Aurelio Ramirez looks through the cracks of the Coney Island boardwalk at passersby above. Ramirez, also known as Flaca, lives on a mattress under the boardwalk and has suffered with alcoholism and abuse by his partner. Despite his issues, Ramirez feels like he is at home on the beach. "When I'm here, I'm free," he said. "I've met so many beautiful people here. They love me for who I am."

Just weeks after arriving in the United States from a Thai refugee camp, Burmese refugees, Maung Maung, 7, Maung Oo, 3, and Kwan Lwin, 5, receive their first hair cut in the United States. Their mother Mi Too shaved their heads completely according to traditional Burmese-style. Burmese shave the heads of both their male and female children for many years into their childhood because they believe it promotes hair growth. These boys and their parents are one of few Burmese refugees granted the chance to resettle in the United States. Though this opportunity is unparalleled, it has its many struggles because of the immense transition from living in a third-world refugee camp to starting a life in the United States. Because of the devastating conditions in both Burma and Thailand's refugee camps the United States has increased the number of Burmese refugees resettled in the United States.

Corey Pieramico, 8, stands with the popsicle he just bought from the ice cream man that visited his cul-de-sac in East Rochester, NY on August 12, 2009.

Outside of Big Bad Wolf barbeque in Hamilton, Baltimore, retired magician Casey Jones performs a street trick by swallowing two lit cigarettes, Sept. 25, 2008. The magician was performing various tricks for passerby. "I've always liked to entertain others," Jones said.

Dalyeun Shim, now 87, was abducted when being at her age of 12 and was forced into prostitution as a sexual slavery by Japanese soldiers during World War II. She was forced to move to Taiwan in Japanese military brothels. Physical abuses resulted in mental disorder, causing her to avoid people more than twenty years even after releasing from military brothels. She has not remembered what she went through in the brothel at all. "I can't die without Japanese government's official apology. They ruined my whole life.", Shim said. Japanese government has denied its crime since World War II and has not provided any official compensation.

4 year-old ring bearer Brady Moyer sniffles away the last of his tears after his dad left him alone in "the girl room" with the bride and bridal party just minutes before his aunt Jodi's wedding ceremony.

KU freshman power forward Marcus Morris, Philadelphia, expects to come in and contribute significant minutes in his first season as a Jayhawk.