Teen produces fashion show for African orphans
Posted on 18. Apr, 2010 by kchristieh in inspirational people
Yesterday evening I discovered that I can be proud of a child that’s not even my own. I am proud of Shannon A., who designed and sewed nearly 20 fabulous outfits, recruited her friends to model them, and hosted a fashion show to benefit Discover the World, an awesome organization that provides services to Kenyan orphans. (I’m already familiar with Discover the World since I coded their website.)
Shannon didn’t do this for a Girl Scout award or a debutante project. She did this because she genuinely has a big heart, and found a way to combine her passion for design with her compassion for others. She got the word out and filled the Family Life Center at La Canada Presbyterian Church, and not only did she raise money for Discover the World, but she raised awareness about its mission.
I’m so proud that our church and our community have produced such a fine young woman, and I can’t wait to see where life leads her.
Elderly couple playing piano
Posted on 04. Mar, 2010 by kchristieh in inspirational people, music, videos
When I’m 90, I want to be able to do this. I guess I better start learning piano soon! Here’s a video of Marlow and Frances Cowan playing piano at the Mayo Clinic:
According to the WishTV8 website, this is no hoax: the Cowans were at the Mayo Clinic for five days, and enjoyed playing the piano there between appointments.
“I saw that piano and it said ‘if you’d like to play it’ and I touched the key and I thought, WOW, now THAT’s a piano,” said Marlow.
They’ve played the piano in nursing homes, prisons and hospitals for years, but have never had the audience they’ve achieved on YouTube. They don’t have a computer at home, so they’re surprised by all the attention.
Maybe when I’m 90 I’ll shock people with my up-to-date technical skills instead of playing piano. :)
What can/can’t you live without?
Posted on 26. Jan, 2010 by kchristieh in inspirational people, my life
In 1985, I was perfectly happy living in an 8′ x 12′ concrete-walled dorm room. I was thrilled to have a single in a dorm full of wonderful people. I didn’t care that the bathroom was down the hall, or that I didn’t own a car. I had a decent bike, a comfortable bed, adequate food, and was learning and having fun with terrific people.
Twenty-five years later, I enjoy living with my family in a nice house in a safe town with wonderful schools. I appreciate all the comforts life has brought me, but I also recognize how my material comforts have also brought an added level of stress, as my husband and I need to work hard to make mortgage payments, save for college for the kids, and meet expenses. I often tell my husband that I’d be happy living in a much smaller house, as long as I have my computer, a fast internet connection, and a secure yard for our dog. Clearly, the list would be longer if I thought about it…I’d also want great schools, a safe community, my printer, my purse, our couch, my gloves, my boots, my fleece jacket, my special pajamas, my pillows and a few more items and services. But as I sit here and scan the interior horizon, there truly aren’t very many items I’d consider to be that important to me.
In his recent column, “What Could You Live Without?“, Nicholas Kristof tells of an Atlanta family whose daughter challenged them to sell their house and buy a smaller one, and donate the net proceeds to charity. Even as it inspired some people, it evoked the wrath of others who complained that they shouldn’t donate to people overseas when there are Americans in need. I’m in the former category, and am impressed that a modern American family that has so much could sacrifice it and make a difference in the world.
The unexpected dividend in this case was that the family found that downsizing brought them closer together:
Mr. Salwen and his wife, Joan, had always assumed that their kids would be better off in a bigger house. But after they downsized, there was much less space to retreat to, so the family members spent more time around each other. A smaller house unexpectedly turned out to be a more family-friendly house.
“We essentially traded stuff for togetherness and connectedness,” Mr. Salwen told me, adding, “I can’t figure out why everybody wouldn’t want that deal.”
I look forward to reading the book they wrote about their experiences, The Power of Half. I don’t think my family wants to downsize, but if they did, I’d be all for it. I wouldn’t mind slowing down the treadmill and enjoying life and my relationships more. In the meantime, if I ever find the time, I am going to get rid of a lot of extra stuff we have around here. The Sport Chalet shoes were just a start…
New site: Ramon Resa, Inspirational Speaker
Posted on 03. Dec, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, work
Ramon Resa managed to rise above a childhood full of poverty, violence, physical and sexual abuse, alcoholism, and total disregard for education to become a pediatrician. He returned to his roots, and besides running a successful medical practice, he speaks to teens and parent groups about the importance of staying in school and working hard to achieve your dreams.
I recently designed a new website for Ramon. I’ve spoken to him on the phone, but I’ve never met him. Hopefully some day I will, and hopefully my husband will be with me when I do. I think they’d have lots to talk about.
