It's Christmas! I want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday and a happy new year!
This evening we will be having family over and exchanging presents and I'll be schooling my family (mainly Mirullia) in Family Feud for the Wii. I've gotten pretty darn good!
I hope everyone enjoys this time with their family and friends and those they love.
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
I Can't Believe It's That Time of Year Again
Seriously, people! It's the holidays and when did that happen?
Okay so I definitely stole this idea from the wonderful gals over at Mommin' It Up but it was a great idea! This post is dedicated to different holiday gift ideas...but with a twist.
This year instead of buying your dad another neck tie or your crazy Aunt Ida another pair of pajamas give them a gift that could change the world! Giving alternative gifts is one of my favorite ways to give gifts because a)it's giving a gift to a person less fortunate (and doesn't that just make your heart melt?) and b) there's practically no wrapping necessary.
My family will tell you that I'm awful at giving gifts, and it's true. Last year I gave my sister-in-law an orange potato peeler shaped like a gorilla...and my brother two rolls of camo duct-tape. I've come to terms with this defect and giving alternative gifts is my solution. So here are some of my suggestions:
Okay so I definitely stole this idea from the wonderful gals over at Mommin' It Up but it was a great idea! This post is dedicated to different holiday gift ideas...but with a twist.
This year instead of buying your dad another neck tie or your crazy Aunt Ida another pair of pajamas give them a gift that could change the world! Giving alternative gifts is one of my favorite ways to give gifts because a)it's giving a gift to a person less fortunate (and doesn't that just make your heart melt?) and b) there's practically no wrapping necessary.
My family will tell you that I'm awful at giving gifts, and it's true. Last year I gave my sister-in-law an orange potato peeler shaped like a gorilla...and my brother two rolls of camo duct-tape. I've come to terms with this defect and giving alternative gifts is my solution. So here are some of my suggestions:
Heifer International
Here you can purchase an animal to be sent to a famiy or communilty in need. You can also buy a share of an animal.
Nothing But Nets
Purchase a net to protect a family against Malaria.
World Vision
World Vision's main campaign is the sponsorship of children so that they can attend school. They also have a wide range of other categories to choose from.
Here you can purchase an animal to be sent to a famiy or communilty in need. You can also buy a share of an animal.
Nothing But Nets
Purchase a net to protect a family against Malaria.
World Vision
World Vision's main campaign is the sponsorship of children so that they can attend school. They also have a wide range of other categories to choose from.
So before you head to the crowded mall browse these sites to see what you can find. Your purchase could save a life. However, if none of these sites suit your fancy you could always donate through this blog to help me on my way to Africa. On the right hand side of this page there is a link to PayPal so that you can donate using your credit card.
Happy Holidays everyone!
Days to go from December 4th, 2009: 225 Days!
Malawi fact of the day: The land was established in 1891 by the British and was named Nyasaland. In 1964 it became the independent country of present day Malawi.
Happy Holidays everyone!
Days to go from December 4th, 2009: 225 Days!
Malawi fact of the day: The land was established in 1891 by the British and was named Nyasaland. In 1964 it became the independent country of present day Malawi.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
I'm so glad you asked...
Since announcing my Africa plans I've had a lot of people ask me why I would want to do this. I think today, Thanksgiving Day, is a perfect day to answer that exact question.
Thanksgiving is a perfect time to remember all the things for which we have to be thankful. Some things I'm thankful for include my family and friends whom I love, having an education, and all the opportunities I've been given. As I look at all the things in my life that I have to be thankful for the need for me to give back gets bigger and bigger.
I feel compelled to serve in Africa because I have been blessed with such an amazing life and it is my duty to give back and pay it forward. I am a pretty lucky kid and I've had a pretty easy life compared to the majority of the people in the world. I've always known where all my meals were coming from and that I was going to eat, I've always had a bed to sleep in, I know my family is safe, and I am blessed to live in a great country like the United States of America. You might ask, "How could you go to Africa? It's so different from America." Believe me, I like running water and air conditioning as much as the next gal. I was worried the first time I went to a developing country, Honduras in 2006, but once I got there I was completely at ease. I knew that the amenities I had (outdoor showers and bathrooms, back of a pick-up truck for transportation, etc.) were the norm for everyone else in that region so I shouldn't expect anything different. I know that in Africa it's going to be hard to live without the internet, running water, and AC but I can do it if everyone else can do it. If most of the people in the world live like this for their entire lives then I can definitely live like them for at least two weeks.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Malawi fact of the day: Lilongwe is Malawi's capital.
Thanksgiving is a perfect time to remember all the things for which we have to be thankful. Some things I'm thankful for include my family and friends whom I love, having an education, and all the opportunities I've been given. As I look at all the things in my life that I have to be thankful for the need for me to give back gets bigger and bigger.
I feel compelled to serve in Africa because I have been blessed with such an amazing life and it is my duty to give back and pay it forward. I am a pretty lucky kid and I've had a pretty easy life compared to the majority of the people in the world. I've always known where all my meals were coming from and that I was going to eat, I've always had a bed to sleep in, I know my family is safe, and I am blessed to live in a great country like the United States of America. You might ask, "How could you go to Africa? It's so different from America." Believe me, I like running water and air conditioning as much as the next gal. I was worried the first time I went to a developing country, Honduras in 2006, but once I got there I was completely at ease. I knew that the amenities I had (outdoor showers and bathrooms, back of a pick-up truck for transportation, etc.) were the norm for everyone else in that region so I shouldn't expect anything different. I know that in Africa it's going to be hard to live without the internet, running water, and AC but I can do it if everyone else can do it. If most of the people in the world live like this for their entire lives then I can definitely live like them for at least two weeks.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Malawi fact of the day: Lilongwe is Malawi's capital.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Excited? Me too!
Welcome to my first posting! Join me as I chronicle my journey to Malawi, Africa. Throughout the next seven months I will be busy fundraising, getting vaccinations, renewing my passport, researching, and oh yeah...being a full-time college student.
As I move along in my journey, so will you. Stay tuned to my postings to be informed about what's going on in Malawi, what's going on with me, my progress, and how you can help me.
I need your feedback and encourage comments.
As I move along in my journey, so will you. Stay tuned to my postings to be informed about what's going on in Malawi, what's going on with me, my progress, and how you can help me.
I need your feedback and encourage comments.
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