Moving Forward with Fear
February 22, 2010:
We had the Cambodia class today and it was eventful. Students presented their ideas on women’s issues today. I thought they went well and showed the group different aspects of things.
Bay Leaves* finally broke from their shell! They made jokes during the presnetation and seemed to be engaging more.
We signed waivers and such from PEPY (the organization that we are going with/taking us around). I also brought in the XL2 camera to show them what it looks like and to get some footage of our class.
After their presentations, I played the Africa documentary for the class and went though the filmmakers pledge. I talked about what I’m going to do with it and how I’m balancing the role of peer leader and filmmaker. I feel like I got a lot of good classroom shots today. I got some nice rack focus’ of students’ faces as they watched the presentations.
Ginger also made it to class today! Ginger seems to be feeling a lot better and looks good. I was so happy to see them, I feel like they are almost a parent away from a parent.
After class some of the freshmen, Paprika and I went to the soda shop on the square for ice cream. It was nice to hangout with everyone outside of class. We all cracked jokes about Bay Leaves’ jokes and Saffron had some questions for me about what counted as a logo on a shirt for documentary copyright issues.
I really really like the 12 remaining students. We all get along well and have formed our little Kruesa.
The blog seems to be running smoothly. Everyone seems to understand the gravity of this trip. I made Garlic do a vlog before class so I’ll be posting this on the blog.
I’ve had my first friend change issue already and we haven’t even left yet. Today I was texting one of my friends Nutmeg about how I was scared of the personal change I’ll be making with this trip. Basically Nutmeg said that they doubt I will change and I’ll just go back to the same old me like two weeks later. Uhh, really? Hell no. I’m not traveling overseas to see firsthand the impacts of human trafficking and then just “oh well” the rest of my life. Vanilla, another friend, also agreed with Nutmeg which upset me even more. People have ended relationships from the trips, stopped drinking, and changed their thought process altogether. I called Pepper about this and they said they had completely changed. Pepper doesn’t hangout with the same friends - those that didn’t get it. Changed how Pepper looks at the world.
Pepper also said that there isn’t a point in changing their minds. They aren’t in my shoes. They aren’t going on a trip to another country. I just wonder about what my other friends think. How many will I loose? Life happens. Growth is for the good. This trip WILL impact my life.
*all names have been changed for privacy
