Soles4Souls

My friend Crystal alerted me to this challenged today, which actually starts in 37 minutes PST. I really encourage you to check it out. As a Nike Tyke and Christian, I seriously consider myself a "Sole/Soul Collector." I'm going to try and post updates on this Challenged through out the 50 days.

50,000 Pairs in 50 Days Challenge

Nashville, TN -- November 7, 2008 -- Soles4Souls, the international charity dedicated to providing free footwear to those in desperate need, has announced plans to launch a new fundraising website, www.50000shoes.com. The charity is challenging bloggers and social media users to raise funds for 50,000 pairs of new shoes in 50 days.

Through the new world of blogging, emailing, twittering, and through many other forms of online media, the non-profit hopes to achieve not only the fundraising goal, but also to spread their mission far and wide. The Soles4Souls www.50000shoes.com charity challenge will be live on Monday, November 10, 2008 and end on Wednesday, December 31, 2008.

"We have been utilizing the basic Web-based marketing tools such as e-mail blasts, social networking and YouTube videos. However, this website, www.50000shoes.com, is the natural evolution of our viral marketing plan," said Soles4Souls Founder and CEO, Wayne Elsey.

"A strong grass-roots effort, combined with an effective web-based social marketing platform, will allow Soles4Souls to form online community in a creative manner while being effective with raising funds and helping those in need," he said.

Both the tech savvy and the computer challenged can visit www.50000shoes.com to download their choice of four (4) Soles4Souls banners ad and blog widgets. Using the tools provided, users will be able to easily email, blog, or twitter the challenge to friends, family and co-workers as well as ask everyone to continue spreading the message.

"This is a huge challenge to meet a huge need. We want to virally attack the issues of poverty and make it simple for the end user to play a role in it," Elsey stated.

Donating is easy and takes just a click and a couple of minutes. It requires no shipping, no wrapping and no trips to the post office. The monetary donation is small with $5.00 buying two pairs of new shoes. Anyone can click and give, and all donations are tax-deductible.

After 50,000 pairs have been donated, one person (with a guest of their choosing) will be selected at random to deliver the shoes they purchased to someone in need on one of Soles4Souls' trips to Mexico!

"Can you imagine what it would be like to personally give someone their very first pair of shoes?! We look forward to connecting the tangibility of handing someone a pair of shoes with the virtual world of the Internet," Elsey said.

Social networking has become a very powerful communications tool; however, no one knows when life will hit hard or where a disaster will strike. One day you have everything you need; the next you may only have your life. A pair of shoes can help people begin the rebuilding process. Shoes not only bring hope, but in millions of cases they can save lives. It is estimated that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unworn shoes lying in their closets while over 300 million children around the world have never owned a pair of shoes. This is an opportunity to "Step Up" and to help Soles4Souls with their mission of "Changing the World, One Pair at a Time" with "One Click at A Time."

CALL + RESPONSE

Is playing right now at The Living Room in downtown Portland. GO SEE IT! INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT IT! It is an amazing movie that is tied together through music in an awesome way. Mind blowing stuff.

CALL+RESPONSE is a first of its kind feature documentary film that reveals the world’s 27 million dirtiest secrets: there are more slaves today than ever before in human history. CALL+RESPONSE goes deep undercover where slavery is thriving from the child brothels of Cambodia to the slave brick kilns of rural India to reveal that in 2007, Slave Traders made more money than Google, Nike and Starbucks combined.

Luminaries on the issue such as Cornel West, Madeleine Albright, Daryl Hannah, Julia Ormond, Ashley Judd, Nicholas Kristof, and many other prominent political and cultural figures offer first hand account of this 21st century trade. Performances from Grammy-winning and critically acclaimed artists including Moby, Natasha Bedingfield, Cold War Kids, Matisyahu, Imogen Heap, Talib Kweli, Five For Fighting, Switchfoot, members of Nickel Creek and Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers, Rocco Deluca move this chilling information into inspiration for stopping it.

Music is part of the movement against human slavery. Dr. Cornel West connects the music of the American slave fields to the popular music we listen to today, and offers this connection as a rallying cry for the modern abolitionist movement currently brewing.

Call + Response trailer

I just saw this movie today and it literally blew my mind. I encourage you to listen to this call and then respond.

Starbucks Vote Commercial

Water

As many of you know I'm a swimmer, water polo player, wakeboarder, former lifeguard and swim instructor and a recently employed woman at a sustainability consulting firm. Needless to say, water is a passion of mine. My last name, Forstrom, in Swedish actually means "forceful stream." I even have an orca (my favorite animal) tattooed on my left foot. It symbolizes many different aspects of who I am, but it serves a reminder to always be graceful, strong, and slightly feminine.

With my new job, I've taken upon myself to educate myself as much as possible on sustainability issues. I recently started reading the e-version of a book called What Matters, which uses photo journalism to bring to light issues facing our world. I would strongly recommend you all check it out. I thought I would highlight some interesing facts I've found out thus far reading this book:

• More than half the population of our modern "civilized" world still suffers from water services inferior to those of the ancient Greeks and Romans.
• According to the World Health Organization, there are over 250 millions cases of water-related diseases annually, EXCLUDING common diarrheal diseases.
• In 2000, the UN estimated there were more than 4 BILLION cases of diarrhea annually and more than 2 million deaths a year.
• In the What Matters book, there is an image of a little girl carrying a jug of water on her head with this caption: The girl is indeed "little" - she is four years old, and she is begining what may be an entire childhood devoted to hauling water. She is not going to school. She won't learn how to be a leader in her community. She will be deprived of some of the most basic benefits of society - all because there is no local source of clean, reliable and safe water."
• Water is heavy - 8lbs per gallon. If you do the math, you need roughly 100 pounds of water per day per person. 5 gallons (40 lbs) disapears down the drain when you take a shower for 2 minutes (only if you are using an efficient showerhead).
  
