About

In February of 2003, I bought a blank journal at the Merchandise Mart stop off of the brown line train in Chicago.  For some reason, I began asking strangers on the train (mostly the red line) to write or draw in it.  I would always ask, "Excuse me, would you mind writing or drawing in this book?"  Almost everyone I asked obliged. I did this from that day in Feb. through the beginning of May.

Doing this definitely took me out of my comfort zone.  But more than that, it helped me see those around me in a different light.  My presumptions about others were always blown out of the water when I would go to see what they had written.  I kept their entries as little surprises for myself, waiting until the following day to look at them.  It was fun for me, and made my daily commute on the train much, MUCH more interesting.  Judging from many of the entries, it helped make those people's day more interesting too!

Little did I know at the time, that this experience would be instrumental in changing my life.  Please be sure to visit the "Testimony" page to read about that.  It is amazing how one person's simple entry, which almost didn't even happen, made such a difference for me.  Thanks Dee, whoever, wherever you are.  I'm glad you decided to go ahead and write in my book after all!

 A few years later I found myself in Hong Kong for the second time.  I was going to be there for a month, and I was compelled to do it again.  The people in Hong Kong were so welcoming, and were always happy to leave a note.  Again, I connected to people in ways I wouldn't have otherwise.  It made memories for me that I will never forget.  As I say on the back cover of the Hong Kong book,

Pushing beyond boundaries

set by fear and presumptions

is important to do

if we are to discover our similarities.