Well, I have to do this blog early today. I am about to start my shift at Barnes and Noble and will be typing during breaks. Tonight, I get home at 12:30 and then have to be at Gap at 6AM. I think I will be going to sleep immediately.
Today, the main focus of the book, What is the What, has been primarily on Valentino's (now known as Dominic) role as a teacher in Kakuma I. He is specifically head youth leader to all 6,000 kids that fall within that title within Kakuma I. This is the point where we begin reading stories of Ms. Gladys, the Kenyan drama teacher. She was a great influence to Dominic and many of the other boys (she liked the name Dominic...since they all had crushes on her, they switched their names to Dominic...Valentino included). She had children put on plays and dramatizations about issues that could not be distributed through paper within the camp. HIV awareness was one in particular.
Dominic recruits Maria (the girl who saved him from sleeping...she calls him Sleeper) to become active in the dramatizations. She concedes but does not think she will be able to contribute much time. The lady of the house in which she is living is pregnant and her husband says Maria cannot attend school even though she is very bright. Maria loves drama and everyone realizes she has a knack for the art.
A side within this section is Japan's interest in Kakuma. The children of Kakuma begin a pen-pal project with Japan. They don't know who has better English...haha. The Japanese begin contributing a lot of money to the camp and build schools, libraries, hospitals, shelters and donate thousands of items needed to run these specific venues. My friend Amy would love this.
Well this is what I have for today. It has been a lazy day. I begin my diet and workout routine again tomorrow...after Gap.
Have a wonderful night! :)
Oh by the way...the days are longer...Spring is a-comin!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
No rest for the weary
I tell ya, Achak has his fair share of life dealings. The main focus of today is his sense of belonging and faith. There are several times in the book where he states he does not really know where he belongs in this lifetime. As he is established in one camp, he has to move on to the next. Currently, at my position in the book, he is living at Kakuma within the boundaries of Kenya. Kakuma is so big it has "suburb" camps. Every week, thousands of refugees are dumped upon the camp. As more come, rations are smaller. Living conditions are not ideal in Kakuma. Achak describes it as being a place of death and a place of dust. It is described as most meals not being able to be eaten without chewing gritty sand.
The UN decides it is time to do a census within the camp. The people are opposed to it. Finally, after much time, they are able to do it. With it comes the realization that 8,000 less people live in the camp than thought. People were 'recycling' themselves (leaving camp in disguise and returning with a pseudonym) to receive second ration cards. With this realization, rations become smaller and people are still forced to eat just one meal a day.
During all of this, Achak is living with a man named Gol who is Dinka. Gol is a teacher in the camp; he is waiting for his wife and three daughters to show up to live in Kakuma (one daughter needs medical treatment and can get it here). Achak remains busy as he is living with Gol by pulling his own weight when needed. He excels in school and does his duties. When the census is complete and rations are taken, Achak decides he will recycle himself so he can contribute more to the family when they get here. So, they show up and he sets off to Sudan to sell articles of clothing to return with goats in order to make more money and get a new ration card at Kakuma. It is a complicated process. Along the way he bribes Kenyan officers, takes a ride in a truck bed with dead bodies and meets a man who makes artificial limbs. This man tells him to turn around to go back to Kakuma...long story...read it.
Two side stories:
1) Achak wants to give up on the way to Kakuma. He decides he wants to die like William K and lies in the path to fall "asleep" into death. A girl named Maria stumbles upon him and tells him he will NOT rest in the road or die. She is the reason he is alive by Kakuma.
2) Tabith is killed by her ex-boyfriend. Achak shares the stories and the struggles of the Dinka in America after a Sudanese killed another Sudanese.
Achak struggles a lot with God. He is not sure what he or the many Lost Boys or people of Sudan have done to make God mad. He debates a lot on this.
Today, I returned to Chicago. Home sweet home outside of South Carolina. I miss my family and friends from SC, but Skype is my new best friend. :) My grad class went out to eat tonight, too. I feel like we are finally a cohort. :)
Talk to you tomorrow.
The UN decides it is time to do a census within the camp. The people are opposed to it. Finally, after much time, they are able to do it. With it comes the realization that 8,000 less people live in the camp than thought. People were 'recycling' themselves (leaving camp in disguise and returning with a pseudonym) to receive second ration cards. With this realization, rations become smaller and people are still forced to eat just one meal a day.
