can of worms

Moved.

2009-05-13T18:34:00.001+03:00

This is my last post on this blog. I've moved to http://allaboutthememories.com - You can catch up on my story there!

Rosa Loves

2008-12-09T22:53:00.004+03:00

Our friends at Rosa Loves just designed a shirt for The Preemptive Love Coalition and 60% of what you pay for it goes directly to help Hussein, an Iraqi child that needs 4,000 dollars to pay for his heart surgery. Rosa Loves has printed enough shirts to raise that amount and once we reach that goal, this shirt will be discontinued. Get one in time for Christmas and before the time to help Hussein

Best Christmas Ever

2008-12-05T09:28:00.003+03:00

It's been a while since I've told you about some of the children we've been able to help. Just yesterday we funded the heart surgeries for Wahaj, Havan and Elaf.Wahaj's heart was so weak that he had been losing consciousness during cyanotic spells, which means that he could die at any moment. Thankfully the funding came in and he was able to be rushed to the ICU today where they were able to

Scream Bloody Murder

2008-12-03T22:55:00.002+03:00

They share a deep sorrow: an idealistic American who tried to protect the Kurds of Iraq, a Canadian general who refused to follow orders in Rwanda, a French priest who fought for the soul of Cambodia.

Gifts of the Heart.

2008-11-20T23:58:00.002+03:00

My nephew, Samuel.

2008-11-20T22:45:00.004+03:00

This past Monday at 2:00 p.m., my nephew Samuel had surgery on his heart. Just recently he started to have episodes where his heart would start to beat way beyond the rate that's healthy for any heart. The doctors monitored his heart and came to the conclusion that the only way to fix it would be through surgery. Samuel's situation is more common among adults but extremely rare for children.The

from generation to generation.

2008-11-18T07:37:00.002+03:00

I always hear the same comment whenever I tell people that I work with youth. They always laugh, smack me on the back, and make some comment about how they could never work with kids. I'm never quite sure what they mean. Does it mean they don't like kids? Or they don't have the patience? Or that kids are somehow "unreachable" or that they could never invest in them? Since I never know what they

Good Search

2008-10-26T01:24:00.003+03:00

Here's an easy way to help raise money for Iraqi children with heart disease. All you have to do is start using GOODSEARCH as your search engine.Simply go to http://goodsearch.com.It will ask you, "Who do you GOODSEARCH for?"You say, "The Preemptive Love Coalition."Then you start searching as usual! Every time you use GOODSEARCH they'll donate money to The Preemptive Love Coalition. We've had it

What's With The Drawing?

2008-10-24T02:53:00.003+03:00

A few people have asked me about the new drawing on the heading of my blog. It was drawn by an artist named "Banksy." Nobody really knows anything about him, people just speculate. Some say he was born in 1974 near Bristol. Apparently he was learning how to be a butcher until they had the big aerosol boom in the late 1980's and then he began his art career.His graffiti has appeared in cities all

Santa Barbara

2008-10-23T20:59:00.004+03:00

Santa Barbara is a city that I've grown up next to my whole life. It was always viewed as an escape. Most adults wished they lived there and all the kids wished they were there on the weekends. It's one of the most beautiful places on Earth and attracts people from all different ways of life. It's got everything you could want but by the time Santa Barbara is done wooing you, it's so easy to

Back in California

2008-10-10T23:45:00.003+03:00

I got back late last Thursday night from a week in Ohio where I spent several days with old friends I haven't seen since I graduated college. Going into this week, I was pretty excited to see them but I didn't realize until I got there how much I needed to see them. They reminded me of how sweet community can be and how badly I miss having them around. They're all over the world now and it's

Ohio

2008-10-03T00:11:00.002+03:00

Michelle and I are in the Columbus airport right now waiting on some college friends to come pick us up. We were flown out here for a reunion that I'm thrilled to be at! We'll be out here for a week and we're also hoping on making a lot of progress in promoting PLC on a couple universities and communities in the area.We're going to meeting up with some campus leaders and hopefully getting in some

Currency

2008-09-25T23:58:00.005+03:00

Last night I was out at Pershing Park again with the homeless. It was a beautiful night and before it got time to head home, there were several moments that got logged in my memory. Now I'm transferring them over to my blog.Shaky. They call him Shaky because he has Parkinson's disease and often has seizures. The other night he had four seizures before dawn. Usually, Shaky gets around by dragging

Videos

2008-09-25T00:18:00.002+03:00

Here are some videos that I've failed to get to you these past several weeks.Hope you like them!

