“…although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming it.”—Helen Keller, Optimism 1903

To begin with, Helen Keller once wrote in her book, Optimism (1903), “ …although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming it.” In other words, people everyday come face to face with challenges that make them feel like there is no future or light in their path. However, this does not mean that the world will remain dark; it also means that there are many people who have suffered but overcame their suffering. Two novels that prove this quote true are, The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brian and Sold, by Patricia Mccormick.

Firstly, in Tim O’Brian’s, The Things They Carried, every soldier’s story that the narrator tells is one of internal suffering. Many of the men simply want to go back to their homes but instead must also suffer in the worst conditions, for a war they may or may not support, while missing those they love and long for at home. Soldiers, if they haven’t been killed, are sent home to overcome their suffering but not many overcome it. The author writes his story to share with others like him who did suffer. The telling of his story is his form of overcoming his suffering.

Secondly, the women and young girls in Sold, bare a different type of suffering than the characters in O’Brian’s novel, but it is suffering all the same. Being devalued as a woman, as a human, being monetarily valued, are all the types of suffering that may not look like one can overcome. Lakshmi’s value for her life decreases every day and she must hold on to every little hope she can, which eventually influences her to free herself from her oppression.

What is interesting about both novels is that both the main characters, O’Brian and Lakshmi, had to motivate themselves to overcome their suffering. In other words, although their suffering was completely different but extreme, they could no longer live within themselves if they did not save themselves out of their oppression. Although O’Brian could not immediately leave the war, when he did finally return home, a huge part of him was still there. In order to cope with all that he saw and experienced, he had to overcome it by writing. His audience, soldiers who fought in the war like him, can use his novel as a way to overcome their experience too. As for Lakshmi, it was only until she learned to value her life to be more than forty rupees, that she was able to yell out her name to the man she hoped came to rescue her.

Finally, in agreement to Helen Keller’s quote, I believe that as people, we may feel like we suffer alone but it is only when we motivate ourselves to overcome our hardships, do we see that there are many others like us who have fought the oppression. Tim O’Brian and Lakshmi are two of many characters who have found motivation within themselves and their surroundings to overcome their plight.

Are You Serious? Grow Up.

I have had a serious streak all my life. I grew up having to be responsible, considerate, and giving because I am the eldest of three. Now, being 22, I’m not sure I remember what it’s like to have fun, to really enjoy life. Is it possible that I didn’t come with a fun bone?


I surround myself around all types of personalities and sometimes I find myself taking the “responsible adult” role. It’s only with selective people, that I really show my “silly” side. Yet, sometimes even with them, I’m perceived as “crazy”. I hope it’s a good crazy. Maybe, I should get some clarification on that.


I remember when I was 18, my cousin said that I have a lot of growing up to do. Although, she was right, I did need to grow up, I asked her why she said that. She replied, “You have this excitement about everything” and then I lost my excitement.


I have always wanted to be a “grown-up”, whatever that means. Now that I am half way there, I don’t think it’s much fun. Who made up that rule that we had to lose excitement and be serious when we become adults? I want to know the difference between having fun and turning on the serious button. If stress, sadness, depression are all leading killers in our nation, why should we let excitement and happiness slip through the frowns of our faces?

Now, I’m going to live by the following belief: If I haven’t laughed for the day. It’s a day wasted.

New Goal: be excited, have fun, be happy. Aint’ nobody gonna’ do it for me.

Who Fought Standardized Tests?

Vito Perrone Sr. did.

Who is this man? I didn’t know who he was until I browsed the New York Times yesterday. Mr. Perrone was an activist, professor, and implementer of educational reform. He dedicated his life to leading many young teachers towards activism and opened many eyes on what policy makers really were leaving behind in “No Child Left Behind.” He inspired people like Jonathan Kozol ( one of my biggest inspirations) to write his book, Death at an Early Age. When I read this, my heart sank because not only do I want to meet Kozol, but I want to meet the person who inspired Kozol. Sadly, I no longer can.


Let’s take a moment of silence.


…wait...now that he’s gone, who’s going to fight against standardized tests?

Me?
I was waiting for you.


Waiting.

