November 23, 2009
I was waiting at a red light on my return to work today after lunch and the sun was glaring in my eyes. I’d came home on my lunch (as per usual) and opened up my package from LensBaby. I had the 2.8 aperture in and the cross dangling from my rearview mirror wasn’t super still. But, I love this shot. I’m already in love with this lens and can’t wait to take more pictures. My Composer Baby will be an everywhere companion.
November 15, 2009
I spent some time on the beach this weekend, in prayer, with old and new friends. It was truly revealing.
“We are gathered at table
as one in the Lord.
We are gathered as people
who are living the Word.
Our hearts and our spirits
are nurtured by grace.
It is Jesus who fills us.
He is here in this place.”
November 15, 2009
“Think of all the hands you have touched and how much they have left an imprint on you. Handprints are actually heartprints that can never be erased. The hand has its own memory. When you touch someone or are touched by someone, you exchange hearts with each other. Think of all the places that carry your handprints and all the people who bear your heartprint. They are permanent, and will last forever.”
August 23, 2009
I walked along the beach tonight after Mass…
August 20, 2009
I introduced my still nameless new camera to my alma mater this evening. This is one of my better shots this evening.
This is not one of the better photos of the evening, but it is one of the most meaningful and still has a hint of “interesting.” I need to work on that LensBaby focus. Difficult that one… but I love learning more about my camera and having to manually shoot everything. I love how the star aperture came out in this one.
If you click either of the pictures, it’ll take you to my flickr and you can see other pictures from this evening. I don’t promise anything spectacular. I’m still learning after all.
April 2, 2009
Four years. It seems like an incredibly long time.
A few quotes from Pope John Paul II today, in his memory:
“Love is never defeated.”
“Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.”
“Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.”
March 31, 2009
Today was the first day of LIFE Week at the University of San Diego. Living. Is. For. Everyone. LIFE. Co-sponsored by Students For Life, University Ministry, Associated Students, Students for Peace, Women’s Center, Romero Center, Residential Life, and the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies LIFE Week is dedicated to bringing awareness to different life issues. Each day this week, in conjunction with LIFE Week I will be posting on the corresponding topic to the day.
I am not for sale. You are not for sale. No one should be for sale.
Author and co-founder of the Not For Sale Campaign, David Batstone, gave a multi-media presentation this evening. Musical artists Novice and Brant Christopher accented the presentation. I do not know if my words can represent the caliber of this evening, but I will try… and I will let the facts speak for themselves.
Today, March 30, 2009, there are 27 million people enslaved. Slavery, as defined by the U.S. Constitution’s 13th Amendment is “involuntary servitude.” Is this person free to leave? Has she been forced? Is he confined? Human trafficking generates $32 BILLION a year. There are 800,000-900,000 people bought and sold and 200,000 of those are in the United States. The vast majority of those being trafficked are women (80%) and 50% are children. One million individuals are bought and sold for sex.
These are a handful of statistics, but the numbers are overwhelming. In many ways, they are hard to grasp. For me, it is hard to imagine that slavery still exists in my backyard. It is not simply a matter of low wages or people being paid under the table (which isn’t to say that that is simple). It is also not a matter of employees being treated poorly and unjustly. It is slavery. It should have been eradicated long, long ago. But, it’s not gone. People are bought and sold. Can you imagine it? Think of your friends. Your family: your sisters, brothers, children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, mothers, aunts, and cousins. Your students. Your clients. Think of the people you know, especially the youth, and imagine others of the same age as slaves. Chained to sewing machines. Pleasing adults clients. Picking fruit. They are not paid and they cannot leave. They are a commodity to be bought and sold. Tell me it doesn’t make you sick.
Novice included in one of his songs the distinction that we care more about the soles on our shoes that the souls of people. We have the power within us to make that NOT TRUE. There are many ways that we can get involved.
WORK Differently
Check out FREE2WORK. If you are a business of one, 10, 50, 500, or more… become a part of FREE2WORK. If you are an individual, consider whether the places you go are free. For example, when you’re planning an event, check to see that the restaurant or venue you are choosing has committed to be slave-free.
