Lest we forget.
My third Remembrance Day away from home, that same printed out poppy (though this year taped to a large button to help keep it together) pinned to my sweater, with kids still demanding peppero and games instead of regular class.
I had a conversation with a few of my coworkers at lunch today; I found out one teacher's family was all from the North, and how June 6th (the Korean version of Remembrance day) holds a lot more meaning for her than another teacher, who's whole family has been from the South. We also talked about how these days the kids don't care, don't remember, don't realise what it means to think back on what has happened and to thank all those who risked and lost their lives during times of war, how their lives would have been so radically different if what happened had changed. Everyone was a bit surprised at my dedication while being so far from home. If anything, simply being far from home makes it all the more important.
I showed a video that I've been told they're showing kids in schools back home today to some of my classes up until 3:40, the section about the middle east, because I feel that's an extremely different sort of war, but that doesn't mean the loss of life is any less tragic. The kids became very quiet while the watched the section on Canadians in the Korean war.
To me, it shows brave souls going off, fighting for something they believe in, and that takes so much courage. But there's no glory in war, there never has been or will be. All that comes from it is exhaustion, pain, and loss. And I think that's the lesson that needs to be taught. There are no winners or losers; it's not a game, and everyone suffers.
If it weren't for those people who risked everything in both World Wars, I wouldn't have the freedom to move to another country for a job. I wouldn't have had the luxury of going to university. I wouldn't have had the extreme privilege of having all of my loved ones with me, healthy, safe, alive, untouched from war. And for that, I am so far beyond grateful, I can hardly put it into words.
Also, here, have the newest trailer for War Horse. BECAUSE I NEEDED A WWII CENTRIC ANIMAL MOVIE ABOUT FRIENDSHIP WITH TOM HIDDLESTON'S SOULFUL EYES TO CRUSH MY EMOTIONS AND TURN ME INTO A BLUBBERING MESS IN A PUBLIC PLACE. ME AND MUM ARE SO SEEING THIS WHILE I'M HOME.
I had a conversation with a few of my coworkers at lunch today; I found out one teacher's family was all from the North, and how June 6th (the Korean version of Remembrance day) holds a lot more meaning for her than another teacher, who's whole family has been from the South. We also talked about how these days the kids don't care, don't remember, don't realise what it means to think back on what has happened and to thank all those who risked and lost their lives during times of war, how their lives would have been so radically different if what happened had changed. Everyone was a bit surprised at my dedication while being so far from home. If anything, simply being far from home makes it all the more important.
I showed a video that I've been told they're showing kids in schools back home today to some of my classes up until 3:40, the section about the middle east, because I feel that's an extremely different sort of war, but that doesn't mean the loss of life is any less tragic. The kids became very quiet while the watched the section on Canadians in the Korean war.
Click to viewTo me, it shows brave souls going off, fighting for something they believe in, and that takes so much courage. But there's no glory in war, there never has been or will be. All that comes from it is exhaustion, pain, and loss. And I think that's the lesson that needs to be taught. There are no winners or losers; it's not a game, and everyone suffers.
If it weren't for those people who risked everything in both World Wars, I wouldn't have the freedom to move to another country for a job. I wouldn't have had the luxury of going to university. I wouldn't have had the extreme privilege of having all of my loved ones with me, healthy, safe, alive, untouched from war. And for that, I am so far beyond grateful, I can hardly put it into words.
Also, here, have the newest trailer for War Horse. BECAUSE I NEEDED A WWII CENTRIC ANIMAL MOVIE ABOUT FRIENDSHIP WITH TOM HIDDLESTON'S SOULFUL EYES TO CRUSH MY EMOTIONS AND TURN ME INTO A BLUBBERING MESS IN A PUBLIC PLACE. ME AND MUM ARE SO SEEING THIS WHILE I'M HOME.