Kalli Fullerton thoughts & insights

Scuba Diving: Phi Phi Island

2013-05-22T17:48:00.003-05:00

We stayed at Phi Phi Village for five days, and it was not nearly enough time! Everything from the room, pool, beach, and secret restaurants was incredible. As I mentioned, we were there during the rainy season. Somehow, we beat the rain at its own game by scheduling around it. We had a beautiful day the first morning, so we decided to stay local and go to the beach and pool while sipping pina coladas out of coconuts all day. Since we didn't have any activities that day, we had plenty of energy to make it up to the mountaintop for dinner and finish the night off with a walk out onto the wet sand as the tide receded several hundred yards out to sea.

Our most intuitive planning happened when we realized the day was going to be overcast and raining two days after we arrived. How to avoid that while on an island? Go under the waves—i.e., dive! Not only did this work out perfectly because it didn't matter if it was rainy when we were under the ocean (it can dilute visibility, but we didn't have that effect here), but there was another unexpected benefit.

We were alone. All alone. Just us, the boat captain and guide.

I have been out on dozens of these tour boats all over the Caribbean and Mediterranean. It’s typical to see a double-decker boat pull up and every seat be filled with a tourist and a huge beach bag. Well, the boat was the same; a double-decker was there to pick us up that morning, but we were the only ones to board. So we ended up diving into one of the most incredible soft coral reefs in the world with our own personal guide and no one else to worry about.

So, while we did not get to explore the islands to their full extent due to rain and season, we had the most incredible dives of our lives. Essentially, if you have seen anything on dives in the Caribbean, imagine it is 15 times bigger. I was swimming past sea fans the size of tractor tires and over tube corals as tall as me. I was so overwhelmed by the size of the different corals that I had seen for years and years, but sadly, at less than half the size, I saw them here. The health of the coral reefs here is far from perfect, but when compared to those in the Caribbean, they seem to be from another planet.

Unlike the typical Caribbean experience, here you dive alongside

walls of coral that seem to go on forever. One of our dive locations was exactly like this.

Beyond size, the soft coral was the most spectacular part of the coral landscapes. The highlighter green and purple corals popping out of every crevice and flourishing to enormous sizes, like the hard corals, were like seeing God’s watercolor masterpiece. Often I had hovered over small outstretched arms of soft coral moving with the currents around Aruba, Granada, and the Turks and Caicos to name a few of my favorites, but here they were hovering over and next to me. Bright yellows, oranges, and colors you see nowhere else in the natural world cover every inch of stone wall and rock. Diving here was truly the most spectacular natural scene I have ever witnessed.

Unfortunately, no under-water camera at the time, but here is a

few that looked like what we saw!

Saw lots of these guys! But no whale sharks, unfortunately.

That morning I struggled out of bed after a wake-up call, and pulled George along with me. We put on our swimsuits and staged out of our hut and down to the beach, where breakfast was served. We were confused by the wait staff still working on place settings and the sun not being up. We quickly realized we had taken the wake-up call’s accuracy too lightly and had gotten to breakfast at six am instead of seven am. It was worth it for the sunrise, but it goes without saying after a full day of diving, we retreated into our little hut and didn't come out until the next morning.

Phi Phi Island Village - Bad Weather ~ Spa Day

2013-05-22T16:18:00.004-05:00

Three nights in Bangkok feels like a week of travel anywhere else. The constant sounds of buzzing cars and rickshaws against the overload of smells coming from every inch of the street, wide enough for both vehicles and makeshift food courts, is enough to send your senses into a comma. After three days of non-stop temple tours and long winding walks through allies packed with people and unidentified dried meat, the beach was seductively calling our names.

When I promoted my “top honeymoon destinations” to George, the Phi Phi Islands were clearly given bonus points to boost Thailand’s score. Pictures and postcards of long boats pulled up onto deserted white beaches lined by turquoise bays and engulfed by limestone cliffs portray the ideal honeymoon destination—I thought, and clearly, George agreed (he got to make the final choice).

After landing in Phuket, we were brought aboard a lovely, large speed boat. The sky was somewhat dark and cloudy, with patches of sun highlighting the actual electric blue color of the water as we made our way to Phi Phi Island Village. It was Friday, May 25th, and depending on what resource you refer to, the beginning of Thailand’s primary monsoon season had started and was well underway. Now, you might wonder, “How could they plan a trip to the world’s most beautiful beaches during the rainy season?” But it could not have been better! Our island experience was certainly dominated by the weather – for better and for worse – but primarily for better (much more to come).

As soon as we stepped off the boat and onto Phi Phi Village, we (me dragging George along) made a beeline to the spa. I am not much of a souvenir person or shopper for that matter, but I had made it clear I intended to get a Thai massage, and I wasted no time. We didn’t even change or go to our rooms. With the cloud cover, the beach was out, and a massage sounded like the perfect way to spend the rest of the day. Walking up the mountain path and into the spa lounge, the sweet lady convinced George to do a couples massage (he had never had one before this trip). We headed up to our little jungle bungalow and found a man and woman waiting for us when we opened the door. I immediately think, “oh my gosh, George is going to freak out having a male masseuse!” I instantly turned away, fearing being completely awkward when George looked to me for help, and simply out of my mind, trying not to laugh.

Here in the U.S., you are usually asked to lie down and then put the towel over you when you are done, and the masseuse will come back into the room, not here! Let’s just say there was a cultural difference between “personal space” and “privacy.” It was an amazing experience, but I still can’t contain my laughter when George talks about looking over at me for “a queue of what to do” and me being shamelessly already on the table looking away. I couldn't relax several times because I was trying so hard not to laugh at what must have been running through George’s mind! I won’t go into detail, but numerous unexpected moments required the mentality we committed to at the beginning of the trip, “say yes to things you would normally say no to.” Without question, you must indulge in a Thai massage when in Thailand, but be prepared for your expectations to be mottled by the shock of cultural divergence.

Tallest Pagoda in Thailand & Thai Village Culture Show

2013-01-02T15:18:00.003-06:00

After our morning of negotiating at the floating markets, we headed to one of Thailand’s main royal temples, Ratchaworaviharn, which includes Wat Phra Pathom Chedi. Both titles, “tallest pagoda in the world” and “tallest pagoda in Thailand,” are used to describe it, and we heard both in Thailand. I’m not sure it’s the largest in the world, but it is surely in the top tier and quite a site to see! Even more fascinating is its history, which goes back more than 2000 years. India’s Emperor, during the 3^rd Century, sent out missionaries to spread Buddhism to the east. The Chedi you see today is built over ancient relics, including carved altars and stone wheels of law, predating 143 B.C. Scaling upwards, at 417 feet, it will be one of the most impressive stupas you will see on any of your travels.

Ratchaworaviharn

The day was starting to wear on us, and at the perfect time, we reached the Rose Gardens in Nakhon Pathom. As usual, lunch was served via buffet… oh the horror. “By the time we get to the beach, I am not going to fit into my swimsuit,” I frequently shouted. Literally, it seemed like every meal was served buffet style or our order consisted of four overflowing dishes. The food is so incredible. However, there is no room for argument; you just have to let your belt out. Comprised of curries, salads, and fish, this spread was no different, and I ended up eating enough for two people. The view of the small lake and surrounding garden was the perfect place to pause after a rushed and busy morning. After a quick walk around the orchid gardens, overflowing with incredible colors and combinations, we went down to the elephant show.

Glad I picked up this book before the trip!

Now, I had been very weary of this trip and all the possible animal situations we would see that would compromise my position on animal rights. However, I intended to learn about popular places to bring attention to any abuse I saw, including restaurants and entertainment shows. This was the first place where my radar started to go off. Thankfully, it appeared to be a false alarm. The elephants are paraded around, demonstrating how they are used in logging throughout South East Asia. Side note: Logging elephants eliminates the need for forest clearing, which is required for heavy machinery and trucks to access the logs typically needed in dense jungles. Yet, because elephants can maneuver through the forest and deliver logs to transportation without roads, forest damage is minimal. I have seen documentaries showcasing operations that treat the animals well and save thousands of acres of forest. Of course, that is an ideal situation, but it is likely not the usual one.

The show is slow-passed, and the elephants do not look like it’s difficult for them to lift and push around these logs. From what we saw, the elephants were happy and not being abused during the hours we were there. The Thai Village Cultural Show that follows is much more than we expected and really fun! Especially the end when you see their version of jumping ropes… with bamboo. This show is an impressive composition of well-preformed snapshots of Thai history and the many unique cultural practices that make Thailand so mysterious. Even the imitation Muay Thai boxing spectacle is entertaining and gives a good idea of a real match if you cannot make it to an authentic one.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market: Thailand

2012-12-10T18:42:00.002-06:00

Our first day outside of Bangkok was welcomed, as we were both anxious to see the countryside. Getting just beyond the sprawling skyscrapers, you quickly feel like you are seeing the real side of rural Thailand. Our first destination was the floating market, followed by an afternoon at the Rose Gardens.

