Convey Studios

Photo Contest round 2

2009-02-19T10:14:00.003-06:00

Hey everybody. So we're doing another photo contest. This time we're only doing it for two weeks, so make sure to get your votes in. We have selected five different group shots from Jarrett Middle School's Girls volley ball team. Each person in the winning photo will receive a 5x7 of the picture. I will put a number right above each photo and the corresponding number in the poll on the left. For instance, if you like photo #2 the best, you would click on the option labled "image 2" on the poll and then submit your vote. If you have any questions just comment. Happy voting!

Vote For Your Favorite Image

2009-01-26T11:45:00.004-06:00

Hello friends. We are starting something new here on the blog. Once a month we are going to post 3 photos from 3 different shoots for you to vote on. Whoever has the most votes at the end of the month will receive a free 8x10 of their photo. Below are the 3 photos for this month. I am putting the corresponding names at the top of each photo. Each name will also be on the left side of the page with a "submit vote" button. Select the name that goes with the photo you want and then hit the button. Thanks, happy voting.

Schiman

Lwali

Maxwell

2009-01-21T16:01:00.001-06:00

Happy baby photos!

2009-01-21T15:48:00.006-06:00

You are invited...

2008-10-08T23:07:00.004-05:00

The website for Here & There has launched!

Check it out and RSVP because you [yes, YOU, dear reader] are invited.

This masquerade benefit and art auction, taking place on November 22, gives you the chance to be involved in the work of GIBTK, find out more about the trip, experience Vietnamese culture, and purchase art and gifts created by the children of Vietnam and local artists inspired by the children’s work.

Back at Home: one week down

2008-09-29T21:25:00.008-05:00

It's hard to believe we've been back for one whole week [two whole weeks for Charity and Frank, who rejoined normal life earlier than the rest of us].

We've had some time now to adjust back to our family and friends, jobs and schedules, hobbies and homes we left behind during the trip. Things are starting to return to normal [with sleep schedules being the one glaring exception...].

It's easy, when thrust back into real life with its obligations and long to-do lists, to feel like the trip was a blur, and not quite know what to do with it all.

Was I really in Vietnam? That all really happened?

Little things might serve as reminders:

that one motorcycle in traffic. it seems so lonely among all the cars...

the 2000 dong i didn't spend, wrinkly and out of place in my wallet...

the inside joke I almost make, pausing just in time to realize no one's around who would get it...

Little moments from the trip pop up, maybe for no reason at all.

On the other side of the world, an orphanage full of delightful kids are getting ready to have lunch and then take a nap, while Danang bustles by their open door.

A father who works long hours in rice fields, only to be paid in rice, is working extra time to save what he can so his daughter can have surgery it could take years to afford.

A single mother and young son are waiting for a new house, to replace the wooden structure they now call home, with a kitchen that's not much more than a fire-pit and a teapot.

And here I am in Springfield.

That's the thing with a trip like this. The world opens up wide, and feels smaller at the same time.

There's a connection to the people we encountered, whose stories we were able to share for just a little while.

There are a few people in particular we saw almost every day. Yao, our driver, and our translators Tam, Hanh, and Huyen. Without them we would never have been able to navigate the culture--or the traffic!--so well.

Yao displaying his silly side, a delightful surprise it took a few days to discover. Other delightful Yao surprises: his grasp of English, his preference for Vietnamese power ballads, his mad karaoke skills. His heart for others. His love for his kids.

Erin, Katie, and me with Hanh. She's a little hard to see because she's in long sleeves, sunglasses, and a hat. You see, ladies, Vietnamese women prefer to stay as light-skinned as possible. Socks beneath sandals, long silky gloves, sweaters on 80 degree days. We, on the other hand, were glad to soak up the sun.

This end is really the beginning

2008-09-22T22:38:00.002-05:00

We made it home. Ah :D

And in impressive fashion - somehow we've lived Sept. 22 twice over, traveling 12 hours but really more like 30, some strange space-time continuum... Nothing makes too much sense right now, we're just glad to be rid of airplane food (but I'll give it to United, not all that bad), two inches of personal space, funky un-identifiable scents, and ridiculously high-maintenence travelers in our midst. The familiar faces that greeted us at the airport with big hugs, accompanied by crickets whirring in the warm Missouri air, never did the soul so good - nothing like a welcome home.

The thing is, we still have lots to share with more pictures and explanations of the food, culture, sights, and our adventures (I know Brandon just put up some more videos). In the next week, we'll get some up so please continue to pop in.

AND the most exciting thing of it all: this trip was preparation for a formal masquerade we will be holding on Nov. 22 at the Historic Firehouse on Commercial Street, featuring the kids' art and projects, as well as an array of other Vietnamese specialities. Proceeds will benefit Giving It Back to Kids.

If you're interested in helping, attending, or seeing how things progress as we prepare for this event and process this trip, keep up with us here (and don't hesitate to comment or email!).

This trip was not at all about us, but about the kids... what we can learn from them and the world we live in together; how we can be inspired by their courage to love, hug, learn, create, and interact with us: big, weird, goofy, awkward strangers that bombarded their worlds and butchered their language; how we can see them and then remember the significance of the simple things, recognizing little beautiful moments, grasping simplified living, and being softened by relationship we all crave...

All that to say, you're just as much a part of it if you'll let it in. Thank you for your support, reading, emails, prayers and encouragement! Join us, as this return home really is just the beginning of more ahead with and for these neat, precious kids.

More to come...

Good morning, Sandy Beach

2008-09-19T18:24:00.003-05:00

It's 6:30 the morning of our last full day in Danang. We have a day of art and birthday fun ahead of us, with kids at Dai Loc, our biggest orphanage yet.

Tonight we hope to make one more trip to Bread of Life, to say goodbye to our new friends and their delicious American fare.

But before we start the day, as you are all ending your day at home, I thought I'd share just a little bit of what morning looks like here at Sandy Beach. Enjoy.

Tam Ky Infant orphanage & Quan Nam

2008-09-17T21:06:00.002-05:00

Mural #3!!

This was a precious moment. She had just got

done chewing her gum and was pulling it out and playing with

it. She just kept looking at it with wonder and giggled for

the longest time:)

Thank You Good Hamburger

2008-09-17T18:36:00.015-05:00

This morning we have a coffee date with an adorable waiter in Danang...but I'm getting ahead of myself.

It was Charity who first got us all excited about Bread Of Life, because of a chance encounter she'd had with the owners' daughter at a Dollar General in Springfield. [what are the odds!]

We knew it was an organization that helped deaf people in Vietnam by running a restaurant that serves western food; we also knew we would have to make it one of our dinner stops.

On mural day #1, we had to stop in Danang to buy some plastic buckets for paint. Naturally we went to the container store [Vietnam style...shops here are very specialized. This one sells plastic and glass containers of all shapes, sizes, and purposes. see?], and what was right next door?...Bread of Life. It was closed on Sunday, but we were excited to find it was so close.

At Tam Ky we'd met this friendly girl who also volunteers at the orphanage from time to time, and we discovered she works [wait for it...] at Bread of Life.

