Proposal for rinamarina
Registered on : 2009-05-02
22 year old Female
I am in Denver, CO.
Where in North America I would like to travel this summer and why.
The route I imagine taking.
What I would like to write about and photograph.
This summer, I will be taking a roadtrip up the West Coast of North America starting in Colorado, going through the Grand Canyon, and heading up into Vancouver. I plan to take Highway 1 along the coast to relish in the freeing feeling of the open road. I write about the things that excite me most. Whatever stirs my passions and has captured my imagination. I photograph in a artful way so that I may invoke a feeling rather than just create a pretty picture. My favorite quote is one by William Blake; "To see a world in a grain of sand, and a heaven in a wild flower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour." Although this world is so big, it is also quite small and the beauty of it is everywhere. I inspire to be true to myself in my works and tell all, the good and the bad. My mind is always open to new experiences and I seek exciting avenues in life. Writing and photography are more than just documentation, it is grabbing a moment and encasing it in an everlasting bubble. As the bubbles accumulate, you notice you are flying.
Why I want to travel and what I think I will accomplish.
My background, interests, talents and aspirations.
I have recently gone through my quarter life crisis, during which I realized something valuable. You are what you want to be. And not in the way that you will eventually become what you see yourself being, no. You are at this moment, exactly as you see yourself. If you believe yourself to be happy, you are. If you believe you are successful, then you are. Therefore, I am determined to figure out what I want to be and be it as soon as possible.
I have been traveling for some time now, seeking out every possible opporuntiy. I went to college to be able to live abroad. My living abroad sparked a need to see more. I ended up living on a ship as it circumnavigated the globe. I have learned that buying something in every country is foolish and that trusting the locals is a neccessity. I've discovered that oftentimes it is the moments that take you by surprise that are the ones that stick with you later on.
It is my goal to live life to its fullest. I am willing to take on any event with all five senses. The more you give of yourself to the road, the more it gives back to your life.
My interests are LIFE! Anything and everything. Currently: food, cooking, figure skating, flying planes, traveling, new cultures, new music, art, writing, fitness.
I'll teach you to speak Russian and French while taking you out on the ice and showing you how to skate on one foot. I'm a dedicated listener and am willing to learn anything you have to offer. I'll also probably get you addicted to the Food Network. :P
Some of my writing and photography.
Excerpts from personal journal:
A Whole New Beginning
Excitement is buzzing in the air about
The climax is just taking hold at the navel
There is anticipation with bated breathe rising
I wring my hands, the fire consuming
Waiting in the wings to take centerstage
The line ahead being pushed through slowly
My turn is coming
I can hear the crowd, the lights sparkling
I run out onto stage as gasps of horror
Everyone whispers that I'll get what's coming
Don't listen to them,
They are sheep in wolf's clothing
As they all head off stage, I run to the middle
Arms overhead, taking in not the moment
But smiling towards a whole new beginning
Russian-American
I have recently come to terms with the fact that I live in the United States and that I am Russian-American. I've been denying the fact that I am, in fact, American despite being born in Moscow. In part due to my parents' notion that everything American is bad when in reality, being American is actually pretty cool. Yes, the US is not viewed in good terms as tourists constantly forbid the reversal of the negative image but that doesn't mean I should deny the fact that it is a part of me, an important one. I have the power of changing that view by presenting this country through my own actions in a very different way than is often splashed across the cities of the world by others. However, I should never forget that I was Russian first. I don't ever deny that part like I do my American side, even though Russia has a ridiculously negative image. So with this realization comes a new outlook on the places where I reside. It really isn't so bad here. In fact, I quite like it. This leads to the problem of leaving this country. Will I ever leave now?
