Tuesday, October 28, 2008
someone burst my bubble
yep, it's true... the "bubble" that I live in has been burst - we now have access to the outer world right here at home: internet, TV, and if we had a phone, we'd be able to use that too! of course there are both pros and cons, but at the moment, we are happy as can be with the upgrade. :o)
Friday, October 24, 2008
Dialogue in the Dark
Note: Although posted on Friday, Oct 24, this was actually written on Thursday, Oct 23. Also, it's another long one, but I hope you'll stick with it - or at least skip to the last 3 paragraphs or so.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be blind? I have. I’ve often wanted to “see” what it’s like to be blind, or deaf, or maybe spend a day in a wheelchair. Yesterday, I finally had the opportunity.
There’s an exhibition at the Galleria Mall this month called “Diálogo no Escuro” – Dialogue in the Dark. Here’s how it works – you pay to enter, put all your things – purse, cell phone, glasses, anything that could fall – in a locker, and a lady takes you in a small, dark room. Inside the room, the only light is an “Exit” light, and there is a container full of walking sticks. Everyone grabs a stick, introduces themselves, instructions are given, and it’s time to go in. You follow the wall with your hand as you walk down a “switchback” hallway – designed to keep all light out from the inside. Once you’re completely inside, it doesn’t matter how wide your eyes are open or how close your hand is to your face, you can’t see. Anything. At this point, you meet your guide (who happens to actually be blind), and the experience begins.
We went through 5 different environments – First was a forest, including trees, dirt, plants, a river to cross, a waterfall, a breeze, and the sound of birds. Next we came to a city street, complete with the sounds of traffic, and a parked VW bug. You walk down the sidewalk where there’s a gate at the front of a house with a dog barking out front, and after crossing the street there’s a motorcycle. Then it’s on to the fair, with all its smells and lots of fruits and vegetables to touch. After the fair, it’s time for a boat ride. The boat sways as you enter, and you can hear the sound of your walking stick hitting the wooden floor. The boat sways the whole way “across the lake,” and you feel the motor shake and the wind blow as you cross. Finally, we come to a little restaurant, where you can buy water, soda, chocolate, and/or chips.
At this point, we sat down as a group and “debriefed” after our experience. It really was incredible.
Before going into the exhibition, everyone saw each other. But, having just met, no one remembered well what the others looked like. So, during the hour and a half that we were in the dark, we got to know each other by our voices and the feel of our arms or clothing. I formed opinions, as I guess I always do (without even noticing), of the people by the way the interacted. Gustavo was loud and had something to say about everything, but he included everyone and enjoyed everything – out loud – a very fun person. Raquel was sweet and slightly – but not in a bad way – overwhelmed by the experience. Max was the “class clown” – with a comment about everything. Tulio was quite shy. And so on. Over all, I liked everyone. Really, everyone. In fact, I thought – if someone would be willing to give me a ride home, I wouldn’t think twice about it – it’d beat the bus. And plus, these people were my friends now, right? I felt I knew them could trust them. When we got to the end, our guide did not come out into the light with us – meaning we never saw him. I was tempted to ask if we could see him. I was tempted even to ask if we could go back through the whole thing with the lights on to see what it was really like. I kept my mouth shut, though, and I was glad. Fabio was there for the second time, and he shared something that happened the first time he went: a man in his group said to the guide at the end, “So are you going to go out into the light with us so we can meet each other?” The guide’s reply was, “But we met each other an hour and a half ago.” Silence.
It’s incredible how much our vision dictates what we do and defines how we perceive our world and react to it. I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but when we got out into the light, I didn’t like my new friends as much. I literally thought, “I prefer you all when I can’t see you” – although I didn’t say that. By their appearance, I may have never even cared to talk to most of these people. My new friends dissolved before my eyes. It was incredible. For a second, I wished I was blind.
It might have been a challenge getting through all 5 environments. But now is the real challenge – how do I hold on to what I’ve learned from this experience? How can I let it influence the way I treat others? The way I relate to the world around me? The way I relate to God?
Walk by faith, not by sight.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be blind? I have. I’ve often wanted to “see” what it’s like to be blind, or deaf, or maybe spend a day in a wheelchair. Yesterday, I finally had the opportunity.
There’s an exhibition at the Galleria Mall this month called “Diálogo no Escuro” – Dialogue in the Dark. Here’s how it works – you pay to enter, put all your things – purse, cell phone, glasses, anything that could fall – in a locker, and a lady takes you in a small, dark room. Inside the room, the only light is an “Exit” light, and there is a container full of walking sticks. Everyone grabs a stick, introduces themselves, instructions are given, and it’s time to go in. You follow the wall with your hand as you walk down a “switchback” hallway – designed to keep all light out from the inside. Once you’re completely inside, it doesn’t matter how wide your eyes are open or how close your hand is to your face, you can’t see. Anything. At this point, you meet your guide (who happens to actually be blind), and the experience begins.
We went through 5 different environments – First was a forest, including trees, dirt, plants, a river to cross, a waterfall, a breeze, and the sound of birds. Next we came to a city street, complete with the sounds of traffic, and a parked VW bug. You walk down the sidewalk where there’s a gate at the front of a house with a dog barking out front, and after crossing the street there’s a motorcycle. Then it’s on to the fair, with all its smells and lots of fruits and vegetables to touch. After the fair, it’s time for a boat ride. The boat sways as you enter, and you can hear the sound of your walking stick hitting the wooden floor. The boat sways the whole way “across the lake,” and you feel the motor shake and the wind blow as you cross. Finally, we come to a little restaurant, where you can buy water, soda, chocolate, and/or chips.
