This morning was one of near perfection. I grabbed my pullover as I left the house, but quickly discovered that the day had started off unseasonably (but comfortably) warm. There was that feeling in the air that calls back every happy memory you've ever made. I was reveling in the fact that I only had to endure fifty minutes of class for the day and prepared for a quick lecture on gender in media.
Our professor passed around an article about an Afghanistan woman who attempted suicide in order to escape her abusive marriage. Like most within her culture, this woman had been given in marriage to a stranger while still in her teens. Her husband often abused her savagely, and his parents treated their daughter-in-law like a slave. When the woman set herself on fire in their front yard, her husband and in-laws stood by and watched. It was this cold regard that sent a chill down my spine. How in heaven's name could an individual stand by and watch? It's so cruel and inhuman. The woman's parent's have invited her back to their home, and her father is demanding a divorce. Such action is highly unusal in this culture where returning to one's family only brings shame upon the house.
Few things have greatly impacted me in the classroom the way that article did. In a vain attempt to shrug it off, I began to think of the happy little things from earlier in the morning. I mentally jotted down happy memories of home, old friends, and early college life. I was physically jotting down memories of summer evenings with Johnathan when the professor chose to announce that the greatest threat of violence towards women comes not from strangers (as we fear), but rather from within the home. I'm not even slightly worried about such things, but it was just another annoyance as I tried to find little rays of sunshine. The class then launched into a religious scuffle when our professor prompted us to question why women weren't typically allowed in the highest ranking religious positions. Sigh. I keep waiting for the day when people will get over themselves and be secure enough in their beliefs (or in this case lack thereof) to show respect for the opposing view. I might listen to your opinion and think it's absolutely bogus, but I will refrain from scoffing and rolling my eyes, or mentally labeling you an ignoramus. At least within reason. Mr. Afghanistan wife-beater is an ignoramus and doesn't deserve respect.
While exiting the classroom, I once again resolved to find my happy thoughts.
I'm officially boycotting Piggly Wiggly for the following reasons 1) They sold me the crappiest produce I've ever purchased, 2) I can never find anything in their store, and 3) The system was down when I stopped for a few quick groceries on the way home. Not only was this another small annoyance, but it meant that I had to go to WalMart hungry, which is never a good thing when buying groceries.
I believe that's where the daily flubs end, and I have been psyching myself up again by thinking of Christmas decorations. In about two weeks, Thanksgiving will give me license to begin decorating my house for the holidays. I have some very pretty stockings for the three of us, and I think I've found a good spot for the tree. There are just a few major projects remaining, so in general, I'm looking forward to the next few weeks.
I have to get ready for tonight's Mozart Requiem rehearsal, but I'm hoping to squeeze in a movie tonight, and tomorrow means a lunchtime visit from Katy. Things are on the upswing despite annoyances.
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