My Tribe Blog

"Civil war looms in Madagascar" -according to the BBC

madbunny — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:46:56 GMT

The situation in Madagascar has continued to escalate, and now it seems they are gearing up for a civil war. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7937264.stm All of the remaining Peace Corps volunteers in the country are currently being evacuated. Meanwhile, the military has threatened to take control of the government because the standing government and the opposition have not come to a resolution in the last three months, and more people are being harmed and killed in protests all over the country. Major cities have been blockaded off to the rest of the country, and it seems that military presence is everywhere. And the worst part is how LITTLE news I can find ANYWHERE about what is going on. There's 20 million people in Madagascar, most of them children. Oh, and I love it when I mention Madagascar, and people only know about the cartoon. No, actually, it's a real place on earth. This is what happens when DJ's let power go to their heads: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7859093.stm Seriously? A DJ is heading up the civil war?

Back in the U.S.... back in the U.SSSS.A!

madbunny — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 09:05:52 GMT

After two long years in Africa, I finally made it back to the states, safe and sound. It was a bit of a dramatic exit with a government take-over currently in progress in the capital of Madagascar, but I managed to escape the ordeal unharmed! There's more of an update, as usual, on my website at http://blog.glowingz.com For now, I'm in the process of getting into graduate school in a Landscape Architecture program. I'm just now receiving my acceptance letters, so I'll be making a decision on where to go in the coming weeks! And it seems that tribe.net usage has declined since I was away. I followed the masses over to facebook, so be sure to connect up with me there if we haven't already! I look forward to seeing all of your beautiful faces up close and personal out on a dance floor near you ASAP! Get in touch! I miss you!!!!

Book Recommendations

madbunny — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:48:31 GMT

Being in the Peace Corps, I tend to have a lot of free time. I've read more novels in this last year than I care to admit. I wanted to share these particular books because they're all real life truly inspiring stories. Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World http://www.amazon.com/Mountains-Beyond-Quest-Farmer-Would/dp/0812973011/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213082790&sr=1-1 Dr Farmer is a real life hero fighting disease and poverty in some of the most impoverished countries in the world. Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time http://www.amazon.com/Three-Cups-Tea-Mission-Promote/dp/0143038257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213082693&sr=1-1 A mountain climber gets lost on a mountain in Pakistan. When he turns up in a small village and finds the people he befriends there have no school, he begins his mission to build schools in some of the most remote regions of the Himalayas. Amazing story! The 100 Mile Diet: A Year of Local Eating http://www.amazon.com/100-Mile-Diet-Year-Local-Eating/dp/0679314830/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213081958&sr=1-2 A young couple write about their experience eating entirely local foods found within 100 miles of their home in British Columbia. If you're a fan of supporting your local farmers (or even if you're not!) read this book to find out how eating local foods can help save the planet! The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring http://www.amazon.com/Wild-Trees-Story-Passion-Daring/dp/0812975596/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213082401&sr=1-1 This is a story about biologists who spend their time researching in the forest canopy of some of the tallest trees in the world (including my personal favorite, the redwoods). I admire people who take risks for things they feel passionately about. That's the main reason I recommend all of these books. If you have any other books you recommend, please tell me about them. Or better yet, send it over! BP 36 Mananara Nord 511 Madagascar Here's my Amazon wish list: https://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/AVHR2PP63Z83/ Thanks. Mazatoa! (Malagasy for "enjoy!")

See you in 2009!

madbunny — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 20:05:21 GMT

This will be my last post on tribe for awhile. Madagascar, here I come! I'm leaving California in less than 2 days. Can you believe it!? From now on all updates will be on my personal website. I'm shamelessly plugging my newly redesigned blog at: http://blog.glowingz.com You can sign up for e-mail updates, so you can hear about what's happening as soon as I write: http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=152532 I hope you all will check in on me while I'm away. And if you think of it, send me letters! Snail mail is all the rage in Madagascar. Here's my address: Helen Graham, PCT Peace Corps Corps de la Paix B.P. 12091 Poste Zoom Ankorondrano 101 Antananarivo Madagascar It only costs $0.84 to send a letter to Madagascar. Send me some love! Mail takes around two weeks to arrive... So write now! And write often! :-) Lots of love to you all. I will think of you often... Yours truly, Helen

on my way to Madagascar!

