Now moved to Cruz Yard!!
“There’s nothing to do here but read and sleep and it’s kinda’ starting to get me depressed, which is hard to do really. I’m sure once the summer heat ebbs a bit it won’t be as bad, but it’s so miserable to even leave my room that I don’t go to eat meals. It like 110 degrees in the chow hall and they have to get so many people fed it’s like boot camp- get in, eat fast, and get out. It’s just too stressful, I’d rather not go at all.”
“I’m not used to having to be so alert and on edge and careful all the time. I really feel like I’m adjusting well considering the situation but no matter, I still have moments or days where I have to make a conscious effort not to feel depressed or overwhelmed. It helps to go back through my journal and read my little ‘gratitude statements’. I end up scolding myself for feeling self-pity because in reality I have it good!”
“I read that book on Nelson Mandella and he was locked up in a way worse place than this for 26 years and he got out and had an amazing life. My year left here doesn’t sound so bad compared to that!”
“I added a new gratitude statement to my repertoire…I’m grateful that I don’t have any face tattoos. Some of these girls have their faces all inked up and it is super not-cute!”
“I got in the (outdoor) shower this morning and there were bugs everywhere! Ants, and waterbugs and then a huge cockroach crawled under the door! I was trapped! I had to try and get dressed super fast and wait till it wasn’t in the doorway and make a run for it!