United States

May 23 2013

culture, current events, life, loss, travel

factories of death—a reblog

Image by GMB AKASH

“Today, I count myself blessed to have become a photographer. To be able to articulate the experiences of the voiceless, to bring their identity to the forefront, gives meaning and purpose to my own life.”

– GMB AKASH

I used to think reblogs were silly. I didn’t understand why people would post them. Were they too lazy to produce their own work? Or was it, sometimes . . . something else?

Today, I get it. Today marks history on Shift. This is my first reblog ever (well, sort of—I’m too much of a perfectionist to do things the normal way), and it is for a purpose.

Several months ago I discovered an amazing blog by an incredible photojournalist based in Bangladesh. His name is GMB Akash, and his work has been featured in more than seventy major international publications, including National Geographic, Vogue, Time, Newsweek, Geo, The Guardian, The Economist, and more. He has received more than sixty-eight international awards, and every post I’ve read since following his blog has taken my breath away, and even, occasionally, brought me to tears.

In “Factories of Death” and his previous post, “Low-priced Slaves,” Akash brings to life a tragedy that, for many of us, seems worlds away. The collapse of the eight-story garment factory building in Dhaka, Bangladesh last month, which left more than 1,100 people dead, is no longer making big headlines here in the States—or in many other parts of the world, for that matter. But that doesn’t mean the tragedy is over. Akash’s photos tell it all: A story of preventable heartbreak and horrible loss, of sadness, anger, strength, and resilience. The people featured are no different than you or than me. The people featured are just like you and me . . .

This is why, a few weeks back, I wrote “Let There Be Light.” This is why, sometimes, this world breaks my heart.

So please, please, please click on the links above. Please take a moment to check out Akash’s photos. You won’t be disappointed. I promise.

…

Thank you, GMB Akash, for giving a voice to those who have none. Thank you for your incredible work. The world needs more people like you.

…

“Factories of Death” (gmbakash.wordpress.com)
Behind the walls of Bangladesh’s garment factories (itv.com)
let there be light (jesscy.com)

…

Tagged Bangladesh, Dhaka, Economist, GMB Akash, National Geographic, Newsweek, United States, Vogue

May 13 2013

56 Comments

culture, current events, life, life at home, personal, perspective

heartless, or . . . ?

I was being compulsive. Again. I’ve told you I’m a clean freak, right? Well, I am, and today it was about my car. I’d just gotten it washed after my trip to San Francisco (more on that later), and now, next door at Chevron, I was wiping dirt off of the engine under the hood.*

As I was working, I suddenly became aware of a car right behind me.

“Excuse me. Miss?”

I turned around to see a large Hispanic man leaning out of an old tan Buick. He was wearing a long-sleeved shirt despite the warm weather and a thick black mustache over pale lips. A dark-haired woman sat in the passenger seat beside him. Continue reading →

Tagged Buick, Buick Century, California, Homelessness, Metro Areas, San Francisco, San Francisco Bay Area, United States

May 07 2013

4 Comments

background, change, personal, writing

why “shift”?

Today is a bit rushed. I have several posts in draft, but recently have been working on updating Shift. In particular, I’ve made quite a few changes to my menu. If interested, check out my “about” section where there are now three sub-items, including one that explains in greater detail why I chose the name Shift. I’ve also dedicated a page to my rock climbing story beneath “top posts,” and well . . . Just check it all out. I promise you won’t be disappointed. (Well . . . Maybe I shouldn’t make such boasts. But I can at least say I’m happy with the way my blog is slowly coming together!)

Much love to you all,

Jessica

Tagged Climbing, Commercial Gyms, Guides and Schools, Idaho, Indoor, Recreation, Rock climbing, United States

May 02 2013

27 Comments

life, nature, personal, poetry

on and on you go

From here to there and everywhere,
on and on you go.
I hear you there, or is it there?
Your face, you’ll never show.

O’er sea and over mountain,
continent and plain,
in Africa and Asia . . .
The world is your domain.

Sometimes you get angry,
you howl and growl a lot.
You know it is quite silly—
I’ll not move from my spot.

But when you’re sweet, you’re lovely;
you caress my soul.
Your fingers full upon me,
you can take me whole.

And though I cannot touch you,
on wings you fly me high,
to places where I knew you,
under another sky.

…

Tip: Read aloud. ;)

Image: Pinterest

the visitor (jesscy.com)
little birdie (jesscy.com)
headphones (jesscy.com)

…

Tagged Africa, Asia, Business and Economy, Cape Town, Nigeria, Recreation, Rome, United States, world

Apr 30 2013

71 Comments

current events, disappointment, life at home, personal, perspective, writing

school of hard knocks

I cried yesterday. I never cry.

