"You cannot stay on the summit forever; you have to come down again. So why bother in the first place? Just this: What is above knows what is below, but what is below does not know what is above. One climbs, one sees. One descends, one sees no longer, but one has seen. There is an art of conducting oneself in the lower regions by the memory of what one saw higher up. When one can no longer see, one can at least still know." Rene Daumal
p.s. Check out the new videos I added... BBC World News, some footage of Greg Mortenson, and ... (drumroll please) ... a REALLY neat organization called "Friends Without Borders" (site)
--Goodnight Moon
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
Central Asia Institute, Pennies for Peace
Lately I have been extremely interested in Greg Mortenson's programs: Pennies for Peace and the Central Asia Institute.
The Central Asia Institute (http://www.ikat.org/) has a mission statement of:
"To promote and provide community-based education and literacy programs,
especially for girls, in remote mountain regions of Central Asia."
The CAI seems to be interested in something which I am completely passionate about: Mountain cultures. More specifically, I am so interested in how topography effects the development of culture, especially in mountainous regions. Mortenson also started another organization called Pennies for Peace.
Below is an excerpt from Pennies for Peace (http://www.penniesforpeace.org/home.html):
These two programs seem to be contributing towards/highlighting positive change in Asia. Funny thing, I was cleaning out my cabin at NCOBS for the season a few weeks ago and I kept finding all of these spare pennies. I thought to myself: "I should look in to starting a NPO called 'Pennies for Peace,' I wonder if that name is taken?" So I hopped online, and within minutes I had discovered that the name was already taken. A few seconds after that, I thought "Right on, someone beat me to the punch- and what an amazing 'punch' this really is, how can I contribute?"
So, I am still thinking about all of this. I hope that our future generations of American (United States, Canadian, Mexican, Central and South American) children will all have positive/healthy opportunities to learn more about the importance of these eastern cultures and about their own cultures, and how these different groups may interact to be allies for one another, instead of adversaries. Just a thought...
At any rate, I just ordered 3 Cups of Tea, written by Mortenson. It is supposedly a chronicle of how these programs came about and sheds light on the man who is Greg Mortenson. If anyone else has read this book already, please feel free to leave a comment or two about your impressions of the book, the organizations- anything that can help you and me learn about how we, as one of the most privileged countries in the world can be a serious and genuine ally for everyone.
____________________________________________________________________
I am also really interested in this book simply for its references to K2 - the second highest (and often considered the deadliest) peak on our planet earth.
Information about K2& the Karakoram Mountains:
k2climb.net
Wikipedia Karakoram information
Karakoram essays, photos and resources
A link to Google Images search of Karakoram
It's my big brother's birthday today! WooHoo! Happy Birthday Aaron! He turns 31 today...
I am so blessed and happy to be in Seattle to help him celebrate!
Likewise, as my west coast visit for 2007 draws to an end, I am excited to see my friends and family back on the east coast. I look forward to some quality catch up time with folks, climbing, and preparing for a season with NCOBS in the Florida Everglades...
Big Hugs,
Kevin
The Central Asia Institute (http://www.ikat.org/) has a mission statement of:
"To promote and provide community-based education and literacy programs,
especially for girls, in remote mountain regions of Central Asia."
The CAI seems to be interested in something which I am completely passionate about: Mountain cultures. More specifically, I am so interested in how topography effects the development of culture, especially in mountainous regions. Mortenson also started another organization called Pennies for Peace.
Below is an excerpt from Pennies for Peace (http://www.penniesforpeace.org/home.html):
...to Pennies for Peace, a program of Central Asia Institute (CAI).
Pennies for Peace educates American children about the world beyond their experience and shows them that they can make a positive impact on a global scale, one penny at a time.
Our best hope for a peaceful and prosperous world lies in the education of all the world’s children. Through cross-cultural understanding and a solution-oriented approach, Pennies for Peace encourages American children, ultimately our future leaders, to be active participants in the creation of global peace.
To participate in the Pennies for Peace program, please start by completing the registration form and returning it to Pennies for Peace. Feel free to contact us anytime for more information.
What is the Power of a Penny?
The penny, 1% of a dollar, is symbolic of the '1% of Gross Domestic Product' goal set by the United Nations. The goal was for wealthy countries to give foreign aid to impoverished nations each year.
Pennies for Peace teaches children the rewards of sharing and working together to bring hope and educational opportunities to children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. A penny in the United States is virtually worthless, but in Pakistan and Afghanistan a penny buys a pencil and opens the door to literacy.
Please join us in Pennies for Peace!
These two programs seem to be contributing towards/highlighting positive change in Asia. Funny thing, I was cleaning out my cabin at NCOBS for the season a few weeks ago and I kept finding all of these spare pennies. I thought to myself: "I should look in to starting a NPO called 'Pennies for Peace,' I wonder if that name is taken?" So I hopped online, and within minutes I had discovered that the name was already taken. A few seconds after that, I thought "Right on, someone beat me to the punch- and what an amazing 'punch' this really is, how can I contribute?"
So, I am still thinking about all of this. I hope that our future generations of American (United States, Canadian, Mexican, Central and South American) children will all have positive/healthy opportunities to learn more about the importance of these eastern cultures and about their own cultures, and how these different groups may interact to be allies for one another, instead of adversaries. Just a thought...
