LIst of Places I would like to visit

I guess my impending trip to New Orleans has got me thinking...so, here is a list of places inside the US and outside the US I would like to visit.

Domestic:

1. New Orleans.... :) I've always wanted to go...so hurry up next week!!!!!
2. Las Vegas.....bright lights, lots of sounds...sign me up!!!
3. Gila Cliff Dwellings...they're in New Mexico. You watched videos on them in elementary.
4. Hawaii.....I'm sure that needs no explanation. :)
5. Washington, D.C.....yes, I am a poli sci nerd.
6. Graceland.....just because I adore Elvis.
7. New York City...again with the bright lights. Oh, and the shopping.
8. Disney World. Because I love Mickey!!!!!!!
9. The Great Smoky Mountains...how beautiful to wake up to that view!!!
10. Niagra Falls...so pretty!!!!!

International:

1. Machu Picchu....I want to go here sooo bad. Its so beautiful.
2. Great Barrier Reef...such a beautiful place with so much life!!!
3. Petra...In Jordan. Its so amazingly beautiful.
4. The Pyramids of Egypt...I have always been fascinated by them.
5. The Wailing Wall...and Jerusalem over all. I would love to be at the birthplace of religion.
6. Tortola...British Virgin Islands. Google image it for my reason. <3
7. Venice...I would love to float on a gondola though a beautiful city.
8. Germany...there is so much about Germany I would love to see. And the beer.
9. Ireland...where my ancestors are from. And great beer...
10. Paris...because sometimes I am cliche. And I like escargot.

Reflections and Rambling

It is so hard to live in the world today. Violence is breaking out everywhere, its in a new place every day. From the killings and kidnappings in Mexico, the 12 gunmen shooting at the Sri Lankan cricket team, all of the violence in Sudan, not to mention the natural disasters in Germany and Peru. Everywhere you look there is crime, poverty, sadness, and desperation. Still, I can't help but have faith in humankind.

Many times in our history it has appeared that the world is coming apart at its seams. The 60's are a great example of this. 32 countries gained independence from their rulers, and not without battles. London suffered horrors that it had not seen in centuries. Civil rights were non-existant for those that did not meet the standards set by an ethnocentric and racist nation. There were political and racial assinations that spanned the globe. Then, in the late 60's, the social revolution took hold.

I'm not saying that the nation needs to turn into hippies again. No seriously, no hippies. But I am hopeful for an organic movement, somewhere, that can start repairing the hurt we are experiencing. The 1960's had music to save it. The Beatles helped created a mass movement of peace, understanding, love, and imagination. They revolutionized the world through their lyrics, and through their songs.

I can only hope that our generation is lucky enough to have this same thing happen to us. And that its not the Jonas Brothers.

You say you want a revolution
Well you know
We'd all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well you know
We'd all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be alright

You say you got a real solution
Well you know
We'd all want to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well you know
We're all doing what we can
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell you is brother you'll have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be alright

You say you'll change the constitution
Well you know
We'd all love to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well you know
You better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know know it's gonna be alright
Alright