make a difference one child at a time

www.invisiblechildren.com

help...not only because you should, but because you can

...imagine not being able to protect your own children

JAPAN!

Japan is definitely one of my favorite countries in the world. Everything about it, from the people to the architecture to the history, is so beautiful. I’ve never before imagined the possibility of a city built around a mountain where the fusion of urban life and nature works so well. If you get tired of roaming the streets, you can take a cable car to the top of Mt. Rokko and explore the herb gardens there that look out over Kobe. I found myself completely fascinated with everything Japanese because I kept looking at in a New York context. It was like the city, only everything was in Japanese and the Japan Rail is way more efficient then the subway system. It’s also extremely clean and there are parks in almost all city centers for people to enjoy the outdoors whenever they feel like it. There are even public libraries in the parks so you can check out a book and read it there. I realized that Japanese society is very much about living well and doing what works. It’s an extremely sustainable place, both environmentally and mentally, and the people who live there seem very relaxed and happy. Most people walk or ride their bikes everywhere and the pace of life (while somewhat fast-paced) is still quite tranquil. I know this wounds weird, but maybe the coolest thing we did there was go to the movies. The theater was located on the ninth floor of a high-rise building and it felt like more of a night at the Met then it did a night at the movies. There was assigned seating and tickets were almost $20. That’s maybe the only negative thing about Japan- it is super expensive. I bought some Hello Kitty gum that was $6. Other than that, Kyoto was nice and I loved how ancient palaces exist within modern society. Can you even imagine a castle just chilling next to Madison square garden? That’s somewhat how Japan is. Anyway, now that I’m a chopstick expert and an official world traveler, I’ve been trying to fill the endless hours on the ship. We’re five days into our eight-day trip to Hawaii and then it’s about five more days after that to the US. It’s so strange that I’m about to be home. While I’m ready to return, I’m overwhelmed at the same time with everything I just experienced. It’s crazy when you realize that no matter you do, you’re perception of life and everything surrounding the context of living is forever altered. And even though our voyage is about to come to an end, it’s something I could never possibly forget because it has made an irreversible impact on my life.

the great stairs of china

Vietnam was by far the best traveling experience I have had. The first day a few of us found a taxi driver to take us to the Cu Chi tunnels where the soldiers hid during the war. It was unbelievably surreal walking on the paths and exploring the tunnels because all I could imagine was that it was once all real. It was just some fun adventure for us but in retrospect we had the opportunity to see our history books come alive. I pictured the soldiers in the underground kitchen cooking while American troops walked above them, unable to detect their location. Driving through the countryside was also amazing because we were outside of Ho Chi Minh City and we got to see the way people really live there. I couldn't believe that in a place where people were once so wronged by Americans, no one had any resentment towards us. Instead they were eager to try and communicate with us and help us get where we were going. Someone said to us, well thank God there's no oil in Vietnam...then we would really have problems. On the second day I went to the Mekong Delta and got to ride on the boats and visit a fishing village. We spent the last three days at Mui Ne beach on the coast which is about three hours from HCMC. We met up with Steph (my roommate from school) and it was so much fun. Our hotel was called full moon beach resort and it was perfect. The rooms were all so beautiful and they surrounded a long pool in the middle. I felt like we were living in a tropical cottage. The deck where we ate breakfast overlooked the beach and we got to sit around and watch the kite surfers. The bus ride back to the ship on the last day was hectic to say the least but we made it. I miss Steph so much already and I can't wait to see her when she gets home from Australia.
After three days on the ship, we arrived in Hong Kong. I only spent one day there because the next morning I got on a plane to fly to Beijing. The great wall was crazy. It really should be called the great staircase of China. Somehow we all seemed to miss the fact that the great wall is really miles of steps. After almost two hours of step climbing, we reached the top. I definitely understand now why it's one of the seven wonders of the world. We also went to a really crazy Chinese acrobat show. The lights reminded me of a bisco show and on top of that, I got the watch people perform some of the most ridiculous stunts ever. I was convinced that someone was going to fly off the stage (especially the little boys who were Kyle's age...I was really worried about them). Now we have two days until Japan and then it's the long 14 day stretch until we arrive in San Diego. I can't believe it's almost over. Time really does fly when you're having the time of your life. At the same time though, I'm really excited to come home. I along with a many others on the ship have recently come to the conclusion that we love America and we love our lives there. I am SO lucky to be me.

