The Bandjoun nomad

Paid a visit to a slave museum in Mercado Dos Escravos, Lagos, Portugal. Although it's clear they tried to not be too gruesome with artifacts but rather more informative on town history and Negro assimilation, this picture struck me to the core. The African/black man/woman WAS and still IS in bondage. Bondage of the mind (self-hatred) and of the body (racism). Bondage of poor access to healthcare, housing, sanitation and job opportunities. The reflection of the chains (in this picture) symbolizes a foreshadow of its impact on our children and probably our children's children. A museum will NEVER fix that. There's so much atrocities in this world. Most of them are rationalized and institutionalized so it's negative connotations is removed (through legal jargon) or plainly ignored (through our silence). Self-reflection on one's actions in this world must be mandatory. An appreciation of the beauty of ALL mankind MUST be imprinted in our minds. "We are fearfully a...

April 2005. We were young and wild. The world and our responsibilities in it was a foreign concept. We lived for the moment. This was campus church team-building camp, where we got to let go our insecurities and just try your best. Just. Your. Best.  Somehow, that concept is so complicated to grasp and practice. We care too much about the outcome and don't focus on the process. Life will have muddy puddles and hanging ropes. Focus on the process. And remember there's always someone else going through the same thing. Reach out. You might just make a lifelong friendship. More photos:

The last couple of months have been, for a lack of the better word, life-changing. I know that such words as "flash-of-light", "out-of-body experience", "life-changing" are often thrown in conversations to get attention on yourself. But I honestly believe my life trajectory and priorities have taken a "left-turn" in the last few months. Above all, the last few months, I got to start filling the empty hole that I didn't want to admit was part of my life: knowing my roots. Visiting and staying at the places where my ancestors grew up, from both sides of my family, was an enriching experience. Getting to connect with cousins, uncles, aunts and elders have been both overwhelming and enthralling. Being away from my family has reinforced my commitment to them to strive to always be the best version of me. I've learned for the first time, a family is not where you find people that look like you but rather people who just want ...