M|m: Gotye Choreography

I enjoyed this and thought it was cool since I pretty much still can't get enough of this song.

M|m: The Power of a Good Shave

Sorry Twilight lovers, but this is funny.

M|m: Swan Lake Amazingness

My jaw literally dropped in awe about 5 times while watching this.

M|m: Halloween

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Just for fun, here are some Halloween facts.
found via clearwater.patch.com

-The biggest trend for Halloween costumes this year is zombies, according to the National Retail Federation's annual Costumes Survey.
- In 2010 there were an estimated 41 million trick-or-treaters between the ages of 5 and 14.
- The first jack-o-lanterns were actually carved from turnips.
- Halloween is the second highest grossing commercial holiday after Christmas.
- Trick-or-treating evolved from an ancient Celtic tradition of putting out treats and food to placate spirits who roamed the streets at Samhain, a sacrad festival that marked the end of the Celtic calendar year.
- 50 percent of kids prefer to receive chocolate candy (not surprising), compared with 24 percent (I would fall into this category), who prefer non-chocolate candy and a 10 percent who prefer gum.

M|m: T-Rex

M|m: My Favorite Season via Pinterest

Autumn is my favorite time of year. Right now seems to be especially nice because the weather is mild and the leaves are changing. I love the crisp air that comes with Autumn. Because this time of year brings so many colors and mixes those feelings of eerie and enchantment, I thought I'd dedicate a Pinterest board to it.

Click here to take a look at the whole board.

M|m:Maximus

I just watched Tangled today. I'm a little behind the times, I know. I love the horse in the movie, they gave him such a funny personality.

M|m: The End of Dinosaurs

M|m: I Love Cirque du Soleil. This is AMAZING!

M|m: Sungha Jung

I'm not usually one for instrumental music but I think I could listen to music played by Sungha Jung all day. I'm thinking I need one of his cds. He is self taught and very talented. Many of the arrangements he has made himself just by listening to the original song. Visit his site to learn more about him and hear other songs.

M|m: The Dollar Store - For When You Don't Feel Like Going to "Formal" Wal-Mart

M|m: One Awesome Wizard

M|m: Hunger Crisis in Horn of Africa

fam·ine

noun

1. Extreme and general scarcity of food, as in a country or large geographical area.

2. Any extreme and general scarcity.

3. Extreme hunger; starvation.

"This is worse than 1992," said Lul Mohamed, Banadir’s head of pediatrics, referring to Somalia’s last famine. 
"Back then, at least we had some help."
Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

A child at a hospital in Mogadishu. A few years ago, the Shabab started banning immunizations, deeming them a Western plot to kill Somali children, and this has made matters even worse as tens of thousands of malnourished, immunity-suppressed people flee the drought-stricken areas and converge on the filthy, crowded camps in Mogadishu. It’s not only starvation that kills people during famine, but also opportunistic, highly contagious diseases like cholera, measles and typhoid.
Photo: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times

Sometimes I avoid watching or keeping up on world news because it can have such a depressing factor. And although it is embarrassing to admit, it is more often easier to have ignorance than it is to look a problem in the eye and have the motivation to do something about it. I think one of the largest reasons I have a hard time doing something is because I don't really know where to start. Problems like world hunger are so large and daunting that it seems almost impossible. Usually the thought comes to mind that even though I may donate money to a cause, even my entire life's savings wouldn't be able to make a dent in how many suffering people need it. (Enter depressing thoughts all over again.) But I constantly remind myself that no matter how small, every little bit helps. I also like to think that if everyone had a cynical mind and never contributed simply because they thought their contributions wouldn't matter, this world would be an even worse place. 

Last week I decided to make a channel stop on the television and watch Anderson Cooper on CNN. He was in Africa covering the famine. It's awful to think of what the people there are having to go through. 

"What is happening in the Horn of Africa is the most severe humanitarian emergency in the world today and the worst that East Africa has seen in several decades,"

-U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton,  
"U.N. far short of dollars to deal with Africa famine" By Nima Elbagir and Moni Basu, CNN

Many of them travel for a month or more on foot in order to make it to the areas where relief and aid are set up only to find that there isn't much relief to be had. People are gathering in such large quantities and so often, that the relief efforts cannot keep up. Although famine is about lack of food, it isn't the only devastation met by the people in East Africa. Famine causes a ripple effect of problems. 

"What happens during famine is that people die of epidemic diseases like measles and malaria ... and if we can't support health activities then we will lose a lot of lives unnecessarily."

-Mark Bowden, U.N. Coordinator for Somalia, 
"U.N. far short of dollars to deal with Africa famine" By Nima Elbagir and Moni Basu, CNN

After reading various articles, I wanted to see what can be done to help. I came across this article, "You have the power to end hunger" which gave me some inspiration, if you will. It led me to more articles and resources that show ways to get involved in a fight against world hunger. One of them is actually to play a game. Not too hard right? For every correct answer, rice is donated through the World Food Programme to help end hunger.

Visit http://freerice.com/ to play. It's free to play and just a few minutes wracking your brain for correct answers helps someone find food. 

You can also read this article which gives many options on quick, easy ways to help. 

i.e. donate through text, phone call, or foundation websites. 

For more information on how to get involved beyond donating, visit the World Hunger Programme's website.

Each person makes a difference. 

M|m: Laundry

M|m: Haiku

M|m: How Cute!

That's animal love.
And yes, we make little  food platters for our chewskis too.
It's worth it when you get to watch them enjoy it.

Espresso anyone?

Just chillin'

Shh...we're spooning

Look at those feet!

I is panda cat

M|m: It's Been Hot Out

Sorry I haven't been so good at posting lately, or even getting Media Monday out on time. But here you go, one day late.

M|m: It's My Favorite Holiday!

I love the 4th of July. Maybe because it gives me a chance to bring out my inner pyro... 

I have some great memories of participating in the neighborhood 4th of July parade with my dad when I was younger. It was fun to get decked out in patriotic style and throw candy from the back of his motorcycle. 

Here are some things that I think of when I think 4th of July.

BBQs

Fireworks!

Those who have fought and those who continue to fight to make our country what it is.

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name, and by authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance, to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved; and that, as free and independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which independent states may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

If you're interested, read here to learn about some common 4th of July myths.

M|m: For Those Who Love Grammar

Click Me

For those who don't love grammar, here's a news story that may make you laugh and/or be disgusted...

M|m: Friends

elise juska