It all started in the fourth grade with Lois Lowry's Number the Stars, a kids' book about how Denmark saved its Jewish population from the Nazis. This book turned me into an amateur World War II historian. In retrospect, it is morbid that a short, Muslim nine-year-old would have an intellectual curiosity about the most devastating world event of the 20th century, but I guess we can just boil that down to me being really weird.
After Number the Stars, I obsessively read Holocaust memoirs as my book du jour. Luckily, I found a kindred spirit in Elizabeth F., a tall blond who loved World War II as much as I did. During P.E., when Mrs. Collins would make us run laps around the gym, Liz would sidle up to me and ask, "Ready any good World War II books lately?" Now that I think about it, I am grateful Liz ran with me since I am an incredibly slow runner (I "ran" the mile in 13 minutes!).
Tragically, my affair with World War II caused me to have some major psychological issues. I had a different variation of the same dream - Hitler chasing me and me frantically hiding. I was convinced that these dreams were prophetic and that God was telling me about how Pakistanis would be interned in some crappy camp in Wyoming. It was my duty to let them know so that they could save themselves by emigrating to the Home Country. I'd frantically tell everyone about these dreams, firmly convinced I had important knowledge to impart like an old, wandering, sage everyone pities and ignores. Needless to say, people weren't too keen on relocating to Gujrawala based on my recurring dream (ass tools!). And so, for the sake of maintaining my mental health and not looking crazy, I usually avoid anything Holocaust-related. It has been hard, but it's probably for the best.
--By Mariam, who feels compelled to keep watching this crappy ABC show called October Road.
3 comments:
I felt the need to comment for two reasons. First, Number the Stars did the SAME thing to me! I was obsessed. I realized it was a problem when I told someone my favorite book was about a girl who got ringworm at a concentration camp...so strange. Secondly, I am also having issues with October Road. It kinda sucks, right? But I'm sure it COULD be good...so I continue to watch. The things you'll do to avoid neuro. Well, my first comment is officially the length of a blog entry, so that's all for now!
OMG Jocelyn, I think you are my secret kindred spirit. You are totally talking about The Cage, which was really good! How weird was it when the prison guard took her to the hospital??
Also, I am watching October Road bec. I want the guy and girl whose names I don't yet know to get together!! Thanks for commenting :)
My favorite Holocaust book was "The Devil's Arithmetic." I was also obsessed with the Holocaust. Did you know Audrey Hepburn was member of the dutch resistance and one time had to hide out in the sewers for like three days? The very last part might be made up. Sometimes I dream thing and think they really happened. Other times I think things that really happened were dreams. It's fun being me.
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