Pretty much everyone at the place I work has a felon or two tucked under her belt. To these girls, I am the epitome of "good girl." I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, and my boyfriend has never been to jail. But, despite our polar differences, we have all become close and formed friendships across the social lines.
Even though these women have been labeled by the elite of society as hardened criminals, I have a lot to learn from them. Tough as nails, they perpetually fight against the odds. Life has dealt her cards, and they put on their poker faces and play the hand they got.
I've realized how unusually blessed I am. I was raised in a happy, loving, intact family. I've been gifted a chance at a superb education. All my basic needs and more are provided for me. But it isn't always the case. P dropped out of highschool her junior year because she was bored in the public school system. J was kicked out of her house by her dad when she was 16. A spent her teenage years feeding her drug addiction.
However, despite their rough lives and the sentences each of them received from a judge, each of them is full of inspiration and hope which I can only hope to achieve. J wants to join the peace corps after she serves her time on house arrest. She dreams of going to Africa and opening free clinics for those in even more unfortunate circumstances than her. A is buoyantly joyful because for the first time in years, she is addiction free and enjoying life as she ought. She is so proud that she has been clean for 11 months. Now, instead of getting high, stoned, and whatnot, she enjoys going on hikes with her boyfriend and going to museums, believe it or not. P has overcome her alcoholism for the sake of her unborn baby; the baby her mom urged her to abort. She is now 3 months pregnant and enthusiastically picking out names.
Becoming so close to these women has really taught me that despite their rough edges, they still have hopes and dreams, they are still searching to love and be loved, and they will always stand up for those close to them, just like me. I've learned to look beyond the social strata this summer, my summer with the felons.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Monday, August 5, 2013
Plain Jane
Have you ever noticed the rut of "hero-ism" that many authors fall into? In quite a few of the books I've read, so many of the protagonists are irreproachably perfect. You just KNOW that they will never make the wrong choice, that they will never make empty assumptions, and they will never be messily disheveled mentally or physically. Reading books like these, or watching movies with these perfect characters can reeeeeally get on my nerves because they aren't real! They are not believable or even loveable characters because they are so, shall we say? nauseatingly perfect.
For example, (this was the first character that popped into my head) take Indiana Jones. I've only seen the first movie, so forgive me if I make some premature assumptions here. He is the epitome of hero. The viewer knows that he will not fail the quest either mentally or physically. His perfect physique and daring feats lures his captive audience into blind hero worship. I did find the movie very enjoyable, but I prefer characters who go through the same struggles and temptations that I do, characters who could very well be real, honest to goodness people in everyday life. At this point, I would like to applaud Miss Jane Austen for creating just such characters.
Take Elizabeth Bennet. She doesn't have any particular talents (she's only a mediocre pianist), she isn't the most gorgeous girl on the block (Darcy says she is only tolerable), and she makes a huge mistake when she rashly judges both Wickham and Darcy's personalities. What Jane Austen has done in Elizabeth Bennet is create a character who goes through the same struggles as women do in real life.
Elizabeth's foil is her sister Jane. Jane Bennet is the "perfect" woman. She is sweet, unassuming, and beautiful. Perfect as she is, notice how she is not the main character. Her purpose is to shine light on Elizabeth and to further enhance her "real-ness." Jane never does anything wrong, yet she isn't terribly loveable. Elizabeth, on the other hand, as she spunkily accuses handsome rich men of pride, crushes on a charming yet slimy lady's man, and blunderingly enters high society, is as loveable as a best friend would be.
Jane Austen, through her colorful characters, has forever placed herself in the authors' hall of fame. It isn't for no reason that the U.K. is printing a 10 pound note with her image on it. Jane has told the world that being real is beautiful, that plain is perfect.
For example, (this was the first character that popped into my head) take Indiana Jones. I've only seen the first movie, so forgive me if I make some premature assumptions here. He is the epitome of hero. The viewer knows that he will not fail the quest either mentally or physically. His perfect physique and daring feats lures his captive audience into blind hero worship. I did find the movie very enjoyable, but I prefer characters who go through the same struggles and temptations that I do, characters who could very well be real, honest to goodness people in everyday life. At this point, I would like to applaud Miss Jane Austen for creating just such characters.
