Window Traveler

Universal Feeling

2009-11-05T12:35:00.000-08:00

So this doesn’t necessarily relate to travel, although being the armchair traveler, I am most familiar with visiting places through other peoples experiences in words or songs. Anyway, this also may or may not be a random fact about me (remember those?). I’m not sure, but either way, I feel that this is a valid (although terrifying) truth that should be expressed.

It seems that some (I may be included, you never know) have a problem in every-day life communicating or saying what they feel. I don’t mean about everything under the sun, but about those things that require in-depth personal analysis, or revelation of intimate ideas and feelings. I know others are this way: I’ve dealt with them before (unfortunately). Why does communication get lost or misunderstood so easily? Potential for misunderstanding makes people not want to communicate at all because they feel that they will not be able to get across what they are trying to say or they are just afraid to reveal themselves in such a vulnerable way. When they try, it may come out all wrong and they fear that they shouldn’t have even tried in the first place. Fear bottles people up.

When writers write, or singers sing, or players play, they are not afraid of how they will be perceived. Or at least it seems that way. I don’t know, maybe it’s just a way to cope, a coping mechanism, that singers can say exactly what others are feeling, but feel that it is impossible to say.

I really admire those people that can tell me exactly what I’m feeling without even knowing me and my particular situation. Maybe it’s that they have felt what they are saying at one point in time, but not presently right when they are saying it. That must make it easier.

I can listen to a song or watch a movie and identify completely even to the point where I feel that the piece is written solely for me. Human experience is universal, I suppose. The emotions we feel are not unique to individuals. We all feel them, although maybe not at the same time or in the same way.

I look up to writers like James Baldwin or even to singers and songwriters like Evanescence. Their words are like poetry, invoking tranquility, joy, even wrath. With titles like Nobody Knows My Name, The Fire Next Time, Just Above My Head, and lyrics like “One day I’m gonna forget your name”, or “fear is only in our minds but its taking over all the time” there is no end to the many situations and feelings one can identify with. I know there are so many others but have you ever listened to John Mayer’s Gravity? Wow, does that song resonate with me. I know too that at any other given time when I am not drowning in my sorrow Bigger Than My body gives me chills. I feel like I am living exactly what is being said at that moment. It’s almost biographical.

It’s actually amazing to realize how readily one human being can identify with the experiences that a complete stranger has had. It makes it seem so trivial to be racist, sexist, or whatever other form of discrimination is out there. It’s sobering to realize that throughout the human experience we have such a limited range of emotions and responses to experiences that a songwriter thousands of miles away knows exactly how someone else is feeling going through a break-up or other tough situation that they couldn’t have possibly have guessed without knowing first-hand. I suppose that emotions such as love, fear, joy, anger, and so on cannot be escaped or denied by any.

Quebec City, Canada

2009-10-01T16:29:00.001-07:00

While looking through a Budget travel magazine I happened upon a small advertisement for Canadian travel. The city profiled was Quebec City, a 500 year old city where the locals speak French just an hour flight from New York City. I’ve always wanted to go to France and to think, this little town seemed much more accessible right outside my home state instead of thousands of miles across the Atlantic.

Quebec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in the province.
Quebec City is internationally known for its Summer Festival,Winter Carnival, the Chateau Frontenac Hotel which stands out across the sky line and the street famous for its shops - Rue Du Petit-Champlain.

The Festival d'été, or Summer Festival which originated in 1968 is organised by groups of businesspersons and artists of Quebec City in order to show the artistic, economic, and touristic potential of the area. The Festival lasts 11 days and takes place over the first week of July. The Festival presents hundreds of genres in musical shows in various indoor and outdoor venues throughout the city.

The Carnaval de Quebec or Winter Carnival is an annual festival that takes place in Quebec City. The festival typically starts on the first Friday of January and continues for 17 days and ends when other areas in the world begin to celebrate Mardi Gras. Its activities include sleigh races, snow slides, skiing, snow rafting, snow sculpture contests and more. The winter festival is the largest winter celebration in the world with close to one million attendees.

The Château Frontenac hotel is another popular attraction here. It is not the tallest building in Quebec City, but overlooking the Saint Lawrence River, it is the most prominent feature of the city’s skyline, thus a symbol of the city.

Old Quebec City offers a variety of shopping opportunities on rue du petit-Champlain. One of the oldest commercial districts in North America, the Quarter petit-Champlain is also one of the most scenic areas. The stores and bistros are made of cobblestone and wood and have an old world charm and offer the best souvenirs and authentic cuisine to be found in Old Quebec.

World's Prisons

2009-08-26T17:14:00.000-07:00

There are now over 8.5 million men, women and children in prison. Some are just being held; others have been convicted and sentenced. Half of this number is in three countries: the US,Russia and China. The conditions of each prison vary from country to country, with some no different than hotels with locked doors to those no better than a hole in the ground.

www.restorativejustice.org/resources/docs Daniel W. Van Ness 24 May 2001

Bang Kwang, Bangkok
Most corrupt

In Bang Kwang prison in Bangkok, Thailand, there are no facilities such as a proper exercise yard or sporting facilities, or anything else except bare cells. Brutal beatings are common. Corruption is endemic and the only way to survive without going crazy or ending it all is to stay on heroin, which can be bought from the guards, if you are lucky enough to have money.