During all of this, Achak is living with a man named Gol who is Dinka. Gol is a teacher in the camp; he is waiting for his wife and three daughters to show up to live in Kakuma (one daughter needs medical treatment and can get it here). Achak remains busy as he is living with Gol by pulling his own weight when needed. He excels in school and does his duties. When the census is complete and rations are taken, Achak decides he will recycle himself so he can contribute more to the family when they get here. So, they show up and he sets off to Sudan to sell articles of clothing to return with goats in order to make more money and get a new ration card at Kakuma. It is a complicated process. Along the way he bribes Kenyan officers, takes a ride in a truck bed with dead bodies and meets a man who makes artificial limbs. This man tells him to turn around to go back to Kakuma...long story...read it.
Two side stories:
1) Achak wants to give up on the way to Kakuma. He decides he wants to die like William K and lies in the path to fall "asleep" into death. A girl named Maria stumbles upon him and tells him he will NOT rest in the road or die. She is the reason he is alive by Kakuma.
2) Tabith is killed by her ex-boyfriend. Achak shares the stories and the struggles of the Dinka in America after a Sudanese killed another Sudanese.
Achak struggles a lot with God. He is not sure what he or the many Lost Boys or people of Sudan have done to make God mad. He debates a lot on this.
Today, I returned to Chicago. Home sweet home outside of South Carolina. I miss my family and friends from SC, but Skype is my new best friend. :) My grad class went out to eat tonight, too. I feel like we are finally a cohort. :)
Talk to you tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
We are both on the move
Valentino is leaving Ethiopia finally. The symbolism in this is that he is leaving the hospital, as well. He has no tolerance for the hospital at this point and still does not understand the American system of health. He does not understand the hours it takes to get anything done in an ER or how long it takes to get cleared...he finally gives up and takes off walking home in the middle of the night of Atlanta. Doesn't sound too smart to me.
On the other hand, as Achak, he is leaving Ethiopia. As he is leaving, he experiences a temporary sickness that is affecting his eyes and how he feels. He cannot see and he cannot open them. It is destroying him. He also has to flee the country being like this and this is a very difficult task. The next country is Kenya.
Today was a busy day so to speak. Matt, Carolyn stayed over last night. We went to bed at 2 or 3 after playing too much Mario on Wii. Such a mess. What did we do when we woke up...you got it...Wii. Such a fun day. We went out to eat lunch and finished off the day. They left at around 5 this afternoon.
When they left, I went to visit Melissa, my old orchestra co-worker from my middle school teaching. She is amazing. We just caught up...simple as that. Right after Melissa, I went to say goodbye for now to Jonathan and his mom. I then came home and spent the evening with my mom, dad and the dogs.
I will be coming home sooner than later this next time. I love my family and friends in South Carolina. I am really not sure where I belong in life right now. I think I am doing all the right things, but sometimes, when I am in South Carolina, I wonder. I know that this place is not mentally stimulating enough for me, but I love the people so damn much. I love my friends and family here, but feel the towns are a little small and a little small minded (Lily Allen). It is a wonderful place to have a family and to visit. My feelings are so hard to describe right now. Ugh. When Carolyn, Matt and Stephanie left, I couldn't stop crying. I know I want to see them and wish I could be around them more often. I don't quite have these types of roots in Chicago. I have friends up there that I love dearly, but because of time constraints, I can never get too far below the surface with anyone and that is what I need.
Tonight, Bebe and I discovered Chat Roulette online. If you have not done it, you must. Oh my. We are also Skypers now! :)
Well, I leave South Carolina tomorrow. So bittersweet. I will be back soon.
I love you all in my beautiful home state.
On the other hand, as Achak, he is leaving Ethiopia. As he is leaving, he experiences a temporary sickness that is affecting his eyes and how he feels. He cannot see and he cannot open them. It is destroying him. He also has to flee the country being like this and this is a very difficult task. The next country is Kenya.
Today was a busy day so to speak. Matt, Carolyn stayed over last night. We went to bed at 2 or 3 after playing too much Mario on Wii. Such a mess. What did we do when we woke up...you got it...Wii. Such a fun day. We went out to eat lunch and finished off the day. They left at around 5 this afternoon.
