This is for Jenna....

So I just finished reading my roommates blog about risks, the new year, life in general and I just realized that there is only one day left in 2008. HOLY CRAP! How have I not noticed the date? Where did December go? Was there Christmas this year? Why have I not looked at a calendar? Did I not see the sun rising and setting?

.STOP.

This is what I am doing...Stopping. The windy city has kept me in perpetual motion and now I am sitting trying to remember the details of my year. I cannot believe how much I have packed into 365 days. (reflecting) Wow 2008 has been a really good year. I have experienced and learned so much. (reflecting) It is now time to take everything I experienced & learned and apply it.2009 is the year to travel and accomplish...beginning with my trip to Uganda....which is in 3 days....I am not prepared...that's probably good not to prepare....I am going to prepare less this year....stop planning my life so much...I got too caught up in planning in 2008.

Wow I'm leaving for Africa in 3 days.

This is fantastic!

Thao

PHENOMINAL!

This is my new favorite photographer..please take the time to look at his website..specifically An American Self Portrait. Chris Jordan

This song is getting me through finals

Everybody Daylight by Brightblack Morning Daylight

I'm Freezing My Toukas Off!

For some insane reason I let my friend Tatiana convince me to think that it would be a good idea to run a 5k this Sunday....what was I thinking!? I decided today of all days to start preparing for Sunday....again what was I thinking!? I was having another particularly wonderful morning and said "What the hell I'll go for a run...it's kinda snowing, but it looks nice." So I bundled in my long johns, scarf, hat, gloves, hoodie, and bounded out of the doors into the Arctic!
I continuously told myself that I wasn't cold...that I was actually enjoying the cold gloomy day. I have to say that lying to myself worked. I was able to put the cold behind me and enjoy the day.

I started to think about nature, the seasons, weather etc. I am very good at appreciating the spring flowers, soaking in the sun in the summer, and thoroughly enjoying every aspect of my favorite season, fall. I have always HATED winter. It's dead, gloomy, cold, gray, frigid, gelid, nippy, expired, smoky..did I mention cold. Today was different though, I actually tried to find some good in winter. I feel that we need to appreciate every aspect of life...even the parts we hate. As I was running the snow began to fall faster and in bigger flakes. They were flying in my eyes and attaching themselves to my hat. In that moment I realized the real reason I don't like winter. I don't like it because I have to actually take the time out of my busy day to look for something beautiful. During the spring flowers and trees are growing, budding, popping right out at you. Summer..well is summer..colors are vivacious, and again popping out at you. The fall has magnificent leaves, temperatures, smells, feelings..it's hard not to fall in love...no pun intended. We like to be lazy and have beautiful things find their way to us instead of seeking them out. Winter is a wonderful season because it breaks us out of the monotonous routine. Winter helps us remember that WE ARE LIVING! We need to wake up and start realizing the things around us.

With that said...go outside...right now...I know it's cold..but do it.
Walk around for as long as it takes for you to not only find something beautiful, but that makes you think...makes you feel.

Gram-Cracker

Yesterday was my Grandmother's (Gram-cracker as I like to call her) 93rd birthday. It's amazing the health she is in..good vision, sharp mind, a little hard of hearing but other than that wonderful health..she's a little firecracker. She told me all about her day spent with her seniors group....and she is most certainly their senior. They gobbled down a turkey feast, talked, laughed, and sang happy birthday (which was a huge surprise for her). "The phone hasn't stopped ringing, I feel like a celebrity." Well, to me she is a celebrity. She has seen and experienced more than anyone could ever imagine. She is so wise and...funny! I love hearing the things that come out of her mouth. The things that woman knows are astounding!

Going back to the conversations we had with Eustace on Tuesday..we talked about how our society places so much importance on being youthful and beautiful. To me the most beautiful thing is my Grandma. Like the rings on a tree to show their age she has wrinkles, she has thick thick thick wavy white/gray hair, her back is hunched (she has shrunk 7 inches), I feel that is so she can bring herself to our level, she has knobby hands to show the work that she has done, and a cute little laugh...quite a youthful laugh actually. Her wisdom is by far the most beautiful thing about her.
Today we don't trust or honor our elders and we certainly don't look to them for advice like we should. We look to other youths for advice and guidance and end up even more lost. Elderly people have the answers. I really feel that the youth of today are missing out on something great. Our culture has it so backwards...age, wisdom, and experience are things that are beautiful.
When I get old to be 93 I hope I have lots of wrinkles, lots of stories and I hope I shrink so I can humble myself to the new generation's level.