That seems like something our youth has been really good at. We’re all waiting for “those people” to stand up and say, “No, this is wrong.”
Like most famous people who pass, their songs are played for centuries to come, movies are made about them, books written, but what can I can do to continuously remember Mr. Perrone? In fact, change that previous statement: …but what can WE do to continuously remember Mr. Perrone?

Stop being silent.

Yes, I said it. Stop being silent. Stop waiting for someone else to take Mr. Perrone’s place. We are the educators. We are the ones who have to teach to the exam, show our students how to narrow down vague answers to mundane stories; we are the ones who have to teach to a system that will be forgotten every day once the bell rings at 3. What’s that quote again? If you’re silent about the things that are wrong, you’re accepting it? Something along those lines. If we only accept and complain, we might as well bow down to the system of standardized tests.

As a future teacher, I wish I knew of more people like Mr. Perrone, Jonathan Kozol, or Alfie Kohn but I don’t. Therefore I must find them in my colleagues and professors. Most importantly, I must recreate them within myself.

Who Am I as a Teacher?

I've been teaching for many, many years now. Well, I've been teaching an imaginary classroom, for many, many years now. That counts as experience, right? I have also been writing since the third grade by pouring every account of my day into journals. I call them the “Felicia Volumes 1-10”. I am not the type of writer that is completely fixated on the way my sentences look. Meaning, I don't really care about grammar. I care more about how my sentences convey what I feel and how they make my reader feel.

As a teacher and writer, I want my students to gain what they can in terms of grammar and syntax but more importantly, I want them to be able to turn to writing as an outlet of emotions. That was what it was for me in the third grade, when I received my first journal from my 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Shombs. I still remember her and that moment she gave me my journal to this day. I had been bullied my whole elementary educational experience and I hated going to school for that reason. Writing in journals helped me express how I felt at every given moment because it was always right there with me. That's the thing about writing; all you need are your hands. There is no depending on another person, relying on someone to pick up the pieces that seemed to break instantly in your life. All you need to do is find somewhere to write.

Boring? Yeh Qya Hai?

I have come to a conclusion that it is NEVER a boring day in India. The last time I thought I was bored was when I was on a restless 14 hour flight to India. Everyday there is a new adventure, a new word I may learn in Hindi, and a new face with a new name that I continuously forget.
This week has been intense: I started a pilot program for the Women’s Initiative Program. It’s call “Women’s Empowerment Mentorship Program”. It is about teaching young women about influential Indian women, careers they can pursue and how important it is to continue an education. After a week of getting permission slips signed by parents and finding a location to host the class, I had a successful 3 days of the program. It is held every Monday-Wednesday during recess in the auditorium. I have 11 girls currently attending the class and their inputs on various subjects have been clever and knowledgeable. For example, they asked me about the American culture and I said, “Well in America, most Indian women, don’t wear Indian clothes. We may wear jeans and a shirt.” Then one of my students interrupted by saying, “But teacher, we wear jeans and t-shirts too.” These young women recognize the difference between the standing of men and women in India and they realize the different roles women now play from the past. I am interested to see how these young women grow and I hope they benefit from what I can offer them.
Another enjoyable event this week is when I taught classes at the English Medium School just 5 minutes up the road from Madhi High School. I teach 1-4th standard and boy are they adorable. This Thursday I met the music teacher, Vijay Bhai, and I had a few music lessons. He has an amazing voice and the children always love watching him and singing along. Later in the day when I was teaching the 3rd standard class a student walks up to me with his tooth in his hand, “Teacher, my tooth fell out!” After taking a few pictures of his new found excitement, I told him about the tooth fairy, and sent him on his way to the nurse. Next thing I know, three of my students come up to me to show me their teeth waiting to fall out. I laughed and said, “Wow, look at that! Please don’t pull it out now…”