When they left, I went to visit Melissa, my old orchestra co-worker from my middle school teaching. She is amazing. We just caught up...simple as that. Right after Melissa, I went to say goodbye for now to Jonathan and his mom. I then came home and spent the evening with my mom, dad and the dogs.
I will be coming home sooner than later this next time. I love my family and friends in South Carolina. I am really not sure where I belong in life right now. I think I am doing all the right things, but sometimes, when I am in South Carolina, I wonder. I know that this place is not mentally stimulating enough for me, but I love the people so damn much. I love my friends and family here, but feel the towns are a little small and a little small minded (Lily Allen). It is a wonderful place to have a family and to visit. My feelings are so hard to describe right now. Ugh. When Carolyn, Matt and Stephanie left, I couldn't stop crying. I know I want to see them and wish I could be around them more often. I don't quite have these types of roots in Chicago. I have friends up there that I love dearly, but because of time constraints, I can never get too far below the surface with anyone and that is what I need.
Tonight, Bebe and I discovered Chat Roulette online. If you have not done it, you must. Oh my. We are also Skypers now! :)
Well, I leave South Carolina tomorrow. So bittersweet. I will be back soon.
I love you all in my beautiful home state.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Digesting the Day
Wow, today was such a wonderful day. I had a few moments to read Whatbut not long. I read a little past Achak crossing the river of bodies, bullets and crocodiles. Achak made it to the other side but had to hide and play dead in order to stay alive. He ran into Achor Achor on the other side which was amazing. As he observed others trying to cross the river, he noticed the SPLA had abandoned many of the Sudanese. The Ethiopians and the Anuyaks were having a free-for-all killing spree of the Dinka. One woman approached a group of boys and said she was their mother. As soon as they opened up a little to her trusting her as she is a woman, she opened fire. Valentino described the bloodshed she caused. This is how far I got today.
Right now, I am watching my friends from Lander play Mario on Wii...the old version made for Wii. We are having ulti schadenfreude.
Today, I woke up early to go to the Bark Park at Saluda Shoals with my mom, dad, Katie and Buddy (our black and yellow labs). It was a blast watching them play with other dogs. I discussed books with one of the owners...who knew? I cannot ever get away from the topic of books. She said she is in a book club. Next month, they are going to read Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls. If you have never read The Glass Castle, you must. It is quite a tale. The lady wanted to know what we were selling the most in Chicago...of course it is the usuals begin The Help by Stockett, Game Change by Heilemann and Jenny Sanford's book. Nothing too big...except, we are selling a lot of the book Let the Great World Spin. Her dogs were Murray (probably named after Lake Murray) and Griff (probably after the SC artist. Other dogs showed up...Marley, Belle, Beau and Georgia. It was great watching Katie and Buddy having so much fun with the others.
Katie and Bella
After this, I went to see my neighbor who was my old principal. It is her Birthday today! We chatted for quite a while and caught up on a lot of things Lexington, Lexington Middle School and Chicago. I always love chatting with her. She is so full of knowledge and has so many wonderful, interesting things to say!
Then, I got to see my friend Camille. She and I went to Rush's in Lexington (a local fast food chain which is AMAZING) to meet up with Stephanie, Carolyn and Matt. The time was spent bantering, as usual. We then came back to my house and have had a blast. There has been much schadenfreude playing Mario...but my friend Justin would be proud...I can stay alive now! We have been bantering a lot and making fun of each other and being crazy as we always are. No one has changed. :)
We also heard an AMAZING story from Matt tonight that I am going to try to get him to tell me again so I can put it up!Have a wonderful night!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Really needed the time in South Carolina
I cannot begin to say how important it was for me to come to South Carolina. I feel like I am digesting life a little easier right now, although some things still feel a little rough in a way. I know I still have a lot to face when I get home to Chicago, but South Carolina has cleared my mind for a bit...and not in the running away type clearing, either. I just feel like I can think a little easier.I also came to terms, again, for the second week in a row, that I will not finish my "E" book this week. There are a few guidelines I must remember for my next week, which will be the "F" week (by the way, this project is still underhand...I would never continue blogging if I were really going to quit):
1) The next time I am sick, I will put the books down and just sleep and relax instead of trying to overwork my brain. A 500 page book is really not bad, but with a head full of sinus problems, a body with no sleep, and a schedule loaded, reading becomes a little hard. I was still a little sick at the beginning of this week.
