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Sunday, April 25, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
From My Journal: Haiti
From My Journal
A Journey to Dajabon
9. April. 2010
(c) AFG Creative Productions Group
Yesterday, we went to Dajabon, the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Before I arrived, I imagined it like something from the cinemas. During our arrival, there were many young children running on the side of our bus asking for food and money. It was very reminiscent of all the poor people I have seen in my life. I did not give them any food because I was a bit worried about myself not having enough money to buy lunch later that day (a choice I later regretted). I asked myself, ‘Am I like many other people in the world, viewing the children as bums and not as humans who are need of aid?’ That question still sticks with me.
We started walking in the direction of the market of the free trade zone where Haitians and Dominicans barter. When we turned the corner, I definitely saw something that was only previously viewed in films and I felt something in my heart. Streets and streets full of Haitians, food, clothes and other articles. There were Dominicans throughout the market but my focus was on the Haitians. When we began walking towards the other side of the border, I was suddenly trapped. There was screaming and sweat. My mind went completely white as I witnessed the pain around me. I was frozen and could not move my body. There was screaming and sweat. There were people who were fighting with others. Although I do not speak Creole or French, I have the feeling that it was over food.
As I regained consciousness, I continued walking to the other side into Haiti. There were many people transporting foods on carts and gigantic buggies. When an enormous cart with flour fell over, my heart dropped. There were more fights and arguments. I did not know what to do. If I walked over to help, would they think I was trying to rob them in the end or as an American, would they think I was helping out of pity? I did not know what to do. My mind started going blank again. So I began to do something that I am very good at, I began taking photographs with hopes of documenting and showing the world what I had seen.
Every single one of my peers had similar sentiments that day. We realized that we do not have much to worry about because our lives will never be as hard as others in the world. I cannot imagine what the border was like with the aftermath of the earthquake. Without a doubt, there was more fighting, more tears, more blood and death. I cannot say that what I experienced yesterday will change my life forever, but without a doubt, my experiences here will help me. It was an incredible experience and it is my pleasure to share it with you.
A Journey to Dajabon
9. April. 2010
(c) AFG Creative Productions Group
Yesterday, we went to Dajabon, the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Before I arrived, I imagined it like something from the cinemas. During our arrival, there were many young children running on the side of our bus asking for food and money. It was very reminiscent of all the poor people I have seen in my life. I did not give them any food because I was a bit worried about myself not having enough money to buy lunch later that day (a choice I later regretted). I asked myself, ‘Am I like many other people in the world, viewing the children as bums and not as humans who are need of aid?’ That question still sticks with me.
We started walking in the direction of the market of the free trade zone where Haitians and Dominicans barter. When we turned the corner, I definitely saw something that was only previously viewed in films and I felt something in my heart. Streets and streets full of Haitians, food, clothes and other articles. There were Dominicans throughout the market but my focus was on the Haitians. When we began walking towards the other side of the border, I was suddenly trapped. There was screaming and sweat. My mind went completely white as I witnessed the pain around me. I was frozen and could not move my body. There was screaming and sweat. There were people who were fighting with others. Although I do not speak Creole or French, I have the feeling that it was over food.
As I regained consciousness, I continued walking to the other side into Haiti. There were many people transporting foods on carts and gigantic buggies. When an enormous cart with flour fell over, my heart dropped. There were more fights and arguments. I did not know what to do. If I walked over to help, would they think I was trying to rob them in the end or as an American, would they think I was helping out of pity? I did not know what to do. My mind started going blank again. So I began to do something that I am very good at, I began taking photographs with hopes of documenting and showing the world what I had seen.
Every single one of my peers had similar sentiments that day. We realized that we do not have much to worry about because our lives will never be as hard as others in the world. I cannot imagine what the border was like with the aftermath of the earthquake. Without a doubt, there was more fighting, more tears, more blood and death. I cannot say that what I experienced yesterday will change my life forever, but without a doubt, my experiences here will help me. It was an incredible experience and it is my pleasure to share it with you.