• Among all of China's 660-odd cities, only one small city of 200,000 people, Lianyuan in Hunan Province, can claim to provide clean drinking water straight from the tap. My dad lives in Shanghai, the largest city in China (population 20 million) and has to drink bottled water everyday.
• The Yellow River, one of the world's longest, supplies water to more than 150 million people and 15% of China's agricultural land. Yet 2/3 of its water is considered unsafe to drink, and 10% is classified as sewage.
• Nearly 700 million people in China drink water contaminated with animal and human waste.
• 2/3 of China's rural population lacks access to piped water - a development failure that has become one of the leading causes of death among children under the age of 5.

While I am thankful and blessed to live in a place where I can get clean water whenever I want it. I can even brag that both my refrigerator and kitchen sink water is filtered even more. I think that it is absolutely RIDICULOUS and INSANE that people around the world do not even get the choice or the luxury of clean water in their neighborhood, town or city. I intent on being part of the solution. And I hope you join me. This Christmas season - I'm going to be donating money that would otherwise go towards presents to charities that help support clean water initiatives throughout the world.

Won't you join me? Even better - know a charity, NGO, etc. that already does this? Let me know. I'm going to create a blog roll list of them and keep them up for the remainder of the year. Thanks!

Poverty Bridge

Last Wednesday, I had the chance to hear Dr. Donna Beegle speak about her new non-profit called Poverty Bridge, who's mission is providing opportunities for moving out of poverty. It was a very powerful experience for me, because I tend to get so focused on helping eliminate poverty "over there" in third world countries that I completely ignore the poverty right under my own nose in my neighborhood, my workplace, Oregon, and the U.S. as a whole. While I am privileaged and blessed and live in a wealthy country I think it is easy to become so unaware of issues that my fellow Oregonians face.

Since Poverty Bridge is just launching there are focused on five programs and services right now:
1. Opportunity Conference - which is designed for people currently living in poverty. This conference addresses issues of shame and isolation, while offering ways to empower and build hope and connections with Navigators, people who are available to help those in need get out of poverty.
2. Navigator Connections - a program designed to recruit and educate people who want to make a difference and help others out of poverty. Navigators agree to make a weekly phone call to Opportunity Conference participates for six months after the conference.
3. Research - focused on capturing what works for people who move out of poverty.
4. Authentic Voices Leadership Institute - a month-month curriculum for educating epople who have experienced poverty and who have succedded in breaking poverty barriers.
5. Making a Real Difference Website - a networking tool to help both Navigators and Opportunity Conference participants to connect with others involved to overcome issues and serve as a general database.

Sound like something you're interested in? Ask about being a Navigator or maybe make a donation. The Opportunity Conference is looking for items that can't be bought with food stamps, like soap and toothpaste, as well as fun prizes to be raffled off at the next Opportunity Conference on March 7, 2009!

Where have you seen poverty lately? Please comment!

Not getting political but...

Got this amusing email, just thought I would share it:

Dear Red States:

We've decided we're leaving. We intend to form our own country, and we're taking the other Blue States with us. In case you aren't aware, that includes California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois and all the Northeast. It may even include Florida and Ohio, they are seriously considering it. We've given them until Nov. 4th to decide. We believe this split will be beneficial to the nation, and especially to the people of the new country. Since we're dropping the middle states we're
calling it United America, or simply the U.A.

To sum up briefly: You get Texas, Oklahoma and all the slave states. We get stem cell research and the best beaches. We get the Statue of Liberty. You get Dollywood. You can take Ted Nugent. We're keeping Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel. You get WorldCom. We get Intel and Microsoft.
You get Ole' Miss. We get Harvard and 85 percent of America's venture capital and entrepreneurs. You get Alabama. We get two-thirds of the tax revenue, you get to make the red states pay their fair share.

Since our aggregate divorce rate is 22 percent lower than the Christian Coalition's, we get a bunch of happy families. You get a bunch of single moms, and the highest concentration of pregnant unwed teenagers. Please be aware that the U.A. will be pro-choice and anti-war, and we're going to want all our citizens back from Iraq at once. If you need people to fight, ask your evangelicals. They have kids they're apparently willing to send to their deaths for no purpose, and they don't care if you don't show pictures of their children's caskets coming home. We do wish you success in Iraq, and hope that the WMDs turn up, really we do, but we're not willing to spend our resources in Bush's Quagmire. We'd rather spend it on taking care of sick people, and educating our children.

With the Blue States in hand, we will have firm control of 80 percent of the country's fresh water, more than 90 percent of the pineapple and lettuce, 92 percent of the nation's fresh fruit, 95 percent of America's quality wines, 90 percent of all cheese, 90 percent of the high tech industry, most of the U.S. low-sulfur coal, all living redwoods, sequoias and condors, all the Ivy and Seven Sister schools plus Stanford, Cal Tech and MIT. With the Red States, on the other hand, you will have to cope with 88 percent of all obese Americans (and their projected health care costs), 92 percent of all U.S. mosquitoes, nearly 100 percent of the tornadoes, 90 percent of the hurricanes, 99 percent of all Southern Baptists, virtually 100 percent of all televangelists, Rush Limbaugh, Bob Jones University, Clemson and the University of Georgia. We get Hollywood and Yosemite, thank you.

Additionally, 38 percent of those in the Red states believe Jonah was actually swallowed by a whale, 62 percent believe life is sacred unless we're discussing the war, the death penalty or gun laws, 44 percent say that evolution is only a theory, 53 percent that Saddam was involved in 9/11 and 61 percent of you crazy Redies believe you are people with higher morals then we Bluies..

Finally, we're taking the good pot, too. You can have that dirt weed they grow in Mexico.

Peace out,
Blue States

Any thoughts? Or have the actual statistics for this?

Winter is Officially Here

"Adventure is the invitation to common people to become uncommon." - Warren Miller

Last night, my mother, brother, brother's roommate, 3/4 of the Quinn family and I went to see the newest Warren Miller movie downtown. It felt great being back in Oregon, hanging out with old ski buddies and reliving the days of being in middle school and running around the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall like manics.

