Mae Sot trash dump...

Mae La Refufee Camp...

I am...

in a place where there is no word for "diet" and where I am average height, maybe even tall to some (and no, not infants).

Things are going well. I got a bit sick today but it passed and I am ready to go again. Tomorrow we head into an IDP camp. It will definitely be interesting to see how life is inside somewhere I am not allowed. Wish us luck!

Update...

Today has been amazing and extremely productive. We met a lot of wonderful people who share the same passion as we do. Things are beginning to take shape. Keep praying, and keep sending your good thoughts our way. I miss and love you.

Mae Sot and the Border...

Myanmar ^

a few photos from Bangkok...

Greetings from Bangkok!

Hi!! I am in Bangkok, Thailand having a great time. Friday we will be taking a 12 hour bus ride to the refugee camps on the Thai/Burma border. I miss everyone so much already! Thank you for your support in getting me here. I hope I can keep you updated but after Friday that will probably be unlikely.

For now,
Bangkok is insane. Mopeds EVERYWHERE. Amazing food. Loving people. Hard beds. Temples. Monks. Cats and dogs everywhere! and I already bought he cutest wooden owl ever!

I love you. Bye for now!

bye....

I'm leaving for the airport now. Thailand and Burma I will see you soon.



Thank you to everyone who came and said goodbye to me. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Mom and Dad I couldn't of done this without you. I will contact everyone when I get chance.

Love you.

Daddy...

You are my hero in every sense of the word. To me you are still invincible with super powers. I know I can count on you no matter what. You have taught me how to really go after my dreams and to never let anything stand in my way. Your love and compassion are inspiring to me. I wish I could have been with you today. You deserve a perfect day. I leave in about 15 hours! I promise I'll make it up to you when I get home, just 4 short weeks. You are the best Dad in the world. Thank you for everything.

James Nachtwey

I watched the documentary War Photographer again tonight. I am always so inspired when I watch it. I am reminded of why I do what I do, and why I continue down this long and terrifying career path. Mr. Nachtwey says it perfectly in this clip from the documentary. Seriously, watch it. Oh and we leave in 4 days! oh my...

mmm Holga...

La Jolla, CA.

a few more faces from this past weekend...

This is my middle niece Kali, she is obviously cooler than you.

This is Bryan, ummm 5 DAYS!!!!!!!

Phil...

There are a lot of reasons why I have decided on the career path that I have, here is one of them. Meet Phil Smith...

Unreal...

Eric in Sadr City, Iraq.

yesss...

I know it's long but watch it! =]

12 days away...

I'm not really sure when growing up became such a dreaded thing for me, but the closer I get to accomplishing my goals the more I want to turn and run the other way. People always say they are afraid of failure, but they forget how terrifying it is when you become everything you ever wanted to be. What's next? I assure you I am not "where I want to be", but I know that it is within reach. I have confidence I will succeed in the areas of life that I want to. But then there are the goals/decisions you make in life or will make in life that you never come to a definite decision on, well I don't anyway. Marriage? Kids? Love? These are some things that I am never clear in my mind about. One second wanting them all makes sense but then in the blink of an eye the concept of one person loving another, absolutely, forever seems impossible. You can never fully know someone; we've all got skeletons in the closet. So, with that said how could one enter into a lifetime commitment? I don't really know where I was going with this. Lately things have just been on my mind, and no matter how hard I try to suppress them they keep making their way to the surface. I leave in 12 days so that must be the reason for all this over-thinking about life and the future. The closer our departure date gets the more nervous I get. I won't be gone very long, just 4 weeks, but I keep wondering if I am prepared for what awaits me if we get into Burma. Am I ready? I think people have a misconception of me, that I am stronger than I really am. I am weak. If it weren't for the support I get from my family and friends I probably wouldn't be going on this "adventure". I am terrified to relive the devastation of watching a child die, of seeing people with curable diseases suffer when the medicine they need is mere cents to us. I hope with everything in me I am strong enough to help in every way I can.

Eric...

I hope you are safe. You are missed terribly.

whootie!

So it's 4:00 in the morning and I am still awake... soooo I made a whootie... yes, I said whootie. If you are familiar with my obsession with owls you will understand.