The Girl in the Café

Last night was my weekly overnight shift.  I used the opportunity to re-watch The Girl in the Café, which my mom gave me for my birthday last month.  

I love this film.  Bill Nighy and Kelly MacDonald both deliver seamless performances in their respective roles.  Lawrence (Nighy) is a lonely civil servant working under the British Chancellor; Gina (MacDonald) is the beautiful and mysterious young woman he meets in a café.  When Lawrence impulsively invites her to the G8 conference in Reykjavík, Iceland, Gina creates a stir that threatens Lawrence's career and their relationship.  Gina refuses to be silent about her belief in the importance of the most basic human rights, asserting that, for the first time in history, the people in the conference have the both the power and responsibility to wipe out severe poverty.

If nothing else, I love the use of Sigur Rós and Damien Rice in the soundtrack.  An unusual love story with a powerful message, The Girl in the Café is a film that stays with its audience.

Born Into Brothels

Wow.

This documentary is heartbreaking, inspiring, hopeful, and haunting.  English Photographer Zana Briski befriended a group of children whose mothers worked as prostitutes in the Red Light district of Calcutta.  Noticing their immediate interest in cameras, Briski began to teach the children photography, hoping that giving them a means to pursue art and education might enable them to build a better life than what the Red Light district had to offer.

This film was difficult to watch, yet spellbinding.  The daily abuse that these beautiful children suffer shakes my soul.  In such a situation, hope seems the farthest concept in the universe.  Yet it is there.  Some of the children featured in this film have left Calcutta and pursued education.  Some have fallen through the cracks.  The harsh reality of life for these people is hard to swallow, but the resilience and strength of the children is a beautiful thing.

Reading and Red Eye Shifts

It's late, and I'm starting to get tired.

I'm back at school, working my weekly overnight shift at the Switchboard.  Oddly enough, I don't mind working from 11pm-7am.  For starters, Sunday evenings are typically reserved as the day when the campus actually quiets down from the weekend's parties and gets serious about all that they didn't accomplish on Saturday.  Because of this, my nights are very quiet.  I have a solid eight hours to do whatever I want or need to do, as long as I stay at the desk and set door alarms hourly.  I'm free to use my laptop, watch TV or movies, work on homework, read...

Reading. *sigh* I cherish using this time to read: I am passionate about books.  Literature has shaped me in so many ways since as long as I can remember.  I believe that the unconscious current for my study of Bibliotherapy is the hope that I will be better able to pass the torch of self-discovery through books on to others.

Yet, since moving to college in 2009, I haven't had much time to read.  This is a problem.  I am most out of touch with myself when I don't read.  Literature grounds me into my identity, reinforces who and what I strive to be.  Without it, I sometimes find myself in limbo; the worst and most difficult parts of my life have also been times when I can't immerse myself in books.

Now, because I am studying Literature, I am assigned books to read– I'm not entirely starving for words.  However, there is a marked difference in books I read because I have to, and the books I read because I want to.  Sometimes a book I am assigned is something on my list of books to read, or an old favorite.  For example, a couple of weeks ago, my American Lit class read My Ántonia.  I adore Willa Cather, and was happy to have a chance to re-read one of my favorite novels.  Also, for my Honors seminar, we have to read The Brothers Karamazov.  I am likewise excited to read Dostoevsky's masterpiece in its entirety, as I have never had a chance to finish the book.

I've decided to compile a relatively short list of books that I would like to start (and finish!) before the end of the semester.  I tend to go way over the top when it comes to literature; I mean, I was on first name basis with all the librarians at the local library, which was practically my second home.  I am a textbook-case bibliophile.  I would often have 30 or 40 items checked out at a time, and I am also the only person I know of who has been reprimanded for having too many inter-library loans (I exceeded the 150 item limit my second semester at college).  Because of my over-zealous love for books, (and the fact that I need to keep up with my classes) I am hoping to keep myself in check with a realistic goal for the semester.

(The following descriptions are from various synopses I've picked up online... I didn't write them).

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

This book "recounts the journey that led Mortenson from a failed 1993 attempt to climb Pakistan's K2, the world's second highest mountain, to successfully establish schools in some of the most remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan.  By replacing guns with pencils, rhetoric with reading, Mortenson combines his unique background with his intimate knowledge of the third-world to promote peace with books, not bombs, and successfully bring education and hope to remote communities in central Asia."

Little Princes by Conor Grennan

"In search of adventure, 29-year-old Conor Grennan traded his day job for a year-long trip around the globe, a journey that began with a three-month stint volunteering at the Little Princes Children’s Home, an orphanage in war-torn Nepal.  He was soon overcome by the herd of rambunctious, resilient children who would challenge and reward him in a way that he had never imagined. When Conor learned the unthinkable truth about their situation, he was stunned: The children were not orphans at all. Child traffickers were promising families in remote villages to protect their children from the civil war—for a huge fee—by taking them to safety. They would then abandon the children far from home, in the chaos of Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu.