madbunny — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 01:40:29 GMT

It's official!! I'm heading to Madagascar on February 19th to start my service with the Peace Corps!! It's not exactly West Africa like I had originally thought. Instead, they're sending me to an exotic island in the Indian Ocean. AND I'll be doing environmental work as an agroforestry volunteer until April 2009!! Amazing.... See what Wikipedia has to say about it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madagascar Also be sure to check in with me on my blog at: http://www.glowingz.com Keep in touch, my friends! And come visit me in my remote African island village!! I hope to celebrate with you all this New Years Eve at the Sea of Dreams! Thank you all for your continual love and support. Love love love!

Helen's Four Agreements

madbunny — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 09:08:35 GMT

smile brightly and always laugh regularly and genuinely love often and deeply breathe......

The Rainbow Connection

madbunny — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 06:42:09 GMT

Why are there so many songs about rainbows And what's on the other side? Rainbows are visions, but only illusions, And rainbows have nothing to hide. So we've been told and some choose to believe it I know they're wrong, wait and see. Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection, The lovers, the dreamers and me. Who said that every wish would be heard and answered when wished on the morning star? Somebody thought of that and someone believed it, and look what it's done so far. What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing? And what do we think we might see? Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers and me. All of us under its spell, we know that it's probably magic.... Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices? I've heard them calling my name. Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors? The voice might be one and the same. I've heard it too many times to ignore it. It's something that I'm supposed to be. Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection, the lovers, the dreamers and me. La, la la, La, la la la, La Laa, la la, La, La la laaaaaaa -Kermit the Frog

Earthdance '06

madbunny — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 06:34:46 GMT

What a beautiful festival!!! Lots of love and goodness all around. The prayer for peace was amazing, I had energy vibrating through my fingertips. Wavy Gravy said it best.... "Y!... U!.. M! What's that spell!?" "YUM!!!" YUM!! Now I'm off to Symbiosis! FESTIVAL!!!!! Woot! Here are a few photos from Earthdance! http://www.glowingz.com/photos/music/earthdance06/earthdance06.html Love love love!

Finally dusted myself off...

madbunny — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 22:42:58 GMT

Wow. The playa is everything I ever could have imagined and nothing like I ever could have imagined all at once, every moment, every sunrise, every sunset. Every speck of dust! Everything out there seems to happen for a reason. Any expectations you might have are constantly blown to the wind. And I wouldn't have it any other way. :-) When so many people are gathered together with the intention of living in the moment, it's amazing how special the moments can be. Thanks to everyone I shared moments with out there this year. You're all so beautiful. Keep the spirit alive. Here are my photos: http://www.glowingz.com/photos/burningman/2006/2006.html

My Playa Address Book

madbunny — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 18:25:07 GMT

To all my playa-bound friends: Let me know where you're camping on the playa so I can stop by and say hello! Also, let me know what day you plan to arrive. And if there are any events I MUST check out... Tell me about them now!! I'm trying to put together an address book, so pretty please reply here. And if you want to find me, I'm registering as Helen Evergreen at Center Camp. I should be on the playa around sunset on Sunday. I will hopefully be somewhere in the vicinity of 3:30 and Eager, with the Flowa'/Flog Dome. You can also find me on channel 14, subchannel 27.

back in Californ-i-a

madbunny — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 22:08:43 GMT

Now that I'm back in the good ol' US of A, and I'm finally starting to feel settled after a fabulous festival in the high sierras, I was able to upload all of my photos from Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize. My blog has also been updated to include photos from my travel adventures, so check it out, if you'd like. Here's my blog: http://glowingz.typepad.com And here is the photo album: http://www.glowingz.com/photos/travel/guatemala/guatemala.html Thanks everyone for checking in on me while I was away. Hope to catch up with all of you soon! Oh, and also, an update on my dad! He's doing great, and recovering well after the accident. I'm heading to Texas next week to spend some time with him. Thanks everyone for your concern and support. I have no doubt that your prayers and thoughts reached him during his healing. Muchas gracias amigos!

