dear mpt

Dear Maryland Public Television:

I am writing this to strongly encourage you to air the documentary series "Roadtrip Nation" that so many of your sister PBS stations around the country are already supporting.

Roadtrip Nation is an international movement as well as a documentary series, a book series, and a non profit organization. They take college students, send them across the country to interview people that inspire them, and in turn, are inspired to choose their own road in life. In a world where the youth have been pressured by job stability, insurance, SAT scores, and the limited perspective on what we can achieve, we NEED shows like Roadtrip Nation to inspire us. This show means a lot to me. It has helped me to redefine what I want, and to help me realize that I can achieve anything. This is the kind of show that the youth really need. We need a show that shows us not only that we can, but examples of leaders in our community that already have.

Please consider Roadtrip Nation. See for yourself (roadtripnation.com)

Thanks,
Fawna Xiao.

it got me thinking..

When you are in town, wearing some kind of uniform is helpful, policeman, priest, etc. Driving a tank is very impressive, or a car with official lettering on the side. If that isn’t to your taste you could join the revolution, wear an armband, carry a homemade flag tied to a broom handle, or a placard bearing an incendiary slogan.

At the very least you should wear a suit and carry a briefcase and a cell phone, or wear a team jacket and a baseball cap and carry a cell phone. If you go into the woods, the backcountry, someplace past all human habitation, it is a good idea to wear orange and carry a gun, or, depending on the season, carry a fishing pole, or a camera with a big lens. Otherwise it might appear that you have no idea what you are doing, that you are merely wandering the earth, no particular reason for being here, no particular place to go.
-Louis Jenkins, "Backcountry"

this i know for sure

My roommates and I make a wish at 11:11. We try to, every night-- when it hits that time, one of us will yell "TIME!" and there will be an immediate moment of silence when we think to ourselves, and wish for something. And then life will continue. Or, we'll miss it, sometimes by a minute, sometimes by an hour. No wish for us tonight.

The Roadtrip Nation series premieres in California tonight. 11 PM. It's terrifying to realize that in a couple of hours, hundreds of strangers will see me on their television screens. It premieres in Maryland on Saturday night, 10:30 PM. You know, I have accomplished something with my life, believe it or not. I've done this. At the very least, if I were to die today, my life would not be completely forgotten; I live on film.

Have you ever made fried oreos? They are really delicious! Don't think about what they're made of though.. that will ruin everything. Douse oreo in pancake batter, drop into pot of boiling (vegetable/canola) oil, pull out when golden and beautiful. For extra credit, sprinkle with powdered sugar. Consume with care; they tend to be real hot.

absolutely unbelievable.

So here's the official trailer for the fall 09 season of Roadtrip Nation... my season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6auFklzolA

Watch it.

It actually almost made me tear up a little.

I've also decided to make my blog much more visual, and a lot less talking. Here's a shot from Orewa, New Zealand.. just for the memory.