After a bit of technical difficulty. Mom bought tickets for Saturday night instead of Friday night. So we had to buy tickets from people around us to get in so we were all spread out. The night began. For those of you who don't ski and don't have a clue who Warren Miller is. This was his 59th annual ski movie and each year he launches his newest movie tour in Portland, OR. His movies are the unofficial start of the ski/snowboard season. So last night at 8PM was the official start of winter.

I have to honest and say the movies have changed a bit, Warren Miller, with his comedic quotes like “If at first you don't succeed, failure may be your thing,” haven't been in the last couple of movies (granted I've miss a couple due to being in college) but I missed the last night. Last night they showed a whole section on a band and another section on moutain biking. Both were awesome but had little to do with skiing. The highlights of the movie include a fishing boat with a heli on the back, skiing in Iceland, and this sick jump over a highway with a fire truck in it. Can't get much better than that!

Skiing is one of the things I'm passionate about? What are you passionate about?

Little More on the Life Update

Got a couple of minutes to kill before heading to Bible Study. Which I don't think I've mentioned before. I joined a Bible Study run by Janette Green. The doctor at Houseboat camp and an AMAZING Christian woman. It is an all girl (or should I say woman?) Bible study that meets on Monday nights. Frank (FRANK - really loud and with a French accent) Janette's hubby makes us dinner and then we do our Bible Study. Right now we are studying prophecies, which isn't something I've ever spent much time on. So I'm learning a ton.

Today was also my first real day being unemployed. I didn't get much done though. I got up, started picking up the house because the cleaning people are coming tomorrow and our place is trashed (I did everything except my room - that is for after Bible Study), did a months worth of laundry, worked out, help my aunt load up her Hummer with all the stuff that didn't sell at the garage sale, did some research for my new part-time job (remind me to blog about that more), and applied for a couple of jobs from Craigslist. Hopefully, something will pan out.

That is basically my life. Oh, and the Red Sox lost last night. Let's not talk about it.

Life Update

It has been a couple days since I blogged. So I thought I would catch people up on my life. Here it goes:

1. I'm currently watching the Red Sox game - GO SOX! For those of you who have been gone somewhere. The series is tied 3-3, which means this is the final game. I'm hopeful that the Sox will win.
2. The garage sale went well this weekend. No rain, which was awesome. Sold a lot of stuff. Especially to this lady who came three different times! She was addicted I swear. I haven't done a garage sale since I was little (by that I mean my parents did the annual block one and I hung out until I got bored and went to play with the neighborhood kids). So it was interesting to experience this one. Between the people who drive by really slowly to see what I'm selling before they get out of their car, to the people who have to touch everything, to the people who have to get a deal. My aunt is coming to get the rest of the stuff tomorrow so it will be out of our house finally. (My mom can't wait!) I'm sure most of it will end up at Goodwill.
   
3. Friday was my last day a THPRD. It was an interesting week but not too painful. My supervisor even invited me out to lunch next Thursday. That should be interesting. I really hope they make changes there but for the most part I am extremely happy with my time there. It was just time for me to grow up and start acting like a real adult.
4. Speaking of acting like an adult. Diane Sexton, a girl in my Monday night Bible study invited me to a fundraiser for Pure Life Alliance at the MAC club on Saturday night. It was formal, so I got to play dress up. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot about sexual sin and how it affects not just one person, but their loved ones, families and friends. Did you know?

• The U.S. Customs Service estimates that there are more than 100,000 websites offering child pornography (which are illegal) worldwide.
  Red Herring Magazine, 1/18/02

• Hollywood currently releases 11,000 adult movies per year – more than 20 times the mainstream movie production.
  LA Times Magazine, 2002.

• 39 million homes receive the adult channels in scrambled form, while the number of children with potential exposure to such images is about 29 million
  Morality Continues to Decay. Barna Research Group, November 3, 2003.

• One in 4 American adults surveyed in 2002 admitted to seeing an x-rated movie in the last year.
  National Opinion Research Letter

• 55%: Percentage of Porn movie rentals vs. non-porn movies in hotels in 2005.
  AVN News, State of the Adult Industry

• The average time a porn movie is watched in a hotel room is 12 minutes.
  Time.com, 3-29-05

There are a bunch more statics like this at the Blazing Grace website.

What have you been up too?

What Matters?

Check out this website What Matters. Which discusses what matters most to our Earth right now. There are some amazing photographs! EVEN A FREE E-VERSION OF THE BOOK!

They also have a blog and a book for sale.

Also, check out the CNN article about children who work in Bangladesh recycling batteries.

What issues matter most to you?

Advent Conspiracy Promo Video

Just trying to spread the word on this issue. Pretty cool stuff! Care to join? Share your thoughts?

Garage Sale - THIS WEEKEND!

In an attempt to liquidate more of my aunt's boutique shop. I'm having a garage sale at my house this weekend.

Where: 16232 NW Joscelyn St. in Beaverton!
When: This Friday, 10/17 from 9AM-3PM & Saturday 10/18 from 9AM-3PM.

ALL BRAND NEW ITEMS! ALL MUST GO!

Items for sale include, tons of clothes, belts, bags. Children's toys. Large furniture items, wine rack, mirrors, etc.

Hope to see you there! Even if you don't need anything, stop by and visit me!

Silk Pajamas

While organizing my aunt's boutique shop I came across two boxes, roughly 50 pairs of silk pajamas. All woman's styles in various sizes and colors. Any suggestions on how I can sell them or donate them? Let me know. Thanks!

Two Week Notice

It's been awhile since I wrote about my life career wise. Here is a little update.

Today I turned in my two week notice at T.H.P.R.D. Where I have been lifeguarding on and off for the past six years. It is time I grow up and find a real job that utilizes my degree. Lifeguarding is a great job when your in high school or college but not after graduating. While I believe working there has given me great opportunities and a chance to grow up and practice my leadership skills. It was time for me to leave. For the last couple of months I've felt unappreciated and taken advantage of. If you want details call me and I'll let you know.

