A Visit to the King of Thailand‘s Birthplace

The title of this blog entry was inspired by another entry I discovered years ago in late 2019 entitled “Day 18 – Boston - a visit to theKing of Thailand‘s birthplace” by “MIKE, SU, AND GIGG TOUR AMERICA.” Their blog featured the journey of two ladies named Su and Gigg who came from Thailand to see and explore the United States. They were guided by an American named Mike who showed them places in different states in the year 2007.  Although it has been fourteen years since their tour of America and when their blog was created and updated, it has also inspired me to want to share my story of how I became interested in learning about Thailand, the late monarch – His Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (1927-2016) and of my recent visit to his birthplace on my birthday today (July 16).

My story begins when I moved to the Boston area in the summer of 2019. I wanted to get in better physical shape since I noticed I was gaining weight, so I went to a local Martial Arts training center (or a “dojo” as they call it) to take up kickboxing in the hopes of losing weight. To my surprise and with the guidance of the staff, I lost 22 pounds. The owner, a Vietnamese gentleman named "Ninja" (nobody knows his real name) took me under his wing, became a mentor to me, and taught me some very important life lessons. He also tried to get me to take up Muay Thai, which is a “martial art and combat sport” from Thailand (Thanks, Wikipedia). I was initially scared of sparring with the other well-trained students, but I did try it.

Though I tried it, my heart was not in it. It was no one else’s fault, I just did not want to be a fighter. I only wanted to lose weight and get in shape. I didn’t want to do Muay Thai anymore, but then Ninja gave me some Muay Thai gear, which consisted of boxing gloves, shin guards, and training head guards. I was deeply moved. Because of his generosity and his investment in me, I did not want to disappoint him so I kept trying. In my efforts to be more competent (although I was never really good at it), I felt I needed to learn more so I went on Wikipedia to get an idea of what Muay Thai was. I soon fell into the “black hole” of Wikipedia and found myself learning about Thailand (where Muay Thai originated from), it’s culture, it’s history, and of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

I actually first learned of King Bhumibol Adulyadej when one of my college friends (now current roommate) invited me and an acquaintance on a tour (since he was training to be a tour guide and was practicing on us) of historical sites in Cambridge, Massachusetts one snowy afternoon in either late December of 2018 or in January 2019. One of the sites he showed us was the “King Bhumibol Adulyadej Birthplace Monument” at King Bhumibol Adulyadej Square, right outside of Harvard Kennedy School at the corner of Eliot and Bennett Streets. Admittedly, I did not think much of it because I was more interested in the sites relating to American political figures. I had not realized that an unknown seed had been planted and that my second visit there would have a more profound impact on me.

Throughout the fall and winter of 2019, when I was not at work or exercising at the dojo, I spent some spare time learning about King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. One documentary that I enjoyed seeing was “The People's King,” which had originally aired on History Channel. I believe it was in viewing the documentary that I was reminded that King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand had been born, as the plaque of the birthplace monument states, “at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on December 5, 1927 while his father, Prince Mahidol, was a student at Harvard Medical School.” I was determined that I would go to pay my respects to the late king at the monument on what would have been his 92^nd birthday.

That day was also a Thursday and a day off from work. However, I also had a job interview that morning in the city of Boston so planning, and preparation was needed. My plan was simple. I was to wake up early, dress in a black suit and tie (though I wore thermal clothing underneath to keep warm), go to the job interview, pay my respects to the late king on my way back to the place where I live, eat at a local Thai restaurant, go home, and change into my workout clothes to do two back-to-back kickboxing classes. That Thursday morning, December 5^th, everything went according to plan. While I felt the interview went well, I sadly did not get the job. After the interview had ended, after lasting for more than an hour, I decided it was time to make my pilgrimage to the Birthplace Monument at Cambridge. Although this was my second visit, I did not remember how to get there. Thankfully, I printed out the directions the night before so I would find the monument with more ease. I took the red line of the subway and travelled north to Harvard Station.

When I arrived the weather was clear, although it was also chilly. I walked from the terminal at Harvard Station, via Brattle Street, on Eliot Street, and before I knew it, I finally saw the monument up ahead. 

At the square, there were also other people from Thailand and Thai Americans who were there paying respects to the late king. I stood outside the inner circle of people, but they soon welcomed me in. One lady named Kanty asked me to take pictures of her at the monument through the use of her phone, I gladly obliged. In return, she took pictures of me with some of the other visitors there.

There was an older gentleman named Threeracht Charlie Songtachalert, who is the Royal Thai Honorary Vice Consul of the Consulate of Thailand in Boston. He asked me who I was and wanted to know why I was there. I told him that I took an interest after taking up Muay Thai. I also told him of the respect had for King Bhumibol as I began to learn of him. I also met Mrs. Sasiwimol Chamnankit (นางศศิวิมล ชำนาญกิจ), President of Thai Association of Boston. They also invited me to a memorial service to the king that would take place five days later at Wat Nawamin Thai Temple in Raynham. I told them I was interested, and I indeed wanted to go, but due to scheduling conflicts I was unable to attend. After some time, we parted ways, and I boarded the bus that took me where I needed to go. Ironically, the final bus stop was in front of Ninja’s dojo. I went inside to visit briefly and told him all that had happened. The rest of the day went as planned.

In the days and weeks after my pilgrimage, I came across the blog I mentioned in my first paragraph, and I was inspired to go and see the actual birthplace at Mount Auburn Hospital for myself. On a chilly late afternoon on Saturday December 28^th, I made an attempt to go visit the site (without printing directions). I took the bus to Harvard Station and found Mt Auburn Street. However, I originally went in the wrong direction heading southeast to Putnam Square. After ten minutes, I realized my error and asked some pedestrians where the hospital was. They pointed me in the right direction and after walking for almost half an hour after getting lost, I finally arrived at the hospital well after dusk had fallen. A kind hospital security guard also pointed me in the right direction. I went to the main entrance and after asking yet another security personnel, I found an exhibit in a hallway adjacent to the lobby. The exhibit highlighted the history of the hospital and a tiny area honoring the King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.

There were two portraits of the King and Queen of Thailand presented to Mount Auburn Hospital during their visit in 1960.

Newspaper articles highlighting the visit that King and Queen of Thailand made to Mount Auburn Hospital in July of 1960.