Six Flags

2008-09-23T05:10:00.003+03:00

Like Roller Coasters? Like to get out of your bubble?Check this out.It kills me that I can't make it to this since I'll be traveling this day. I was a volunteer and all set to go, but had to bail. If you're able to make it to this, get some friends to go with you and have some fun!Then tell me all about it.

Kids Klash

2008-09-23T04:59:00.002+03:00

In all of the recent excitement over the last couple of months about our internship program, expanding partnerships in the US, and, most of all, even more kids who are returning home with healed hearts, we’ve barely mentioned an exciting new product that will help the Preemptive Love Coalition fulfill its mission to fund heart surgeries for the no less than 3,000 children in Iraq who are dying on

Kids.

2008-09-19T07:24:00.003+03:00

Not too long ago I took up the post as a junior high youth pastor. I'm loving every minute of it and I'm doing my best to juggle this position with trying to build some momentum for The Preemptive Love Coalition.Both are going extremely well but that also means that I'm doing everything I can just to keep up! Last night I took the junior highers down to Santa Barbara to bring food to the homeless

Engagement Pictures

2008-09-11T05:32:00.003+03:00

This whole weekend was full of so many surprises for Michelle but I was just as excited for them all to happen! One was a plane ticket out to California next week, another was a surprise Engagement dinner celebration put on by her parents, another surprise Engagement celebration down in Waco and then I also surprised her with a photo session with one of our new friends who's become one of our

The Story Goes Like This...

2008-09-11T04:11:00.004+03:00

So here's my side of the story. Michelle is working on her side of the story so be sure to check it out here.It was just a few months ago that I got back from Iraq and soon after I returned, Michelle followed me back so that we could get engaged and start a life together. That said, we all knew it was coming sooner or later. Michelle had me cornered and knew that I was probably going to come out

We're Engaged!

2008-09-08T19:07:00.001+03:00

Story and more pictures to come...I promise.

Another Glimpse.

2008-06-11T05:17:00.001+03:00

OK.

2008-06-11T03:38:00.003+03:00

Sometimes the most persuasive things are silent. It's bugged me that I haven't blogged in weeks and every time I've worked on my computer or walked by it, I've been annoyed by that fact. I'm finally giving in.I made it back to California a couple weeks ago. Before I came here, I spent an amazing weekend in Dallas with Michelle's parents. The weekend before that I was spending an amazing weekend

Oh, to blog again!

2008-05-13T23:28:00.005+03:00

I leave Iraq in exactly one week!It's been sad transitioning out of life here. I've loved every day here...and now that it's being taken away it makes me want to hold on tighter to anything I can.This morning I woke up to a phone call telling me that I'm an uncle again! My sister, in the Dominican Republic, gave birth to little Diego Miguel. I'm so thankful that every one is healthy and I'm

Goodies.

2008-05-08T14:21:00.003+03:00

Check out some of the art from the gallery here!After that go buy a catalog full of the Kurdish art and BSSL photography here!

Art Gallery Opening

2008-05-06T15:52:00.005+03:00

Yesterday at 4:00, the Preemptive Love Art Exhibition was officially opened in Zamwa Gallery. It was originally supposed to open in February but after several bumps in the road, it's arrived! I walked up to the Gallery about an hour before it opened and there were already several reporters and artists waiting outside. It was a great time to spend with the artists and hear them talk to other

963

2008-04-27T16:49:00.003+03:00

Our friends over at 963 Coffee have started this wonderful business to facilitate the fair trade of coffee so that you get your daily Joe and coffee farmers get their fair share of what would otherwise be a $5 cup of coffee. Instead of beans on the dollars, they get a fair wage, good working conditions, the right to organize themselves into unions, and a host of other benefits not afforded by

hate will get you every time

2008-04-27T10:39:00.005+03:00

I've been listening to a song over and over again, called "Always Love" by Nada Surf. It's catchy and the chorus says "always love...hate will get you every time." I've been listening to it, not because I've been overflowing with love lately but because I've really been struggling to love.This struggle wouldn't be as annoying if one of our slogans wasn't "Preemptive Love." I love that phrase when

24 Days.

2008-04-27T09:08:00.002+03:00

That's how many more days I'll be in Iraq.It's crazy how fast a year has gone by. I remember thinking a year is such a long time but now that it's coming to a close, it seems like things were just getting started. These past few days have been extremely busy with work and relationships here. We're working harder than ever on shoes and developing the business along with our non-profit back in the

Happy Birthday!

