strange

CHINA: YOUTH DAY

Youth Day has been an official public holiday in China since 1946.
This day in particular was selected in recognition of a demonstration
of thousands of students in Tiananmen Square on May 4, 1919 who had
gathered to protest imperialism and feudalism in China. There are
speeches today and recognition of the contributions of youths.

More about the demonstration:
http://www.china2thou.com/9812p7.htm
http://www.thecore.nus.edu.sg/landow/cpace/fiction/2stories/May_Fourth_Movement_346.html

Tiananmen Square is firmly planted in the minds of many as the site
of a 1989 protest and massacre:
http://campus.northpark.edu/history/WebChron/China/TianamenSquare.html

library books

Every so often I forget how cool the library is. I walk in and marvel at how many books I can take home for free. Used to live very close to a little branch of the Austin public library. I would ride my bike up there and check out a dozen books, almost always from the adult section. The librarian would frown at me and ask if I planned on reading all those books. "Of course," I would say, and balance them on my handle bars. Always took them back on time too.

I checked out Moorcock's newest book, The Dreamthief's Daughter. Weird combination of von Bek and Nazis and Elric.. so far so good. Moorcock is a pretty nifty fellow. He lives out in Bastrop, not too far from here.

current breakfast: fresh squeezed orange and grapefuit juice, grilled pepper jack cheese sandwich

last day of spring semester

Oof. The astronomy exam was killer, the food was delicious and I think I passed my Prague class exam. Hurrah! The last day of the semester was extremely humid and grey. I thought I would turn into a boiled potato from the air.

Our party in Czech class was tasty. I brought cibatta bread, and Molly brought some tasty basil pesto to top it with. Katka made kolaches all night, raspberry, blackberry, apricot and cheese. Lisa doled out chocolate chip cookies. Many other treats were consumed as we talked about Czech and the summer and fellowship money. Professor P. is working on my fellowship papers. She seems determined to get the University to double the money it hands out since this year we have more people going. I think fourteen people total. I can't believe I leave in 22 days.

Updating from Deb's shiny Mac and cable modem. Watching her cats play in the yard. Geoff and Deb finally have a place of their own, and I love it. A pretty little house with wood floors and a front deck. They have a nice yard, trees and a hammock. It's a wonderful place, very central and close to the university. I wish I lived here. One day perhaps I too will have my own place again.

I drew whales on my exam pages, and it made Professor P. laugh. That was the goal.

current drink: Dr Pepper
current temperature: 81 degrees F

alone time

The apartment is dark, the windows are open and my Russian techno cd is playing on the living room stereo. This is happiness. I've been wanting this for days. Ahh yes. There are times when I like to be alone. I used to not be able to say that.

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It didn't last. My loud roommate came home. Sigh.

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please just give me the strength

I can't write here like this. I don't get any damn alone time on the computer.

Sunday I'm supposed to speak about my first year as a Catholic to a group of people in RCIA. I'm nervous but I really want to get involved in this.