Take Elizabeth Bennet. She doesn't have any particular talents (she's only a mediocre pianist), she isn't the most gorgeous girl on the block (Darcy says she is only tolerable), and she makes a huge mistake when she rashly judges both Wickham and Darcy's personalities. What Jane Austen has done in Elizabeth Bennet is create a character who goes through the same struggles as women do in real life.
Elizabeth's foil is her sister Jane. Jane Bennet is the "perfect" woman. She is sweet, unassuming, and beautiful. Perfect as she is, notice how she is not the main character. Her purpose is to shine light on Elizabeth and to further enhance her "real-ness." Jane never does anything wrong, yet she isn't terribly loveable. Elizabeth, on the other hand, as she spunkily accuses handsome rich men of pride, crushes on a charming yet slimy lady's man, and blunderingly enters high society, is as loveable as a best friend would be.
Jane Austen, through her colorful characters, has forever placed herself in the authors' hall of fame. It isn't for no reason that the U.K. is printing a 10 pound note with her image on it. Jane has told the world that being real is beautiful, that plain is perfect.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
What I've been doing...
Friday, July 26, 2013
My Crisis
All throughout my childhood days, I read. Picture books, historical fiction, new books, old books, you name it, I've probably read it. My mom enjoys recounting the time when I was first learning to read. I had just graduated from my little picture readers to a chapter book. I believe it was an abridged Little House in the Big Woods. Anyways, so the story goes, I came up to my mom and told her that I just loved the pictures in the book, they were so beautiful. I handed her the book and she flipped through to find these famed illustrations. Seeing none, she became very concerned about young Marissa's mental condition. "Marissa, there are no pictures in here!" To which I, young Shakespeare, replied, "Oh no! Not those kinds of pictures! I mean the ones that the words make in my head!"
In high school, my infatuation with the printed page blossomed into a steamy, passionate affair. I found myself hungering after my love's touch and smell. I craved the indelible imprint my romance left on my heart and mind. More than once, my mother discovered me crouched over a book, when I really should have been finishing my Algebra exercises. But what is Algebra in comparison to Austen, Dickens, or Bronte? The books were my worlds. I could pick which world I wanted to be in that day. I had worlds of English estates, snooty aunts, and dashing rich single men certainly in want of a wife. I had worlds embittered with bloody wars, brother against brother, gray against blue. I had worlds of silent, mysterious cowboys who cooked frogs, ministered justice and who stole my heart. The characters were my friends. I knew them, I knew what they would say, what they would do, what they liked to eat, and what they would be wearing. I read to escape from it all.
Then, I went to college. Where I had once read to escape, I now tried to escape from what I read. What was once a breathtaking adventure became a dull drudgery where I promised myself I could stop after I read 50 more pages. Now don't get me wrong! I love the books I am reading in college. I am able to drink deeply of the great thinkers: Aristotle, Aquinas, Dostoyevsky, Waugh, to name a few. I quench my thirst for knowledge in their words. But somehow the passion has died. Reading has now become an obligation, a chore. The only excitement I really gain now from reading my assigned books is a grade.
Now I'm home for the summer. No more homework assignments demanding me to read 150 pgs before Monday. I have the freedom to read whatever I want, whenever I want. I've been trying to do some light reading to rekindle the romance, but the zest just isn't there. I miss my old love. It's been replaced by work, sleep, and planning for my semester abroad in Europe. At least I've become closer to my old acquaintance, writing. Writing is steadily becoming my new amour. But there is still hope that reading will find a way back into my heart. There is always hope.
In high school, my infatuation with the printed page blossomed into a steamy, passionate affair. I found myself hungering after my love's touch and smell. I craved the indelible imprint my romance left on my heart and mind. More than once, my mother discovered me crouched over a book, when I really should have been finishing my Algebra exercises. But what is Algebra in comparison to Austen, Dickens, or Bronte? The books were my worlds. I could pick which world I wanted to be in that day. I had worlds of English estates, snooty aunts, and dashing rich single men certainly in want of a wife. I had worlds embittered with bloody wars, brother against brother, gray against blue. I had worlds of silent, mysterious cowboys who cooked frogs, ministered justice and who stole my heart. The characters were my friends. I knew them, I knew what they would say, what they would do, what they liked to eat, and what they would be wearing. I read to escape from it all.