2008-04-11T23:11:00.004+03:00

Happy Birthday!25 years ago my best friend was born. I'm so thankful that we've been able to live life together in Iraq and I can't wait to see what happens after all this. She's brought so much joy and blessings to people all over Iraq and all over the world.I'm one of them. Happy Birthday Michelle....you're so loved.

past few weeks at a glance.

2008-04-07T12:04:00.010+03:00

Here are a few images from these past couple weeks.This is a gas mask I found in the Bazaar a few weeks ago. Initially I was trying to think of how it could be displayed as a piece of art but these pictures are all I've come up with so far. I love the symbolism of it all.This is a piece of art that was created for our Preemptive Love art exhibition. This is the tail-end of a bomb that was used on

The Rock.

2008-04-06T22:50:00.003+03:00

A few days ago a friend led me and some others on a five hour hike through a canyon about half an hour away. Most days we're stuck in the city and so any time somebody offers to take me out of it, I always jump on the opportunity.Before I got here, I assumed Iraq was just a giant sand box. Down south that's true but up north it's more like a big box of dirt and rocks. Sand storms are formed in

Books I'm Reading.

2008-03-20T09:35:00.006+03:00

If you're looking for a book to pick up, I'd highly recommend any of these right now. They've been books I've been reading lately when I've been able to find some free time. Each one of these books is making me restless. You can actually download "Deadly Viper" for free here.Maybe these books will challenge you as they're challenging me.

Skate Florida.

2008-03-18T22:41:00.005+03:00

I remember telling you that I love things that inspire me. This week the inspiration came from an e-mail from Joshua in Florida. Joshua's leading a team of long boarders and they're riding across the entire state of Florida to raise awareness and money for Buy Shoes. Save Lives. and our Preemptive Love campaign.Right now they're planning on starting sometime in June and they're going to take the

when a bomb explodes

2008-03-17T23:42:00.005+03:00

This past week a bomb exploded outside of a well known hotel here in the city.A driver had pulled up to the entrance of the hotel and detonated his car around seven thirty in the evening. The hotel is just up the hill from me and it seemed like everybody in the city heard the explosion or felt it rattle their homes. Nobody knows what exactly what happened because when it's all said and done,

ha·lab·ja

2008-03-16T11:27:00.012+03:00

ta·bun C5H11N2O2PAn extremely toxic chemical. Tabun is toxic within one minute of exposure. The number and severity of symptoms which appear vary according to the amount of the agent absorbed and rate of entry into the body. Extremely small skin exposure cause severe sweating and tremors accompanied with constricted pupils. Inhaled dosages kill in 1 to 10 minutes and liquid in the eye kills

:: Preemptive Love :: Art Exhibition ::

2008-02-26T11:59:00.007+03:00

This is the latest on our art exhibition.If you want to read about the beginnings of the art gallery, check it out here.The Art Gallery is gaining so much momentum here and today was just a confirmation of that. We had a meeting with the Regional Reconstruction Team here in our city. It's an office with three Kurdish men who have been such a privilege to work with. They've all been to the states

Latest Image.

2008-02-23T20:15:00.006+03:00

One of the things I miss most right now is the time I used to have to go out and take pictures. Every time I see my camera I feel the urge to grab it and go out for a day but there's always a list of tasks that holds me back.I did take some pictures a couple days ago though and I figured I could at least post that. So here it is.This is a man from Kirkuk. A friend who works here as a

Tribute.

2008-02-21T21:59:00.002+03:00

A while back, you may remember, we helped put on a large baseball tournament for children in our area. We helped plan it all out but there was no way it could have happened without the US military. They brought the idea to us and they wrote up a phenomenal proposal for it and we decided that this needed to happen.The goal was to reach the youth. The terrorists are zealous in recruiting kids here

catching my breath.

