Friends, in case you weren't sure how I felt about you... this should clear things up. I love and miss you all -- already. Continue reading →
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Pictures speak volumes so I shall let them... Acadia, April 2012 Continue reading →
It sees the ocean to its bosum clasp The rocks and sea-sand with the kiss of peace: It sees the wild winds lift it in their grasp, And hold it up, and shake it like a fleece.” –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Lighthouse Maine has been the backdrop — the setting — for some of the most [...]
The Peace Corps is a trained group of skilled workers … young in years, mature in judgment, dedicated in purpose, voluntary in character, ready to go and work anywhere in the world. Sargent Shriver, First Director of the Peace Corps Fifty-one years ago yesterday, President John F. Kennedy created a corps of service men and women [...]
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Nearly 7 months after receiving a nomination for a teaching assignment in Asia in June of this year, I’m still waiting. I like to think it’s part of the fun of it. It’s a test I must pass. It’s building up the anticipation. It’s mysterious and alluring. It’s also a massive pain in my ass. [...]
My incredibly beautiful experience in a Turkish Bath House -- or Hamam -- in Istanbul.
Life is calling. How far will you go?
My insanities and why I am joining the Peace Corps.
When I began the Peace Corps application, I knew it was going to be a long process. I had done my research; I sought out previous Peace Corps volunteers who could advise me. Everyone cautioned that it could be months — if not longer — before I would know when and where I would be [...]
I learned something very interesting about myself this week. I’m a cold-hearted, East Coast snob. And while it’s probably warranted most of the time because, well, the East Coast is awesome … the West Coast has far more to offer than I initially believed. I was born and raised on the Atlantic. I thought it perfectly [...]
You have a choice. There’s a sunny little hostel in Tel Aviv, Israel with your name on it. It’s affordable, clean, and comes with a full breakfast and free tours of the city. You’ll be within walking distance of the Mediterranean, a slew of dance clubs, and some of the finest food in the region. However, there’s [...]
Traveling can be stressful regardless of who you are or where you are going. There is so much to account for! How much money will I need? How will I get around? Where will I stay? What should I bring? It can be fairly daunting and I’m sure it’s scared off a potential traveler or [...]
"In Egypt, the hours are never alike ...
Each minute is a memory the Nile birds renew.
I was there."
Mahmoud Darwish's poem, "In Egypt," in honor of National Poetry Month.
"I fear this disease incurable."
What it's like to be plagued by dreams of travel.
…That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.” I’ve always had a hard time with my last name. Simoes. See-mois? Sigh-mohz? Sim-oh-ez? I couldn’t tell you. Roll call at school was always a debacle. Teacher: “Marissa… Sigh-mohz? Is that how you say it?” Me: “Your guess is as good as [...]
Sometimes life is merely a matter of coffee and whatever intimacy a cup of coffee affords.” -Richard Brautigan All of the literary giants had their haunts. Iconic places they frequented that eventually took on the shape of their tales. Hemingway and Fitzgerald had the Ritz Bar in Paris. Portuguese poet, Fernando Pessoa, is immortalized in bronze outside the [...]
"Cool of a temperate breeze from dark skies to wet grass
We fell in a field it seems now a thousand summers passed
When our kite lines first crossed
We tied them into knots
And to finally fly apart
We had to cut them off."
Syrian rapper, Omar Offendum’s song #Jan25 is fitting for my last post about social media and the Egyptian revolution. Worth a listen. “I heard em say The revolution wont be televised Aljazeera proved em wrong Twitter has him paralyzed 80 million strong And ain’t no longer gonna be terrorized Organized – Mobilized – Vocalized On [...]
It’s happening more than 8,000 miles away, across an ocean and across a continent. And yet, I’m there. I’m there in front of the museum, the palace, the state television building. I’m there in the streets of Alexandria. I’m there in Tahrir square. In Mansoura, Suez, under the October 6th Bridge. I don’t mean I am there [...]
Every young, aspiring journalist has a goal. He wants to anchor. She wants to interview the Pope. They want to write a book. For me… I want to write for Al Jazeera. But you, my American friends, will miss out if you don’t demand that it is added to the channel roster of companies like Time Warner Cable. [...]
I met a multitude of interesting people during my stint in Cairo. Michael Downey, one of the people I spent the most time with, had the opportunity to interview a member of the Muslim Brotherhood while we were there. Since the recent events unfolded, the interview was published by WorldPolicy.org. I’ve pasted it in below [...]
“Portland…” a quiet voice dragged off, “our home away from home that is as far away from home as we could get.” That was how Colin Meloy of the Portland, Oregon band introduced himself to the small but excited crowd that gathered at Bull Moose yesterday evening. I found myself backstage, nestled between [...]
I’d like to introduce you to someone. His name is Jamal Abed-Rabbo. I met Jamal in Cairo a few months ago while studying at the American University. He was tall and bearded. He walked precisely the way I’d imagine Jesus would have walked if he were real. He quickly proved himself to be one of the [...]
“Drum sound rises on the air, its throb, my heart. A voice inside the beat says, ‘I know you’re tired, but come. This is the way.’” –(جلالالدین محمد رومی) Jalal ad-din Muhammad Rumi The air in the theatre is thick with the moisture of a thousand exhalations. It’s completely dark except for one bright, white [...]
Only three months ago, these were the streets of Cairo that I came to know and love… And this is what they’ve become over the past few days (courtesy of my friend, Yury, who is still in Cairo). I was only in Egypt for three months but [...]
I like sports. Well, I like sports because I like to objectify the men that play them. For instance, I watched last night’s football game between the NY Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers. I wanted the Jets to win but really, my attachment to the team is purely superficial. I like green. And the quarterback. [...]
I like compliments. I like giving them and I like getting them. I like your hair, I like your boots, I like your nose. I love your boobs. And there is only one thing I like more than compliments on my cleavage. And that is compliments on my writing… After writing a review of my [...]
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