There was also a small table, with some flowers, a guest book, and a portrait of the king.

Then I went to take a picture of the plaque outside the Parsons Building, where the king was actually born.

After this, I went home although I was not satisfied. In retrospect, I should have gone in the early afternoon on a weekday to visit inside the Parsons Building and see the approximate site. I was determined that next time, I would see it in person.

And now, 1 year, 6 months, and 19 days later, we come to today which is the day of my birthday. It was 90 degrees outside and I didn’t feel like going out to travel. However, I was determined that since this was my birthday I had to do something productive. I drank some cold water, got dressed, and went to a bus stop to wait for the bus to take me to Harvard Square. I didn’t have to wait long. The bus arrived on time, and before I knew it, I was in Harvard Square. I walked past the birthplace monument in front of the Harvard Kennedy School through the entrance of John F. Kennedy Memorial Park.

Once there, I took a right towards Memorial Drive and walked north towards Mt. Auburn Street admiring the scenery along the Charles River. After about thirteen minutes, I finally arrived at the front of Mount Auburn Memorial Hospital.

From there, I immediately went to the plaque outside the Parsons Building to read that "behind the tall, second-floor windows of the building is the operating room where Prince Bhumibol Adulyadej of Siam (Thailand) was born..." 

Then I went to the Parsons Building and was able to go inside for my very first time. I put on a face mask covering my nostrils and mouth before entering out of the respect to the hospital staff working there.

Once inside, I began my search for the operating room that the king had been born in. I was greeted by boxes on my right, which I did not mind.

As I went through a corridor, I inwardly became excited. I felt as though I were an archeologist about to make an amazing discovery. At the end of the corridor, there was a door on the right that was labeled “Department of OB/GYN – Newborn Services." I attempted to turn the door knob, but it was locked.

There was another door in front of me labelled “Private.” I hesitated to turn the door knob because after all it was a working hospital, but my curiosity got the better of me. I tried and it too was locked. I believe it was at least one of these doors would have led me to the operating room where the king had been born.

There was a third door to my right which opened to a staircase leading to an office called “protection services.”

I went down the stairs and found another corridor. 

“Surely there must be a way to the operating room,” I thought as I searched, “I have to see it before I leave.” There was an office with a someone working inside it and I wondered if I just ask politely, that person might point me in the right direction. I admit I am shy so it’s not easy for to talk to strangers. I took a deep breath, went inside, and with an administrator looking at me I then said, “Hello. I’m sorry to bother you. I’m looking for the actual birthplace site of the former King of Thailand. Do you know where it is?” I was advised to go to the Stanton Building to the front desk and that there was an exhibit there as well. I thanked the administrator and headed to the Stanton Building.

Once inside, I went to the information desk and asked, “Hello. I’m looking for the actual birthplace site of the former King of Thailand. Do you know where it is?” “Oh sure,” the receptionist said, “There are people from all over who come to visit the site.” She then led me to the same exhibit I had seen before on December 28, 2019. I thanked her, although I was hoping to visit the actual operating room.

I took more pictures (as seen above this paragraph) and when I finished, I went back to the front desk and thanked the receptionist for her help. Then I exited the building displaying outward satisfaction, but inwardly disappointed. I want to clarify that I was not disappointed in the exhibit itself, but that I didn’t get to see the operating room where the king was born.

As I waited for Bus 73 to take me to Harvard Square, I went to an area to view the tall second-floor windows of the Parsons Building. “So close,” I thought, “I really wanted to see it today on my birthday.”

I briefly thought of going back to try again to see the operating room, but I immediately decided against it. I tried and I gave my best. “Maybe I can send an e-mail with a request to see the operating room in person and perhaps schedule a time for a visit,” I thought, “the least they could do is reply and inform me on whether I can or cannot see the actual birthplace site.” Anyway, Bus 73 soon arrived. I got on the bus and within three minutes, I was back in Harvard Square.

Before heading home, I stopped briefly at my old sanctuary, the Harvard Coop, that had now been renovated and reopened. I had not been there for over a year. I went inside.

The aesthetics were a little different. To me it appeared lighter with red and white walls instead of red and brown as it used to be. The lobby of the first floor was almost entirely filled with apparel promoting the prestigious university. The café on the second floor was removed and that space has been filled with more bookshelves. While I understand the need for renovation, I miss the way it used to look. It didn’t feel like my old sanctuary anymore though this is not anyone’s fault. I can’t imagine myself sitting here to read and study for hours as I used to before the pandemic. I sadly didn’t buy anything from there and soon left to go home.

 And so, I am once again inside my room and one year older. I have other thoughts I that want to express, but I will save that for another blog entry at another time. For now, I want to conclude this blog entry with a quote. Here are some wise words from His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand (1927-2016): “No matter how much one learns, if an insight is not attained, the learning is not accomplished, with no real result realized.”

My Search for John F. Kennedy at Harvard (Concluded) & Update on my Kennedy Collection.

It was raining earlier this morning and I assumed it would rain throughout the entire day so I did not plan to go anywhere at all. I took a nap and woke up in the late afternoon to find that the sun was shining. My roommate came back from a trip to Cape Cod and was planning to go out again. I mentioned that since the sun was out that I would take the bus to Harvard. He then offered to drive me to the campus since he was headed in that direction. I accepted his offer. I quickly got dressed in casual clothing and grabbed my keys, my cellphone, my wallet, my camera, my COVID mask, and my 1961 Inaugural Hardcover Edition of “Why England Slept” by John F. Kennedy (which arrived in the mail on July 2) and we were on our way.

My roommate dropped me off at a sidewalk on N. Harvard Street within site of Harvard Stadium. I spontaneously decided to make a pit stop at Harvard Stadium since Kennedy also played football there. I went to a spot where I hoped to capture the size and scope of the stadium in a photo although I believe I did not do it justice.

Being there conjured up images of my viewing of the scenes of the 2000 movie “Gladiator” of Maximus (played by Russell Crowe) combating his opponents in the arena.

After this, I crossed the Anderson Memorial Bridge, and took right onto Dr Paul Dudley White Bike Path and soon found myself in front of Gore Hall at Winthrop House. I took photos of my copy of “Why England Slept” at various locations at that very site of where the young Kennedy wrote his thesis which became a book later on.

