Rockin It

First of all - I will just say I can't believe it's been 8 years since 9/11. I also can't believe how long the war has been dragging on. And for many reasons, including that which makes us remember today, I am appreciative for what I have - basic freedoms, my health, family and friends.

Ok, now for less somber material. Just thought I'd share one of my favorite photos from living here in Portland. These cairns were set up, as if magically, near Back Cove. No one has ever claimed it as their work (as far as I know). I took these pictures last fall, but they've remained, in some form or another, in this spot over the past year.

Not sure why, but while I took this picture and others, I almost felt as though these structures were observing ME - as though they possessed a spirit to them. I felt almost somber being among them, like they were stoic soldiers overlooking the shore. Ok, a little dramatic, but you get the gist.


And, as a bonus, here's my own cairn that I left on Peaks Island this summer - to commemorate a beautiful day.

Wouldn't it be something so symbolic to build a cairn for every person who was killed, hurt or impacted by 9/11? What a monument that would be.

You've Got the Perfect Nose

It's funny - I never liked my nose. It's always seemed to be a little too bulbous. It was cute when I was five I guess, before it decided to try to outpace the size of my mouth. So you can imagine my delight when I was told by someone today that I have the perfect nose for a piercing.

I actually did have my nose pierced, many years ago now (ick) when I was trying so hard to be cool and alternative. I came home from college to visit my parents for Easter during my freshman year - my mother calmly observed the small stud in my right nostril and said, "Ok, well promise me you'll at least take it out for church."

I think it lasted about a year. I remember the backing for the stud used to fall out at night sometimes while I was sleeping and get lodged in my nasal passage. Freaky. And forget about it when you have a cold - not a fun experience blowing your nose.

But I did like the idea of how different I was for having it. Back then I didn't know too many girls who were sporting face piercings. Now you actually see middle-aged women lining up for these and their first tattoo. I guess we're all lightening up a bit?

So maybe it's time to reconsider the beauty of my nose - even if it looks better with more holes in it.

Blessed Innocence

I've always been a bit of a late bloomer. I think it's partly due to being raised Catholic and having a boatload of "Catholic guilt" instilled in me at a young age - which I still carry with me today. Yes, it kind of helps to be Catholic to understand.

For example, when most kids were sneaking out to go to the latest party in some random field across town, I was probably home reading a book. Or watching a PG-rated movie. Or secretly listening to my Guns 'n' Roses tape that I knew my parents would likely confiscate. Ok, I exaggerate my lameness (possibly), but I wasn't thinking twice about bending the rules to get in some underage drinking or even worse...gasp...sex!

No, I saved all that until freshman year of college.

But consequently, this means my formative years were blessedly innocent. I was raised by two loving parents who wanted to keep me safe and happy, despite some rules instilled on me that I felt were unfair, unreasonable, or just downright ridiculous. They did the best they could to preserve my quality of life, and by the way, my innocence.

So when I was watching a Dateline special yesterday about a young woman in Pakistan who is fighting for women's rights after being a victim of rape, I was amazed. Her story was shocking, humbling, and unbelievably inspirational. Her name is Mukhtar Mai, and she is, as NYT columnist Nick Kristo describes, "an illiterate woman who used compensation money after being gang-raped to build a small school in which she herself enrolled."

The quality of life of a typical Pakistani woman pales in comparison to that of American girls. We are positively coddled compared to what many of these young women experience. Mukhtar is now trying to make a difference and provide a new standard of living, a new future for the young girls growing up in this country where they have long been given cruel and unfair treatment. I realized watching this news segment how lucky I was, how taken for granted my quality of life and experience has been.

I hope her story perseveres, grows, envelopes the world and brings a sea change for generations of Pakistani girls to come.

More information on Mukhtar Mai and how we can all choose to help.