Another fantastic day has occurred!

Tonight I had the opportunity to see Eustace Conway speak. For those of you who don't know who Eustace is.. he is a man that has stepped out of our world and into the real world...nature. To name a few things he has done...lived in a tepee...rode cross country on horseback...kayaked across Alaska...accumulated thousands of acres in North Carolina where he runs a camp (Turtle Island) endured physical pain..and overcome what many said he could not do. He truly is "The Last American Man."

I feel so inspired after tonight's talk that I am completely speechless. I am having a very difficult time trying to put into words how I am feeling. The first thing I thought about after he was done talking was "I really want to hug him." I didn't have anything to say to him that he hasn't already heard before...I just wanted to hug him and say "thank you!" So I got out of my seat and finally got the courage to approach him...no I didn't get to hug him but I did shake his hand. Tomorrow will be a continuation of tonight's talk and I am really looking forward to it.

There have been many parts from the book and things that he said tonight that will have an everlasting impact on how I view the world around me, but something that really stuck with me is his simple statement, "When I see something I don't like or see something that is wrong, I change it." So simple. There are so many things in the world that are wrong and that I don't like and rather than complaining about it I need to just change it. Walk out the door and change it.

Things are beginning to pop into my head now from tonight's talk. Two things he also talked about...#1.death #2.role models.
So many of us are afraid to do what Eustace is doing because we are scared to die. What if we can't survive on our own? What if we aren't as strong as Eustace? What if we get sick? One of the many differences between Eustace and other Americans is the fact that he is not afraid of death. He is not scared to be extreme or to put himself in those situations. This sparked a question in my mind...am I afraid to die?...my answer is no. I know that I have only been on this earth for 2 decades, but looking over the course of those 2 decades and even over the course of the past 2 years I have accomplished a lot. I am happy and content with my life and I know that if I died tomorrow I would have lived a fulfilling life. I love my life and I am completely pleased with every aspect of it. I think that Americans need to open their eyes and truly start living. We need to be grateful for everything around us...notice the small stuff...the trees...smells...feelings...smiles...warm weather...cold weather...clouds ...sounds...laughter. If we begin to recognize everything around us we are able to gain a better appreciation of life.

He also talked about role models and how important they are for us have. I started thinking of role models in my life and the first three that came to my mind were
#1. Jesus
#2. Eustace Conway
#3. My brother Kurt
These three role models have had a huge impact on my life thus far. I know there are many more, but these three are at the top of the list.

These are just a few thoughts...I am quite tired and am probably not making very much sense ...so I will leave you with this...have you changed something today? Have you helped someone today?...if not I encourage you to do so tomorrow.. peace love and goodnight!

meep.

The Axoloti is my new favorite animal.

Empowered.

I am floating....My mind..my heart...my spirit is breaking through my skin and being released through my hands..my feet..my head and slowly lifting my body off the ground. I am shaking with excitement...I have butterflies tickling the lining of my stomach...I am laughing out loud! It is raining and cold...I don't care.I am happy...empowered...inspired...hopeful.

I just experienced probably one of the best hour and 30 minutes of class time that I have ever experienced in my life.
The class was all about Art Activism.
Naomi Natale (age 24 at the time) had a vision, after spending time in Kenya, to raise awareness and money for orphans in Africa. She turned her vision into a project called The Cradle Project. Asking artists from around the world to create cradles out of used materials she created an event that raised $90,000 for orphans. Now 26, she is currently working on her next project
1 million bones (which I am going try to help with).
After leaving class I felt so inspired and so happy to know that it truly is possible to execute what I want to do with my life. It was as if someone dumped a bucket of hope all over me. I almost jumped out of my seat screaming with excitement! "I KEE KEE KA!"...as Celine Dion would say.

So whadda ya say....how about we change the world!?

Keep Breathing

The storm is coming but I don't mind
People are dying, I close my blinds

All that I know is I'm breathing now

I want to change the world
Instead I sleep
I want to believe in more than you and me

But all that I know is I'm breathing
All I can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing now

All that I know is I'm breathing
All I can do is keep breathing.
All we can do is keep breathing

All we can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing
All we can do is keep breathing now

-Ingrid Michaelson

"Excuse me...where's the washroom?"