When I had finished, I then remembered Tom Acitelli's article that Kennedy was a member of the Spee Club, a "finals club while at Harvard." I was determined to look for the building that housed the club before leaving. The problem was I did not remember where the address was. All I remembered was that it was a brick building. I walked along the Dunster Street, Winthrop Street, Mill Street, Holyoke Street, and Holyoke Place and could not find it. Then I found it unwittingly at 76 Mt Auburn Street.

I admittedly was not sure I had indeed discovered the actual building until I searched for the location on the internet when I returned to the place where I live. It was confirmed that I what had found was indeed the site of Spee Club, where Kennedy had visited and had been in member of when he was a student at Harvard University. I felt relieved and I thought my search for John F. Kennedy at Harvard had been concluded for now.

Since I have returned and I decided to post this entry, I thought I should also share an update on my Kennedy Collection as well. Towards the end of June, I ordered these vintage WA Smith busts of President Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy made of chalk ware together for $12.00.

However, when they arrived on June 29, the bust of Jacqueline Kennedy had been broken with her head separated from her neck and missing pieces of her hair. Mercifully, the bust of President Kennedy had remained intact and unharmed.

I then used some superglue and did my best to put the bust of Mrs. Kennedy back together. The result is not perfect, but I’m glad I have them both to crown my bookshelf along with my Norman Rockwell replica print of JFK. Depending on the price, I’ll see if I can have the bust fully restored to its original glory.

Another item I purchased is a Washington DC picture frame, in which I placed a photo of myself with Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, John F. Kennedy’s sister, to also crown my bookshelf although it is off to the side.

Also, since the beginning of July, several more books on The Kennedys have arrived in the mail. The books are:

• “Robert Kennedy in His Own Words: The Unpublished Recollections of the Kennedy Years”
• “The Revolution of Robert Kennedy: From Power to Protest After JFK” by John R. Bohrer
• “Prelude to Leadership: The European Diary of John F. Kennedy, Summer 1945”
• “Rose Kennedy: The Life and Times of a Political Matriarch” by Barbara A. Perry
• “Edward M. Kennedy: An Oral History (Oxford Oral History Series),” also by Barbara A. Perry

On July 6, I also received a copy of Nick Bryant's “The Bystander: John F. Kennedy and the Struggle for Black Equality” and I forgot to mention that my copy of “Kennedy and King: The President, the Pastor, and the Battle Over Civil Rights” by Steven Levingston also arrived on June 28. I wanted to take a photo of these two books together because they both feature President Kennedy and his link to the Civil Rights Movement.

I haven’t been able to put them in my bookshelf, along with “Robert Kennedy in His Own Words: The Unpublished Recollections of the Kennedy Years” and “The Revolution of Robert Kennedy: From Power to Protest After JFK” by John R. Bohrer, because I have run out of room in my “Kennedy Library.” I’m hoping to obtain a bigger bookshelf so I can add more books on the Kennedys. I am being mindful of my budget so have to find one at a reasonable price.

I also received a copy of “Dinner in Camelot: The Night America's Greatest Scientists, Writers, and Scholars Partied at the Kennedy White House” by Joseph A. Esposito, whom I recently became friends with on Facebook. He once held a discussion and a book signing at the Harvard Book Store on June 21, 2018. I regret not having attended when I had the chance. I hope that when this pandemic fully subsides, I hope that another opportunity will come.

The final book I wanted to show in my inventory is one I received in the mail on that day that I especially treasure. The book is entitled “The Kennedy Brothers: The Rise and Fall of Jack and Bobby” by Richard D. Mahoney.

The reason why I value it so much is because it was a given to me as a gift from my good friend Mai Lee. She and I had become friends via twitter since January of this year and we both supported a presidential candidate named Andrew Yang. We both share a mutual love for reading, writing, and learning. She also helped inspire me to update this blog. I am indebted to her for her friendship and I hope that if I ever write any books, I will dedicate at least one of them to her.

Speaking of books, since I ran out of space to add more books on The Kennedys, I will have to pause on ordering more books until a new bookshelf can be acquired. Until then, I will have to be content with this collection for now.

To concluded this blog entry, I wanted to share a quote that was spoken by President Kennedy and I dedicate it to my friend Mai Lee who has been an inspiration and a wonderful friend to me. The words are: “We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.”

My Search for John F. Kennedy at Harvard

I forgot to record the temperature for today, but there was a heat advisory warning, so I assume the temperature went past 89 degrees. In light of this, I decided to take an impromptu trip to Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts to look for sites visited by and honoring President John Fitzgerald Kennedy in the late afternoon when the weather would be more tolerable as the sun would be setting over time.

I conceived of the idea the night before when I came upon a list at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library’s website entitled “John F.Kennedy’s Residences.” I found two buildings listed that I knew I could potentially visit. One was “Freshman Dormitory, Weld 32, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts” where Kennedy lived as a freshman student after he transferred from Princeton University from 1963 to 1937. The other listed was “Winthrop House, Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts” for his sophomore and senior years as an undergrad from 1937 until his graduation in 1940. As I saw those two sites listed and with a free afternoon, I decided to make a pilgrimage to the campus of Harvard University.

I ended up taking a bus from the sidewalk two blocks from where I live. It was past 5:30pm so I knew I would arrive there just before 6:00pm just as most of the shops were closing for the night. As I sat on the bus, I felt as though I were sailing (as the Kennedy love to do literally) to history. Before I knew it, I was at Harvard Station in Cambridge and ascended into Harvard Square with my first glimpse of the Harvard Coop, my old sanctuary. It had closed the hour before so I could not go inside. I will return there at some point. Besides, today I was on a mission.

I immediately went to find Winthrop House, which was a five-minute walk from Harvard Station through John F. Kennedy Street and took a left on Memorial Drive. I found it easily, which was a surprise to me because I thought the search would be more difficult. Nevertheless, the first of the historical sites I was searching had been found. According to an article by Tom Acitelli, entitled “John F Kennedy in the Boston area, mapped,” “The rooms he occupied there are now called the Kennedy Suite, and the Kennedy School of Government uses them to house guest speakers.”

