KONY 2012

Many times there are things I hear about in this world that I wish I could change. Most of the time, I feel like I do not have enough power to make it happen and I feel helpless. This is something I want to change. This is an issue that must be changed. This video gives us a way to unite and create the power to make that change happen. Watch it, take action, at least share the video - for the Invisible Children.

Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie

So my sister recently moved here and I have to admit, I'm sorta hating it. Totally not cool on my end. Who's going to be my shopping buddy and make sarcastic comments with me? And no more monkeys.

Oh well, she's liking it there. I'm happy about that and her new adventures.

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. 

I'm Wearing Orange Today

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"Perhaps they are not stars in the sky,
but rather openings where our loved ones shine down
to let us know they are happy."
~ Eskimo Legend

M|m: Japan

Photo drawn by Jackie of Chibird

On Thursday night at about 12:15 a.m. I was flipping between Food Network and HGTV when Matt looked up from his laptop and asked if we got CNN. Right as I replied, "yes" he told me to change the channel. As soon as it switched, the TV read "Breaking News" across the bottom and the reporters were talking about an 8.9 earthquake off the coast of Japan. We watched in shock and sadness as live footage showed a massive tsunami tear across the land as a result of the earthquake. The thing that kept floating in my head while watching was not necessarily how scary this tsunami and earthquake was, but how devastating and immensely difficult it would be to repair the county and its people. Each day since, several times a day, I have been checking to see the news reports on how Japan is coping and dealing with the aftermath. Even after the original earthquake and tsunami have ended, the government and people's attention has a multitude of things to focus on. Among trying to rescue those stranded, provide food and shelter, ration electricity, and locate people unaccounted for, the country is also trying to keep a serious nuclear issue under control all while continuing to suffer multiple aftershocks a day. 

Yet with everything going on, I am surprised to see how calmly the people of Japan seem to be. When news reporters talked of people looking for food left at grocery stores, they showed video of it. The people weren't running around, knocking others over and scrambling to steal items like I expected to see in a crisis like this. Instead they were waiting patiently in a line that wrapped around the building to get their maximum of 10 items. I hope that the peace among people continues and that the Japanese government is able to make the best decisions possible regarding the issues it is facing now as well as when it starts to rebuild. 

Each time I see the news, I know I want to help. And while I realize trying to physically make my way to Japan is not feasible right now, I can donate to the red cross. I do also realize that the amount of money I have given is no where near enough to make it all better, nor would all the money in my bank account, but EVERY little bit helps! 

Donate for Japan

Or if you don't have paypal or want to use a credit card, this may be a better option

If you're interested in more, read here and here

i find that music helps.

the rhythm and flow of a song

put my mind at ease

when i can't find the words 

to describe emotions

there's no way of really knowing

how to express my thoughts 

so i listen to lyrics and see that

someone has felt it before

and put it into words much better than i

"Words are kind

They helped ease the mind

I'll miss my old friend

And though you gotta go

We'll keep a piece of your soul"

remember when we stayed up really late and watched music videos on vh1?

i do.

oh, and em - we count too.

Havarti in Heaven

Ok I realize this is pretty strange and borderline weird...but I'm blogging about it anyway because its been on my mind.

On Monday a little before midnight, our little pet rat Havarti passed away.

Yes, we had a pet rat. And no, we didn't catch her in our apartment and just decide to keep her, we actually wanted a rat and went to a pet store to buy her.

Havarti did not get to live her full age due to an inoperable brain tumor. Her first symptoms began during the summer and she gradually declined from there. She started spending much more time sleeping, not being able to climb and jump on things, and eventually had a hard time eating and walking. We had been giving her medicine to slow the process but after some time, it stopped working. Last Friday we realized that she was really having a hard time and debated taking her in to the vet to have her put to sleep. We decided to wait, hoping a higher dose of the medicine would help her get better. Unfortunately it didn't, but we're glad that she passed on her own rather than having to take her to the vet. Hopefully she died in as much comfort as possible. I sat with her bundled in a small towel and snuggled her on my lap for a couple hours until she went.

Now every time I walk down the hallway and pass the room with her cage in it, I have to fight the habit of peeking in to check on her or see if she's waiting for us to come greet her.

We buried her today.

Havarti Kaefer
June 2008-October 2009

p.s. my nerdiness as a crazy animal lover and pet owner is now over...for the time being.

Today

6/10/08 seems far away at times and other days it seems like it hasn't been so long. One year ago around this same time I had just arrived home from a day at American Fork after telling Erik that I would see him tomorrow. And although Matt and I did go back the next day, we did not see Erik again.

It's interesting how one day can give the feeling that I'm walking around constantly putting salt on a wound. And I know I'm not even one of those whose life is most affected by it.

I am lucky to have known Erik. I am grateful for the things he taught Matt and I, and the random advice he always gave. And I am very very thankful that Erik was here for our wedding.

We think about you all the time and we miss you every day.