Good story tellers

Those are the great story tellers I saw today. I was thinking, how many people in the pictures have the chance to see their face in the picture?

http://www.christianals.com/index.html

http://www.laiaabril.com/

http://www.eleanormag.com/life-is-elsewhere-sohrab-hura-2/

This is not how I envision the world

It's always nice that simple words can explain the complications in life. The one I have in mind is: a person becomes angry or upset when things are not he/she expected. Although there are theories in psychology that could explain the thousands of thoughts one could have in a minute, this is the basic.

The world see you through your lenses

Granddaughter

We went to Maggie Longmire's performance on Saturday. It was awesome and we like it so much. Her music has a magnetic field that draws people's attention. It brings my childhood memories too, the bits and pieces that were hidden behind the green mountains.

I, etcetera

I started to read this book recently. I'm a little amused by "Project for a trip to China". Sontag's thoughts were jumping around and pulling me to different directions. It was fun to communicate with her through reading. Her other articles have a lot to do with America--it's idea and people. Most of the stories are still relevant to today's world.

Speaking of travel and cultural comparison, I have been encountering things everyday that have more or less to do with them. Recently, I have been pondering what is the meaning of travel? Leaving home and wandering around for a while, what does it mean to a young person? Some people think it's a waste of time and I believe the opposite. My traveling experience shaped me so much that I don't think I will be the same person without it. Of course, there are good and bad about it. In general, as long as you have the right people, time, and preparation, nothing should stop you from seeing the world. When you start to travel, it's unavoidable for one to compare cultures either intentionally or subconsciously. Culture is probably one of the largest topics you can get. However, through travel, you get to have a personal, unique way to approach various cultures.

Writing

I promised myself that I will continue with my blog after GRE. It was an awful test, true. But it makes me realize how much I miss writing. Although I suck at it, I decide to keep doing it. Language is the tool. It's the idea and intention that matter.

DC funzies

Just came back from the ESA and NEON workshop. It was a blast. I met some great people, learned a great tons of new things, and had nice Japanese food.

Hope NEON will work out!

http://www.neoninc.org/

Audience

When I was about to log out, I saw this.

Alaska and Vietnam...humm...welcome to the global village.

Trees

It is in Tennessee that I truly start to feel what Annie Dillard meant.

"Trees have a curious relationship to the subject of the present moment. There are many created things in the universe that outlive us, that outlive the sun, even, but I can't think about them. I live with trees. There are creatures under our feet, creatures that live over our heads, but trees live quite convincingly in the same filament of air we inhabit, and, in addition, they extend impressively in both directions, up and down, shearing rock and fanning air, doing their real business just out of reach. A blind man's idea of hugeness is a tree. They have their sturdy bodies and special skills; they garner fresh water; they abide."