2008-02-16T17:25:00.003+03:00

Here's to you.I've been reading each one of your comments, trying to check out your blogs that you sent me and see what you're passionate about, see what you're blogging about, and now I'm going to attempt to answer some of your questions about me. I love that you actually care about some person you've never met and you're trying to find out more.First things first. I'm not a journalist or

Blogs of Note?

2008-02-05T11:30:00.000+03:00

I'm in a cafe right now using their internet and I just finished checking my blog. 21 comments to moderate? I thought it was a mistake but it turns out my blog was noted on blogger's home page.How does that happen? I don't know. But I feel like I should give all of these people the proper welcome and gratitude for checking out my blog. Let me give you the context of my thanks though.Yesterday was

BSSL Happenings.

2008-02-03T11:25:00.000+03:00

This is a poster for the Buy Shoes. Save Lives. Art Show opening on March 1st. This poster will be printed today and then a friend and I will walk around the city and plaster them everywhere. The gallery was initially planned for this month but things have just been so crazy we didn't want to rush it. You can't rush art I guess.We're really excited about this gallery. We really want to cover it

all of a sudden things are so different.

2008-01-31T21:11:00.001+03:00

It's been so good to be back.Yes, that break was incredible and I'm still basking in all of its blessings but now I feel like I'm ready to push hard these next few months. For those of you who don't know I'm planning on staying until May sometime. Then what? You'll just have to wait and see!It's been good to be back, but a lot different.I came back to a new house. Our office moved into a

Work It. Work It.

2008-01-24T12:10:00.001+03:00

I love Kurds. Yesterday I went to deliver a large order for shoes to our Klash maker. I dropped it off and then we just hung out in his shop for a while...neither of us wanting to leave his kerosene heater. We talked about "24" and Jack Bauer for a while. This guy is obsessed with 24 and Jack. Who isn't? Needless to say that he was shocked to hear that there was more than 3 seasons.Then he asked

Back in Iraq.

2008-01-21T11:55:00.000+03:00

Incredible break. Now I'm back in Iraq to finish off a year here!Here's some pics from our time in Italy.Things are going well here in Iraq and I'll start to update you on everything in a few days.Inshallah.Just wanted to let you know that I made it back!

12 days of Christmas.

2007-12-22T22:37:00.001+03:00

It was a little short of 12 days but every one of them felt like Christmas this past week! I made all my connections and got into Dallas and spent the entire week hanging out with Michelle and getting to know all of her close friends and family.We went to a Christmas symphony, ate the finest steaks Texas had to offer, looked at Christmas lights (where whole blocks had themes...never seen that

Travels.

2007-12-11T21:21:00.000+03:00

Iraq - Istanbul - London - Chicago - Dallas - Chicago - London - Istanbul - Rome - Turin - Rome - Istanbul - IraqThat's my flight schedule these next few weeks!Things are going to be crazy and I'm going to try to blog when I can but I wanted to let you know what I'll be up to. I'm traveling back to the States for a week to meet "the girl's" family and spend some time with them. I can't tell you

Aras

2007-12-06T09:12:00.000+03:00

You can check out this link to find out the latest on Aras.You can also write him and his mother at aras@shevet.orgI know it would mean so much to them to get a letter from you, letting them know how much you love them, are keeping them in your thoughts, and how you've been following their story. That's why I'm not blogging today, so you can have that 2 minutes to write them a quick note!

Favorite Spot.

2007-12-01T01:20:00.001+03:00

A couple days ago I was able to go visit this small village on the outskirts of the city. The first time I went there was to visit a child who needs heart surgery and I've been itching to get back. It's quickly becoming my favorite place to go.

Iraq to Jordan

2007-11-30T22:26:00.000+03:00

This Wednesday I had the privilege of taking Aras and his family to the airport. We had gone earlier to buy tickets for them and I told them to be at our house at 2:30 and we can go from there. They showed up at 2:00 with one small bag that Aras and his mother shared. Their entire family came along with a few cousins that I had never met before. We all crammed into one car and headed off to the

U2

2007-11-28T21:18:00.000+03:00

This is a new song released by U2 that's been on repeat on my iPod since I heard it. They just released a remastered version of their 1987 Album, "The Joshua Tree." It's incredible. Go get it.