THE OUTSIDE

THE INSIDE

A song that I have on repeat

"...Out of relative obscurity, discover the mission, fulfill it or abandon it"

There have been 2 moments in my 2 decades on this earth when I have felt a real connection to my country. #1 being September 11 #2 today. It's another beautiful 70 degree day in Chicago, something that never occurs in November, so I decided to go for a run. Grant Park has been gated off from Roosevelt to Monroe, Michigan to Lakeshore. I ran the perimeter of the Park and observed the people, the media, and the security. People are walking, laughing, talking, and participating. There has been so much hype about riots and the possibility of deaths that it's refreshing to see people happy and relaxed.

The whole notion of rioting seems completely ridiculous to me.
I truly believe that everything in life happens for a reason. I have lived by this thought process since I was young a child and I feel this same way about the election...no matter who wins. It will be a great and exciting time in America's history if Obama wins, but if he doesn't win his goals for change don't have to stop with the end of the election. We live in a Democratic nation...that means we the people have power. Why are we relying on one person to change everything? Change begins within each one of us. As a nation we should be united and work toward the change we want to see...we can't always wait around for a revolutionary figure to come along. If we riot tonight, if we get upset that just means we are giving up on change. Wouldn't Barack want this night to be peaceful and just? If people fight, or kill they are abandoning everything Obama says he stands for and makes me question if they ever really believed in what he preaches.
So for tonight I challenge America to be adults, to be responsible, respectful, peaceful, and begin creating change.

Peace and Love

How to make A Perfect Monday

Ingredients
1.Refreshingly crystal blue sky (better to have too much than not enough)
2.Crushed dried leaves (adds texture and aroma)
3.A large amount of sunshine (this will warm you up on any day)
4.A dash of fresh yellow leaves (they complement the crystal blue sky quite nicely. A perfect finishing touch)
5.Must be prepared at 70 degrees
6.last but not least...a book and some music! (Shine by Trey Anastasio, Blue skies, by Jaymay, New York City by Moe, or November Blue by the Avett Brothers will do just fine)

First you must preheat this day to 70 degrees. Then you take any Monday in November, preferably the first one and be sure to check your email for any unexpected class cancellations. When you have checked on the class cancellations you take a book and your listening device to a perfect fall setting. This could be a park, a lake, or any old picnic table. Be sure to have your face in the direction of the sun (this is quite necessary). Now sit or lay back onto the leaves and dive into that refreshingly crystal blue sky. Close your eyes. Now breath in. Do you smell the aroma?!....If not you should move closer to a tree. Now open your eyes and look at the yellow leaves to see how they compliment the blue. Benissimo! Go ahead....scream benissimo and sigh in satisfaction. You have just created A Perfect Monday!
Enjoy.

Not making a living...just living.

"The economy is shit. Go to grad school and get a masters." 

This is the advice that my teacher gave to my Social Problems in America class. The majority of kids don't need to get a masters since they're going into fields such as advertising, acting, painting etc. When I told her I was a cultural studies major her only response was..."start looking for grad schools."

This whole notion of going to grad school to get a job to get paid a good salary is becoming less and less appealing to me. 

I am currently reading The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert. (also listening to a lot of Brett Dennen) This man, Eustace Conway, hiked the Appalachian Trail, kayaked Alaska, road across the country on horseback,and lived in a teepee throughout his college years. He hunts his food, makes his clothes, and the only possessions he owns are books his mother gave him. 

One day while visiting a friends new apartment he looked around and without hesitation said, "Man, you guys have a lot of material possessions. Just imagine if you took all the money you've spent on theses things and traveled around the world with it, instead, or bought books and read them. Think about how much you'd know about life." As I was reading this I looked around my room at everything that I have...the only question that entered my mind was WHY THE HELL DO I NEED ALL THIS SHIT!? The answer to that question...I don't need it. I don't need any of it. 

"Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle are good ideas, but those 3 concepts should only be the last resort. What you really need to focus on are two other words that also begin with R-Reconsider and Refuse. Before you even acquire the disposable good, ask yourself why you need this consumer product. And then turn it down. Refuse it. You can."

This is so simple...how have I never thought this way before? I don't need "stuff" to be happy or to survive...so why do I have it? 

Steps I am taking to simplify my life...

1. Before I buy something, whether it be food or material objects, I will ask myself why I need it and I will also consider kids in other countries...would they have the means to having these things? If they can't have all these products why should I?

