Vision Videos and Amazing Grace!

First, have you ever wondered where the song amazing grace originated?
It's the most recognized hymn in the world I think...I always thought it was an African American Sprititual from the Southern U.S., but it actually was written by an Englishman slave ship merchant... Read about it here.
I just watched the movie "Amazing Grace", which is a British film "based on the life of anti-slavery pioneer William Wilberforce" in England. It's an amazing true story about a man who fought for the abolition of slavery for years in the time between the American and French Revolutions. Highly recommend it. Youssou N'Dour (our favorite Senegalese singer- remember, I met him backstage at his concert in SF a few weeks ago) plays a slave who bought his freedom and helps provide evidence for the inhumanness of slavery with his personal account about coming across the ocean on a slave ship and all the horrors he witnessed.

I think it's pretty cool that the film makers chose a respected, world renowned African man to play the part of the African slave.

Goree Island, off the coast of Dakar, Senegal, was on of the ports for the slave trade...and a place most Senegalese don't like to visit unless they are among the small community that lives there. I visited the house of slaves when I was in Dakar- they kept the slaves there on Goree Island in insanely cramped quarters (while their captors lived lavishly in the spacious quarters above them) before they were taken to the ships where they would go across the sea to experience even more cramped-ness, suffering and despair...
It was powerful to link both sides of the story and learn about a few amazing people who fought to abolish slavery in England...

The door of No Return, House of Slaves, Goree Island, Senegal

The movie is a great history lesson, but also sheds light on the fact that slavery does still exist today, especially for children in places like SouthEast Asia. This site has a list of organization partners and those working the end modern day slavery once and for all. For all the teachers out there, they also include discussion guides to supplement the movie. Pretty cool.

Besides watching movies, latley I've been working on finding my quest (and a new job.)
I'm getting close! I'm making a video about my personal vision for my life, which I'm really excited about! I'm almost done and will post it soon!

I learned how to make the video from a great presentation I went to last Thursday by a guy named Malcom Cohan- he's a crazy enthusiastic guy from Australia that came up with this easy, yet incredibly profound and creative exercise that helps people find their purpose, or quest, and help make our dreams reality!
that's him--------------------->

I know, sounds kind of bizzare impossible and maybe you even feel a little skeptical.
But I promise, it's magical and it works! If you don't believe me, try it yourself.
Or if you do believe me, definitely try it yourself.

Even if you don't believe me, watch Malcom's vision video for humanity here.

Start making your own movie here- you need to register, then he gives you all the software, online tutorials, and instructions to create your very own vision video=your own personal expression for what you truly want out of life. It's totally free! Detailed instructions here.

Info about some of his initiatives to help chronically depressed, elderly, disadvantaged youth, etc, go here.

Let me know what you think!

Any of you that were making vision boards for New Years with me have got to try this!
This is truly magical!

If you do make a video, please share it! Once other people know what your vision is, we can help each other make our visions into reality!

Into the Wild...and right back out again.

So I'm in Utah- still!

The snow is beautiful, the roads are slippery, my friends and family are nice and fun.
I'm glad to be alive. I'm glad to have a break.

I have been having a nice time- look how beautiful it is here!

Sundial Peak and Lake Blanche, Big Cottonwood Canyon,
Wasatch Mountains, SLC, UT

Went snowshoing up this trail today with Jen, Mark, Lisa, and Cheryl:) So snowy!
(We didn't quite make it to the lake....)

Made some jewelry with mom.

I saw a great movie tonight with my aunt Janet- Into the Wild.
You should see it- I think you can rent it even.

You've probably heard of the book by Jon Krakauer

<-----------------------------------------------

(same guy that wrote Into thin air about Mt. Everest)


I haven't read it yet, but the movie was excellent as is the soundtrack
(songs by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam).
This is Chris Candless, the real guy who lived in an abandoned bus in the Alaskan Wilderness...


His story reminded me a little bit of Glenn and my adventure this summer- it's great when you have nothing but you, your walkin feet, your pack and the kindness of strangers to keep you goin...

The message I got out of it is: we need to live our lives to the fullest with confidence and courage, overcoming fear and doubt by challenging ourselves to go out of our comfort zones, be spontaneous, and go on adventures!

I'm working on that.

As this year comes to a close, I am looking for a new job, a real one even- full-time with benefits. Scary thought I know. What about adventure?



It's hard to find the balance between having flexible work hours, having time to travel and adventure while having no dental insurance (current situation), and working 40 hours a week with benefits, but working five days a week, 8 hours a day and not having time to travel very much (full-time job reality).
Trading sponteneity and adventure for security and predictability.
hmmmmm...

Those loans, those teeth, those eyes, that rent and that food...I'd like to take care of those things.


There is a potential job here in SLC that I am considering, but not sure yet.
Tempting wilderness...plus cool friends and lots of family.