Perpignan, France
Harshest Treatment

Perpignan prison in France is where Frank W. Abagnale, an American con artist who specialised in phoney checks, spent six months in the late 1960s. Abagnale was thrown, naked, into a cell in which he could not lie down or stand up and was kept in total darkness. He was not let out of that cell until he was released. He had no means of grooming or cleaning himself, and was fed food that had been thrown through his cell door onto the floor at irregular intervals. The sole amenity was a bucket which was not emptied very often.

Mark S. Lawson - posted Friday, 11 June 2004
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=2281

San Pedro Prison, Bolivia
Most Backward

Convicts at San Pedro in Bolivia have to pay rent for a cell and they all have jobs within the prison. A large number have partners and children staying with them and tourists/backpackers are allowed to enter the prison but must be accompanied by a tour guide (a prisoner) for “safety reasons”. Tourists can even stay the night in a cell for a small fee and a large number of them frequent the jail in order to buy cocaine from inmates as it’s apparently the purest and cheapest in Bolivia. It’s also been suggested that local police only enter the facility to collect bribes.

Kresty Prison, St. Petersburg, Russia
Most Overcrowded

Russia’s prisons have a reputation for being the most overcrowded on earth, especially Kresty Prison in St. Petersburg. The official capacity is set at 3,000, but the actual population is always at least 10,000. Each prisoner is also said to only be allowed 4 square meters of space each and 15 minutes a week (a week!) to shower.

ADX Supermax, Florence, Colorado
Most Secure

This ‘high-tech alcatraz’ was opened in 1994 and is home to only the most violent and dangerous criminals in the country who have absolutely no contact with each other at any time and spend 22 hours per day in solitary confinement (cell size 7ft x 8ft). Any prisoner here has been convicted to no less than a 25 year sentence, pretty much ensuring that security be a top priority.

Leoben Justice Centre, Steiermark – Austria
Best-looking

This prison, located in Steiermark, Austria, has been rated as a five-star prison, if such a thing exists. Created by hohensinn architektur, Leoben Justice Centre is perhaps one of the most attractive and most comfortable prisons in the world. Alluding to the level of comfort are the two inscriptions on the prison’s perimeter: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights,” which is taken from The United States Declaration of Independence, and “Each of the persons deprived of their liberty must be humanely and with respect for the inherent dignity of the human being treated.

http://www.uphaa.com/blog/index.php/strangest-prisons/

Zdravo!!

2009-08-26T17:04:00.000-07:00

It's been a while, but i'm back with more interesting and weird topics to entertain and (hopefully) shock you in the months to come. Enjoy!!!

World Music

2009-03-09T16:55:00.000-07:00

I thought it fitting that my blog, which is mainly about travel and different things around the world, should include some international music. While there’s so much to choose from, I picked a few styles that stood out for me, to share. They are as follows along with a playlist of songs from artists in each of the genres (If you can't see the playlist, but you can an empty box with some text, just click "pop out player").

African-Peruvian
This style features the coastal music of Peru combined with Spanish, African and indigenous elements. Black Peruvian music features a blending of instruments, including the Spanish guitar, the cajón (a wooden box drum that is sat upon and played with the hands on the front and sides) and the quijada (the jawbone of a mule or donkey that has been dried so that the loose teeth produce a rattling sound - nice). In some areas, a gourd drum (called the checo or the angara) is also added, and contemporary groups have added the electric bass, Cuban conga drums and African-derived cowbells. Susana Baca provides the sample for this genre.

Arab Classical
Poetry is the very heart of Arab classical music. Heroic odes, oral histories and war and tribal narratives were at the crux of the pre-Islamic culture of the nomadic Arab peoples. Early Islam rejected music as being conducive to immorality. Many ultraconservative Muslims today continue to look down on music, and even ritual cantillation of Koranic verses and the muezzin's call to prayer are not considered "music." Even so, language and poetry are at the very heart of Arab culture; the Koran, too, is full of rich rhythms and rhyme, and its language is dazzling. So it is not surprising, then, that Arab music has flourished over the centuries, with a particularly deep relationship to its lyrical content.* Marcel Khalife demonstrates this style.
*Taken from National Geographic.com

Italian Regional Folk
In Northern Italy the music is often played in major keys, and the melodies are eerily reminiscent of Celtic music. There's a very strong dance tradition here, with bagpipes and fiddle the most important instruments. Bands like the acoustic Piva dal Carner or Fiamma Fumana combine acoustic instruments and traditional tunes and songs with electronics and beats. Those two are not the only bands from the area to push the boundaries. Mau Mau, from Piedmont, mixed its tradition with global beats to good effect in the early 1990s. Within the North, Genoa stands as an anomaly, with its own tavern singing called trallalero, a distant cousin of the polyphony found in Sardinia and Corsica. Although not widely known, and more historical than contemporary, it's proved an influence on some younger bands.* A selection from Fiamma Fumma was chosen to illustrate this genre of music.
*Taken From Natinal Geographic.com