The Salutation of the Dawn

madbunny — Sun, 21 May 2006 15:37:59 GMT

...Our yesterdays are but dreams Our tomorrows are merely visions But today lived well makes Every yesterday a dream of joy And each tomorrow a vision of promise. -Sanskrit Poem (5th Century CE)

adios muchachos!

madbunny — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 19:19:44 GMT

As of tomorrow, I'm off to Central America where I plan to spend the next four months studying Spanish and learning about the culture in Guatemala. I hope to check in occasionally, and I plan to update about my adventures on my website at this address: http://glowingz.typepad.com/blog/guatemala Bookmark it! And if you love me, you'll leave me comments too. ;-) Chao mis amigos!

Sea of Dreams 05 (with photos!)

madbunny — Mon, 02 Jan 2006 05:06:36 GMT

New Year's Eve at the Sea of Dreams was quite the party last night!! I'm glad I made the last minute decision to show up. It was fun surprising people that weren't expecting to see me there. :-) The venue was great. Nice cozy chill spaces with beautiful art work all around. Eye candy everywhere you looked. Plus great music and good vibes from everyone. Afterwards, Elise and I hit up the Lowpro Lounge which turned out to be not too exciting. Then I ended up at the Breakfast of Champions where I partied until 2 in the afternoon. What a party too. I've never quite seen anything like it. A bunch of dance addicts still up after a night of partying. Fun times. Happy New Year everyone!!! Here's a link to the few photos I took: http://www.glowingz.com/photos/music/nye05/nye05.html

a few photos from Peru

madbunny — Sun, 27 Nov 2005 21:53:08 GMT

I just couldn't wait to share while I had the chance. There's a lot more where these came from, but here are a few of my favorites so far. Hope you like these! http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=7joumbi7.9qnktkav&x=0&y=wrhfvo

Farewell friends!!

madbunny — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 20:02:13 GMT

That's right, I'm leaving the country! My bag is packed, and I'm heading off to Peru. My flight takes off in the morning, and I'll be back in December. I plan to keep in touch on my website: http://www.glowingz.com Check in on me there! Bye everyone!! Much love, Helen

underbite reunion

madbunny — Tue, 01 Nov 2005 19:44:31 GMT

Fun times at the Lizard Ranch! Some of the best performers this day and age! underbite, Captain Coco Nutz, The Twakettes, and the Happy Brigade's very own solo Trippendale dancer. The Pope even made an appearance for this sold out show at the farm! Here are my photos: http://www.glowingz.com/photos/music/underbite/reunion/reunion.html Elise got some great photos from the weekend too: http://n8trgrl.org/halloween2005.html Max said it best... We really are good at creating our own fun. Lime green is SO HOT right now. Farewell friends, see you next time!

The Junkyard at Decompression

madbunny — Sun, 09 Oct 2005 02:00:10 GMT

I just wanted to let everyone know that the Junkyard, my Burning Man crew, will be hosting a lounge at Decompression this year. We'll be setting up on Indiana between 18th and 19th Street in Potrero Hill all day Sunday (the 9th). Stop by and say hello!! Look for the giant green nose. Stay for the pink flamingoes. Hope to see you there!

Love Parade 2005

madbunny — Wed, 28 Sep 2005 07:32:23 GMT

How I love the Love Parade! The weekend was most excellent, filled with lots of love and good friends, just how I like it. Have I mentioned how much I love San Francisco? Here's a link to my photos: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=7joumbi7.b5ydfdlv&x=0&y=-s0jq15 And check out Elise's photos too: http://www.n8trgrl.org/LoveParade.html

Hornings Hideout 2005

madbunny — Wed, 10 Aug 2005 07:08:28 GMT

Yet another beautiful festival... Here are my photos: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=7joumbi7.7rmzds5v&x=0&y=-hgj1hv