The Journey Thus Far

You could say it started with dream, a class, a calling, or a European man spotting land amongst shipwrecks. You could say it started in me, in the cosmos (or the heavens, whichever direction you point to.) You could say it started in any or all of these places and you would be right. But I have been learning lately that it is not about where you begin but where you end.
I have a tendency to want to write a story for myself. I fill my life with people who have the words or experience to inspire me to write down new words or new phrases and claim them as something I can relate to. I always begin, I’m great at beginnings, and I almost always have an idea of where it will end but it’s the middle ground that gets me stuck in sinking sand. I hate writing the middle – it’s too hard.
That is why I am going to Africa. It was a dream, yes, in eighth grade. It was a Christianity in Africa class I took in the fall of 2010. It was a calling I answered to the tuning of a guitar at a camp, in St. Louis, in the ninth grade. It was a man who wanted to feed his family so he sailed and landed on the shore of Africa. He took not their food but their hands and their feet and he saw he could feed not just his family but a country, a new world. It’s the selfish tendency in me to want to see the world so I can hold it in my hands and say, “I understand now.” It’s the duty I bear to lose myself so that I can find myself (how silly that must seem to anyone who doesn’t believe.)
Most of all, I’m going to Stellenbosch, South Africa because I know it will be hard. I know that all the things I use to build myself up will be brought down. I’m not so naïve as to think that things won’t be similar there. Trust me, I know the words to Weight of Lies (Avett Brothers) “The weight of lies will bring you down, and follow you to every town cause nothing happens here that doesn’t happen there. So when you run make sure you run to something and not away from cause lies don’t need an airplane to chase you down.”
I’ve already experienced the weight of lies, just in packing. The other night I found myself standing before a mirror, dressed in an outfit that I was sure would be my “first day of adventure” outfit. And I pictured what I know of study abroad pictures to be: girl standing on top of mountain, throwing hands in the air as if it to say “take that, Oxford! What did you do today? I climbed this mountain.” (I embrace the fact that not all described pictures mean such things, hopefully you see already the pride I struggle with.)
Part of going somewhere foreign is wanting to build yourself up, because you know so much of yourself will be brought down by the very fact that for probably the first time in your life you are the outsider. You are the foreigner.
And I’m reminded: I’m going to Africa to lose myself, so that I may find myself. Or rather, to find something much bigger than myself that to claim it as me would be ridiculous. And if you follow the promises, follow the early travelers on this journey you know exactly what I’m talking about. And if you don’t, I hope you are intrigued enough to want to know more. Trust me, that’s where I began.
Here’s to the middle ground and running to something, rather than from.

- A

Bon Iver

You like Bon Iver, too? No way! Cool. Here's a free download off the new album. Thanks Nick for sharing the music gospel with me.

CLICK HERE FOR HIPSTER GOODNESS

- A

Instagram

I've been instagrammed. I said I wouldn't, couldn't, shouldn't jump on the band wagon and I did. It brings me joy therefore if you judge me for it you are a joy killer. Live with that. Peace out hipsters-who-use-to-wear-abercrombie-like-me.

- A

Chacos

If found, please return.
Object of displacement: Chacos and Australian tan (preferably the Chacos)
- A

Kayak

I don't know how to kayak and I think I value my life too much to try an endeavor such as kayaking the Mississippi River, but that is exactly what two of my friends are doing this summer to raise money for Interfaith Compassion Ministries and homelessness in Oxford, MS. Homelessness in Oxford, MS? Yeah you heard right. Who would have ever thought in our beautiful, artsy, historic town there would be a single person without a home. It's true, in fact hundreds and most of these are children.

Rob and Bowman are kayaking the Mississippi River this summer in hopes of raising $50,000 for this cause and I just wanted to bring it to anyone's attention out there. As a member of this community I have a direct responsibility to look after my brothers and sisters so please take a few moments to check out their website, watch the awesome video, pray and/or donate for their cause or come out to Emileigh's Table in Taylor this Sunday for fine food and fellowship. $15 a plate and all proceeds go to ICM. Much love - A

Film

Katy and I have been slacking lately. I think spring can do that to you. Spring makes everything come to life in a way that makes the cold winter seem almost romantic. I am taking two film classes this semester and I won't go as far as to say it has made me a fine critic or reviewer, but it has made me appreciate cinema like never before. If you get the chance, I highly recommend you take a film course in college. I use to hate on film for being the slacker version of literature but I was so wrong. Film appeals to the visual sense that is only captured by the great authors. Anyway I wanted to take a moment to bring attention to some upcoming movies that I am so excited about. These premiers are a much needed breath of fresh air.

Water for Elephants
Let's start with the deepest guilty pleasure: Robert Pattinson. Say what you will about Edward Cullen but leave Pattinson's acting skills alone - he is definitely going to mature into complex character roles. All of this is bogus, by the way, because all I care about is that this boy is FINE. Add Reese Witherspoon, elephants, circus, and a time piece and I am sold.



Midnight in Paris
Let's just quit pretending we don't all love romcoms. Owen Wilson. Rachel McAdams. Paris. Need I say more? Didn't think so. But just in case I did...Woody Allen wrote and directs it. Don't worry, I didn't know Woody Allen was such a baller until my film classes.


Tree of Life
I have a feeling the trailer doesn't do this movie justice and the trailer is beautiful. Brad Pitt is beautiful. Family is beautiful. Brad Pitt is beautiful. Nature is beautiful. Brad Pitt is beautiful. Time pieces are beautiful. Brad Pitt is beautiful. This film is going to be all things beautiful.



- A

Witness

- A