BUY Differently
If 20% of consumers shopped differently, it would make an impact on the way companies did business. Imagine instead of 1 in 5 shoppers though, if 2 or 3 or 100% of shoppers demanded ethics and slave-free items available for purchase. Not For Sale is currently running a chocolate campaign… if you can commit to purchasing slave-free chocolate, it will make a difference. You may wonder, but how will it make a difference? You can print a “proof of non-purchase” to distribute to locations that do not carry slave-free chocolate.
PLAY Differently
Still not sure how you can help? What do YOU like to do? Do you play soccer? Run? Play music? Swim? Ice skate? What if you made a pledge to donate to Not For Sale … whether it be $5 every time you run five miles or a nickel every time you make a basket or $50 for every time you play a certain song. You make the choice. How do you play? All kids should be free to play.
RELATE Differently
We need to relate differently and if we work, buy, and play differently… we will relate differently. We have the power to make a difference. We can end slavery. We can be a part of the change. As Brant Christopher sang, “this too shall be made right.” Let’s pray that we can make it right sooner rather than later. If we pay attention, listen, learn, share, fight, believe… we can re-abolish slavery. Human trafficking can come to an end.
I bought Batstone’s book Not For Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade—and How We Can Fight It tonight after his presentation, so this definitely won’t be the last you’ll hear on this. I was told the book might “ruin” me. As if the presentation didn’t? It did and I’m glad. I hope the book does too. My understanding on slavery and human trafficking was deepened in unbelievable ways this evening and I will continue to raise awareness and do the best I can to fight slavery. I will stand up as an abolitionist to re-abolish slavery.
What will you do?
March 26, 2009
As an alum, I try to do my part and publicize the events going on at USD… particularly for the organizations I was involved in as a student. This evening, I present the schedule for the 4th Annual LIFE Week hosted by Students for Life. LIFE Week will begin on Monday, March 30th.
Click To View and Download
March 14, 2009
Words of love poured out in that church today. Story after story of Paul’s character, his life, and his love. Paul was truly special to each of us and he made each person feel like they were blessings in his life as well. “He had heart,” said an old coach. “That smile,” said another. Genuine. Love. Family. Sincere. Stubborn. Pride. HEART. A handful of words that only begin to sum up the man that we remembered today. The two pastors that spoke brought peace to this sadness and the two songs were wonderful. It was certainly wonderful to have our old high school principal sing “Amazing Grace.” The slideshow… pictures certainly are worth a thousand words. Tears flowed freely in that packed church… tears of missing, longing, dreaming, and remembering.
We *will* remember you Paul, your life and legacy will remain with us always. We knew how much you cared for us; you never left room for doubt there. Go big or go home. We’ll do our best and we know you’ll be watching us. And our love? It will remain the same. Rest in peace Paul, we miss you so much.
You’ll find better love
Strong as it ever was
Deep as the river runs
Warm as the morning sun
Please remember me
March 4, 2009
Dear and Darling Readers, Friends, and Family,
My friend Maria is an Occupational Therapist here in San Diego and she is currently providing therapy for a little boy named Ian. She’s holding a fundraiser for Ian on March 28th, 2009 in San Diego. I know there is a good chance that many of you are thinking, “Another fundraiser?! Girl, we are not made of money.” But, I would like to encourage you to read Ian’s story. I ask that you click these photo links at the bottom of this post and read what Maria has written. I ask that you read the article from the Union Tribune about the accident and Ian’s parents. I ask that you consider what you can do… be it donation, attendance, prayer, donation at his website, or SPREADING THE WORD.
I never in a million years would have expected that I could have raised the $4500+ that I raised last summer for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Most people heard me say, “I’m crazy, but I’m going to try. I’m going to tri.” I even said it in my original letter! It was unbelievably difficult, but I did it with the help of others. Your donations added up and made a HUGE difference. Your donations and support impacted my life, but more importantly, they made an impact on the Society’s efforts to help those that are fighting the real fight.
Now, we can come together again to help this little boy get the therapy and treatment he needs to have a better quality of life… the therapy and treatment he needs to one day walk and SURF again. We can help. YOU can help.
Spread the word. Share this link… and download the files below and share them directly. READ his story (I’ll also be adding a link to his site in the blogroll on the side).
Thank you.