2) I will have to make adjustments if I am traveling. Honestly, I should have known the second I got home, I was going to be tied up. I knew I would not have much time.
So, the book's projected finish is this week. This project is now unofficially 28 weeks, but I remain dedicated to finishing. I want to expand my knowledge and know things other people know. The blogging will continue and it will continue to be a way for me to express myself through reading and writing.
My challenge in reading the Eggers book is that it is thick with stories. These are not stories that are so chewy they cannot be swallowed...these are stories surrounded by multiple stories. They are tiled together like a mosaic and must be read carefully. If I were to not pay attention to each one, I might not understand how the next was to come about. The book is excellent and I would 100% promote it to anyone willing to read something a sad but informative. I have found there are many things about World and United States History I still want to learn. This book has opened so many facets of my mind.
In my reading thus far today, Valentino is still trying to survive Pinyudo successfully. Things are still not amazing, but he is healthy and thriving (considering his circumstances). Of course, as with the case of this book, it cannot go too long in the good before bearing bad, destructible news. All boys are called to an assembly one day. The SPLA has ten men lined up that are bound and tied at the front of the audience (I think you already know where this is going). The SPLA address the boys telling them these people are traitors and have left the Sudanese only to bring about their demise. Somewhat of Benedict Arnold figures. After they have explained how these men are sharing SPLA secrets and "raping" the Sudanese of everything, they open fire in front of the 10,000 boys. They never saw it coming. The boys went hysterical and of course, the SPLA hit them in the heads with the butts of their guns...scare them even more.
To make this worst, Ethiopia has decided it is time for the Sudanese to leave Pinyudo. Following is a mass exodus of Sudanese. Of course, they all have to cross a river full of crocodiles with bullets and bombs flying at them (it could not be simple). Valentino describes bodies floating down the river and the water being red.
This sadness is how far I have gotten today. Today I was in Greenwood eating lunch with old fellow music majors, Joyce, Stephanie, Brian, Brad and Doc (our vocal professor and choral director), Joyce's family: Jose, Brandon and Kati (Kati's 21st Birthday!!!), and Carolyn and other friends. The lunch was wonderful. We went to our college stomping ground, La Ha. After, we went to Steph's house and had some fun. We watched her play Mario Wii and tried to watch the Hawai'i live tsunami coverage...it was really hyped up and nothing happened...we wanted to see action (not at the expense of lives), but it is better nothing happened. As for people in Chile, I hope they are ok!
Tonight, we celebrated my old principal's (literally, she was my principal and then I ended up teaching for her at Lexington Middle School) Birthday at the Cotton Grill in the Old Mill in Lexington. It was so great to see her family and spend time with friends. The food and company were all wonderful!
After, I went to spend time with my friend Jonathan and his mom. She looked around on Facebook...it was hilarious!I am also glad for the time I got to spend with Mama and Daddy today (yeah I call them that...they are amazing). I am excited about spending the day with them out and about and at Bark Park in the morning with our dogs, Buddy and Katie!
Tomorrow, a slew of peeps will be visited. Lander is coming to Lexington!!! It is time for me to sleep!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Is grateful.
I just want to say how grateful I am for the family I have. I love them a lot and I am so glad I have gotten to come home to South Carolina this weekend and I am glad there is still so much time left. If you have not met my mom or dad, you should. They are the most loving and caring people out there and sometimes I forget that. I get so caught up in myself and my life and busyness that I don't think about it. I often communicate with them in a lot of angst, worry or urgency and never really relax. I feel bad they don't really ever get to see some of the most loving sides of me. And here I am reading a book about someone that wants to be re-united with his family but will never see them again. I am so happy I have a mom and dad to myself, even better, that love me so much that they will help me out and come to Chicago to see me.
I am also grateful for the rest of my family I get to see even if it is not that often. I really enjoyed seeing them tonight for dinner. My aunt and uncle went out of their way to prepare a wonderful meal for me and I truly appreciate that.
Also, I am so happy for my friend Jonathan and his family. He and his mom are always so wonderful every single time I come home. Jonathan and I always have the opportunity to banter and be young again just as we had never left middle or high school. I enjoy the time I can just take all walls down and be who I really am on the inside. I really wish he could come to Illinois, but I know he has grad school.