We can't escape this place.

So finally on Monday night we [along with Robert] piled in some taxis and headed back to Danang city, weaving through traffic and dodging scooters along the way---an experience that is going to make Missouri drivers seem so boring by comparison.

When we approached Bread of Life's open door, we knew there was something different about this place: a well lit and conspicuously clean atmosphere, greetings from smiling wait staff in red polos. And a big difference, compared to other Vietnamese restaurants, is the MENU.

[feel free to hum "food glorious food" from Oliver as you read this]:

pasta

pizza

burgers

fries

Something about well-made, familiarly-flavored food is comforting like a big ol' hug from Grandma.

As we poured over the menus and bartered for sharing-rights with each other, the founders of Bread of Life told us a little about their organization. Bob and Kathleen Huff started B.O.L. 10 years ago, after they'd been working with a humanitarian group called World Concern, out of Seattle. They saw an opportunity for working with deaf people in Vietnam, because there are few services for the deaf here and fewer people who speak sign language.

Bob said it's hard to raise funds for a "big, long, forever project that people can't get a piece of," but this---a restaurant and training center, employing and educating workers who are deaf---is a small enough [but HUGE] project, and they've found real success.

So here's where our coffee date comes in.

Last night for dinner Sesha, Brandon, Erin, Hanna and I all went back to Bread of Life for Deliciousness Round 2. We recognized our waiter from Monday night as a charmer who had signed a sleepy face [you know, where you make a pillow out of your hands?] for those who got decaf Saigon iced coffees.

Erin asked him how to say some things in sign language [she remembered much more than she'd thought at first] and through a mixture of signing and writing we chatted with this delightful guy named Chan for the duration of our meal. [After he and Sesha returned from a scooter ride to a photo-developer, that is.]

Chan taught us thank you, you're welcome, good, and [most heartwarming of all] friend.

I remembered random, impractical signs from student council camp like hamburger and vacation, but from this limited knowledge was able to piece together THANK YOU GOOD HAMBURGER.

He wanted to know our names and ages, so we wrote that down and then he signed all our names. We talked [through signs and writing. so so cool.] about how long we'd be in Danang, why we were here, as well as his story and education [went to school at Village of Hope, and has been with Bread of Life for 3 years.].

We were sad to say goodbye, and that's when Chan suggested we all meet this morning for coffee at a little place he knows in the neighborhood. So we [through careful rechecking of understanding] decided on 8:30 at Coffee Wonder.

ps--That's a happy burger face...

pps--For a good time, seriously check out all the links in this post. I think you'll be as inspired as we were.

Friends, It's Sesh :)

2008-09-17T09:30:00.009-05:00

Friends,

It's Sesh:) So I have no idea what I'm doing on this blog, so ignore the out of sequence photos. Mad props to the girls with writing skills and to BGood with his video skills.

Woot & secret handshakes,

Sesha

BGood making a short film with the kids

Kids, abundance of film & fisheyes= :)

(!)

Chris, this is for you bud.

Team A & finished mural numero 2

Love love love

2008-09-17T09:08:00.005-05:00

Nam hearts Sam

Finished mural #2!

My favorite is the hairy man on the right

Right now the Mid-Autumn Festival

is going on and children dance in the

streets in dragon costume to music.

The kids at Hai Chau made a dragon

from things around the orphange

including the birthday crowns we

brought over!

Chris & his skills

awesome sauce

2008-09-17T06:34:00.002-05:00

Zoo animal awesome sauce cake:)

Birthday crowns that Robberson Elementary school made.

2008-09-17T06:31:00.000-05:00

2008-09-17T06:06:00.002-05:00

The first handprint at Hoi Mai
Happy Day with Sarah & Charity

Hanna making these kids day

On matters of the heart

2008-09-17T05:47:00.004-05:00

Monday night, Robert - the founder of Giving It Back to Kids - finally made it to Danang and met us at Sandy Beach.

Little history: Robert and Dorothea Kalatschan reside in California and have two adopted kids from Vietnam. After adopting their second child, Kristina, in 2001, they continued to think about the orphanages, poverty, and families they encountered. In 2002 they created Giving It Back to Kids with the purpose of helping kids "reach their maximum potential through education, medical care, nutrition, and love." With integrity and accountability the driving forces guiding all their work, GIBTK seeks to provide life-changing solutions in: housing, medical needs, nutrition, education, orphanage support, a young unwed mothers home, and a general fund. Pretty sweet stuff - check it out yourself at www.givingitbacktokids.org.

Tuesday, all of us, along with Robert and some government officials (Robert and GIBTK have a good relationship with the government as they work pretty closely and are involved in many projects) piled into Yao's van for a ride into the countryside and through rice fields to see houses that had been built and funded through GIBTK , as well as a few single mothers in rough circumstances that were in the running for funding for a new home.

We headed back to the GIBTK office in Danang, and after a short break, we gathered in the conference room to sit in as Robert talked with children, who recently received a much-needed heart surgery, and their families. As well as hear their success and progress, interviewing four new cases who were requesting funds so their child could receive heart surgery was on the afternoon agenda.

{Our own Brandon Goodwin made a phenomenal, short 10-minute film about this very process when he and Sesha first came to Vietnam in March; you can watch it via YouTube below. These kids you see GIBTK choosing to fund in the video were the same kids we saw yesterday after the surgery, with a whole new life in their eyes, smile on their faces, and with the real restlessness of a healthy kid.}

The neat thing about GIBTK is they only fund "late" cases. Most organizations tend to choose early heart cases so the chance of success is higher. But even with the risk factor, GIBTK has only lost three out of 146 surgeries, which is an incredible thing for the cases they fund.

The cases that came before us were this:

- First, a young man who had a recently successful heart surgery and was now asking for support to go to college; is costs $100 a semester and he wants to go for five years for Construction Management = $1000 for his education!

- A five-year-old girl, youngest of three, the daughter of farmers who make about $100 USD a month (Robert said this amount was on the higher end here) and were offering to pay half of the surgery; her needed surgery costs about $2600 USD

- A 13-year-old girl who has had her condition since 2 months old, was the oldest of three; her parents were farmers and sometimes her father worked extra as a bricklayer, then only making $3 USD a day; she had high blood pressure and has been in the hospital already for almost two months in an attempt to lower the blood pressure so she could have surgery; her operation was about $650 USD

- An 11-year-old girl, youngest of three; parents are rice farmers but when it is the off season they work extra jobs; her operation costs about $1800 USD

- An 11-year-old girl, oldest of two, parents are divorced and lives with her mother who makes incense; her operation costs about $525 USD because of help coming from another grant (along with the government - this was offered to people in a certain region)

As we sat facing them, listening as Tam interpret their story, we recognized the fear and worry in their telling eyes that contradicted their composure. I know I wasn't the only one that was wracking my brain with comparison of our costs of living, school, luxuries, income, others we know... how wrong does it seem that $100 a semester is all it takes for a young man to have a better life? Or $600 out of your reach for a medical procedure to save your child's life?