Barely outside Bangkok's traffic jams, it becomes apparent that the majority of Thai people are subsistence farmers, and even more so, they have a small plot system. Even though Thailand is accredited for its enormous progress and development, the vast majority of its people are rural, and the country is still characterized as an agricultural society.

One of the better examples of this type of livelihood was along the polluted waterways we maneuvered through to reach the floating markets. Scattered along the banks, between decaying dwellings, were small plots of coconut farmers working beside ten-foot-tall mounds of hollowed-out coconut husks.

The water would be repulsive to most Westerners, as would the living conditions along these remote canals. I am thankful this is not my first or last experience with undeveloped living conditions. Through travel, my parents gave me a world perspective that most people are unfamiliar with. As a professor, I became even more aware of my students’ lack of understanding of the everyday struggles of most people on earth. That might have something to do with my ambition to bring real-world examples of every topic I discuss into the classroom and have a face for my students to associate with every devastation, situation, or livelihood I present.

To say the least, the ride is enlightening about the lives of these small-plot farmers and provides a glimpse at the living conditions of millions of people living along the waterways of Southeast Asia. As we snaked past mildewed huts on our way to the floating markets, our guide told us the story of the original Bangkok, or “Venice of the East.”

Bangkok’s history is deeply connected to the Chao Phraya River and the canals that connect it and bring life to all city corners. Even today, the canals and rivers are very important; I see all types of people, from monks to tourists and businessmen, riding on water taxis to travel all over the city. As I think about what the landscape would have looked like before the towers sprawled out, I can vividly understand why early visitors to Bangkok described it as the “Venice of the East.” The floating markets we explored are reminiscent of how people bought and sold goods and food in Bangkok.

The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market we visited is a very popular tourist destination and, on first appearance, would probably be written down in my book as a “tourist trap.” However, once we stepped down into another small flat boat for about two dollars, we better understood how these markets would have looked and operated before we, the tourists, invaded them. We had fun looking at the boats full of fruits and women making food and drinks right in their laps on these tiny little boats. You will not be disappointed if you look past the multitude of replicated souvenirs and focus on the people.

It’s a place full of complete chaos, as the women hook your boat and pull you up to theirs to get a better look at what they are selling. As your boat and all the others continue to slide past and over each other, the atmosphere never settles but continues to be full of surprises. So even though it's touristy, if you have a little imagination, you will find the value in seeing a piece of history under the noise and color of a tourist trap.

Bangkok: Golden & Reclining Buddha

2012-10-16T17:57:00.001-05:00

Waking up in Bangkok an our second day in Thailand, I was anxious to get out and walk! I love nothing more than walking and exploring a city at my own pace, with no one to follow and no rules to uphold. Unlike the day before, our schedules had a little more leeway, starting with a morning free to do whatever we pleased.

On our drive up to the hotel the day before, we noticed that the urban clutter behind the hotel was full of commotion. This is where the day would start! And where the first words of advice came into play, our taxi driver from the airport to the hotel wasted no time warning us, “Don’t eat food from the street! Our bellies are different than your bellies!” Furthermore, as I asked about the famous street food and vendors, as characteristic to Thailand as elephants, a jewel of insight came forth, “everyone works in Thailand, there is no help from the government, everyone has to work.” There are no food licenses to obtain to be a street vendor in Thailand, which lends to the ever presence of food around every corner, from the mountains to the beaches.

After seeing entire pigs’ heads, chickens, and fish cooked and served inches from the traffic and winding motorcycles, we had a great time exploring and hiding our shocked faces. If there is open real estate on any Thai street, you can rest assured that a small mobile cart will be there soon. Quickly, unidentified contents will be fried and then served on rice to people crammed up under the newly erected open-air restaurant with seats crammed in. Walking through the alleys and smelling all the food (and seeing it) is so foreign; seeing people interact with each other and eat on the go and in these small makeshift restaurants was just as culturally enlightening as visiting the temples.

Spirit Houses are another interesting part of the cultural landscape in Thailand. These small shrines are everywhere, from the parking lots of most businesses to the front yards of most homes. This is another form of religious syncretism that plays on both Buddhist and Hindu beliefs.

When one o’clock hit, we were off on our tour to see more of this mega city and its golden temples. By the end of a two-week trip to Thailand, the Buddhas start to merge, but one statue worth visiting, and will certainly be one you remember, is the Reclining Buddha at Wat Po, the largest temple in Bangkok. Stretching 46 meters and covered in gold leaf, the Reclining Buddha is the most impressive statue I have seen on our Thai travels. My favorite part? The feet are decorated with a mother of pear to resemble toe prints (like fingerprints).

The other Buddha statue tied for first place in my book is the famous Golden Buddha at Wat Traimit, renowned as the giant solid gold statue in the world. Its past is one history and mystery buffs will love alike. Monks covered it in plaster and painted it to protect it from being stolen by the Burmese invaders in 1767. The Burmese destroyed the city of Ayutthaya and left the unimpressive stucco Buddha there amid the ruble. For almost two hundred years, its true identity was masked as it moved from city to city and temple to temple. Eventually, in 1954, it was being moved from its un-glorious position outside when ropes broke, and a glittering gold shine could be seen under the cracks in the plaster. The gold is estimated to be worth around 250 million dollars, just in case you were wondering.

Once our tour was over, we were dropped off in Chinatown, where the streets seemed to be busier than the rest of Bangkok! We were instantly drawn to the windows, which were full of intriguing things to eat! Walking through Chinatown was one of my favorite parts of experiencing Bangkok.

It is a unique part of the city with its own flavor. Our stomachs started to rumble and tempt us into eating the tempting street food, but thankfully, it wasn't long until we reached a storefront crammed with crabs, fish, and less recognizable things on ice that looked like "the real deal." The meal was perfect; the Chinese food was by far the best I have ever had. However, the pressing marketing for shark fin soup made the food dull in my mouth.

the restaurant we ate at, recommended by the

Princes for their noodles

Visiting Thailand, I had been preparing to see animals being mistreated (tigers and elephants primarily – I will talk about this extensively later) and menu items that would cause outrage at home. This was the second day of the trip, and here it was. The flashes of sharks being brought up on boats, stripped of their fins, and then thrown back into the ocean to drown were swimming in front of my eyes. This is the reality of traveling and seeing things you are uncomfortable with; it is our responsibility to be educated on what “experiencing the local culture” is and what constitutes participating in destroying ecosystems and species. Being an educated traveler and knowing where to draw the line is crucial. We should have chosen a different restaurant when I spotted the shark fin soup, and I will always regret the decision to stay. I have learned from this experience and my guilt over it; never again will I stay at a restaurant where the menu contains such cruelty.

a picture as we drove by a restaurant in China Town with

shark fins proudly hung in the window

Thailand Honeymoon: Bangkok

2012-10-04T15:17:00.003-05:00

Day 1: Bangkok, Grand Palace, Siam Niramit Dinner & Show

Back on the plane, we were wired, as all the amazing things we saw in Dubai kept our conversation vivid. Consequently, the plane ride from Dubai to Bangkok was not wisely spent on catching a few more zzzs. As soon as we arrived in Bangkok, our friendly travel guide whisked us up, and the laughter was immediate. The people in Thailand are not only friendly, as widely branded, but funny! We laughed so much on this trip and enjoyed the people as much as the places.

Finally arrived! And can change out o thees cloths we have had on for two days!

electrical lines tell you a lot about a city, economy, poverty, etc

Driving through this mega city of more than eight million, it wasn’t long before I saw myself talking about Bangkok in past lectures. There I am referencing the immense stats and impressing that this is a huge city, but now I could see myself in the future with wide eyes spinning around saying “in every direction you look you see Manhattan, it’s like seeing 20 cities inside one city, I have never seen anything like it….”

We arrived at our hotel around 8 a.m. and had just under an hour to change, SHOWER, and eat breakfast. Mind you, we had spent the last two days on a plane, and I had not had more than seven hours of sleep. Why is it that men are so much better at sleeping on planes? "Tiered" was a major understatement here.