For Conor, what began as a footloose adventure becomes a commitment to reunite the children he had grown to love with their families, but this would be no small task. He would risk his life on a journey through the legendary mountains of Nepal, facing the dangers of a bloody civil war and a debilitating injury." 

Skipping Town, Thrifting, and Yul Brynner

I write this from my own room at my parents house, drinking in the scent of candles and incense, reveling in home.  I had originally planned to come home Thursday night on the evening train– Wednesday afternoon, however, I was unexpectedly overcome with a very swaying impulse to leave a day early.  Being that the next day held no particularly important class assignments, I decided to pack and leave that night.

There is a freedom in boarding a train and feeling the swaying rhythm of the tracks, knowing that you are leaving your cares behind you, even if only for a short time.  The train had very few passengers (likely because it was a Wednesday) and I slept for most of the ride.

My mom picked me up at the station; it is good to see my family again.  The past two years have been a strange journey for my feelings about home.  I literally could not wait to get fast and far away from my parents when I first moved to college, and I can honestly say that I never once was homesick during the entire year.  This year, however, has been quite different.

I miss them.  I truly miss my parents and brothers and sisters when I'm away.  I miss my the vibrant diversity and rich arts community of the Twin Cities, I miss my kids (clients), I miss the local library, I miss being with my friends from home.  Under said circumstances, I hope to fully enjoy my truancy trip home.

Since everyone was either at school or work for most of the day, I hit up the local Goodwill.  May I just say: I adore thrift stores.  I'll admit that my enthusiasm for them has occasionally gone over the top, (there has been more than one time when I've re-donated impulsively purchased miscellaneous merchandise the day after I bought it) but for the most part thrifting has been an enriching experience.  I've also had the opportunity to explore and discover my personal style, which has in turn helped me to express my identity.  Today I found and bought several items of interest, including

• magnetic poetry (for my fridge at school)
• stationery and blank notes (for snail mail)
• recycled-sweater mittens
• multicolored tiered Boho skirt

(Also, over Christmas I came across the cutest little teapot and sugar bowl, which I couldn't resist posting below).

My cute thrift sugar-bowl and teapot (with preciously owned tea cups)

Inside view of recycled sweater mittens

Outside view mittens

I've barely been home 24 hours and I feel almost as though I never left.  It is a good feeling.  Everyone else is sleeping right now, but I don't want to go to bed yet.  This is probably because I know that my visit home will soon be over and I want to keep it alive. *sigh* I have a terrible impulse to stay up awhile longer.  I'm in a kind of Yul Brynner movie mood.  Lord, I love that man; so magnificent.  (For some reason, most of my celebrity crushes are deceased...  Why this is, I'm not quite sure.  Bad luck, maybe?).  I really want to watch Anastasia or The King and I right now...

No, no, I'm going to be responsible and get a good night's sleep.  I will post again soon, but for now I'm off to bed.  In the words of Yul: "So let it be written, so let it be done."

Laku noć! 

What's in a word?

Photograph by Natalie Roberts

My friend Justyna is one of the most elegant people I know.  There's something about her Euro-chic style that I've always admired and envied, something very sophisticated in her manner of speaking the way she carries herself.  It's not just her Polish accent either, although I wish my voice sounded as exotic.

Last weekend, Justyna and I were talking about linguistics, since I'm in the process of becoming bilingual.  Somehow we came upon the subject of lame words and the limits that many Americans have on their vocabularies.  Some guy had asked her to "chill" with him.  Without really asking her on a date, he decided to be as vague as possible, while still keeping his options open (at least this is what he seemed to think).  This whole thing made me think: How ridiculous! what does "chill" mean anyway?  Okay... I'll go outside with you into the snowbank and chill...?!  "Chill" brought about a full blown vent session at how overused and underused the capacity of the English language is.  It seems like "awkward," "cute," "hot," "cool," "attractive," and "interesting" are the only adjectives used nowadays.  (I remember several years ago the it word was "random."  Thankfully that one's gone out of style).

I was recently asked out by a guy whose reason for wanting to date me, he said, was my "awesome personality."  

Eh?

Okay, fine.  I shouldn't be too harsh: at least he tried.  Actually, he seemed to be a halfway decent guy, although our values and plans definitely did not match up and I turned him down.  But really!  Can you be more nondescript?  What does "awesome personality" even mean?  It certainly didn't provide a hint at what he really liked about me.  It would have meant more to me if he would have said something about liking the way I laugh at my own jokes or at least some indication that he was talking about me, and not just generically pegging any number of the world's population whose personality happens to "inspire awe" (whatever that means).

My carping on the depravity of the American vocabulary led me to seek help from an old friend: The Thesaurus.  Armed with this weapon of synonyms, I charged into battle against the shrinking vocabulary of America.  I believe that our overused adjective do struggle to describe common occurrences in the day to day life of a college student, so I have compiled a new and improved list of adjectives.

