Lots Happening

I lot has been happening very quickly since my last post. I've been communicating with Jesse, the director of GEEO and he has set up a link to the Planeterra Foundation where you can contribute to the humanitarian relief effort in Nepal. 100% of your contribution to Planeterra will go to the relief effort.  

Here's the link:   https://sna.etapestry.com/fundraiser/PlaneterraFoundation/NepalEarthquake/donate.do?sponsor=1055.0.97989858

Please give what you can. 

I have also been talking to the people at the Crow Collection of Asian Art here in Dallas and they have very generously allowed me and my students to setup a booth at their Asian Festival this Saturday where we will encourage people to contribute to the relief fund and will also be engaging visitors to our booth in a variety of activities to express their thoughts and feelings for the Nepalese people.  We will also be making some Prayer Flags that  I will deliver to the Planeterra Foundation when I arrive in Kathmandu. 

Statement from the Gyalwang Karmapa.

http://kagyuoffice.org/message-from-the-gyalwang-karmapa-concerning-the-recent-earthquake/

Use this link to read a statement from the Gyalwang Karmapa. 

Tragedy Strikes Our Global Neighbors in Nepal, India and Bangladesh.

This morning a 7.9 earthquake struck Nepal, India and Bangladesh just a couple of months before I leave for this part of our world. This will, indeed, add a new perspective on my visit. The city of Kathmandu was hit especially hard. Many of its historic buildings were destroyed and the death toll is already in the thousands. Secretary of State, John Kerry has already ordered the release of one million dollars in humanitarian relief.  But, what can we do?  What should we do?  Is there some way we can bring something to show our support for the people of Nepal during this time? This is a time when we can demonstrate what our global citizenship means. 

"A Global Society of Tomorrow"

According to the mission statement of our school, we are preparing our students for "...the global society of tomorrow."  We talk about our society a lot in my art classes and often refer to our various communities; even our global community.
So, what does it mean to be a member or citizen of a global community?  What is a global citizen?  Are you a global citizen?

My Compass Faces East

I'll be heading East this summer.  East over the Atlantic Ocean.  East past Northern Africa.  East beyond Saudi Arabia.  East to India and Nepal.  You are all invited to join my blog and follow me as I travel across northern India and the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal.

What sites will I see?  Who will I meet?  What will I eat?

Right now it's time to start doing some research.  There's a lot I think I know about this part of the world but, if what I think I know is true, does it give me a complete picture?  I bet not.  That's what I like about traveling the world.  I always learn new things and often find some of my ideas are very wrong.

I won't be leaving until July but start following my blog now as I begin my research and prepare for my next great adventure.  Once I depart for India, I'll be posting lots of pictures with occasional links to videos so, It will be almost like you're traveling along with me.  And, don't forget to leave a few comments or questions that may cross your mind.  It's always nice to hear from home and know you are all enjoying the blog.