― John Green, Looking for Alaska
What's in a Name?
Hurricanes--Destructive and mysterious forces of nature.
Yet...
Within every hurricane there exists an eye. This is something that has always captivated me. How is it possible that within such chaos, destruction and darkness, there is something so utterly peaceful and beautiful?
7 years ago, a massive hurricane set shore in New Orleans and parts of Texas causing unprecedented and utterly devastating destruction and loss. The good people at WMO or the World Meteorological Organization decided to name this hurricane KATRINA--my name.
I have always thanked my lucky stars that I was bestowed with loving and intelligent parents who gave me a nice, comfortable name that was never the subject of much ridicule on the playground or elsewhere for that matter. However, when hurricane Katrina occurred, the word became a deadly weapon and I--the butt of many an unfortunate joke.
One aunt quipped "Aren't you glad they don't name snowstorms?" I had grown up in snowy Colorado for most of my life so on that end...I was thankful.
When I was in college, I had the privilege of being in an English class that got to read the first unofficial copy of a New Orleans native/refugee play about the social effect of the hurricane. It was a stunning piece of work and I felt honored to be one of its first readers. However, at the end of the day when I eagerly approached this beautiful author with dreadlocks and bangles and asked her to sign my copy of the play, she asked me what my name was. I remember feeling my stomach drop as I mumbled my name. She laughed nervously as if I was the manifestation of a bad omen of some sort. Quite frankly, I couldn't help but feel a bit guilty as if I had somehow caused massive death and destruction just by simply existing.
Thankfully, as the years went by the word had less power and it became a sort of tool for me to help people remember my name at large gatherings. I cannot count the number of times I've had this conversation "Oh, hi nice to meet you. My name is ______. And you are?" "Katrina....like the hurricane" OR "I'm sorry, I can't quite remember your name." "Think hurricane: New Orleans."
Somehow, whether I like it or not, Katrina the name and Katrina the hurricane have become inextricably linked.
The Endeavor
So as some of you many know. I'm going on the massive and epic trip around the world. Like, literally--I'm circumnavigating the globe. I anticipate this trip being completely life changing, beautiful, terrible, inspiring, exhausting, destructive and transformational--kinda like a hurricane.
When I am alone in an unfamiliar setting--which is usually my favorite way to challenge myself, hence the travel--my only comfort is writing. Somehow seeing my own words on paper reminds me that I am still present with myself and my world. I can observe and feel and wonder and hurt and it's alright. All part of the human experience, baby!
Midst all of the chaos that will ensue during these 6 months, this will be my place of refuge, my stronghold of verbal assurance and stability and my connection to you all as I desperately try to express my experience.
From the short life that I have lived so far, I know that within every person there is an "eye"--a place of utter peace, the dark ocean floor underneath a raging storm. Throughout this trip, I anticipate traveling through many hurricanes of my own and hopefully experiencing just as many "eyes."
What also intrigues me is why they call it a eye in the first place. They could have called it "big gaping hole" or "calm spot" or something, but no. Eyes are such powerful things when they are open. There is a difference between looking and SEEING and I believe that it is with our own inner eye that we SEE. John Newton certainly was talking about something a bit deeper when he wrote "I once was blind but now I see."
So now, I cordially invite you to join me as I travel to Bali, Thailand, India, Italy, France, Argentina and Brazil (as well as any other countries that might sneak in there), witness my hurricanes with me and see what I SEE.
There is a storm coming, folks and I think it's going to be a good one.
