Amen!

"Dear Jesus....please bless.....bless the food we're about to eat. Thank you for today...and thank you for Alex being here today."

Last year I started to tutor the two older children of an amazing family, I'll call them the D Family. Part of my tutoring involves having dinner with the family, and the kids take turns on who will say grace before we dig in. Those simple lines always make me so happy, and make me feel very blessed to get time to spend with the D family. I know we're all thankful for various things in our life, but isn't it crazy to think that someone is thankful to have YOU in their life? Coming from kids under the age of 10, mostly without prompting, I think it's pretty awesome. I will admit that one of my favorite graces was last night, when the 3 year-old (or is he four? hmmm) started saying grace, then had to stop because he said he was going to cough, so dad offered to finish saying grace. I never heard a cough, but I thought that was very thoughtful of him!

If any member of the D family cheats during grace and opens their eyes, they'll catch a giant smile come across my face as the words "and we're thankful for Alex being here today" are muttered. Every time.

To the D family, you know who you are: thank you for letting me into your home, thank you for the countless meals, and for all the advice and support each of you have given me over the past year. I am truly thankful to have you all in my life.

Heels.

I wore my high heels yesterday. Doesn't sound like anything too crazy, I know. Thing is, I hadn't worn them in a while, even before I was let go from my job I had started wearing flats a lot. I forgot the feeling I get when I walk in heels: it's almost exhilarating. I can sense a difference in the way people look at me, like they take me more seriously. Maybe my reaction yesterday is due in part to the fact that I've been unemployed for over a month, so I haven't been dressing professionally for anything, I've been spending a lot of time in very casual and comfortable clothing. I'm usually not a fan of heels because they're a pain to wear, but yesterday, I even wore them to the grocery store. And it felt nice.

Daniel Skrocki: writer extraordinaire

Some of my favorite pieces from a dear friend of mine, and a hugely talented human being.

~~~~

I refuse to be

a casualty

of excuse

no matter

how

rational

no matter

how valid

no matter

how tangible

~~~~

I do not want to

be tolerated

I want to be

adored

I want to feel

special

and be special

to you

~~~~

I love her

and am ruined by her

a slave to her

every whim

a puppet

a ranting lunatic

[a precious decoy]

(I didn't get the ending, I'll post it later)

~~~~

Sin

is an opinion

it is not charity

it is obligation

and not a

duty

but a privilege

~~~~

It's impossible

to emphasize enough

my love

for you

and it is

this

impossibility

and the polish

of its

sheen

that leans

my torque

towards a

surrender

that

is

dangerous

and futile

within

the framework

of its

[very] own

seething

~~~~

All published with permission from Mr. Daniel K. Skrocki

The Big Picture

Yesterday I was being silly. It's actually embarrassing to admit that I was upset over shoes. Yep, shoes. I think it was a combination of feeling emotional over the last couple of days about what I'm doing with my life, financial instability, and being really hungry, but still...I shouldn't have let myself get so upset about shoes.

This morning, I'm sitting on our futon, facing our recently decorated Christmas tree, wrapped up in my favorite blanket, about to enjoy a few pages from the book I'm currently reading. I have a roof over my head, I'm warm, I could eat if I wasn't too lazy to get out of my currently comfortable position, I'm loved, I'm alive and I'm well. So what do I have to complain about? It's so easy to get carried away about the little things, and forget about the bigger picture.

The Economy Sucks.

I bet you had no idea! Ha. I think the current state of the economy is something this is affecting everyone in this country, no matter how rich or poor you were when it first started. In the least, I'm sure everyone at least knows someone who has been. Our little home has definitely felt the effects in a very personal way, and although it sucks, we just have to keep the hope that it will get better in time.

What is really scary is seeing all the business that are closing around town. On our way to Jeff's parents house, there is one shopping center that is completely empty except for the liquor store--because we all still need to drink away our sorrows, no matter how poor we are! But I've seen shopping centers like that everywhere...one shop closes down, then the next, then the next. Before you know it, there are tumbleweeds blowing across the parking lot. Cue Family Guy scene:

Cleveland: The only guy making any money is the guy that sells tumbleweeds.

Old guy: Y'all laughed at me! heh haw hah! Y'all laughed at me! (flashes money to beautiful woman) What do you think of this?

Beautiful woman: That makes you attractive!

Ok, enough of that.

So recently Jeff and I found out that our favorite Mexican restaurant, Fresca's, closed down. I am really bummed that we can't go there for lunch anymore, but I'm confident we can find mexican food somewhere else (one of the many great things about Southern California). What really bummed me out was thinking about the cashier who recognized us every time we came in, and the cooks who never seemed upset when I asked for extra limes or sour cream (although I still have my theory that that's because I speak Spanish...but now we'll never know). I can't help but wonder what they're doing now, how are they feeding their families, where they able to find something else?

According to a random website I found, 1.5 million businesses have closed, and California particularly has seen some of the greatest losses with 174,000 places closing.

In lieu of this, I'm sure we all know a business that was near and dear to our hearts that is no longer. What's your favorite business that has closed? Do you think they'll come back in a few years? For completely selfish reasons, I hope Fresca's is up and running again soon...

