Journey

Burning Man 2012

2012-09-20T22:30:00.001-07:00

Burning Man- A place our souls come to life and are welcomed Home. Where our inner child inspires great creations of art and love for one another. Where Karma multiplies, and our bodies rejuvenate. A place to find yourself, a place to loose yourself- in every sense of the word. A place to remember, and to forget. Where love and loss is no greater. It is a place of intensity and great elemental challenge, yet also somewhere to discover inner peace.

No words could truly describe Black Rock City, the closest interpretation being a city on the Moon- where culture, fashion, and art manifest imagination into reality.

I never imagined that I would have enjoyed this experience so much and that it would impact my soul so deeply. This strange city is only imaginary for but 1 week of the year, but is a place where hundreds of thousands of people have found themselves, Home.

CHALLENGE: 3 Items = 1 Story

2012-06-09T22:36:00.002-07:00

I recently introduced myself to a new group of people, and as as conversations started, one person asked, "so what's your story? With a big smile, I tried to summon up a few words that could even begin scratch the surface.

Without knowing where to start, I explained that I was full of incredible stories and had spent the past several years traveling around the world. So I began by asking him to name three objects... In the end I came up with an amazing story about crossing the Grand Canyon rim to rim where I ended up camping with a random Korean couple, met hippies who healed my wounds, and hitchhiked back to continue my job as an owl researcher.

After all the experiences I've had, some of my fondest memories are those I get to share with the people I care about. So my challenge to you is to come up with three words or items, and I'll give you a story!!

1 Year Anniversary back in Bozeman, MT

2012-06-09T22:05:00.003-07:00

After returning back to Bozeman, Montana for nearly a year now, the wonderful people who make this place home seem to still catch me by surprise. The wold has become a part of who I am, and one of my greatest fears has been that while I was in Bozeman the world would grow further and further away. I'm overjoyed to say that it has been quite the opposite!

Two of my best friends come from the Netherlands and Spain, and I am incredibly excited that this summer, two incredible friends from Germany and New Zealand will also be coming to visit.

Montana, it's the 4th largest state in the country, larger than Japan, Germany, and New Zealand, and yet we still have laws such as, "It is illegal to have a sheep in the cab of your truck without a chaperone." -- Who comes up with these things?

We're well into what Montanans call "summer", it only snows once or twice a month. It snowed today, so we should have weather in the 80's-90's F for the next several weeks... Whoo Hoo!! Bring your bear spray, hiking boots, and a bag of gorp and we're set off for an adventure!! Hiking, climbing, camping, snowshoeing, canoeing, you name it, we'll do it!!

Thank you, all of you fantastic people who help make Bozeman, Montana one of the most beautiful places on earth!

Vision

2012-01-19T07:30:00.001-08:00

If I were to envision a perfect life for me, it would be a life of no limits, where possibilities are endless and dreams are little different than reality. Good dreams of course, not the bad. A life of exuberant passion, full of meaning. Where loving family and friends are our backbone and help define who we are and where we go. They do not hold us back, but help us reveal our destiny, and help our souls achieve our life’s mission.

Wealth is defined by those we are surround with, and our ability to appreciate not only them, but ourselves. Money comes and goes, but does not define us, we do. Though we may loose our path at times, we are never far from home, our souls are connected and ground us to earth and the heavens above.

We live a greater existence I have yet to understand, but feel in my soul that I am a part of. Let your legs move you, your mind steer you, your heart guide you, and your soul create you.

Gaining a New Perspective: Sky Dive New Zealand

2012-01-07T18:44:00.001-08:00

I woke up this morning and forgot who I am.

2012-01-07T08:20:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning and forgot who I am.

As I lye in bed I close my eyes and let the sunshine warm my face, "It's calling to me, what is it saying?" The prism rainbows are brighter than ever before, and my well trimmed room is foreign to me. Nomadic items such as my drum and suitcase are all that seem to capture my attention. Even in the mirror I see a well dressed beautiful woman, that I don't recognize. Who is that, and where am I?

My soul feels disconnected, in some place most others do not know exists. "Oh the Places You Will Go..."

I found a little part of who I am and what I will do just seeing this video. Someone asked me just last week, don't you want a family, to settle down and have a good job? ... or are you just a wondering nomad? Yes, all of it. I want everything. lol, and yes it's probably too much to ask.