BSSL Latest.

2007-11-23T17:58:00.000+03:00

I thought I'd give you an update on some things going on with Buy Shoes. Save Lives. It's getting to the point though where I can't update you on everything going on...simply because so many things are happening that I even have a hard time keeping up! Here's some things that have happened this past week.Delshad has happened. Delshad is the latest child that Buy Shoes. Save Lives. has helped fund

More Baseball.

2007-11-23T16:58:00.000+03:00

More of the 700.

2007-11-21T22:50:00.001+03:00

Baseballs and Kisses.

2007-11-20T22:05:00.000+03:00

This past week we've helped put on a five day baseball camp for children in our area. I've been looking forward to this week for so long simply because I knew kids were involved. The United States Army led up most of it but they asked us to work alongside them. I've been blown away at all the work they've put into it. Whenever I'd hear the statistics of how much money the US has put into Iraq I

Aras

2007-11-16T17:43:00.000+03:00

Just recently we had eight people join our office. It's been a crazy adjustment for me but I'm excited about how things are changing. The past few days have been spent getting to know each other and brainstorming as a team. We had a day off before we got started so I took the opportunity to go over and see Aras and then go visit a few more families looking for a way to get their children heart

Hearts for Art. Art for Hearts.

2007-11-15T22:15:00.000+03:00

This past week I was in a cafe visiting some friends. They were all artists and we sat there talking and passing the time over some tea. As usual, that day's discussion had something to do with art. In the middle of the conversation I threw out the question, "Has anybody here ever used their art to help people?" An awkward silence followed...and then someone spoke up, "what do you mean?"We

Three of Hearts.

2007-11-06T20:16:00.000+03:00

This morning KSC was generous enough to send a car to pick me up and take me to visit three families that have children waiting for immediate heart surgery. I went along with one of their social workers and we navigated our way through the poorest parts of the city. It struck me again how all the needy and poor are pushed to the outskirts of the city.KSC has over 700 children that are in need of

Haa...

2007-11-05T11:53:00.000+03:00

...ppy Birthday to you!!! Happy Birthday to you!!! Haaappy Biirthday...Ms. Potato Head, Superman...and Emmaaaa.Haaapy Birthday toooo youuuu!!!This is my beautiful niece who just turned 3 years old!! Happy Birthday Emma! Love you so much! Sorry this is a few hours late...I ran out of electricity last night.

"Pressing On."

2007-11-04T20:43:00.000+03:00

That phrase could mean two completely different things."Pressing on" could mean hitting a button on a remote to turn the television on. It could mean flipping on the switch to your Playstation 3 or turning on your computer. Those things are simple. All of us have pressed on. It usually involves things that are short lived and as soon as you press off...it's over."Pressing on" could also mean the

Rejoice.

2007-10-30T11:55:00.001+03:00

Today is such a good day! Buy Shoes. Save Lives. has helped fund its first heart surgery! Remember Aras? He's a boy in a village about an hour away who has a bad heart. Today I'm able to tell you that, because of your help and support, we were able to take care of the rest of his funds so that he's able to leave for surgery as soon as possible! I am so thrilled right now! This has been such a

Remedy.

2007-10-27T23:15:00.000+03:00

Thermostat or a Thermometer.

2007-10-27T20:08:00.001+03:00

Most of you know that before I came here I worked with youth. I loved it and not a day has gone by where I don't think of them. They taught me so many lessons that I'm still trying to work through and live out. One image we always talked about was the image of a thermometer and a thermostat.It's a simple image with a simple message.A thermometer is something that reflects its environment. If it's

"What Can We Do?"