Then, I went to college. Where I had once read to escape, I now tried to escape from what I read. What was once a breathtaking adventure became a dull drudgery where I promised myself I could stop after I read 50 more pages. Now don't get me wrong! I love the books I am reading in college. I am able to drink deeply of the great thinkers: Aristotle, Aquinas, Dostoyevsky, Waugh, to name a few. I quench my thirst for knowledge in their words. But somehow the passion has died. Reading has now become an obligation, a chore. The only excitement I really gain now from reading my assigned books is a grade.
Now I'm home for the summer. No more homework assignments demanding me to read 150 pgs before Monday. I have the freedom to read whatever I want, whenever I want. I've been trying to do some light reading to rekindle the romance, but the zest just isn't there. I miss my old love. It's been replaced by work, sleep, and planning for my semester abroad in Europe. At least I've become closer to my old acquaintance, writing. Writing is steadily becoming my new amour. But there is still hope that reading will find a way back into my heart. There is always hope.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
The Thunder of Justice
This morning I, along with my mother and two younger siblings went to our county courthouse to witness the scale of justice working in our midst. Up the red brick steps we walked in the summer heat, wondering what kind of cases we would be hearing today. We all hoped for an exciting jury trial of an escaped convict/axe murderer/grand larcenist. One by one we stepped through security. My mom, my sister, and I all made it through scotch free, but my brother got barked at by a police man for having his hands in his pockets as he walked through the metal detector. Oh what a criminal that boy is.
We walked upstairs to a courtroom which we were about to go into, but first my mom had to run to the restroom. My siblings and I stood and ruminated while we waited for her to come back. Somehow we knew that we were going to be embarrassed when we walked in and asked to leave. Sure enough, we walked in and lo and behold. 15 prisoners in dingy beige jumpsuits swiveled around to witness our entrance. 15 sets of hardened eyes leered at me and my sister. We awkwardly trailed in the wake of our mother who didn't seem to notice the creeps staring at us. Then a cop came over and told her that my brother and sister (both minors) couldn't be in there on account of the prisoners without express permission from the judge. It was with great relief that we exited the courtroom.
The next room we graced, a woman was being tried for concealment. Beautifully clad for court in a hot pink hoodie, faded jeans, her hair up in a messy flip bun, she pleaded "guilty" to stealing a GPS and several DVD players from Walmart. She is now banned from Walmart for 3 years. How horrible. No Walmart for 3 whole years! (Feel the sarcasm flowing like honey from my lips)
Next, after the Walmartian's trial, we traipsed down the stairs to the General District Court. Now listen closely my dears, never drive without a license or you will receive a $100 fine and have your license revoked for 3 years. We must have heard at least 10 cases which ended in that sentence.
It was a good experience, seeing law and order in action. But we are all still hoping for the axe murderer trial. Maybe next Thursday... ;)
We walked upstairs to a courtroom which we were about to go into, but first my mom had to run to the restroom. My siblings and I stood and ruminated while we waited for her to come back. Somehow we knew that we were going to be embarrassed when we walked in and asked to leave. Sure enough, we walked in and lo and behold. 15 prisoners in dingy beige jumpsuits swiveled around to witness our entrance. 15 sets of hardened eyes leered at me and my sister. We awkwardly trailed in the wake of our mother who didn't seem to notice the creeps staring at us. Then a cop came over and told her that my brother and sister (both minors) couldn't be in there on account of the prisoners without express permission from the judge. It was with great relief that we exited the courtroom.
The next room we graced, a woman was being tried for concealment. Beautifully clad for court in a hot pink hoodie, faded jeans, her hair up in a messy flip bun, she pleaded "guilty" to stealing a GPS and several DVD players from Walmart. She is now banned from Walmart for 3 years. How horrible. No Walmart for 3 whole years! (Feel the sarcasm flowing like honey from my lips)
Next, after the Walmartian's trial, we traipsed down the stairs to the General District Court. Now listen closely my dears, never drive without a license or you will receive a $100 fine and have your license revoked for 3 years. We must have heard at least 10 cases which ended in that sentence.
It was a good experience, seeing law and order in action. But we are all still hoping for the axe murderer trial. Maybe next Thursday... ;)
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Beautiful, Delicious Random Thoughts
Hello Lovelies! (and handsomes) ;) I have a lot to talk about today since last week was spent refreshing my creativity at the beach. My vacation kind of marks the halfway point of my summer. I was able to use the time to scrutinize where I am going in my life and how I am achieving the goals I set for myself this summer. Consequently, I have decided that I will spend 15 minutes everyday writing on my blog. Maybe I will even try my hand at one of those nail-biter "to be continued" stories. I know my readership is quite miniscule, but I would love to receive comments and feedback. So if anything catches your fancy, you have questions, critiques, suggestions, let me know!