Am secretly hoping to find something in CA- I really like Oakland a lot! I've applied a few places.
On verra...
I think it would be good for me to work full-time for a year or two and take care of all those things, then save money for traveling and apply for some scholarships to do cool community building/art/environmental projects abroad. Maybe get a Master's eventually?

How's that for a plan? I'll work and then travel. Maybe I can just keep switching off?...

I want to write a New Year's post in a day or two with some of my goals and dreams and hopes for this next year.

In the meantime, here are some beautiful photos of Utah's mountains by David Whitten.


Big Cottonwood Creek, Wasatch Mountains, SLC, UT

Ridgeline between Little Cottonwood and Big Cottonwood Canyons,
Wasatch Mountains, SLC, UT

Twin Peaks and Dromedary, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Wasatch Mtns.

Big Cottonwood Canyon, Mt. Raymond and Gobbler's Knob

Snowmen, Sailing, Senegalese Singing and a Circus!

It's December already! I miss the snow.

(Save a Snowman!- "a fun, positive approach to solving the climate crisis. " Check em out.)

So Here's a little peek into my life:

I have 8 housemates. We need to find one more. We had a birthday party for Kat this weekend-and had lot of fun together. also lots of cleaning and cooking and eating and dancing:)

Kat is 24- happy birthday!

I live in a big beautiful, cold, drafty, un-insulated house.
I have a sink in my room, it doesn't work.
The air is getting colder outside and crisper. This comforts me somehow.

I guess I feel comforted that we still can distinguish between seasons with all this global warming and climate change happening. I admit that I love sunshine! And warm weather in October and November can be pretty nice...but it just doesn't feel right.



I've been working a lot. Good and bad. One of my jobs is working for an environmental non-profit called Earth Team, helping expand their Green News Online magazine- all for youth (middle school/high school). Really cool program.

My other job is helping do market research for my other boss (Allison's) husband for a little while to make some extra money and to bide time till we find funding for a cool experiential art exhibit we want to do about global warming and climate change...

I can finally pay off some of my bills, or taxes, as the case may be, but have not been exercising as much as I should. There's something wrong with this picture...our bodies are sacred and need to be taken care of, yet so often I deprive it and my mental well-being for "work."


I need to resolve this. It's important to take care of our bodies and souls- that's all we've really got when it comes down to it, isn't it sad that we neglect ourselves?
I think this might be a bigger society-wide problem...don't you think? Why do we work so much?

They don't work as long in Europe, and have longer vacations than us Americans in the U.S. ...Why?

I heard world-renowned singer Youssou N'Dour sing this weekend! for free! His voice is amazing! He's on Time's top 100 most influential people of the year, doing great things to help children, to fight aids and malaria through music. check out his webiste and hear some music.
(Let me know what you think, he's so popular in Senegal- people listen to him all the time on their stereos!)

Anyways, the concert started with everyone sitting in their chairs and ended with everyone out of their chairs and dancing- aisles full, dancers showing off their stuff on stage: dancing in provokative response to the drummer's beats. Very Senegal, so good. Then, we got to meet him back stage! A bit intimidating, but he was so laid back- we even got our picture with him!
And I got to speak Wolof and french with some of the band members which was really fun:)
I am inspired by the dancing- I want to take more West African dancing-so high energy and fun and free!....

On friday Glenn and his friend Brady finally left to sail to Mexico!! They went past the golden gate into open ocean for the first time and made it to Monteray Bay yesterday! They are hanging out there for a few days to wait out a storm before they continue...smart guys...Hopefully he'll get his own blog together soon, then you can read updates from him:)

I feel sad he's gone,

but so excited and happy and content all at the same time!

( I miss you Ella!)

He's traveling out of the country- that is an adventure that everyone needs to take- to find out more about themselves and the world. This makes me happy and excited for him. Tinge of jealousy, but way more happiness and excitement for him. I love traveling, and I'm glad to have had time to travel on my own....now it's Glenn's turn.

I'm going to have more Krystal time, which I'm excited about and need. I'm also excited to have more time to hang out with new friends, get some more work experience, do more art, more dance and find new things to do in the Bay.

This will be a good time for both of us.

The night before Glenn and Brady left, Caroline (Glenn's mama) treated us to Cirque de Soleil!
watch the video, so cool! It's a circus, but French Canadian style- can't get much better than that.

unicycle dancing duo

wheel of death- these guys are pumped with adreneline, lots of ego and lots of guts!

fastest moving hands I've ever seen, juggling 12 rings while bouncing a ball on his head and wearing a sliver suit! is he for real?

tight rope balancing act on bicycles!?- with a guy chillin in a chair on top...no problem!

balance balls- and people, and more balance balls, and more people- they just keep on stackin'

- watching this show made me awe at all the potential we humans have. it showcased a myriad of life's issues in a very physical way: humor, fear, love, passion, risk, balance, training, concentration, illusion, flexibility, passion, expression, creativity ...amazing. All with a live band and singer, amazing lights, crazy clowns all inside a big huge tent!

wow! really cool.
If you ever get a chance, scrounge up some cash and go!....