I am so thankful for my friend Camille for hanging in there with me even though I don't get to see her often. She has been such a wonderful friend. I am also thankful for my friend Sarah and her husband Dylan. She has kept in such close touch with me since college even after a rocky time we had. They have been such wonderful supporters of me in all life endeavors.
Britney Marroni still keeps me laughing no matter what. I only wish I could see her more often. Melissa, my lovely Barnes and Noble kids lead in the South...amazing. A person to inspire reading in anyone.
I really miss my friends from college. I miss my professors and I miss everything about Lander.
I also am so grateful for my friends Stephanie and Carolyn. I am always laughing every time I am around them. They are the funniest people in the world. I really hope one day they will find themselves in Chicago longer than a week. It would be something phenomenal.
Tomorrow, I get to spend the day in Greenwood and see the people that kept life entertaining in college. Joyce, her family (her kids who I have watched grow for the past 8 years), Doc (my biggest inspiration at Lander), and other Lander music folk.
I just want to let everyone know that if you have been in my life, you have inspired me. This top portion of the blog is dedicated to everyone from the South that has shaped who I am. I have forgotten no one, even if your name is not in here...there is simply not enough time before my eyes shut and I fall asleep before I can name them.
To all of you Chicago folk: I love you, too and I am so happy you are there. I am happy such wonderful people, co-workers, friends, roommate and acquaintances have been there to acclimate me to such a beautiful city even through my most trying times up there. Wow. It is amazing to have such a wonderful Southern heart and a strong Midwestern backbone to guide me through life.
I love you all.
I am also grateful for the rest of my family I get to see even if it is not that often. I really enjoyed seeing them tonight for dinner. My aunt and uncle went out of their way to prepare a wonderful meal for me and I truly appreciate that.
Also, I am so happy for my friend Jonathan and his family. He and his mom are always so wonderful every single time I come home. Jonathan and I always have the opportunity to banter and be young again just as we had never left middle or high school. I enjoy the time I can just take all walls down and be who I really am on the inside. I really wish he could come to Illinois, but I know he has grad school.
I am so thankful for my friend Camille for hanging in there with me even though I don't get to see her often. She has been such a wonderful friend. I am also thankful for my friend Sarah and her husband Dylan. She has kept in such close touch with me since college even after a rocky time we had. They have been such wonderful supporters of me in all life endeavors.
Britney Marroni still keeps me laughing no matter what. I only wish I could see her more often. Melissa, my lovely Barnes and Noble kids lead in the South...amazing. A person to inspire reading in anyone.
I really miss my friends from college. I miss my professors and I miss everything about Lander.
I also am so grateful for my friends Stephanie and Carolyn. I am always laughing every time I am around them. They are the funniest people in the world. I really hope one day they will find themselves in Chicago longer than a week. It would be something phenomenal.
Tomorrow, I get to spend the day in Greenwood and see the people that kept life entertaining in college. Joyce, her family (her kids who I have watched grow for the past 8 years), Doc (my biggest inspiration at Lander), and other Lander music folk.
I just want to let everyone know that if you have been in my life, you have inspired me. This top portion of the blog is dedicated to everyone from the South that has shaped who I am. I have forgotten no one, even if your name is not in here...there is simply not enough time before my eyes shut and I fall asleep before I can name them.
To all of you Chicago folk: I love you, too and I am so happy you are there. I am happy such wonderful people, co-workers, friends, roommate and acquaintances have been there to acclimate me to such a beautiful city even through my most trying times up there. Wow. It is amazing to have such a wonderful Southern heart and a strong Midwestern backbone to guide me through life.
I love you all.
Friday, February 26, 2010
What is going on? South Carolina?
What is the What is gettin good. Valentino has finally been treated in the hospital. It is 1:21AM and they are finally getting him an MRI after 9 hours of waiting (sounds like the ER to me...but no ER is complete without Britney Marroni and gout, diabetes, nausea, flu, strep throat, pain in legs, broken femur, runny nose, sinus infection, constipation, cateracts and whatever else...oh yeah, the Little Mermaid Big Note Songbook). Valentino is excited because finally he will learn the reasons for his migraines and muscular aches in the back of his neck.