Nordic Folk
Today, the Scandinavian folk scene is a diverse one, with experimentation in acoustic and electric styles. Nordic folk music faded in the 20’s but has since been undergoing a revival that gets larger as time goes on. This revival focuses on “back-to-the-land” principles and a return to simple rural life. Many artists have combined this message with modern beats and harmonies to make an impact on today’s generations, but it is a slow process. Instruments such as the nyckelharpa keyed fiddle and the Swedish bagpipe are still used as a testament to the old tradition as well. Laiska by Varttina showcases this style.

Ska
I’m sure that many people (at least from my generation) are familiar with the ska popularized by bands like No Doubt and Sublime in the late 90’s. However, they were just a few in the long line of musicians that have been performing ska since the 1960’s. Born on the island of Jamaica, ska was created somewhat accidentally out of a mixture of many different types of music. "Like the island's slogan—"Out of many, one people"—ska was born through the blending of many musical styles" (NGEO). In this new style the guitar and piano were combined in a "highly syncopated and clipped style, while the horn sections played melody lines borrowed from jazz, Latin music, mento and R&B"(NGEO). The selection for this genre is from Ernest Ranglin, one of the founding fathers of ska.

Zydeco
I first heard about this style of music while watching Jack’s Big Music show on Nick jr. with my niece and nephews. That show, by the way, is a testament to the good shows that do still exist for children today. I wish such shows existed for adults that not only provided good music but profiled different artists from around the world and provided background about their particular styles of music.
Zydeco adds an Caribbean rhythm to Cajun and African American rhythms by simplifying the melody and incessantly repeating it, not unlike blues in some respects. Over the years the style has generally come to be known as party music.
Zydeco groups feature the rub-board or frottoir, a type of raspy percussive instrument. The emphasis is on conveying emotion rather than on a story line, so instrumentals are most common. In the following playlist, this type of music is performed by Beau Jocque & the Zydeco High Rollers.

I’ve also included some extras that were pretty interesting to listen to. They are: Aventura with their song La Madre in the Bacchata style, Baba Zula with their Turkish Pop song Sevsem Olduruler, Sevmezsem Oldum, and from the World Fusion genre (cross-cultural musical collaborations that fuse Western pop with indigenous pop and folk traditions from around the world) i’ve included Snow by Dear Euphoria and A Tango for Guevera and Evita by Miyazawa.

Brandie Pahl's photography

2009-02-19T18:01:00.000-08:00

My love for travel, photography and nature must have come from somewhere. I believe it favors the nurture rather than the nature side of the debate, as my parents don’t share the passion I do but my sister, Brandie, certainly does. I grew up interested in wildlife and landscape photography, while my sister was always into fashion. So much so that about a year ago she started making children’s clothing and accessories and developed a clothing line called Little Lotti Clothing, which she will soon begin selling through her website littlelotticlothing.com. Recently she has usurped my progress down the marketable photography path by deciding to take the pictures for her site herself. She did a few preliminary shots with me as the over eager model which follow, and you can see her show off more of her talent on her blog The Delights of Anticipation.

This last one is my brainchild. What can I say? Fun with raw chicken.

Disgusting Insects/Random Fact #3

2009-02-04T15:56:00.000-08:00

Recently I watched a television show called I was Bitten. It featured a variety of horrifying footage of brown recluse spider bites, rattlesnake bites, and even bear and shark attacks. Viewers were not spared from pictures and video of pus filled wounds, rotted tissue and bone-deep, teeth-made gashes. This gave me the idea for not only my next travel blog post, but also my third random fact: I actually enjoy watching crazy, disgusting, f**d up television shows. Beyond my morbid fascination though, I think it of the utmost necessity that while I research places I would like to visit, I may want to brush up on what deadly, hideous creatures I am very likely to encounter. As fascinating as it is to watch suffering and torture from afar, I am very reluctant to be the victim.

So everyone knows about disease carrying tsetse flies, mosquitoes harboring malaria, and vicious Africanized honey bees, and we’ve all seen that picture of a soldier holding an enormous Iraqi Camel Spider (they do only grow to six inches though…only six inches?!), but that is just the tip of the iceberg. Following are various bizarre, out-of-this world insects that most people don’t even know exist, much less right in their own backyards (or bed sheets).

Japanese Giant Hornet

This hornet located in Japan is just the size of the average persons thumb, (the entire thumb) but their sting can be fatal. Not only can the poison they inject disintegrate the flesh around the sting site, they can also shoot it over a few feet! In addition, they can fly 50 feet in a day and the pheromones they give off attract every other hornet from that hive to chase you 50 feet and shoot acidic poison in your eyes!! Apparently about 40 people a year die like this.