Our first expedition was to see some of Bangkok’s most prized and historic monuments, primarily the Royal Gran Palace. This expansive complex of royal residences, temples, and other buildings was home to the royal families from 1782 to 1925. Bangkok was once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, which later became part of the great Kingdom of Thailand we know today. Some of my favorite things to see here were directly related to the monarchy. The Thai people love their royal family, and from our first taxi cab to our last, I continued to seek out (very carefully) any dislike or less than affectionate references to the monarchy. This was simply to hear honest feelings from the people who live there since you often find what is told to tourists is not always the exact truth. So, I tend to ask the same questions repeatedly to see what the overall feeling is about national history, conflicts, beliefs, etc. In this case, the people of Thailand showed instant joy when I asked about the King, Queen, and their daughters. Still, a few gave glimpses into the uneasiness surrounding the Crown Prince and his three marriages, strange requests of his wives, and other less-than-glorified actions that do not reflect the current, beloved King.

But, back at the Palace, you can see the hall where the royal coronations occur, along with the thrones and other ceremonial aspects. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is also very famous, and we highly anticipated it. Yet, we laughed when we saw the little Buddha so high and far away.

Overall, the Palace is a must for its history and the eclectic architecture built over 200 years under the direction of different kings. After our four-hour tour, we were back at our hotel two hours before we headed out for a night of fine Thai cuisine and a world-famous show! I was so excited about seeing the Siam Niramit Show. It had been described as a beautiful story of the Kingdom of Siam's history through a Circ De Sole rendition, with over 150 artists and performers and 500 different costumes. This is right up my alley!

We arrived at the show and had an hour to eat, and oh did we eat, the food in Thailand is incredible whether you are at a four start hotel, tiny hole in the wall, or in the alley behind your hotel (we tried all of these venues). After eating three plates worth of food and the clock ticking to 7pm, we started to show our exhaustion. As we took our seats, I was immediately taken aback by the amazing show at the same level as the Circ De Soles I had seen, but unfortunately, I did not get the full history lesson I was hoping for.

As we loaded into the car to return to our hotel, the other two couples from England were going on and on about the show and asking us how we liked it. George and I both said it was "incredible" and "we loved it" and agreed to any specifics they pointed out. When we got back to our hotel, I asked George, “Did you see the goats!” he said, “Ugh, no, I missed that part,” and he said, “Did you see the elephants?” We both lasted about twenty minutes and were sound asleep during the show. I woke up to amazing spectacles of lighting and water flooding the stage, goats being herded around, and other loud moments, but I could not keep my eyes open for more than a few minutes. Apparently, neither could George! So we both caught each other trying to pull a “it was a great show,” but in reality, we were too tired and would have to return!

I will never know why that was booked for our first night, but it was still a great memory and the start of an amazing time in Thailand.

Dubai: 8hr Layover

2012-09-16T17:50:00.001-05:00

Our honeymoon adventure started with the most appreciated gateway we could have asked for an Emirates flight concierge handing us our tickets, followed by the words, "You have been upgraded," garnished with a faint smile and a wink.

After leaving our wedding in Graham, Texas, we drove to Fort Worth, about an hour and a half drive, and arrived a few minutes past 2:00 am. The next morning, our flight was not unbearable, with an 11:00 am departure. However, sometime between the moment we got in the car to drive to Forth Worth the night before and the moment we arrived at our hotel, I became violently ill. The next morning, I felt like I was walking through a fog as I carried more tissues than luggage onto the plane. This sudden aliment, mixed with the exhaustion from the wedding, not to mention the month of labor-intensive preparations that come with building your own barn, all surmounted into feelings of overwhelming love for this woman who just told me I would be able to sleep as we flew over the Atlantic on our way to Dubai.

So ready for take off so I can put this thing in a sleep position!

I attribute this fortuitous moment to my less than covert tank top reading, “Just Married,” in rhinestones (thanks, Jena); regardless of the “why,” the “what” was incredible. I had already been building up the Emirates flight from rumors of the incredible service and luxurious visions the numerous Emirates billboards around DFW broadcasted. The reality of the laydown chairs and text-book-sized touchscreen control panel, in conjunction with the sea bass and lobster main course, was all that could have been imagined. Of course, this made the trip home two weeks later full of longing for what was behind the velvet red curtains separating the first class from the rest of us. But it is better to have loved than to never have loved at all.

We booked our plane itinerary so that our layover in Dubai would be worth the stop on our way to Bangkok. We had exactly eight hours between touchdown and departure. We spent the intermediate time wisely, and I will replicate this “quick-city-layover” tour again. We booked a Local Tour, in which a local picked us up right at the airport and personally gave us an exemplary history and current viewpoint of the city as we drove to each of the “must-see” sites, such as the Burj Khalifa (tallest building in the world), Burj Al Arab (Tower of the Arabs hotel designed like a sailboat and often, though not officially, accredited the only 7 star hotel in the world), Palm Islands (artificial archipelago in the shape of a Palm Tree), the largest indoor ski mountain and many more "largest, tallest, greatest.."

Of course, some of our favorite spots were those off the “path most traveled,” such as a local market where we had Camel Milk ice cream (a trip favorite).

When our four-hour tour was over, Aarif (our tour guide) dropped us off at The Dubai Mall, where we quickly ate and saw the world's largest degree-viewing glass indoor aquarium. We ended our Dubai experience by rolling our carry-ons outside the mall. We found a spot on the densely packed stairs surrounding the world's largest performing fountain stretching between the Dubai Mall and the Burj Khalifa. The show is quite amazing with the backdrop of the Burj Khalifa, which sometimes sparkles like the Eiffel Tower, but the water hitting as high as fifty stories holds its own without the magnificent backdrop.

After the show, we followed other tourists and locals to the metro station to return to the airport. One thing you will notice about public transportation in Dubai, which can be said for the city in general, is that "it's clean, very clean." Another characteristic of the metro and city alike is safety. Wherever we went, after taking a moment to wipe away the fog that immediately covered my glasses when we stepped outside the car (heat like you cannot imagine), I was always surprised by how clean everything was.

While clean and safe do not perfectly correlate with a comparison to Las Vegas, there is one obvious parallel: you need a lot of money to fully enjoy Dubai. Staying long in this incredible new city would be hard without prolific funds. However, an eight-hour layover to hit the most impressive sites (from a distance, since again, it would be incredibly expensive to see from the inside) and see some of the "largest, tallest, greatest.." that are free, like the fountain and the aquarium, and the ski mountain from the outside the glass, provides a great glimpse into what makes this city so unique and why so many gravitate to it.

MOPAR Wedding Entrance & Getaway

2012-09-06T15:10:00.003-05:00

My entire life, I have tried to know enough about cars, particularly MOPAR cars, to impress my dad when the opportunity presented itself. I always wanted to be "in on the fun” when he went to car shows, bought an old rusty shell out of a barn, or finished a project; I wanted to be there and for him to want me to be. The muscle cars he continues to collect and restore have always been a “me and my dad thing."

When it came time for me to go to my first prom, I never blinked and knew I, not my date, would be driving us there. Of course, my date was happy to let me pick him up in a 1970 440 Pro-street Satellite Sport with open headers that shook the ground and sounded like a thunderstorm. I had to drive barefoot since stilettos didn't give me enough grip!

When it came to my wedding, I knew we could incorporate a little MOPAR magic to make it unique and something only the Fullerton family could pull off. The wedding was incredible in every way, but what most guests never saw coming and will never see again was my entrance!

While all the guests parked in the field and walked up the path following the arrows to the ceremony, they passed by the barn my family had built, which would soon host the reception. The large doors were closed, and a few “guards” monitored to make sure no one entered.

Once everyone had taken their seats, the guitarist started to play a sweet song while our mothers, followed by the bridesmaids, walked down the aisle.

Pastor Joe then said, “All rise,” and everyone looked all around the open hilltop to see where I would be coming from. Two of my father’s friends were in the barn, with me and my dad, watching the guests through a crack in the doors. As the guests started to rise, they ceremoniously pulled back the doors.

My dad and I slowly rolled out of the barn in a white 1969 Road Runner and made a circle around the ceremony site.

We pulled up to the back of the ceremony site and walked up the aisle.

Those moments in the barn, with my dad waiting for the cue that it was our turn and driving up to the ceremony as everyone looked on, were so special. This was truly a “me and my dad thing.”

Of course, that could not be the only dramatic element involving a MOPAR machine for a glorious occasion.

As appropriate as driving up to the alter in a white, original, and unquestionably classic Road Runner, it was just as fitting to leave the reception in a black 1970 GTX. As we peeled away from our families and friends, we both had the perfect end to our wedding festivities, driving down the highway (maybe a few miles over the speed limit) in a true icon of American Muscle.

