The Community Made Of Us - Trailers

          Its been a little over 5 months since I began this blog and this journey to find, "The Community: Made of Us" and I can honestly say I have learned quite a lot. Meeting people from all walks of life and all over the United States, there is never a dull moment during my travels. Whether it was taking a shot with a live fish in it, to hiking to the highest point in L.A. there was always room to take my next trip further.

          Even with that being said, I have been working on a short film documenting the past few months of my life's travels and I must say it has taken me longer to put this together than I have expected. Nevertheless, every time I take a look at my "work in progress" I can't help to remember why I started this journey and where I though it would take me. Unsure of what lay ahead of me in the next few months, or where I would be in the next few years.

          Not everything in this world is a sign, nor does everything have a purpose, sometimes, things just...are. What we make of it is a manifestation of what we want, and what we want is a product of our own minds. This kind of mindset keeps me focused on what I plan to do with my life, although I don't know the details just yet, I know where I want to go. Just like any other Floridian in a summer rainstorm, you may not see the lines, but you can still see the road.

          So, to commemorate my soon to be finished, "work in progress" I made the 3rd and final trailer for my project. I also included the links to my first two trailers if you wanted to check them out! Be sure to leave comments on the videos! (Be sure to put them in HD!)

Link to Trailer 3

Link to Trailer 2

Link to Trailer 1

Looking Back Thus Far...

My face at the beginning of "The Community Made of Us"

          So, after quitting my job, selling most of my belongings, and traveling the U.S. for  a month and a half. I have finally made it back to my family in Orlando. Driving over nine thousand miles, eating anything from raw sweet potatoes to amazing home cooked meals, and even sleeping in the freezing cold to having an apartment to myself a block from the beach, I have no words to sum up such an experience, what I felt, who I met, and how in the heck I made those long hour drives without going crazy (haha). This project I call," The Community Made of Us" is not just about me and my journey, but rather the people that I met along the way. 

My mother and I riding the sun rail for the first time in Orlando, FL

Hanging with my new friend Isaiah on Highway 1 on California's coast

Hanging out with the spanish fruit gang in Charleston, SC

The tiny sober dinosaur from L.A.

          From the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean and every lake in between I found myself in a different situation ever time. Looking back at the beginning of this trip, I remember thinking what people would think when I told them what I've done. What would I do after I finish the trip? Will "The Community Made of Us" really become something greater? Would this idea of community even catch on? And yet I never thought I would receive the support that I have thus far. People that I never expected to hear from have told me how inspired they've become, how the look at ideas like this and appreciate what they mean. Still, I couldn't help but to feel odd when I arrived back home in Orlando.  After such an amazing trip, I was back to reality, and responsibility, but that wasn't the issue. 

Hanging out with Ru, Ivan, and Bar in Savannah after I just met them earlier in Savannah, GA

Marley's Collie live at Tanquray's in Downtown Orlando, FL

Hanging with my friend Kelly on International Drive in Orlando, FL

Having a little seat in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

          I arrived home to with a feeling of sadness and anxiety. First off is how I can get back to my normal routine and to the security that I once held so high on my life's pedestal? After about a week of aimlessly wandering and emotionally playing a tug of war inside, I reminded myself of the reason I made this journey in the first place. To create the connections with people that I would have otherwise never have done before. To help make a difference in others lives and show them that our desires and what we can achieve is as possible as they can imagine it. That when you are unhappy at what your doing, make the plan to get yourself on the right path, and execute it. After I realized this, I soon felt the sadness within me, turn into my passion, and thus creating an emotional alchemy within myself.

 Hanging with my best friend Valentina, and her little sister Jenny in Charlotte, NC

Cool girl Emily and I making faces in Albuquerque, NM

Frisbee golfing at the park with some new friends in L.A.

Conner the Bear at the bar with Shawna dancing on the side in Nashville, TN

          So, now I find myself creating a basis for myself in order to continue this story of community. I can't help but to feel as though the memories I made can't be out done, but like I said before, this is only the beginning, and there's a whole world out there to see. So to give you a little taste of my experiences and some of the situations I found myself in with strangers, that became my friends, that later became part of this greater community, here are some of my favorite photos from along my trip. There is still much to tell, and as I settle in to make my next big leap, I am busy, editing my first film project, planning for my next adventure, and looking for the best moment to take that leap of faith once more. Thank you again and hope to see you around, wherever you are...

Ornella, a Peruvian from NJ, and Kenny, a Peruvian from NJ hanging out at Little Hong Kong in Arlington, TX

Goofing around with Callie in Phoenix, AZ

Somewhere in the Middle of Arkansas lol

Children that I sold some candy with in East L.A., CA

My friend Amanda riding a hog in downtown Asheville, NC

       

         Stay tuned to check out more posts as I continue my adventures, and check out the trailers to the small film I am making below. Use the hashtag #MadeOfUs, repost the video on your pages, and remember, it doesn't take much to be part of The Community, when someone helps you, make sure you pass it on.

