You can rarely say what you truly want
I want to say that I'm thoughtful
Heavily
more than I've been in my own memory
I think things are changing and will continue to do so
In a way that is not necessarily to our liking
Teaching ESL brings you a lot of information
A lot of feeling
From Mexico, Vietnam, Egypt, Libya, Congo, Iraq
Things I don't know
You can't know the lives that push you to wake up
You listen
I try
And when I wonder I can sit outside and feel the night breeze
maybe this is where I can return if my life becomes like a stranger

We still have birds
trees
bees
squirrels
and plants of all kinds
I think we can find something new
that we lost
and find hope that while things change
they continue to change

How can I put to words the thoughts I've been having over the past months. No idea.

So I will try write more freely, without review or attempt at reconstruction. I'm witing this while at work. Something that is rather unusual and would have felt problematic maybe just a couple months ago. I've changed in the way I view time and how we spend it. I'm still working, don't worry. Just a little less diligently. Or maybe you should worry, that I still am.

I feel and believe that listening has become for me an imperative. In that I imply a deep and pervasive listening.

I've started observing the birds in my vicinity. We have mourning dove nest on our front porch and what I believe to be either purple or some other finch I can't remember on the back. I can recognize black-capped chickadee.

I want to remember the things we've lost. I want to know the plants I see, I want to know songs and stories to teach my child. I want to speak honestly without trying to dress up my words.

It's not so hard in application. It's a matter of letting go. I often feel the busyness of my mind and an impulse to do and make a mark in the day. It's a slow progression, but the more I am aware and listening to myself and everything around me, the easier it is to stop and enjoy a breath.

That is all I have a mind to say for now.

So I've been running barefoot for nearly a year in Harrisburg, Pa. I've learned a lot and am interested in networking with others in the area if there is an interest. I would love to share my experiences with others who have also been barefooting or are interested in getting started. I'm not always out running, but you can catch me some evenings or afternoons along the river in Harrisburg. If you've come across this post and are interested leave me a comment and an email address and maybe we can meet up sometime.

Barefoot Running Video

http://vimeo.com/12451532

German Soccer Coach Picks His Nose And Eats The Booger On World TV

I don't like the progress. I don't like the highways. I don't like the heat. I sat at a friend's under trees and returned home to an oven. Do we really need the comfort of an air conditioner? It seemed easier before.

I don't like the mindless work. I don't like the waste. I don't like the artificial light. I walk outside and feel fresh, alive and well. Do we need the money, the cars, the phones, the garbage? I'm never fresh in a warehouse.

I like to walk. I like to breathe. I like to move where I wish when I wish. It seems pure and natural to be outside. Do we need the trees, the rivers, the air? I'm sick and weak and disconnected from all that I was meant to do and be.

I'm waking up slowly.

Ignitable Drinking Water in Candor, NY, Above Marcellus Shale

I came upon a similar clip the other day and was shocked. I have since been doing research and came upon a growing battle between natural gas drilling companies and residents of small towns who list serious complaints about the effects of drilling. Living in PA it struck me that I should be concerned because a large number of new gas wells are being dug throughout the region. The new documentary Gasland is coming out and directly confronts the controversy. I haven't seen it, but think it should be important for anyone concerned with the safety of basic living to learn more about natural gas drilling and the effects it has on the local communities and environment. Hydro-fracturing is the method of gas extraction being used and is a good place to start to learn about the process. I think this a big deal, and so I would be silly not to share it.

I really want to share the joy of recaptured imagination. The freedom of seeing the world as a kid again. The world is our playground. We can get hurt, but we get back up and learn from our mistakes. For so long I've struggled with the idea of private property. I cannot cross this fence for fear of my neighbors anger and litigation. Who owns a blade of grass? We can play. I truly believe that play is something we should never lose. Why climb a wall? Why not? I won't answer the hypothetical, I will answer the real. We live in too many boxes, so that we eventually have no room to breathe.

Give me back the openness
Or I will take it
So that I can offer it to you
Play with me
Or I will play alone
Why should I work
When I have all I need
I'll carry my load
When it's time to move
We used to move in amazing ways
I think I still can
Mind, body, heart

You'll notice I'm starting to write more, and it's mostly out of enthusiasm for the things I'm doing and coming to an understanding of.
Generally, I feel a stronger presence of awareness in my day to day living. I notice that this right here is my life. There is no future or past that is as relevant as being where I am here and now. Mindfulness is a term I came across originally through the writings of Thich Nhat Hanh. In my own understanding, it is a practice of cultivating a mind and heart that lie anchored to the present moment. So there is no future to worry about or past to regret or be pained by when you can find yourself in the present. It would seem simple enough, but for me at least often proves very difficult. Meditation is a tool that helps me to come back to this mind and live more frequently in it. It's been a big part of my own evolution the past several years. Hopefully I'll find myself here more frequently. The Anthony De Mello link on the right is a great place to learn more if this sparks your interest. He is an amazing communicator.

