My hope is that I can somehow raise the level of consciousness about world events.

We have had a long held myth of American exceptionalism.

Try to accomplish things you have always dreamt of while you can. I know it sounds cliché, but the biggest lesson I have learned is that life is precious; enjoy it while it lasts.

Hospitality is one of the things the Afghan population is famous for, but nobody says that anymore. Now they're terrorists - and they're not. They're people.

Refrain from being too judgmental. You'll often be surprised by what people have to offer.

When did an old white guy yelling at me, telling me what to think become news? What gives him the right to tell me what to think? When was the last time he was in Iraq or Afghanistan or Sri Lanka... or anywhere that didn't have a beach?

Our time on Earth is so random.