Pauza Magazine Summer 2006 | Page 15

Why am I writing this? I'm not writing this to spite the Macedonians who read this or to rattle PC Washington readers. I've got some time and it's been on my mind. Also, the electricity went out again and it's raining. I guess I am writing this because I spent much of my childhood with my two older sisters and mother. I'm writing this because of the gramma-esque church women who babysat me. I'm writing this because someday I may be married to a strong woman and have children of my own. I used to tell my students in Japan that every word has value - even old and dead words. You could also say that every experience has value, even unexpected, challenging and grueling ones. So much of what I experience here goes against what I have learned through observations and conversations with my family. The stoic and idealist in me might say that at the very least, if it's not a good experience, it's a new experience. sexually harassed just so frequently. However, from these new experiences I think some good has come. A new voice from within has been found. Slumbering emotions have been awakened. A new level of concentration has been achieved. I don't have much of a conclusion. And I don't have any advice. All of us adapt and overcome in different ways. I just felt like sharing. I can ad