At the end, Robert announced that GIBTK will be able to fund all of their operations! And as for the young man, he said he would be honored to help him go to school as long as he provided a report showing his progress. He told the young man that he did not have to be perfect, just to try his best, and that champions were not those who did not fail, but those who did not give up...

As we were all getting up, Robert told me to put my hand on the young girls' chests and feel their hearts. With hesitance, I went up to the girls, smiling and winking, giving them hugs. I nodded and held up my hand, as if asking for permission, then slowly put my hand on the first girl's chest. It was a feeling I did not expect: a heart facing so fast and hard, beating as if was going to leap out of her chest at that moment...I think I can best describe it as if you were to hold a hand-held battery-operated fan blade in your palm...I was shocked and had to resist the reaction to pull away, or show my surprise because I did not want to freak her out. I held my hand there and looked at the girl, smiling, then I winked again and hugged her, still fighting my internal shock.

I went on to the next girl, then the next, doing the same and showing my affection. Each heart beat was insanely strong in the same way, but had a different flutter or pattern. Even though they returned the smiles and hugs, they all still looked scared and exhausted.

I once read the quote "If you're not angry then you're not paying attention", and it keeps coming to mind.

Several of us talked about it all as we walked around a historic citadel today, how confusing it was, difficult to grasp - money and its role in our lives and cultures, reconciling with all we see here. We have no answers.

My prayer is that we may each let these encounters (whether us here, or you there now, reading) mess up our worlds a little and decide what now. And then, who knows.

2008-09-17T05:26:00.001-05:00

2008-09-17T05:22:00.002-05:00

2008-09-16T07:23:00.001-05:00

Getting suits & dresses made:)

T.A. getting supplies & gifts organized for

birthday parties and art classes at Hai

Chau!!!

2008-09-16T07:21:00.001-05:00

Inside Marble Mountain

Team Awesome - Katie:(

up to marble mountain

2008-09-16T05:39:00.005-05:00

Up to Marble Mountain

Happy monk buddy who lovingly slapped me:)

thoughts

2008-09-16T05:10:00.003-05:00

It's been an emotional couple of days. There's really no way to describe all I'm feeling...but I'll try.

Like those Hallmark commercials where the son comes home early at Christmas and surprises his mom with a card hidden in the tree, and she turns around and there he is.

Like an episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition where this family---who's been through so much---is weepy and happy and overwhelmed by kindness, and then Ty gives all the kids scholarships. And then John Mayer shows up to sing for them.

That kind of covers the positive end: surprising, unconditional, unexplainable joy.

But it's mixed with another set of emotions.

In many ways this trip is making me think about the BIG issues:

the systems in place that cause poverty

the injustice in the disparity of wealth on earth

the fact that I can't possibly help everyone, but that shouldn't stop me from doing what I can

Humbled and helpless and hopeful all at the same time.

But what helps, really, is knowing that in the moment I have a little kid in my arms, and I'm making him laugh with silly songs he doesn't understand, and he's making me laugh by repeating everything I say ["holla" was a particularly good one], I'm nowhere else but in that moment looking in his little eyes, and nothing else matters but LOVE.

It really is the greatest thing.

Attempting art classes, round one

2008-09-15T09:54:00.009-05:00

Pooling together our talents and resources with the masquerade fundraiser in mind (to feature and sell the kids art/photography/crafts they create on this trip, with proceeds going to them through Giving It Back to Kids - Nov. 22 in Springfield), a schedule had been made for two orphanages involving various activities with the kids: creating short films, writing bios, painting, photography, and fabric dying.

On the ride back to Hai Chao on Sunday morning, we hammered out the tentative plan, knowing full well that things might go otherwise (tip: key to success in travel and things such as this - flexibility!). After more nail painting extravaganza, a lunch break, and the mural already in full swing, we haphazardly began...

After a giving a brief lesson with help via a translator, Sesha bravely let about eight kids loose with film-full cameras. We will eagerly await their development too, not only to see what raw images they captured, but also the assumed array of horrible close-ups of our faces, snapped over and over again.
Brandon also collected a group and began to teach them about film: the camera, shots, story-line, plot, angles, and "ACTION!". He asked what they wanted their movie to be about and they said, "Dancing!" And it was so. A natural director emerged from the group as well as a star. They had good ideas and Brandon put them use. Before long, they had a great short film and he was able to play it back for them through his camera hooked up to a TV in their main room. Oh, the laughter and delight on their faces! It was quite incredible.

While those classes were going on, Hanna and Charity led a group in dying fabric out front on the street. The kids caught on with ease and although it went quicker than expected, they looked great; our plans are to sell them as scarves at the masquerade.

Chris had an abstract painting project set up, which captured some interest and led some to create colorful butterflies. Everyone was also involved in coloring and drawing with the kids throughout the day.

Sam played guitar for and with the kids as they were enamored with it, and him.

Amidst the ending chaos, Sarah and I handed out Vietnamese bios (typed translations on 12x12 colorful cardstock - thanks Rachel!) for the kids to fill out that say:

First Name
3 adjectives
Who wishes
Who dreams
Who fears
Who likes
Who loves
Who believes
Who plans
Last Name

The response was strong as many appeared thoughtful as they wrote. We are looking forward to having them translated, giving us more of an insight into the hearts and minds of these precious kids.

While we left the orphanage with a fantastic collection of their art, our hopes are that we left them with a gateway into their own imagination and creativity at hand. Robert (the founder of Giving It Back to Kids) finally made it to Danang today, and spoke of the the importance of teaching the kids to dream - a completely foreign concept to them. We are looking forward to sharing their creations with you, and seeing what else evolves as more of their personalities and needs are met and nurtured.

Birthday parties

2008-09-14T18:30:00.002-05:00

Sesha shared that many of the kids in the orphanages don't know when their exact birthdays are, so we were going to throw them all a killer birthday party to remember! Before we came over, we packed donated party supplies and presents - cars, balls, bracelets, jewelry, balloons, decorated crowns made for them by kids at Robberson Elementary School in Springfield, toys, and candy.

Friday was our first visit and birthday party at Hai Chau orphanage, which was two stories and nestled in the heart of Danang, sidled between storefronts on a busy street.

I'm not sure anyone really knew what was going on, but we set up a beautiful spread. Having picked up a large cake on our way, we laid it out, candles and all.

In the whirlwind of activity, a local business brought over little packages for the kids that they wanted to donate, filled with chips, candy and soda. In a way I felt a little guilty loading them with sugar galore and then leaving later - poor caretakers!

Thankfully, we left the kids on a promise to return the next morning for more playing and art classes...

more from Hoa Mai

2008-09-14T10:30:00.007-05:00

Those of us who weren't hard at work on the mural engaged the kids at Hoa Mai in lots of activities:
--drawing and sharing words on the chalkboard
--a game of duck, duck, goose (or, more accurately, cat cat mouse)
--fingernail fun (some kids were way into the nail polish. way way into the nail polish)
--weekend English lessons with a volunteer librarian lady named Xuan
--mad Frisbee skills
--snapping photos (kids are fascinated with cameras and seeing themselves on the screen)

By the end of the day it was raining hard, so the kids settled down to draw with crayons and use some of their new supplies. It felt a little like living in a Crayola commercial.