Más Cerca de la Frontera
Más Cerca de la Frontera
Por Alex Echols
Yo soy tú y lo mismo para ti
Pues por qué no tienes respecto y confianza en mí
Lavando tus zapatos con mi bandera
Una bandera con raíces de todo de mi manera
Años y años de la historia y todo
Que empezó el odio que todavía no es claro
Yo soy haitiano y eres dominicano
Pero pienso que tú olvidaste que somos ambos humanos
En el futuro, espero que el problema mejore
Y yo sé es posible con un montón de fe
Años y años de historia pasará
Con ojos abiertos, la vida cambiará
Por Alex Echols
Yo soy tú y lo mismo para ti
Pues por qué no tienes respecto y confianza en mí
Lavando tus zapatos con mi bandera
Una bandera con raíces de todo de mi manera
Años y años de la historia y todo
Que empezó el odio que todavía no es claro
Yo soy haitiano y eres dominicano
Pero pienso que tú olvidaste que somos ambos humanos
En el futuro, espero que el problema mejore
Y yo sé es posible con un montón de fe
Años y años de historia pasará
Con ojos abiertos, la vida cambiará
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Another Day, Another Thanks (DR)
Another chapter is coming to another end
(Some Thoughts)
This semester has been one of the biggest growth experiences for me in a while. Although I have not progressed a lot with AFG Productions Group and One Life Brand, I know I am exactly where I need to be. Progress is being made. I have been working on the website in efforts of taking the next step of branding who I am: Alex Echols - this semester has definitely reassured one thing within: always stay true to yourself. I have several friends (compañeros del semestre) that would love to stay on this beautiful island (Dominican Republic) and lead their lives from here, but I am different. When it is my time to board that plane, of course there will be tears of joy and a slight emptiness in my stomach, but there will be no regrets of leaving. Because I know, in my heart, that it is not the end. I also know that there are several other countries I would love to leave with my footprint, several other cultures I would like to encounter and several, several other things I would love to do before my time is up.
If anyone notices that I am happy about leaving - it is not because 'I can't wait to get off this damn island,' it is because I accept the fact that my time is up here, FOR NOW. (I gotta tell you that this will definitely be a vacationing spot in the future). I have been blessed with the opportunity of traveling for the last school year and I would not trade it for anything. During the next month and half, I will work on the website, I will write proposals to power more of my dreams, I will chill with friends and fraternity brothers that I have not seen for almost a year. I will attempt to connect back with the American culture, chowing down on some Hooters hot wings and hitting up a house party. Haha, so maybe that's not entirely true. Before I will even get the chance to do so, I will be on another plane headed to Hong Kong for the summer. It is simple: life is beautiful. When you truly love life, life loves you back.
Honestly,
So who knows where the hell I will be nine months from now. I am not afraid of tomorrow. This semester + last semester + other schooling + family + friends + other experiences = the perfect amount of equipment to assure that more of my dreams will come true. And they will for you too. When someone tells you to 'be realistic,' what they are REALLY telling you is 'compromise your potential, your ideas and your genius.' Forget that, BREAK RULES AND RECORDS.
To everyone that has made this semester what it is, I would like to say thanks and I love you all deeply. We still have some time to party, to chill and to Brugal it up. So let's live. Spring 2010. All we do is win (shit, maybe rapping is in the radar).
One Life,
AE
P.S. Video will be coming soon. Stay tuned.
(Some Thoughts)
This semester has been one of the biggest growth experiences for me in a while. Although I have not progressed a lot with AFG Productions Group and One Life Brand, I know I am exactly where I need to be. Progress is being made. I have been working on the website in efforts of taking the next step of branding who I am: Alex Echols - this semester has definitely reassured one thing within: always stay true to yourself. I have several friends (compañeros del semestre) that would love to stay on this beautiful island (Dominican Republic) and lead their lives from here, but I am different. When it is my time to board that plane, of course there will be tears of joy and a slight emptiness in my stomach, but there will be no regrets of leaving. Because I know, in my heart, that it is not the end. I also know that there are several other countries I would love to leave with my footprint, several other cultures I would like to encounter and several, several other things I would love to do before my time is up.
