. I also get cold symptoms when I'm tired, and I was sneezing up a storm today. I'm only now realizing just how completely exhausting--physically, mentally, and emotionally--this year is going to be...let the madness begin!

05:50 pm

because this is so priceless...

*talking about terms for USAP*

demonitra: what i'll do
demonitra: is write lots of information
demonitra: and write out potential theses
demonitra: how does that sound?
demonitra: just like
demonitra: "A.S.S."
demonitra: - estbalished in 2005
demonitra: - consists of two members, anjali and anjali
demonitra: - involves general terrorization of guys
demonitra: - is really good for anger management therapy
anj1290: *cracks up*
anj1290: do continue...possible theses? :-D
demonitra: possible theses: A.S.S. had a direct effect on the number of guys still alive by 2007 to graduate
anj1290: heh
demonitra: A.S.S. is the reason scott has a permanent dent in his head
anj1290: *evil grin*
anj1290: mwahahahaha.
demonitra: A.S.S. has no implications about the anjalis' generally accepted to be large back sides
anj1290: mwahahahahaha!
anj1290: mwahahahaha-*chokes*
anj1290: keep your theses away from my back side! :-)
demonitra: *cracks up*
demonitra: A.S.S. thinks celery is really good
anj1290: we do?
anj1290: why wasn't i informed?

05:29 pm

Quote of the day: "Anjali, you're my hero." --Jennifer

This isn't one of my so-this-is-what's-going-on-in-my-life posts, because I really don't feel like one of those right now...instead, I think I'll rant for a little. I haven't been able to have a good rant in far too long. I haven't gotten a good night's sleep in ages either...I think I'm an insomniac and it's really starting to bother me. But anyway, back to the ranting.

This is what happened:
       I have seventh period free, so after doing my physics homework in the computer lab I went to go sit in Trammel. When we were there, I heard a few of the guys talking to each other (Robert, Paul, Steven etc). They came up with a new game: Rate the Freshmen Girls. They wrote numbers from one to ten on sheets of paper and decided that each time one of the freshmen girls walked by, they would rate her and hold up the appropriate sheet of paper.

I weep for our future, I really do. Words can't express how frustrated/disgusted that sort of thing makes me. Do you think that the people holding up those sheets of paper know how it would make those girls feel to be thought of as just pieces of ass? Do you think those guys know how it feels to be judged by your appearance, an appearance that for the most part you really have no control over, and to be valued only because of that appearance? Do you think those guys know how it would make those girls feel to realize that a lot of males see them chiefly as beings to be looked at and groped--perhaps to be given 'trial periods' to see if they would satisfy said males, and if not, to know that they would be tossed aside like pieces of garbage? Do you think they know how being given low ratings would make some of those girls feel? Because I'm female, and I've been exposed to situations like that, and I can tell you exactly how these things would make some of them feel.

It would make some of them feel like they were dirt--no, not even dirt, because dirt is at least worthy of being walked on. It would make them feel like they were nothing, valued by no one--at least, no males, and everyone knows that most adolescent females would love to be valued by males. For the weaker ones, their self-esteem might be absolutely shattered.

(I'm aware that I'm exaggerating. It's called 'making a point.')

Yes, I know that the guys didn't mean anything like that--at least, I hope they didn't. Yes, I know that some of the girls would probably be flattered. But seriously, think about the message that things like that send. I'm aware that the vast majority of adolescent males think with their balls, but really people, there are limits!

Right, I'll get down off my soapbox now. I'll post again over the weekend, perhaps.

Current Mood: frustrated

03:07 pm

Quote of the day: "Myrtle myrtle myrt myrt..."

Heh. Choir rocks my world. Though having to be at school at 7:00 for Kantorei tomorrow doesn't. *mock sigh* Lol...who am I kidding? I'd go for that even if it were at 6:00.

