with each choice you make, you may heal someone's day

i arrived in boise just in time to see one of my all time favorite people on the planet speak-- greg mortenson. author of 'three cups of tea', the book that im sure we all read in one day, finished and proclaimed, 'i've go to work with this man'. only to research and find out that the central asia institute is not currently accepting volunteers... duh. but still, heart breaking. im working on it.

im sure im not the only 21 year old female who is swooning over this fifty-something humanitarian instead of some rock-idol or professional athlete. it's a bit funny.
but really, i cried when he walked out onto the stage. his humility, brilliance, compassion is overwhelming. pure and real and all-consuming.

from our seats in the third row i could see the passion in his eyes and could feel his deep-burning hope for this chaotic world that we share. and i wanted nothing more than to be on that road. giving giving giving. i wanted the assurance of knowing what im here for. my purpose. knowing who i am, where i am, what i am. still searching all the time.

what a man.

completely unrelated:
i've been listening to this other amazing man. trying to gain a little inspiration.


and:
some more art. for kirstin.

always have a dream to chase

insatiable.
i can never get enough of life. i always always always want more.
at times this feels selfish and im left wishing that i could be happy with what i've got.
then i remember that it's dreaming that keeps us alive.
makes us happy, and reminds us that there is so much more to today. it's the dreaming that produces actions, change, and encourages us to reach for the prizes that are just beyond our grasp.

i guess this visionary mindset leaves some people standing behind my wild mind in the dust wondering where i've rushed off to. luckily for me, i've got strangely understanding people in my life who understand when africa needs me for a little bit longer, when india is calling my name, when i have to take a bike ride at 3 am to plan a garden, etc. etc. i am so fortunate.

boise bound in five days!!!

my new favorite:


ps: does anyone read this?

haven't posted any of this in quite some time...

oh DC

the hurried people of the city
racing by me to make it into work three minutes early
and i wonder if it's really necessary?

sipping my tea
looking all around
imagining that chai is an immunization against
this rushed
worried
running
city life.

and im feeling ready
pretty darn ready
to hug my ma
and kiss dad on the cheek
and be
HOME.

i feel so isolated in big cities
and when i walk down the street
it starts slow
but by the end of the block we're flying together
v formation
even the pigeons are hurried.
pea coats, pearls, heels and all.
and i feel enveloped by the city air.

happy

im proud. so proud of what america has just accomplished.
but, it's not over yet. we don't get to breathe our sigh of relief just yet.
because there's more work to be done. and we are ALL responsible.
more love to spread...

it's been so long since i've been around here. i know, i know.
my life has been nomadic for the last month.
it's been good, but i'm ready to get home and have a place to belong.
it's interesting-- living out of a suitcase can be freeing, but for me it also takes away some identity.
part of me is defined by where i'm from, the roads that i travel, and the people that i surround myself with.

looking forward to holidays with the family :)