I've never turned in a two week notice before. Has anyone ever turned in a two week notice before? If so, how did it go?

As for now, I'm trusting God has bigger and better plans for me. Counting my blessing for my family and thus lack of major expenses.

So I'm back on the market. If anyone knows of any marketing, management or non-profit jobs that are available. Please let me know. Thanks!

AIDtoCHILDREN

One of my readers told me about an organization called AIDtoCHILDREN which has visitors answer vocabulary questions. For every right answer, AIDtoCHILDREN donates .25 cents to World Vision. I think this would be fun for an entire classroom to do.

Joys in Being Sick

Odd title I know. But for the past couple of days I've been fighting this sick/cold/flu thing. Basically my throat feels like there is a sand-papered covered grapefruit stuck in there. So if I talk for very long I loose my voice. My ears feel plugged up and I'm feeling overall sluggish. But in being sick I've realized two awesome things:

1. I'm thankful that I know sign language so I can still "sing"/worship at church yesterday morning!
2. I'm thankful that I love social media and can still keep in contact with "the outside world" while being stuck at home, through email, checking blogs, and facebook!

I also like that I can take cough medicine and sleep for 6 hours during the day and still get 9 hours of sleep at night!

Transitions Cambodia

In my previous post I asked people what they were doing to make a change in this world right now. And my good friend, Melinda Groth, wrote about how she supports an organization called Transitions Cambodia, which mission is to "empowering victims of sexual trafficking with the opportunity and processes to heal from the past, focus on the present, and pursue the future." They are working to accomplish this mission by using Transitional Homes. Each home is run by four full time staff members and 10-15 clients, helping the clients gain independence and learn adult living skills. Some of the benefits of this style of transitional home care, include: lower operating cost than institutional after care, low cost of housing, high staff:client ratio, increased focus on individual client needs, limited security risks, improved independence in clients, better social models for adult living, and relatively short program time (average lenght of stay one year with two years of follow up).

I really believe transitional housing is a great way to teach better living skills. Last summer I worked at Orphans Overseas' Community House, a transitional home for teen mothers. And I saw first hand how those girls were learning better life skills, from money management, self-esteem issues, and better parenting skills while living together with help from each other and the staff.

Oh, by the way, you can check out Transitions Global's Blog here!

Women of Vision for World Vision

This morning I attended Women of Vision 2008 Fall Kick-Off Event for World Vision at Sunset Presbyterian Church. I honestly did not know what I was getting myself into. I was attracted to an announcement in last Sunday's church bulletin. I'm passionate about non-profits and thought it would be fun to check it out. I also heard that some girls from my Bible Study were going so I was sold.

The first thing that caught my eye at the event was at each table setting there was a business card sized piece of paper that on the front said "Pray - Pray for at-risk youth." And on the other side it said:

"It is estimated that 2 million children, mostly girls, are enslaved in the global sex trade. These girls - and sometimes boys - may be required to service 15 to 20 customers per day."

That is up to 100 "customers" a week! That is outrageous!

I was glad to find out that World Vision has developed a targeted media campaign to deter would-be sex tourist in Cambodia, Coast Rica, Thailand, Mexico, Brazil, and the United States.

This sign says "I'm not a tourist attraction. It's a crime to make me one."

There was a really great guest speaker, named Rory Anderson, who is the Deputy Director of Advocacy and Government Relations at World Vision and works in Washington, D.C. lobby for human rights. She spoke about why it is important to advocate. One of the reasons, is because it is important to God.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." - Proverbs 31:8-9

The second reason, is because it is part of World Vision actual vision (duh!) to "Our vision for every child, life in all its fullness. Our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so." Anderson also talked about the two types of change, the change of our own will, and the change of other's will. This is done through advocacy. She pointed out three ways to change policies, money, media, and masses. And the worse thing is to do nothing!

The thing that I liked most about her talk was how she encouraged everyone there to become an advocate and write letters, emails, and make phone calls to their congressmen and women. How those letters, emails and messages will help educate them on issues they might not be aware of. This is something I definitely plan on doing on Monday and I encourage you to do that same. For more information/sample writing go here.

The really cool thing about the event was "A Citizen's Guide to Advocacy" notebook given to everyone who attended. In the book it outlines ways to get involved and advocate. One of the ways to get involved was "Online Social Networking," a personal passion of mine (if you haven't noticed yet). Encouraging people to use their bloggers, MySpace, and Facebook pages to inform friends and invite them to get involved with advocating as well.

Both my mom and I signed up to be Women of Vision partners in making a change in the world.

What are you doing to make a more positive change in this world?

Consignment Adventures

This morning, my friend Katie and I hit up Buffalo Exchange and Red Light Clothing Exchange. In hopes of getting rid of some of my aunt's clothing. We did have some success:

1. Sold some clothes.
2. Katie found a really cute purse for his sister's upcoming bday.

We also hit up some children consignment stores and failed miserably. One of the stores only offered in store credit and the other one did not offer consignment Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

Oh well!

Still have lots of stuff to get rid of. Let me know if you have any suggestions!!

Bentley College is Now...

"The Bentley Board of Trustees announced today that the college has received approval from the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (MBHE) to change its designation and name to become Bentley University, effective October 2, 2008."

Do you know what that means? The 2008 graduates (aka 800+ of my friends and I) were the last class to graduate from Bentley College! Fun thing to ponder today. Had to update my resume though. So my resume will say I graduated from "Bentley University" however, my diploma says I graduated from "Bentley College." Maybe I'll have to explain myself...or maybe no one will notice.

Just wanted to post a fun college graduation picture. Here I am with my younger (but taller) brother, Kirk!

Green Ink Goes Pink for Breast Cancer

My family friend, Tara Green is the owner of a really cool custom announcements, invitation, and stationary company called Green Ink.

During the month of October Green Ink will be donating 25% of all sales to help advance breast cancer education and research. There are breast cancer cards for sale for only $16 for a box set of 20 cards. There is also a Holiday section so you can start picking out your 2008 Christmas cards!