Bullet Ant

These inch-long ants live in the rainforests in Central and South America from Nicaragua to Paraguay. They live in trees and, get this, they shriek at you before they attack you! So that noise coming at you from the canopy of trees above is not a howler monkey, but an ant. AN ANT! And its about to attack you with an “unusually severe” sting that has been described as being similar to getting shot.

Bot Fly

So this one takes the cake for me. There are many species of Bot Fly, from the Horse Stomach Bot Fly to the Human Bot Fly, with most species found, once again, in Central and South America and other species in various corners of the world. This little dandy lays its eggs in grass, which animals eat (hence the origin of the name Horse Stomach Bot Fly) or on horseflies or mosquitoes which then land on humans (hence the origin of the name Human Bot Fly). What happens next is a scene from a B movie on the Sci-Fi channel. The eggs hatch on or in the animal or human and the larvae proceed to feed on the flesh or tissue of the victim.

Huge Spider

No-one seems to know what this is, but I thought I’d just throw it in, because it is absolutely HUGE. Imagine if you turned a corner in your house and this was sitting eye-level on your wall ready to attack and eat your face!!!

Bugs on Hand

Now apparently these bugs, whatever they are, aren’t poisonous, but I think it’s mighty ambitious of this person to have them crawling all over their arm.

I guess the bottom line is that yes most bugs get a bad rap, they’re not that threatening and obviously here for a reason. Their presence also won’t deter me from visiting any country, but I will definitely be more cautious when I rest up against a tree as I’m hiking through a rainforest in South America, or even just lounging in a house in Vanuatu (see Getting Stoned with Savages). I don’t mind sharing the planet with these creatures, I’d just rather I wasn’t aware of their brain-burrowing capabilities…

Random Fact #2

2009-01-22T09:39:00.000-08:00

I've finally found an idea for another random fact about myself. At first, I wanted to get all six facts done within a week, but as you can see that didn't happen. I forgot about it until a couple of days ago when my sister showed me an article request from Haro (help a reporter out). Someone was looking for stories from people who have unusual names and either already changed them, or want to change them. Thus was born my second random fact idea...

#2. I used to hate my name. When I was about fifteen or so, I tried to change it - not legally, but I did go by the name Nicole, my middle name, for a few months. Tamika is not necessarily an unusual name, but growing up in Oxford in the late 90's where minorities accounted for about 1% of the population, my name may as well have been Xiao-Zhi or Fadhila or some other foreign name. It didn't help either that the only reason my mother chose my name is because she thought I was going to be a boy until the moment she saw me. I was known as "baby Edwards" in the nursery until my mother finally stole the name Tamika from a friend that had just used that name for her newborn.
Naturally, because of guilt I suppose, my mother gave me the go ahead to change my name. So after running through many other options, I figured my middle name would be the easiest transition. I told everyone I knew to call me Nicole and even started receiving some mail with my new name on it. After a few months, though, I gave it up. I think I finally realized that a name is just a name and it doesn't reflect who I am.
I know there's plenty of people out there that believe that your name has a definite bearing on opportunities in life. We've all heard that ethnic sounding names on job applications will get less attention due to unfortunate stereotypes about irresponsibility, laziness, etc. Be that as it may, I don't believe that I fit whatever sterotype may be attached to my name and many other Tamikas probably don't fit it either. There are probably many Marys and Williams that don't fit whatever positive stereotype that there names elicit either. To me, the bottom line is that I know i'm much more than a name and that my character is what defines me.

2009-01-08T16:07:00.000-08:00

Sooo, my wonderful sister just sent me what I can only regard as some sort of chainmail. I am to list six random facts about myself and then implore at least six others to do the same. Whether this will bring me good luck or a series of good hair days or something remains to be seen as I have reluctantly agreed to participate. The first random fact about myself, then is…

#1. I am an avid animal lover. Doesn’t matter the species, color, shape, or size, I love them all. Animals can do no wrong in my eyes (except of course for the occasional mauling of humans, and then I can’t help but assume the human had it coming). One of my early life goals was to open my own wildlife reservation where I could nurse injured tigers and rhinos, etc. back to life with my very own hands. Very cinematic, I know. I refer to full-grown dogs as puppies and squeal every, and I mean every, time I see one and I even have a special place in my heart for the naked mole rat. If only I were that enamored with my fellow man, but that’s another post.

Amazing,isn't he?

Absolutley Beautiful!

OMG!

The one in the middle looks like an ewok.

Words aren't necessary. Just look!

!!!!

I could go on and on, but there's other work to be done and sleep to be had.

Antarctica and Switzerland

2009-01-06T12:43:00.000-08:00

In keeping with my proposed commitment to expand my own and my readers’ knowledge of the geography of the planet, I figured I could profile Antarctica, one of my top most interesting get-to-know places.

As far as vacations go, Antarctica is not necessarily the “go to” spot, but it is becoming increasingly popular. There are now cruises and even walking expeditions where you can actually explore parts of the continent on foot. Previously I had thought setting foot on the continent was only possible if you had a reason to be there, i.e. work/research or something similar, but definitely not just for fun. Apparently I was mistaken. I continue to meet people who have visited Antarctica for their annual vacations. Here are some interesting facts about the continent.