Barefoot Running

You could say that generally I have started to become more active. I bike, run and practice Parkour throughout the week. I find that the extended time outdoors in activity is helping me to be more relaxed and present throughout the day.
Running is now a barefoot activity for me. I have been building up the pads on feet for the past month or so and am advised that it is likely to be another two before I my feet are fully at ease. For resources on why one might want to run barefoot see below.
http://barefootkenbob.com
Born to Run
Christopher McDougall
The basic idea behind it all is that I want to run injury free for a long time(hours and decades) and I want running to be activity that I enjoy as a movement: to see it not as a means to an end but as an end in itself.

Parkour

I've recently been getting into Parkour. I came across a local Harrsiburg Parkour club and that was all I needed. It is a lot of fun. And I've discovered that there is a lot more going on with Parkour than just an awesome way to move.

Class Pictures

Here are two pictures from my class. Arzika and Samba are both from Niger. They are wonderful students. They are learning about blogs and currently adding similar pictures to their own.

Time to start writing again. We are in the final weeks of my computer class. Learning about blogs and such. Hopefully I'll be putting up some new cycling info. Looking forward to a cross country trip in the near future. So this site will hopefully become a place to report exciting developments in the lead up and eventual process of that ride.

Inspired Bicycles - Danny MacAskill April 2009

One day I'll be riding like this.

ESL and Computer Class

Today I have three classes. In the morning I taught an intermediate class. This afternoon I am teaching a computer class. We are learning about blogs. Thus my post. Hopefully I will have more opportunity to write and post pictures as I model blogging for my class. I finish my day at 8:30 tonight with a class for beginners.

I'm back in the States.  Moving to Harrisburg, PA soon.  On the verge of employment.  Looking to buy a touring bike.  Reading good books.

So I have a month left in Egypt. I will flying into JFK on the 9th of July. I will happy to escape the heat, the crowds, the noise. Yet, will also be sad to leave many people. Yesterday we had a party at the school I've been teaching at for refugees. I've been able to spend a good amount of time with a number of students and other friends from the school and greatly appreciate the time I've been able to spend with them. It is always a learning experience to be with people from such different circumstances than yourself. And I always find I receive more than I could ever give. Above pictured with me are a few of the guys I've been able to spend a good bit of time getting to know. Most of the people I've worked with are coming from Darfur, but I've also met many people from a range of areas and circumstances. Spending time with them in class, at the church, and in the local Sudanese coffeeshop and restaurants, I've come to a greater appreciation of the struggles refugees face in a foreign country. Surely everyone knows of the problems in Africa. It's something different to meet the actual faces living the lives of refugees.

So outside that experience Arabic has been coming along. Less quickly than I would like, but I have reached a higher level of proficiency which allows me to converse more frequently and with greater confidence. The coming week I will finish my classes, both teaching and studying and do some traveling with friends. I'm very much looking forward to coming home. So see you all soon. Probably before I get up many more pictures. There are more at the album linked to this page.

All has been a full schedule each day. Rest in the mornings and afternoons periodically, but I have been meeting many people at coffeeshops. This with other classes both in Arabic and English provides me with plenty to do. No complaints, I should be making use of my time and am glad for the time. This weekend I will go to the Red Sea to spend some time with some old friends and some new ones as well. I think it will be good to swim and be out of the city. I've gotten back into some soccer. My body still needs to make the transition back into athletics, but we're coming along. I had a header in the last game that gave me a crick in the neck that has lasted for some time. Still not in full range of motion.

I will hope to get some pictures up from the beach next week. It should be rather nice. But for now I need to get going to class.

I moved into an apartment with two Italians last weekend...Marco and Donatella. They are fun. It's right back in the neighborhood I used to live in 4 years ago. So all is well in residential terms. I have also changed teachers and classes are much better now. I feel in a good place and situation these days. My English classes have also been going well, and I have been spending some time with some of my students, speaking both Arabic and English. And learning a few words in Amheric...the Ethiopian language.

Today is very windy. I didn't do much but laundry...by hand, and some food shopping. I have here some pictures from last month. I suppose i have been here over a month or so now. If you want to have a look more pictures should be up at the album i have linked at the side. I'm working on it now, so hopefully they will be up after a bit. Sorry if there are any problems.

My quest for kimchee is yet to succeed. I spent several hours yesterday searching for a korean restaurant and found it, only to be turned down in my request for goods sharing the nature of kimchee. I've met some Koreans since my arrival and actually attended a traditional Korean musical performance at the Opera house here in Cairo. Only 3 dollars quite a difference from anywhere else I would see such a show. Anyway that should be all for now. Trying to do many things on this computer.

The weather has cooled. It has been more than nice for the past week and a half. I continue to teach at the refugee program and have spent several nights with the guys in my class. Last night we ate Sudanese fool...i.e. Sudanese refried beans. By far my favorite fool to date. Its been good to hang out with them and start to learn about their situations. I've met many interesting people. It's also been good practice in Arabic. They work on their English and then we fall into Arabic after a bit.

So my Arabic is improving, but I need more time out with people to practice speaking. I'm looking to move into an apartment, but presently I'm changing teachers at my Arabic school and waiting to see how that goes. Its been nice to live in a hostel, but I will soon like to be in a more set routine.

Tomorrow I have a four hour class from 8 to 12 with some teachers at my Arabic school, to help pay for the classes. This will be our third class. It's good because they are all very motivated.

Cairo life goes. It's nice. Not too fast not too slow. Thats it for now.