india

ungrateful and unaware

And what would you . . . ?

What would you do if a child from a privileged home couldn’t tell you what they were thankful for?

Not a single thing?

Yesterday on facebook, while browsing my news feed, I came across this photo and quote from Humans of New York. Humans of New York is a popular photoblog created by a man named Brandon Stanton. The site features portraits and interviews of individuals in New York — and around the world. While some have criticized HONY, saying many of Stanton’s interviews must be staged, most viewers love the site. I myself like HONY because, to me, Brandon has done exactly what I’ve been trying to do all along: Show that people are people. Continue reading →

my prayer

San Ramon, California

San Ramon, California, where I work

Sitting in my darkened apartment, listening to the hum of traffic on University Avenue. It’s Saturday evening and my weekend has (finally) officially started. I’ve had thoughts all week about what to write right here. And yet, now, when I finally have the time . . .

the words,

the topics,

seem . . .

Misplaced.

Like me. Continue reading →

no man is an island

island3

“Heyyyy! I thought that was you!”

I didn’t recognize the man who had appeared out of nowhere beside our table.

“How’s that arm?” He touched my shoulder. “Your dad was so worried about you—and not just about your arm, about your life! How long ago was that, anyway? . . . And how ’bout Hong Kong? Your dad told me you were over there. What were you doing there? Bet ol’ Placerville feels small now! I’ve never been to Asia. Born and raised in SoCal; moved up here and never left. Did a rotation in Dublin once, though. One of the best times of my life. What ya doin’ in ol’ Placerville?”

I wondered, briefly, how the man breathed. His lips hardly seemed to keep up with his mouth. Continue reading →

silent spaces

By Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
…
My little horse must think it queer.
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake

no matter what you eat . . .

Fish head soup is a common meal in China.

Unfortunately, fresh fruit isn’t *all* kids eat in the States.

Bugs are a common treat throughout Asia.

…

Or how you do your hair . . .

…

Pink! Tokyo, Japan.

Some like it short, and to look like wallpaper. United States.

Orthodox Jewish boys in Palestine.

“Baba” in Nepal.

…

what you wear . . .

…

Woman in India.

“Goth” teens in the States.

Boys in Incwala.

Muslim women in Karnataka.

…

or if you like to wave it around like you just don’t care . . .

…

Tribesmen dancing in Uganda.

Girl. Anywhere.

…

People are people.

In case I didn’t paint a clear enough picture in my last post, I thought this one might help.

…

Boy from the Solomon Islands.

…

Next time: “Talking Heads.” A look at how language shapes culture, and vice versa. And how it feels to be a foreigner, in oblivion.

Note: Images taken from a variety of sources on the Internet. I will be posting a list with each individual source soon. Not meaning to infringe on any copyrights!