The Community: Made of Us (Trailer)
and

The Community: Made of Us (Trailer 2)

Follow and support, "The Community Made of Us" here:

Facebook.com/TheCommunityMadeOfUs

Instagram:@TheCommunityMadeOfUs

Twitter:     @TCMadeOfUs

San Diego, California

          Oh San Diego, how you tease me with your beauty and rebellious nature. I can honestly say you set the tone for paradise and explorer allure with your enchanting views and eclectic inhabitants. What a place to see in your lifetime, there are so many "favorite spots" in such an small area in comparison to the whole of California that it would take a year to visit them all. Where do I begin with such a statement of natural and architectural beauty? Do I start from the edge of Sunset Cliff, or perhaps at the one of the many hiking trails around the city? Or maybe one of the most important places along my trip, my brothers house.

Cool pic of some birds flying a the beach

My brother Mike, sis in law Claire, and I at Balboa Park

           I have been to San Diego before to visit my oldest brother Victor but it was at younger times and lets just say my view on the world was not as developed as now. From what I remember, people were very active in their day to day life, runners everywhere, beach crusier bikes criss-crossing the streets, and dogs following on the leash. It was a very active and alive city with weather that Florida, unfortunately can't touch. I arrived at night to my brother Michael and his awesome Fiance, Claire's, cool apartment that overlooks an awesome view. After I had settled in, my brother offered to take me out, and if you every find time to enjoy the night life of San Diego, check out the Gas Lamp district, you won't be disappointed.

My brother Mike and I at Whisky Girl in the Gas Lamp District

Cool mariachi remix on the street

I found an Olivia Wilde look a like!

          All in all, my brother an I had a great time bar hopping all over. As he stood at the bars talking his military talk I enjoyed live music, teaching salsa/bachata to the locals, meeting a girl that looked like Olivia Munn, and listening to mariachi remixes to some classics. Oh what a night as we stumbled back into his apartment late that night, and this was just the beginning. The next morning we woke up early and decided we should all go on a hike in one of San Diego's beautiful trails, so how can I say no to that, also, it's such a good way to hydrate. We arrived in Torrey Pines National Reserve and boy was that a sight for sore eyes. With its vast beach front beginning, to its steep hills, and ending at some of the most beautiful cliff like bridges with a beautiful views, it was definately a beautiful feeling to enjoy with my brother and sis, and my sisters friend lol. Lunch was shortly after, and I have not been to such a city that offered so many healthy options in such a small area. No wonder why everyone here is pretty fit lol.

My brother, his fiancé, her friend and I on beautiful hike.

A view of the beauty of San Diego

            The next morning I was able to hang out with some of the people I met the first night I was in town and they decided to take me to Ocean Beach. We walked down the coastline and just relaxed all day. There was no dull moment as people ran past singing embarrassing songs, the noise of the ocean in the distance and a plethora of coffee and outdoor seating along the boardwalk. It all lead up to meeting an awesome fellow traveler on the Crystal Pier Hotel and she definitely, definitely has a cool thing going on.

Artistic photo featuring Kellee from KelleeSetGo

Interviewing Kellee

          Her name was Kellee and she has earned many hats on her journey in life, a pilot, scuba diver, world traveler and an ultimate adrenaline junkie. I met her when she walked into my photos and turns out it came out pretty good. She was equipped a cool looking penny board, her cell, her friend, and an awesome attitude. She's traveled to 30 countries thus far, including parts of North and West Africa, Asia, South and Central America, Europe and the UAE. She has trekked Volcanos, zip lined in Mayan jungles, and scuba dove in Greece, Thailand, Israel and the Dominican Republic. Although our journeys are different, I was able to learn a lot about travel from her experiences and videos on her site. Take a moment to check it out by clicking here. She is definitely an inspiration of mine and I hope I get to run into her again, thanks again for the words of wisdom Kellee and good luck!



"Look a the snail, right there!"

                                        

Museum of Man

Every see a public wedding in action? She said, she did (haha)

Awesome Street performer named Chris with his song, "I am my own grandpa"

Hodads memorial for its late owner, Mike Hardin

Bar and I goofing around

          The next day I was able to check out Balboa Park with my brother and sis-in law. There were characters left and right and no shortage of things to see. From the cathedrals and rose gardens, to live music and weddings, this park had it all. I didn't think there would be much else that can keep me awestruck in such a short amount of time but I was wrong. Even the fresh squeezed lemonade was AMAZING. With such an awesome day and awesome time hanging with my bro and sis, I didn't know how my San Diego adventure would be so great or that it would turn out the way it did, but the next day it just got that much crazier. Remember my friend Bar from Savannah, Georgia, the one I sang karaoke with at a bar (haha)? Well, turns out we ran into each other in a famous restaurant named Hodads in San Diego. What a small world! We hung out and ate some of the most delicious burgers we have ever had. We hung out for a bit and checked out the beach as well as the shrine they made for their late owner. It was an adventure and I don't know what I will see that will out due such an awesome adventure, but until then, I am on the road again.

The beautiful view of Sunset Cliffs

        Next stop I find myself driving to Tuscon, Albequrque, and Oklahoma City and meeting some cool people along the way. Check out the trailers to the documentary I am making below. Use the hashtag #TheCommunityMadeOfUs, repost the video on your pages, and remember, it doesn't take much to be part of The Community, and when someone helps you, make sure you pass it on.

The Community: Made of Us (Trailer)
and

The Community: Made of Us (Trailer 2)

Follow and support The Community Made of Us here:

Facebook.com/TheCommunityMadeOfUs

Instagram:@TheCommunityMadeOfUs

Twitter:     @TCMadeOfUs

Support by donating: http://www.gofundme.com/TCMadeOfUs