Chaudapull

June 10, 2010
Emily and I ventured off to Surat on the local bus making stops literally every 15 minutes. We were seated next to a man who was also going to Surat. His name was Harish Kaka and he suggested a Sari shop called Jagruti in Chautupull. When we got to Chautupull I was so excited because it looked like a huge hidden market. As if it was a secret blessing. Everything one could possibly need was there in all colors, shapes, and sizes! We were directed by Ashok Bhai, the owner of the Sari shop, upstairs to where I fell in love with my first Sari. I grew up thinking I could never wear a Sari beautifully because I was short and well…chunky. Therefore, I was incredibly self-conscious and didn’t exactly know what I was looking for. What was the fashion in Sari’s? I know I don’t want flowers on it? What color should I get? Many colors and patterns later, my eyes skimmed the arranged Sari’s on the window and spotted a blue one with silver circles scattered delicately along the whole thing. I tried it on and I knew I had to have it but was 2000 RS a lot of this Sari? Man, what is my mom going to think? Does this outfit make me look like a grandma? In the end, Emily and I walked out bag-less. We peered into another store dreading the amount of indecisions that may come upon us in limited time. A woman and her daughter were fighting over prices of already laid out Sari’s, dissatisfied , they walked out. A man approached me and ask what my budget was, laughing to myself, I said, “500-1500 rupees” and I was immediately guided to the “old lady Sari’s”. Displeased I looked over at the Sari’s that were abandoned by the previous shopper. I opened a blue and pink Sari and smiled at the beautiful color mix so I asked to try it on. Once I did I loved it but I couldn’t risk another heartbreak so I asked the price before I couldn’t live without it, “Yeh kitna luging hai?” (bare with me on pronunciation and spelling). I crossed my fingers and the sales man said, “ Sale hai- $1500 rupees” YES! I finally bought my first Sari and whether anyone else liked it or not, I loved it and when growing up that is all that matters.
Our next mission was going back to the originally part of town our bus arrived in. However, after a lot of miscommunication the cabby took us to the opposite end to a place called “Escon Mall”. Alright, we’ll have a little adventure so Emily and I walked into the mall with our mouths hanging low at how legit the mall was. First of all-air conditioned- and actual stores like Leevi’s, various Sari, and shoe stores. After exploring the in’s and outs of the mall we decided it was time to find a…Mcdonalds. We had both been craving meat and so we ventured to find it. Oddly neither of us eat McDonalds in the states so going to Mcdonalds here was an odd treat.
We entered shyly taking in the similarities and differences of an Indian Mcdonalds. We approached the line staring at the Mcveggie burger meal, aloe wrap, paneer wrap and then finally…chicken. The manager opened up a new register for us and asked what we would like to order. Emily ordered the chicken burger and I ordered the fish fillet. The fish was not ready as quickly as Emily’s order so we were told to sit down and they will bring it to me. Now that’s service.

"I want to be a doctor"

After much delay, my first day of Spoken English finally arrived. Emily and I were supposed to split the class in half, each of us having 30 students. However, on the morning of our first day, she fell sick and I had to take on all 60 students with Emily’s co-teacher, Ms. Amitaben.

I was nervous walking into the classroom and afraid that 60 students would not give a woot about what I was saying. As Amita and I walked in all of the students got up from their benches as said, “Good Morning Teacher”, I greeted them back and told them to sit down.

I had bought a bag full of miniature Jolly Ranchers and decided for the first day of class I would have each color represent a question. Each student would receive and candy and they would stand up, tell me their name, what color they had, and answer a question that pertained to the color. Majority of the girls happened to have the “Cherry” flavor and the question that was continuously repeated was, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I had heard often of the boys wanting to be engineers and doctors but one rarely knew what a girl wanted to become. When I asked one student, Manisha, the question she simply said, “I want to be a doctor” This answer was the most common amongst the girls and every time I heard it I became happier with their aspiration.
However, I grew up in America where becoming a doctor as a woman was not as difficult as becoming a doctor in India. Most of these girls will be married by the time they should be ready for college and the other half may not have the support or grades to succeed in this dream. It became a realization for me that an Indian woman in America does not face the same challenges as a woman in India. One of the main reasons I decided to join the Nanubhai team was mainly to help develop women’s initiatives in Gujarat. As a woman what could I do to inspire these young women to continue on their path to become doctors, engineers, teachers or any other field they would like to go into? The answer quickly came to me as I watched them all file out of the classroom. Empower them.