My new role model: Leigh Ann Tuohy
Posted on 28. Nov, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, movies, parenting
I was slightly hesitant to see “The Blind Side” movie with my family. I felt like I already knew the story after having read the 2006 Michael Lewis article, “The Ballad of Big Mike,” in the NY Times Magazine years ago and seeing numerous previews for the movie.
I’m so glad I went. I only knew the framework of the story, but the beauty of it was in the details.
The framework is this: a rich family takes in a homeless African-American teen who has been given the chance to play football at their children’s private school if he gets his grades up. They help him get his act together, and he becomes a football success in high school and college, and has now moved on to the NFL.
I knew that much of the story was driven by the strong, determined mother in the family that takes him in, but I had no idea what a role model she was. Leigh Ann Tuohy’s two dominant characteristics are ones I strive to have: she cares deeply about others, and she’s true to herself. She takes in Michael Oher because she wants to give him a chance to have a decent life after all the struggles he’s had, and she does it despite the racist remarks of some of her fellow Southerners. I also admire her confidence and outspokenness. It takes a special personality to get away with stopping a high school football practice by marching out onto the field and telling the players what to do. I’m too polite, and would never do that. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone, actually, but I’m impressed that she knew when it was the right thing to do and succeeded because she already had the respect of the coaches and players and said exactly what needed to be said. Sandra Bullock played Leigh Ann Tuohy beautifully, and showed that despite all her strength, she was also a sensitive person who would retreat to a bedroom or the car when she had to cry.
Of course, I also deeply admire Michael Oher, who survived his difficult childhood by “closing his eyes” when pain and evil swirled around him. Leigh Ann describes him lovingly as “Ferdinand the Bull,” and she’s right. His big body may scare some, but he’s got a big, soft heart within.
It’s too bad that smaller kids in his old neighborhood don’t get the same chance that he did.
Women are the solution, not the problem
Posted on 26. Oct, 2009 by kchristieh in economy, education, feminism, health, inspirational people, international, startling statistics
Tonight I met one of my heroes: NY Times journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner Nicholas Kristof. I heard him address an alumni group about his work and his new book, Half the Sky. Other than my family and our president, there’s probably no one I’ve blogged about more. I have immense respect for how eloquently he tells the stories of people who are unfairly treated, and for how deeply he cares about what happens to them.
Here’s a quiz based on what I learned this evening:
- Which do you think there are more of in the world: males or females?
- If the 19th century was defined by slavery, and the 20th by totalitarianism, what is likely to define the 21st century?
- True or false: As many American women died in childbirth during World War I as men died on the battlefield.
- A female sex slave in Cambodia can be purchased for several hundred dollars. Approximately how much in today’s dollars would a 19th century American slave be worth?
- Which of the following concerns Kristof the least when he visits an African warlord: car accident, banditry, or dying at the hand of the warlord?
- In some developing countries, families spend 2% of their income on education. What do they often spend 20% on?
Answers:
- Males. Even though statistically there should be more females, so many females are aborted and such a low priority is placed on the health of women that in many parts of the world, boys outnumber girls by an outsize margin.
- Gender inequity. It’s a huge problem in much of the world, and holds many societies back. Also, see question 1.
- True. American maternal mortality improved when women got the right to vote, and politicians thought the electorate demanded adequate medical care.
- $40,000. As poorly as American slaves were treated, their masters had more of a financial interest in keeping them healthy and productive. A female sex slave is worth so little that if she causes problems, she’s expendable. In some instances, her fellow slaves are made to beat her to death if she’s a troublemaker.
- Dying at the hand of the warlord. Caveat: that holds true when he’s in the territory of the warlord. The warlord doesn’t want to be known for being responsible for killing an American journalist. I agree about the car accidents; one of my fellow writers from The Stanford Daily recently died in a car accident in Africa. :(
- Tobacco, alcohol, prostitution and elaborate celebrations. Kristof argued that this is why women should be empowered to make more financial decisions. He said he’s seen families whose children have died of malaria for lack of a $5 net, and yet the father spends $1.50 on alcohol 3x a week.
Kristof doesn’t want to just make people feel sorry for the people he writes about: he wants to spur them to action. Here were some areas where he said improvement would make a drastic different not only in the lives of the women they affect, but would have a ripple effect in helping the societies in which they live:
- End sexual slavery. Nearly 1 million women and girls a year are trafficked as sex slaves, and at least one reputable group estimates that there are 27 million people in bondage worldwide at this time.
- Improve female education. He said that when he’s talking to leaders of poor nations, he makes more headway on this issue by explaining that females are their country’s biggest untapped resource than by appealing to moral arguments.
- Improve maternal health. Today, a woman in Niger has a 1 in 7 lifetime chance of dying in childbirth. Women in many other countries don’t fare much better. A poor woman in a rural setting has two strikes against her, but there are techniques and practices which could be used to serve even these women better.