Not only that, but Green Ink is also sponsoring Rachel Allen from San Diego, a 3 Day Walker, on the 3 day, 60 mile walk on November 21, 2008. So you an pay it forward without purchasing anything by visiting www.the3day.org and search for Rachel Allen. Help her reach her goal of $2,200.

Check Tara's store out and shop for a good cause.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

There will be an estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women in the US in 2008 (and about 1,990 new cases in men). What can you do to help? Shop! Buy everyday items that support breast cancer research. Here are some suggestions from City of Hope:

• Office products from Newell Rubbermaid's "Pink @ Work"
• Avery pink and white binders with breast cancer awareness messaging
• MVW's Mead, At-A-Glance, Cambridge, Day Runner calendars and journals
• Innovera's white and pink Swarovski crystal-encrusted computer mouse
• Samsill binders with pink ribbon decor and breast cancer awareness messaging
• OfficeMax's in-store display featuring specially market leading office products
• Designer apparel line Lyric Culture's "I Will Survive" pink T-shirt and tank top
• Sutter Home's White Zinfandel "Capsules for Hope" program
• Brita's special pink ribbon-themed water pitcher
• Living Spaces Furniture "Sleep for the Cure" mattress set promotion

Anyone have any other suggestions?

Cleaning Up Shop

I'm helping my aunt liquidate her boutique shop. And thus have a ton of stuff I need to get rid of. Everything is brand new and never been used. If you are interested, know someone who is interested or have any suggestions on how I can sell this stuff.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW!
Thank you!Various women's leather jackets in all sizes and colors.


More leather jackets and leather belts (also in various sizes and colors and designs)
Kimono-inspired men's and women's tops.
Kid's kimonos and other clothing.
Two Large 100% Silk Bathrobes.More Leather Belts.Marble vases, incense burners, eyeglass holders, boxes, and candle holders.

Paul Gillin's The New Influencers

Okay, okay, I was supposed to read this book for class last spring. But I didn't. Instead I read it this summer - see I'm a nerd.

In The New Influencers, Paul Gillin teaches companies both big and small about social media (more importantly how to blog). More importantly he talks about the importance of getting "new influencers" people who are leading bloggers in your industry, involved with your businesses social media projects. For example, spending a couple weeks researching who these new influencers are, contacting them letting them know who you are, what you are doing, and ask them if they want to be involved. Sending them products, giving them interviews, etc.

I thought the book was a really easy read. I loved the real life examples Gillin highlights. The most benefial part of the book was the chapter eight which was on podcasts (something I'm interested in getting involved in) and chapter nine which was about practical (and cheap) tools that everyday people can use to enhance their blogs.

The only part of the book that I didn't like was "Many A-list bloggers I talked to for this book said they haven't taken a real vacation in years because they're concerned about their popularity ranking." As someone who wants to make their living off social media, this is a little discouraging. Don't get me wrong, I love working hard...so I can play hard as well. Not people able to take vacations is dissapointing. Hopefully, I won't get too caught up in the blogosphere where I'm addicted to it, like some people are to video games. I want to enjoy my time here on Earth, experiencing it. I think people need to work on finding more balance between work and play and the digital world and the real one.

Auburn: First Impressions

BK is at work. So I went on my own little adventure around "main street" which is actually called College Street (I think). Here are my first impressions of Auburn:

• Stores still use styrofoam (cups and egg crates) - not a very environmentally friendly place
• Boys ride motorcycles in flip flops - boys who ride motorcycles = hot, wearing flip flops = not
  
• Boys have "the swoop" hair cut - pretty much the hair cut my little brother had when he was in elementary school...
• One could easily furnish your entire apartment/house/car/clothes with orange and navy blue
• People are really friendly in the stores
• Everyone here drinks Budweiser
• BK (and the rest of the population here) wears boat shoes (reminds me of CT)
• Power walking seems to be a serious sport here - yet no Nike gear...

More to come later.

Alabama

I just wanted to let you all (ya'll) know that I'm leaving Thursday to fly down to Alabama to visit my best friend, Beckie Kruse (BK!). Some of the high lights of my trip will include:

• Seeing BK
• Seeing Madelyn Kimbrough - a girl who I went to Honduras with my senior year and is now engaged!
• Going to the Auburn vs. LSU football game - my first Div. I football game EVER!
• Checking out BK's new school, work, and hom
• Tagging along to BK's classes with her

I'll be back next Tuesday and will try to stay in OR for longer than 2.5 weeks before leaving to go somewhere else!

Has anyone been to Alabama? If so, what should I expect? Any suggestions of places to check out?

Heaven

When I was younger I had two expectations of Heaven.

1. My cousin, April, who has cerebral paslsey, will be able to see me (she is blind). Know who I am (she is severely mentaly hadicaped). Be able to go for a walk with me (she is in a wheelchair) and be be able to tell me about her life and hold a conversation with me (she is completely mute).
   
2. In an extremely childish way. I hope that in Heaven I will be able to breath, see clearly, and be able to withstand pressure of swimming underwater. Just cause I love swimming but hate being bound by the body and our land loving ways.

But after reading 50 Days of Heaven by Randy Alcorn. My thoughts of Heaven have definitely changed. There is more to look forward too and more to prepare for. Using my talents to refine skills God gave me to do more good in this world so I will be better prepared for Heaven. Just having a better understanding of the logistics of Heaven is interesting too. You dye, go to like an interim Heaven, then go to New Earth, which is what we really expect Heaven to be like. We will have jobs and something I found extremely comforting was knowing that there is no reason why pets wouldn't be there either. So Dainty, my collection of fish throught the years (maybe I'll get to go swimming with them in my perfect body), and guinuea pigs will all be there too. We will have even more meaningful relationships then we could ever imagine, not just with God, but with our friends and family as well. How cool would it be to sit down and talk to my great-great grandmother about what life was like for her in Sweden when she was 22? There are endless possibilities and an infinite amount of time to explore them all. Reading this book also helped me realize that thinking about Heaven isn't as morbid as I thought it was. When you think about it, I will be spending more time there then I do on any trips or vacations, so why shouldn't I spend more time planning/researching that destinate then I do for my shorter trips?