2. I am only going to buy clothing that is made in America..this is my silent protest against sweat shops in other countries. (I understand this will be very difficult and not always possible, but I am going to do my best)

3. start getting rid of all the extra shit that I have. I'm going to give it to people who actually need it. 

4. Start saving my money for travel.

5. I will travel whenever I have the opportunity.

6. Enjoy every minute of everyday...I'm done being stressed. Life is far to short to be stressed and uptight all the time.  

7. Live simply..mentally, emotionally, physically.

8. Take time to reflect and enjoy the earth around me, enjoy people, and begin to open myself up to others. 

9. Be a better listener. I have been far to consumed with what I have to get done that I have not been there for many important people in my life. 

10. empathy. 

This is just the beginning and I already feel at peace, at ease, and content about my new life style. 

Dosey Doing, Banjos, and Yee Ha's

I am currently in pain! Aching...throbbing...pounding...PAIN! My ankle is experiencing an incredible shooting pain and the achilles is feeling much more tender than usual. My legs feel tight and it feels as though I am walking on a million small needles every time my feet make contact with the ground. 

I am in recovery from a 4 hour hippie workout...If you wish to experience this pain you must first find the nearest Yonder Mountain String Band concert. After you have done this and you enter into the venue you MUST feel the banjo deep in your soul and release it's energy through your feet. (this is the most important step..NEVER skip this step) To do this effectively you must jump and kick your heels up like there's no tomorrow. If you feel weary at any moment in this workout you find a partner and do how the hillbillies do....dosey do. Have your partner swing you around as if you're a ball and chain..this will give your feet a few brief moments to relax. The only way to tell if the workout is actually working is if you find yourself belting out a good ole YEE HA! When it feels as though your feet are on fire, your mouth is as dry as sand paper, and you cannot go on any longer....you must! You keep dancing and clapping. Look to a friend or even a stranger for that reassuring smile. This will keep you going. 

When you've reached the point of complete exhaustion and it looks as though you have just finished swimming in the midst of a hurricane you have completed the hippie workout! 

 Peace and Love my friends

A new favorite

This is happening on Earth...not Neptune.

Let's all find the little boy in us...

"He had a filthy towel tied under his jaw as if he suffered from toothache and even by their new world standards he smelled terrible. He had no shoes at all and his feet were wrapped in rags and cardboard tied with green twine and any number of layers of vile clothing showed through the tears and holes in it. Of a sudden he seemed to wilt even further. He leaned on his cane and lowered himself into the road where he sat among the ashes with one hand over his head. He looked like a pile of rags fallen off a cart. They came forward and stood looking down at him.

The boy squatted and put a hand on his shoulder. He's scared Papa. The man is scared.

I don't think you should touch him.

Maybe we could give him something to eat.

The boy took the tin and handed it to the old man. Take it, he whispered. Here.

The old man raised his eyes and looked at the boy. The boy gestured at him with the tin. He looked like someone trying to feed a vulture broken in the road. It's okay, he said.

You should thank the boy you know, the man said. I wouldn't have given you anything.

Maybe I should and maybe I shouldn't.

Why wouldn't you?

I wouldn't have given him mine.

You don't care if it hurts his feelings?

Will it hurt his feelings?

No. That's not why he did it.

Why did he do it?

He looked over at the boy and he looked at the old man. You wouldn't understand, he said. I'm not sure I do.

Maybe he believes in God.

I'm not sure what he believes in.

When he looked back the old old man had set out with his cane, tapping his way, dwindling slowly on the road behind them like some storybook peddler from an antique time, dark and bent and spider thin and soon to vanish forever. The boy never looked back at all."

-The Road

You must NEVER sit in THAT seat on the bus!

"I have a tendency to see the best in people." 

As we took the #62 bus up Dearborn I was informed by my roommate that there is a seat on the bus that women should never sit in. If you are a frequent bus passenger you will know what seat I am talking about. It's the bench seat that faces the front closest to the back door. Women should not sit in this seat because men can grab something from their purse and run out of the bus, steal their necklace, or something else of value. So for our protection it is better to stand rather than to sit in that seat. 

When did the world become so untrustworthy? I am a very trusting person and I always chose to see the best in people but it is getting increasingly harder. I get really upset when I think of all the precautions that women have to take just to get home safely. I find it especially discouraging when I get a phone call from my brother (someone who has always been more of a friend than an older brother) telling me that he is sending me the top quality mace that's out there. I keep my phone and keys in my pocket with my purse zipped up tight just in case I have to whack someone in the face with it when I walk home at night. 