 As I looked upon the building, I began to imagine a young John F. Kennedy at the age of twenty-two, sitting at a desk, writing his thesis, which later became a book entitled “Why England Slept.” I wondered how he formulated his thoughts and recounted his experiences travelling through Europe on the Eve of the Second World War as he wrote his thesis. I have already ordered a copy of “Why England Slept” two days ago on eBay to add to my Kennedy Book Collection and sometime after it arrives, I intend to take my copy of the book and photograph it in front of Winthrop House as if to say “Within the pages I hold in my hand are the words of the man who wrote them within those walls.”

After this, I went over to John F. Kennedy Memorial Park, via Dr Paul Dudley White Bike Path. There were groups of people having fun together and socializing. Children were running around playing games and having a good time. I sat at an area where I tried to quietly reflect on John F. Kennedy’s legacy, but there were people chatting nearby and I could not focus. I was annoyed that I could not sit and reflect. The last time I went there, some teenagers were skateboarding over the monument. "How dare they disrespect the memory of President Kennedy this way," I thought, "They should know better." I obviously couldn’t tell them to leave and I didn’t think they could be reasoned with. I decided instead to go somewhere else to reflect as I did today.

I then went to John F. Kennedy School of Government, just behind the park. According to Tom Acitelli’s article, “The Harvard school named for him actually predates Kennedy's entry into government. It was rechristened for the late president in 1966.” The Wikipedia page for the school states that “Harvard Kennedy School was originally the Harvard Graduate School of Public Administration, and was founded in 1936,” the same year Kennedy entered Harvard as a freshman.

I had only been inside the building only once. In fact, it was 4 years, 9 months, and 6 days before. It was on September 21, 2016 when I attended a forum featuring the former Prime Minister of Israel – Ehud Barak. The forum and my meeting with the former prime minister sparked an interest in foreign policy and inspired me to want to learn more about the world around me.

I felt that the sun would be out only for a little longer so I quickly made my way to Weld Hall, on the main campus called Harvard Yard, where Kennedy lived as a freshman. I imagined a young JFK walking quickly to his classes from his dormitory to avoid being late for class or laughing with his new college friends on the campus or perhaps sharing insights on the situation escalating in Europe. I wondered what it looked like inside, whether it still looked the same on the inside from Kennedy’s time there in 1936-1937 or where his college dorm room was. I may never know because I am not student there and have no access to enter the building to see for myself.

It was at this point where I decided to walk around some more to stretch my legs and to revisit other historic sites of interest that did not relate to JFK, like the Cambridge Common. However, I did wonder if these sites were in existence when he was a student at Harvard. What would he have thought as he would look at the statue of Abraham Lincoln? “Could I be as great as him?” I’m over thinking this. He probably did not think such thoughts. However, I can't help but wonder if he ever compared himself with his heroes.

On a side note, when I later returned to the place where I live, I discovered in Tom Acitelli's article that Kennedy was a member of the Spee Club, a "finals club while at Harvard, and was apparently fond of writing letters on Spee stationary." The location as listed in the article was (or is) at 76 Mt Auburn Street, also in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The next time I return to Harvard Square, I will make time to find that location. 

Anyway, as the sun began to set, I went back to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park mainly to try to reflect again and was curious to see what the park was like just before dusk. 

(John F. Kennedy Memorial Park)

I became distracted. I safely walked across Memorial Drive to Dr Paul Dudley White Bike Path to view the setting sun in the orange sky making a silhouette of what I assumed to be of nearby Mount Auburn Hospital.

I also went up to sidewalk of Anderson Memorial Bridge to get a better view.

As the sky was turning dark, I went back to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Park to try to sit and reflect for a third time.

There were people sitting near me, chatting endlessly about something not worth talking about. I was inwardly angry. “Why are these people so ignorant?” I thought, “don’t they know who President Kennedy was, what he stood for, what he meant to our country?” As dusk settled in, I got up and walked away toward Harvard Square and decided it was time to return to the place where I live. As I was walking, I remembered something that Caroline Kennedy, JFK’s daughter, mentioned in 2011 about how her father’s time was passing into history. It took on a new meaning for me after meeting Jean Kennedy Smith, JFK’s last surviving sibling, some years ago and who had passed away last year. I feel that I need to do something to honor President Kennedy’s memory. I don’t know what I could do, but in the meantime, I’m going to start reading some of the books I have on him. I will not be a “tsundoku,” which is someone who likes buying books, but never reads them. I bought these books for a reason. I am determined to honor President Kennedy’s memory and tell his story and share his vision to “a new generation of Americans born in this century” to inspire them.

And so, to conclude this entry, I want to share the words that Caroline Kennedy spoke on the evening of October 3, 2011 on the publication of Jacqueline Kennedy: Historic Conversations on Life with John F. Kennedy: “Fifty years after my father’s presidency, so many people share his vision for America and are interested in learning about his administration. His time is really becoming part of history rather than living memory. In President Kennedy’s words: ‘Spirit and Example remain as vital as ever. Now when young people feel disconnected from politics, it is up to us as adults to reach across the generations and we commit ourselves and our country to the ideal of life.’ … The goals in his anniversary years are to stimulate interest in public interest and use the power of history to us solve the problems of our own time.”

An update on my Kennedy collection

It had been nine days since I last posted a blog entry. Where I live it is 63 degrees outside and cloudy. A weather forecast for the weekend suggests that a small percentage of rain may occur. It’s a nice evening for a walk and I thought about doing so, but I didn’t want to get unexpectedly rained upon so I have instead decided to remained indoors and type another blog entry to pass the time. I had thought about waiting another month to update my blog, but instead I chose to do it now since I honestly have nothing better to do.

I was originally going to share my origins of my interest in the Kennedys, namely the 35^th President of the United States - John Fitzgerald Kennedy. However, upon rereading this blog entry which is basically an inventory of items I have ordered and desire to have, I have instead chosen to just leave this blog as an update regarding my growing Kennedy collection and tell my story another time. Besides, if I were to attempt to share my story along with the updates of my collection as a prelude, I feel that it would be too much for the reader so this blog entry may only be of interest to bibliophiles and/or collectors of items relating to The Kennedys and/or even the American Presidency.

In my previous blog entry, I was really hoping to acquire a vintage JFK Head Sculpture Robert Berks Replica. A few hours after that blog entry had been posted, the sculpture was sold to someone else who bought it before I could.

