Friday, January 23, 2009
American President Obama has signed an executive order to close the prison camp at Guantanamo and end the illegal use of torture.
Well done.
Reflection/
In 2004 I started in MUN (Model United Nations). My first delegation was on behalf of Palestine, and I remembered (alongside my partner) our jaws dropping when we realized our nation was not considered a state and thus had no voting power.
Next I was the delegate of Israel, and chuckles abound as we and the other delegates carefully sought out our new found finesse at international politics and balancing the needs to protect our own states' interests alongside potential allies. We were checked by the policies of greater nations, the United States and Great Britain, and by the squabbles in the delicate locality of the Middle East.
The delegation after that was a hard one. I took Iraq to ISKLMUN, backing a resolution calling for the removal of combat troops.
It was there I realize the much harder task of reconciling personal opinions with that of the state you're representing. It was also there I took a wider interest in human rights and what was happening at places like Guantanamo.
After such a long time, finally something has been done. We have come quite a long way.
Mused by Sukunami Taka around 7:03 PM
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Jan 20th, 2009 marked the inauguration of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States and its first ever president of African-American descent. There is a collective sense of celebration, of expectation and the assertion for the need for change.
It is a lot to put on one person. The world awaits for the fulfillment of promises, all the while grinding on against the backdrop of war, refusals of compromise, continuous suffering.
Regardless of whether Obama would really bring the much wanted change, he represents the community's ability to do so. We can hope.
“Our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please,” Obama said. “Our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.”
Yes, the word for the new year is temperance.
Mused by Sukunami Taka around 4:56 PM
Monday, January 19, 2009
Apparently my life was worth $38,000 when he decided he didn't want me and gave me back to grandma in return for the house.
Kind of cheap. Huh.
Mused by Sukunami Taka around 9:41 PM
First image from my new DSLR. I'm embarking on a new hushhush photographic project. It'll prove to be exciting and challenging and quite weird at times. Lovely fun.
Mused by Sukunami Taka around 1:13 AM
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
A week since the start of 2009, perhaps it's time to reflect upon the past year.
Returned to Paris after many many years. Technically I went in christmas '07, but I spent New Year's in the City of Lights, and saw all my cousins again.
I turned 21.
Moved into a new apartment.
I learned to love, and learned to let go and that it's ok that we broke up.
Went to Thailand with Grandma.
Started modeling.
Finished my therapy sessions and got off medication.
Picked up photography. Discovered I was actually good at it.
Made some new friends with some very creative, inspiring and laid back people.
Decided I was not an adversarial person and should be doing something else rather than embarking on a law career.
I cooked chicken, albeit weirdly but edible.
Traveled a bit out of Melbourne, did shoots at the Aradale Asylum and Kattemingga.
Got my first DSLR.
Not bad for the year.
Mused by Sukunami Taka around 3:36 PM
Thursday, January 01, 2009
My new year's resolutions are to concentrate on studies and work and art and photography, to be patient, to drink atleast 1 glass of water upon waking up every morning, to attempt to think less of very unpleasant things and to find help when I need it whether I want it or not, and to call the family once a week alternating between europe, the middle east and asia. Yup.
I'm going to be trying very very hard this year.
On another note, my diskdrive has been officially declared dead, and the lcd screen is falling apart. My eyesight is also unfortunately failing. And the RAW processor doesn't work.
But there's some sort of calmness. Very little of it seeping through. My dreams are still troubled. It'll be alright. I'm trying.
Mused by Sukunami Taka around 3:21 PM
