about this site
...a place for the photos and a few words about what I've been up to since life took a sharp turn east in 1997, and where I can (one day hope to) share what I've learned along the way. It's also a way for me to represent, and others to understand, the deep gratitude I cannot express in words to Peace Boat, my family and everyone else for making possible these immense experiences I will forever be trying to get my head around. Every day now is simply bonus, and I can do no better than use the rest of my bonus days on this planet to pay my good fortune forward, and get a few waves now and then.
about stacy
(or, key points along the way...)
more jibberish
Learn at least four languages by age 25, one of which is Chinese or Arabic. A year in Guatemala, a year in Syria, a year in China: not only cheaper than university in a place like the US, but incomparably better learning experience, and them top schools will be beating down the door to pay for a student with experience and real world knowledge like that. Or, do a gap year in Guatemala, then two years of uni studying Arabic & Chinese, then two years abroad before finishing the BA with a nice scholarship that will more than pay back money spent in Syria or China.
At the very least, study abroad, where the value can be so much better. If the horribly overpriced US higher education system needs to be slapped awake by an exodus of students to better, cheaper options in elsewhere before we recognize the fact that higher education should not be a debt factory, then let it be.
If you were lucky enough to be born with a passport in hand and ability to see the world, and maybe even the chance to do something good, USE IT. Think of all the humanity alive now and that have ever lived, how many of them have had such opportunity, and what one can gain from knowing the world beyond one's own borders... better than all the sparkly things in the world + make for a much happier person.
One possible 3-step path to world peace:
1. that the world's resources spent on the military will go towards space exploration (building / inspiring / exploring, yet still satisfying *man's* cultural and psychological need for daring-do, competition, and rockets that go zoom and boom) and an improved United Nations.
(Rant warning! Today, the world spends about $1,500 billion on the military, and $25-30 billion on the entire UN, while kicking it in the shins like uncooperative snots - and then we have the idiocy (and roaring ignorance of its huge achievements) to complain that it doesn't work? Like it's a matter of snapping the fingers? That critique needs to shut (and wake) the hell up, and bring much needed creative, constructive critique, suggestions and alternatives.)
2. that anyone who becomes a leader of anything - political, religious, etc - must first see the earth from space;
3. whilst the men outdo themselves playing Buck Rodgers in space, women assume stewardship of life on earth, and lead with 'peace' (defined here as the ability to address challenges, problems, conflicts big and small with empathy, creativity and constructively).
support
Purchase of photos or photography services helps greatly in allowing me to continue peace studies + work and photography.