And we've survived our first day...already I'm putting off homework. I'm going to do it later this evening, of course--junior  year is when it counts, after all--but I think I deserve a break until six or so, since all I have is a bit of USAP reading and Spanish. I'm going to do extra Spanish, though, because I'm getting more and more afraid of the class. I always knew skipping from II would be hard, but I don't think it hit me just how hard until I was sitting in class and realized that I didn't know how to respond to some things. I could understand everything Knauerhaze was saying, though, so perhaps it won't be as bad as all that. This free period things rocks my world, though I'm beginning to think that productive work in Trammel is going to be a nonevent. *grins* It would be really amusing to get a game of chess or something going with people as the pieces. I think some people were trying to do that today.

I seem to have gotten lucky with my teachers. With any luck this feeling will last, but my first impressions are usually accurate so I don't think it'll be too much of a problem. Shafer is...well, her personality type is one of the few that I  have a problem with, simply because constant perkiness and people who try too hard both really get on my nerves. But otherwise...Reynolds sounds like she'll be able to keep us interested and get stuff done. Popp is great. He reminds me somewhat of the Energizer bunny...just going and going and going and going. It's all in good fun, though, and he obviously knows his stuff. When people are passionate about their chosen subjects, their passion spills over to the people who are around them, and I think he's like that. Childress, though not great, doesn't seem terrible, and math for me is the subject where a good teacher is the least crucial. Turk for physics...that'll be awesome. I'm scared of physics, though. *hides* And Knauerhaze...lol. He's great. The most amusing of all my teachers, I think.

Spanish story! We were going around answering questions and giving our names, and Knauerhaze asked me what my name was, and when I got to my last name he got this beatific smile on his face and said something like "If I had a last name like that, I would be the happiest person in the world. You know that it means saviour, right? So you're going to end up being the saviour of us all" or something like that. It sounded a lot funnier in Spanish, but his delivery was hilarious. I was blushing furiously, and I rarely blush, which is something that I'm extremely grateful for.

Hooray for being upperclassmen. And using pretty phrases on reading quizzes to disguise the fact that I have no clue what I'm talking about. And going to the wrong advisory room. And not realizing that the new building and the science building connect (and therefore ending up in the science building on accident as a result of wandering through the new building trying to find my class). And the checkerboard floor in Trammel. And walking straight past all of the freshmen and sophomores in the lunch line. And procrastinating, which I really should stop doing now.

Current Mood: content

12:05 am

People have told me that livejournal is better than xanga. Be that as it may, I'm not going to switch over, because I am definitely a creature of habit--and I like xanga. However, I've decided to start posting copies of my xanga entries here--and who knows? I might just switch over in a while.

Quote of the day:
Me: "Mother, you're such an Indian."
Mother: "Anjali, you're such an ass."

One of my favorite things about having a blog is that I can put information in here and know that, barring some unforeseen freak accident, I'll be able to find it again (though some searching for the right date might be involved). Today, I finally finished cleaning my room, and I found the little notebook that I wrote random tidbits in on the Greece and Italy trip. I'm going to put it in storage now, but before I do, I want to copy down one section of it here so that I don't forget it. I fully intend to ramble afterwards, though, so if you've nothing to do just scroll down and immerse yourself in the monotony that is My Life.

"I'm writing in my journal now, but I had to take time off to write down this amazing story that Granville just told us. I'll do my best to do it justice.

