I've never had formal training with medium format or a twin lens camera for that matter, but I guess that's always the fun part about a new relationship… the getting to know each other part. It also didn't help that the manual was in German and I don't sprechen deutsch. But once we started

     There is something about four equal sides that is visually appealing to my eye and equally important, the art of using a manual camera is appealing to my soul. It's like a one-stop-therapy-shop.

What's my prescription?

     While my love of photography goes beyond the square (I shoot both digital and film), I feel most organic and creative when reaching into the mechanics of old art in order to create new art.

      I saw more of the world in my first two years of mathematics research than the previous twenty years of my life put together- in some sense, then, it is easy to be a mathematical tourist! But whilst their theorems may guarantee them a spot in text books, the names of few mathematicians are to be found in travel books.

      As Anglin writes, the spirit of mathematical study is one of exploration - seeking entirely new territory, or previously overlooked delights in familiar surroundings. This, to me, is how it should be with travel too.

      It is unbelievable how much faith the people of the highlands have in the spirits of nature. Mario also told me that farmers who have their land situated near mountains, often pray to apu (mountain). They believe each mountain has a

      As strange as it sounds, that was when it truly hit me how magical this experience was, and how fortunate I am to have had the opportunity to visit a country full of history and culture.

      As we approached the hostel, the black security guard nodded at me politely while opening the gate. His expression changed when Amos walked by. You see, Amos is a member of the Shangaan, an ethnic group who were among the first black laborers recruited to work in South Africa's gold and diamond mines. Earning a reputation for hard work and efficiency the Shangaan are often dismissed as common laborers, who will do jobs that "prouder" tribes consider to be beneath them.

      Apparently, there is no limit to some people's need to find a social inferior they can look down upon.

      For example, (än), a character used in 'safety' and 'quiet,' is the symbol for woman underneath the symbol for roof.

Look at it.

      After finishing my major in Chinese, I went to Shenzhen, China for a year to teach English at a primary school. I had twenty-nine different classes of fifty students each.

      Shenzhen, a frenetic city of millions, embodies the rapid growth of the new China, constantly digging up and replacing itself to be bigger and flashier. I was often judgmental and quick to anger while living there, and much of my experience was stifling.

      The term 'dynamic balance' comes from my experience as a dancer, trying to work with natural forces like gravity and momentum instead of fighting them. In China, I have found my deepest love affair of endless fascination and frustration. I will never find an even balance, but I have a burning desire to keep trying.

A typical travel experience for me?

      On my way back from Peru, my flight had a stop over in Bogota, so I decided that I might as well explore Colombia. I had heard of this bulletproof vest maker by the name of Miguel Caballero who was based in Bogota. He is called the "Armani of high protection clothes" What made him special is that all his products are high fashion. He's also a marketing genius. He shoots all his employees on their first day on the job with a pistol. Fortunately all these employees wear his gear.

      Pedro, the sales associate who gave me the reception, walked me through the latest product line. After showing me the company video he let me try on some of the products (“Hugo Chavez wore this jacket when he gave a speech in the dessert last month”, said Pedro). What impressed me most were the catalogs. There was a specification table on each page, under the pictures of models wearing the products. The table basically tells you what kind of damage would be done if the company's product is shot within various distances by various firearms. By the end of our conversation Pedro proudly showed me a video clip recording of when his boss shot him.

      Gone are the corner delis and the 4am pizza joints, but oh what an improvement when it comes to Mexican food. Fish tacos, a local favorite here, would never fly back east. And the guacamole! I do miss the Union Square Market but nothing beats a good California avocado.

      So bring it on California! I feel the best is yet to come. In fact, my taste buds are just warming up...