Back to the cold weather — it even snowed on Tuesday.
As I walked through the streets, the shabby snowflakes, half-melted into raindrops, stinging my cheeks, I could feel my energy turning inward, more introverted with each step.
Here’s how my week 1,520 unfolded.
1. What I read.
The quote that stuck with me:
“Prison is often seen as something that only affects ‘special’ people, leading many to believe it has nothing to do with them. However, this is not the case. [excerpt] Many people think they are unrelated to drugs or prisons, but the prisoners who are serving time didn’t live their lives with the expectation of ending up there. The fact that they grew up without being involved in drugs or crime is because their parents and the communities they were raised in weren’t connected to such issues. It could also be viewed as ‘just a matter of luck.’ When an individual genuinely wants to repent and take on new challenges, is society prepared to offer opportunities that can lead to new jobs and lifestyles? Is it a society where women, who are more likely to become victims of domestic violence, can live independently both financially and emotionally? Even if there are periods when people want to work but cannot due to childbirth, child-rearing, or caregiving, is it a society where they can remain untroubled and seek support when needed? In other words, it’s not just about questioning the individual’s crimes, but also about the broader question of the society outside the prison walls.” （塀の中に入るのは特殊な人間で、自分とは関係ないと思いがちだが、決してそうではない。 …自分は薬物使用や刑務所とは無縁だと思っている人が多いが、服役中の受刑者も、最初か ら自分が入所すると思って生きてきたわけではない。無関係に育ってこられたのは、親や、生まれ育った地域が薬物や犯罪に関係していなかったからで、「たまたま運が良かっただ け」という見方もできよう。罪を改め、新たな挑戦をしたいと本人が本気で思ったとき、新しい仕事や生活につながる チャンスを用意できる社会であるかどうか。DV被害者になりやすい女性たちが経済的にも 精神的にも自立して暮らせる社会かどうか。出産・育児・介護などで働きたくても働けない 期間があっても、不安にならず、誰かに相談したいときには寄り添ってもらえる社会である かどうか――。本人の罪を問うだけでなく、塀の外の社会が問われている部分も大きいと感じる。） — p.238
2. Who I saw.
I was back in my hometown this weekend to see the Hina dolls displayed in the living room, which my mom had set up — one for me and one for my little sister. No matter how busy she is, my mom never fails to celebrate this tradition.
The little details I observed:
It reminded me of how much effort she puts into these moments, even when life gets hectic. This Hina Matsuri weekend is when I feel truly blessed to have been born a girl.
3. What I created.
Summer vacation plan for this year. I’m planning to visit my old friends in their hometown this summer.
The story behind it:
It’s been since my trip to Sri Lanka last summer that I’ve gone on an overseas vacation. This year, I’ll be traveling abroad again.
The boring reason behind it is that my manager asked me to submit my OOO (Out of Office) request early so my teammates can schedule their breaks around mine. This is the opposite of last winter when I stayed local to cover for my team while they went overseas.
On a more fun note, I’ve been invited to a big reunion party by a community I really enjoy being part of. I want to make sure I have enough time to catch up with all the people I want to see during the trip.
Next Week’s Peek — What I’m looking forward to and why
First and foremost, the sunshine is making a comeback. Despite some occasional rain, it looks like we’re in for a mostly sunny week.
Also, I picked up a few more books from my mom’s shelves during my trip home. I’m excited to start flipping through the pages.
Hope you had a great week.
Catch you next week!