Admittedly, I was angry because in my mind, I thought I deserved to own that sculpture. “After all,” I thought, “I’m a bigger admirer of John F. Kennedy than whoever bought it since I’ve met with people who worked with, knew, and were related to President Kennedy. I’m even a member of the JFK Presidential Library and Museum in Boston. I could cite paragraphs of his speeches. The sculpture’s new owner doesn’t know or cares as much as I do. That sculpture should be mine.” Now after having thought about it, I think it may have been a blessing in disguise. Even though the price was reduced to $95.00 with $8.00 in shipping, I think it’s best for me to save my money and I should live within my means. So today I ordered vintage WA Smith busts of President Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy together for $12.00 with $8.00 in shipping which resulted in having saved $80.00.

Granted the busts are not my first choice, but I think I made the right decision, mostly because I saved money. When the busts arrive, I intend to use them to serve as “bookends” only for my collection of PBS DVD documentaries on The Kennedys (no exceptions will be made for films, miniseries, or even other documentaries from other studios even if they are on said family) and to crown my bookshelf which I dedicated to solely for displaying books on John F. Kennedy and the Kennedy Family.
 
Speaking of which, since my last entry, more books that I ordered relating to The Kennedys have arrived with in this past week, which are:

• “The Fitzgerald and The Kennedys” by Doris Kearns Goodwin
• “The Kennedys: America’s Emerald Kings” by Thomas Maier
• “The Patriarch: The Remarkable Life and Turbulent Times of Joseph P. Kennedy” by David Nasaw
• “Thirteen Days: A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis” by Robert F. Kennedy
• “The Crisis Years: Kennedy and Khrushchev, 1960–1963” by Michael Beschloss
• “JFK: Reckless Youth” by Nigel Hamilton
• “Jack Kennedy: The Education of a Statesman” by Barbara Leaming
• “PT 109: An American Epic of War, Survival, and the Destiny of John F. Kennedy” by William Doyle 
• “The Brilliant Disaster: JFK, Castro, and America's Doomed Invasion of Cuba's Bay of Pigs” by Jim Rasenberger
• “American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race” by Douglas Brinkley
• “America's Queen: The Life of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis” by Sarah Bradford
• “The Kennedy Women: The Saga of an American Family” by Laurence Leamer
• “The Kennedy Men: 1901-​1963” also by Laurence Leamer.
• “Sons & Brothers: The Days of Jack and Bobby Kennedy” by Richard D. Mahoney
• “They Were My Friends - Jack, Bob and Ted: My Life In and Out of Politics” by Gerard F. Doherty
• “A Thousand Days: John F. Kennedy in the White House” by Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
• “Let Every Nation Know: John F. Kennedy in His Own Words” by Robert Dallek and Terry Golway (not pictured. Forgot to add it when I took the photo).

That amounts to seventeen books, which in addition to the twenty-two books that I already own, totals the collection to thirty-nine books (all in hardcover with dust jackets). I have five more arriving which are “Prelude to Leadership: The European Diary of John F. Kennedy: Summer 1945,” “Dinner in Camelot: The Night America's Greatest Scientists, Writers, and Scholars Partied at the Kennedy White House” by Joseph A. Esposito, “Why England Slept” by John F. Kennedy, along with “Rose Kennedy: The Life and Times of a Political Matriarch” and “Edward M. Kennedy: An Oral History (Oxford Oral History Series),” which are both by Barbara A. Perry. I should also mention that all the books I ordered where purchased at reduced prices since almost all of them were pre-owned.
 
My regret is that I can’t order more books, not merely because I want to save money (which is a good thing), but because I won’t have any more room to add books like “The Kennedy Tapes: Inside the White House During the Cuban Missile Crisis” Edited by Ernest R. May and Philip D. Zelikow, “Eyeball to Eyeball: The Inside Story of the Cuban Missile Crisis” by Dino A.​ Brugioni, “Jacqueline Kennedy: First Lady of the New Frontier by Barbara A. Perry,” “American Values: Lessons I Learned from My Family” by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and others. I also want to leave room for Frederik Logevall’s second volume of his two-part biography of John F. Kennedy when it gets published. I could get another bookshelf, but for me that would cost time, money, lots of planning, and costly efforts to acquire one so I will have to settle for what I have… for now.

In other news, my Portrait of John F. Kennedy by Norman Rockwell replica also arrived in the mail today.

I was initially disappointed because I thought it would be larger, but I’ll find a use for it. I might use it to crown my “Kennedy Library” behind my new busts of President and Mrs. Kennedy. I’m going to wait until the busts arrive and then see what arrangements I can make for the setup of my new library. I hope it doesn’t look tacky. I hope that when everything comes together that it will look dignified and that it will give honor and respect to The Kennedys.
 
I have to say that I enjoy this summer project of collecting these books and Kennedy related items. I find it stimulating as I am also learning history at the same time. It strangely helps me to relax and it brings my focus away from negativity and toxic topics which everyone else seems to be fixed upon. I would rather ignore it all and focus on my interests, while learning something new about the past in the hopes of one day sharing what I have learned with people who have similar interests.
 
That seems to be all I have to say in regards to my own updates. I have thought of adding a quote to conclude this blog entry as I have with others. I’m not sure that something I would consider to be inventory and a wish-list would be worthy of one. After some consideration and some searching, I found one I thought would be appropriate to conclude this entry. The words are from former First Lady of the Unites States - Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (although I can’t find the direct source as of yet): “You have to be doing something you enjoy. That is a definition of happiness: Complete use of one's faculties along lines leading to excellence in a life affording them scope. It applies to women as well as to men. We can't all reach it, but we can try to reach it to some degree.”

One Month & Four Days Later

It is about 2:30 in the morning here in near the city of Boston, Massachusetts. It 59 degrees outside with a dark, but clear sky. I am inside my air-conditioned room, which I turned to low fan mode. I cannot sleep because I inadvertently took a late nap while listening to an audiobook on YouTube so now, I am wide awake with no one talk to and with my sleep pattern ruined for now. So, I decided to do an impromptu blog entry and give an update on the small passion projects I have been engaged with thus far and to share some short-term goals.

11 Days Ago, my top bookcase (which my roommate got for my birthday last year) had been putting pressure on my bottom bookshelf (made of press board MDF which my roommate gave to me for Christmas) which was sagging over time and humidity. 

As a result of these compounding factors, my bookshelf collapsed. 