It almost never gets above 32° F (0° C) in Antarctica and the highest recorded temperature at the South Pole is 7° F (-13.8° C).

There are 28 airport landing facilities in Antarctica.

Fewer than 200,000 people have ever been to Antarctica (however, that number is steadily climbing).
Antarctica is the only land on our planet that is not owned by any country.

Although covered with ice (all but 0.4% of it, i.e.), Antarctica is the driest place on the planet, with an absolute humidity lower than the Gobi desert.

Hmm… not that interesting is it? So while I really want to go to Antarctica one day, I think the real experience is seeing it and being in awe of its reality. Since I haven’t been there, I don’t really think I can relate its appeal. I’ll get back to you all after I’ve gone.

Anyway, another place I’m dying to try is Switzerland; one of the most beautiful and picturesque countries in the world. This could possibly be more relatable because, after all, who doesn’t want to go to Switzerland??? Even just for the Swiss chocolate, mountains, clogs, and lederhosen… they do still wear clogs and lederhosen don’t they? I mean, they’ve got to give tourists something to feed off of.

But realistically, Switzerland has a rich culture both in historical and present-day context. Here, then, are some interesting facts about Switzerland.

There are 4 official languages in Switzerland : Swiss German (64%, many dialects), French (20.4%), Italian (6.5%), and Romansh (<1%)
A 2006 survey found that Zürich and Geneva had respectively the first and second highest quality of living in the world.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was founded in 1863 in Geneva, Switzerland, and is still based there. The flag of the Red Cross is the flag of Switzerland with the colors inverted (who knew?)

The Swiss have a long tradition of watch-making, and are the uncontested leader in luxury watches, with brands like Audemars Piguet, Baume et Mercier, Breitling, Chopard, Franck Muller, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Longines, Patek Philippe, Piaget, Rado, Rolex, TAG Heuer, Tissot, Vacheron Constantin.

Switzerland knows a great variety of climates. From a polar climate in the high mountains above the snow line, to an almost subtropical climate in the southern Alp valleys.

Visiting Switzerland is not complete without seeing the Alps. The Bernese Oberland, or the highlands, is an area that offers one of the best views of the range in the country. The Swiss train system seems to be a popular way of navigating through the mountains and taking in the breathtaking scenery. Jungfraujoch is another mountain peak that I’d like to visit. At 3454m, the top of this mountain is the highest point in Switzerland. It boasts an indoor ice palace where everything is made completely of ice, even the floors and walls! Sounds cold, but beautiful. Between the never-ending waterfall in Wengen-Murren and the renowned chocolate and cheese fondue in Interlaken, and even the abundant wildlife in the Swiss national park, Switzerland seems like a country with a lot to offer the novice traveler like me.

International Development

2008-12-02T15:34:00.000-08:00

The time is fast approaching for me to get on with my life and commit to getting my Master’s degree, so I think I’ll revisit the topic of what exactly I am going for. I think I’m set on the idea of international development, although I really have no idea what that entails. I know I love anthropology, which is what I received my bachelors in, but international development sounds like a focused next step. How did I come to that conclusion, you may (or may not) be asking yourself. Well… (deep breath), in the past I’ve focused on cultural anthropology; sustainable development, educational systems, means of production, etc. I didn’t know exactly how to channel these different issues though. Believe me I’ve definitely been over and over this. In undergrad I even tried to narrow my focus down and come up with a unique focus by concentrating on the way art around the world depicts religion and what this means in terms of societal regulation and interaction. I know, I know, I was really reaching.

I found a few job postings that show what kind of positions are out there for people schooled in international development. A few are:

Senior Programme Design Officer, African Wildlife Foundation
Programme Manager, Rainforest Foundation
Program Director Foundation for Sustainable Development, Tola, Nicaragua
Orphans and Vulnerable Children Technical Advisor, Global Health Fellows Program, Washington DC, USA
International Consultant, Best Practises in Public-Private Partnership
Human Development Specialist, World Bank

I know these postings fall under the heading of international development, but it seems that they all require some sub-focus of education, health, agriculture, economics, etc. That is where my problem lies: what within international development could I possibly narrow my focus down to??? I wonder if I go for business or management or something, if I would learn enough skills to fit into a particular niche. I think that might put me in the running for jobs such as the offered position in the following job posting:

Program Assistant (Africa Programs)

Job Level: Executive-Level

Founded in 1941, Freedom House is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that promotes an engaged U.S. foreign policy; evaluates human rights conditions; sponsors public education campaigns; facilitates training and other assistance to promote democracy and free market reforms; and provides support for the rule of law, free media and effective local governance.