If anyone notices that I am happy about leaving - it is not because 'I can't wait to get off this damn island,' it is because I accept the fact that my time is up here, FOR NOW. (I gotta tell you that this will definitely be a vacationing spot in the future). I have been blessed with the opportunity of traveling for the last school year and I would not trade it for anything. During the next month and half, I will work on the website, I will write proposals to power more of my dreams, I will chill with friends and fraternity brothers that I have not seen for almost a year. I will attempt to connect back with the American culture, chowing down on some Hooters hot wings and hitting up a house party. Haha, so maybe that's not entirely true. Before I will even get the chance to do so, I will be on another plane headed to Hong Kong for the summer. It is simple: life is beautiful. When you truly love life, life loves you back.
Honestly,
So who knows where the hell I will be nine months from now. I am not afraid of tomorrow. This semester + last semester + other schooling + family + friends + other experiences = the perfect amount of equipment to assure that more of my dreams will come true. And they will for you too. When someone tells you to 'be realistic,' what they are REALLY telling you is 'compromise your potential, your ideas and your genius.' Forget that, BREAK RULES AND RECORDS.
To everyone that has made this semester what it is, I would like to say thanks and I love you all deeply. We still have some time to party, to chill and to Brugal it up. So let's live. Spring 2010. All we do is win (shit, maybe rapping is in the radar).
One Life,
AE
P.S. Video will be coming soon. Stay tuned.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Friday, April 09, 2010
Acting As A Guardian DailyOM
April 7, 2010
DailyOM
Just Being There
Acting As A Guardian
One of the greatest gifts we can give another human being is to act as their guardian. Whether this gift is related to a specific situation or is representative of an ongoing commitment, we each benefit from the association. To protect someone is to walk with them in challenging times and see them through safely to the other side. In doing this, we grow with them. And those under our guardianship derive confidence from our support and assistance, enabling them to persevere through almost any conditions.
There are many reasons we feel inspired to serve as guardians to those we care for. Sometimes just holding the space for somebody allows them to do what is necessary to grow or heal. We may simply want to see that our friend or loved one is taken care of and equipped to prevail over difficult circumstances. We may also sense that we are in possession of knowledge our loved ones are lacking yet need in their current stage of development. Our offer to serve as a guardian may also be both unsolicited and unrelated to any one situation. Instead of helping someone we care about cope with a specific challenge, we may find ourselves providing them with a more general form of emotional sustenance that prepares and strengthens them for challenges yet to come.
Our ability to empathize with those under our guardianship is our greatest asset because our comprehension of their needs allows us to determine how we can best serve them. Even when this comprehension is limited, however, the loving intentions with which we enter into our role as guardian ensure that our care and protection help others grow as individuals while living their lives with grace.
via DailyOM.com
DailyOM
Just Being There
Acting As A Guardian
One of the greatest gifts we can give another human being is to act as their guardian. Whether this gift is related to a specific situation or is representative of an ongoing commitment, we each benefit from the association. To protect someone is to walk with them in challenging times and see them through safely to the other side. In doing this, we grow with them. And those under our guardianship derive confidence from our support and assistance, enabling them to persevere through almost any conditions.
There are many reasons we feel inspired to serve as guardians to those we care for. Sometimes just holding the space for somebody allows them to do what is necessary to grow or heal. We may simply want to see that our friend or loved one is taken care of and equipped to prevail over difficult circumstances. We may also sense that we are in possession of knowledge our loved ones are lacking yet need in their current stage of development. Our offer to serve as a guardian may also be both unsolicited and unrelated to any one situation. Instead of helping someone we care about cope with a specific challenge, we may find ourselves providing them with a more general form of emotional sustenance that prepares and strengthens them for challenges yet to come.