During my reading from today, there have been so many stories from Valentino. There are so many that I can only brush upon a few. The first most interesting was his running into an Anuyak woman. The Anuyak are the river people that had a mini civil war/battle with the Dinka in Ethiopia. The woman was so sad to see such a skinny boy and wanted to make him feel better so she started feeding him. She told him she would be his mother and he would never have to go back to the camp again. Valentino said it was the first time he had been touched in months and the prospect of a family was comforting; the only bad thing was that he did not want to forget the purpose of his journey to Ethiopia: to find his family. He told the woman he could not stay with her forever, but he continued to eat with her for weeks and bring provisions she needed that she could not obtain. I know one thing...there is nothing like being able to see your family. I have not seen mine together since June 2009 until yesterday. It is so nice to see them in person...and the dogs.
Another story: MOSES is alive. Valentino thought he was a hallucination and it really was him. Moses was his best friend in Marial Bai and he thought he had died by horseman. It ends up Moses was captured by the Arabs and enslaved and sold three times. The first was to a rich family who treated him like an animal. The man of the house encouraged his children to beat Moses and feed him garbage. Moses was placed in a school for Muslim children; he did not try to defy this because he thought learning to read the Koran and learning Muslim traditions would cause the family to like him more. No...it did not. The whipping continued relentlessly. Moses decided to run away one day and was caught by the neighbors (their dog barked). The children sat on his back and called him a donkey and stuffed garbage in his mouth. Moses was sick...he did not have to work for three days because of all of the vomiting. He got the idea to pretend he was sick all the time until eventually, he was sold. This time, Muslim Sudanese (who looked just like Moses) bought him. He was sold to white people from them who freed him. Thus, Valentino learned about white people for the first time.
In camp, white (European and American) began showing up for aid. The camp began transforming. Many people thought the whites were gods because of their angelic white skin. He was told by his Christening priest that they were directly descended because of all of the pictures of Jesus were white. Valentino began calling whites Inside-Out people. He thought it was funny how the heat turned them pink and made them sweat a lot. When the whites came, schools were built, people began eating, the Dinkas learned of the United Nations. Things got better. But, the camp became militant, as well. During the day, the people would do their thing, a little stricter though, and at night, the SPLA would train (unbeknownst to the UN). Moses, of many, went to train.
In school, a group of girls were put into Valentino's class (this is a new story btw). They were only 4 girls out of a class of 51 boys...they were called the Royal Girls. They were a group of sisters that were nieces of the teacher, Mr. Kondit; their names were Agar, Akon, Agum and Yar Akech. The boys were nuts over them, so much so that the teacher put the girls in the back of the class so the boys could concentrate. Valentino began doing really well in school because he wanted to impress them. He called roll...he did everything. The boys began making fun of him but he did not care. One day, at the end of the year, the girls invited him over to their home for lunch. At first, he said no but then realized he didn't mean it so he consented. When he got there, to make a long story short, they ALL began exploring each others' bodies. This was new for Achak, but he didn't care. This story came about because of two things 1) his girlfriend Tabitha and 2) his Christening Priest.
1) Tabitha and Valentino eventually began dating in the United States. They were separated by the distance of Atlanta to Seattle but it did not bother them. Tabitha broke it off with her abusive boyfriend and came to Atlanta to visit Valentino. Everything went well until she started getting jealous. She learned that Valentino, the saint, was good with women and automatically assumed Valentino would be, too. So, she started asking about girls and how good he was with them and did all of the typical passive aggressive jealous stuff. He said in fact, he was good with the girls and got into the story of the Royal Girls which he found out to be Tabitha's cousins!
2) His Christening Priest told him the story of Saint Valentino from Rome. He tried to convert prisoners and they did. When people began to find out about his doings, he was imprisoned himself. He healed a girl of her blindness and his head was cut off (this was the short story).
So, I have made great strides in the reading.
My flight to SC was amazing. It was the smoothest I have ever had. I sat in seat 1A which was in a row of onesies which meant there was no 1B...actually, the only thing next to me was the flight attendant's station. It was amazing. I was the only person in the front of the plane. No one to bother me. I slept, read and listened to music. It was so good to see my parents and the dogs! I will begin posting pics tonight!!!
Have a wonderful day!