2007-10-20T19:30:00.001+03:00

A couple days ago I went up to the bazaar for the first time since I've been back. Everything was changing...it's obvious that winter is beginning to set in and everybody is adjusting. Shops are switching their products...instead of selling Klash they're selling walnuts, instead of staying open until 8 or 9, now shops are closing shortly after six. It was amazing to see how much had changed in a

Cappadocia

2007-10-19T10:01:00.002+03:00

From Antalya we took the night bus and woke up in Cappadocia. First thing we did was go rent a motorcycle for the both of us. (Don't make fun of us...it's cheaper if you share!) We sped all around the area on our little Yamaha with our bags carefully balanced on back and on our laps the whole way! It really was such a fun time. We only crashed once. Yes I was driving. I was blazing my own trail

Antalya

2007-10-18T22:16:00.001+03:00

Our day in Antalya.This was after we spent a week at Rivendel so I was extremely excited to get off the mountain. We walked all around the beach, up and down each street...just taking pictures and enjoying life there. We just had an afternoon to explore the place so nothing too crazy happened.It's a beautiful city...filled with history right alongside modern life. Can I just be honest with you

So....

2007-10-18T10:03:00.000+03:00

...remember that time I left for a couple weeks and told you I'd have all these interesting posts and pictures from my travels??Ya, I apologize for that. Traveling was crazy. I felt like we were always on the run from somebody. (not really though...just an example of how we never stayed in a place long enough to relax and put up a good post!)But now I'm back in the office! I have a 1,001 things I

Bus Station.

2007-10-09T21:45:00.000+03:00

We escaped Rivendell a few days ago.We spent our first day exploring a city right on the coast. It was so beautiful. ALMOST as beautiful as California. But let's not get too carried away. We just spent the afternoon there because we had a night bus taking us more inland. We're trying to time our buses just right so that we can sleep on the bus and just wake up in a new city. So far so good!The

Stuck At Rivendell.

2007-10-05T23:09:00.000+03:00

We traveled 9 hours by taxi to get here. (That's the time we were actually moving forward...not counting the 3 hours spent stuck on a bridge trying to get across the border!) I've never seen a border crossing like this one. They dismantle your entire car looking for anything you might be sneaking in the country. The car ahead of us got their whole radiator taken out...I think they found some

60 Seconds.

2007-10-02T22:46:00.000+03:00

That's how fast I'm going to write this post.The morning before I left I had a meeting with Kurdistan's Save the Children and we shook on a contract between them and Buy Shoes. Save Lives. To make it short...they're going to give a MINIMUM of 10,000 dollars a month towards these heart surgeries!!!They're also going to do their part in making sure the children's visas don't run into any hold ups

All Packed.

2007-09-29T22:46:00.000+04:00

I have a backpack, my camera, a change of clothes and a toothbrush.I'm all set to head out tomorrow morning and get some rest outside of the country! I'm so looking forward to this. I'm gonna stock up on nutri-grain bars and try to make the most of these two weeks while spending as little as possible. I'm looking forward to finding some place with internet so that I can keep you posted and let

Inspired by Monks.

2007-09-28T09:53:00.000+04:00

I've told you before but I absolutely love being inspired.These past few days I've loved following the story of these Monks in Burma. Maybe it's all over the news or maybe you haven't heard anything, I don't know. But Burma's being ruled by the military after they took over the country by force...putting the rightful leader of Burma under house arrest for the past 11 years.Now the country's

The Mosque.

2007-09-26T22:35:00.000+04:00

(Sorry for the incomplete post earlier. We lost electricity half-way through. They just switched to the winter time schedule for electricity so we get just a few hours a day. Hence...multiple posts in one day.)I wanted to give you a little glimpse into the Mosques here. I've been trying to go to the Mosques more lately and understand more about them since this is obviously a huge part of their

Excited.

2007-09-26T17:36:00.000+04:00

Some things I'm excited about right now.I'm leaving on Sunday for a couple weeks! A friend and I are going to leave the country to just get a break from everything. I'm loving being here but I'm honestly looking forward to just being able to relax outside of the country and regroup and get ready for another few months here. (I'm taking my computer and plan on blogging...I wouldn't let you off the

"Ones Who Surrender To God"

2007-09-26T14:15:00.000+04:00

This month is Ramadan. It's the holiest month of the year for Muslims everywhere. Every day they fast from seven in the morning to seven at night, seeking God during their hunger.The fast means something different for everybody. On one extreme you have Muslims carrying around a can to spit in all day so they don't swallow any of their saliva....thereby breaking the fast. And then there's others

Buy Shirts. Save Lives.

