I figured out that I need to spend some time alone in order to keep from stressing out. So the next day when everyone went down to the beach to swim, I stayed back to just relax in the condo. I got to practice some tajweed and read some of the books I brought with me. My relaxing was cut short however when one of my friends lost her glasses in the choppy waves (in her defense, the water was very choppy and she hadn't even gone in really far but got knocked over.) But since I hadn't planned to do water that day, I was free to drive her around town to get some replacements--quite an adventure. We also did some shopping and it wasn't so bad really.
The next day I decided to rent a bicycle, something I'd meant to do early on. We went to the aquarium, and as we observed all the different kinds of fish I couldn't help but hope they would all make du'a for me when I go out to seek knowledge about Islam. That afternoon I also spent some time alone, and that evening took the bike and went for a little ride. Came back feeling much better actually--and from there, things kept improving.
The next two days I did go down to the water and swam for a little while. I went to the pool a few times, once teaching one of my friends how to swim (or really just how to float.) I took some walks on the beach, alone and with company. One night did putt-putt golf and go-carts with one friend, and one day I went up to Fort Macon (which wasn't far from where we were staying) on my bike, by myself. And explored it. I had gone once before with my family but it was neat to do it by myself.Fort Macon is a military fort on the North Carolina coast (obviously) that was built prior to the Civil War and was used in the Civil War and the Spanish-American War before being turned into a State Park, considered to be defunct. And then it was used again in World War II when U-boats were disrupting shipping off the NC Shores.
What was pretty interesting at the Fort though was the "Civil War" history. While upon occasion you would find the words "Civil War" on displays, it was much more common to see, as shown in this photo, the war called "The War Between the States." This particular room (the sign is on a door) contained information about the Fort's importance during that war. Pretty early on it was actually captured by Union forces (in case you didn't know that North Carolina was part of the Confederacy) and turned into a prison during the Reconstruction. I found this to be kind of amusing, the determination used in re-naming the war. I was always taught to call it the "Civil War" although I know some of my fellow Southerners used this term, as well as the "War for Southern Independence" and the "War of Northern Aggression" as we get progressively more biased.
And this I found in the bookstore--I actually thought about getting it for my mom, who considers her culture to be "Dixie" and the Confederacy (or "The South") the land of her birth. According to the cover, this book lays out the argument the the South (Confederate States) were legitimate in their secession from the United States, and that the North actually invaded. It's interesting though, that Southerners while they justify the actions of the South are not justifying slavery. I don't think so anyway. I think ultimately for them it's about States' rights. While in school we're mostly taught the other perspective that it was more an issue of slavery. Anyway. The North won... and I think that's probably better!So I came back on Saturday and promptly went to a friend of mine's wedding--it was quite lovely--and then spent some time with my brother's lovely fiancee. And now Monday means back to work, and I go back to school next Wednesday--for those of you stalker types who like to know what I'm up to, there ya go!
Anyway... now that my life is boring again perhaps the blogging can resume, inshaaAllah!
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4 comments:
As-Salaamu 'alaikum,
The "War Between the States" is, as I understand it (and I've never been to that part of the world), the traditional southern term for what is known elsewhere as the Civil War. The world would have been a very different place had it not been for the north's victory; the West would probably not have been settled as quickly as it was, and parts of it would have remained in Spanish/Mexican hands; the USA itself would probably have been much less powerful and would have faced other secession campaigns and possibly defections to Canada. This would have had obvious knock-ons in the wars in the 20th century; assuming World War I had still happened, it might well have been won by Germany, or else by the Allies on much less onerous terms for Germany, which would have meant no Hitler.
It's debatable that slavery would have persisted well into the 20th century had the south won. There were influential southerners who opposed slavery, and world opinion was mounting against it. Many other New World states had slavery and it had been abolished everywhere by the end of the 19th century (I think Brazil was the last to abolish it, by emperor Peter II's decree). It's possible that it would have been much less acrimonious; you would not have had the north briefly intervening and then letting the resentful southern whites to their own devices, and so the Jim Crow era would not have happened. But that's only speculation.
Wa alaikum as-salaam
People in the South do I guess say "War Between the States" but I'm not sure it's "traditional" or not. It's not what I was taught (in school or at home) but I lived in the city, so maybe in the countryside podunky places they say this.
That's an interesting analysis you have. I never really thought about what would have happened if the South was successful in their secession.
Amy,
Not sure if you've ever been to Alabama or that area, but I have relatives from there who do indeed call it the War Between the States. I've also got a few relatives who do, in fact, refer to it as the War of Northern Agression. They are very, very deeply invested in being 'good ol' Southern boys'.
-Amber
interesting blog you got there.
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