Anyways, what are your thoughts on Heaven? What do you think it will be like? Include the childlike ones too!

Did You Know 2.0

Mind Blowing Video about Technology Today!

Dainty is 10

I got Dainty when I was 12 (7th grade). I had always wanted a dog, but my family's lifestyle - the constant travel - wouldn't allow it. When I was 11, I found a loop hole. If I raised a Guide Dog for the Blind, I would get a puppy for a year (that isn't that long when you compare it to the life of a dog) and it would be able to travel with us. I talked it over with my family and started attending Guide Dog meetings. Soon after my 12th birthday, I got Dainty. A white Labrador. She taught me a lot about life and responsibility. Apparently I told my mom "When I get to high school and they make us take care of a sack of flour like a baby, I'm going to tell them 'no way, I have a puppy."

I kept Dainty for a year, fully expecting to give her up and never see her again. After that year, we dropped Dainty off for training. A couple months later we got word that she had failed (few dogs actually make it through) and that she was going to be placed for adoption. Host families (those that raise the dogs) get first choice when it comes to adoption. However, I knew my family would never be able to adopt her. A couple of weeks later. I came home from school and there she was, sitting at my front door! My parents had decided to adopt her and surprise my brother and I.

That was 9 years ago. Since then I've graduated from high school AND graduated from college. If she were my actual child, she would be entering the 2nd grade. And I would be complaining of having a daughter who was in the "double digits." It has been 7 years since 9/11. Dainty shares her birthday with the this national memorial day. While I've grown older, she has too. In dog years she is 70. She has gotten a little "lumpy" from fat tumors and I know her life expectancy is only about 13 years.

Knowing all that. She is still a great dog. She is super well behaved. She can still run like a puppy (although she needs some coasting to get going). She still greets me every morning by my door, and sticks her head out the window when I leave. In her old age, she makes a great pillow when watching movies. And is still a great cuddler, no matter how much she sheds she still will always have space in my bed.

I've had other pets, fishes, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc. But Dainty has never been a pet, just another member of the family. Today, she got a bone and a play date/birthday party at the Hondo Dog Park. Pretty awesome birthday for a dog. And I can't wait to celebrate her golden birthday next year!

What was/is your favorite pet?

Awesome Weekend

This weekend was an awesome weekend! One for the books. Here is what I did:

Friday: I worked at THPRD for my supervisor who wasn't feeling well from 1:30-8:30PM. Kind of a long shift but the pool was in a weird limbo week so there wasn't a lot of actual people in the pool so we had a lot of free time. After work I met up with a friend Paige, who started her student-teacher job at Jesuit high school. It was so good to hang out with her, hear about her new job and tell her about China.

Saturday: I worked from 11:30AM - 8:30PM - for my supervisor who is getting married next weekend and had a lot of planning to do. After work, I met up with an old friend Katie, and checked out Hopworks Urban Brewery in Portland. Their beer is amazing! The food is so-so. But the atmosphere is what sold me. All organic food and sustainable products. In the woman's bathroom had writing all over the wall and I couldn't figure out what it said. When I turned around to look in the mirror, written behind me was the words "you are beautiful". Seriously the best idea ever! Being with Katie was great, we go back to 3rd grade soccer and she is by far the funniest person I have ever known. I woke up Sunday morning and my face hurt. I was laughing that much. We were so the annoying loud laughing chicks at the bar and we were totally okay with that.

Sunday: I worked AGAIN from 9:30AM - 8:30PM. And then met up with Evan, another old school friend. I've actually known him since 5th grade, we go to the same church and found out my senior year of high school he had a crush on me when we were in 5th grade. He was super mean to me back then. I guess that saying is true about little boys showing their "love" through being mean. We checked out Lucky Labrador in downtown Portland by OMSI. I loved the atmosphere while we were there, it was all penned in and there were dogs all over the place. But their beer tasted funny. I had a serious stomach ache by the time I got home.

Overall, awesome weekend. Made some money, hung out with amazing friends, checked out a two new breweries. Couldn't have been better.

What is your ideal weekend?

Marketing to the Social Web

While flying to and from China (and Thailand) I finally got the chance to read "Marketing to the Social Web: How Digital Customer Communities Build your Business" by Larry Weber. I came across the book, when Mike Proulx, Vice President of Social Media at Digital Influence Group brought in free copies of his boss' book for my entire Marketing and New Social Media Class at Bentley last May. My friend, Keith Mantia, wrote this summary of the book.

In general I was completely impressed by the book. But then I don't think I am Weber's target market for the book. The book seemed to be aimed at "old school" marketers who were trying to figure out what exactly what social media marketing is and how they can use it to be a more sucessful business. Gives general terms and how to get started pointers. Where I feel I am more of a "new school" marketer, being a recent college graduate and all and already use social media marketing on a daily basis. Before I even knew this is what I want to do with my life career wise. Pretty basic, common sense social media marketing. So my advice, if you are involved in the marketing world and have no idea what social media marketing is, get this book. It will help clue you in. If you already know what social media marketing is and have already "joined in" with the conversations happening, skip this book. Although this might be a good idea for your boss to read to help them realize when it comes to social media marketing "you're no longer in control anymore," and help them get over it.

There was a couple of things I found benefitial. One was the "A Case in Point" section, which talked about e-newsletters. Since my mom working at a wellness center she writes their monthly e-newsletters, so it was helpful to have some good tips to give her. Including:

1. Encourage visitors to your homepage to click the "Read the Latest Newsletter" or the "Read Our Tip of the Week" button.
2. Include a Tip of the Week page.
3. Archieve everything and provide an "Archives" link with the current newsletter.
4. If you have a testimonial or two about your newsletter, include it near your current newsletter, too.
5. Add a link to a Privacy Policy page so visitors can quickly and easily check your policy.
6. Add your signup form, a short newsletter description, and a link to the current newsletter on other subpages.