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Wedding Flowers Budget Tips

2012-07-25T12:38:00.001-05:00

The best wedding planning advice I received was to contract your most important wedding feature first and then continue in descending importance. For me, that was the band, dress, decor, food, and invitations last. Dishing out the money in the order of importance will keep you smiling when you end up with less-than-ideal choices for the end of the list (because what really mattered to you has already been purchased!).

There are so many ways to cut your flower budget, but some worked wonders for me.

I wanted my arrangements to be unorthodox, with random flower assortments rather than two or three distinct flowers in only one or two colors. Taking this route saved me thousands of dollars. Yes, thousands. By the time you order enough flower arrangements to cover your venue, plus the bouquets and boutonnieres for the wedding party, you will be looking at a heavy bill unless you can give a little and go with a less strict flower pallet.

Flowers go on sale at different seasons, on different weeks, and typically at the end of the week --- your florist is in the loop and can buy bundled flowers for big discounts. So be honest with your florist and have her update you on what can be bought around the time of your wedding for the best prices. Because I already wanted a ‘wild flower’ look this worked perfect for me, but even if you want a more structured look this can work for you as well. I had several colors that I did not wish to! And I simply had those flowers removed from the bundle when they arrived so they wouldn't make it into the venue.

I also picked two flowers in the color scheme I wanted that came in large bundles, one yellow and one purple, to add to the hodgepodge bundles.

Having the color and not a specific flower in mind will do wonders for your budget since there will always be a flower in season for your chosen color. Picking a pricey, one-season flower, on the other hand, is the surest way to intensify the bill.

A smart saver is using bridesmaids’ bouquets as centerpieces. This is common but rarely gets implemented the "day of." While we were getting ready at the barn, I had every bridesmaid find an empty jar (that had been set aside for their bouquets) and make them responsible for getting their bouquets in the first thing after arriving at the reception. This way, you get to spend the most money on their (and your) bouquets, and then they also get to shine at the reception.

One last thought about bouquets: My florist told me that brides with overbearingly large bouquets are disadvantageous in their wedding pictures. Simply, when holding an enormous bouquet, your waist disappears! So go for a slightly smaller bouquet and give your waist (which you have been working so hard to shrink) a chance to shine.

If you are bold, take the next step in making your flower budget shrink by providing the containers. I used all sizes of old jars and loved how it turned out. This, of course, takes planning and work, but it will be worth it in the end when you get to spend extra on your band!

Creating a Solid Social Media Presence in 5 steps

2012-07-14T19:08:00.003-05:00

In May 2011, I started experimenting, reading, researching, and launching the beginnings of a social media campaign for PartingOut.com. After a year and a half of trial and error, I have created a strategy for creating a social media foundation for any new start-up.

One thing I know is you have to like, follow, add, friend, and promote others before they will do the same for you.

1) The list of social media networks you could potentially create a company profile for continues to expand daily. So what to do first? CLAIM YOUR REAL ESTATE!

• Claim your company's name for every social media outlet possible (regardless if you frequently use it or not, claim it!) Why? Because you want your company to be the result for any search related to that site. Create Profiles!

• A few of the lists that got me started are: http://www.instantshift.com/2008/10/19/list-of-top-social-media-network-sites/ & of course, Wikipedia has an extensive list as well. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_networking_websites

2) Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, FourSquare, tumbler, and Flicker are some of the best for me because I can share content between them. For instance, taking a picture with Instagram can be shared on Facebook and Twitter. Then I can download that picture and upload it to PartingOut’s Pinterst boards and create a short blog post with it on Tumbler. Less work and more reach for every activity is key!

• To make this process less repetitive and also to keep your company motto consistent, create a short description (one sentence), small paragraph, and short essay of what your business is all about. You will then be able to copy and paste this information into your profiles, news feeds, short descriptions, etc., and cut down on time.

• Once these profiles are created the next step is to find and friend/follow people who would be interested in your company/product. But, how do you find them?

3) Create Your Master “customer characteristics” List

• This is a list of keywords you believe your customers would contain in their profile names, such as, on Twitter, where user names are not always first and last names. Also, look for words used to describe themselves in their “about me page” on Facebook, or words they would use for board titles on Pinterest. Ask yourself what topics your customers would share on Google+ and what picture titles they would be using on Instagram. Those are the worlds you need to know and keep filed away.

• For instance, for PartingOut.com, “Mopar” is a common word within users' Twitter screen names who would be interested in our website. I follow them and hope they will follow @PartingOut back. “Speed” was a great keyword to search for on Pinterest Boards that led me to some of my most devout followers (of course, I had to follow them first). And “car guy” was probably the biggest home run to finding potential customers on Google+ and Facebook.

• Now you have a dozen accounts and are following hundreds of people/boards/profiles etc. How do you get them to take the bait… and follow you back?

4) Interaction! You need to “like” and comment on as many of the accounts you follow as possible. Once people start to notice you, they will be interested in your own profile. Hopefully, the magic will happen, and the number of people following/liking/friending you will grow.

• You should split your own updates, with half being about your company/product and the other half being about interactions with others. Repost or comment on news someone else shared about your industry; share others' photos and post questions, or even more importantly, answer others' questions!

5) See the pattern?

• Seek out people through words they use in their profiles that tell you they might have an interest in your product

• Friend/Like/Follow/ them

• Interact with them!

Sparrow Creek Ranch: it takes a family to build a barn:

2012-07-13T15:12:00.001-05:00

Family means everyone involved is family to us!

For those of you who could not make it to the wedding or just heard the stories about the amazing barn my dad built, I thought I should share some more “building in process” and “finished project photos” with you. This was a family effort that could not have been done without everyone’s skills, blood, and tears. You can read the re-purposed blog post to learn more about the building materials (under wedding bliss).

This place is special to us because this is where George proved himself. My parents bought this property in 2006, and I started bringing George home then. We spend our Graham weekends at the land cutting brush, watching for copper heads, and eating hotdogs under the stars, warmed by a campfire atop the hill that eventually became our beloved ceremony site. These weekends continued for years without knowing what incredible fruit they would one day yield: God’s plans are always better than our own.

If you were at the wedding, your chair was right here!

looking a little better

final product

This blog is a thank you and showcase for the love that came from so many to build this special place. Of course, my Dad, who didn’t get home till after 10 every night for the past year, was the last to leave and the first to work on the barn, day and night. My mom's time and beautiful creativity can be seen in so many amazing designs and little details that make it so special. Most notably, she helped save the ceremony site from fire with only an old broom and clipboard!

My dear sister and her boyfriend Hagen, for their weekends away from friends, cutting brush and building whatever needed building, from bathrooms to signs and everything in between, they had their hands in it.

George, of course, drove almost every weekend straight to Graham from Houston for four months to help work on whatever that week’s mega task was, from putting in the septic tanks to building the bathrooms. Randy and Joe Moore’s support and help are hard to match: from driving the loaders to get the walls up to coming to the rescue like the Dukes of Hazard when the burn pile got out of control on the ceremony site!

The last week would have been unbearable without the help of Marjorie, Aubrey, and the Brogden women. Sweeping floors, scrapping windows, and getting us to the finish line were just a few of the amazing things they did that week.

The work everyone did and the months of enduring cactus in every inch of their bodies is what true friendship and family look like. I love them all and can’t believe we pulled this thing off!

DIYS wedding: It’s all in the details

2012-07-06T16:47:00.001-05:00

My mom, sister, and I had fun wrapping presents in brown sack paper and stamping sweet verses, sayings, and names on the packages this Christmas. When we were done opening on Christmas, I cut the bags up into little strips. I had no idea what I would do with them, but I started stamping love sayings, such as “past, present, future,” “always and forever,” “forever mine,” “one sweet love,” etc on the strips. I scrolled these around the tables to add a fun spirit and make each unique.

To cover the electrical boxes, my mom and sister picked up drop cloths (the kind you get from the hardware store to keep paint off the floor or cover furniture), and my sister freehanded a verse and a saying on them. These were incredible for breaking up the bare walls and also a fun touch that was meaningful and added to our “homemade” flare.

On a rainy day, when outside work was tough, my dad and George got to work on the “sign” I wanted. As a geographer, I wanted to have a sign pointing to the places that were most important to George and me. This included where we met, at TCU, where we both grew up, our honeymoon destination, and a few others, plus the general direction for the ceremony and reception. We sawed a couple of boards in half and then “arrowed” the tips. With a thick black sharpie, once again, Constance free-handed the names. The wood came from the salvage yard, so it was repurposed, like the barn, and then white-washed with leftover paint and a buck of water.