...So It's winter and I'm in california-

I got to go swimming with Caroline and hiking with my new friend Diana today- alhumdulilaay!

Joaquin Miller Regional Park in the Oakland Hills:)

This is right next the Mormon Temple, beautiful views of the bay.

All in all, Life is pretty good.

It's still weird to have no snow and flowers growing...It's Hibernation time- I'm ready to curl up by the fire and read books. And sleep.

Mushrooms are eating the San Francisco Bay!

I'm sure you have all heard about the big container ship that hit the bay bridge a few days back and spilled 58,000 gallons of fuel into the bay. Oops.
Even the SF 7th graders I gave a presentation to yesterday knew all about it, so I'm sure all y'all out of staters know about it by now.

Apparently the governator won't let the fisherman or crabbers do anything until the mess is cleaned up, so lots of them are helping with their boats to clean the oil up. read article here.
Good idea Arnold, you know, I think he's not such a bad guy really. Did you know his signature is on my college diploma? Not that I'm necessarily proud that this grotesquely muscle-bound terminator is our governor, but he's actually done a lot of amazing work for the environment, so I've got to say thanks Arnold.

To be honest, I have been more busy trying to juggle a few different jobs lately than keeping up to date with the status of the oil spill clean up, but I did take a few minutes this evening to read a great article that made me really excited: a bunch of volunteers are using human hair mats (made from hair collected from hair salons)to soak up the oil on beaches, then using oyster mushrooms to absorb the oil, which turns the whole mat into compost! Turning toxic oil into non-toxic compost- awesome! That's gotta be one of the coolest, greenest, non-toxic solutions I've ever heard of! Yay for creativity and the mushroom family. Check out the article here.

Have any of you heard of Paul Stamets? He's basically the mushroom guru of the Pacific Northwest who wrote an amazing book about how mushrooms will save the world "Mycelium Running." I haven't read it, but I have heard him speak a couple of times about it, and it's truly miraculous stuff! Check out his website here.

So there are safe, all natural solutions to a lot of the yucky, man-made toxics created from our "industrious" species. Hallelujah! (I'm listening to old time gospel music right now. Which reminds me, Oakland has an amazing interfaith gospel choir! Who wants to come and see them with me? They have a Christmas concert every year, wouldn't that be fun?)
I'm thankful for creativity! May we all let more creativity thrive in our lives and make room for more innovation and miracles!
May I make more room for creative outlet in my life- I feel like an artist, but I don't do art often enough.
Here, some more paintings from this summer- feast on these for now till I get some new work:)



"Big Sand Lake" WI (near MN where Glenn's grandpa lives)



"Evolution Lake Sunset"- One of the prettiest spots on the Pacific Crest Trail located in Evolution Valley in Kings Canyon Wilderness I believe- also great fishing.



"Lake of the Lone Indian"- a beautiful spot off the beaten path a little bit, again an amazing spot on our hike along the Pacific Crest/John Muir Trail



"Rae Lakes" we stayed at a little island in between the two lakes, this is looking north at sunset.



"Puget Sound" in Seattle Washington- we went here right after our big hike and this was pretty close to where Glenn's sister Buffie lived.

I made some of these into cards- would you buy one? I'm thinking of trying to sell some at some of the local stores maybe?

Happy Halloween!!

Barbarian and Sea Monkey, the dynamic duo of the year.
I love Halloween! The costumes, the sugar, the costumes, the haunted houses, the costumes, the pumpkins, the corn mazes, the squash and leaves and crisp air and and and....all the creative costumes!
Highlights for me this year were: the Phantom of the Opera themed haunted house, the Pirate's Cove haunted house, glenn's two-faced reversible jack-o-lantern, going to the party of our performing arts friend Frank, seeing Michael Jackson dance Billy Jean, making my sea monkey costume, finding glenn a human hair wig for his barbarian costume, and last but not least, my friend Noelle's costume: "Barbie's friend Fanny, the overweight barbie that has been discontinued, still in packaging comes with a fanny pack, slim fast cans, and visible panty line strecth pants. (too bad she was up in Arcata for that one.)
I hope everyone had a fabulous Halloween! What a crazy fun holiday. I like it, no matter what people say about demons and satan, I think it's a fun time to be creative ,let loose, and celebrate the harvest of the bountiful season! So there.

One thing I have yet to do is watch the young frankenstein..sorry mom and dad, I hope you kept up the tradition, along with open face candy corn grilled cheese sandwiches, always one of my favorites...
"he was my boyfriend!"

I must admit, I have eaten lots and lots of candy, not even quality candy, just junk candy: peanut butter cups, kisses, neccos, I even had some smarties- those used to be the bottom of the candy trading post pile. Still are, what was I thinking?
Must be left over trick or treating nostalgia..I think after today it's wearing off.
The funny thing is that I don't really feel all that bad about it...hmmmm. Ignorance is bliss. Ain't America grand?
Happy Halloween!





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