Relay for Life [50]

Here's a bit of a history lesson: In 1985, Dr. Gordy Klatt of Tacoma, WA decided to enhance the funds of his local American Cancer Society office and show support for all of his patients who had battled cancer by running and walking a 24 hour marathon at the University of Puget Sound's Baker Stadium. Throughout the 24 hours, 300 of his friends, family, and patients paid $24 to run or walk with him for 30 minutes. He ran more than 83 miles and raised $27,000. The next year he combined forces with Pat Flynn, now known as the "Mother of Relay," to host the City of Destiny Classic 24-hour Run Against Cancer. 19 teams participated to raise $33,000. This year alone over 4 million people will participate in a Relay for Life event at over 5,200 relays in America and another 1,000 or so in 20 other countries. Today, the event is an overnight relay-style event where teams camp out around a track and members of those teams continuously take turns walking or running. There are games, activities, and food to keep the energy going and to provide fundraising opportunities. Every event is slightly unique but all share three events: the survivors lap, the luminaria ceremony, and the fight back ceremony. At the beginning survivors and caregivers are honored by starting the relay with the survivors lap where they walk the track once on their own. The luminaria ceremony occurs once it's dark out, when candles are lit in paper bags that have names written on them of individuals touched by cancer. Usually all participants join in a lap of silence. Lastly, there is the fight back ceremony where everyone makes a personal commitment to fighting back and saving lives by taking simple steps like getting screened or quitting smoking.

I got to go to a Relay event for the first time last year. I raised over $100. This year I wasn't nearly as on top of things, so I didn't raise any money, but I was on a team again, I helped decorate the table, and I walked 15 laps in the short period of time that I got to be at the event.

 

In memory of 

Annelise Raddatz (1907-1991) 

Brigitte Lamprecht (1935-1975) 

Britta Rewi (1969-2012)

Failings [49]

"Surely a spirited old lady may be the prettiest sight in the world" 

 The Little White Bird by JM Barrie

Early on in this project I was supposed to drive this little old lady around looking at senior housing options in the area. This all came about because I included some kind of project in the children's wing of a hospital on my list of possible ideas for my 365 ways and my mom grumpily commented that "everyone always forgets the older adults." So, I added "be nice to old people" to my list. Now I guess I'll have to find another way to check that one off.

Another failed attempt: Minimalism. I tried, really. But, blame it on the repeated moving or the shyness, or any other of many personality quirks, I just don’t have it in me to give up some of my things.

             

I could blame it on being tired or on being in a social situation, but no matter the excuse, when the girl at the pet store asked me if I needed a bag I immediately answered "yes". In reality, no I didn’t need a bag. Most of the stuff could be put in my messenger bag and what didn’t fit, probably the bulky dog harness, could just as easily be carried separately in one of my two free hands (it’s such a fabulous thing, using backpacks to carry our school books so we have our hands free to open doors and gesture and, often enough in my case, to balance ourselves). But no, for some reason I answered yes, and now I’m stuck with this plastic bag that will be around many millennia after I’m gone. Maybe I should sign it? Some little kid thousands of years in the future might think I was famous then. 

The thing about all these “failings” is that they might be minor setbacks, but in the overall scheme of life, they’re not so bad. This post is in honor of random act (well, goal really) #49 this year, so little old lady failing by its lonesome seems pretty inconsequential in comparison. I’ll be moving to Edinburgh, Scotland in 5 months so I’ll need to go through all of my belongings and downsize to what I’m taking with me, what I’m keeping at home, and what I’m donating. Therefore, minimalism is a battle I’ve lost this time around but there are plenty more battles to come. And finally, the case of the plastic bag. Every time I go grocery shopping I bring my own reusable bags. When I go shopping for non-food things I also bring a bag. If it’s a small number of easily-carried items I often say “no thanks” to plastic bags even when I’ve forgotten my own. And on a wider environmental scale, even though I have a car at school I only rarely drive. I either walk to class, or when I am using a car it’s because I’m getting a ride or I’m heading straight on to the Humane Society to volunteer. More adventuresome souls than I might decide to walk there, but I’ll pass up that opportunity, thanks (after all, it takes 50 minutes and is technically on a highway...). 

So, back to the original point: world-changing idea of the day is acceptance of imperfection in myself and others. And, before any attempts at further inspirational rantings take root, I'll quote someone who can be quite serious in a very fun way...

"Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest. Except when you don’t. Because, sometimes, you won’t.” –Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go

The Little Things [48]

This year, spring break was a whirlwind of awkward moments at a ballet performance, celebratory Indian dinners, never-ending homework, and 20ish hours with my best friend. In those 20 hours, besides watching movies for the sole purpose of making fun of them and several quality hours of chatting, we also engaged in sunbathing. Although on the outside I seemed calm, quietly sprawled across a blanket with eyes shut, on the inside I looked a little bit like this:
 

While you cold-lovers have already started complaining that this beautiful weather is forecasting that the summer will be “so hot,” we sun-worshipers are enjoying every minute of warmth. Come October you’ll get your snow and cold again, so for now grin and bear it so someone else, aka me, can be completely and absolutely happy and enjoy the little things in life. 