Women get checked out, whistled at, and hit on everyday and it's anything but flattering. We shouldn't walk home alone, or go running at night. We shouldn't set our drinks down, or get too drunk because of what other people might do. We can't trust taxi drivers or even cops for that matter. The list goes on and on with simple precautions that have become such a routine...we don't even notice that we do them anymore. The more I  think of all these safety measures the more frustrated and disappointed I get with the world.

It just doesn't seem fair that we have to try to be this safe every time we walk out our door.  

Miracles fall from the sky

A gift to those he left behind. 2 months 37 miles. 

My Bucket List

I finished watching the movie The Bucket List about 25 min ago...I'm still crying. I've decided to begin a list of my own. 

1. Change someone's life 

2. Start my own non-profit organization

3. Live in Italy

4. Join the Peace Corps

5. Go on a road trip by myself

6. To be in complete silence.."a little pocket of silence-a silence so rare that I didn't want to exhale, for fear of scaring it off."

7. live in a tree

8. Have my family together for Christmas...or any holiday for that matter

9.To live a simple life

10. To help women who don't have a voice in their country and can't get help for themselves

11. create positive social change

12. to continue and carry out my list

.....to be continued

Page 8

Wake up. Stretch. Go to the bathroom. Open blinds. Chop fruit. Pour cereal. Sit down. Read newspaper. Page 8. "His home, His son, His hope--all lost." Cry. Cry. Cry. Cry some more. They fled home. Have no money. No where to go. His son kidnapped. Brutally murdered. No where to go. No hope. Not fair. It's not fair. NOT FAIR! 

 

The 3rd

It sneaks upon me every year. No matter how hard I push it to the back of my mind it always finds its way into my thoughts. It begins the week before and carries on until the day after...no matter how hard I try. 

I sometimes wonder what it would be like...how life would be different. How we would make a cake eat ribs and sing happy birthday. Life would be normal. We would talk and laugh. Eat and drink. Celebrate rather than cry. Instead of remembering the good times we would be enjoying them here an now. Instead of reflecting we would be looking to the future. 

That can't happen and we must accept that. For now we must remember and reflect until the day that we can be together again. 

My Heart is in New Orleans

This past spring break I had an amazing opportunity to go to N.O.L.A. It was the best experience of my life and even that is an understatement. Around this time 3 years ago Katrina struck New Orleans and washed away the lives of many people. Now Hurricane Gustav is on his way in to claim the city for himself. Even though government officials and non-profits are preparing in advance this time there's no telling what damage Gustav will do. 

The way I feel about New Orleans can be compared to a mother and her child. I feel this overwhelming desire to swoop in and try to save it. I feel as if I'm abandoning the people and the city if I don't go. The people down there became apart of my family and I don't want to lose them. I'm sure that many of the people who were on the trip have similar feelings...Nawlins just felt like home. I have a connection with that city and it holds my heart. I now have a better understanding about why the people don't want to leave....to be honest I probably wouldn't either. It's more than just a city..it's a culture..it's home...it's family. 

 

They are in my thoughts prayers and more importantly in my heart. 

I need to powder my nose..

After the last post as soon as I shut my computer it began to rain. I packed up my stuff and thought "hm...what to do with three fountains and rain?".....jump in them of course!! They were mini little spouts of water kind of fountains but fountains nonetheless! So then I kept walking and saw the Alamo ate ice cream and walked along the river. The River Walk reminds me of Venice+The Chicago River+The French Quarter and has every restaurant imaginable!

One complaint that I do have about San Antonio is the lack of bathrooms. As I was driving today I had to pee so bad I considered peeing my pants. I kept saying to myself that a rest area or gas station would appear very soon. Well after saying this to myself for 25 min I was fed up and had to pee on the side of the road...don't get me wrong I love to pee outside and be one with nature..but really get some rest areas out there. The second time I had trouble with the lack of bathrooms was at the river walk. The one and only public restroom was gated off! When I finally returned to the parking garage I saw a gleaming door that said Women's...seriously it was gleaming. As I'm walking towards it my hand is on the knob when this guy tells me I shouldn't use it. WHAT! Why the hell not it's a bathroom. He told me that people go in there to do drugs and it's pretty messy...I say "I've peed in worse I'm sure" I go in and yes he was right it was definitely messy. I tip toed around the pee and realized he wasn't lying. I glanced over and saw syringes...needless to say I peed really fast and got the hell out of there. 