Because of the weird way in which my local paper works (it’s a tiny paper), content I write often appears online before it appears in the printed edition. This can be both good and bad. It is good when I am eager to see what the editor has done with my work—usually he changes very little, of which I am proud. It is bad, however, when I have made a mistake and someone catches it, but, alas, it is too late to make changes before the article goes to print.

That is what happened this weekend. Continue reading →

Tagged Art, Business, hard knocks, Mountain Democrat, Organizations, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Publishing and Printing, real-life lesson, United States, Writers Resources

Apr 28 2013

63 Comments

culture, current events, life, loss, perspective, religion

let there be light

“You will be remembered. Stay strong Boston.”

…

It’s been nearly two weeks since the bombing at the Boston Marathon. Nearly two weeks since two alleged terrorists killed three people and injured 264 others at one of the world’s oldest and most beloved annual events. Nearly two weeks since chaos erupted and an entire city was shut down to find the imposters. Nearly two weeks, and I have yet to say a word.

I haven’t mentioned Boston.

Why?

Is it because I am heartless? Am I too busy writing articles to concern myself with the plight of marathoners far, far away? Too busy talking to birds and making up poems about the night sky to worry about things like death and destruction? Too busy pondering life to take stock of what’s happening in it?

Or is it . . . something else? Continue reading →

Tagged American Cancer Society, Bangladesh, birds, Boston, Boston marathon, casualties, civil war, death, marathon, Martin Richards, Moscow, night sky, Syria, United Nations, United States

Apr 16 2013

69 Comments

dreams, life, loss, love, personal, perspective, poetry, religion

carry on

Alone I sit and contemplate
this thing that we call life:
Desires we cannot satiate,
the struggles and the strife.

I wonder why we do it now,
I wonder why we try.
I wonder why we carry on,
why not lay down and die?

I guess there’s hope—
the future, see?
Our dreams, they are
a mystery . . .

But, no.

It’s been all these years:
He’ll not return to me.

(He’s God’s, can’t you see?)

I wonder why I do it now,
I wonder why I cry.
I wonder why I can’t let go,
for him, alone, I’ll die.

Unworthy . . .

(God judge me.)

…

He doesn’t mourn for me.

…

Image: Pinterest

…

Note: I feel badly. This poem is not about death (at least not in the traditional sense), though it could easily be read that way. Please, dear readers, do not mourn for me. I did not mean to mislead you or look for sympathy.

…

Tagged Catholic Church, dream, God, Psychology, Recreation, Religion and Spirituality, Social Sciences, United States, Video Games

Apr 10 2013

38 Comments

background, culture, dreams, Hong Kong, life, living abroad, perspective

i stand corrected

Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong

I remembered, after my last post, a conversation I once had with a friend.

“My teachers told me I was stupid.”

I looked at him. “They did what?”

“They told me I was stupid.”

“That’s terrible! Why would your teachers say that?”

“I don’t know. My grades were bad.” He looked out the window. The sun was sparkling on the water. It was a surprisingly clear Hong Kong day.

“Your grades were bad because you didn’t study, not because you’re stupid.”

“The education system is messed up.” He glanced back at me and then down at the table. There was a checker board there, in case we’d brought pieces to play. Continue reading →

Tagged Asia, Asian, Ben Carson, dream, Education, English, hong kong, Singapore, United States, Vancouver

Apr 06 2013

73 Comments

culture, dreams, Hong Kong, life, living abroad, perspective

the luxury of dreams

He was short. When he walked, he lilted—up and down and up and down—bobbing as a buoy on the sea. Maybe because one leg was slightly longer than the other. Or perhaps he had flat feet.

No matter the weather, he wore a t-shirt (fitted tightly over rounded belly) with shorts and flats. Sometimes he wore a sweatshirt. His sandy beard he kept unkempt. His bus, however, was immaculate.

I saw him often—on my way to and from home. He drove the 103M, the minibus between Tseung Kwun O, the closest MTR station, and Clear Water Bay. Around and around he’d circle, letting passengers on and off, waiting in the dimly-lit parking garage for people shivering or sweating to fill the bus so he could take them home. While he waited, he’d wash the bus windows. Sometimes, he’d whistle. Continue reading →

Tagged Asia, Bus, clear water bay, dreams, east, Flat feet, HongKong, Hung Hom Station, minibus, MTR, Recreation and Sports, Tseung Kwan O, United States, West

Apr 04 2013

24 Comments

current events, life, personal, poetry, writing

hurried

Forgive me, my friends,
for my absence.
The week charges on,
and I’m worried!
I’ve freelance to do,
and there’s work to be done,
so though my heart’s here
I am hurried!

