Even though there are things that I don't like about Cleveland (the midwest/conservative mentality, the abandoned look and feel of its downtown), it's nice to see that it honors some people who do good things.

Last night I attended a "Cleveland Reads" volunteer reception downtown. I've been tutoring and volunteering with the local ESL organization in Cleveland Heights for a few months and my supervisor invited me to this event, which honors all of the volunteers in all of the literacy organizations that are sponsored by "Cleveland Reads".

It was a great event--small, cozy, and quaint. At first, I couldn't find the place where it was held, but luckily, I followed two women who looked like they knew where they were going. I got a chance to meet the main supervisor of the ESL organization and we had a nice chat. It was a good thing that I ate something before I attended the event because the "hearty hors d'oeuvres" were not in ample supply. I ate a small piece of chicken, tater tots, and 2 chocolate covered strawberries (I couldn't resist! :) )

There were speakers and they all gave nice speeches about literacy and how it positively impacted their lives. However, the most moving speech came from an older man who was trying to get his GED. He dropped out of high school at the age of 16 because his girlfriend was pregnant, and at the same time, he got addicted to drugs and alcohol. He has been clean and sober for some time, but I was very moved by the way he was describing his suffering and his difficulties in getting a GED. I was almost in tears when he described his ambition of eventually pursuing a bachelor's degree in computers and art after getting his GED. He wants to become an inspiration for his children, so they wouldn't have to look at other people on TV, media, for inspiration...

It makes me feel blessed that I was fortunate to have a mother who really pushed me through education. She was the one who introduced me to books, art, music. So many people are not fortunate to have that opportunity or have someone show them a different way of life. I hope that when I become a teacher, I could inspire my students to look at the world differently and to love learning new languages and cultures. Sometimes I need to be reminded by others how fortunate I am and that I shouldn't complain too much when I encounter challenges and difficulties...

One of the volunteers from the ESL organization won "Volunteer of the Year"--it was really great! He is 83 years old and he really loves to volunteer. For all of the volunteers, we received a book about ending illiteracy, as well as a voucher for Barnes and Nobles bookstores! How awesome!

I found out about another opportunity for me to volunteer teaching ESL this summer, so I will check that out. Plus, my supervisor commented to me that I appear to be at ease when i am interacting with the students, which really made me feel great! Put me in a better mood than I was the night before. :)

Today is the first year anniversary of Pope John Paul IInd's death. After visiting and living in Poland, you look at his life differently. He definitely embodied the Polish spirit, of having to fight back against overwhelming odds and even criticism. While I sometimes disagreed with his policies and views, he was deeply intelligent and spiritual....

Humility, that's what I liked the most about him. Especially in a world that really stresses materialism and greed over everything else. He left behind no material possessions and he was able to show his weakness to others, which was(and still is) extremely comforting to those who are ill and elderly.

I sometimes wish I do not have to question faith and religion in general. There are so many people who twist religion out there to their advantage (ex. Ohio Resoration Project, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, to name a few), going against the Christian ideals of loving thy neighbor and being accepting towards others. This doesn't mean that I view all religious people as evil. There are some, like the Sisters i know in Poland, who live the religious lifestyle, who take care of others, and who live humble lives.

Sometimes I wish I could be a nun...I think I would enjoy the lifestyle, but I don't know if I am selfless enough to give up my life for a spiritual being.

Skipped Polish class today (sorry everyone--you're on your own...I'll be back next week when we will hopefully have new vocabulary to learn!) to visit my sister's college and meet the ambassador and secretary of tourism from ZAMBIA! (Yes, there are sometimes things more important than Polish class...)

Why did the ambassador decide to leave D.C. to visit a small school in Ohio? Well, my sister and some of her classmates are going to South Africa and Zambia for two weeks in May!!!(Lucky ducks!...I wish I could go with them, but unfortunately, I am broke and I am heading off to graduate school in the fall, which may leave me even more broke when I am finished, but that's another blog another time). I don't know who has connections with whom at that school, but it's really cool that they took the time away from their busy lives in D.C. (having lunch with Harry Belafonte yesterday) to visit us.

They were extremely beautiful, dignified, articulate, and intelligent women. I just sat for two hours in awe of them! I wish I could be like them, but I will gain more experience in time. There is so much that I don't know about Zambia, but hearing them speak made even more fascinated about Zambia, and Africa, in general. They taught us simple phrases in one of the dialects, showed us how to shake hands and greet people (bowing as a sign of respect), taught us appropriate body language, and other current events going on in Zambia. Interestingly, the ambassador told us that if you were going to meet people in a rural village, women cannot wear pants because it would appear that we are tough and mean. Instead, women should wear long skirts and dresses. (I knew that women should wear more conservative clothing, but I didn't know that pants were not considered acceptable in some cultures...interesting).

Throughout the talk and lunch, I tried to mantain a low profile. I didn't want to say to them "Sorry, I would love to go, but I am actually not going to Zambia this summer!" Just being there only makes me want to go teach abroad even more. Plus, if this teaching thing doesn't work out in several years, I think I may go into international relations as well....