Over the next several days, after seeking advice from friends & strangers on twitter, I bought three small black bookshelves locally through Facebook marketplace and with the help of one of my roommates, we brought them all to the place where we live (though not in one trip). After some time, my new bookshelves, (one with nine cubes & another with three cubes placed on top), have been filled with books consisting of presidential biographies, memoirs, and chronicles of the Civil Rights Movement, including books on and by civil rights heroes - Congressman John Lewis & Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

(This is how it appears of the day of this blog entry.)

The smaller bookshelf on the left consisting of three shelves is one I have christened the "Kennedy Library" as a reference to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston. I also refer to it as the "Kennedy Corner" since it is in the corner of my room. I fill the smaller bookshelf with books relating to The Kennedy Family, particularly on President John F. Kennedy along with Senators Robert F. Kennedy and Edward M. Kennedy respectively (known as Jack, Bobby, and Teddy to their family). I have also ordered some more books on them that will be arriving here over the coming weeks. I hope it doesn't fill up too quickly because I want to leave room for more books which will be published in the future, particularly Frederik Logevall's second volume of his two book biography of JFK (initials for John Fitzgerald Kennedy as almost everyone knows).

I'm also hoping to obtain this vintage JFK Head Sculpture by Robert Berks replica on marble base some time next week from a lady in Kansas through Facebook marketplace. I want to use it to crown my bookshelf dedicated to books on The Kennedys. Although there are two small chips on the marble base, I thought the price had been reasonable (and within my budget) in comparison to how much it is worth without the small chips. I'm not going to mention the price, but I will say that I am hoping that after this weekend, I can make arrangements to make sure I can pay for it at the right time. 

(Vintage JFK Head Sculpture by Robert Berks Replica)

I would also like to obtain this "Portrait of John F. Kennedy" by Norman Rockwell replica, with no glass in frame, to also crown my Kennedy bookshelf behind the JFK Head Sculpture I'm hoping to acquire. The seller has not replied to my inquiry of whether the item is still available as of yet. I can only hope at this point. 

("Portrait of John F. Kennedy" by Norman Rockwell Replica)

Although I would treasure both of these items once they're in my possession, none would or ever compare to my most treasured item in my Kennedy Collection. A book entitled "The Nine Of Us: Growing Up Kennedy" by Jean Kennedy Smith (1928-2020), 

(My copy of "The Nine Of Us: Growing Up Kennedy" by Jean Kennedy Smith)

For those who don't know, she was appointed to be United States Ambassador to Ireland by President Bill Clinton in 1993 and stayed in her post until 1998. As ambassador, she contributed to the Irish peace process (which I hope to learn more about) and years later, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. She was also the last surviving sibling of her brothers nicknamed Teddy, Bobby, and Jack Kennedy. 

(L-R: Jean Kennedy Smith with her family & with her brother President Kennedy) 

What's special about this copy of her book is that she signed it at the only time that I met her one evening on January 24, 2017 at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. 

(Myself with Ambassador Smith at the JFK Library on 1/24/2017 & the page in which she signed my copy of her book.)

I believe that in meeting her deepened my interest in the history of her siblings and it may have been the genesis of what will be my Kennedy Book Collection. This is also coincidentally the sixtieth anniversary of the year in which John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States. To commemorate this anniversary, I will be obtaining more books on the Kennedys in the future; I just hope that I don't run out of space. 

With nothing else to add for this night, I will conclude this blog entry with a quote from a book I have yet to obtain called “The Gospel According to RFK: Why it Matters Now (ed. 2004). In it, Robert F Kennedy apparently said: "Together, we can make ourselves a nation that spends more on books than on bombs, more on hospitals than the terrible tools of war, more on decent houses than military aircraft."

An Update

It has been 2 years, 4 months, & 26 days since I last posted here. I became inspired to write (or in this case "type") again after interacting with new online friends through twitter. One encouraging friend named Jenn once wrote to me, "I was just wondering if you thought about writing a book. I think you write well and are very articulate. You love to read so I just feel like that could be a calling for you." I thought maybe I should begin writing again to develop my writing skills as an exercise for future projects. Another good friend on twitter, an educator named Mai, shared her blog with me called "Mai Lee's Blog." Mai's love for nature, words, and learning have inspired me deeply and taught me to appreciate the natural beauty of our planet and to find pleasure in the joy of reading. She once sent me a book to add to my personal library in January. That act moved me beyond words. Both of these new friendships have planted a seed and rekindled an interest in updating my own blog. I'm not sure how regularly I will be posting my thoughts, but for now this update will have to do.

So many changes have happened, but so little progress has been made for me personally. I moved closer to the Boston area at the invitation of my college friends about a year ago. While at times, it feels as though I was back at school when I interact with them, other times I feel lonely out here. In those times of loneliness, I would take a shuttle bus from a street within walking distance from my new place to the campus of Harvard University, where I would walk around, explore, and sometime sit and read inside of the main store of "The Harvard Coop," a place that sells books, school supplies, and apparel promoting the adjacent and prestigious university. It became one of personal favorite places to visit and it became something like a sanctuary to me. However, even in the attempt to avoid sadness, I would see a couple walking hand in hand together, smiling as they browsed for books or maybe even collegial friends in their own group having a good time and having an intellectually stimulating conversation made me feel lonely because I wanted to have what they had. I felt that those young people had a future whereas I felt that my future was behind me.

One unexpected positive thing did take place though. I took up kickboxing for a while and I loved every minute of that experience. I took it up because I was gaining weight and I was not exercising. I chose to try kickboxing because the training center, which everyone there called the "dojo" was the closet exercising facility from where I live. Over time, as I went to each class day by day, I went from dreading exercising to eagerly looking forward to attending my classes and often times became the highlight of my day. I made friends with people I never thought I would make. The owner, a Vietnamese gentleman named "Ninja" (nobody knows his real name) took me under his wing, became a mentor to me, and taught me some very important life lessons. When I wasn't at work, I spent more time at the dojo then I did when I was at the place where I live. The staff there gave me the nickname "Mayor Manny" because I had a knack for making friends there. I had become more positive, happier, lost 22 pounds as I was nearing my weight goal, and felt content to be a part of such a wonderful community. However, it did not last. A pandemic called COVID-19 had arrived and with my finances hurting, I reluctantly had to give that up despite the positive progress I made with my physical health and my social life. I sadly retreated into a life of unfulfilling work and in self-exile.

