12/10/11 6:47 pm. Ha Noi, Viet Nam. Home

It's been much too long since I've posted something, and time is catching up with me. I just returned from my week long trip to Saigon and the Mekong Delta.  The experience I had there is surly one I'll never forget. There was hardly a moment we weren't doing something. In Ho Chi Minh city we got the opportunity to visit an orphanage for kids who had been affected by agent orange. Agent orange is a pesticide that was used during the war for deforestation. It was sprayed over forests so that all the trees and shrubs would be stripped of their leaves, and the jungle would be much easier to burn. The main component in agent orange is a chemical called dioxin; if found in your blood, would cause mutations, and rare diseases. Many American soldiers were affected, but as you might guess, the Vietnamese soldiers suffered greatly from this. The main problem is that the dioxin is carried through generations, and results in serious birth defects. When we first arrived I was a bit uncomfortable raising my camera to the disabled children. I don't want them to feel like an animal in a cage, and us westerners coming by to stand and stare awhile. Then something clicked in me. I thought that instead of just being there feeling bad, I could use what I have, and take pictures. That's how I could help these kids. I won't fight with guns, my camera is my weapon, I'll fight will truth. Other parts of the trip included meeting and talking with university students at a school in Saigon, going to visit the Cu Chi tunnels and see what it's like to live as a tunnel rat, cruising through a mangrove forest and playing with monkeys in the delta, and touring an incredible ink manufacturing facility started by a Viet-kieu (Vietnamese that lived in the west). My biggest realization during this, was how the Vietnamese students were genuinely excited to just talk with us. It's hard for Americans to empathize with people from other cultures about what America is, and so for a lot of the people we meet; we are America. We are their first real life glimpse of what America really is, and it's difficult to put that into perspective. I'd try and go on, but for now I think I'll let my photo's do some talking.

11/1/11 12:35 am. Ha Noi, Viet Nam. School

Well it's the first of November and I've only got six weeks left in Viet Nam. Half of me if sad to go, while the other half is definitely ready to leave. I just wish I could take everyone I care about and bring them here to Ha Noi. This place is amazing, and the experiences I've had here are irreplaceable. The last thing I expected when coming to a communist country was to have more freedom, but thats exactly what I found. Over the weekend I was able to celebrate Halloween Vietnamese style by going to the club I usually go to, Ha Noi Rock City, and trust me, these kids threw down. It'd be one thing if it was just a huge dance party, but the fact that I knew the DJ's and the kids on stage and upfront made the event much more personal. It was like being VIP in Viet Nam. I was even dragged on stage a few times to jump around and pump up the crowd. I have the time of my life here when I'm not in school. High School is a drag no matter where you are in the world. I can't wait to get out of this and start a real life, and possibly a career. In the eighteen years I've been alive I've learned a lot about myself. I'm definitely not a scientist, or economist, or anything related to academics. Being an artist is a pain in the ass, but it's definitely interesting.

You can see me with my hand up standing next to my brother in the NYC hat. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWttrIL0PzY&feature=player_embedded - Check this out, this was halloween night. Filmed by my friend

10/14/11 2:20 pm. Ha Noi, Viet Nam. School

It's been quite a while since my last post. Last week our class took a trip to Sapa and Ha Long Bay; both were incredible, but vastly different experiences. Sapa was the equivalent to a Vietnamese ski town, with the exception of actual snow. The view of the mountains was unbelievable. I had never seen terrace farming in real life before, and you can't fully appreciate it until you do. The land stretched on for acres and acres as far as the eye can see. Although at night, the black void was unavoidable. Looking off the balcony in my hotel room I stared into this abyss of nothing for hours chatting and smoking with my roommate. Complete darkness is hard to find in this metropolitan world, and you don't think about it until you're staring it right in the eyes, and it has already engulfed you. During the day we hiked through villages, and met some of the local women who were eager to share their lives with us as an incentive to buy their products. Trust me, these chicks hustle hard. After a long day of hiking hills, climbing mud paths, and harvesting rice we sat down for lunch in a makeshift hotel. At this, the local women bombarded us to purchase their handcrafted scarfs, bracelets, and other woven goods. They pleaded, pulled, and bargained with us, and it was futile to try and stop them. What we have to remember though, is those people are still there today, right now. They will never leave. We went back to our nice hotel, and left two days later, but they are still in the fields living a completely separate life from our own. I watched kids and couldn't help but to think of what they will be like in ten years when they are my age, and what I will be doing at that time. Things like that just tickle your mind. The next stop on our trip was to Ha  Long Bay, and although it rained mostly the entire trip, I was glad. Kids complained, but for some reason or another I though the mystic view of the water and rock cliffs protruding though the ocean was the best way to see it. I got soaked sitting on the deck of the boat as it rained and most everyone else stayed dry below. "To be at one with the wind is to be at home in the world, free of mortal judgement." - First You Have to Row a Little Boat  As time passes the excitement never ceases. Before I left my brother took me to another dubstep show, except this time I knew a bunch of kids there, and was able to make new friends fairly easily. These are the things I really live for. This may not be the experiences I expected coming here, but they are definitely the ones I'll always remember. After the show we went to a tattoo parlor/bar and had some drinks with the DJ and some other kids. If that wasn't enough; Monday night I went to the craziest birthday party I've ever been too. A family had rented the top floor of a bar, and there were probably 60 skate style kids getting down to a DJ and just having the best time ever. The people here are actual free spirits, where in America the kids just think they are. Unfortunately this party life doesn't come without costs, and karma bit me in the ass. Wednesday I got fairly sick and missed school. I'm not sure what it was, but my stomach was killing me. Today is Friday and I feel much better, just in time for the weekend! I'll try and post more often, but the internet is very weak everywhere I go. Thanks to everyone who takes the time to read these blogs. I wish there was a more accurate way for you to see what I'm actually doing, but this will do for now. It helps a lot to know that I am not alone in the world.

9/28/11 12:10 pm. Ha Noi, Viet Nam. School.

It's been a little over a week since I've last posted, but things here have been a little busy. School work is starting to pile up, and the SAT is this Saturday. I really hate that test, and anyone that knows me should know I could go on for hours about it. High School is such a drag. I'm starting to actually feel older. It's gross; I know, but I suppose these things happen. I'm trying to keep my work on check along with my nerves; it's an interesting balance.

Other than school I had a good week, and another great weekend here in Ha Noi. Last weekend I went to a skate competition with my brother and his friends. I've started hanging out with the same group of punk Viet kids and I've definitely become part of the crew. Most of the guys work at the tattoo parlor, and the ones that don't just hang out there. We watched Planet of the Apes on a small TV in the shop and constantly cracked wordless jokes. The only problem is I can't really talk to these guys, other than that we have a great time. I also met an Australian skater named Tim who's lived here for a few years and speaks practically perfect Vietnamese. It's seems like everyone here just has fun. In every picture I take, everyone's smiling or laughing. People sing freely, and don't care if they sound good. Here it's not cool to stand in the back with a straight face and crossed arms. It's cool to be yourself, and to be happy. It's definitely a different world here. It's just what I needed.