Well, now that is out of the way... If you don't know what this says, then you have a sad life. Either that or you don't know how to use Google Translate. Ok, well I just looked it up on Google Translate to see if it gives the accurate, awesome translation, but it doesn't. So I will give you the cheat sheet...
"Come at me bro."
Well, now that is out of the way... If you don't know what this says, then you have a sad life. Either that or you don't know how to use Google Translate. Ok, well I just looked it up on Google Translate to see if it gives the accurate, awesome translation, but it doesn't. So I will give you the cheat sheet...
Being Catholic is so awesome. :)
That is all for now! See you tomorrow for my 15 minute slice of life and love and fabulous stuff like that.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Get Holy Or Die Trying
A wonderful Monday to ya! My morning has been filled with sunshine, fried eggs, blackberry picking in our garden, and the anticipation of making chocolate zucchini cake.
As I was praying over my morning meditation, I was contemplating virtue and how it is intrinsically connected with sainthood. I assume all of you want to be saints. If you raised your hand, we are on the same page. If you raised your eyebrow, I suggest you toddle off to your friendly neighborhood priest and have a lil' chat with him.
I want to ask you (rhetorically), what are you going to be the patron saint of? Are you good enough, holy enough to be a patron saint of anything? Do you have the virtues you need to overcome your vices? God doesn't accept anything less than perfection, since He Himself is the epitome of perfection. Are you perfect enough to stand in front of Him at your judgment, to hear Him say, "Welcome, my beloved, my dearest heart, come join Me in Paradise?" This is serious, guys. This is real.
This summer, don't just spend your time getting the perfect tan, get the perfect soul! You're just going to lose that tan come winter, but you will never lose a perfect soul. Yes, this world is full of temptations and dark attractions, but there is still hope! God will never, ever present you with a temptation which you are not strong enough to overcome. He will ALWAYS provide you with sufficient grace to resist the charming wiles of that damn devil.
Luckily for us, there are 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit: one for each month of the year! In this Year of Faith, how about we strengthen our Faith, our souls, our lives by growing in virtue and the fruits that flow from them. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are the observable behaviors of people who have allowed grace and virtue to fill their lives. Every month, focus on appealing to the Holy Spirit for one specific fruit.
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
-Charity
-Joy
- Peace
-Patience
-Kindness
-Goodness
-Generosity
-Gentleness
-Faithfulness
-Modesty
-Self-control
-Chastity
“Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.” (Matthew 7:17-20)
As I was praying over my morning meditation, I was contemplating virtue and how it is intrinsically connected with sainthood. I assume all of you want to be saints. If you raised your hand, we are on the same page. If you raised your eyebrow, I suggest you toddle off to your friendly neighborhood priest and have a lil' chat with him.
I want to ask you (rhetorically), what are you going to be the patron saint of? Are you good enough, holy enough to be a patron saint of anything? Do you have the virtues you need to overcome your vices? God doesn't accept anything less than perfection, since He Himself is the epitome of perfection. Are you perfect enough to stand in front of Him at your judgment, to hear Him say, "Welcome, my beloved, my dearest heart, come join Me in Paradise?" This is serious, guys. This is real.
This summer, don't just spend your time getting the perfect tan, get the perfect soul! You're just going to lose that tan come winter, but you will never lose a perfect soul. Yes, this world is full of temptations and dark attractions, but there is still hope! God will never, ever present you with a temptation which you are not strong enough to overcome. He will ALWAYS provide you with sufficient grace to resist the charming wiles of that damn devil.
Luckily for us, there are 12 fruits of the Holy Spirit: one for each month of the year! In this Year of Faith, how about we strengthen our Faith, our souls, our lives by growing in virtue and the fruits that flow from them. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are the observable behaviors of people who have allowed grace and virtue to fill their lives. Every month, focus on appealing to the Holy Spirit for one specific fruit.
The Fruits of the Holy Spirit
-Charity
-Joy
- Peace
-Patience
-Kindness
-Goodness
-Generosity
-Gentleness
-Faithfulness
-Modesty
-Self-control
-Chastity
“Just so, every good tree bears good fruit, and a rotten tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. So by their fruits you will know them.” (Matthew 7:17-20)
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