There was one nice bathroom. It was at a gas station off of 281 and this place was the bathroom of all bathrooms...the stalls were freaking HUGE! I do believe they were the size of my room. But hey it's like I said earlier...everything is bigger in Texas. 

Sorry for rambling on about peeing so much but it really felt like the theme of the day.

p.s. I have never seen so many people being arrested or talking to cops about someone who should be arrested than I have in the 5 hours I was in downtown S.A. 

Everything's bigger in Texas....

So I have officially made it back to San Antonio...in 3 1/2 hours this time. I am currently sitting in a beautiful little park surrounded by fountains with a gorgeous old church in the background. The humidity is finally starting to dissipate and a sweet little breeze has found it's way through the buildings. Perfection.

I just had the most amazing meal consisting of blackened mahi mahi rice pilaf grilled veggies topped off with a glass of pinot grigio. I am so content and relaxed after a hectic 5 days. I don't know if it's the breeze or the wine but I could fall asleep right here under this tree. 

This is the perfect time and spot to reflect on my trip and I would first like to thank the city of San Antonio for providing me with free internet right now. 

"We live together, we act on, and react to, one another; but always and in all circumstances we are by ourselves.

....We can pool information about experiences, but never the experiences themselves. From family to nation, every human group is a society of island universes." -Aldous Huxley (Doors of Perception)

I guess the first thing that comes to mind when I think about this trip is learning how to work with people. My roommate (the one I wanted to shove cotton balls in her mouth) Mary Jean could possibly be the most frustrating person I have every met. On one occasion I counted how many seconds she could go without talking....She averaged at 2 sec. and went as long as 17 sec. I found myself becoming increasingly impatient with her and considered smothering her with my pillow one night. The thing is she actually had pretty good stories to tell. After giving birth and raising two mentally handicapped sons she enrolled in college for journalism at the age of 31. (she graduated in 2 years and made it on the dean's list). She has written for magazines newspapers and is currently writing a book. After her son died she gained 60 lbs. To lose the weight she has walked 7 miles everyday since then. At the age of 62 she climbed a mountain in Utah..by herself. She now goes to disasters around the country. 

I guess when I finally really began to learn patience and empathy was when she talked about her son who died. I thought of this saying in Italian L'ho provato sulla mia pelle. Translates to "I have experienced that in my own skin" (I'm considering it as a tatoo option)I to have lost someone close to me. Since these people on this trip are much older than I they have a long history or story to tell. Instead of being frustrated with her I should have maybe realized that she needed someone to talk to..who wasn't family. I felt a little guilty leaving this morning so I left her a note. I wished her good luck on her journeys and told her I hoped to see her again.....which I sincerely mean. I left my email address and I do hope she contacts me. 

I love my chosen major even more now and I am so thankful for the opportunity to come down here. Most of the time I felt useless and over the course of 5 days I really only put in 12 hours of work. I didn't gain any new knowledge of using their computer system but I am leaving here with (I feel) a bigger heart....I guess everything is bigger in Texas. 

peace love and a sprinkle of patience 

"'Cause I got Music, and it makes me feel alright..."

I've compiled a few songs to go onto my "Last Minute Trip to Texas" Soundtrack...if you so choose you can sing along with me. 

In Transit-Albert Hammond Jr.

Music-The Beautiful Girls

With My Own Two Hands and She's Only Happy In the Sun-Ben Harper

Chan Chan-Buena Vista Social Club

If You're Going to San Francisco-The Byrds

Peace Train-Cat Stevens

Title and Registration-Death Cab For Cutie

Here We Go-Dispatch

Seven Bridges Road and Take it Easy-The Eagles

Tiny Dancer-Elton John 

The Golden Road Truckin' Friend of The Devil-Grateful Dead

Do You Remember and Better Together-Jack Johnson

Castles Made Of Sand-Jimi Hendrix

Instant Karma!(We all shine on) John Lennon

Free Bird and Tuesdays Gone-Lynard Skynard

New York City and Nebraska-Moe

Plateau and Oh, Me-Nirvana

Down Home Girl-Old Crow Medicine Show

Hoist(the whole album)Farmhouse (the whole album)Jesus left Chicago and Run Like an Antelope-Phish

Around the World and Road Trippin'-Red Hot Chili Peppers

Shine Come as Melody Tuesday-Trey Anastasio

Women Wine and Song End of the Road The Bottom Half In the Kitchen-Umphrey's Mcgee

