elanya

I am going to be talking about the Hmong in my class next week, so I have been reading a lot about them - about their history, the Silent War in Laos, how they were used by the CIA to fight local communists, and then abandoned after the Americans withdrew from the area and the Pathet Lao took over the country.

Many made a difficult, peril-filled journey to refugee camps in Thailand, the larges of which was Ban Vinai. The camp was closed in 1992, and many of the remaining Hmong were sent back to Laos, or forced to emigrate to other countries.

Those who returned to Laos still face problems with the local government because of their involvement in the war. Some never left Laos, and are, along with their families, still actively targeted by Laotian troops.

One of the things I came across during my image hunts was this slide show hosted by the New York times, and the related story talking about the experiences of Hmong groups who are essentially still on the run, almost 35 years after the 'end' of the war...

Well, that was fun!

No program, though, so it was difficult to tell who wrote the damned thing but the internets come to the rescue! I do wonder how much was add libbed, but such is the nature of these things. The local troupe did a pretty decent job, I think, and it was highly enjoyable. There is another showing tomorrow - last night, I believe.

Now, i am unexpectedly sleepy. How odd!

I kind of want to make an Avatar Rokku/Aang vid to this song. (Err, not that kind of slash ;p) Alas I don't have time :/ (lyrics).

I'm going to a play! :D

The Complete Works of Shakespeare, Abridged.

Should be fun :D

Tomorrow is a long day for me. I have class at 8:30, including a test I possibly haven't revised for enough. I have another afternoon class. I want to try and finish one of my papers. I have a ticket to go see the Whirling Dervishes of Rumi at 7 (I think - i really out to pick that up tomorrow morning :p).

However, I might have a chance to go to the SAA tomorrow night. I would rather not go then, for a variety of reasons, including that it is an important day for me that I'd rather not spend organizing myself for spontaneous travel, and hey, I already decided to go see the Dervishes even though i'm surrounded by heathens who show no interest, *and* spent the money. So I guess I'll hold out and see what the weekend brings. Hey CV - any chance of crash space in Austin for a night or so? :V

harry Potter and the Naked Rider?

I would go see that, though. I like the play, creepy as it is. I think that was one of my first dates with Joel, actually, going to see Equus :o And DR is a good actor, and Kenneth Brannagh is also keen... I can just imagine him recruiting people to audition while on the set for Chamber of Secrets whenever ago that was ;)

It's been a long time since I went to see a play.... On the other hand I saw a poster advertising that there are Taiko drummers coming to A&M on Feb 16... I wonder if anyone would go with me? And how much they are, that too :o I should also look into the ballet stuff in Houston or Austin or wherever it was that had cheapass student tickets.