I want to see the whole world. I want to travel, explore, be free.... I've got the guts and the willingness, but I wish I had someone to go with me. You meet the most amazing people, when I just go, I feel myself come to life. Living and existing in a world where you define the rules.

However, that alone is still not enough. I need to share it with someone, and act with a purpose. Traveling as an aimless nomad is purposeful in finding yourself, but staying in touch with yourself is something you will need to do throughout life. I need to act with more purpose, while fulfilling these inner desires. I know I am meant for something great, I'm just not sure what it is.

The thought of being stuck or having to work in one place for the rest of my life is devastating. I'm looking for a way to reconnect with myself while not feeling like a caged animal. I seek to be productive, passionate, and find someone I can connect with and love unconditionally.

Grizz Tracking: Day 2

2011-09-20T22:09:00.000-07:00

After brushing up and learning a few new skills, like hair identification and scat ID, we were off to the field to put them into practice. Scouring fence posts, tree rubs, barbed wire and berry patched, we fine-tuned the difference between black cow hair and black bear hair, elk hair and grizzly hair. What a skill!! Hiking in the woods will never be the same.

With our GPS’s fired up, each team set out for their daily hiking mission. Our team was to hike up to Baldy Mountain and follow a drainage route down searching for Grizz signs. Reaching nearly 10,000 ft in elevation, we followed elk trails, more like an elk highway, up to the peak. Branching into two groups, we followed the ridge line West. Whitebark pine was in abundance and producing cones, a fantastic find as it is a grizzly food source. Elks bugling and swarms of magpies socializing on the mountaintops, we made our way across the ridge enjoying the stunning landscape before us.

Grizz Tracking W/ Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation

2011-09-19T13:59:00.001-07:00

After mild adjustments and a bit of quality control, I managed a sleeping bag bunged to the handlebars, a red duffel bag strapped to the rack, and my blue day pack secured to my waste. I was off to track grizzly bears in the Centennial Mountain Range.

Ten of us met up in town, a crew who had just introduced themselves. We had an EMT, a second year MSU geologist, a bartender, wildlife gurus, and adventurers of every sort. After loading up the trucks, we drove off into the sunset excited for the adventure ahead.

Trumpeting swans greeted the morning sunrise and I stretched out of my cozy hammock, marveling at what adventures lye ahead. The scenery couldn’t have been more spectacular. We were camped at Red Rock Lake, towered over by the peaks of the Centennial Range: Baldy, Taylor, and Sheep Mountain.

A quick breakfast and some coffee, to get the buzz on, and we jumped right into navigation, tracking, GPS skills, and Grizzly encounters. What do you NOT do if you see a bear… any bear? RUN, that is DO NOT RUN. See a black bear, ya get big, as big Big Foot, and make a lot of noise @#)$&$ $!%&!^*!!!!!!

That should do the trick… unless it’s the big boy, the Grizzly. He’s not so easily convinced by such nonsense. Rather, treat him like the school principal after you got caught doing something wrong. Avoid eye contact, talk in a calm and soothing voice, and slowly back away as if unnoticed.

Love the World, Love Yourself

2011-09-18T21:09:00.001-07:00

Sometime when things come easy, we don’t recognize them for what they are. This is especially the case for love, the confusing and most complex emotion we as human beings experience. There are so many ways to love someone, it seems to be a catch all word for expressing that we care about someone. Friendships have become more often acquaintances, but I’m blessed to say I truly love and care deeply about many of my friends, and know they feel the same.

One thing I fear is the shallow seemingly meaningless relationships we develop in our day-to-day lives, withholding engagement and sincerity in our actions. How are you suppose to get to know anybody when this is the norm? How is anyone suppose to get to know me?

I’ve been more alive the past couple days that I have been for a long time. I’ve been speaking and playing games with my friends from around the world through the world of online media. These wonderful people know me better than I do myself sometimes, and I trust them fully. I love you guys! You bring my world to life :)

Daily Joys

2011-08-17T06:39:00.000-07:00

When you travel, its easy to engage in your surroundings, to live in the moment and take in every detail. You act intuitively to opportunities, and make the most of your time. For some reason though, at home and in my every day life, this changes. I find myself more reserved, steadily focusing on long term desires, and setting aside the day-to-day. Though long term goals are important, its these daily joys that make living worthwhile. I'm not sure I understand this phenomena, because its an occurrence I've seen time and time again. The challenge is balance. Engaging yourself everyday, and seeking out what makes you continually passionate about the world around you.

