Here’s an excerpt:
600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 2,600 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 4 years to get that many views.
Category: 2012
Those Crazy Mayans!
Okay, Dot (my mom) wanted me to make sure everyone is prepared for Dec. 21st. When I was there for Thanksgiving she said to me, “I want to talk to you about something and I don’t want you to think I am crazy but what are your plans for Dec. 21st?” I looked back at her with a bit of a grin because she has been all about this Mayan calendar for months now – more than months, over a year. So I answered, “Well, if the world is going to end anyways what kind of plans would I need to make?”
Mom (Dot to the rest of you) told me that it wasn’t the end of the world but this was a time that we haven’t experienced in a long time, about 400 years. The 12th baktun is changing to the 13th baktun (by the Mayan calendar standards) on Dec. 21st. The winter solstice with the earth lining up with the sun and the Milky Way galaxy might cause the earth’s polar axis to shift. Or possibly solar flares will wipe up the grids and we will have no access to electricity – wiping out any means of communication for an unprecedented amount of time.
You know what, who the hell knows. BUT one good thing to always have is an emergency plan. What exactly would you do if catastrophe struck? I do have a few plans in place – I know if there is an earthquake I would grab my cats, throw them (not hard) in their cat carrier and drive my ass quickly to Randa, the highest point that is closest to me. Sometimes Felix and I like to drive up there with sandwiches, on a clear day you can see from the North coast to the South coast!
But maybe tomorrow you should stock up on some non-perishable food and water and fill up your car with gas. Have a quick discussion with your loved ones about where they could find you or contact you in case something truly horrible did happen. For instance, I told my mom the first place I would go is to register at the U.S. Consulate. It’s never a bad thing to have an emergency plan in place. Just do it, okay? Dot says so!!
And to end on a lighter note. This is superbly awesome:
heavy heart today
What a sad day. Yesterday when I heard the news about the shooting in CT, I was upset and angry. But when I woke up today and the news just kept pouring in, on the internet, on facebook, on twitter, on the radio; I had had my fill of sadness. It is bad enough that there were 28 people killed but the majority being children just set me over the edge.
My friend posted “This morning I woke up and realized that twenty little lights have been extinguished. Twenty little lights that had just begun to shine. Twenty little souls that believed we could keep them safe. And this world is already a little darker without them because as a society, we failed them. And I feel angry because it didn’t have to happen. I am joining this fight. ~ Do not go gentle into that good night….rage, RAGE against the dying of the light.”
I don’t have the perfect answer. More assault weapons is not the answer to massacres by people using assault weapons. Limiting the manufacture, import, and sale of assault weapons is a fantastic place to start, however. I do believe in that.
So hug your little ones tight tonight. Tell them you love them. And do your part in making this a better world. If not for you, then most definitely, for them.
Gangnam Style Christmas!
This is MUCH more exciting than my post from yesterday. Trust me. Take the hottest tune in the past few months, add some Christmas lights to the beat and viola! Instant magic.
If I had the time or patience to do this to my house in Mallorca I would – AND it would be the hit of the entire island!! Not too many people get that crazy with light and decorations here. But I am going to put up a few tomorrow to get in the spirit. Granted and sadly, it won’t be Gangnam Style but it will be festive!
And now, your Christmas Light Show – Gangnam Style.
Help Frankenstorm victims
New York has a special place in my heart. Yes it is the city that never sleeps, there are a bazillion things to do there at any time of the day or night and it has the most excellent pizza. I lived there for a year in my studio apartment the size of a toothpick. It was a time I will never forget. I had always wanted to live there and I finally made it happen. I loved every single crazy minute of it.
Unless you are living under a rock, I’m sure you know Hurricane Sandy hit the area hard last week. New York, New Jersey were hit the hardest – Homes are gone, some people are still without heat and electricity, their lives forever changed. I felt at a loss when my friends were on DAY SIX! of no power, gas a scarce commodity. I couldn’t do much from here except keeping them in my thoughts and prayers. But there are things we can do.
1. Text REDCROSS to 90999 to give a $10 donation. It is that simple! Red Cross has been on the front lines offering aid.
2. If you are a business owner you can start a disaster relief program by telling your customers you will donate a dollar, fifty cents, twenty-five cents (Anything!) every time they buy a product of yours. Or you can have your employees contribute to the program and you match their contribution.
3. Volunteer your help by joining Samaritan’s Purse. They are asking for volunteers of all skill levels to help with debris clean up and mud outs. You have to be at least 14 years old to volunteer. Visit their website to join a team.
4. Give blood. Almost 100 blood drives were canceled due to Sandy, and the result is low blood supplies. Call the Red Cross and make an appointment to give blood.
5. Look towards your community, find an organization that is collecting supplies to send to the victims – Blankets, canned foods, clothing,etc. If there isn’t one set up for this in your community then set one up yourself!
I will be visiting the states in a few weeks and I plan on helping in every way possible. Much love to those affected by Hurricane Sandy.
The easy happiness flowchart
You’re welcome.
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Stop the bullying
Sometimes here on the island of Mallorca I feel so distanced from the real world of the USA. Whether it’s the political drama (Go OBAMA), college football games, the right for everyone to be married, Dancing With the Stars or just the everyday life can feel a bit surreal to me.
But then, something happens and I feel like I am right there. Usually it is something tragic that drags me back, like this time. Today, a thirteen year old boy committed suicide at my old Junior High School. The place of such fond memories for me of hanging out by my locker with my friends, giggling about cute boys, hanging out in the “pit”. Of course, there are not so fond memories of feeling insecure of how I looked – very skinny with braces, I was kind of in-between groups of friends – my main group seemed to be shutting me out and I was desperate to keep myself within the “cool” group, absolutely no boys thought I was cute and I am sure the list went on and on.
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Supposedly, the boy who died was being bullied. I do not know that for a fact but I could see that being possible. Being a teen is a rough time! You want to be the coolest person ever, the greatest singer, the best athlete, the most popular cheerleader but for most of us during that time frame, it doesn’t happen. It doesn’t happen because it is practically impossible! Those teenage years are hard. You are gangly, or fat, or have acne, or crazy hair or whatever; for the most part we aren’t cool during this time. And kids can provoke. And kids can be mean. But what you need to do is stand up.
I know it’s hard. Standing up for myself is STILL hard. But if you are bullied you need to speak out – tell your teacher, tell your parents. It’s okay, this is not being a tattletale, this is sticking up for your rights, for your protection. Bullying is not cool.
And the last part of my soapbox. Be proud of who you are. You are different! Hallelujah! Different is good. Who wants to be normal? Maybe you are being bullied because you look different, because you dress different, because you act different. Who cares. You are loved. You are loved by your parents, your friends, your teachers. The world is full of acceptance, keep striving with life. It gets better! I promise. It gets better. You are not alone. Check out itgetsbetterproject.com for help, ideas, inspiration. Because we are all in this together. Do not let life go, it is such a beautiful thing.
I contemplated whether or not to add this but I feel Glee really touches on issues and this was one of my favorite songs from them. Which speaks so much to bullying. Be a loser like me. And know you are LOVED.
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Light it up!
Man oh man, I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THE OLYMPICS!!
GOING NINETY MILES 