My sweet mother bought tall candles in glass from the dollar store and then made each one a statement piece we scattered around the barn and tables. She cut old music paper and words from magazines and used Mod Podge gloss luster to seal them around the candle. She then added different details for each candle. Some were the simple music paper, a little glitter sprinkled on, others had small pieces of twine tied around in a bow and an antique earring tied on. We had fun making these at home; they were a romantic touch.

Panama: Portobelo & San Lorenzo

2012-07-05T13:00:00.002-05:00

Day 4 Colon Provence

Start the Trans-isthmian day by exploring the Gatun Locks. Unlike the Miraflores locks, these are less visited by tourists, and you will easily be able to have a front-row view of the massive tankers moving down the locks. It is a completely different experience than the Miraflores locks and one I much preferred.

Portobelo is a mysterious location with a past rich with Spanish gold, vengeful pirates, and British overtakings. Located in Colon Province, Portobelo is in the northern part of the isthmus. Like many other great trading posts, it has a deep natural harbor, the necessary characteristic for a town to store and guard Spanish treasure.

The gold that found its way to the safety of the many Spanish colonial fortifications in Portobelo and the nearby Fort San Lorenzo came in great quantities from Peru, Pizarro’s land of conquest.

The gold was too strong a pull, and the English continually rampaged the fortresses, most famously by Francis Drake, who set fire to San Lorenzo in 1596. Portobelo itself was most brutally attached by Henry Morgan, who, according to a Dutch historian, killed or wounded basically the entire city. Fort San Lorenzo and the Spanish fortifications were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. in 1980.

With great views of the Chagres River and the mossed-over forts, plan to spend time at both of these great sites to soak in the intensive colonial significance this stretch of coast had.

This side of the country is vastly different from the southern coast, home to the booming Panama City. Here on the northern side, things seem to be crumbling, much like the forts. However, within this tattered landscape, you find incredible cultural treasures.

One that must be mentioned is the adored “Black Christ” housed in the San Felipe church. The wood came from Spain and is over 300 hundred years old. While the effigy was not originally black, smoke from burning incense and other air contaminates caused the carving to become dark brown. Not only is the “Black Christ” a significant symbol for Panama a yearly festival, on October 21st, draws thousands of visitors to the church. After walking miles from as far away as Panama City, about 50 miles, most pilgrims crawl on their hands and knees the last mile to the church.

Walking into the little church and past the tiny, weathered houses, you will not feel like a band of tourists filing into yet another church to take a few snapshots and move on. You are in the community of a people with a deep reverence for this place. It is less of a tourist place and more of an opportunity to put the camera down and walk in with respectful esteem.

If you have the option, riding the trans-isthmian train back to the other side of the isthmus is necessary. The train allows you to see Lake Gatun (a body of water between the locks) and enjoy a relaxing ride back home after a very long day.

Being a Geographer: you're born with it

2012-07-01T18:27:00.001-05:00

As I set out to get my mind focused on applying for PhD programs, I revisited the statement of intent I submitted for graduate school at California State University, Long Beach. Reading through it, I laugh at the eagerness and clear enthusiasm for geography I had then and still do. Finding a field you can throw your entire self into and still want to learn more is a blessing. This is what academic excitement is from a college undergrad:

(partial) Statement of Intent: CSULB

2008/9

As a result of grade school geography sadly being compressed into social studies, history became my favorite subject. However, the allure of great empires and trade routes kept me drawn to maps; an antiqued map of the Roman Empire adorned my bedroom wall by seventh grade. Upon entering Texas Christian University, I reluctantly followed a conformist path, choosing an Advertising/Public Relations major, and then switched to Communications. Until I discovered academic geography, misery and disappointment plagued my coursework. Fortunately, the day I took my seat in World Regional Geography, my professor started the class with her story of stumbling upon her geographic destiny. Within the first three minutes, I was overwhelmed with memories, categorizing myself alongside my professor as a born geographer. Daydreaming, I remembered myself in grade school, constantly sketching world maps in the margins of my notes and always bent over a National Geographic at my grandma’s house. Spinning back to the reality of the classroom, I had heard exactly what I needed to start climbing my personal Mt. Everest. I realized it was possible to major and pursue a career in geography. As a geography major, I completely turned my academic performance around from doing poorly in previous majors to achieving straight A grades in geography.

The Geography of Western Europe course refined my admiration for history and culture into a geographic framework. We studied the “continental architecture” of Europe, and I began to understand how physical geography is the stage upon which history is set. Exploring the relationships between peoples crammed into their European homelands was fascinating. The relentless unfolding of centrifugal and centripetal forces on the European continent opened the door to my interest in multidisciplinary studies for both historical and cultural geography and their relationships to physical geography. Two other courses, the Geography of Latin America and Cultural Geography, helped quench my thirst for case studies that intertwined history, culture, and physical geography. Now, I have even more questions and seek more knowledge and explanations.

TCU has provided me with a well-balanced undergraduate course of study. In addition to the above courses, I have taken GIS, Applied Geography, and Urban Geography. As a result, I am eager to expand my knowledge without the pressures of one specific specialization. New topics tempt my curiosity every day. I can imagine myself researching site and situation characteristics of cities such as Troy or studying the diffusion of globalization into traditional indigenous peoples upriver from Manaus in the Amazon. All the unending possibilities in between fascinate my inner geographer. A thesis topic relating to the preservation and assimilation of culture has been a constant consideration after hearing multiple presentations of this theme at the American Association of Geographers in 2008. I have acquired a lifelong appreciation for geography from the Geography Department at TCU. I cannot fathom pausing my education now, but I look forward to continuing my education at the graduate level.

I attended the AAG meeting in Boston last year. Being surrounded by many people who understand why geography matters enabled me to have the most insightful and educated discussions of my life. That experience was the final push that cleared my thoughts about the near future. Undoubtedly, I would go to graduate school in geography. I realized that the possibilities for geographic research are endless and that any interest can be studied from a geographic perspective, which was thrilling. I will be co-presenting a poster paper at the AAG in Las Vegas. This is the next opportunity to further my connections with geographers and extend my experience in research and presentation.

As a senior geography major at TCU, all I see when I look at a globe is how many regions and cultures I have yet to study. I wish to expand my love of cultural and historical geography into more focused and advanced geographic studies. Graduate school will provide new challenges and opportunities and force me to open new roadways of intellectual curiosity at the intersection of culture, environment, history, and place.

Time to Adapt! SEO & Social Media

2012-06-25T14:58:00.004-05:00

For the last year, I have taken over as CSO for PartingOut.com. At that time, the social media network for this website had grown exponentially from zero to too many to list. From a geography professor to a full-blown SEO and Social Media campaign organizer and manager, I have adapted to the fast-moving job of updating and managing over 15 social media outlets for the online start-up. The most important are Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Google+, Flicker, MySpace, and the office blog on WordPress. I will share the experience of doing these two jobs (SEO and Social Media) in other posts, but to set the record straight: What is PartingOut.com anyways?

PartingOut.com is a new virtual online salvage yard created to bring used auto parts buyers and sellers to one venue. This project, started by a salvage yard owner five years ago, is founded on revolutionary tools to optimize the used auto parts industry. There is a huge demand for used auto parts that is grossly under-serviced. PartingOut.com satisfies that demand by taking the local auto recycler and expanding its inventory to a worldwide audience.

On PartingOut.com, parts typically not considered when buying salvage are sold without the hassle or attention that would generally outweigh their value. For example, by listing the major parts of a vehicle (motor, transmission, etc.), sellers have opened the entire vehicle up for the market (floor mats, sun visor, console, etc.) due to the image-based platform of PartingOut.com. This is possible through the Buyer Listed Part tool. When a buyer sees a part they need on a vehicle that is not listed, they can create a Buyer Listed Part. The buyer describes the conditions and amount willing to pay, presenting a qualified offer to the seller. That once obsolete part has just sold itself.

“I sold a sun visor for $50.00. I would never have spent the money or time to list that part on any other website. This customer saw the visor in the picture and created a Buyer Listed Part. Then I received an instant alert, and a deal was made: that’s what PartingOut.com is all about:” Kevin Fullerton, CEO. This is one of the revolutionary tools that will change how used auto parts are found, sold, bought, and recycled by creating a market for every part.

The fundamental characteristic that elevates PartingOut.com above other online used parts websites is its visual-based platform. PartingOut.com is based on marketing an entire vehicle on a visual basis (not interchange) and, possibly most importantly, bringing the real-life experiences of walking through a salvage yard, seeing the part you need, and making a deal, but online.

If you think this rocks, vote for PartingOut on MissionSmallBusiness.com to help us compete for a Mission: Small Business Grant! Click "SUPPORT" and then easy log in with Facebook, search PartingOut.com and vote!