Since I run the wellness clinics blog which is currently lacking in reader engagement Weber's book had some general questions to ask readers to start an engagement, which I found helpful too.

One thing I found interesting was Weber's reasoning for why social networks are so successful is because "many people recognize a human need for such connections and are trying to find them as best they can." Such connections that have been lost through television, two-career families, suburban sprawl, and generational changes in values. I kind of agree with him. Anybody else have any thoughts on this?

The only thing I think Weber really got right (and I wish he would have expanded on this more) is: "To influence these communities, I believe, companies should do something for the social good...Even better, be sure that you and others in your organization get personally involved by volunteering your time and talents to whatever it is that will make you and your community prouder, stronger, healthier, happier."

Thoughts on Thailand

Aside from Hurricane Gustav and the Republican National Convention, if anyone pays attention to global news they will have some idea of what is happening in Thailand right now. There is currently a state of emergency as anti-government protesters are taking over the city asking the Prime Minster to step down due to corruption and with various labor unions weighing in the country looks like it will be stuck for awhile.

I woke up this morning and got an email from my dad saying "It looks like we got out in time" with a new attachment from an English Chinese newspaper stating the Chinese government was cautioning Chinese travel to Thailand.

On our way back to Shanghai we spent the night in Bangkok and security there was warning tourists not to leave the premises due to the first day of peaceful demonstrations happening. My family and I literally made it out of the country by the skin of our teeth. Those peaceful demonstrations over the course of a week have quickly escalated into fights, bloodshed and death.

I'm not here to post my views on the Thailand government but I do want to share with you two awesome programs that I have found while in Thailand. Since I have a passion for all things that make a positive impact in the world. I though some other people might enjoy them too:

1. Cabbages & Condoms - is a hip and trendy restaurant that I went to when I was 14 during my first trip to Thailand. It offers traditional Thai food with a twist employees also promote the health and safety aspects of condom use in a fun and amusing way. Also, all proceeds from the restaurant are used to fund the social development programs of Thailand's Population and Community Development Association. I got a really big kick out of the condom flower bouquets.
2. Doi Tong and the Mea Fah Luang Foundation - started in hopes of creating a better life for "The Hill People of Thailand" this foundation brings government support, education, and microfinancing to the area in hopes of building a stronger foundation for the community. The United Nations recently awarded this foundation an excellance award in the fight against drugs. Since Thailand's Hills are known place for drug and human trafficing. I came across this foundation while killing time in Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport. A store was selling products made by the Doi Tong Foundation.

Pretty cool stuff. If anyone knows of any cool foundations that are raising funds through non-traditional means. Let me know. Or blog about them yourself!

First Day of School

Here I am at my first day of Kindergarten at Oak Hills Elementary School. I'm 5 years old and in a dress. Crazy! Today is Bentley College's first day of classes. It is weird to think that for the first time since I was 5 I won't be going to school. I'm excited by the fact that I won't have finals any more. But in the real world I know I will still have papers, projects, and various group work. So not much will really change. Just the fact that I will get paid to work, rather than paying for school and I won't be living with all my best friends on a campus.

Thoughts on China

I'm still a bit jet lagged but I think I can get my thoughts organized enough to share some of my experiences while in China and Thailand.

• It was really good to see my dad. His apartment is really cool but doesn't look "lived-in" - we need to work on that. But I've also realized that I will probably get to see him more now that I'm not going to school in Boston. For example, he is coming back for meetings in October and I would totally miss out on hanging out with him if I was still in college.
• The ultimate highlight of my trip was getting to ride an elephant. Not just sit on the little thing on the top of it's back but actually sit on its neck and "drive" her.
• We also got to go snorkeling on this really awesome island called Koh Tao (Turtle Island) - it was literally a postcard.
• I don't think I've laughed so hard with my family. Mostly at the expense of my mom and I. But I am so blessed to have a funny family. For example, my dad was frustrated at the long line in customs in Shanghai when returning from Thailand. To fix this problem my brother, Kirk, placed his hand on my dad's stomach (he keeps talking about he is loosing weight) and said "seven months now?" And we all started cracking up. Or when we were sitting in our car waiting for dad and dad's driver, Feng, was getting in a fight with a traffic cop and Kirk and I started doing "voice over's" of their conversation.

I'm Back

Back from China. I had a great time. But for now I'm a bit jet-lagged and organizing my life. More updates to come.

10 Things I'm Not Afraid To Admit

I'm stuck in SFO International Airport and I thought I would copy Crystal's blog idea and post 10 Things I'm Not Afraid To Admit:

1. I still sleep with a teddy bear. His name is Teddy Betty. I got him when I was 4 months old. And he has no face.
2. I have to have my toenails painted. This is due to a tattoo on my left foot and a funny "shrek" toe on my right foot.
3. I believe in God.
4. I know I should do more of my own share to take better care of this planet. Stop using recycled bags and bringing coffee in my own coffee cup to work, for example.
5. I love going to local breweries and trying new and different beers and learning about the process. I also collect pint glasses from breweries. I have over 30 thus far.
   
6. I love my family unconditionally. However, I think they are all nuts.
7. I really enjoy q-tipping my ears. I love the feeling. I have no idea why though.
8. I love popping zits and peeling off dead skin. Especially on other people. My mom says I should have become a dermatologist instead of doing marketing.
9. I think it would be cool to get a license to carry a concealed weapon. I would never want to carry a weapon or feel like I have too. I just think it would be crazy to know I could if I wanted too. It should also be noted that guns scare me.
10. I really hope my children are all taller than me.

What are you Not Afraid To Admit?

The Girl Effect

Awesome video! This is what drives me!

Tickets are In

The plane tickets are in!

I will officially be in China, Saturday, August 16th through Friday, August 29th.

Still trying to figure out Thailand.

SO PUMPED TO SEE MY DAD IN 4 DAYS!