I've been invited to a Rhythm Drum Retreat near Glacier National Park, an opportunity to meet local drummers, and people who share my worldly passions right in my backyard. I've been dying to bring my travels home with me. lol, I think I've just blogged myself into going. Any other takers?

Montana Outdoor Rhythm Retreat

Discovering the Music- Hang Drum

2011-08-13T21:52:00.000-07:00

Those late night strolls from one Youtube video to the next always leads you to some interesting new incite. I discovered not only a new instrument, but masterfully played by a man named Dante Bucci. Check out this amazing artist... and if you ever come across a Hand Drum for under $5,000 Please let me know!!

Art Work

2011-08-11T07:37:00.001-07:00

Grasping the tarp tightly around my body and drying artwork, I fended off the storming rain. Baffled by its sudden oncoming, I carefully re-packed my supplies desperately hoping to protect my wet paintings. The purple and blue sky was dark, but magical. A brilliant slice of rainbow illuminated the sky. Like superman in the phone booth, I transformed my display back to an unsuspecting carry bag, cocooned in my silver tarp.

I looked up and a drenched man stood in the gazebo next to me, waiting curiously for the rain to stop, so he may continue his suddenly interrupted evening walk. We chatted about this and that, till I caught a dry window and rushed home.

Having carefully placed the paintings, I hoped they wouldn’t be disturbed during the two-block bike trip. To my dismay, my favourite for a special project I was putting together, had adhered to a paper folder.

The sun rose early the next crispy green morning, and I rushed over to the gazebo to create a new work. Colours filled the sky, reds, yellows, and oranges slowly transformed into a stunningly blue morning. My piece was complete. Happy Birthday Toby!

Say The Color, Not The Word

2011-08-02T17:38:00.000-07:00

Update from Sweet Pea festival in Bozeman, Montana: Today was Chalk on the Walk, where free chalk is distributed downtown and everyone lets out their inner artist!

2011-08-02T08:34:00.000-07:00

I run my life like I do a business, one project at a time. - Capri

Making the Most of my Day!

2011-07-20T21:40:00.001-07:00

I biked 18miles today, floated the Yellowstone river, met up with an old friend, looked for an apartment, met new friends, watched the sunset, and went to work for 5 hours. Each thing done with quality. Can't waste a good day!!

Searching for the Impossible

2011-07-20T21:39:00.000-07:00

For some reason, I always tend to get myself in interesting situations... After getting off work early, I decide to apartment search, and cutting out some details, I decided to look at a studio apartment I was pretty sure I wasn't interested in. The apartment wasn't available to see, but I started talking to a woman outside and see if she liked it.

She offered to show me her place, so we went up to the third floor and had a look around. Ashley was fantastic, and it just so happens, she her apartment will be available the same time I'm looking to move in. We had fun, but she had to run off and meet some friends...

To my surprise, I knew the driver, Trevor, who I've been meaning to catch up with since I came back in May! So, on a whim, he invited me to go floating with them on the Yellowstone River. Ashley let me borrow a swim suit, and hopped in a car with 6 other people and 2 dogs.

The flooding made the river fantastically fast, and we finished up in only a third of the time. We beached out on a rocky island to catch some sun, and spent the rest of the time swatting mosquitoes at the take out point. At one point we were dancing on the highway bridge, the only place the wind was strong enough to blow them away, and dancing to keep warm. :)

A wonderful man slowed down in his car, and smiled with a can of bug spray in his hands. He handed a new can of Off, and waved goodbye. I don't know how to ever thank him!

So after a lovely ride back to Bozeman, snuggling back up in the car, I grabbed my things from Ashleys apartment... and had to figure out how to get back home.... Belgrade... about 10 miles away.

Skipping more details... I picked up some dinner to go, and finished biking the 18 miles total (for the day) into the sunset.

What a day!!