Classic Situation-Yonder Mountain String Band

Between the Lines-Whipple Tree Band

Papa's in the Bathroom and The Garden, Pt. 3-Tea Leaf Green

Leaving Trunk-Taj Mahal

The Way We Get By-Spoon

....enjoy

Coffees my drug of choice

still sitting...sitting and waiting and drinking waaaayy too much coffee. I brought 4 books on this trip...I just finished one and I want to start another but I have had waaaayy too much coffee to sit still and concentrate. I think I can feel the blood moving through my veins. It's flowing pumping moving running streaming through my veins. I'm only used to coffee on Sundays..not Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday. I've cut back on the creamer and the sugar and now I'm almost drinking it straight. Straight black and strong. 

.....I need more coffee.  

Kicking some TexAss

So apparently we're doing a great job and they're beginning to send people home. The only thing is is that hurricane Gustav is heading this way. Now they need to decide who stays who goes and who gets re-deployed. Gustav is only a category one so far and the winds have gone from 75 mph to 70 mph. Bad news is that we're expecting torrential down pour for the next week. So now we're all patiently waiting with our eyes glued to the weather channel. The humidity here is 91%. holy hell.

...I also met today the only other college student on this trip! I thought hell yeah I'm not alone after all!!...then he told me he was being out processed to go back to Boston!

My Friend Rodney

I met my friend Rodney (Rod) today as I was about to head back to my hotel room. I was really looking forward to the hour drive.. alone.. with my music when Rod asked me if he could drive with me. Crash. There goes my hour alone to just relax.. to speed.. to go anywhere by myself. I had a very bad attitude about the whole situation.

So we got in the car and headed onto 83 east. We talked about the usual..work..school..family. But then we started having really good conversations...mostly about traveling. He had some really good stories and not only knows a member from Fleetwood Mac but also a really famous author (Steven E...crap I just blanked on the last name but he died about two years ago and one of his books has a connection to Saving Private Ryan). Anyways he asked me to drive him to the bank and as I was about to head back to the hotel he asked if I wanted to go to Olive Garden...umm...hell yeah! Its the first meal I've had in 3 days. (Red Cross Volunteers diet consists of coffee coffee COFFEE!!) So we got dinner and it was so amazing I thought I'd explode.

Rod has skin that almost looks like someone molded him out of wax..he has droopy little brown eyes that are shielded by silver glasses. He has gray/white hair a slight over bite and a round belly. He has an Italian wife and loves her cooking. They travel everywhere together.

.....my friend Rodney.

No Hablo Espanol...

So I realized today that not only am I the minority at the Red Cross Headquarters but also the minority here in the southern most part of Texas. I don't speak Spanish and I'm not apart of a gang.... apparently I'm in gang central. I've been advised not to walk anywhere. When it really truly hit me though was when I was trying to talk to Guadalupe Garcia-Garaz via phone....he immediately hung up on me when I said "yo hablo no ingles?"...so wrong. What I meant to say was "Entiende el ingles?" I tried a few more times to speak Spanish to the clients but they weren't amused or understanding anything I was saying...I've a feeling I'm not in Texas anymore.

Something I have succeeded at doing while I've been here is teaching these Texicans how to drive. You see they tend to drive at least

15-20 mph under the limit and I tend to drive 15-20 mph over the limit...this creates a small problem. To fix this I have come up with a little lesson plan. When they're in my left lane (the speeding lane) I ride up on their ass..when they look in the rearview mirror and give me the look of "what the heck..why is this girl riding so close to me?" I give them a nod to the right...I sometimes have to nod a few times for them to understand and when they finally move over I smile nod my head in approval and drive on by. Congrats on passing Left Lane Etiquette.

5 hours of sleep each night is not enough for me

I have a roommate........I want to shove cotton balls in her mouth. 

Road Trippin'

When I thought I'd be taking a mini road trip I was thinking more along the lines of 2-3 hours...I was wrong. Roma Texas is about 5-6 hours south of San Antonio. In my opinion it should be considered Mexico.

So I hopped in my new little red suv with my pack of V-8 Virginia Slims (I remember why I don't smoke...there are too many reasons to name)animal crackers and headed down 281. I was in good spirits I set all the radio presets to the stations that played the best music had the wind blowing in my face and was ready to conquer Texas.