Question of the Day

I feel like I should ask more questions on my blog. In an attempt to find out if people actually read it and to get to know them more. So question of the day is:

"If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?"

Okay Okay

So if you hadn't noticed, I've been kind of sick/stress/anxious/miserable/negative lately. Kind of out of character for me. So I decided this morning. After getting woken up too early, that I need an attitude adjustment. I need to refocus and be more positive.

So I'm trying (failing in my imperfect human ways) but trying.

And God is still blessing me and Satan is testing me at the same time.

WHO WOULDN'T KILL FOR A CHANCE TO GO TO CHINA? More importantly, who wouldn't be totally stoked to have two whole weeks to hang out with their dad in China and Thailand (did I mention Thailand yet?)

All I have to do is survive this week and I'm golden.

Pos: Get to go to China.
Neg: Have to get a ton of last minute subs at the pool.
Pos: I was scared I was going to have to quit my job to be able to go to China, but was totally shocked at how awesome my boss was in helping me get subs. That is done with! (Not to mention she gave me a ton of Lead Guard Hours since another HG is having surgery so I'm going to break even after going to China for a week!)
Neg: I have to refill a prescription.
Pos: Call it in!
Neg: Apparently the drugs I have been taking are "black boxed" which means they could kill me. Now I have to fix a doctors visit in before Saturday - found a spot.
Pos: Figuring this out before my health benefits run out.
Neg: Need to get a hair cut.
Pos: My friend suggested this really awesome place. I got in. And they do eyebrows - two birds one stone.

China - Plan Break Down

Original Plan:
Dad, Kirk and I - Shanghai, Beijing (for the Olympics), Xi'an, Bali (for a week - Dad's vacation)

Plan 2:
Mom is coming too.

Plan 3:
No Olympics (didn't get visas/tickets in time).

Plan 4:
Thailand instead of Bali.

Plan 5:
No Beijing due to Olympics.

Plan 6:
Leave Thursday, 8/14

Plan 7:
Leave Saturday, 8/16

Plan 8:
Who knows... I'm at my wits end.

Mis-communications from the get go:

• No repeat countries for me for Dad's vacation week, thus not Thailand or Viet Nam - FAIL
• Want to see Great Wall and Terra Cotta Warriors - QUESTIONABLE
• Hang out with Dad - DEFINITE

Kirk - just wants to see Dad.
Mom - wants a free trip to China.
I - want to see Dad and make the most of my time off from work/job hunting.

Trying to be optimistic right now and failing miserably.

Stressed and Blessed

Today I felt like my body was telling me I was stressed. Sleep deprived and having the chills. Even though I don't feel stressed. I haven't felt this way since sophomore year of college, when my parents got separated, me and my boyfriend of 3 years broke up, I was getting injections into my shoulder to help it heal from collegiate swimming, and I was going to college 3,000 miles away from home.

I didn't feel stressed out then - but when my doctor pointed all that out to me I understood how I could be stressed out. Needless to say I'm taking it easy this weekend.

• Tomorrow is my first day off from working since Houseboat Camp on June 21st.
• Last night was the first time I ever slept alone in my house (just Dainty and I) so I went to bed at 1:30AM and woke up at 5:15Am to open the pool.
• My health insurance will run out August 27th (my 22nd birthday). This is something that terrifies me.
• I might be leaving for China a week from today. Something I am super excited about, but I need to get more organized before I leave for two weeks.
  

But I do have some exciting stuff going on with my life.

• I had a great conversation with my dad this afternoon - looks like I'm going to China soon.
• I got another female business women mentor. That makes two. I'm such a lucky girl. I've been working with Darcy Winslow - Executive Advisor for the Nike Foundation for 4 years. Now I'm adding Jill Eiland from Corporate Affairs at Intel to my list.
• I've applied to some really awesome jobs at Habitat for Humanity and OMSI.
• I reconnected with another family friend who is helping me get more involved with Oregon politics and is also helping me get more involved in the Komen Organization.
• I finally started helping my aunt get rid of some stuff from her previous job (we've been talking about doing it for 3 years).

But for now. I'm planning on spending the rest of the weekend resting. Regardless, I'm focusing on all the blessings God has given me this past week.

Beer Bread

One of my best friends from high school, Jon Grotz is visiting me this weekend. Today after checking out the Red Bull Flutag he taught me how to make beer bread. And it is yummy! Thought I would share the love. Here is the recipe:

Jon Grotz's Simple Yummy Beer Bread:
Ingredients:

• 3 cups of flour
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 3 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1 dark beer (room temperature) - today we used Sam Adam's Cream Stout
• 3/4 stick of melted butter

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Grease loaf pan
• Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and beer
• Pour into pan
• Bake for 45 minutes
• Then pour melted butter on top
• Bake for an additional 15 minutes
• Cool and enjoy!
  

"Every Day I'm Hustling"

Here are some things that I am doing to make money this summer:

1. Head Lifeguard at T.H.P.R.D.'s Aquatic Center
2. Working a swim camp at Nike
3. Selling a family friend's random assets on craigslist and ebay

Although, no none of these jobs offer health benefits. Something I will need on August 27th (my 22nd birthday), when my dad's insurance expires for me. Which makes me very nervous. Here are my options:

1. Get a "real" job - still working on that.
2. Get a part time job that offers benefits (like a Starbuck's barista)
3. Apply (and get into) Portland State grad school and take one graduate school course and thus go back to being a "full time" student.

Other suggestions? Thoughts? Random insight?

Lunch Tomorrow

Tomorrow I am having lunch with Darcy Winslow, who is basically my business mentor. I have been working with her since 2005, when I started interning for her in Nike's Global Women's Fitness. She has been an awesome friend of mine. Hopefully some job leads will come from this. Nike isn't currently hiring anyone that fits my talents. But I would love to work there. Since I grew up in the Nike Tyke culture and working for the Nike Foundation is my ultimate dream job.

Side comment - tomorrow is the Cheesecake Factory's $1.50 per slice celebration? Anyone down?