Bonus list, more of this week's little things:

1. Time with Bilbo and Dmitri

2. Picnic lunches on the porch

3. sundress weather

4. walks through downtown Chelsea

5. teatime 

6. swinging

7. time to bake and cook

An active mind and slow to speak [47]

Warning: This post is not for the commitment-phobs in the audience. 

Autism Speaks Walk

Send Silence Packing

Active Minds OWU represented at the National Coference

It’s quite simple, if you want to change the world, join Active Minds. It is absolutely one of the best organizations I have ever been a part of. As a national organization, its power lies in its college chapters. Active Minds is an organization started in 2001 by Alison Malmon at the University of Pennsylvania after the suicide of her older brother, Brian. It's purpose is to end the stigma against mental health disorders, to change the conversation about these disorders, and to promote mental health. It grew so much in the first two years that in 2003 the national headquarters was established in D.C. There are now over 340 chapters on campuses around the country. There are the national awareness weeks and months for eating disorders and autism. There’s the campaign to make everyone aware of “what a difference a friend makes” in promoting mental health through communication and love. And then there are the national conferences where we all come together and talk about what we’ve done lately and brainstorm for the years to come. Going this past year was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

But, if you’re a bit afraid of diving right in, face first and with both feet, you can choose to join one event. For example, there was National Spread the Word to End the Word Day last Wednesday. If you missed it, never fear, you can still sign the pledge: http://r-word.org/. This campaign has become near and dear to my heart because of the overarching message of being careful and respectful when you speak. While we’re on the topic of not saying certain words, I’d like everyone to reflect on the word “Nazi.” I try to block out the memories and the number of times I have heard friends, acquaintances, and random people on the street use the word “Nazi” in a derogatory way. You’ve all heard the “she’s such a homework Nazi” speech before. But, as one who has been called a Nazi simply for being a blond-haired, blue-eyed, German child, I say that’s not OK. Using it in that sense belittles history and makes me incredibly uncomfortable. We all have those words or phrases in our lives that are associated with something negative, so just think before you speak.

Spread the Word to End the Word [46]

We've all heard someone say "that's so retarded" or "she's so OCD." Sometimes we are even the culprits. But that ends now. The word "retard(ed)" was originally introduced as part of the medical term "mental retardation," but today it is used as a degrading synonym to "dumb" or "stupid," which only reinforces painful prejudices against those with intellectual disabilities. Obama signed Rosa's Law on October 5, 2010. This removes the term "mental retardation" in any form from federal health, education, and labor policy and replaces it with "intellectual disabilities." Rosa's Law is only part of the movement across the country to pledge to stop using the word "retard(ed)." And when I say pledge, I literally mean sign your name to a pledge (at least an online one). And, although you can take the pledge any day, all the cool kids are doing it today, 3.07.12, because it's the national day to pledge! If you'd like to join me, my fellow OWU Active Minders, and a growing number of Americans, here's the link: r-word.org. 

I speak for those without a voice [45]

Last week I started a project to change this guy's life (→) and this cutie's life (←) and also this baby's life (↓)

How you ask? Well, by volunteering at the local Humane Society and helping with temperament testing and behavior modification plans. Besides me wanting to adopt every single one of the dogs I've met so far at the shelter, I've also gotten to get jumped on and licked and loved by these amazing animals, which is something that has been sorely lacking from my life. Best of all, the work I do will help the shelter better match potential adopters with dogs and improve the dogs' chances of staying with one family rather than being brought back because of preventable and reversible behavior problems. I'm using a program called "Meet Your Match" through the ASPCA at the Humane Society of Delaware County. You can check 'em out at their respective websites (MYM and HSDC) and remember to adopt!

20 steps to photographing a puppy… 

1. Remove camera from box and load SD card.

2. Remove camera box and SD card packaging from puppy's mouth and throw in trash.

3. Remove puppy from trash and brush coffee grounds from muzzle.

4. Choose a suitable background for photo.

5. Mount camera on tripod and focus.

6. Find puppy and take dirty sock from mouth.

7. Place puppy in pre-focused spot and return to camera.

8. Forget about spot and crawl after puppy on knees.

9. Focus with one hand and fend off puppy with other hand.

10. Get tissue and clean nose print from lens.

11. Take tri-pod leg out of puppy’s mouth and clean off slobber, check camera for major damage incurred during fall.

12. Put cat outside and put ointment on the scratch on puppy's nose.

13. Put magazines back on coffee table, later to be squeegeed.

14. Try to get puppy's attention by squeaking toy over your head…

15. Replace your glasses and check camera for damage…again.

16. Jump up in time to grab puppy and say, "No, outside! No, outside!"

17. Call spouse to clean up mess.

18. Fix a drink.

19. Sit back in Lazy Boy with drink and resolve to teach puppy "sit/stand" and "stay" the first thing in the morning.

20. Consider adopting "older, trained" rescue dog.

National Eating Disorders Awareness Week: Operation Beautiful [42, 43, 44]

February 26-March 4, 2012 is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

What kind of awareness are we trying to spread?