…

Tagged Cardiovascular Disorders, Conditions and Diseases, Forgiveness, Freelancer, health, Heart Disease, Libraries, United States

Apr 02 2013

57 Comments

background, life, living abroad, perspective, religion, Taiwan, travel

greater than all these

Dragons are the most exalted “animal” in Chinese culture.

I was struck by its colors. Bright red and yellow and blue and green . . .

But then it was gone. Nick* was driving too fast. But, oh wait! There was another one. This one looked similar, only it was bigger. Rainbow-colored dragons with yellow spines leaped from its peaks. Black-bearded men holding whips perched nearby. I was agog.

But then it was gone.

“Would you slow down?” I wanted to punch Nick.

“You want to see temples?”

I said nothing. Continue reading →

Tagged America, Buddhism, culture, Easter, God, Jesu, Jesus Christ, Mazu, Mohammed, religion, Resurrection of Jesus, taiwan, Taoism, United States

Mar 18 2013

38 Comments

life, living abroad, personal, perspective, Taiwan

the luckiest girl in the world

View of the school from our office.

I was forgetting something. What was I forgetting? This was important. But . . . Ohhhh. Sigh. The others were waiting for me. I’d already kept them too long. Forget it.

I grabbed my stuff off of my desk—including the portable heater and laundry bag I carried back and forth and back and forth between work and home—and ran out the door, down the cement stairs, over the wet tile, past the sewer vents, through the mud, to the van. I could tell the others were annoyed. “I’m sorry, guys!” I said as soon as I’d slid the sliding door shut. No one said anything. Suddenly I realized why. It was my turn to drive. “Oh, sorry.”

I fumbled for my keys in my purse and moved to the drivers’ seat. The gray sky began to cry as I drove down the hill. It was just as well. The pitter patter was soothing. No one felt like talking. Continue reading →

Tagged Alberta, Business, Danshui, Energy, MRT, Oil and Gas, Propane, Shihmen, taipei, taiwan, United States

Mar 12 2013

36 Comments

Hong Kong, life at home, living abroad, personal, poetry

roads

My running route in Hong Kong.

There are roads—
paths I know by heart.
Up and down and up and down,
I run.
End to start.

There are paths—
friends I pound apart.
Fast and slow and fast and slow,
we go,
with no restart.

There are friends—
routes of little art.
Loud and soft and loud and soft,
we talk.
They know my heart.

…

…
Related Articles

what orion said (jesscy.com)

…

Tagged Cardiovascular Disorders, Conditions and Diseases, health, Heart Disease, hong kong, Organizations, path, running, United States, Wine tasting descriptors, Winter road

Feb 22 2013

17 Comments

loss, love, poetry

walls

In sadness I fly
on what could be,
what should be.

In madness I try
to find vic’try,
make his’try.

In gladness I cry
I’m empty,
can’t touch me.

And then I break down.

…

*image credit: spokenwizdom.wordpress.com

…

Tagged Apartment, Berlin Wall, broken heart, Fly Fishing, Great Wall of China, heart, loss, love, Outdoors, Painting, Poetry, Recreation, Renting, United States, walls

Feb 20 2013

24 Comments

poetry, quotes, writing

writer’s block

I’m reaching and falling.
I’m hemming and hawing.
I’m trying and failing.
I’m rowing, now bailing.
Stop.

Another day.

(Go outside.)
(Never give up.)

…

My ideas usually come not at my desk writing but in the midst of living. — Anais Nin

…

Related articles

What is Writers’ Block? (vanessagill.wordpress.com)
An Introduction to Procrastination, Neuroscience, and Writer’s Block (thepointofthequill.wordpress.com)
Writer’s Block (cherylhuffer.com)

…

Tagged Anais Nin, Block Writer, Edmund Bergler, Kay Scarpetta, Patricia Cornwell, Twitter, United States, Writing, Writing process

shift

because the only thing constant is change

Tag Archives: United States

factories of death—a reblog

“Today, I count myself blessed to have become a photographer. To be able to articulate the experiences of the voiceless, to bring their identity to the forefront, gives meaning and purpose to my own life.”

– GMB AKASH

heartless, or . . . ?

why “shift”?

on and on you go

Image: Pinterest

school of hard knocks

let there be light

i stand corrected

the luxury of dreams

hurried

greater than all these

the luckiest girl in the world

roads

walls

writer’s block

Follow “shift”

because the only thing constant is change

Tag Archives: United States

“Today, I count myself blessed to have become a photographer. To be able to articulate the experiences of the voiceless, to bring their identity to the forefront, gives meaning and purpose to my own life.”

– GMB AKASH

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