Not everyone does crazy things like this... but its just a normal part of my life.. finding things I thought were impossible, then proving myself wrong. And who knows, I just might be moving into Ashley's apartment now :)

2011-07-12T08:11:00.000-07:00

Dear New Boss,

Someday I'll tell you that the day you hired me, I withdrew the last $30 from my bank, rode to work on a borrowed bike, and am sleeping on a camping mat in a house where I dog sit, 10miles from town.

In no way am I complaining, just humored by the fact that I'm basically a homeless person who just got hired to work as an executive assistant. Hopefully by the time you find this out, you'll know I'm an outstanding employee, and love this job... and really needed it.

Reguards,

Capri

Grand Targhee Resort Summer Festival

2011-07-03T16:02:00.000-07:00

Still on the Job hunt, so I figured I mind as well enjoy the meantime. Somehow landed back into the music industry helpin' out with concerts and stage work, and here I sit in a luxury condo at Grand Targhee Resort with an all access pass, private pool privileges, and all you can eat catering. Not a bad deal at all! Got the rest of the day off to enjoy the concert, then we'll pack up the show till we greet tomorrows sunrise.

JOB HUNT

2011-06-29T09:44:00.001-07:00

Can anyone recommend any reputable science/conservation jobs or companies?

JOB HUNT: "Seeking Qualified Employee for Insurance Scams"

2011-06-29T09:40:00.000-07:00

So I'm sitting in a coffee shop, waiting to be interviewed by an insurance company. I've put numerous applications out for jobs, and I'm pleased to have been approached by a company that looks somewhat reputable. Now the company I originally thought was a bank, not insurance, and is based in another city. They sound professional on the phone, and we arrange a meeting.

Ten O' clock rolls around, and I've begun to a be a bit skeptical about the interview. I've been warned about being head hunted by insurance companies and begin to think this would be the worst kind of job in an economic downturn. Looking around, I'm hoping to see someone professional waiting. An older hippy looking guy walks in with a long grey beard. He gets a coffee and sits down waiting for someone. In a panic that this is the "insurance agent" I turn my phone to silent, and wait to see what happens.

After adjusting my glossy computer screen for a better look, I'm happy to see someone show up to meet him. Listening to them discuss instruments and drumming, I cautiously look around for the interviewer. Another guy with long gray hair and untidy clothes looks around waiting, and I continue my casual observations, still hoping for a "professional" to show up. I nearly give up when my phone rings, and a suited man on the phone walks in for coffee. I bounce up and introduce myself, only to find its the wrong person.

Walking back to my table, I notice a pirate looking man with a lazy eye and plastic business appearance on the phone. The number just went to voice mail and matched his tone. I would have preferred the hippy. Nothing worse than wasting your time being scammed into scamming other people.

Wish me luck on my job hunt!!

Home: Big Sky Montana

2011-06-14T22:20:00.000-07:00

It's so nice to be back in beautiful Montana. I had actually forgotten the spectacular the snow covered Rockies Mountains, green spring hills, and wild mountain flowers. Its been much colder here than I had become accustomed to in Asia.

There's nowhere like home, especially when it comes to family. I've got 10 brothers and sisters, myself being the oldest. It tends to get a little busy, somehow my family manages to entertain up to 20 people in one household. It can get a little hectic, but there is always something going on. My brother Dominic just won the Soccer State Championship last week, my 3 yr old niece and I have been working on learning Chinese, and I've been making hula hoops with my younger sisters.

I know I wont be able to stay long, so I'm enjoying my time with them. I'm headed to Seattle tomorrow to meet up with the rest of my family, everyone seems to have changed having been away.

I suppose the best advice I can give is to enjoy where you are and who you are with, because you never know how long it will last. Time moves faster than we realize.

Freedoms of the World, and a Love for Travel

2011-06-04T22:51:00.000-07:00

“Traveling is like falling in love; the world is made new again." Jan Myrdal

Its such a strange feeling, being in love with the world. Accepting the land, the people, the cultures, and the governments, better or worse, simply for what they are. You cant begin to explain why it is you love the odd things about people; moles, birthmarks, odd digits, snaggle teeth, and so on. These oddities that make us unique are in a way like the countries I've visited. Every person is different, as is every country. They live by a set of rules, sometimes the same and sometimes different from our own. Cultures have their own likes and dislikes, ways of relating, of showing affections, and perform in a variety of work environments.