:)
During my reading from today, there have been so many stories from Valentino. There are so many that I can only brush upon a few. The first most interesting was his running into an Anuyak woman. The Anuyak are the river people that had a mini civil war/battle with the Dinka in Ethiopia. The woman was so sad to see such a skinny boy and wanted to make him feel better so she started feeding him. She told him she would be his mother and he would never have to go back to the camp again. Valentino said it was the first time he had been touched in months and the prospect of a family was comforting; the only bad thing was that he did not want to forget the purpose of his journey to Ethiopia: to find his family. He told the woman he could not stay with her forever, but he continued to eat with her for weeks and bring provisions she needed that she could not obtain. I know one thing...there is nothing like being able to see your family. I have not seen mine together since June 2009 until yesterday. It is so nice to see them in person...and the dogs.
Another story: MOSES is alive. Valentino thought he was a hallucination and it really was him. Moses was his best friend in Marial Bai and he thought he had died by horseman. It ends up Moses was captured by the Arabs and enslaved and sold three times. The first was to a rich family who treated him like an animal. The man of the house encouraged his children to beat Moses and feed him garbage. Moses was placed in a school for Muslim children; he did not try to defy this because he thought learning to read the Koran and learning Muslim traditions would cause the family to like him more. No...it did not. The whipping continued relentlessly. Moses decided to run away one day and was caught by the neighbors (their dog barked). The children sat on his back and called him a donkey and stuffed garbage in his mouth. Moses was sick...he did not have to work for three days because of all of the vomiting. He got the idea to pretend he was sick all the time until eventually, he was sold. This time, Muslim Sudanese (who looked just like Moses) bought him. He was sold to white people from them who freed him. Thus, Valentino learned about white people for the first time.
In camp, white (European and American) began showing up for aid. The camp began transforming. Many people thought the whites were gods because of their angelic white skin. He was told by his Christening priest that they were directly descended because of all of the pictures of Jesus were white. Valentino began calling whites Inside-Out people. He thought it was funny how the heat turned them pink and made them sweat a lot. When the whites came, schools were built, people began eating, the Dinkas learned of the United Nations. Things got better. But, the camp became militant, as well. During the day, the people would do their thing, a little stricter though, and at night, the SPLA would train (unbeknownst to the UN). Moses, of many, went to train.
In school, a group of girls were put into Valentino's class (this is a new story btw). They were only 4 girls out of a class of 51 boys...they were called the Royal Girls. They were a group of sisters that were nieces of the teacher, Mr. Kondit; their names were Agar, Akon, Agum and Yar Akech. The boys were nuts over them, so much so that the teacher put the girls in the back of the class so the boys could concentrate. Valentino began doing really well in school because he wanted to impress them. He called roll...he did everything. The boys began making fun of him but he did not care. One day, at the end of the year, the girls invited him over to their home for lunch. At first, he said no but then realized he didn't mean it so he consented. When he got there, to make a long story short, they ALL began exploring each others' bodies. This was new for Achak, but he didn't care. This story came about because of two things 1) his girlfriend Tabitha and 2) his Christening Priest.
1) Tabitha and Valentino eventually began dating in the United States. They were separated by the distance of Atlanta to Seattle but it did not bother them. Tabitha broke it off with her abusive boyfriend and came to Atlanta to visit Valentino. Everything went well until she started getting jealous. She learned that Valentino, the saint, was good with women and automatically assumed Valentino would be, too. So, she started asking about girls and how good he was with them and did all of the typical passive aggressive jealous stuff. He said in fact, he was good with the girls and got into the story of the Royal Girls which he found out to be Tabitha's cousins!
2) His Christening Priest told him the story of Saint Valentino from Rome. He tried to convert prisoners and they did. When people began to find out about his doings, he was imprisoned himself. He healed a girl of her blindness and his head was cut off (this was the short story).
So, I have made great strides in the reading.
My flight to SC was amazing. It was the smoothest I have ever had. I sat in seat 1A which was in a row of onesies which meant there was no 1B...actually, the only thing next to me was the flight attendant's station. It was amazing. I was the only person in the front of the plane. No one to bother me. I slept, read and listened to music. It was so good to see my parents and the dogs! I will begin posting pics tonight!!!
Have a wonderful day!
:)
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