Freedom House is currently seeking a full-time Program Assistant for Africa Programs. Under the direction of the Senior Program Manager/Deputy Director of Programs, the Program Assistant will assist in logistical, research, and administrative support for Freedom House programs. Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assist Program Officers and the Senior Program Manager/Deputy Director of Programs in compliance with Freedom House, USG, and other grant regulations.
• Assist in the preparation of proposals, press releases, and speeches.
• Assist in financial management responsibilities, including preparation of draft budgets and requests for funds.
• Assist in updating the website concerning the programs as necessary.
• Help maintain expert database.
• Help develop and produce promotional material on the programs.
• Make travel arrangements and organize logistics for international staff visits and meetings.
• Organize events/meetings in DC and abroad related to Freedom House programs.
• Assist with other administrative duties as assigned.

Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree. The ideal candidate will possess a demonstrated interest in, and knowledge of Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Southern Africa and the Horn; strong research and writing skills; excellent organizational and communications skills; experience performing basic administrative tasks in an office environment; an ability to work collaboratively with a program team; and proficiency in Microsoft Office software. Knowledge of international human rights, democracy, and rule of law issues is highly desired. Fluency in oral and written English is required; proficiency in French is preferred. Position is based in Washington, DC with projects are located in new democracies and developing countries.

Okay, so I can handle grants, press releases, speeches, administrative duties, computer and database concerns, and promotional material. I have strong writing skills and excellent organizational and communication skills. The knowledge of international human rights, democracy, and rule of law are subjects that I may have to become familiar with in grad school. As far as the language and interests in that particular part of the world are concerned, I would just look for positions in China, where my focus has been and hopefully will continue to be.
So we’ll see. So far I’m in the preliminary stages of compiling my definition of what it is I want to do and searching for schools that teach it or something like it. Then when I’ve found a few, I can talk to an adviser to see if they have any idea of what I am talking about and if they’d be willing to take me in and hold my hand through a master’s program. Wish me luck!

New Tattoo!!

2008-11-19T20:31:00.001-08:00

Bodhi Tree Tattoo (Imagine it without the circular border, though)

So I’m putting some serious thought into getting another tattoo. For those of you who don’t know me or have just forgotten, I have four tattoos already and yes the rumor is true, they are addictive. I’ve been pretty good at holding out though, as I was last inked almost eight years ago in 2001. My newest idea for a tattoo is a bodhi tree, (or at least a version of one, the tree in the picture is a variation, not exactly what you'd see if you googled "bodhi tree"). I’ve been toying with this idea for quite a while and although I’m convinced that this is the tattoo for me, I still don’t know exactly where to put it.

Now a little back story on what this is and why it is significant:

The Bodhi Tree ("Tree of Awakening," ) in Bodhgaya is a direct descendent of the tree under which Siddharta Gautama attained enlightenment. According to Buddhist tradition, Siddharta Gautama finally abandoned years of rigorous fasting and asceticism by accepting milk and honey from a young woman. He then sat down beneath the Bodhi Tree and vowed not to move until he attained enlightenment. After 49 days of concentrated meditation and several battles with Mara (illusion), Siddharta became Buddha or “the Enlightened One”.
The Bodhi Tree is a species of fig. The Bodhi Tree that exists today is not the exact one that shaded the Buddha's meditation 2,500 years ago, but it may well be a direct descendent.
Because of its close association with enlightenment, which is the goal of all Buddhists, the tree has great sacred and symbolic significance. According to some Buddhists, the Bodhi Tree is the center of the world and the site at which all Buddhas (enlightened ones) attain enlightenment.
In early Buddhist art, before the Buddha image was used, the image of a tree was one of the symbols used to represent him. Still today, it is customary to plant a Bodhi Tree in every Buddhist monastery to symbolize the presence of the dharma (Buddhist teachings).
At Bodhgaya, the Bodhi Tree is a favorite place for pilgrims to meditate and contemplate the Buddha's teachings. Many also hang prayer flags or leave offerings at the sacred site. www.sacred-destinations.com/india/bodhgaya-bodhi-tree.htm

As for Buddhism itself, it is basically a family of beliefs and practices, considered by many to be a religion. Buddhism is based on the teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, (Buddha) who lived in the northeastern India and died somewhere around 400 BCE. Buddha himself was an awakened teacher who shared his insights to help people end their suffering and escape the cycle of rebirths (samsara). At it’s core, (although the idea of a common definition is debatable) what I can appreciate about Buddhism is the goals of ethical conduct and altruistic behaviour, devotional practices,renunciation of worldly matters,meditation, physical exercises like hatha yoga, study, and the cultivation of wisdom. A quick glance at the eight-fold path ( the path to end suffering) gives an idea of Buddhism’s beliefs. Some of the principals are: view reality as it is not just as it appears to be, speak in a truthful and non hurtful way, act in a non harmful way, and make an effort to improve. Pretty good stuff, huh?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

Whenever I get a tattoo I try to make sure that it is something meaningful to me. I don’t want to put something permanent on my body that I just got at the last minute because it looked cool at the time. I don’t want to regret getting inked, and so far, I haven’t. So, after writing this I’m all the more convinced and ready to get my Bodhi tree. I think I’m forgetting something though… don’t tattoos hurt?

