CCB takes leave... back into SLo MO

I guess this concludes (for now) the journey of life and its quest for meaning.
James and brother gringo John are both suspended domestically now, but for only an indefinite amount of time. I'd like to keep exploring of course.

Its funny how you discover and learn things most when you don't think and just do. If there is anything I learned this past year, from living abroad. Its more about the amount of knowledge I don't know. I really don't think you can ever learn anything about yourself or the world, unless you change your lifestyle and challenge yourself every once in a while.


The lifestyle back here in Saint Louis is rather well uninspiring frankly. And if there is anything I have learned about being here it is that I am not a school person. Some peolpe just don't do well at school, not because they are dumb or lazy but because of the system. School doesn't really decipher talent or skills. It just further categorizes us. Sure it can be a place to expand your boundaries and challenge your ideas, but what does that mean if you don't work well within the hierarchical system? If you can't tell I'm starting to get burnt out.

I am currently scheduled to be finished in December, till then I'd have to put my life on hold. Well with a little summer fling of course. It be an injustice to the rotation of the earth and seasons if summer wasn't taken fully advantage of.

Panama City

So, as all the schoolchildren return to school, my summer ends as well. I'm in Panama City now -one of the many legs of my long trip home. I finished up at the orphanage and InglesTec yesterday and got on an early flight this morning. I got to go on a tour today and see several cool parts of the city. Also, the Panama Canal is AWESOME.

But, my hotel isn't exactly in the greatest 'hood and all the people here seem a bit touched in the head, particularly compared to Davidians and Boqueteños. Also. now that its dark I{m told I shouldn't go outside around these parts. So, I{m about ready to come home.

¡Orphanage Update! - I went to Casa Trisker for the last time yesterday. I was a little bit bummed. To our surprise, most of the children were there and not in school. When I asked how come no one was in school the kids responded that there papers were not in order. So, that means the employees didn't arrange the proper paperwork to re-enroll the children in school.

On Thursday, we held a charity quiz night at the bar and raised $140 for the orphanage. In two weeks we raised a total of $240 for that and the GEM Project. (Guess who was responsible for the quiz content¿?)

I was quite excited to bequeath the baseball equipment and football to the boys yesterday. I was hoping I could give it to them directly, but after speaking with Bob and Pat, we decided it was best if I left it with them. That way they wouldn't break anymore windows or hurt any of the younger kids. Also, that way it won't disappear. Bob and Pat are highly suspicious of the Trisker employees and think that they often steal items donated to the orphans and bring them to their own families. Bob and Pat have donated unbelievable amounts of time and money to the kids there and have never once heard a thank you from the staff. They bought numerous toys for the kids for X-mas this year which they are now unable to find anywhere on the premises.

I found out a little but about the background of my boys. Angel was born when his mother was only 14 years old. She was allowed to live in the orphanage along with Angel. However, when she turns 18, which is fairly soon, she has to leave. She has to find somewhere else to go. Angel{s mother also suffers from some type of mental handicap. I also found out that mi sobrino Juan was actually born in Trisker. His mother is also a resident.

I'm going to miss those boys. The other day most of the kids were at the beach, but Angel was not allowed because of 'porto malo' - bad behavior. I was kind of proud of him for some reason. Ha!

I'm going to say my prayers and go to sleep. Thankfully there is a squad of police officers who mill about the area and often times chill in the lobby.

More Amazing S**t About Panama

CCB seems to have had a pleasant gala evening in St. Lou. Too bad we couldn't have included some bits from Panamania. I'm sorry I haven't added to the blog lately, but I've been incredibly busy lately. Well, I've lost my sunglasses and my ipod is finally dead so I'm about ready to head back to the good old US of A. But, in the brief time I have remaining I will try to put up those posts I promised. So, without further ado here is "More Amazing S**t About Panama".

As I have mentioned before, Panama is the banking hub of Central America. And they take their banking pretty seriously. So serious that each bank in Panama (even in a small mountain town like Boquete) has a an armed guard in a bulletproof vest and metal detector stationed outside each branch during banking hours. I was reluctant to get to close to take a photo, but that's one of the guards there. If you want to make a deposit or withdrawal or even to make change, they give you a once-over with the wand, pat you down and then let you in.


Here is the machete rack at the local grocery store. They have an assortment of machetes of various sizes and uses at affordable prices.



Observe the price. A 2 1/2-foot-long machete will cost you $3.60. I'm not kidding-I didn't pull that price tag off of some other product like Corn Flakes. The supply is pretty plentiful and maybe the machete lobby is particularly powerful in Panama City so that may be the reason for the low, low prices. Let's compare with a box of Corn Flakes...

That's right machetes are cheaper than Corn Flakes.


In addition to machetes they also have Hamm's beer. To you this might not mean anything but, my father drank this for years before it was discontinued in New York (or they stopped carrying it). I must have fetched my father roughly one thousand of these over the years. New York distributors stopped carrying it around 1995/1996, so I never really got to have one. They are about 55 cents here and they don't taste too bad. Otherwise I haven't seen since they disappeared. They still have the same can.

This is hard to see because it was taken at about 1 in the morning. April and I were coming back from the bar on a Saturday night and we saw this pickup cab pull up around the corner. And all the people who were waiting for it at the bus stop crossed the street to get in. More and more people (almost all Indians) kept approaching the cab. I began to feel terrible because there wouldn't be enough for all of them and this was probably the last cab they would be able to get for the night. However, the driver spent about 10 minutes on the seating arrangements and he fit every single person. There literally must have been 15-20 people in that vehicle and I was amazed. Then he took off towards the mountains and we waved goodbye.

It's Up!!!

Currently on the North wall in the West corridor of Givens Hall on the campus of the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University stands my graphic journal from my entire year of 2009. All of the intriguing stuff I collected from 9 different countries this past year is on display in a chronological mapping till the end of March.
If there is two things I learned while pinning up... and collaging and binder clipping and readjusting my exhibit, one is to not underestimate my ability to hoard shit, and the second is the collective value of friendship. This is a rare and awkward cheesy cameo for me on CCB but friends really do bring out the best in you and ultimately want to help you succeed.


Brendan was a great attribute. I don't think there is a greater love-hate relationship between anybody else in the world. We tend to heckle and exchange barbs all day. In the end he was happy to tee up all my crap

Saint Joneaux (JB Dowse) as always was a positive inspiration and assistance.

This is Jordan Elyse Adsit aka PIE! I'm sure you recognize her, I was lucky to have her in both Helsinki and Seoul and she was unlucky to have me as her roommate both semesters. Ha! We had a blast! I'm sorry if she appears a bit blurry in this photo but that couldn't describe her mentality any better. She is such a fast, efficient worker and I couldn't have asked for anyone better to help me pin up. She's a great designer especially while helping, thanks Pie!


Nick helped with supplying some of the materials


My history professor from Seoul was visiting our school and program, he enjoyed the exhibit.


I'm really happy with how it turned out and I'm certain my friends had a fun time putting it up, certainly more fun than me. Thanks also to Anna Lask, Shirley Banker, Willie Mak and Vaclav Malek.