Coloring is a universal past-time.

Some kids got to play in the rain with the brave souls from Team Awesome who sacrificed dry clothes for huge laughs. One little boy strummed a guitar as the finishing touches were put on the mural, as our little art director kid supervised.

Some photos of the team and the kids, creating and fun-ing:

Katie

Sam

Sesha

Brandon
bracelets

big glasses

bubbles

butterflies

Evolution of a Mural

2008-09-14T05:00:00.003-05:00

We spent Saturday, a hot and steamy morning that ended in a downpour, at Hoa Mai orphanage in Danang. It was a great first introduction to Giving it Back to Kids: playing outside, painting fingernails, doing artwork, and painting a mural designed by our very own Frank Chimero.

After just a few hours [plus a handful of colors and some helping hands] this once-blank classroom wall is now alive. Thanks to Frank, Chris, Brandon, Katie, and all of our hand-prints.

We'll be painting this mural at each orphanage we visit, adding the kids' hand-prints and other personalized details. (If you look closely, you'll find this one includes a chicken...to commemorate the chickens running around Hoa Mai's open-air grounds.)

Good Morning, Vietnam

2008-09-12T13:45:00.002-05:00

Do not be fooled, dear readers. Though this post bears a time stamp of 11:45 a.m., I am actually writing to you from the future...where it's nearly midnight in Vietnam.

We've been here two days now---somewhere during that 30ish hours of travel we pretty much lost a day---and already we've seen/done/eaten/bought/photographed/ooohed-ahhed a lot of really cool things. So many, in fact, that I can't let myself write too much, lest posts turn to pages and you get bored. Summary: things are great. I am always amazed when groups cohere while working toward a common goal, and in no time develop a shared history, inside jokes.

Team Awesome is getting along awesomely.

So instead of anecdotes, I'll post some photos, and promise that there's still so much more to come. [Tomorrow's our first orphanage visit!]

Thursday: Early morning bustle inside Ben Thanh market, Ho Chi Minh.

Lacquered goods? silk? raw meat? scorpions in jars? Yep.

Breakfast in Ben Thanh: our first pho. delicious. and that banana i ordered? surprise! turned out to be a smoothie. all for less than $3 USD.

Thursday afternoon, Danang: view looking up from within Marble Mountain. natural light in this beautiful, ancient space caused by 1968 bombing. awestruck at combination of beauty and destruction.

125 thigh-master-ish steps and other climbing worth this view from atop Marble Mountain.

we found "lady Buddha" (as our helpful guides, who helpfully guided us to their shops afterwards, called her) is chilling in the trees, near a pagoda where monks still worship.

Friday, Hoi An: a sampling of silk at YALY Fashion Town, where some of us splurged on custom-made dresses and suits.

The girls model silk-wear...

...while the boys pretend to be car models?

A peek into real life in Veitnam. We take an hour-long boat ride down the Thu Bon River for less than $1 each---80,000 dong. We sit on sea-foam painted chairs, watching fishermen balance in tiny boats and cast nets that spread over the water like jellyfish.

lantern stand in Hoi An's Old Quarter, where some of us got sweet market bargains.

view of a Hoi An street. Sesha says these lanterns, featuring different countries, are probably left from Miss Universe, which taped in Vietnam last spring.

Good morning Springfield, Goodnight Vietnam.

More about us

2008-09-12T10:45:00.000-05:00

In celebration of Katie's arrival, yet another installment of Getting-To-Know Team Awesome:

who are you? Katie
where'd you grow up and where do you call home now? I grew up in Walnut Grove, MO and I currently live on the north side of the city of Springfield
describe your "real world" life: I work for a home decor design company as a product developer and a graphic designer. I love to make my own stuff like lights and furniture when I get the chance. Sometimes I dog sit a dog named Simon and he gets to go to work with me and play with the other dogs. I love spending time with my family and friends and my favorite thing to do is to learn new stuff.
where else have you traveled? Hawaii, Alaska, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Mexico, Canada, Scotland, & France.
what are you most looking forward to about the trip? The change of scenery and getting a new perspective on my world here at home.

what phrase would like to learn how to say in Vietnamese? Where can I buy a plastic pink flamingo?

who are you? Sarah Jenkins.

where'd you grow up and where do you call home now? Grew up in Sparta, MO and now am at home in Springfield, where I happily reside close to downtown with my cat, craft supplies i don't have time to use, and too many books.

describe your "real world" life: I just started a job with Swan Repertory Theatre company, after working in student life at Drury for two years. Moved out of a dorm and into big-girl life and am loving learning about nonprofit work and the arts. I also perform with The Skinny Improv on most weekends (you know, when I'm not in another hemisphere).

where else have you traveled? I've traveled to most states thanks to family vacations and school trips---for instance DisneyWorld with my 8th grade gifted class and New York with science club senior year...nerdiness pays off, folks. Did a study abroad in India/Thailand in college, and went to Barcelona, Venice, Florence, Rome this summer.

what are you most looking forward to about the trip? Surprises that travel can bring, any and all moments that make me sigh.

(good sighs, of course.)

what phrase would like to learn how to say in Vietnamese?

That's what she said.

Practice makes perfect:

That's what she said: đó là điều mà cô ấy nói

Where can I buy a plastic pink flamingo: ở đâu tôi có thể mua một chất dẻo trang trí chim hồng hạc?

Marble Mountain

2008-09-12T10:34:00.000-05:00

To get you excited for all the photo goodness to come, here are a couple of images from the marble factory we toured before our hike up Marble Mountain. (I wish I could say we also ate marble cake at Marble Slab, then played marbles with the Marlboro man, but that would not be true.)

watch and learn

2008-09-12T10:17:00.000-05:00

B-T-Dubs, check out our vids. When we're tired, we luvs to speak in abrevs.

For some good chortles, check out Brandon Goodwin's video blog.

xoxo,

e & s

Hittin' the road - slim jim & bomb pop style

2008-09-12T09:43:00.000-05:00

Our group of ten met Monday evening to collaborate art supplies, grab dinner, and hang before leaving at 3:30 am on Tuesday morning for the airport.

I had to believe that any night that begins with bomb pops, pizza, abundant donated art supplies for kids across the world, homemade crepes with Nutella (props to Frank), a gift exchange (Slim Jim's anyone? Oh, or just Brandon...), and a Wal-Mart run, that turned with the late hours into one of no sleep for most who instead opted to watch Aladdin and dip left-over pizza and Slim Jim's in Nutella, would be one of good company.

Right off the bat we lost our beloved

Katie due to a mishap with ticketing. The rest of us had to depart while she was to catch t

he correct flights the next day. GOOD NEWS: Charity just came in our room and said she made it safely here with us in Da Nang!