Wedding Day Make-Up Musts!

2012-06-24T17:52:00.002-05:00

I completely understood when Kate Middleton mentioned she would be doing her own makeup for her wedding because she wanted Will to recognize her. I also chose to do my own makeup on my wedding day, and a few products and tips got me through the photos, ceremony, and reception without the fear of smudges or vanishing acts. These tips and products are focused on every bride’s most important makeup requirement: long wear!

Preparation is Key!

I love having long, full lashes, and for several months before the wedding, I started using LiLash. It is truly remarkable; you will wake up one day, and your eyelashes will look like beautiful Mini Mouse lashes. Last summer I was sucked into getting eyelash extension, and I can tell you, this is a much better result for your wallet and your eyelashes. The lash extensions are expensive, take at least an hour to fill, and if you decide to stop getting them, you have a period when you have to let your real lashes grow back (for me, this was brutal). On the other hand, LiLash is at home, takes no time, and will give you great lashes for a year at three weeks with lash extensions. Start at least four months before your wedding!

The one product I cannot live without is my eyelash curler. Unfortunately, my natural lashes have zero curls and actually point downward. I started using an eyelash curler at a very early age, but the key to getting it to stay is to heat it up with the blow dryer for 20 seconds. This is a fairly well-known tip, but the next step is crucial to getting those long lashes to stay in place, especially on your wedding day, to prevent smudging – waterproof mascara. I always put on two quick coats of waterproof mascara right after I curl my eyelashes to ensure they stay curled and look fabulous all day. I prefer Merle Normal waterproof mascara; I can’t find one I like better. Do not miss this step on your special day!

Lid Prep

Most people don’t do their eyelash rituals until after they apply their eyeshadow, but I do the steps previously mentioned (curl and then apply waterproof mascara) before I do anything on my eyelids. Then, I wipe on a crème lip prep from Clinique (lid smoothie) to keep my eyeshadow in place all day. Without this step, I get creases of shadow that ruin the whole effect.

This crème also helps me in my next and somewhat usual makeup application. I do not use eye shadow brushes. Never have. I've always felt like my friends are continually buying eye shadow. On the other hand, I only buy eye shadow every couple of years, seriously! I believe it's because using my finger tip I get twice the pigment out of the same amount of eye shadow others apply using a brush. I am always frustrated with the lack of placement, shadow residue on my nose and cheeks, and the amount of re-application needed when I try to fiddle with an eye shadow brush. Try it out, but the crème is a must because it makes the shadow smooth and easy to blend with my finger.

Long Wear Liner

Once my shadow is in place, I reach for my favorite eyeliner of all time: Stila Stay all day, waterproof liquid eyeliner! Do not worry about your makeup running; it is priceless if you are a presumed teary-eyed bride. I cried down the aisle and never once worried if my mascara or liner was running. This liquid liner is just like a pen with a long felt tip, making it the perfect tool for all the women who favor the wingtip/cat eye look, like me. Even if that is not your style, you will love the quick whip across the top of the lid that will not budge the rest of the day.

I get a little picky about my eyeliner process, and it takes three different types of application for me to be happy. I start with the Stila liner on my top lids, coming to a small wing. I then applied black powder with a brush to the inside of the top and bottom lids. Taking the remaining residue of black powder, I smudge my bottom lashes and up into my wing tips for a smoky/less stark line.

After my entire eye makeup is done, I apply the final coats of lengthening mascara with care to avoid getting it on my lids, and it's done! No runs or smudges here!

Bring Bridal Portraits to Life with a Punch of Color!

2012-06-15T16:23:00.004-05:00

There are trends for engagement, wedding, and, of course, bridal portraits that every bride stores away in her “wedding notebook.” For the past few seasons, incorporating unique backdrops like untraveled highways and salvage yards has replaced the typical Victorian staircase.

I took these all into consideration when planning my bridal session. One thing was certain: I was getting married outside, and my bridals would only fit outside where my heart belonged. I did land on one trend that I knew I had to have… “vintage sofa in a field.” I had seen this several times but wasn't sure how you were supposed to get your hands on a gorgeous antique sofa covered in fuchsia velvet, like the particular picture that gave me the inspiration. After showing this picture to my mom and discussing the logistics, she set out: garage sales, estate sales, and auctions.

Luckily, she found a tremendous antique sofa at an estate sale for literally a fraction of a fraction of what it would cost in a store. The only issue was it was covered in an old flower pattern that would make your great-grandmother Ruby look young. So, we went to the local hardware store and bought bright yellow wall paint. Yes, wall paint. After three coats, the pattern underneath was barely noticeable, and we had the most incredible statement sofa in Texas.

The decision to go with bright yellow initially was my desire to go with a pea green. Once we were standing in front of the wall of paint strips, however, I decided to just go for it and make that sofa spring out of the field it would soon be resting in. The result was amazing, and I am so glad I went for that bright punch of color! So go bold when planning your bridals, and start now!

We started the sofa expedition nine months before the wedding. Planning is a crucial element if you want to have bridals with personality—mothers, however, are the key ingredient.

Interview: DCC Final Auditions

2012-05-14T10:32:00.001-05:00

Just know...

You never get the questions you are prepared for. If you are a Cowboys fact wiz, you will slowly make a fist under the table as everyone else in the room is quizzed on Cowboy trivia, and they will then turn to you and ask you who “you most admire.” Instead of knowing everything you think the panel might ask you, focus on knowing why you are there. What makes you want to be a DCC?

You are there to sell, You! So ask yourself

1) What was the turning point in your decision to audition?

2) What would being a part of the DCC do for your life? Would it enhance your performance and resume? Would it bring you camaraderie?

3) What is the number one thing the DCC does that you most admire or aspire to do? Game performances? USO Tours? Appearances?

4) If you knew you could not fail… what would you aspire to be?

5) What is your life’s passion?

Answer those questions, and it will give you fire and enthusiasm to answer whatever question is thrown at you.

Besides knowing who you are, there are a few topics I would be well versed in. I am a teacher who doesn’t believe in giving the answer up, so here is your homework.

1) What is Charlotte’s position?

2) Who is the President, Vice President, Secretary of State, and TX Governor?

3) What is happening in Syria and North Korea? The DCC visits Korea on USO tours frequently, so be aware of what's going on there!

4) What significant event happened this year involving the EX Liberian President, Taylor?

5) And, of course, Cowboys Musts: coach, new draft picks, your favorite player (and a good reason!), what years did the Cowboys win the Super Bowl, and how many Super Bowl appearances have they made?

Panama: Embera Indigenous village

2012-04-18T22:49:00.001-05:00

Day 3 Jungle Expedition

One of the greatest outdoor adventures of my life happened unexpectedly on a simple jungle hike through the Panamanian Jungle led by a small, muscular indigenous guide in a bright orange beaded loincloth. Without question, a must to fully experience Panama is a trip to the Embera Indigenous village. This will be an all-day excursion, including being wet regardless of cloud cover. I recommend bringing a rain jacket, wearing slick shorts (not something that will soak up water), good tennis shoes, or hiking boots.

Why all of this? How else do you get to an indigenous village hidden by the rainforest through dug-out canoes and jungle trails? When you make it to the pickup site, you will be greeted by big smiles, slightly distracting from the previously mentioned scant, elaborately beaded loincloths worn by your tour guides. Most young men are eager to speak to guests and know enough Spanish to get by. Even the less fortunate, non-Spanish speaking guests, like myself, can communicate with a few Spanish words mixed with charades.

If you have not felt small before, being tucked into a dug-out canon, slowly winding through the ever-curving meanders of the Chagres River, will ensure that experience. The jungle seems untamed from the boat and dense enough to hide anything beyond the wall of green. There is truly nothing like being in a wild jungle. It takes your breath away to see nature so enveloped, with so many plants and animals coexisting.

The highlight before arriving at the village is a detour to visit roaring waterfalls. The journey there is what calls for those hiking boots; let’s just say this is the road less traveled. While the majority of the path is clear and continually walked, you may find yourself ribcage deep in a torrent of water as you and the rest of your party form human chains across the turbulent river. This was the case for my TCU group last fall. While on the “bumpy” but clear path, we had to travel over a shallow part of the river to get to the other bolder-less side. After that, everything changed. We pushed forward until we reached the waterfalls, treading through hip-deep water here and there as we held on or reached out for one another. We knew it was slightly dangerous, but it didn’t seem like anything we could not handle.