I must admit, the world isn't as different as I thought it would be, at least different in the way I thought it would be. People are people, and we are all governed by the same set of invisible rules that makes us so. We feel happy and sad, stressed, eagar, and we all hope to communicate such things to the world. Some of us are far more fortunate than others, and for some, dying is just a part of every day life.

The idea of freedom has been threatened in my mind, once defined as having the capability of doing anything you wanted any time you wanted to do it. This definition leaves out one very important aspect. Safety, and the rights to live. Not a threat by gunpoint or by anyone in fact. Rather the threat to life is having the ability to earn or grow food, to be able to medicate or treat an illness, or even having the possibility to obtain clean drinking water. For them, freedom means simply a bottle of water, a loaf of bread, and a healthy body.

I've taken these things for granted my whole life, everyone seems to have these freedoms, or so I thought. I didn't even consider the hard working families who live in the street gutters who will never have the freedom of education. I'm still understanding that and education means having the ability to think, problem solve, and create solutions to everyday problems. I've always been able to do this, I just never knew how free it made me.

Following the Ocean Waves: Vietnam to the USA

2011-05-30T22:50:00.000-07:00

After having an epic 24th birthday in the beaches of Vietnam, sharing New York Cheesecake (oh yeah!) with my Mom, we flew back over the vast ocean back to good ol USA. The JOURNEY is far from over, in fact its nearly begun! I'll spend a couple weeks catching up with the family who are meeting me for a beach trip in California, then road trip back to my birth state, Montana.

I began my trip to New Zealand inspired by my favorite author Paulo Coelho in the Alchemist, and I find it most fitting to leave you now with another of his famous quotes:

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”

4,000 Islands in Laos: Relax in Paradise?

2011-04-28T04:36:00.000-07:00

The 4,000 islands are found along the Mekong River in Southern Laos. A collection of tropical islands and teal blue waters are home to the, Irrawaddy dolphin, the only species known to live in freshwater.

The dolphin has a blunt nose, resembling the head shape of an orca, and has a traditional body shape of a dolphin. The locals tell us there are only about 20 left in the area, and they can be seen up close on kayak tours.

After sweating waterfalls for about two days, we decided to move on to Vietnam, and leave behind this unusual place. Although it has been given raving reviews, there was something very unusual about the islands that I cant quite pinpoint. My mom and I cycled the main island and the smaller to watch the sunset, and we had a chance to inter tube a short ways down the river.

Maybe now is a better time as any, but often when you hear travel stories, they always seem to leave out the negatives or glorify the bad events they do share. There was something very bizarre about visiting this place... no one ever smiled... never heard laughter... and it was always such a hassle to do anything... I'd be interested to hear other reviews... perhaps it was just bad timing?

I'm excited to be moving onwards, but am very weary about getting onto another bus. Laos drivers are insane!! The tour bus ahead of us rolled, threw the front windshield, and blocked the road sideways. Saw the bus, but everyone had been brought elsewhere before we passed. I can only hope the best. We've heard of SEVERAL incidents of serious bus crashes, people nearly dying in Vang Vieng, motorcycle incidents, and people going to hospitable here that don't even have running water. I watched a guy in Malaysia give himself stitches with regular needle and thread.

I suppose on the bonus side, it's very easy to get over the counter prescriptions... just ask any "pharmacist," but know what you're asking for/ and getting before you take it. One medication they offered my friend had Poison symbols on every side of the box, no instructions in English... but it came HIGHLY recommended! Needless to say, she didn't buy that version.

Oh... and I've never really been a fan of Lonely Planet, till now. I would definitely recommend getting a travel guide before coming to SE Asia. Doable w/o it, but SOOO much easier with one, considering you probably don't speak their language :)

Street Performer Juggles/Balances 10 Contact Balls

2011-04-20T18:42:00.000-07:00

I saw this street performer in Pai, Thailand. He was "practicing" as he does every day on a busy street full of motorcycles scrambling tourists and stray animals. It must take some serious concentration! He told me he can balance five on his head and was working for the sixth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhFc3cJY_j8
I put the video on youtube, it takes to long to load it on this page ;)