And so we followed the sun to Asia, flying into the future and never once seeing a darkened sky. Despite the two babies next two us on our 15 hour flight that would scream randomly with a pure elation in discovery of the sound of their own voice, the weird movie choices lingering in the distance, ear/head pressure difficulties, 2 long layovers, scattered sleep and well over 24 hours of travel, we arrived at Ho Chi Minh city, formerly Saigon. Ah:)

Our van ride took us, wide-eyed at the new sights, to the An An Hotel in a back-packers district; although it was late, most met a little after midnight to go exploring. [I once received a good piece advice before my first travels - you can sleep when you get home!] A hard bed was never such a kind crib. Invigorated, we met early the next morning to take in the Binh Tan market and catch our domestic flight to our final destination: Da Nang.

So here we are! Settled into Sandy Beach Resort, we have stories and fabulous pictures to share...

Talk Nam to me

2008-09-09T06:30:00.000-05:00

At this very moment, it's 4:18 a.m., we're sitting in luxurious Springfield-Branson airport, tending our luggage, updating out-of-office replies, and killing time before our 5:50 flight. The flight that will last for the rest of our lives.

[I exaggerate when I'm tired.]

It's finally here. We're finally leaving.

We have so many arts/crafts/kid-o supplies we're practically checking an entire Hobby Lobby.

In preparation for the long trans-globe flight, my iPod is loaded with podcasts from survivalphrases.com. Vietnamese is not a language for the faint of heart (or cheek muscles. seriously, it's a workout.), it's a tonal language, so meanings are governed by sounds.

Such as:

sharp falling tone with a stop

flat tone

no tone at all

(which to my american ears all sound exactly the same)

I tried them out for the first time while running the other day. Only felt slightly crazy practicing phrases out loud to myself. Possibly the most amusing was "please" which sounds a little something like "sin".

"Sin. Sin. Sin."

I also learned hello, goodbye, and where is the bathroom. We're set.

More Team Awesome

2008-09-04T17:15:00.000-05:00

didimentionwe'regoingtobethereinoneweek?

(I'm too excited for the space bar at this time.)

who are you? Hanna Crowe. Sometimes called Hanna Banana
where'd you grow up and where do you call home now? I grew up outside of Madison, WI in a small farm community. I moved here to Springfield, MO when I was 19 to finish up my schooling, which now has been going on 7 years of living here. This is my home for right at the moment.
describe your "real world" life: I work full time for now and hang out with my friends. I am currently training for another half marathon, I love rock climbing and backpacking and everything that has to do with being outside. I guess you can say that I thrive in the outdoors.
where else have you traveled? It's sad to say that this will be my first international trip. I have never gone anywhere exotic or far away.
what are you most looking forward to about the trip? The experience that I will be taking from it. I can't wait to soak up the culture and love on the kids. :D
what phrase would like to learn how to say in Vietnamese? Where is the bathroom? You could never go wrong with this question... ;D

***

Who are you? Hi, I'm Frank. I'm the dude with the glasses that isn't Brandon. (Thus, better looking.)
Where'd you grow up and where do you call home now? I spent the first several years of my life growing up on the island that is long, in New York. After that, we moved to Missouri, and I've been back and forth between Joplin and Springfield ever since.
Describe your "Real World" life: Is this about the reality TV show on MTV? I'd like to think that'd I'd be the passive aggressive one. You know, the guy that's nice to everyone, but then goes to the confessional room to complain about how he's the one normal dude on a show with a bunch of the usual yahoos they put on MTV.
If you're talking about what I do from day to day, I'm a graphic designer and illustrator. I do print and web design for clients all over the place, and just this year have started doing editorial illustration for magazines and the such. Oh, and when I'm not doing that, I have a few graphic design classes to teach at Missouri State University.
Sometimes I sleep too!
Where else have you traveled? Earlier this summer, I backpacked around Switzerland, Germany and Italy for a couple weeks. I've also been to Mexico, a bunch of US states, and have gotten water up my nose in both the Atlantic and Pacific. Both hurt, really badly. Oh! And I went to the Mudhouse for coffee this morning too.
What are you most looking forward to about the trip? Tough to say, because there's so much. Obviously, traveling with friends will be welcome after a couple weeks of traveling solo earlier this summer. Also, it feels good to do good, and birthday parties are a lot of fun. Oh, and I'm kind of anxious to get back on a plane. I love planes. And pretzels. (I'll probably change my mind about the flight thing 7 or 8 hours in.)
What phrase would you learn how to say in Vietnamese? High-Five!
Other Vital Info:

(i have to agree. potential disguises: vital.)

Vietnamese phrases you can practice with your loved ones:

High Five: cao là năm

Where is the Bathroom? ở đâu là buồng tắm?

--Sarah

Getting to Know You

2008-09-03T20:15:00.000-05:00

Today we get to know two more members of Team Awesome. Less than a week to go!

who are you? Charity Pritchard

where'd you grow up and where do you call home now? Grew up in NC and now live in Springfield

describe your "real world" life: I am on staff at a church and do music

also

where else have you traveled? Jamaica (not the good parts :)), Peru

what are you most looking forward to about the trip? Seeing a different

culture and showing love to the kids

what phrase would like to learn how to say in Vietnamese? Good morning

Who are you? Sesha, but has been called the following names: Sasha, Sushi, Fesha and Shasta.

where'd you grow up and where do you call home now? I grew up in Mt. Vernon Missouri...otherwise known as the "Big Vern"

describe your "real world" life: eeeh, real world life here is photographing and doing business Sesha style. This means photographing high school seniors and laughing at Brandon or Frank and eating too much of Jen's ever fabulous food. But this also means wrecking the moped (with a parked car) and making big girl business decisions like meeting with lawyers & answering a bagillion emails and wishing I had a p.a :) Any takers? I can pay you in hugs (wink wink).

Real world life is having a long blessed season with my family, roommates and friends. Counting my blessings would take a lifetime ;) Your so enrich my life friends!

where else have you traveled? Wow...super blessed and here it goes: Mexico, Australia, Scotland, France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Ireland, China, Hong Kong, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and Vietnam....but not Canada go figure?

what are you most looking forward to about the trip? I might cry if I think about it too much. But I'm really looking forward to traveling with my friends; laughing, crying, working, sweating and exploring with them. I cannot wait to hug and kiss every child we come in contact with!! I'm just so thrilled for "team awesome" but for what this trip sets in motion and will do in changing lives all over the place...including ours. Oh, and I'm looking forward to all the _____ jokes, in which I estimate will go non stop starting at our slumber party the night before;)

what phrase would like to learn how to say in Vietnamese? You're beautiful!

New Fun Phrase:

Good Morning: Chào (super fun! I wonder if it sounds like Italian ciao...we shall see!)

We learned "you're beautiful" a few posts back. consider this a quiz.

--Sarah

Happy Holidays

2008-09-02T22:54:00.000-05:00

Well folks, I never saw it coming...but Wikipedia didn't give me complete information.

[I know. Try to contain your shock.]

Happened to be flipping through the newest issue of 417 magazine, and found an article by Thuy Dam, the owner of Bambu restaurant in Springfield, all about Mid-Autumn Moon Festival.

WikiTravel didn't tell me that Mid-Autumn Moon Festival (which one website described as a cross between Halloween and Thanksgiving...booya!) falls on September 14 this year, smack-dab in the middle of our trip.