As for politics, I was originally supporting Elizabeth Warren in her run for President of the United States in the 2020 presidential election since she is the senator for my home state and had met her on August 4, 2017, which coincidentally was President Barack Obama's 56th Birthday. However, while watching one of the Democratic primary debates in October of 2019, Senator Warren was sparring with another presidential candidate named Andrew Yang over the issue of automation. I was impressed with his intelligent responses and it prompted me to learn more about him and his platform, even though I was very skeptical. "After all," I thought, "he has no political experience." Over time, I began to watch some of his speeches and interviews he participated in and he impressed me even more. He was the only Democratic candidate to meet with Ben Shapiro, a conservative political commentator on The Ben Shapiro Show Sunday Special Ep. 45. I was surprised that in this political polarizing climate, he had not demonized the other side the way other Democratic candidates had and had won former supporters of President Trump over. I began to think that this candidate had the potential to unite the country.

Eventually, I decided that I needed to go and see him for myself. Even though I had viewed so many video of Mr. Yang's speeches and interviews, I was still skeptical. I purchased a hardcover copy of his book, "The War on Normal People: The Truth About America's Disappearing Jobs and Why Universal Basic Income Is Our Future" one Saturday night at the Harvard Coop in late December of 2019. On January 10, 2020, I took a bus from Boston to Concord, New Hampshire to attend a rally, see Mr. Yang in person, and hear him speak. He won over and after his speech, he signed my copy of his book, and we took a picture together. That night, I had joined what his supporters call themselves the "Yang Gang." I was planning on becoming a team leader in phone banking for Yang's campaign in Massachusetts, but his presidential campaign soon had ended before I could start to become involved. Instead of becoming involved in another campaign, I decided to take a break from politics and let events run their course.

Even though the year 2020 had been difficult for so many people, for me there was at least one positive thing that happened. Ten days after I had met Andrew Yang, I posted a photo of myself meeting with him on twitter publicly stating that I would support him early that morning. To my surprise, Andrew Yang shared my photo and I had an increase of followers, which I quickly followed back. I don't exactly remember how many followers I began with, but as of this update I have a little over 3,000 people following me on twitter. Some of these followers have become close online friends, including Jenn and Mai Lee whom I mentioned in the first paragraph. These friendships that I have made on twitter have inspired me, given me so much support, and have kept me going. I'm so grateful to these friendships and in these dark times, they have been a light for me. So I have to credit Andrew Yang not only for the way he changed the way I view politics, but for the friendships I have made among his supporters. Those friendships have been an unexpected blessing.

I don't really have much else to add to this update so I want to conclude this post with a quote as I have in other posts. After searching for one to use, I think this passage from page 243-244 of Andrew Yang's book, "The War on Normal People," is apt for this occasion:

"It will not be easy. We all have dysfunction within us. Darkness and pain. Contempt and resentment. Greed and fear. Pride and self consciousness. Every reason will hold us back.

Through all of the doubt, the cynicism, the ridicule, the hatred and anger, we must fight for the world that is still possible. Imagine it in our minds and heart and fight for it. With all of our hearts and spirits. As hands reach out clutching at our arms, take them and pull them along. Fight through the whipping branches of selfishness and despair and resignation. Fight for each other like our souls depend on it. Climb to the hilltop and tell others behind us what we see. 

What do you see?

And build the society we want on the other side.

Evelyn, thank you for all that you do for me and our boys. They will grow up to be strong and whole. 

The rest of you, get up. It's time to go. What makes you human? The better world is still possible. Come fight with me."

My Return To Schindler's List

I have just returned from a 9:30 pm showing of a theatrical rerelease of Steven Spielberg's multi-award-winning film, “Schindler's List.” This week marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of the release of Spielberg's film and I wanted to see the film in theaters after being indirectly informed through a friend's post on facebook. When I read the post, I was determined to go and see the film. I arrived at 9:15 pm at my local AMC Theater, bought a regular size cup, poured a fruit-flavored drink with ice, and had the entire screening to myself. I had expected more people to be there since film is well-renowned, even after winning Winner of seven Academy Awards¨ including Best Picture and Best Director. I stayed until the very end of the credits, which I marked on my cellphone at fifty-six minutes after midnight. I came to my apartment and decided to post this journal entry. I should mention that this is not a film review (as there are reviewers who far more eloquent than myself who can do much better), but rather how the much film has meant to me, means to me now, and lessons I took from my recent viewing.

At the time of the film's original release in 1993, I was seven years old. By that time, I had only been exposed to Disney films and to entertainment that was suitable to a child of my age. The first time I had become aware of the film was when I was in middle school in 1998 at the age of twelve. During that time, Mrs. Rowan made us read a book called “Number the Stars,” which was about “the story of a ten-year-old Danish girl and her family's courageous efforts to smuggle Jews out of their Nazi-occupied homeland to safety in Sweden,” by Lois Lowry. This was my first exposure to understanding the events of the Holocaust. One particular day, there was a general assembly in the auditorium and all the students attended. There was a woman (whose name I sadly cannot recall) who had been a survivor of the holocaust thanks to efforts of Oskar Schindler, “a German industrialist and a member of the Nazi Party who saved the lives of 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust” (Thanks, Wikipedia). Seriously though, I was struck by her story, she mentioned the film, and I remember one teacher asking if the survivor “was there at the end.” Since I had not even been aware of the film's existence beforehand, I didn't know what that teacher was asking. I remember one thing the survivor had said that I never forgot. She mentioned that if she ever saw someone get bullied then she would intervene and tell the bully to stop. In middle school, I was bullied frequently and I wish that I had gotten to meet her and then got to know her and perhaps she could have been my mentor. I would have liked her and would have wanted to learn more deep and meaningful lessons from her.

