1) Started reading again. And stopped. And trying to get back into it-
The first couple of weeks into this trip, I pored through more than half of the books that I had brought with me to Chile, and so I decided that I needed to cut that noise out if I was going to have anything at all to do on the flight back home. It was then that I decided to milk the AIS library for some of its resources. Over the course of a week, I plowed through 5 books (albeit short, 120-page books). There has always been a tremendous feeling of accomplishment that comes with wrapping up a good book, and so here are the selections:
A) The Cay by Theodore Taylor- I vaguely remember reading this book at some point in my schooling, but couldn't figure out what the story behind it was, so that was my first goal. Pretty good story.
B) Night by Elie Wiesel- A bit cliche, but probably the most powerful book I've read in a long time, if not ever. I WILL say that this sparked a debate between myself and a friend of mine over when the Holocaust is an acceptable subject of study. My opinion is this: there's no convenient time to study the Holocaust, though its importance as an atrocity against humanity (and well within 3 generations) should be something that students are made aware of early. I remember reading this book in 8th grade, and frankly, I think that's too young for an intensive study of the subject. 8th grade was more or less about pining for 'women' (14 year-old girls, as I hope everyone learns, are not women...just like 14 year-old boys are called 'boys' for a reason). While the trend continues in high school, there's a sense of awareness of the world around us (thank you, Global Studies) that makes this subject appropriate for an older crowd.
C) The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway- One of the more disappointing books I've read. I get and appreciate the sparse language and connection with nature and the world around us, Ernie, but this was just a lackluster story, in my opinion.
D) Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck- Much more enjoyable than even in high school, when it was one of the better books I read. I think the thing about this book is that Lenny really is a dumb kids that you can't help but like.
E) Animal Farm by George Orwell- I tore through Animal Farm well aware of the parallels to communist Russia, and found the concept fascinating in its finish, which roused the sort of personal fire that I cherish in a book. It's among the greats, as far as my own personal opinion is concerned.
I had a random person come through my roommate's window last weekend. I got a knock at the door and answered it where there was this man who said something to the effect of "I need to check your windows". I assumed it was the window-washers asking us to close the windows, but something that he said wasn't just a simple request, which really the people could have made from outside. So I let him in to Kelly's room, where he proceeded to help another man who was on a pulley support system into the apartment through the window! Now, having left the man to his devices to finish getting dressed, I was shocked to see the man had duplicated in no time! The language barrier didn't breakdown the conversation entirely, as I managed to decipher bits and pieces enough to give the men what they needed to clean up, and let them on their merry way. A strange success story.
Lastly, and this is leading to the meat of the post (which, unfortunately, will have to wait until later, as my break's just about over)...I got homesick. This was bound to happen and so when it did, I was ready for it...but it was the manner in which I got homesick that struck me as odd and strangely, more powerful in its delivery.
Well, I suppose that's as good a place as any to leave this at a cliffhanger. Expect another post later today (another break, and then grading after school (woof)). Talk to each other.
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