in my shoes

The goal: Starting in January 2010, I will spend one year traveling the globe with an intention of volunteerism, fundraising for charitable causes, and spreading love and joy.

The journey mapped out:
Important note:  Everything here is estimated.  Things may change due to weather, safety, health, financial capacity, or inspiration.

Destination:  Guam
Duration:  1 month

My Service: preserve Chamorro culture and preserve the pristine coastline

My Pleasures and Learning: learn about my heritage, cultural language and traditions, meet my extended family

I will start in Guam and get to know my Chamorro heritage.  The Chamorro culture is one filled with love and peace, but the Chamorro people have been majorly displaced, and the ancestral traditions are less prevalent today.  Although the small island of Guam has been occupied by the U.S. military and taken over by the Asian tourist industry, the Chamorro people are re-inspiring their youth and communities to preserve their language and traditions.  I desire to be one of them.

I will also be cleaning up the ocean and beaches to preserve the pristine beaches and reefs.  There is a lot of trash and a limited amount of hired service.

Destination:  India
Duration:  2.5 months

My Service: teach in schools and orphanages, work with organic, non-GM farms, promote racial equity, and help equalize the access to health

My Pleasures and Learning: practice yoga and meditation intensely, experience the Taj Mahal and other temples of the country, learn about ayurvedic healing

Continuing westward to India, I desire to learn to live a life of spiritual awareness and utter service.  I desire to volunteer in schools, orphanages, and non-GMO farms.  My intention is to help those whose goals are to equalize access to wealth and health in the country, and to promote racial equality.

Destination:  Middle East (Israel and Turkey)
Duration:  1 month

My Service: still researching possibilities

My Pleasures and Learning: learn about the history of religion and politics in the region, explore my spirituality, re-visit the most mind-blowing city I have ever been to (Istanbul), learn a bit about Arabic script (something that I’ve desired as an artist for years),

Following the sun toward the Middle East, I will find my way to Israel and Turkey.  Both Israel and Turkey are filled with charitable causes to help, as I travel to my spiritual mecca.

Destination:  Spain and Western Europe
Duration:  3 months

My Service: teach English, support organic farms, help maintain historical buildings and churches

My Pleasures and Learning: visit my high school home, refine my Spanish, do art around amazing architecture and history, learn a bit of French and Italian

I would like to travel to Spain where I graduated from high school, and be of service in Spain, Portugal, France, and/or Italy.  I would like to teach English and support organic farms.  I am grateful that the EU has banned GMOs!

Destination:  United States
Duration:  2 months

My Service: support grass roots, non-profit organizations, support ecology conservation projects, support organic farms, empower others to become nature adventurers, empower people to think outside of the box and create the opportunities they desire

My Pleasures and Learning: learn about my family ancestry, learn what it means to be an American, see the National Parks across the U.S., visit friends and family and build new relationships

I plan to drive cross-country finding ways to preserve a country that I love because it has given me so much freedom and support in my life.  I will continue to promote values I believe in:

• Healthy food and healthy land for all.  Local, organic farms.
• Ecological conservation.
• Racial equity.
• Equal access to information and inspiration through education and coaching.