Landscape Photographers

2008-11-13T14:27:00.000-08:00

Part of my passion for travel pertains also to a love of photography. I am a sucker for exceptional landscape photography, and although I’m not a professional photographer yet, I do aim to be one day. In the meantime I am working at a portrait studio trying to learn the ins and outs of basic camera techniques. It is not outdoor photography, but it is a start. When the time for that comes, classes will be in order.

I’ve been surfing the internet trying to get posing ideas from different portrait photography websites. Unfortunately, I usually get sidetracked by landscape and nature photos and after several hours looking at photos, I realize I’m no closer to finishing my “homework”. While getting caught in my usual unproductive cycle the other day, I stumbled across the works of two freelance photographers with some pretty eye-catching photographs: Jeremy Turner and Tony Howell.

Jeremy Turner has an interesting background. Only after completing a BS (with honors) in biochemistry and a PhD in molecular biology, did he become completely interested in photography. It’s pretty amazing that he found the time between his studies, odd jobs as a painter and decorator, in the retail industry, and in a commercial photo-processing lab, and playing classical piano and long-distance cycle touring. Impressive. He has since won various awards for his photography, held exhibitions, and contributed to magazines such as Smart Photography. Way to start out on one path and end up so successful in another. For me, that’s very encouraging.

Jeremy mainly uses a Pentax 645 medium format (MF) camera, combined with the following Pentax SMC-A lenses: 35mm f/3.5, 45mm f/2.8, 75mm f/2.8, 120mm f/4 macro and 200mm, f/4.

Tony Howell is one of England’s best-known landscape photographers. His images have been used everywhere from books and greeting cards to billboards and even movies (The Number 23). The amazing thing about this photographer is that he is completely self-taught. He acknowledges that he has no qualifications, but credits practice, dedication, and a love for the craft. He also notes the difficulties of freelance photography and that it is less photographic skills than marketing skills and patience that have helped him become successful.

Tony uses a Phase One P45 Digital Back with Mamiya 645AFD and a Canon 1DS MkII Professional Full-frame Digital Camera.

All Hallows' Even

2008-11-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

So now that Halloween is over and i've eaten all of the candy I care to for the rest of the year, I thought i'd find out more about this strange holiday where people go door to door and beg their neighbors for cheap goods.

Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain. The festival is a celebration of the end of the harvest season and is sometimes regarded as the "Celtic New Year." Originally, the festival was a time when Celtic Pagans would take stock of supplies and slaughter livestock to store for the winter. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31st the boundary between the living and the deceased dissolved, and the dead become dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops. Costumes and masks were then worn at the festivals in an attempt to placate the evil spirits.
Interestingly enough, apparantly Detroit, MI is where "Devil's Night", the day before Halloween, originated. Starting in the 1930's, it involved petty vandalism by children and teens such as rubbing wax on car windows or egging houses. In the 1970's though, it escalated to serious acts of arson, and today Detroit organizes volunteer neighborhood patrols to keep the violence in check. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween)

While looking for relevant information about Halloween traditions, I stumbled upon a site touting religious intolerance. It claims that "A growing Halloween tradition among Evangelical Christians is to provide a type of horror tableau which promotes public awareness of conservative Christian concerns. In Arvida, CO, the Abundant Life Christian Center built a haunted house for Halloween 1997. It includes simulations of a bloody abortion in progress, a ritual human sacrifice by a Satanic cult, a teen committing suicide, the funeral of a homosexual AIDS victim, and a live action date rape scene" (www.religioustolerance.org/hallo_cu.htm ).

Wow... I think they win top prize for scariest haunted house. I think they kind of missed the spirit and fun of Halloween. I'd much rather have childlike fun and naiveté.

All politically incorrect church demonstrations aside, besides the candy, the true essence of Halloween is the costumes. People spend more time and money than they should picking out the perfect accessories to win prizes and admiration. While the top costumes of 2008 are said to be a pirate and witch for adults, and Spiderman and Hannah Montana for kids, I think i'd give the top prize to an acquaintance of mine. While all of her costume ideas are usually of the wall, this Halloween she decided to go as... Michelle Obama. While that may not seem strange by itself, I think I need to add that this friend is Caucasian and that her dedication to creating the perfect costume leaves no detail ignored. (She is a stout Obama supporter, by the way). Although I was a bit offended, i'd say you have to give it to her for ingenuity.

Xi'an, Shaanxi, China

2008-10-21T11:30:00.000-07:00

As a capital of the country for over a thousand years, Xi'an is one of the oldest cities in China. It is most famously known for the Terra Cotta warriors, eight thousand Terra Cotta statues that stand guard over the tomb of the first emperor of China, ruler of the Qin dynasty (211-206 BCE). These statues (deemed by some as the 8th wonder of the world) include detailed, well-preserved, and varied sets of warriors, animals, and weapons. The warriors are all said to have distinct facial features, no two look alike, and a rumor abounds that for each of the statues, one live warrior was sacrificed. This is a fairly recent archaeological find as the statues were discovered just 35 years ago by well-digging farmers.

