Walk for so shall just his and whirled peas

The other day I did my "Walk for Social Justice" to raise money for my trip and to reflect and find that wonderful place of peace within myself.
As you might know I did the Camino de Santiago last summer with my dad, a walking pilgrimage in northern Spain. I found that walking is one of the best ways to experience a place and that it is truly one of the most peaceful things to do. We met so many wonderful people along the way and fell in love with the simple life of the camino. Here is a link to a slideshow my dad made of the trip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr-g3hYIMV8

Anyways, I decided it would be a little ridiculous to drive somewhere only to start walking somewhere else. So I just stepped out my front door and took a left. From there I basically walked all over the Sammamish plateau, through the woods, along the road, stopped at the grocery store to make myself a sign that read "Today I'm walking for social justice" that I attached to my backpack (definitely a conversation starter). For the first few hours I found my mind contemplating how I can be better at cultivating loving and peaceful relationships with everyone around me.
But after all the chatter of my mind subsided, I noticed only how every leaf seemed to bow reverently to me and I couldn't help but bow back. I never cease to be amazed by the mystery of existence. And then there it was, the feeling that I touched once again of pure bliss, peace, love, existing everywhere and permeating everything. I couldn't help but smile and know that even with all of the suffering and corruption in the world that there still exists joy. And that is truly a beautiful thing.

All of my love,
Laura

p.s. tonight I begin the dreaded malaria meds, and you know what that means??!?! TWO DAYS TO INDIA!

p.p.s. I printed out directions to the family's house I will be staying with in the first few nights, they look a little something like this, "turn left at old maherauli rd, turn left, turn right, turn left, turn left"...um street names? Hahaha, should be interesting :)

Finding strength in asking for help...and other ramblings :)

WARNING: The following ramblings are in no way required to make very much sense, be cohesive, or be anything but pure, brutal honesty. In addition, I do not claim to be the voice of any experience/perspective other than my own. This may seem obvious but I would like anyone reading this to keep in mind (especially once I begin my travels) that the way I experience India is through the eyes of a white, female, middle class, American, college student (among other things, and whether I want it to or not, this will continue to shape my experiences). I carry with me my own preconceptions and biases, which is not inherently a bad thing, but something I will continually keep in mind and challenge within myself. ANYWAYS :) just wanted to get that off my chest...

So I've been thinking a lot lately about what we conceptualize as strength or weakness in our society. Generally, or stereotypically perhaps, strength might look like being self-sufficient, emotionally sound, physically strong, etc. Weakness looks like just the opposite.
I've come to realize in the past few years, and especially through preparation for this trip, that a lot of strength lies in asking for help. It's been hard for me to ask for help myself when my mind can easily justify why so many other people in the world need more help for than me. But the truth of the matter is everyone needs help on many different levels. For us to admit this can be quite humbling, and allowing others to give support in whatever way they can is beneficial for everyone. I remember from one of my trips to the Dominican Republic, I didn't know what to do with the generosity I was faced with from people that had little material wealth. A dear friend on that trip said, "If everyone was a giver, who would receive?" I personally find the most joy in my life by helping others on their journey, by relieving whatever suffering I can. But if everyone in the world were too proud to be receiving, all the givers would have no one to give to! I would not be able to experience such joy.

So I suppose what I'm trying to say is that I have needed a lot of support with this trip, and when I finally got over my stupid pride and reached out to my lovely family and friends it felt so good. This consisted of monetary support, but most importantly I asked my friends and family to write me a note that I could open in India. At the time I was feeling a little nervous about the trip, and admitting this to myself and to everyone I love was so comforting.
And you know what else??!? I have come to terms with the amount I cry. I can't help but cry when I see someone else in pain, I cry when I am overcome with joy, when I see a smiling baby, when I touch the earth. I used to think this meant I was oversensitive, but I have come to realize that it is rather the way I experience the world is through feeling. I feel the joy and suffering and it is a lot of times overwhelming. So when I cry it feels like my heart is bubbling out with so much feeling for the world. :)

Well I will update soon on the Walk for Social Justice (hopefully with pictures!!) and from India in no time! I leave in SIX DAYS!!! GAAHALECJNL@NDLKSDN!!!!

On a final note, I would like to share with you one of my favorite poems, one that always brings me back to my heart.

Please Call Me by My True Names

Do not say that I'll depart tomorrow
because even today I still arrive.

Look deeply: I arrive in every second
to be a bud on a spring branch,
to be a tiny bird, with wings still fragile,
learning to sing in my new nest,
to be a caterpillar in the heart of a flower,
to be a jewel hiding itself in a stone.

I still arrive, in order to laugh and to cry,
in order to fear and to hope.
The rhythm of my heart is the birth and
death of all that are alive.

I am the mayfly metamorphosing on the surface of the river,
and I am the bird which, when spring comes, arrives in time
to eat the mayfly.

I am the frog swimming happily in the clear pond,
and I am also the grass-snake who, approaching in silence,
feeds itself on the frog.

I am the child in Uganda, all skin and bones,
my legs as thin as bamboo sticks,
and I am the arms merchant, selling deadly weapons to
Uganda.

I am the twelve-year-old girl, refugee on a small boat,
who throws herself into the ocean after being raped by a sea
pirate,
and I am the pirate, my heart not yet capable of seeing and
loving.

I am a member of the politburo, with plenty of power in my
hands,
and I am the man who has to pay his "debt of blood" to, my
people,
dying slowly in a forced labor camp.

My joy is like spring, so warm it makes flowers bloom in all
walks of life.
My pain if like a river of tears, so full it fills the four oceans.

Please call me by my true names,
so I can hear all my cries and laughs at once,
so I can see that my joy and pain are one.

Please call me by my true names,
so I can wake up,
and so the door of my heart can be left open,
the door of compassion.

--Thich Nhat Hanh

Bangalore dreamin'

Here is a link to the program description for my study abroad trip. Check it out if you want to read more about what I'm doing this summer in Bangalore.

http://depts.washington.edu/explore/programs/2009/indiajustice.htm

And here is a picture of me on campus at our last rally against sweatshop apparel. I was talking to fellow students about the apparel industry, particularly abuses happening in factories that make UW apparel. A lot of great work was done this past school year, but certainly there is so much more that lies ahead.

As for now, I'm just sitting here reflecting on all that has happened this year and daydreaming about India...2 weeks from today I will be jetting off!

Just a quick update for the few who might read this:

As you may or may not know, I am doing a "Walk for Social Justice" to raise money for my trip to India. I should have known that finals/paper/work would catch up with me at the end of the quarter, and thus I will postpone my walk until school is out. Tentative date is June 19th or 20th.

There is so much to say, I don't even know where to begin. I will write more soon.

Love love love,
Laura :)