That same year, I had also been exposed to the Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition on VHS, which my father bought for me and my sister to watch. I became a huge fan. The next year, “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” was released and while I had missed its original theatrical run, I watched it when it was released on video cassette. At around the same, Schindler's List was going to be broadcast some evening on PBS. I immediately knew the lead actor's name, Liam Neeson, who I recognized for his performance as the jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn from the first instalment of the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Seeing that he was playing the lead role of Oskar Schindler and remembering the testimony of the holocaust survivor, I felt I needed to see it. On the evening it was broadcasted, it was shown uncut. My parents were not aware that I watched the film and since it was not on a school night, I was not made to go to bed early. In the den of a renovated basement at home, I watched the whole film. I was initially shocked by what I had seen. I knew the movie was about the Holocaust, but I didn't expect for it to feel almost too realistic. I couldn't believe that human beings were made to suffer because they were different, but I was also aware of the importance of the film and it's message. At the film's end, it touched my heart though I did not cry. It taught me how much I didn’t know about Schindler’s life and it encouraged me to research it in detail. Since then, I had the seen the film on rare occasions, even though I owned a copy of it on DVD years later. To this day, I cannot recall how many times I have seen the film, but I made point to watch it only once a year.

As of 2018, I am in my early thirties now and in the week leading up to this journal entry, it seemed to be a prelude to this viewing. At my job, where I work at a retirement facility, few of the residents had a brief Hanukkah ceremony, in which they would light a “candle” (which was a small flamed shaped light bulb) into an electric menorah. A resident named “Buddy,” as he likes to be called, would volunteer to read a brief prayer in Hebrew, “light the candle,” and the few residents who attended would sing the dreidel song and that would be all. Strangely enough, while I am not Jewish, during my break, I attended each of those “candle lighting” ceremonies on my scheduled workdays, and I was blessed in getting to know some of the residents in attendance. I shared some of my knowledge of Jewish history with them (my interest in it was rooted in meeting a former prime minister of Israel two years before). They appreciated it and they seemed to welcome me into their little gathering. As of this posting, I am on vacation this week and during this time, I had been doing research on the founding the state of Israel in 1948 and the inspiring life of Israel's first prime-minister and main founding father – David Ben-Guirion. He once said in an interview on CBS on October 5, 1956 (to which I discovered just yesterday), “In Israel, in order to be a realist you must believe in miracles.” In my opinion that it would be hard not to believe in miracles in reading and learning the history of the Jewish people. While I do not know if I have Jewish ancestry, they have been without a doubt some of the most resilient people in our human history.

My last viewing of Schindler's List seems to be a culmination of what I have been learning about for the past two weeks, at least in terms of culture and history. Yet I wonder as to the purpose of it. I feel that it has led up this moment, but for what? I was certainly touched by the story again. Tears welled up during my viewing of two scenes of movie. The first time I saw the film, I didn't cry and almost never cry in watching movies. One being a scene of an innocent, unoffending, little girl wearing a red coat, walking down the street and wandering around amidst the chaos and violence while people are being slaughtered around her. My heart broke for that little girl and even more knowing that see that she would soon die. 

 

The second time my tears welled up was when Schindler broke down and cried, wishing he could have saved more. 

  

I didn't understand why he cried at my very first viewing. As an adult, I now understand. Schindler was crying because he realized just how much one human life was worth. At the beginning of the story, all Schindler wanted to do was to make money and he needed workers so he would use the Jews to help his factory. There was nothing notable about him, no hint of character. But when the moment came, when he realized the horrors and suffering the Jews endure, it awakened his conscience and prompted him to sacrifice his money/everything to save them from any more pain. In so doing he saved the lives of 1,200 people who would have otherwise perished in the holocaust. He went beyond the realm of help and because of what he did for them, they were able to live and rebuild their lives.

Yes, I was certainly moved by the story and it has affected to the point where I needed to post an entry on my experience with it and yet I wonder why? What purpose? I would never write (or this case type) this about any other movie. This is movie is supposed to serve a purpose and the filming of Schindler’s List inspired Mr. Spielberg to create the USC Shoah Foundation to record the testimony of Holocaust survivors. In seeing this, I find my answer. In the same way that Oskar Schindler was moved, albeit slowly, to save the lives of 1,200 people, in the same way that Steven Spielberg was moved to create the USC Shoah Foundation, we must be moved to strive to make the world a better place. Most people who have watched this movie have been touched and yet have moved on with their lives. They tell their friends how powerful it was to them and recommend it, but that's all. We must do more, especially at this time given the political climate in the United States (and in many other countries around the world) right now. The film can be a tool to be used in educating those on the horrors of the Holocaust. To quote the line from the Talmud in the ring given to Schindler by the Jews he saved: “Whoever saves one life saves the world entire.” I am apt to believe if more people see this movie, that more lives can be saved.

And yet there is still more that we must do. Abraham Lincoln said his Gettysburg Address, “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work... It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain...” In context, Lincoln was acknowledging that anything he or anyone else said at that ceremony on November 19, 1863 were just words, and those words were nothing in comparison to what the soldiers went through and gave during that battle of Gettysburg a few months before. He also gave to us, the living, a call to action, a resolve to complete “the unfinished work” being preserving the Union and its ideals of equality, liberty, and freedom. Today in 2018, our unfinished work is that these stories and testimonies of those who experienced the Holocaust are remembered and that the “dead shall not have died in vain.” Slowly the survivors and their times will become history and there will be those who will claim that their stories are false and have no merit. We must defend against such people by educating more young people about those events, instructing them to stand up against injustice, and help them understand that in doing so they can prevent another holocaust from occurring.

As for me personally, I am going to start reading books about the holocaust, beginning with Schindler's List (the book adapted for the film) by Thomas Keneally, donate some money to the USC Shoah Foundation and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) in Washington, D.C., reach out and perhaps volunteer and/or raise money for those organizations, pay a visit to USHMM and pay my respects in person at the grave of Oskar Schindler, located at the Catholic cemetery on the southern slope of Mount Zion, in Jerusalem, Israel. I want to share what I have learned with others who want to learn. I want this experience to make me a better person. I want to be what I want to see in others. I need to embrace the change and seek out opportunities, learn from my mistakes instead of making excuses, listen and learn more with an open mind, do random acts of kindness even if nobody sees me while not expecting anything in return, live up to my full potential, and make wise decisions while reminding myself that it is never too late to make a difference. If Oskar Schindler could redeem himself then maybe I could as well.

In conclusion, I hope that throughout the rest of my life, whether it long or short, that I will perpetually honor the six million, who could not be here, through my words and deeds. I dedicate this journal entry to the memory of the countless victims among them and to the life, legacy, and memory of Oskar Schindler.