Pretty pumped.

Traditionally, this was a time when parents reconnected with their children and celebrated the end of harvest. It is still a huge holiday in Vietnam and celebrates children, promotes education, poetry, dance and arts and crafts.

In other words, perfect for our trip. And there's a traditional yummy dish involved, Bahn Trung Thu [moon cakes]. Click on them for a trip to wikipedia's deliciously accurate article.

cheers! --Sarah

Save the Date(s)

2008-08-30T10:31:00.000-05:00

If you are out and about for ArtWalk this Friday, September 5, be sure to stop by Dake Wells Architecture at Campbell and Walnut [or more accurately, the parking lot just north on Campbell]. Convey will projecting photos and video from their spring trip to Asia. Stop by, say hullo, find out how you can support our trip and get some cool art!

The Trip (THE Trip.) is September 9-22. Good vibes, thoughts, prayers, warm-fuzzies, blog comments, happy thoughts, spreading-the-word all appreciated.

Date change: Here & There, our benefit art sale and masquerade at Commercial Street Firehouse is now November 22. Save the date and get excited.

Hello, My Name is Team Awesome

2008-08-29T11:20:00.000-05:00

GETTING TO KNOW THE TEAM

(I wanted to borrow the acronym GIBTK from Giving It Back to Kids, 'cause I love me some acronyms, but the best I could do was General Information: Better Team Know. Sounds like something was lost in translation...)

But enough about me and how I spend my time! In our first installment of Getting to Know The Team, we visit our neighbors to the north, our Kansas City team members Chris and Erin. I asked the team a series of questions, and they were lovely enough to play along.

Here's what they have to say:

1. who are you: i am chris
2. where'd you grow up and where do you call home: i grew up in north central Missouri in a town called Meadville. population 360. i went to school k-12 in the same building. I live in Belton now, a suburb south of K.C.
3. describe your "real world" life: i am guessing what "real world" means but i live with my wife (Libby) and daughter (Estella) in the suburbs, i am a multi department manager for Target and part time photographer and painter. i collect and restore old cameras and like to build things for around the house in my free time.
4. where else have you traveled: i have been to every state but Hawaii, and Canada 6 times, Mexico once. when i was 16 i went to Spain with a traveling street performer group (i used to be a theater nerd) and on that trip i also was in Amsterdam. then in college i took a hands on art history course in Italy and was there for about three weeks, and on that trip i also went to Switzerland. and now we are going to Viet Nam.
5. what are you most looking forward to about the trip: i am looking forward to doing something new, somewhere new, and using my talents for the betterment of others, i think that that is a rare thing.
6.what phrase would like to learn how to say in Vietnamese? i would like to say, does that come with fries? and the common greetings and polite words, please, thanks etc.

1. who are you? Erin Swanson
2. where'd you grow up and where do you call home now? Grew up in Springfield MO, just finished school at Drury University (BA in Integrated Media and Global Studies), living in Kansas City for a whole 2 months now with a best friend from high school and her parents - a fabulous temporary situation as I prepare for things to come...
3. describe your "real world" life: Currently an intern at WaterPartners, a non profit that works to provide clean drinking water and water sanitation to the developing world; I am also a server at a steakhouse called Hereford House; my future is kind of open, not sure what else is ahead after this winter. I like to call this state in my life one of certain brilliant uncertainty!
4. where else have you traveled? Mission trip to Mexico, summer 01; studied abroad in Lithuania - June 08; Traveled with Convoy of Hope internship to the Philippines and China, Fall 07
5. what are you most looking forward to about the trip? Working with Giving It Back to Kids and the group Sesha has brought together - getting to know everyone, interacting with the people and kids of Danang, letting them touch our lives; I am also really excited to take in another culture, travel more, and especially learn and grow on many different levels; for just this entire opportunity itself, I am so thankful and floored to be a part of it :)
6. what phrase would like to learn how to say in Vietnamese? "nice to meet you", "you are beautiful" and "i am happy to be here"

So much to be excited about! For now, wrap your noggin around these helpful Vietnamese phrases, courtesy of www.VDict.com:

(disclaimer: we'll have to rely on a handy phrase book and our translators for true pronunciation...one false tone and we're asking for extra fish balls by mistake...)

you are beautiful: bạn đẹp

nice to meet you: đẹp để gặp bạn

i am happy to be here: tôi (thì) vui mừng là ở đây

please: vui lòng

thank you: cám ơn bạn

does that come with fries: làm mà đạt đến với những cá bột

cheers! (vui lên) --Sarah

14 Days

2008-08-26T09:30:00.000-05:00

Last night I had an altered version of the classic actor's-nightmare dream [you know, the kind where you're thrown onstage in a costume but don't know your lines and haven't been to a single rehearsal...].

This one was the traveler's nightmare. I was one half-hour away from our plane taking off [I know it was a dream because take-off was at 10:30. Our actual flight is scheduled for 5:40 a.m., speaking of nightmares...] and I realized I hadn't packed this jacket or that shirt...and I didn't have time to go get them...and the person driving me to the airport was in the shower...and wouldn't be ready on time...

STRESS!

So I was hugely relieved to wake up and discover we still have 2 weeks. TWO WHOLE WEEKS until we leave. 14 days is way better than 30 minutes.

We can do this.

--Sarah

Countdown...Three Weeks!

2008-08-20T19:40:00.000-05:00

Hard to believe that 3 weeks from THIS VERY DAY we will be in Vietnam!
It's safe to say my excitement and to-do list both get bigger each day, and I'd bet that's true of the rest of the team.
(Speaking of the team, stay tuned for profiles of each of us in the coming days---complete with helpful Vietnamese phrases that you can practice at home!!)

I'm trying to give myself a Vietnamese education of sorts, as best I can living in southwest Missouri, and will soon post entries on the following:

1) An exciting trip to the library resulting in Vietnam travel guides and a phrasebook
2) Shopping adventures at an Asian market resulting in my very own pho noodles
3) Adding Good Morning Vietnam to my NetFlix queue
4) A birds-eye view of Vietnam War era politics through Hunter S. Thompson's [admittedly blurry] eyes in Fear And Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72

For now I want to talk briefly about war movies and perceptions of other cultures, after seeing Tropic Thunder last week.

I'm not going to bother with whether it's PC or not-PC, appropriate or offensive. It's rated R for a reason and you, dear reader, can decide for yourself whether you'll see it. I will say that out of all the big blockbuster comedies I've seen in recent memory, which tend to be over-hyped, this one did not disappoint me. And it actually managed to make me think quite a bit about the trip.

Specifically in these two ways:

1) There's the theme that if all your knowledge of a culture comes from movies, your picture is inevitably [in this case hilariously] flawed. I can't say too much more about it without revealing some fairly surprising plot points, but it's an interesting thought.

2) I know I need to expose myself to good late 60s/early 70s music, mostly a good deal of CCR. You don't see a good Vietnam movie without a good soundtrack, and you don't have a good Vietnam movie soundtrack without John Fogerty. [There are a TON of people on YouTube who seem to agree.]

editor's note: if you can measure excitement by the number of links in a post, then woah. excited. come back soon!

