Global Explorers Blog 
The Food Pyramid Chain and Why I Harbor Ill Will Towards Halloween
I have to admit, I’ve never really understood many of our nation’s holidays in terms of the figures that have evolved to symbolize them. I don’t understand the religious or historical significance of them too well either, but that’s beside the point. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is represented by a fat man (sources say he has high blood pressure) in a red suit that sneaks into your house at night via the chimney? Easter celebrates the rebirth of Jesus Christ and features a diabetic, cavity ridden rabbit? Valentine’s Day focuses on commemorating St. Valentine by alluding to pudgy little cherubs shooting arrows at those in love? Which brings us to Halloween, my least favorite holiday of the year.
While there is no clear cut consensus as to the origins of Halloween, based on my tireless research of the first two paragraphs of the Wikipedia page dedicated to the subject, it appears that it began as some type of Celtic festival of Samhain. From there the natural progression led to pumpkin carving, excessive candy eating, Robert Gorman films, tricks and treats! Seems logical.
Even as a youngster, I never liked Halloween. It just wasn’t for me. I had no problem with others adorning an astronaut ensemble, a Superman cape or a zombie mask. That’s all fine. I think you’re an idiot, but I’m guessing you don’t like me either. Great. I can handle one day or so a year like this because I’m an amenable guy. What I couldn’t handle (and still can’t) is being FORCED to adhere to the “everyone has to dress up as something” policy my grade school teacher, Mrs. Ferry, enacted that cold, gray October day in 1978. I’ve been to several Halloween parties over the years that have attempted to ratify this type of Socialist-esque edict, but I just don’t abide by it. I endure some ridicule from the pro-Halloween set and move on. No problem. I’m an adult…at least by age standards. However, when only 7 years old you are at the mercy of adults and Ms. Ferry, apparently an ardent follower of the day, would not accept my refusal to acquiesce to her costume demands.
Share on Facebook Post to Twitter Posted by Ed Shurna · October 28, 2011
On Sabbatical
Olive oil and Global Explorers have a lot in common. That’s what I was thinking as I stood this August in an olive grove with a 2,000+ year history on the island of Ugljan in Croatia. The brilliantly blue Adriatic Sea shimmered as I drizzled oil over my freshly baked bread. The warmth of the salty air indicated it was time for an afternoon rest.
I was on vacation. Better yet, I was on sabbatical for a full month! As one of its many perks to encourage employees to have positive work-life balance, Global Explorers offers sabbaticals after seven years of employment.
As someone who lives, breathes and believes in what we do, the idea of literally walking away from work for a full month intimidated me. Would I even be able to do it? Who would answer my pressing emails, take my important calls or work on my time-sensitive projects?
Share on Facebook Post to Twitter Posted by David Shurna · October 24, 2011
The Top 10 Things I Learned in the Desert
This past travel season I had the opportunity to spend about 30 days in the desert southwest as a GEx Expedition Leader on two Canyon Skies: U.S. Southwest programs and one Grand Canyon Leading the Way program. The memories are bountiful, the pictures beautiful, and the inside jokes bouncing around Facebook, still funny. But beyond the fond memories lie some deeply rooted life lessons.
And here they are, The Top 10 Things I Learned in the Desert:
10. If you're feeling like the entire world is out to get you, drink some water, you're probably dehydrated.
9. Everything you do has an impact, even when you do nothing.
8. You need less than you have.
7. If you still feel like the world is out to get you, eat some salty snacks.
6. Life is all about connection. Connection to people, to places, and to ideas. Find ways to facilitate those connections daily.
And for the final five....