Our ability to empathize with those under our guardianship is our greatest asset because our comprehension of their needs allows us to determine how we can best serve them. Even when this comprehension is limited, however, the loving intentions with which we enter into our role as guardian ensure that our care and protection help others grow as individuals while living their lives with grace.
via DailyOM.com
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
Peepshi
Now this is what I call dessert. Peeps, Rice Krispies, and Fruit by the Foot made to look like sushi.
Via neatorama.com
Via neatorama.com
Sunday, April 04, 2010
Compelled to Create DailyOM
April 1, 2010
DailyOM
Compelled to Create
Embracing Your Muse
Inspiration is an intangible yet inseparable part of the creative process. Nearly all creative possibilities are related to the muses that inspire us. The ancient Greeks believed that all creation, whether artistic or scientific in nature, was motivated by goddesses who served as the literal embodiment of inspiration. These were the Muses—the givers of the creative spark. We still rely on muses to drive the creative process, though ours may take a diverse range of forms. People we meet, intriguing ideas, movies, books, nature, and cultural ideals all have the potential to awaken our imaginative minds. When we are touched by our muses, we understand viscerally that we are capable of producing our own unique kind of greatness.
Many people move through life unaware of the presence of their muse. This lack of awareness can be compounded by the fact that we may have one muse that remains with us throughout our lives, multiple muses that inspire us concurrently, several muses that come and go as necessary, or a single muse that touches us briefly at specific moments. You will know that you have found your muse when you encounter a force that makes you feel courageous enough to broaden the range of your creativity. The presence of this force will erase your self-doubt and motivate you to give your thoughts and feelings form. Should your muse continue to elude you, however, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of falling under its inspired influence. If you surround yourself with people who support you, keep a pen and paper handy, immerse yourself in culture, and brainstorm frequently, you will soon reconnect with your muse.
Once you have identified your muse, embrace it by giving yourself over to the creative inspiration it provides. No matter what you are moved to create, you will find that neither fear nor criticism can penetrate the wonderful bliss that goes hand in hand with the act of taking an idea and turning it into something the whole world can enjoy.
via DailyOM
DailyOM
Compelled to Create
Embracing Your Muse
Inspiration is an intangible yet inseparable part of the creative process. Nearly all creative possibilities are related to the muses that inspire us. The ancient Greeks believed that all creation, whether artistic or scientific in nature, was motivated by goddesses who served as the literal embodiment of inspiration. These were the Muses—the givers of the creative spark. We still rely on muses to drive the creative process, though ours may take a diverse range of forms. People we meet, intriguing ideas, movies, books, nature, and cultural ideals all have the potential to awaken our imaginative minds. When we are touched by our muses, we understand viscerally that we are capable of producing our own unique kind of greatness.
Many people move through life unaware of the presence of their muse. This lack of awareness can be compounded by the fact that we may have one muse that remains with us throughout our lives, multiple muses that inspire us concurrently, several muses that come and go as necessary, or a single muse that touches us briefly at specific moments. You will know that you have found your muse when you encounter a force that makes you feel courageous enough to broaden the range of your creativity. The presence of this force will erase your self-doubt and motivate you to give your thoughts and feelings form. Should your muse continue to elude you, however, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of falling under its inspired influence. If you surround yourself with people who support you, keep a pen and paper handy, immerse yourself in culture, and brainstorm frequently, you will soon reconnect with your muse.
Once you have identified your muse, embrace it by giving yourself over to the creative inspiration it provides. No matter what you are moved to create, you will find that neither fear nor criticism can penetrate the wonderful bliss that goes hand in hand with the act of taking an idea and turning it into something the whole world can enjoy.
via DailyOM
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