--Sarah

Top 10

2008-08-11T17:23:00.000-05:00

The TOP 10 things I didn't know about Vietnam before I went to wikitravel.org/en/Vietnam:

[Disclaimer: Any of my past professors would want me to tell you that I know wiki-anything probably isn't the best source of reputable information. However, it is quick and compact and a good place to at least start my quest for Vietnam knowledge. So here we go.]

1) Currency:
Vietnam's currency is the dong. Bills are available in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000, 100000, 200000 and 500000 dong.

[ok, I knew that already, but I felt it important to share...and can you imagine...anyone got change for this 500K bill?]

2) RELIGION:
There's a religion called Hoa Hao.

[I had no idea! Turns out it's a Vietnamese Buddhist sect.]

3) CITIES:
Da Nang (Đà Nẵng) - major port in central Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City (Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh) - Vietnam's largest city and the economic engine of the south, formerly Saigon (Sài Gòn)

4) WAR:

"US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the Southern Vietnam government, escalating into the dispatch of 500,000 American troops in 1966 and what became known as the Vietnam War - although the Vietnamese refer to it as the American War."

[I found this interesting as an example of difference in perspective, and I wonder about other differences in how our cultures view one another, and the war.]

5) HOLIDAYS:

"By far the largest holiday of the year is Tết, also known as Vietnamese New Year, which takes place between late January and March following the unisolar Chinese calendar. Visitors also stand a good chance of being invited to join the festivities, often involving large quantities of food and candy (for women and kids) and alcohol, karaoke, and gambling (for the men)."

6) TRAVEL:
There's a train system called the Reunification Express.

[Love how this sort of sounds like a Sesame Street train...Hey kids! Let's hop aboard the Reunification Express!]

more travel:

"Once you get the hang of it, it's actually great fun to find yourself walking unafraid through a deadly sea of swarming vehicles and people, suddenly feeling like part of the normal flow in this otherwise foreign land - many visitors find waiting at traffic lights quite boring upon return to their home countries.

[Deadly sea of swarming vehicles? Really, wikitravel?]

7) LANGUAGE :

"Vietnamese, spoken by most of the population, is a tonal language and definitely not easy for Westerners to master."

[I've already heard how this can lead to some unfortunate faux pas in translation. One word, depending on tone, can have multiple meanings. Certain numbers and certain body parts, for instance...that can't be good.]

8) SHOPPING:

"You can bargain on practically anything in Vietnam. Most merchants will start off charging foreigner prices, which you can easily bring down by a minimum of 10%, or more if you like bargaining."

[This is most excellent news.]

9) FOOD:

[It should really be no surprise that this is the longest one...]

"Food sits at the very epicenter of Vietnamese culture: every significant holiday on the Vietnamese cultural calendar, all the important milestones in a Vietnamese person's life, and indeed, most of the important day-to-day social events and interactions - food plays a central role in each. "

"Many Vietnamese dishes are flavored with fish sauce (nước mắm), which smells and tastes like anchovies (quite salty and fishy) straight from the bottle, but blends into food very well. (Try taking home a bottle of fish sauce, and using it instead of salt in almost any savory dish -- you will be pleasantly surprised with the results.)"

"Vietnam's national dish is phở, a broth soup with beef or chicken and rice noodles ( a form of rice linguini or fettuccini). Phở is normally served with plates of fresh herbs(usually including Asian basil), cut limes, hot chilis and and scalded bean sprouts which you can add in according to your taste, along with chili paste, chili sauce, and sweet soybean sauce."

and probably my favorite part:

"If you like seafood, you may find heaven in Vietnam."

10) SAFETY:

"Vietnam is very keen on bolstering foreign tourism, with severe punishments for crimes against tourists, violent crime against foreigners is rare."

[Isn't that nice to know?]

That is where I'll leave you for now! I hope you enjoyed the mini-lesson. More to come...
Sarah

so it begins...

2008-08-04T00:18:00.000-05:00

Greetings everyone!

Convey is going back to Vietnam! But this time they're bringing reinforcements...

I am so lucky to be a part of the trip, coming up September 9-22, along with a group of artists from all over Missouri and as far away as California.

Just 2 weeks ago we had our first group meeting. A few of us were able to meet at the studio to sign some official paperwork, make some plans and get some details, and have some delicious pancakes. After just a couple of hours I found myself excited, inspired, and in awe.

excited for how this group of thirteen people, a combination of complete strangers and lifelong friends, is going to build this trip, each of us contributing in unique ways.

inspired by video, photos, and stories from Convey's first trip to Asia last spring

and in awe of how we'll use our talents to help this incredible organization help people in Vietnam--in ways I don't think we can even imagine.

In the coming weeks leading up to our trip in September, I'll be updating with stories of who we all are, what we're going to do, and how you (yes, YOU dear reader!) can get involved.

For now:

1) Save The Date: November 1 will our benefit masquerade and art sale. Mark your calendar and get ready for an amazing night. Many many more details to come!
2) Get to know Giving It Back to Kids. This is organization is doing a lot of crazy-good things.
3) Check out Brandon Goodwin's amazing videos to see some of those crazy-good things. 1 2 3

cho đến lần sau
(until next time)

Sarah

good stuff:)

2008-06-30T16:48:00.001-05:00

Me and my little friends...

2008-06-24T04:50:00.001-05:00

Long and I :)

Wow, I've done a horrible job on blogging! Eeeh, just really busy here, and by the time we get done, I'm just exausted. However, I'll

upload pictures when I get back:)

We've been visiting a lot of orphanages. Load and loads of hugs and kisses. We did some art projects with the kids and I'm really excited to do the projects with the team in September! It'll be great to spend more time with the kids.

Today, we went with Giving It Back to Kids to dedicate a kindergarden in the rural area. I found one of my little buddies there. Interestingly enough, he may be a candidate for a heart surgery!! We were playing, and drawing and I gave him this portable fan. A must see video later. Anyway about 20 minutes later his mom lifted up his shirt to show me that one of left ribs was protruding out. She said that he had a heart condition. So....I went and talked to the founder and it's left up to the mom to call and set up an appointment. I really hope that he can get a surgery!

Then while Long (little boy) were drawing, his older brother came up, he looks to be about 14. He has a deformed ear and cannot hear out of it.