At any rate, I just ordered 3 Cups of Tea, written by Mortenson. It is supposedly a chronicle of how these programs came about and sheds light on the man who is Greg Mortenson. If anyone else has read this book already, please feel free to leave a comment or two about your impressions of the book, the organizations- anything that can help you and me learn about how we, as one of the most privileged countries in the world can be a serious and genuine ally for everyone.
____________________________________________________________________
I am also really interested in this book simply for its references to K2 - the second highest (and often considered the deadliest) peak on our planet earth.
Information about K2& the Karakoram Mountains:
k2climb.net
Wikipedia Karakoram information
Karakoram essays, photos and resources
A link to Google Images search of Karakoram
It's my big brother's birthday today! WooHoo! Happy Birthday Aaron! He turns 31 today...
I am so blessed and happy to be in Seattle to help him celebrate!
Likewise, as my west coast visit for 2007 draws to an end, I am excited to see my friends and family back on the east coast. I look forward to some quality catch up time with folks, climbing, and preparing for a season with NCOBS in the Florida Everglades...
Big Hugs,
Kevin
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
The Great Northwest
After climbing at Red Rocks for 5 days, I have since travelled to Seattle for a week, Vancouver for 4 days, and I am now back in Seattle for another week. I have been staying with my brother and sister-in-law and having a great time!
While in Vancouver I visited with my good friend Amelia. She is finishing grad school at UBC...We rode bikes all over the place: Stanely Park, Downtown, Eastside, and Westside. We also had some great sushi and... wait for it...... wait for it............. BANFF FILM FESTIVAL!
It is now raining/snowing/sleeting in Seattle and I am excited for the potential for skiing, climbing, and other outside fun. Drop me a line folks, what's going on in the world for you?
photo taken from: www.adventurewv.wvu.edu
-Kev
While in Vancouver I visited with my good friend Amelia. She is finishing grad school at UBC...We rode bikes all over the place: Stanely Park, Downtown, Eastside, and Westside. We also had some great sushi and... wait for it...... wait for it............. BANFF FILM FESTIVAL!
It is now raining/snowing/sleeting in Seattle and I am excited for the potential for skiing, climbing, and other outside fun. Drop me a line folks, what's going on in the world for you?
photo taken from: www.adventurewv.wvu.edu
-Kev
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Westbound...
Folks,
Hi, and "Whhhhhhhhew..." I come to you with greetings and an attempt to catch my breath. I breathe deep after finishing a long season at NCOBS. We had our 40th anniversary party at Table Rock and Gala in Charlotte; TR is safely closed down for the winter season.
I fly tomorrow to Las Vegas and begin a week long climbing trip at Red Rocks canyon.
After that I fly to Seattle, Washington to spend two weeks with my brother and sister-in-law.
For the month of December, I will be road tripping a bit up to Vermont, NYC, and the greater Boston area.
I am really excited for my buddy Sam to come back from Iraq. I pray for his safe return...
Not too much more for now... but will write more from the road, er, our west.
Miss you all,
Kev
Hi, and "Whhhhhhhhew..." I come to you with greetings and an attempt to catch my breath. I breathe deep after finishing a long season at NCOBS. We had our 40th anniversary party at Table Rock and Gala in Charlotte; TR is safely closed down for the winter season.
I fly tomorrow to Las Vegas and begin a week long climbing trip at Red Rocks canyon.
After that I fly to Seattle, Washington to spend two weeks with my brother and sister-in-law.
For the month of December, I will be road tripping a bit up to Vermont, NYC, and the greater Boston area.
I am really excited for my buddy Sam to come back from Iraq. I pray for his safe return...
Not too much more for now... but will write more from the road, er, our west.
Miss you all,
Kev
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Kshon update: Lightning round!
AKA: Real quick, WML (Write More Later).
Ready................................................. go:
Just finished my first full summer/fall season at NCOBS! WOO!!!
Jam Crew is a strong band of friends from NCOBS and I miss them a whole lot:Represent WHAT?!
AORE conference coming up....
Riding my bike with Lucas and Katelyn along the C&O Canal !
In Morgantown for a few days.... hung out wth Molly Chamberlain (yay she cooked pasta!)
Played soccer tonight ("interesting...")
Climbing hard and yeah... living life
Upcoming:
Red Rocks climbing for Thanksgiving
Seattle for the time after until my bro's birthday
Morgantown for December? I dunno!
January: Florida Everglades with NCOBS
Much Love,
Kev
Ready................................................. go:
Just finished my first full summer/fall season at NCOBS! WOO!!!
Jam Crew is a strong band of friends from NCOBS and I miss them a whole lot:Represent WHAT?!
AORE conference coming up....
Riding my bike with Lucas and Katelyn along the C&O Canal !
In Morgantown for a few days.... hung out wth Molly Chamberlain (yay she cooked pasta!)
Played soccer tonight ("interesting...")
Climbing hard and yeah... living life
Upcoming:
Red Rocks climbing for Thanksgiving
Seattle for the time after until my bro's birthday
Morgantown for December? I dunno!
January: Florida Everglades with NCOBS
Much Love,
Kev
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