Overused word:  awkward: difficult to handle

New and improved synonyms: annoying, chancy, disagreeable, discommodious, embarrassing, hazardous, risky, uncomfortable


Overused word: attractive (also cute, hot and cool): appealing, drawing attention

New and improved synonyms: alluring, beckoning, captivating, charming, engaging, enthralling, enticing, fascinating, fetching, gorgeous, inviting, magnetic, mesmeric, stunning, tantalizing, winning

Overused word: interesting: entertaining

New and improved synonyms: absorbing, arresting, charismatic, compelling, engrossing, gripping, impressive, intriguing, inviting, refreshing, riveting, stirring, striking, unusual

So.  That is that.  I think my grammar professor would approve.  Aside from the self-satisfaction of sounding capable, now is a good time to build my vocabulary as it's never too early to start preparing for teaching English overseas.  I certainly want my students to learn better ways of inviting someone out than by asking them to "chill."  (Which I have found no synonyms for that actually fit the guy's use of the word that were worthwhile).

Until next time,
Winona

Hello

Welcome to my blog.  I hope that this site will become an enriching and worthwhile online journal experience, as well as a venue through which the wonders and mysteries of life can be explored.  Please feel free to comment and visit whenever you like!

A Note from My Little Corner of the World

I have decided...

that a post is way past due.

I apologize to you, my faithful readers. This summer, though a good one, was a very busy one, and left me with little time to blog. Aside from work, of course, was the inevitably busy move back to college, and it is only now (after being settled in for a good month) that I am returning to the blogosphere.

And what, indeed, does this world consist of?

To begin, I should mention that my first year at the University was a difficult one. I have no doubt in my mind that this is the place God wants me to be; no doubt at all. It's just been somewhat painful to return somewhere that was the place where I really broke my heart. Don't get me wrong, I love it here. I love the mist on the bluffs in the morning, love the close-knit community, love my professors, love the bells that chime at noon and 6:00, love the cute college town my school is in– but I have to deal with some hardships that are left over from last year. On the upside, I figure that I made so many mistakes freshman year that I can't possibly mess up my second year without deliberate stupidity. So, as long as I keep myself in check and remember to trust, all shall be well.

A Few of My Favorite Things (About Being Back in College)

1. Bike Rides

Can I just say, I love my bicycle. Or, bicycles, rather. I have two. The one I brought with me to college last year is absolutely full of character. It was my grandmother's, and is: vintage, red, and says "Free Spirit" on it. Need I say more? Unfortunately, the Free Spirit suffers from old age, and I left it at my parents' house this year, instead bringing my newish mountain bike back with me. Although I miss the originality of the FS, I love how my other bike rides. Not to mention, this is a great form of exercise (and much needed, due to the fact that a good portion of my summer was spent driving and not being incredibly active).

2. Local Scenery

The "driftless region" of the upper midwest is not highly known around the rest of the country, but I believe it to be of exceptional beauty. Our campus is set in the valley of the sublimely wonderful bluffs, and since the school owns much of the land, I have the opportunity to take hikes through the woods any time I wish. Sometimes the most therapeutic thing I can do for myself is take a walk. Something about solitude in the midst of beauty brings healing, I've found.

3. Night Mass

Liturgy at 9pm on Sunday night has been a huge blessing for me. I'm a lector (usually for the second reading and the petitions) and I've felt that this is the right ministry for me to be involved in. Over the years many people have commented on my expressive oral reading, and it's been rewarding to use it during the mass. Also, I am so thankful for our priest. His faith is so evident in the way he truly cares about the students and makes an effort to get to know us. Not to mention, the time of this mass is very nice for a college student.

4. The Local Thrift Store

The local Salvation Army has become my new shopping haven. It is perfect for many of my shopping needs, for several reasons. First off, I prefer thrift stores to most other kinds. The prices are great, and the selection is sure to yield items that are unique and original. Also, there's just something about the atmosphere; you never know what you'll chance upon. My wardrobe has gleaned much from this store, but I have also found some nice decorative additions to my room: pottery, blankets, dishes, etc. Another nice thing is that I am within walking and biking distance of this very lovely flea market of sorts.

5. Letter Writing

I hope to resurrect the so-called "lost art" of letter writing while I'm away at school. So far, I have done quite well in this endeavor, if I can say so myself. I've made an effort to write to friends, relatives and clients from all over the place, including the Twin Cities, Wisconsin, Duluth, Fargo, Alaska, California, Ireland and Germany. I love to keep in touch through intimately written letters; I believe that an especially personal touch comes with a handwritten letter. (And it is very nice to find a reply in my mailbox!)

*sigh*

With that thought, I should probably get off the computer, as my roommates are getting ready to wind down and I still haven't finished my Plato homework for tomorrow. Adieu, faithful readers!