my very first bad week at sea

I’ll start with the bad news first since the good news is totally worth waiting for. So about five days ago my computer crashed. I took it to the tech guys and they said there was nothing they could do. Then I found a kid on the ship who thought that he could at least retrieve some of my files off of the hard drive. He couldn’t do anything so then another kid looked at it…same story. Basically, I no longer have a computer and I won’t have one again until I get home and buy myself a Macbook (I will never get a PC ever again…EVER). What this means for all of you is that my communication is going to be extremely limited. There are about 25 computers on the ship for public use and they are all taken 95% of the time. The other problem with the computer situation is that I also no longer have a computer on which to edit my documentary film. I just missed the add/drop period so my only option is to take an F or an incomplete in the course (and as a result have to finish my movie when I get a computer this summer). Right now I’m still trying to figure it all out so nothing is set in stone. The class requires a laptop and software (since the ship doesn’t even have the editing software on any of the computers) so I’m pretty outraged that they won’t even consider letting me withdraw. Aside from the computer issue, I need to use the internet A LOT less. I’ve already spent $1,000 on internet (just from updating my blog and checking e-mails…you really can’t imagine how slow it is) so on top of paying off internet minutes and trips this summer, I will be paying off a $1,500 computer. Sooo don’t think I’ve forgotten about you if you don’t hear from me, I just don’t want to be in debt for the rest of my life. I’ve also been extremely overwhelmed with course work in general. Now that UVA has taken over, semester at sea is really really hard. Bucknell doesn’t seem to realize this and they still require that we take 5 classes instead of the standard four. I have an unbelievable amount of work to get done between now and Vietnam and Vietnam and China. As you can imagine, it was a very stressful week, especially when the doctor pulled an April fools joke on everyone and had the entire ship believing that there was a leprosy outbreak on board. I was literally crying. Then, I got an e-mail from the registrar at school saying that I didn’t get into the one English class I still need to complete my major. So now I have to spend more internet minutes trying to find another class. I went so far as to buy a $20 calling card the other day so I could cry and complain to dad the way I usually do in a crisis and lo and behold, it didn’t work- icing on the cake. However, in retrospect none of this matters because I’m living on a ship traveling around the world AND…



I GOT MY INTERNSHIP I GOT MY INTERNSHIP I GOT MY INTERNSHIP!!!!!!!

So even though things seem to suck really bad right now…I get to live and work in NYC this summer (that’s right Nicole, I’m moving in)! So at least now I have a means of paying off my debt. I got the e-mail from Fleishman-Hillard today and I can’t even tell you what a relief it was. Finally something went right this week because…
I GOT MY INTERNSHIP! Also…I’ll try and post a Malaysia update soon. I can’t afford to do pictures because it takes about 20 minutes for them to load so my wonderful words of wisdom will just have to do. But I can say that the Cameron Highlands were UNBELIEVEABLE- one of the most beautiful places on earth is located in Malaysia on a mountain 6,500 ft. above sea level.

sooo i just found out that the sas postcards aren't really working which is really bad because i just sent one to basically everyone. so just so everyone knows, if you've emailed me...i've written back you just may not have gotten it and i don't have time or internet minutes to resend them through my email account.

artificial civilization

India, how have we forgotten you? Once upon a time there was an industrial revolution and we were consumed by bits and pieces. We were blinded by pollution. Our mothers and fathers, they lost their way among the skyscrapers. They couldn’t see past the glistening gleam of the lights but they never meant to lose their direction. No, that route was a governmental creation. Each mile marked by a commercial enterprise, each turn carved by a little green paper known for its endless elation. They never understood the path they were taking or the lives they were breaking. You have our coca cola and our blue jeans too. Yet when it comes to your children and your women and other recluses, we drown our guilt in labels and excuses. Oh India, I hope we can remember you while we still have the chance. Years of oppression continue and I can feel all of that hate.

India, what about equality? There are only so many lives that can be pulled from a violent ocean. Your women must be free from their gold shackles and released from their jeweled prisons. Even the richest of the rich are as poor as the poorest because they are not permitted inside or out to explore. Bound by a 2,000 year old tradition, their minds and their bodies are limited to exclusion. Morphing and molding and melding and welding- change is the only way to end this undue intrusion. All of these possibilities for societal advancement are forced to float lifeless in limbo- a place that exists somewhere between the earth and sky and was created by an unknown mind and an unseen eye. Oh India, please help us save your women and perpetuate the futures of your children. You can still revise your present to secure your fate.

India, do you know how much you have taught me? If I could hold your pain in the palm of my hand, I would fall into the ground and forever remain under the land. I know now that what I believe is real and what is real is the truth. There was a time when I existed in a world of deception, where I was taught to think that happiness is a right and for everyone life is about perfection. Then I went on a journey with you as my destination. I arrived and soon understood that poverty doesn’t promote delight and starvation ends in a certain and brutal fight. Oh India, you opened my mind and slipped a simple reminder inside. You told me never to forget what I saw and to spread the truth before it’s too late.

the first picture is of one of the first beggars that i saw when i got to india. the look in his eyes was so painful and sad. when i have him a dollar, he looked like he was about to cry. the next is a typical street in the marketplace...capturing the roads with cars is basically impossible because they're really crowded and dangerous. the last is of me leaving the village carrying all of my stuff. it was then that i realized how much i really have in the literal and figurative sense.