As written in my physical journal:

With four straight games of soccer, we won all three and lost the last match. I had fun running around the field, and was glad Zainab joined in the game. That girl really has some guts, I admire that! She was also the brave one to climb all the way up the tall structure during the ROPES course. During yesterday’s game, the soccer ball hit my hand, so my wrist feels a bit funny, but at least I can write now.

Going to Thomas Jefferson’s house Monticello was a blast. Our first tour guide took half our group around his physical house, and I thought TJ was very innovating in utilizing space. I’d love to own a home like him; it’s functional, orderly and cozy although I wouldn’t need an estate as large as his. Sans* the fields and slave quarters too. Monticello’s almost as pretty as Mount Vernon (George Washington’s house) when I went in eighth grade. Earlier in class, people called President TJ was a hypocrite for wanting black rights yet owning hundreds of slaves and although I stayed quiet, I disagreed. I think there was a deeper struggle between keeping status quo, maintaining economic prosperity and his personal desires. Everyone has their vices/flaws, right?

I was listening to Maribel’s Ipod when we were on the bus, and our music tastes overlap by 90%. I absolutely adore Pink**, and was glad to listen to her songs during the trip. One memorable bus moment was when the two of us were watching Britney Spear’s “Womanizer” music video. Moni sat a seat behind us, and it was a bit weird to say, since the was an abundance of nudity on the screen. Most foreigners know America through our media, but I am a bit embarrassed about how the popular mainstream music features a wealth of sexual content and the movies stress violent retaliation. I used to like watching the news too, but then I discovered the bias behind major TV channels. In the long run, I really hope I will not corrupt anyone on this trip by affirming the negative stereotype of wild American teenagers.

*Without
**Great pop music artist with a bit of grunge flair
Image Source: Tamar
With much love, Kathy P.