At this point, we sat down as a group and “debriefed” after our experience. It really was incredible.
Before going into the exhibition, everyone saw each other. But, having just met, no one remembered well what the others looked like. So, during the hour and a half that we were in the dark, we got to know each other by our voices and the feel of our arms or clothing. I formed opinions, as I guess I always do (without even noticing), of the people by the way the interacted. Gustavo was loud and had something to say about everything, but he included everyone and enjoyed everything – out loud – a very fun person. Raquel was sweet and slightly – but not in a bad way – overwhelmed by the experience. Max was the “class clown” – with a comment about everything. Tulio was quite shy. And so on. Over all, I liked everyone. Really, everyone. In fact, I thought – if someone would be willing to give me a ride home, I wouldn’t think twice about it – it’d beat the bus. And plus, these people were my friends now, right? I felt I knew them could trust them. When we got to the end, our guide did not come out into the light with us – meaning we never saw him. I was tempted to ask if we could see him. I was tempted even to ask if we could go back through the whole thing with the lights on to see what it was really like. I kept my mouth shut, though, and I was glad. Fabio was there for the second time, and he shared something that happened the first time he went: a man in his group said to the guide at the end, “So are you going to go out into the light with us so we can meet each other?” The guide’s reply was, “But we met each other an hour and a half ago.” Silence.
It’s incredible how much our vision dictates what we do and defines how we perceive our world and react to it. I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but when we got out into the light, I didn’t like my new friends as much. I literally thought, “I prefer you all when I can’t see you” – although I didn’t say that. By their appearance, I may have never even cared to talk to most of these people. My new friends dissolved before my eyes. It was incredible. For a second, I wished I was blind.
It might have been a challenge getting through all 5 environments. But now is the real challenge – how do I hold on to what I’ve learned from this experience? How can I let it influence the way I treat others? The way I relate to the world around me? The way I relate to God?
Walk by faith, not by sight.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Sick
I thought I would post my favorite poem in light of the fact that I got sick last night. :o( I can't say I was as bad off as little Peggy Ann McKay, but I was pretty miserable. I'm still not 100%, but I'm hanging in there... came into the office at 11... I don't know if I'll last the whole day or not, but we'll see...
Sick - by Shel Silverstein
“I cannot go to school today,”
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
“I have the measles and the mumps,
A gas, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I’m going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I’ve counted sixteen chicken pox
And there’s one more–that’s seventeen,
And don’t you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut, my eyes are blue–
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I’m sure that my left leg is broke–
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button’s caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle’s sprained,
My ‘pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb,
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my spine is Weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is failing out.
My elbow’s bent, my spine ain’t straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is–what?
What’s that?
What’s that you say?
You say today is … Saturday?
G’bye, I’m going out to play!”
Sick - by Shel Silverstein
“I cannot go to school today,”
Said little Peggy Ann McKay.
“I have the measles and the mumps,
A gas, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I’m going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I’ve counted sixteen chicken pox
And there’s one more–that’s seventeen,
And don’t you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut, my eyes are blue–
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I’m sure that my left leg is broke–
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button’s caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle’s sprained,
My ‘pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb,
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my spine is Weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is failing out.
My elbow’s bent, my spine ain’t straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is–what?
What’s that?
What’s that you say?
You say today is … Saturday?
G’bye, I’m going out to play!”
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Jaci Velasquez
I'm listening to Jaci Velasquez right now. Album: Heavenly Place. Released: 1996. That's right - 1996. I'm goin' old school.
I'm exhausted today... I stayed up late to hang out with the fam for Kev's birthday last night. I don't regret it one bit. I baked a cake for his birthday (and one for mom's) yesterday and enjoyed my piece of cake while they dug into theirs thousands of miles away. :o) It was soo great to see the fam... and it will be great to take a nap when I get off work in an hour... Thankfully I have been working on organizing a cabinet here at work today, meaning I'm not just sitting at my desk. That's a good thing - I might have fallen asleep already if I was just sitting.
Monday, October 20, 2008
ridiculous
So whenever something needs to be communicated to us tenants in my apartment building, it is posted in the elevator. The most recent one shocked me... Apparently there have been complaints of noise in the building (not about us, for the record), so a reminder was posted that we should respect our neighbors at all times, especially during quiet hours, blah blah blah. The memo also reminded us that the penalty, by law, for "disturbing the peace" - as we in the States would put it - is... are you ready for this? ... 10 months (minimum wage) salary... a.k.a. R$4,000, a.k.a. US$2,000!!! $2,000!! Is it just me or is that ridiculous?? I could be fined $2,000 for wearing high heals (one item mentioned - twice - on the list of "noisemakers" on the memo) and bothering my neighbor as a result! If you ask me, the crime does not fit the punishment.
I lost 2 hours and I can't seem to find them...
I'm a little upset. I've lost 2 hours this year and haven't gained any. Usually, due to our beloved "Daylight Savings" system, we lose an hour each spring and gain it back each fall. While this remains true, I have added another factor into the equation, and wound up losing 2 hours and gaining none this year. This weekend, Brazil lost an hour (they, too, participate in the daylight savings system). Since I was in the States at the beginning of the year, I lost an hour there too. Two hours of my life - gone. Vanished. Into thin air.
Who ever decided it was a good idea to change Time anyway? I'm moving to Arizona....
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