2007-09-22T12:50:00.000+04:00

Alright Y'all! (That was for my new Texas friends) The Buy Shoes. Save Lives. shirts are in!Go check them out at our store!Seriously....give me one good reason why you shouldn't go buy one right now.

It's begun...

2007-09-21T23:11:00.000+04:00

...I'm becoming Kurdish.The little table next to my desk that holds my plant and my drinks was dirty so I just took it outside, got a bucket of water and hurled it at my dusty table.I put the bucket down. Then carried the table back inside.It didn't even hit me how Kurdish that was until I noticed the puddle on the floor next to me from my dripping table.

Aras.

2007-09-21T19:34:00.000+04:00

Meet Aras.He's a boy on the front page of the Brother's Together website and he's been waiting a really long time for heart surgery. He's approved...ready to go, his family just needs 7,000 dollars. I went to his house with Jamal and another friend and met him and his family. They live in a humble little home behind a concrete wall and above the entrance is a large picture of a heart. His Dad's a

Kurdish Man

2007-09-19T21:33:00.001+04:00

Your First Child.

2007-09-18T11:27:00.001+04:00

Meet Dyarko. He's 2 and a half years old and he has a bad heart. A heart that is failing and will give him an early death if he doesn't have immediate heart surgery. Just a few days ago I met with his family and they told me there was no way they could afford to send Dyarko for medical screening, a huge step he has to take before he can get surgery. A chance that only comes around once a year so

Relevant Magazine.

2007-09-17T13:21:00.000+04:00

Alright keep the drum roll going...there are so many crazy things that have been happening here so hold on.Let me tell you a story.We have a good friend back in the states who is an amazing supporter of Buy Shoes. Save Lives. She got this e-mail from a pretty large magazine company in America, called "Relevant" about how they're boosting their on-line store and need more products. She took 2

Roll the Drums.

2007-09-16T19:24:00.000+04:00

When I signed up to come to Iraq there were a lot of scenarios running through my head along with a lot of expectations and a lot of possibilities that I had to get over. In my head I thought through everything that could happen while I'm out here and added it all up. It seemed more than worth it so I started to pack my bags. I thought I was ready for anything this country had to throw at me

Be Right Back.

2007-09-06T23:55:00.000+04:00

Hey Everybody...I apologize for the lack of posts lately. Don't worry, I don't have Cholera or anything like that. There's been so many things that have been happening here lately...in Kurdistan, in the office, in my life and pretty much every area you can think of. So much so that I've taken a few days off from blogging.But don't worry...I've been writing it all down and you're about to get

The Freedom of the Moon

2007-08-28T22:34:00.000+04:00

I've tried the new moon tilted in the airAbove a hazy tree-and-farmhouse clusterAs you might try a jewel in your hair.I've tried it fine with little breadth of luster,Alone, or in one ornament combiningWith one first-water start almost shining.I put it shining anywhere I please.By walking slowly on some evening later,I've pulled it from a crate of crooked trees,And brought it over glossy water,

"Make Art. Not War."

2007-08-27T12:25:00.001+04:00

Art is alive and well in Kurdistan. Initially I thought that amidst all the war and need to survive art would have been put on the back burner. I couldn't have been more wrong. For so many people here, art was how they made it through those times. I know a Kurd who is famous for his paintings because his paintings were ones that inspired and fueled the Kurdish uprising. All because of a

Buy Toothpaste. Save Teeth.

2007-08-26T20:45:00.000+04:00

I never thought I would befriend a Dentist. But today I went with a bus full of them to one of the poorer villages in the area looking for teeth. Some things are so much harder to do here than in the states...but on the other hand there's some things that are so easy to do here.You want to teach something? Just walk into a village and sit on the corner and soon you'll be surrounded by everyone

the yazidis.

2007-08-24T10:18:00.000+04:00

Whenever people think of Iraqis or Kurds I think everybody thinks they're all Muslims. At least that's what I thought. There's other religions here but so often they're overshadowed by Islam. There's the Zoroastrians (there's a pretty strong argument saying that the 3 kings from the Bible were Zoroastrian.) There's Chaldean Christians here, there's a Catholic church down the road, Jews (I've

Water + Klash = Bad

2007-08-20T16:22:00.000+04:00

So the other night I had my first really bad nightmare since I've been here. I woke up on our roof all tangled up in my sheet, sweating profusely. (All three of those things are normal here so it's not as bad as it sounds.)This was my dream. I had no idea it would come true though.Context: I love my Klash. I wear them everywhere, I clean them regularly, I make them really white using a little

A Time to Sleep.