- Empower women financially. Micro-loans have been particularly successful in allowing women to not only provide for their family’s livelihood and education, but it’s allowed them to have more of a say in how the family money is spent.
If I were a journalist, I’d want to be like Kristof. But I’ve chosen a path where I can be around my family more, so I try to do my part by volunteering, creating websites for non-profits, and blogging.
Kristof was correct when he said that what makes us happiest is when we help others. It’s immensely satisfying to have a positive impact on the world. And Kristof definitely does.
If you’re interested in hearing Nicholas Kristof speak, he’ll be in Southern California for a bit longer. Here’s his schedule of events.
The most surprising post I’ll ever write
Posted on 17. Sep, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, sports
I am completely impressed by…the…(oh, this is SO HARD to admit!)…USC football team in the following video:
They embody what sports should be about: hard work, the right balance of humility and pride, teamwork, brotherhood. If I were a football player, I’d want to be part of this family.
You don’t know how hard that was to say.
I think this should become the official USC theme song. I’d even sing along.
Firefighters honored at La Canada High School assembly
Posted on 11. Sep, 2009 by kchristieh in education, inspirational people, local news
Most of today’s spirit assembly at La Canada was dedicated to introducing class mascots and cheering on sports teams. But when local firefighters made a surprise appearance, the students immediately gave them a standing ovation. I was so proud of them. They get it: these are true heroes.
Here’s a picture of the firefighters after they accepted school t-shirts from the songie squad as they listened to a short speech by the ASB president.
I was especially glad there was a way to honor firefighters on 9/11.
How you can show appreciation to the firefighters and other emergency workers
Posted on 04. Sep, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, local news
I’m incredibly impressed by the eagerness of everyone in this community to express appreciation to the firefighters and other agencies who helped to save our homes and keep us safe. They risked their own health and safety to do so, and some of them have lost their homes, suffered injuries, or even lost their lives.
This morning I attended a meeting at La Canada City Hall to brainstorm ways in which the community can band together to show that it cares. More details will be forthcoming, but we’re eager to work together as a team to show the magnitude of our gratitude.
Please save the following dates and times. Please wear red, white and/or blue to each of them.
- Thurs., Sept. 10th at 5:30 pm: Picture at Memorial Park of as many citizens as possible to include with thank-you cards to every department and agency that helped.
- Sat., Sept. 12th at 9:00 am: Meet at the Community Center of La Canada parking lot to carpool to the memorial service at Dodger Stadium for LA County Firefighters Ted Hall and Arnie Quinones, who gave their lives fighting the fire.
Please note that all events and efforts described here are for anyone to attend, not just La Canadans. I don’t know what’s being organized in neighboring communities, but we’re all one when it comes to thanking these brave men and women.
Firefighting agencies expressed to Mayor Laura Olhasso that they would rather not have a party or picnic in their honor. After the fires are put out, they’d rather return home to spend much-appreciated time with their families. Therefore, the city will put its effort into raising funds to distribute to the fallen firefighters’ families, other firefighters who have lost their homes or been injured, the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, LA County Firefighters, and other agencies that have helped in this effort. Please check back to see more details about where how donations will be accepted.
I am in awe of people who put their lives on the line so that others may be saved. They should be honored as the heroes they truly are.
Firefighters show their spirit on 210 Freeway overpasses in La Canada & Pasadena
Posted on 04. Sep, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, local news
I was very moved this morning to see that firefighters had parked their trucks on the overpasses to the 210 Foothill Freeway between La Canada and Pasadena. The most impressive was the bridge at the Angeles Crest Highway exit, where they’d hung an American flag on an extended ladder. At each overpass there was an American flag hanging, and firefighters standing at attention. I honked in support.
Here are some pictures. They’re not the highest quality, but they show the magnitude of this effort. Note that in the last one, taken in Pasadena, you can see the smoke from the fire in the background.
Memorial fund formed for fallen firefighters’ families
Posted on 02. Sep, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, local news
Our whole community is deeply saddened by the ultimate sacrifice made by LA County Firefighters Ted Hall and Arnie Quinones as they battled the La Canada Station Fire on Sunday, August 30th. Both served in La Canada at one point, and leave behind families who miss them immensely, and in the case of Arnie Quinones, a first child yet to be born.
