Thursday, September 11, 2008
i am polish.
shilpi,
i am 1/4 polish by the way. so i want to relate two things in close...maybe three things in closing on travels with herodotus. maybe just two things, so first thing is:
1) China, you asked me if I related to R.'s impressions. As much as I can decades later--60 yrs. later? I will say I related to the language barrier. I was promised language courses upon arrival-- no such reality. I fumbled with Chinese co-teachers. We pantomimed and exercised jaws and faces as much as we could to pronounce words in Chinglish. I have felt no other isolation in my life than when in Jiaxing City, but also no other mission at the same time because I was teaching-- so I had a focus. In sum, I wasn't a journalist--I had another profession, but yes, I related. It rang true. Being in another nation in which you don't speak the language and are wholly other is... to say the least a challenge. I also had to contend with my hosts-- who censured every free moment I had on the earth. I had to sneak out and get lost for any autonomy... "Happy every day" splashed on billboards in the background.
2) So R. I want to say that I have immense admiration and lay at the feet of this man. He's lived a life that few have the courage to experience. But, what amazed me about his early recollections was the humility and almost--ordinariness-- of his trials. He was scared, lost, and giving himself up to strangers for direction and kindness. I was inspired. You too could be R.K., with a lot of hard work (and research) and a little luck upon arrival. He's a human. You're a human. I'm a human. Welcome to humanity.
Next selection: Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje.
This book is meant to be next. I'm entranced...its romantic and violent.
xo miss you.
kristina.
i am 1/4 polish by the way. so i want to relate two things in close...maybe three things in closing on travels with herodotus. maybe just two things, so first thing is:
1) China, you asked me if I related to R.'s impressions. As much as I can decades later--60 yrs. later? I will say I related to the language barrier. I was promised language courses upon arrival-- no such reality. I fumbled with Chinese co-teachers. We pantomimed and exercised jaws and faces as much as we could to pronounce words in Chinglish. I have felt no other isolation in my life than when in Jiaxing City, but also no other mission at the same time because I was teaching-- so I had a focus. In sum, I wasn't a journalist--I had another profession, but yes, I related. It rang true. Being in another nation in which you don't speak the language and are wholly other is... to say the least a challenge. I also had to contend with my hosts-- who censured every free moment I had on the earth. I had to sneak out and get lost for any autonomy... "Happy every day" splashed on billboards in the background.
2) So R. I want to say that I have immense admiration and lay at the feet of this man. He's lived a life that few have the courage to experience. But, what amazed me about his early recollections was the humility and almost--ordinariness-- of his trials. He was scared, lost, and giving himself up to strangers for direction and kindness. I was inspired. You too could be R.K., with a lot of hard work (and research) and a little luck upon arrival. He's a human. You're a human. I'm a human. Welcome to humanity.
Next selection: Divisadero by Michael Ondaatje.
This book is meant to be next. I'm entranced...its romantic and violent.
xo miss you.
kristina.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
hello out there
XTina --- I know you are bored with the new book. its gone. its done. im with you, girl. polski is done-zo. Pick a novel! Anything -- I'll read it. I miss you. ps, im a little drunk. as per shilpitina rules.
love,
shilpi "endless well of book and xtina love" paul
love,
shilpi "endless well of book and xtina love" paul
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