Africa - I leave next week

"Experiencing the world through endless second hand information isn't enough. If we want authenticity, we have to initiate it." - Travis Rice in The Art of Flight

This quote will be the theme of my trip to Africa and all future trips that I go on. If you haven't seen The Art of Flight, it's an incredible snowboarding movie with amazing cinematography. (Just put it on my laptop for the flight.)

I leave tomorrow for Africa and will be taking a laptop so that I can update the blog as much as possible. Thanks again to all who have contributed and are following this blog. The support from you makes it all worth it. Please make comments on the blog too. Don't be shy!

All the iPods so far!

4 shots! (Hepatitis A, Typhoid Fever, Tetanus, Polio)

I'll be in London for the 4th of July on a layover (purposely set it that way as I'm sure it will be interesting...and ironic at the same time.) Keep an eye out for what I'll be wearing on that day.

I leave for Africa from Chicago next Tuesday. So far I have received 3 iPods (not including the 2 I'm picking up this weekend). It's starting to set in that I'll be on a plane across the globe very soon. Time for a few trips to REI.

Today I sent my checklist for the trip to Ashley and received the following "real to do" in response:

"Here's the real to do:
-Get a GOOD shower- you won't have a hot one again for awhile.
-Get rest-you'll most likely go 48 hours with less than 3 hours sleep with all those flights.
-Meditate. (Clear your mind)
-Buy 5 hour energy (After an 8 hour plane ride that you probably won't sleep on you'll want this for London)
-GET PUMPED. The world is waiting for you..."

This has me excited to go and a little nervous at the same time. As long as I have enough memory card space and camera batteries, I'll be fine. Let's do this! Hello world!

I'll be in London for the 4th of July on a layover (purposely set it that way as I'm sure it will be interesting...and ironic at the same time.) Keep an eye out for what I'll be wearing on that day.

I'll be posting much more as the trip unfolds...

Packing Progress: (6.27.12)

JTS Productions

Here are some homemade videos for your entertainment...

New Age Pioneers - Business Meeting on the Mountain

"In the winter of 2012 a few young pioneers traveled West for an important business meeting at the peak of the mountain. Dressed in professional business suits and strapped with their snowboards, they set on for an epic journey. Many-a deals were made, much foos ball was played, and a few hearts were broken. Once business was taken care of and the pioneers closed the deal, it was time for one epic week there in Aspen Colorado. The pioneers showed that town how to have a good time."

Just Another Day On The Trail

Mountain biking footage.

Senior prom with my 12 dates

The Grain of Rice Project

This is the project I'm helping with and will be posting more information about.


http://www.grainofriceproject.blogspot.com/

Donating iPods to kids in Africa

I leave for Kibera Nairobi Kenya July 3rd. I'm really excited to go. I'll be meeting Ashley Back and Amy Back at the airport when I get there. I'll post more details later but this is just a quick start to the blog since so many people have been asking about it.

Here is a link to their blog for the project they're currently working on: http://grainofriceproject.blogspot.com/

One thing I'm doing is rounding up iPods to donate to the kids there. They aren't as fortunate to have them laying around like people do here in the states. So if you have one you'd like to donate, let me know. Last year my friend Ashley went there and I gave her my old iPod to donate to a kid there. She still stays in touch with him and he really loves it. I have to admit it's pretty cool to be able to help someone that much by simply  giving them something you don't use anymore.

Anyone who donates: I'll be filming while I'm there and will take pictures of the kids who get your ipods so you have some connection to it and aren't just sending money away to some organization who probably steals your money anyway. You'll also be able to friend these kids on facebook and connect with them after the fact.

A few people have already sent me messages on facebook from allover the country who want to donate. I'm having them send them to me so that I can take them with me in July. I'm not sure how it will work out when I'm bringing that many "gifts" through security, so if anyone knows let me know.

This is exciting and Thanks to those who have already reached out to me!

These people have donated iPods so far: (I'm waiting on pics from the other donors) Keep them coming and thanks a million!


iPod Donors:

Natasha Aguilar (Denver, CO)

Kylie Callander (Chicago, IL)

Tim Neuhaus (Baltimore, MD)

Justin Deutsch 

iPod Recipients:

Bishop (Kibera)

"Tall" (Africa)

"Popo" (Kibera)

Steven (Kibera)

It's About Time

It's about time I started a blog. I'm currently in Atlanta for my cousin Ben's wedding with Jake, Amber, and Lissa. Next month I leave for Africa. My life is getting pretty exciting so it's a great time to start blogging about it. Here we go! I'll be back for more updates. Time for dinner!