Comments:
Your photos truly invoke feeling and go well beyond simple pretty snap shots. They speak. You have the "eye". You also have a philosophical outlook. Some people travel and take snap shots and comment on the obvious, including what they had for lunch, while others see the poetry. The poets make art from life. They put their heart into their journey and their sharing of it. I suspect you have this gift. You are already a true vagabond at heart. I'd like to see you be a vagabond in practice, if only for my own voyeuristic pleasure. P.S. We are all immigrants on this continent, including the American Indians who also came over from Russia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Emily Smith says: May 18 2009 11:56:59 AM
This sounds awesome! There really is nothing like a road trip - good luck on your journey. And it's true, you did get me addicted to Food Network :)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jenelle Lamon says: May 18 2009 12:30:05 PM
Marina- your view of the world is truely inspiring. Can't wait to hear about the travels!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Erika Usui says: May 18 2009 01:05:41 PM
The exerpt from your journal really tells a lot about your inspirations and your very positive outlook on life. The lifestyle of a vagabond is often looked upon as unstable and unreliable, but you show that even though people may try to bring you down, you'll still pursue your dreams to reach your goals. A great trip proposal -- good luck and have fun!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Billy A. Romero says: May 18 2009 02:45:05 PM
Wow!Beautiful words and pictures, always knew you were a very special lady!Good Journey!;)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------AidarAli B says: May 18 2009 04:02:22 AM
Hey Girl! I just got to know the side of Marina that I haven't known before, and think you are amazing. Your photos are great. I really hope you get what you want and reach your goals. Life's beautiful, only if you can see it! I think, you already know it ;) Best of luck.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hal says: May 18 2009 04:57:37 AM
Sounds like you've really put a lot of thought into this. I'd love to read posts from your road trip this summer.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Eddie says: May 19 2009 04:56:32 AM
This sounds amazing. If this were a book, I'd read it.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------kip says: May 19 2009 04:58:58 AM
sublime photos
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bala says: May 19 2009 05:51:52 AM
Marina, If you really want this, all the powers in the world will help you to make it happen! You deserve this trip for just being such a diverse, sincere and beautiful person! cant wait to hear about your adventure!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Marius Klee says: May 19 2009 05:55:46 AM
Hey Sober!! This is amazing. Not only do you openly share your excited view on this beautiful world openly, but you also wish to seek experiences that enrich yourself and others. I find it commendable when people leave their bubble and travel freely, without rules, without agendas, without any kind of purpose besides living the adventure! My heart goes out to you, I wish you well, and I hope that this experience is everything you hope for, and more. All the best, and I'll be looking forward to updates!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Bala says: May 19 2009 05:51:52 AM
Marina, If you really want this, all the powers in the world will help you to make it happen! You deserve this trip for just being such a diverse, sincere and beautiful person! cant wait to hear about your adventure!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Marius Klee says: May 19 2009 05:55:46 AM
Hey Sober!! This is amazing. Not only do you openly share your excited view on this beautiful world openly, but you also wish to seek experiences that enrich yourself and others. I find it commendable when people leave their bubble and travel freely, without rules, without agendas, without any kind of purpose besides living the adventure! My heart goes out to you, I wish you well, and I hope that this experience is everything you hope for, and more. All the best, and I'll be looking forward to updates!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Marius Klee says: May 19 2009 05:55:46 AM
Hey Sober!! This is amazing. Not only do you openly share your excited view on this beautiful world openly, but you also wish to seek experiences that enrich yourself and others. I find it commendable when people leave their bubble and travel freely, without rules, without agendas, without any kind of purpose besides living the adventure! My heart goes out to you, I wish you well, and I hope that this experience is everything you hope for, and more. All the best, and I'll be looking forward to updates!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Tina says: May 19 2009 10:44:59 AM
I love this! I didn't really realize before how gifted you are as a photographer! I LOVE those photos! And your writing is a joy. That's why they should pick you: because you've got it all. You tell it how it is. That's what I've always admired about you. You're an incredibly curious individual, always seeking more in the ordinary, and throughout it all you have a quality most people have the most trouble with: staying true to yourself. You don't sugarcoat anything and that's why I'd love to read about your adventures, to be able to see it through your eyes!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------meme says: May 19 2009 11:00:54 AM
Please write a travel book. It would be a bestseller.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Denis says: May 19 2009 01:11:56 PM
You’re a talented photographer, a good writer, and apparently a pretty cool person, may the peace and love that you seek find their way into your heart in the best ways possible:)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Anthony says: May 21 2009 09:29:18 AM
This is legit. You have a keen eye for truth, truth beauty. I hope you never stop traveling and learning about this world. Keep on keeping on.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------JR says: May 21 2009 05:09:52 AM
I can feel your passion by reading this and seeing the photos. "The world is my home and there's a lot of rooms" and "travel itself is a vehicle to life" are my favor lines.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------k.ojima says: May 24 2009 11:30:21 AM
things are so much bigger on a road trip and it is so much easier to get lost. there are so many reasons to travel, and you seem to have found yours and it is beautiful. I envy your drive, your confidence, your poetic vision. Travel well.
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