“What will this day be to me?
How do I call it?
The day that made me know
That I am a human being.
The day that make me realize
That I am a part of people.
The day I taste chocolate.”

-Ojullu Opiew Ochan,
Ethiopian Gambela refugee.

My newest adventure as a performing artist is being employed by Holland America’s cruise ship Veendam. I am a featured singer in the ship’s resident entertainers.

I think traveling has a delayed effect on artists. Whatever direct influence a new city or country has on the creative process is dwarfed by the profound, long-term change traveling distills. Mark Twain says to sail away from the safe harbor. I think he has a good point, but the fact is, you can’t be at sea your whole life. At some point, you have to choose a port.

Mark Twain, one of America’s all-time most celebrated writers, once reminded us that “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”