I Never Dreamed of Sarajevo

As children, we dream of the improbable. And as we enter a new phase in our lives, those dreams fade, and new improbable dreams take their place. This happens again and again, year after year; dreams fading in and out of existence over and over. But sometimes, for reasons that I do not know, a dream stands out above all the others. It’s different than all the rest. It takes hold deep within, and doesn’t let go, gnawing at the subconscious.

When I was younger, I never dreamed of Sarajevo. My mind was preoccupied with thoughts of hanging out with friends or playing outside. But as I got older, I discovered the world, and the most important thing it had to offer; a perspective other than my own. It seems so trivial, but when I realized how insignificant my problems were compared to others, it forced me to face how juvenile my life had been. And while I will never claim to be anything other than a twenty-year old at heart, the empathy I have for those around me grows with every trip into the unknown.

The Faceless Have Names

Guangzhou, China- The faceless have names, but we don't know them.  They have lives that we can only imagine.  Their feelings and dreams escape us constantly, but within an image, we can see it, feel it. They feel just as we feel; heartache, happiness, love, desire.  Each day we wake up in the morning, our eyes opening after a sleepless night.  Scanning the ceiling, we make an effort to move.  We consciously force ourselves out of bed.  Why? Because every human being on the planet has an innate desire to be someone.  We go to school, brush our hair, put on clothes, all because we want to be remembered.  For some, though, it isn't about being remembered, it's about surviving.