On Friday August 31st, we went to a studio to learn more about CAS as well as to express ourselves through our oil paintings. After this trip I learnt a new art skill which could be very useful in my future CAS project, given that I’ve never taken any art courses before. I did also learn more about myself through my own painting. Whereas other students all drew about a physical real place, my painting is about a place in my heart – a part of my childhood that has been burnt to remnants by the fire of reality – a place I had to let go - The Tardis.
I remember one of Carol Anne Duffy’s lines in her poem “Original”: All childhood is an emigration. I came from one place to another, adding and losing parts of myself, becoming new people. I also learnt that I’m a very disorganized person and by no means should pursue visual arts as my serious career, since I was the only one in the end with paints all over my face. Waterproof paints. All in all it was a very refreshing fun experience that kicks off my CAS year, hopefully a successful one in the future.
On Saturday, we visited Hoa Binh hospital. To be honest, at first I was sort of afraid due to the admonitions of how mental those kids might be (pulling hair, tearing off clothes…). Nonetheless, it was totally different than what I was told. I suddenly felt like crying when I stood on the staircase waiting for playtime with the kids – that is when my fear truly went away. I felt so much connection and empathy for the those kids who have half their life confiscated by cruel fate. During our playtime, the kids were really nice, some of them only a bit cranky. I saw a kid trying to practice walking with his little tiny feet, clinging onto anything that walks. The nurses and translators are very caring and they do treat the kids very well. There’s this little girl with a big head lying on the white sheet with those blank expressions in her eyes. Here’s this guy, skin burnt, he must have received mostly evasion and ignorance in his life. I talked most to the guy on the wheel chair. His name is Dũng (in orange shirt). He does not speak that well, but he can count excellently! We had a lot of books, which we didn’t read, but rearranged while counting them.
Dũng has a disability in his hand which causes him great difficulty holding stuff; however, he is a very determined person who insists on doing things himself and not relying on other people’s help. How wonderful it would be for him to be able to live a better life. His soul and mind are worthy of a healthy body. Out of the blue, I felt a shame for those people out there who are bestowed a normal life, but took it for granted or even used it for demeaning purposes. I also felt the urge to live up to my true potential, so as not to waste the fortune I’m lucky enough to have got. The trip to the hospital on Saturday, as well as to the one to Vinh studio, were the memorable moments in my high school life that really are not likely to be forgotten. In only two days, I’ve got the opportunity to learn more about CAS and partly foresee my near future in IB. I’m so looking forward for the days to come!