       'At 3:00 in the morning of a day in early October, 1940, the city of Athens slept. The lights were off everywhere--except in the Italian embassy. The ambassador paced, waiting anxiously for a phone call. Eventually, it came. The gates of the embassy opened, and the ambassador's car drove through the sleeping city until it reached the residence of the Prime Minister.
       'The Prime Minister was awakened and told that the Italian ambassador had requested a meeting. The Minister went downstairs, where the ambassador gave him an ultimatum. Mussolini, dictator of Italy, had allied with Adolf Hitler. Greece was to open its borders to the Italian army. Because of its strategic location on the coast of the Mediterranean sea, whoever controlled Greece would have a major advantage. The Prime Minister, still in his dressing gown and with no people to advise him, said one word: "No." The Italian ambassador was stunned, but left.
       'That was at approximately 3:30. At 8:30 that same morning, the first bombs fell on Athens. It was not long before the highly structured Italian army invaded the northern borders of Greece.
       'Greece had no army to speak of. But it mobilized what it did have and went north, literally in cattle trucks. The peasants in the mountains collected anything that could possibly be of use--stones, pickaxes, whatever. They too went north.
       'And the unthinkable happened. The Greeks drove the Italian army back. They not only pushed them out of Greece, but they were able to invade northern Italy.
       'Then Hitler stepped in. He sent the Germans to fight the Greeks. It was a massacre. People were slaughtered left and right. Eventually Greece was fully occupied by the Italians, the very people whom the Greeks had recently thrown off. But the valor of the Greeks had delayed Hitler six months.
       'By that time the Allies had mobilized. They went on to win the battle of D-Day and, eventually, the war. And Winston Churchill, the then Prime Minister of Great Britain, made a statement--"Heroes fight like Greeks."'"

I love that story, though Granville's account of it was more than a little bit biased. All those of you who had Beniretto remember the "History is an interpretation" talk. But even so.

I've begun to miss India. Right after the trip I knew that I would look back on it with fond memories, but I hadn't realized just how wonderful a time I really had there until very recently. It's not really the people we met there that I'll miss, or even the place, but the incredible sense of belonging that I felt there. I've never felt that sense so strongly before, and certainly not here, especially at school or with a lot of people from school. I suppose I felt it on that Greece and Italy trip as well. I don't know how to explain it, but I'll try:

You're going to a place far away from home, a place where nothing that happens at home has an immediate effect on you. You're going with people who you don't know very well (so you're on an absolutely equal footing with everyone), or at least people who don't remind you of negative experiences. You know that you'll probably never be with that group in that place again, and that you likely won't really talk to those people once you go home, but it doesn't matter one bit. Because for that period of time, you're one of them. You're a necessary component of a group with no emotional baggage, far from everything that usually bothers you, in a place that's so radically different from everything that you're used to that you might as well have escaped into one of the books that you love so much--and it's the best feeling in the world, realizing that.

*sigh* Anyway, that's not a very good explanation, but it's the best I can do at the moment. Suffice it to say that I'm becoming more and more aware that I likely won't feel that way again for a very long time. But anyway...I haven't really been doing much of anything else lately, save cleaning, sleeping, and reuniting with some very old friends (that is, rereading books that I haven't read in a while. Heh. I'm such a nerd. *grins*). I do love vacations.

I did have fun at Yijing's sleepover. We watched She's All That, which was wonderfully pointless and cute. We also played the never have I ever game, which I've never really liked because it's so effing awkward. I really don't think there's a point, except perhaps public humiliation and the distribution of blackmail material. But I was surprised, though--I actually didn't win. Now that's a first. Anyway, though, we also ate great food, watched the first part of Titanic, and talked. A lot. Yijing and I kept almost everyone awake because we couldn't get to sleep until over an hour after Titanic ended (sometime after two). It was refreshing, though, because I hadn't talked to her in such an incredibly long time, and she always was able to bring me back to the Real World (oh, that stupid Real World) when I got too lost in dreaming or remembering. She hasn't lost that knack.

There isnt really anything else except that school is starting soon, and I'm dreading and looking forward to it in equal parts. Dreading it because I know just how stressful and melodramatic it's going to be, and looking forward to it because...well, because it will mean that time is passing, and because it will mean seeing everyone again, and because as much as I love summer I still don't like the feeling of not having a purpose. The time sneaks by so quickly...it's unnerving.

Current Mood: contemplative

05:57 pm

Uhhh...