Charity of the Month: Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project

A month or two ago I had the opportunity to hear Charlize Theron speak about her Africa Outreach Project (thank you Pat!). Other than being hot and seemingly down to earth, I was mostly impressed by the passion she has for the work her non profit is doing.

Right now they are still in developing stages, so they have limited their project to certain areas of South Africa, but hope to branch out to other parts of Africa once their project takes off.

So what are they doing? Basically, they provide health education to children. You know that health class we take in 8th grade, that's required education? Well children in Africa are never exposed to that class. Why? Social mores, lack of resources, lack of will, etc. The main purpose of this class is to teach kids how to avoid contracting or spreading HIV/AIDS. Teenagers are taught the basics regarding safe sex, and are given condoms. It's taken AOP time to win over the populations with which they work, since most children, adults, and elders of the community see such educational topics of taboo, but they are beginning to see the benefits of it and have started to embrace such educational resources.

Charlize shared several anecdotes, but one of the ones that struck me the most was about one teenager who told Charlize that he was in no danger of getting AIDS because he practiced safe sex...by washing his condom after each use. Charlize shared that what broke her heart was the fact that here was a young man who thought he was taking control of his life by practicing safe sex, without knowing that washing a condom is not enough. This is why a project such as this one can have such an enormous impact on such a large population.

I encourage you to check out the AOP's website, see what they're doing and how, and see how you can help.

I highly encourage you to check out their online store, they have cool shirts and some great Africa themed TOMS shoes. I'm wishing I had saved my Christmas money so I could get them!

Dip Corner: Yardhouse

We had a chance to try the Spinach Cheese Dip at the Yardhouse when our good friend Sarah was in town from San Francisco. It seems we always gravitate to the Yardhouse when she's home-it's pretty convenient for everyone and they've got plenty of beers to please everyone! Price for the serving was $10.95, and I think one of the best one's Jeff and I have had. It's got a good combo of cheese and spinach, and was creamy rather than watery :) Putting this one down in the notes as a re-do.

My only critique is that I do prefer tortilla chips or something a little easier to eat with than the bread they serve it with-which was still delicious!

Updates on Charity Shopping!

Not too long ago I posted an entry about holiday shopping through charities, and ever since that posting I've been running into more and more awesome shopping ideas. So here are some updates to the last post:

5) Central Asia Institute: the founder of CAI is the author of Three Cups of Tea, which details Greg Mortenson's adventures in building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The premise of this organization is that the war on terror is better fought by providing education to the impoverished areas of these countries, rather than fighting a military war. Agree or not, education is always important, and the work that CAI is doing in these areas is absolutely amazing. Unlike the PIH calendar, this one is only $10 and you get a sneak peak of what you get!

6) Charity Water: charity water is a previous Charity of the Month. They build wells in Africa so people can finally have access to water. Check out there online store here. They're items include another calendar (talk about options!), gelskins for all your electronics, as well as some pretty cool t-shirts, bracelets, hydration bottles, etc. Check 'em out!

7) All Hands Volunteers: Biosand Filters Project: if you're a frequent reader, I don't need to tell you about All Hands (formerly Hands on Disaster Response), since I've talked about them without end in the past. Check out the video to see how you can help people in Haiti have access to CLEAN water and prevent further cholera outbreaks.

Saving Lives With Biosand Filters from All Hands Volunteers on Vimeo.

8) 31 Bits: in my last charity shopping blog, Nate mentioned I should check out 31 bits. I did and I think you should to. All jewelry is made out of 100% recycled paper by internally displaced women in Northern Uganda. Here are a couple of my favorite items they have:

9) Me to We Style: this online store has some amazing clothes, and 50% of what you pay goes to their charity partner, Free the Children, which supports development projects in rural and impoverished areas across the world. Again, some of my personal favorites (but please feel free to peruse for yourself!):

The first one is actually for a fundraiser challenge, I'm not sure if you can purchase individually, but it's my favorite:

But they have other cool t-shirts, as well as dresses, scarves, handbags, and men's t-shirts:

So, I think I've given you quite the array of options! Now say you, wouldn't it be nice to have one central location where you could actually look at all of these things for yourself, and not have to deal with the extra hassle or expense of shipping and handling? SAY NO MORE! (wow, I think it's a good thing I didn't go into advertising...). For those locally in Southern California, there's a church in Laguna Beach this is hosting an "Alternative Christmas/Holiday Market." In this market you'll actually find some of the organizations listed on this blog, and they're having it this Saturday and again in two weeks. For those of you who live further away, I encourage you to find a similar event near you.

A few more sites that my friend Sarah has passed along:

10) Krochet Kids International: another store with cool beanies, shirts, scarves, etc. that creates sustainable development programs. Check them out here.

11) International Sanctuary: Advocates for exploited people around the world. This online shop has a BUNCH of really cool jewelry, and it's pretty well priced. You can check out what the organization does here, and you can shop online here.

12) Princess Project: sales "punjammies" that are created in an after care facility for women who have been rescued, released, or escaped from a life of forced prostitution. Learn about their story here. You can shop for comfortable sleepwear and tees here.

13) The hunger site: I haven't actually had a chance to figure this one out, but if Sarah recommended it, then it must have some good stuff on there. Check 'em out here.

Music Corner: Michael Franti

I believe a friend who I met in Haiti posted this on Facebook, and I really liked the lyrics.