-20% of college students suffer from an eating disorder. That's 1 in 5. 91% of women surveyed on a college campus had attempted to control their weight through dieting. 25% of college-aged women engaged in binging and purging in attempt to lose weight.

-More than 24 million Americans suffer from an eating disorder. An estimated 10-15% of people with anorexia or bulimia are male. 42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner, and 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat. In the last ten years, the number of children under 12 years old being hospitalized for eating disorders has increased by more than 120 percent.

-Eating disorders are not diets. They are rarely even about food and weight. They are about control and perfectionism.

-They have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. 20% of people suffering from anorexia will prematurely die from complications related to their eating disorder, including suicide and heart problems.

But this week is not only about sharing the facts, it's also about spreading the love. On Facebook this is in the form of a group called "Operation Beautiful." Check it out: here. Other than spouting out random facts on here, I participated in an Eating Disorders discussion at our Active Minds meeting on Monday (don't know what Active Minds is? You're missing out! Check it out: here) and I also decorated the mirror in our apartment with happy, uplifting, inspirational little comments:

 The last picture's a little blurry, but the orange stickie says: "Contrary to popular belief, knowing you are beautiful does not make you conceited, it makes you revolutionary" and the blue one says: "Don't let your mind bully your body."




I got all my info from classes (yay Psych major) or from the FB page, which got it's info from: here, here, or here.

It's Cereal Time! [41]

5 Ingredients or less Wednesday is here once more! If food is one of my favorite things in general, then cereal definitely has to be one of my favorite categories of food. I eat cereal for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and as a midnight snack. I'm kind of picky about my cereal, but what kind of food am I not picky about?

 

 There's a funny story behind my love of rice cereal. When I was living in Ireland last year I would randomly go shopping at this little vegetarian co-op (happy memories) where I found this all natural, 2 ingredient rice cereal with which I fell head over heels in love. At first I was all worried because I had never seen any healthy rice cereal back in the states but then I realized (with a little help from my mom...) that the cereal I was so in love with was actually produced by an American company. Win! Although I haven't been able to find the exact product either in Michigan or Ohio (or Washington for that matter...) I have been lucky enough to stumble upon Erewhon Rice Cereal, with a grand total of 3 ingredients. Yum yum yum!

Bear Naked, RAKs, bible verses, WOW [37, 38, 39, 40]

February has been kind of lame-sauce in regards to blog posts. Senioritis and I have been a bit too buddy-buddy, completely blocking all attempts at motivation and productivity. But luckily there have been some small projects that have been successes, so here they are:

The other day I learned that you should always read the back of whatever food item you buy, and not just for the nutritional facts. Bear Naked is one company from which I sporadically buy food. When I was craving some chocolatey munchy food and found chocolate cherry trailmix-ish stuff I was quite happy. Then during class I was really bored and ended up reading the back of the package, and this is what I found: (what's in the brown box)

 Once it's all gone I'll be sure to recycle the package :)

Get ready! Random acts of kindness are making a comeback!! This week's act was buying ice cream for my roomie. We went to Jeni's Ice Cream (om nom nom nom!) on our way to the sketchy mc-sketch corner of Columbus to drop our friend off at the Greyhound station and I just paid for my roomie's ice cream completely out of the blue. You're welcome C!

Next up, excuse me as I bring out the crazy once again. I don't think I'm crazy to believe in God, I used to, but now I find my faith to be one of the most comforting aspects of my life. I know many don't agree with me and I'd like to tell them: to each their own. I won't judge you, please don't judge me. But, back on topic. As my Number Thirty blog post probably showed, I'm a huge fan of quotes. They help to keep me motivated, they lift my spirits, they make me laugh. I'll spare you further sappy comments, but quotes from the Bible are no different. I know I have friends who are quite similar in that regard, and so my latest project is to randomly surprise people with a Bible verse, in card or poster form. You'll have to wait for show and tell, I don't want to give away the surprise completely after all!

And finally, Sunday was the WOW (Wide Open World) offering day. That means that my church, LifePoint, takes a public offering and all of the money raised goes towards missions work all around the world. We have mission groups that work right here in the Midwest, in Peru, Cuba, Jamaica, and now even in Uganda. I've already talked about tithing more joyfully, but this offering really has allowed me to make a world-wide difference.   

Sustainable choices, #2 [36]

I have officially transitioned from food obsessed to water obsessed on this blog... Last night was college student diet night. It's definitely not my favorite style of meal, with the disposable containers and all, but I decided not to make it worse with attempted homey-ness. So, instead of pouring my "just add water, mix, and heat" soup into my favorite bowl and having a little plate on the side for my bagel, the soup stayed in its disposable cup and the bagel and table were separated only by the paper napkin my bagel was served on at the bakery. If I'm already going to contribute trash to the environmental epidemic, I might as well not double my impact by having to wash dishes (though for those who are wondering, yes there was a quick rinse of the spoon involved). Basically vow #2 of the sustainable choices challenge for me is to minimize either my trash production or my water usage each meal, I don't have to be screwing the Earth over in two ways with each meal.