As I past Corpus Christi song #2 for the soundtrack came on...Bidi Bidi Bom Bom by Selena (may she rest in peace). At this moment I came up with the idea of naming my car (triggered by a scene in the movie Selena..."Selenasis car") I was having some difficulty thinking of a name until I past a sign for a town name Falfurrias (I like to say it with an Italian accent...roll the r's it's fun!). I instantly starting laughing so hard that I almost peed myself...

another town that made me almost pee my pants was Glass Cock hahaha okay so I'm really tired..or just really immature. But anyways back to Falfurria...It's a small town about 2 hours outside of San Antonio...when I say small I mean small...the population was about the size of my high school. So little Falfurria and I ventured into town just to check it out...it reminded me a lot of New Orleans probably because it was a ghost town. I think that's why I liked it so much.

I spent the rest of my time singing..talking to my car..almost crashing my car...driving in the sun...driving in the rain...killing approximately 600 butterflies and one lizard....and planning my next road trip.

At 4:24pm I arrived at the headquarters! I walked in and felt a little out of place...and it wasn't because I didn't have my red cross vest on. I am by far the youngest person down here...by about 35-40 years! Thank God I have a small patch of gray hair growing on the side of my head...I will be making sure those hairs stick up for the next 2 weeks. After talking to about 6 different people trying to figure out what the hell I should be doing I met Joanne who pretty much kicks ass. She's about 75 years old and is taking charge like nobody's business. She filled me in on everything to know and by this time it was 6:30...I was getting pretty damn tired so I found out what hotel I would be staying at....I'm the only one staying an hour away from headquarters. But it is all good my dear friends because now I get to continue spending time with Falfurria and singing to myself...also word on the street is that this hotel has the best free breakfast buffet!

Well it's been a long adventurous day and also one of the best but I am off to bed!

Peace Out

Daybreak Breakfast

I am sitting...sitting sitting sitting. After sitting for 45 min I start to think that this guy left me and went to headquarters without me. I walk to the front desk.."Was there a man from Red Cross that checked out?"..."No Red Cross members checked in after you last night." 

I call Crystal..."They said the man never checked in."..."I was afraid of that, you should go back to the airport and pick up the car."..."I'm only 20."..."oh dear, well I'll see if anyone is flying in today and maybe they could pick you up. I'll call you back." 

10 min later....I CAN RENT THE CAR! chicka chicka yea!! Road trip to the valley by myself with some kick ass Texas music!..This keeps getting better and better

hotel #1

7 am...I just saw my first Texas sunrise and it was beautiful. 

I'm about to go meet another red cross member who I've never met before and I have no idea what his name is or what he looks like. I really hope the guy at the front desk last night remembered to give him my message. If he didn't it could make for a very interesting day for myself. This man is my only way to the the headquarters and to the valley. 

peace and love from room 105

Thai Fable

Makalee Pons are strange female beings which are born from magical trees exist only in Himmapan Forest. The strange tree would yield fruits, and Makalee Pon would come out of these fruits once they are rippen. 

15 minutes from San Antonio

I am currently sitting at gate 25 in Austin Texas. I should be on my way to my hotel in San Antonio but because of weather mechanical problems and lack of fuel I am here. After sitting on the plane for a few hours and almost throwing up on the way down it feels more than amazing to be able to walk around! I feel very grateful for this little layover because I don't think I could have made it through dodging lighting bolts and circling above my destination multiple times over. 

Goodbye Chicago Hello Heart of Texas

"Imagine all the people"...these are the first words that I hear as I exit the blue line and enter into the airport. It seems perfectly fitting for the trip that I am about to take. Song #1 for my "Last Minute Trip to Texas" Soundtrack...Imagine.

I'm not a writer by any means and I hate punctuation because I suck at knowing where to put the comma or colon or semi colon...I choose not to use any. I didn't even really know what a blog was until the past year or two. Many of my friends blog and I'm intimidated by their eloquent way with words. But here I am sitting at gate K4 anticipating my trip and beginning one of my own. I didn't make this decision to create blog but rather was persuaded by a good friend of mine. She told me she wanted to stay updated with my day to day happenings while I'm gone. Of course she moves back to the city the weekend that I'm deployed to Texas!...I miss her something terrible.

As I'm sitting here it's finally hitting me that I am about to walk onto a plane. HOLY CRAP! This is a bit overwhelming. I am going to San Antonio where I've never been before I know no one and I have no idea where I'm staying or what I'm going to be doing. I find the thought of entering the plane more terrifying than I do about my undetermined trip.

Planes freak me out...freak me out!