Other recommended places to visit include the Hua Qing pools, neatly constructed within an ancient palace to bring in water from nearby hot springs. Also, most interesting to me is Famen Si, the Doorway Temple. Originally constructed in 200 CE, this Buddhist temple has been rebuilt many times with the most recent taking place in 1981 after the building collapsed. It was then that underneath a sealed crypt was found containing a variety of artifacts and supposedly four sacred finger bones of the ancient Buddha. The Pagoda that stands today is an amazing piece of architecture and the temple complex also includes a museum detailing the story of the finger bones (http://www.asontheriver.com/sites/msdag/journal detail.asp?JournalID=9).

Although this city has remnants of centuries long past, it has adopted some modern fixtures and practices. There are three Starbucks within a block of each other downtown. Shopping is also a major attraction and the markets are known for their leather goods, fashion accessories, and cosmetics. Some of the best international brands are also offered in the new world class malls.

Obviously, there are many other reasons to visit Xi'an, but these are a few of the destinations that stand out the most to me. Besides the beautiful layout of the land that is so different from my own, I long to see the buildings and the architecture that echo the times from the Qin to the Ming dynasties. To feel transported to a time centuries ago and thousands of miles away is reason enough for me.

Terra Cotta Army

Hua Qing Pools

Famen Si Pagoda

Side Note

2008-10-15T07:20:00.000-07:00

Just a side note before my next intended post, there is an anthropology site that I follow that has some pretty interesting material. You can read one of my comments on a particular post about the social construction of "race" at http://anthropology.net/2008/10/01/race-as-a-social-construct/. It's a bit lengthy, but it's worth it. I encourage you to check it out and perhaps to browse some of the other posts on this blog. Enjoy!

World Cities

2008-10-08T08:12:00.000-07:00

So after browsing and getting familiar with some different blogs on this site pertaining to culture, nature, and photography, I came across a blog that focuses on giving people traveling tips when visiting Somalia. For those of you that are interested the URL is http://somaliatips.wordpress.com/2008/10/08/cities/. Anyway, I thought it interesting and right up my alley to research some cities around the world that I would like to visit. I'm not necessarily interested in posting travel tips, but maybe interesting fun facts and the reasons why I would want to go to a particular area. So, that is my task which I will start shortly and relate in my next post. First up is Xi'an, Shaanxi, China...

Book Review

2008-09-25T04:52:00.000-07:00

I just finally finished reading A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. I say finally because I started it back in February when I was in Arizona, but I didn't have time to finish it and for some reason I didn't bother to try to finish it when I got home. Then about a month ago I checked it out from the library (not buying it-trying to reduce my "carbon footprint") and it sat on my bookshelf until a couple of days ago.
Why it took me so long to get back into I don't know, because it really is a fantastic book. This is the kind of writing I love because, without going overboard, Hosseini describes the setting and the events so vividly that I felt like I could feel the intense summer heat and hear the music in the streets myself.
It's also one of those books that doesn't necessarily dull my feelings toward my desire to travel the world, but does remind me that America is just one of many different types of cultures with different procedures, policies, and ways of life. The glamor of the architecture, unknown foods, exotic clothes, etc. should not blind tourists (as inevitably I would be although I hate that label) from the realities of people's everyday lives and what not only the women portrayed through the characters in this book, but war refugees as well, have to endure.

2008-09-18T16:32:00.000-07:00

Johannesburg, South Africa

Fantasy Soccer

2008-09-18T16:03:00.001-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I started actively playing fantasy soccer through fifa.com. I really like soccer, but the grand prize for the overall winner is two tickets, including travel and accomodations, to the 2010 World Cup games South Africa, so that clinched my participation. I don't have much experience at picking teams and such, but I think i'm getting the hang of it. I'm confident that I have a chance to win, even though (or maybe especially because) my current ranking is 249th. This is either good or bad, but it's early and I have the sinking feeling that these early rankings don't amount to much in the grand scheme of things. I've been telling people that i'm going to the 2010 world cup since the last one in 2006, so i'd really like to avoid the humiliation of trying to come up with new creative reasons why i'm sitting around watching the games with every one else at a bar in metro detroit. In any case, I have a plan b (use the year and a half I have left to save the money), and a plan c (take out a loan, maybe), but I think a plan c and possibly d may be needed, especially if they involve minimal spending on my part. I am open to ideas...

Where is my future going?

2008-09-14T15:59:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to figure what i'm going to do with this anthropology degree and I think i've finally got it. Getting my masters in international development sounds like the most appealing option so far. I was already toying with this possibility when I was introduced to the book "Getting Stoned with Savages" by J. Maarten Troost. He basically examines his decision to leave corporate America for Fiji (and elsewhere) and describes his journey with his wife who works in... international development! His account did not necessarily glamorize their life in third world circumstances, but boy did it sound appealing to me. Now, I haven't actually been anywhere like this before, but i'm more than ready to get my feet wet. Does studying abroad for my masters sound like a good start?

Beginnings

2008-09-13T07:03:00.000-07:00

So i'm new to this whole blogging thing. I guess this endeavor will be an adventure itself. More to come after I work out some more kinks...