After taking a few quick pictures to document our grand achievement in front of the waterfalls, heading back, we realized the path we had traveled was no longer an option. The situation had dramatically changed, and we were unsure we could “handle it.” As we pushed forward, the water behind us continued to rise. As we looked back toward our canons, an hour or more hike, we found ourselves threatened by a flash flood. Two more students and I searched with our guide for a “graspable way out.” After 20 minutes or so of searching and strategizing, we slowly sent out the strongest male students into the river as anchors as the rest (and the majority) of the female students were sent across and “caught” and then “thrown” until they reached the guide on the other side and pushed up onto the bank. This was repeated several times at different crossing points. At one time or another, everyone in the party was swept under by the current and spit up downstream. Many cameras were lost, but everyone was fine. Thankfully, my long, gangly arms gave my camera just enough length to stay above water as my feet were swept away and my head went under... a time or two.

Of course, your jungle adventure to these falls is far more likely to be absent of flash floods and human bridges, but it will still be an adventure. The waterfalls are incredible. These are the types of places you can feel gleeful about visiting because of their rareness and beauty.

Back into the boats, hopeful of no rain but sunny skies, relax, and you are about to have the best fish of your life. Of course, I am talking about corvine (sea bass). When you climb up the wooden staircase towards the village, you will see most of the “natural, typical” livelihoods of these people cleaning their homes, chatting outside doorways, etc. Once you reach the inner part of the village, you are being entertained and, therefore, likely seeing a wishful rendition of their lives. Before “the show’ begins, you will be treated to a traditional meal. From Panama City to the Embera Village, that means fried corvine and fried plantains. I consumed this meal at least once daily on this trip, but both dishes in this village seemed like a four-star dinner. It was the best fish I may have ever eaten (with my hands) and undoubtedly the best plantains I had ever eaten. It is all served on a wooden plate after watching the cooks quickly fry it.

With a full stomach, the introduction of the tribe can now begin. For the rest of the afternoon the chief, his/her family, and other important elders will greet you and fill your heads with stories. Do not be afraid to ask them questions, with three geography professors in their village they found themselves talking about everything from acculturation with the city dwellers, youth issues dealing with globalization, and even gossip about the resident Peace Corp representative teaching the village school.

There are numerous souvenirs hand-made by the women for sale. They are displayed in booths like an American antique shop, with each stall having similar but unique gifts. The day ends with dances performed by the youth, and then, if you are brave enough, you are welcome to join in the fun! Its vacation! Don’t hold back. While this may not have been the most authentic routine for these people, at some point, you have to let go of your conflicted globalization banters in your head and simply know that today, for these types of places to stay connected to their traditions is through some kind of tourism to economically support them. I think this group of people seems to be dealing and balancing their traditional lives with outside interaction very well.

When the boat arrives back at your bus, you will feel like you have been on vacation for a week. The day is filled with so many memories for me, I honestly can’t wait tell I have a family of my own and can (hopefully) take them on this journey.

I want my students to THINK!

2012-04-16T21:00:00.003-05:00

Making Big Connections: Geography Assignment

As a geographer, I see how everything connects. From the way the natural landscape molds the way we live to the way anti-immigrant policies in France impact the EURO, I seek to understand the networks. This is my number one objective while teaching World Regional Geography: for students to critically think about what they learn, read, and hear and ask themselves how it connects to other phenomena.

I strive to achieve this not only by continually keeping discussions open about the topics we cover in class and asking, “What will the result be,” but also with the three mandatory assignments for the semester. I am continually collecting academic articles, editorial stories, and news stories about current topics in the world regions we cover in my class. Examples include “The Flight of Japan’s Immigrants” from Bloomberg BusinessWeek April 25-May 1, 2011; “Investigations: Africa’s Elephants” from The Informer 2011; and “Is the EU taking its over-fishing Habits to West African Waters” by John Vidal in The Guardian.  I have at least 11 articles for each of the nine world regions I teach. The AAG Smart Brief is a fantastic resource for these types of articles.

Students can choose to pick three articles to write individual responses to. The three responses must be from different regions, and each region’s response due date corresponds with the second day of the lecture related to that region. This is in hopes that students will share what they read with the class and relate it to the class material. Essentially, three times in the semester, every student will have something concrete and interesting to share and relate to the class that only one or two other students will also know (because of the multiple due dates and a large variety of articles).

But the response itself is where I am pushing students to do something they rarely do these days in college, much less in the liberal arts: critical thinking. Summarizing and interpretation are the typical requests for these types of assignments, but not here. I give students the benefit of the doubt that they can summarize a 1000-word article. What I do not expect them to do, at first, is to “find” a multidisciplinary interrelationship. What in the world do I mean by that?

An example is probably best here; after reading the article “The Year of the Dragon” in Bloomberg BusinessWeek that does not mention migration, urban change, or cultural tensions, this student wrote this paragraph showing the reader a multidisciplinary interrelationship between the article material and the ethnic tensions in China learned about in class.

“As family size in China increases, due to the Year of the Dragon, parents will predictably seek more income and larger homes.  At some point, affordable urban housing will become scarcer and more expensive because of the increase in demand. The Year of the Dragon will contribute to China’s already overly crowded eastern cities, which could lead to a steady urban-to-rural migration of middle and upper-income families. This would contrast with the massive rural-to-urban migration by poor Chinese.  Specifically, people might move to the western part of China, which is less crowded and developed, resembling a “go west” mentality in the US. One of the negative outcomes of this change in migration could be an increase in cultural problems with ethnic minorities, such as tensions between Han Chinese and both the Tibetans and Muslims in the western part of China. This may lead to a major conflict between China's coastal and western parts.”

The actual core directions are: Examine at least one multidisciplinary interrelationship (political, economic, geopolitical, military, social, ethnic, etc.) that relates to the article. For example, an essay on Russian weapons sales to Iran can consider the interrelationships from (1) its geopolitical consequences to the US and/or (2) the benefits to the Russian economy (explain to me how this relates to different countries/regions of the world). This information is not in the article, after reading the article I want you to ask yourself, “what does that mean for the people, cities, region, neighborhood, or country in the article or those not mentioned?” Once you latch on to an idea of what will change on the ground due to what you just read, ask yourself more detailed (small-scale) questions. For example, how will this affect family size, cultural exchange, globalization, tourism, food prices, migration patterns, acculturation, homogenized markets,  local or regional health, city layouts, population patterns, and so on? You will be on the right track when you start to answer these questions. Show me you can think geographically.

For the first time in the semester, when my Dropbox fills with student responses on various topics with different connections, I prepare for a long week. This type of critical thinking activity asks students to sit back and take the time to explore with their minds what the implications of what they just learned might be “on the ground” is, unfortunately, minuscule in their college careers. For their first of the three responses, students almost always turn in a summary with a few predictions without any strong supportive reason; thus, I give excessive feedback and direction. I truly want students to “get it!” When I have a student make a big connection, and I can read their enthusiasm for their accomplishment, I am satisfied. By the third response, 90% of my students had knocked me off my socks! I think, “Wow, that is cool, that is absolutely possible!” Nothing is more exciting than a student unleashing their own exploratory thought process and coming up with something new and exciting.

I somewhat dread grading/commenting on the 1^st responses, but I get giddy to read their 3^rd responses!

Check out that divergent boundary!

DCC Preliminaries Audition Advice

2012-04-15T11:57:00.001-05:00

How to Arrive at Cowboys Stadium

The weather is unpredictable, but spring in Texas means moist mornings. The last thing you want to do is stand in line for over two hours in humid air and let your hair-sprayed hair; you woke up two hours early to curl and fall. I suggest arriving with your full makeup on and your hair nicely straightened or blow-dried. I say that because this is the only day you do not need to be “practicing” a routine, either DCC choreography or your own solo, once you get inside Texas Stadium. Therefore, you will have at least an hour of time to do nothing except "fluff & puff," i.e., curl your hair and even have help from all the other hopefuls. This means your hair will not look like it has too much product from having to do it twice. Many also arrive in curlers and don't take their hair down until inside, which is another way of avoiding doing it twice.

One way to get that perfect Texas Hair is to tease your roots (don’t overdo it) and then curl the bottoms. You want to curl AWAY from your face; this will give your hair lightness and help if stay curled throughout the day. Since I am not a talented teaser, my favorite product is the new hair-body boosting powder by Aveda. I lift an inch worth of hair from my natural part on both sides and sprinkle a line of the powder evenly. Then, gently run your fingers front to back to activate it. This will boost your hair and also help keep it dry and high. Whatever makes you look best and stand out is the hairstyle you want to go with.

Remember, it is not about everyone else, it is only about you. Do not compare yourself, your hair, or your outfit to everyone else; it is only about what you do on the dance floor and how inspiring your smile is. You got this!

Tour of Panama: Casco Viejo & Casco Antiguo

2012-04-03T21:00:00.002-05:00

Day Two!