....Rarely have I seen 2 children with handicaps born to the same mom....I've been told it could be the result of agent orange!!!

~~~

Later, we went to the infant orphanage where GIBTK gives them vitamin and rice support. Although it was touching and powerful to hold and love on kids, I was extremley frustrated with their caretakers there who just stood around!! I saw at least 4-5 staff standing around doing nothing and not holding and caring for the kids.

Ahhh.

I did however get to meet some of the beautiful kids. There's something powerful in the holding and loving on children:)

Well, friends I leave tomorrow! Time has flown by. I'm shooting a wedding on Saturday...so hopefully the bad weather in Tawain doesn't affect my Tokyo leg:)

Cheerio,

Sesha

Hello Friends from Vietnam!!!

2008-06-19T05:43:00.000-05:00

Oh wow:)

Well, happy dance in my seat!! Sorry I couldn't post sooner, but there's not always internet around.

I got here Tuesday night after several flights, and sadly didn't get to sleep that much. But I got to go through Tokyo which was a first!

So guess who was on my flight?!! My flight from Dallas to Tokyo an pottery prof from Missouri State was sitting behind me. He was on his way to China and Tawain to do a confrence. After he heard about what we were doing and the masquerade in November, he offered to donate one of his pieces for the auction!!

Then...sitting right next to me on the same flight was a man who is head of staffing and training at Compassion International! We knew the same person at CI and I told him about the shoot we did for them in Ethiopia last year! Exciting!

Then......yes, there was more! Then from Tokyo to Vietnam this gorgeous girl sits behind me and it was Miss Brazil with Miss Universe!! Miss Paraquay and Miss Chilie (?) was on our flight too.

Did anyone know Miss Universe was happening in HCM this week? I didn't.

---

Right now, were about 4 hours from HCM and GIBTK brought in some of the kids they work with where we're at and we're playing and spending time with them. It's great and that simple.

Their so precious and well behaved!

I'll have much more to post in a couple of days. Tomorrow we catch a flight to Danang (central Vietnam) and spend the bulk of the time there.

***sidenote: Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" is playing right now!!! Brandon, Jen...soak it in:)

So, off to Danang tomorrow and that's where I'll be scoping out a ton.

My heart is so excited for the Sept adventure!! Team...my friends going...brace yourself:)

Well, cheerio for now. Talk to you in a couple.

Tam Biet (Goodbye)

Sesha

"Nam" in 4 days!!

2008-06-11T10:57:00.000-05:00

Yippee skippee!

Well, friends, I head out on Monday for Danang and I'll be helping out with a trip. The great thing is while I'm there, I get to scope out for "Mega Awesome Art Trip" with local artists (and medical) in September!!

It's glorious.

See you later, and sorry for being a bum about posting.

Jared starts soon, and this will be his gig.

Sesha

Asia party NEXT Saturday March 29th!!

2008-03-21T11:34:00.000-05:00

We're moving it to then...same time, same place:)

Asia party at Convey!!

2008-03-19T20:34:00.000-05:00

Okay friends, here's the details:

Party looks like it's more than likely going to be this Saturday at 7pm at the studio.

Here's what were doing:

*Eating
*Story telling of the latest adventures
*What future adventures are ahead
*and....looking at super fab pictures that were created!

We're eating happy Chinese or Vietnamese food! It's your pick. It's going to be family style with a Sesh twist. Before you get to the studio, go to your favorite Chinese or Vietnamese restaurant. Each person needs to bring at least one appetizer:) That should be plenty for us all.

Bring chopsticks if you want, and if you don't know where the nearest Vietnamese restaurant is...there's one on Sunshine.

Well, rock on rock on...but Doug "rick on bud"

Party will be Saturday...unless you hear from me.

Cheers and a big big hug,

Sesha

Tiny Tiny Nut Shell

2008-03-14T12:29:00.000-05:00

That is our trip in a tiny tiny nut shell. Our apologies that we are just now getting caught up on the blog, but we hope you enjoy! We are still making our way through tons and tons of photos; there will be more images on our website in the near future. We are very excited about the door that has been opened with Giving it Back to Kids and Convey. There are high hopes that we can use our photographs to benefit the children and the organization. You can expect more goodness from Vietnam!

Vietnam

2008-03-14T09:49:00.001-05:00

We spent the least amount of time in Vietnam, but it had an enormous impact on us all. The organization we worked with, Giving it Back to Kids (givingitbacktokids.org), is making a huge impact in the lives of many Vietnamese children and families. Soooo much goodness!!!!

Bruce is an amazing man that is so full of love. He is on the Giving it Back to Kids Board and has impacted so many lives because it is truly is heart and passion.

These little buds performed the cutest dances for us.

The Judge (right) had fought in the Vietnam war. He came back to Vietnam because he felt he had some unfinished business. He was casually chatting with one of his van drivers about his experience in the war when the driver said that his father had fought there as well. The driver gave his father a quick call on the cell phone and it turns out that the Judge and the driver's father had served together during the Vietnam war. The next morning the driver's father made his way to the resort to be reunited with the Judge. It was truly crazy.

Sweet, sweet girl who was met us on our way out of the Father's house.

This is a precious little girl that was in desperate need of a heart surgery. The organization is providing her, along with six others, much needed heart surgeries that otherwise might not be an option. It was emotionally difficult and amazing all at the same time.

Lots and lots of hugs, hard to say goodbye.

Our friend Steve and a few kids from an orphanage we had the privilege of visiting.

The kids LOVED to take photos with out camera.

Back in Hong Kong

2008-03-13T11:51:00.000-05:00

The Lomography store...we were all pretty happy about this.

Modern Toilet.

Chiu Jau

2008-03-13T10:10:00.001-05:00

Nice and cozy.

Oh Mao.

Gia. He is the sweet little 6 year old boy that Sesha fell in love with a few years ago. Sesha has spent a lot of time investing in Gia and his family. During our visit we saw some of the emotional pain Gia has due to the nevis on his face. Over the next few months we will begin a journey to try and find a surgeon to help remove the nevis.

Gia's sweet and feisty grandma.

Lamo Island

2008-03-13T09:21:00.001-05:00

Sesha bought a shirt in Hong Kong that says 'I love pork chop.' I think she was referring to this happy pig.

Friends in front of one of the churches we visited.

Kong Moon

2008-03-13T09:03:00.000-05:00

Pastor Charles and Shu Keung, taken after one of our wonderful trips to McDonald's.

Sweet little Esther. Esther is Ah Fat and Jessica's daughter, she turned two while we were in Kong Moon. We had the pleasure of throwing her a birthday party.

Our bus ride through China on our way to Kong Moon.

Better late than never. . .

2008-03-12T13:16:00.000-05:00

Pak Sha O Village. This is an enchanted little

village that we stayed in shortly after we arrived

in Hong Kong. So relaxing.

This crazy monkey was kind of

vicious he lived in an abandoned

village...I am not so sure he liked

visitors.

Welcome to Hong Kong!

Friends we're home!!

2008-03-08T15:57:00.000-06:00

Sorry friends that we were not able to stay in contact more than we would have liked :( We ended up not having a lot of access to internet.

Now that we're home we'll soon be posting pictures of the fab fabulous trip!! If you want to check out video blog of the trip go to:

www.goodwinfilms.blogspot.com

it's funny.

cheers!

2008-02-14T15:52:00.000-06:00

Team IceBreaker

5 more days to ASIA!!!!

2008-02-14T15:41:00.000-06:00

Oh friends....can you believe it? Convey is taking their 1st trip overseas together along with one of our favorite buds: Brandon Goodwin!

We'll be going to Hong Kong, China and Vietnam!!!

Good stuff galore.

More to come...but I must pack;)

Hugs,
Sesha