2007-08-20T10:29:00.000+04:00

The early afternoon has become one of my favorite times to walk through the Bazaar. It may be the hottest time of the day but the heat seems to bring everything down a notch or two. The streets aren't packed with people in a rush, you're able to walk wherever you want without having to dodge taxis. Shop owners are either asleep in their shop or out front smoking a cigarette waiting for someone

Jamal's Photos.

2007-08-19T21:32:00.000+04:00

I told you I would post some of Jamal's photography when I got a hold of them. So here's some of his pictures. Enjoy.

In The Press.

2007-08-17T17:44:00.000+04:00

Here's a couple articles that came out this week on Buy Shoes. Save Lives. Thought I'd pass them on. Translation on the way...but at least you can see pictures :)

"...two weeks."

2007-08-17T14:09:00.000+04:00

The other night I was out with some friends when I ran into another American. A guy in his thirties from Pennsylvania. I took a triple glance at him and quickly noticed that he wasn't from around here and so we ended up asking each other what we were doing here. He was a reporter from a pretty large newspaper back in the U.S. We ended up talking for a while, went out for a bite to eat and then

Animal House.

2007-08-13T22:45:00.001+04:00

Meet our pets.These are a couple animals that live with us at our place. It'd be fair to say that they're the only two animals we have welcomed into our house. All the mice, stray cats, cockroaches and bats that fly into our office at night are definitely not invited but they don't seem to mind.This is Chloe. Someone said that she looks Chinese in this picture but she always gets like that in

Meet Jamal.

2007-08-12T21:46:00.000+04:00

This is Jamal. Jamal Penjweny. I wish I could post a better pic of him but this is all I ever see him doing anyways so it's probably the most accurate picture. He's a photojournalist and he also does films for documentaries. He's one of the photographers who has helped us out with Buy Shoes. Save Lives.Anyways, he just finished shooting a short documentary following the story of three brothers.

The Road Not Taken

2007-08-11T22:27:00.000+04:00

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveller, long I stoodAnd looked down one as far as I couldTo where it bent in the undergrowth.Then took the other, as just as fair,And having perhaps the better claim,Because it was grassy and wanted wear;Though as for that the passing thereHad worn them really about the same.And both that morning equally layIn

I Heart Gypsies.

2007-08-10T10:20:00.000+04:00

The other day I spent the afternoon with a tent village of gypsies. These are some pictures from that afternoon. I love kids.

The Beauty of Comments.

2007-08-07T10:57:00.001+04:00

Feel free to leave comments...I know you're reading this. But if you don't know, you can leave comments at the end of each blog. You can say whatever, make fun of my post, just say hi, leave me a joke I can tell my friends here, give me topics or questions you want me to answer...it's up to you.Comments are sweet because I can reply to them, they make me happy knowing that someone read the blog

Shinanegans.

2007-08-07T09:13:00.000+04:00

Is it seriously August 7th? I have no idea where the days go. Things seem to gradually be getting busier and busier each day. My time at the computer has been at an all time low which is a bummer but it means that my time with people has been at an all time high, which I love. English conversation classes have finished. It was such a good time to spend the mornings with students and get to know

peace.

2007-07-31T23:16:00.000+04:00

Remnants of Hell. Glimpses of Heaven.

2007-07-29T21:51:00.000+04:00

The other day, the photographers I mentioned earlier went with us to one of Saddam's old prisons just down the street from where I live. It carried the title of a "security building" but I think it did anything BUT provide security for the Kurds here. We took a bunch of photos on the prison grounds using the left overs of Saddam's Russian made tanks and anti-aircraft guns to help us out. The

Pictures of the...uh.....year?

2007-07-29T00:11:00.000+04:00

These are two AMAZING pictures taken by one of the photographers yesterday. So all credit goes to him. I fell in love with these pictures though. (All other photographs on this site (except the header and the first picture I posted of the border) you can assume are taken by me, if not though I'll let you know.)