Each day is packed, so wake-up calls are always at or before 8:30am. Without this early start, you will not be able to see all that Panama has to offer. To start the week, visit some less intensive tourist destinations first, starting with a tour of Casco Viejo, a World Heritage Site, and thus a treasure trove of history. Visiting this site will allow you to stand where all the goods and resources plundered by the Spanish past through on their way back to the motherland. One of the most famous incidents of its history was the one that left it in ruins, the sacking and consequent fire led by Henry Morgan, the infamous pirate. The history and remaining fragmented buildings are not all this area offers. The entire area is now a place to experience the cultural mixing that takes place in the Caribbean and coastal areas of Central America, as geographers say, “the Rimland.”

The area designated Casco Antiguo is distinguishable by its urban complexity. The tightly packed and varied buildings resemble the streets of New Orleans’ French Quarter. Hanging balconies with cascading tropical flowers complement the variety of colors of each building. Within every block, you can see French, Caribbean, Art Deco, Spanish, and other types of architecture.

One of the colonial legacies clearly depicted is the Plaza de la Independencia. The idea of the central plaza is a Spanish colonial legacy seen throughout Latin America. This particular square also contains the other frequent elements of a beautiful Catholic church, and at their time of central importance, government buildings and elite housing also line the plaza.

When you are facing the church, turn to your right, and at the corner there is a small restaurant. Inside, you will find only a few tables and an open kitchen to the right. Delight in this local culinary charm and have whatever they tell you to have, as there is no menu. But, as you will repeatedly read… have the Corvina! Or, as we know it, Sea Bass. It is served everywhere and was always incredible.

The wonderful restaurant with the wonderful Corvina!

Just stay if you cannot pull yourself away from the historic Spanish settlement and old colonial downtown. Walking the streets and looking down the alleyways, there is enough entertainment to fill any one’s day, watching women hanging up laundry and children paying alongside all the other daily activities of this community.

If you are ready to move on it is time to visit the Canal. Even though the Panama Canal has two entrances, the visitors’ center’s locks, or Miraflores locks, get the most attention. This is the side you can visit today, based on its proximity to Panama City. Because these locks are the most visited expect lines and crowds, the museum is well worth it.

Because this day you are staying close to Panama City take this as your opportunity to get dressed up and hit the town. My favorite nightlife area was Calle Uruguay, for a lack of a better word it’s “happening!” This strip of new and eclectic restaurants and bars was fun to walk down, but the natural pull for me was the dancing. I love to dance socially, and salsa is second on my list. Venture down this street and let your adventurous side do the guiding.

Tour of Panama: Bring Caution

2012-04-02T20:51:00.001-05:00

In the Fall of 2011, I was fortunate enough to take students and two other professors to the vital country of Panama. The essential part between Panama and the United States through the construction and eventual release of the Panama Canal made for the perfect destination when evaluating the critical role the US plays in so much of Latin America’s past and present.

Exploring everything between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Panama left us all, with an unbelievable trip, both in terms of education, cultural interaction, and adventure. This will be a recap of the trip, riddled with tips and commentary to intrigue your travel interests and hopefully benefit anyone planning a Panamanian experience.

Day 1. When your plane starts to descend, have your cameras ready. You will be startled by the incredible sand bars that make for the ideal Caribbeanesque pictures. Still, the real spectacle is the uncountable number of tankers waiting in the wings for their turn to enter the Panama Canal. Travel days are never the best; however, make the most of it. Once you get to your hotel, walk the streets to get a feel for the city. Often we forget the spaces in between the tourist destinations and forget to wonder among the actual hustle and bustle of foreign cities. Walk until you find an exciting restaurant and just go with it. This is usually the only day not planned, so take advantage of your freedom.

Green Wedding: RE-PURPOSING

2012-03-25T01:30:00.006-05:00

Everything Counts! That’s my idea of going green. It’s a personal choice for me to be conscious of the environmental impacts my actions carry, and my wedding is no exception.

The first and LARGEST green move was the barn itself. My dad is building me a barn to hold the reception after the ceremony, which is a short distance away in a natural ring of trees. The barn is primarily composed of re-purposed materials. The outside tin was initially part of a very old barn being torn down, but now it has a new home. The beams supporting the structure were taken from various buildings and welded together. Even the smoke stack for the fireplace was originally part of a factory (see below). As you can imagine, we had to cut it down a little!

smoke stake to the right

For a fun shabby chic mixed with rustic look, we have been collecting old fence posts. Now that we have a rather large pile, we have started whitewashing them using old cans of paint that have been sitting in my parents' garage for years. With a wet brush and barely any paint left, we have started creating fun signs that will dot the land telling guests where to go: this way for true love… that way for “I dos,” … that way for “go home,” … etc.

The tables will combine old books, candles, and other decorative items found around my mother’s fantastic home (one of the benefits of getting married in your hometown). There will also be wildflowers in old jars ranging in all sizes. My family has been collecting these jars for years out of creeks, backs of old cars, garage sales, etc. This weekend, we splurged and bought three huge water jugs before they were plastic (mom keeps using them until the wedding, of course ... see below). Using these glass bottles is not only re-purposing them but cutting down on the cost significantly, while at the same time, it is exactly the look I wanted!

NYC: Silently Walking Through The Noise

2012-03-25T00:26:00.002-05:00

New York City is not the apple of my eye, as it seems for many young, driven individuals. Where they and I miss the junction of commonality is built into the urban environment itself, particularly in its vastness and uncountable ways of utilizing concrete. As a native New Yorker, one of my colleagues so appropriately said, “You cannot know New York.” This spring’s annual Association of American Geographers conference led me back to this city for the third time.

Fortunately, I have experienced NYC at different stages in my life. My first encounter with this worldly city was as an enthusiastic 8^th grader with high expectations and idealistic photo opportunities in mind. After college graduation, I had several friends move to the concrete jungle, and I visited them with another best friend a year after graduation. We were avidly pursuing intimate restaurants and secret hideaways to “feel” like a local and, most importantly, to be a part of the high life. My best friend, living in a “peanut box,” along with other creative, like-minded New Yorkers, met all these expectations on this trip. Broadway and exclusive restaurants were the appetizers to precede our main course of dancing the night away at the famous Boom Boom Room. To see the view from that point makes you appreciate how people become so susceptible to New York’s infectious “bite.”

My third and most recent trip was all about geography. I have been occasionally called “independent” but often characterized as “unique.” Those two qualities allow me to push the social norms that most people abide by. Without wondering what I should be doing in NYC and being concerned for the interests of those on the trip with me, I could just be on this street expedition. What does that include? Silence and good walking shoes.

The first day I arrived during this third trip, I anticipated the day to be full of confusion, awkward questions, and wrong turns. While I am a geographer by heart, I have a notoriously lousy ability to follow directions and find myself lost more than not. And as anticipated, the day was exhaustive, mostly due to my 45lb bag. After hauling my bag up and down the subway system for an hour of wrong turns in the pouring rain, I was ready to settle in for a few presentations by the time I made it to the conference hotel. Thankfully, the rain lightened, and I could start my exploration.

Walking is my preferred methodology. I love to walk, experience the rush of people, and listen to the place without interrupting it with a long pause, but I also love to keep walking. Walking past previously visited sites, my mind traveled back to a different time when the streets were blanketed with snow, and my little sister and I were miserably cold, begging to ride in a taxi instead of struggling through the streets to our destination. My father is also a walker and ingrained in this type of transportation and thus placed experience in me at a young age. But deviating from this semi-familiar route was my goal, and I found a path presumably lost to New Yorkers themselves. While walking around Central Park, looking up at the buildings with the coveted views and surprising passer-buyers with a “hello,” I came upon the traditionally auto-only street running through the park. As taxis and black cars turned in, I could not help but seek the unknown pedestrian experience of this corridor. Unlike any other street in NYC, I did not encounter another sole. Pleasantly, there were treasures along this route, such as the peculiar gates, odd buildings, and windows into the park from an abnormal view. This was also a place to watch my step and avoid the puddled leaves and collection of other NYC juices.

The last night in NYC, I walked from 46^th Street down to Houston St. several blocks east. When I arrived at my destination, one of the first things my friend said was, “Without earphones?” Yes, without earphones or any other distractions, I walked for over an hour. I traveled through busy streets, quiet patches, recognizable storefronts, and tourist sights, but for the most part, I was just another person on the unremarkable street. I love to see a city and its urbanites being themselves, observing how they live in this massive maze without the eyes of “outsiders” upon them.

Just strike out and walk. You will be surprised at what the noise can tell you about a city when you listen.