Lately I’ve noticed my addiction to the cross cultures, but especially within movies. Most of the titles I own are about Africa, China, and the Middle East. And these intense desires are to basically see and live with the other cultures. The other ways I’ve demanded their history is through reading the current news, getting their music, finding online photos, and studying their major metropolitan areas.

It’s sad that I’ve only been to Latin American countries (Chile, Mexico, Guatemala), the Caribbean (Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Croix), Canada, and Hawaii. China and Africa have been on my heart the most. It’s for two completely different reasons. Africa is more obvious with its wide amount of wars, diseases, and poverty. I mean where do you start? I’m starting with reading the history of their different nations, so I can better understand the conflict and maybe what brought upon such great catastrophe. China is more of a curiosity. They are becoming. Places like Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing are on the top of the list to visit and grasp. Their cities are growing and astronomical rates and are demanding that the more simple people of the nation adapt. I bet there’s a real vibe of excitement in the air.

You’ll have to excuse this short set of thoughts because my heart wants to express more, but maybe you should take a journey with me first, so today I’ll help you begin the journey with me, so watch these movies and listen to the soundtracks I’ve listed. This is a start to the hearts of other nations. Tomorrow I’ll give you more on what I want to do about my heart.

A list of some Movie Titles to watch:
• Mountain Patrol : China (A-)
• Four Feathers : Africa/England (A+)
• Tears of the Sun : Africa (B)
• Blood Diamond : Africa (A)
• Hero : China (B+)
• Hotel Rwanda : Africa (A-)
• Motorcycle Diaries : South America (B+)
• Osama : Afghanistan (A-)
• Memoirs of a Geisha : Japan (A-)
• Last Samurai : Japan (B)
• End of the Spear : Central American (B+)
• Black Hawk Down : Africa (B+)
• Babel : Africa/Mexico/Japan (C)
• Seven Years in Tibet : China (B)
• Munich : Jewish/Middle East (B+)
• Schindler’s List : Jewish/German (A-)

These titles are mixed with real and fake stories / renditions that either Hollywood made or an indie crew. But I’m guessing you’ll get the point with each one. I would also recommend some soundtracks to buy and listen to (Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven, Black Hawk Down).

summertime is still my favorite time of year. When I go hiking or just walking around in December I'm still envisioning it being summer time... Colorado doesn't keep its snow, but it still gets pretty cold.

I guess I'm just missing the smell and feel of the summer breeze.

I think my dream place would have to be a warm place all year round. Never go below 50 degrees, but never above 86. Not too humid like the jungle, but not as dry as Colorado. I would want mountains and the ocean. The water would have to be as clear as the Caribbean and the mountains as jagged as the Andes.

In my dream city, there would have to be a river spreading into 3 different rivers that run into the sea. But these rivers would be clear and fresh like the ocean so people could scuba and snorkel. There would also be a huge waterfall at the edge of downtown which would be situated at the edge of the most famous mountain peak.

how beautiful.