Donations are being accepted in their memory at:
F&A Federal Credit Union – “Memorial Fund”
Los Angeles 90030-9972
There have been three accounts opened to benefit the families of Captain Tedmund “Ted” Hall and Fire Fighter Specialist Arnaldo “Arnie” Quinones. Their untimely death on August 30, 2009 has been a shock for our Department. Following are the accounts:
Tedmund “Ted” Hall:
Account/Member Number 617171
Arnaldo “Arnie” Quinones:
Account/Member Number 617172
Combined Pool Contribution:
Account/Member Number 617170
Paint your car and tie a yellow ribbon to thank the firefighters and other emergency personnel
Posted on 31. Aug, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, local news
Looking for a good way to thank the firefighters and other emergency personnel for all the hard work they’re doing? There’s a grassroots effort to spread the word that people should paint their cars with phrases such as “Thank you, firefighters!” or “Thanks for saving us from the fires!” My daughter and a friend painted my car last night:
They used “Go Team” glass markers that they purchased at Michaels. (Amy B. says they’re in Aisle 5 of the Glendale Michael’s.) If you don’t have glass markers, some people have said you can use shoe polish. Either way, hopefully it’ll encourage emergency personnel to see how much we appreciate all they’re doing. If you know Lisa S. in La Canada, you can stop by her house between 3 pm – 5 pm (“ish”) and her daughter and some friends will paint your car for you. Lisa is also collecting for the families of the firefighters who died and for the Pasadena Humane Society.
There’s also been talk of tying yellow ribbons around the trees on Foothill Blvd. to honor the two firefighters that sacrificed their lives in this fire. I spoke to Mayor Laura Olhasso, and she said that’s fine. Is there someone out there who can lead this effort?
The city is also trying to determine the best “big” way to thank the firefighters and other emergency personnel. Many are from out of state, and we don’t know when their job will be done, so it’s tough to plan. Stay tuned.
Again, many, many thanks to everyone who’s putting their life on the line for us. You’re truly heroic.
Drowning in smoke and concerned for neighboring towns
Posted on 30. Aug, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, local news
The sun is red, and the smoke is as thick as pea soup. The fires have receded here in La Canada, but they’ve fanned out to La Crescenta, Altadena, Pasadena, and Acton, which is over 10 miles to the north.
According to InciWeb, the fire
- Has burned over 35,200 acres;
- Is only 5% contained;
- Is being fought by 1,804 personnel.
Those people are heroes. We need to throw a parade or a big party for them and their families. It’s incredible that no structures burned here in La Canada, and I hope they can continue being that effective in neighboring communities.
Besides InciWeb, the most useful websites I’ve found for information are:
- City of La Canada Flintridge (hourly updates)
- LA County Emergency Scanner (live audio feed of emergency personnel communications)
The latter is amazing, but I had to turn it off after awhile. It was too stressful to have in the background.
So far, school is still set to open tomorrow. The district will notify parents by a phone call around 3:00 pm today to let us know what they’ve decided.
Now to convince my dog that he shouldn’t stay outside and bark at squirrels. I wonder how the squirrels are doing?
Here are some pictures I took yesterday around noon on my way back from giving a social networking talk to AAUW women in Carson.
Coming up the 110:
From the Glendale Freeway (2) near Eagle Rock:
From the transition from the 2 to the 210 Freeway:
The progression of the La Canada Station fire last night
Posted on 28. Aug, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, local news
Here are pictures I took at various times of the La Canada Station fire last night, each from the corner of Chevy Chase and Foothill. I’d take more, but it’s too smoky to see more than a block right now.
This was taken at 9:15 pm:
This was taken at 11:15 pm:
This was taken at 12:15 am:
I hope everyone and their houses are ok. Again, I’m in awe of firefighters. I can barely breathe outside. How do they do it?!?!?
My hero: Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Posted on 12. Aug, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people
I can’t think of anyone that I’d consider to be more of a hero than Eunice Kennedy Shriver. I’m learning more than ever about this woman’s amazing accomplishments through the multitude of flattering obituaries that were published yesterday and today. Some people have said that if our country had been ready for a woman president, she would have been better suited for the job than her brothers. But she wasn’t bitter for lacking this opportunity; instead, she threw her energy into making the world a better place, particularly for the mentally challenged. She not only founded Special Olympics, but she dedicated her life to making sure that the world realized that mentally handicapped people have dreams just like the rest of us, and deserve our respect.
In the end, perhaps she had more of a lasting impact than any of her brothers have had. Here’s a quote from an NPR interview:
“When the full judgment on the Kennedy legacy is made — including JFK’s Peace Corps and Alliance for Progress, Robert Kennedy’s passion for civil rights and Ted Kennedy’s efforts on health care, work place reform and refugees — the changes wrought by Eunice Shriver may well be seen as the most consequential,” Harrison Rainie, author of “Growing Up Kennedy,” wrote in U.S. News & World Report in 1993.
This story in the NY Times captures her energy, humility and dedication perfectly:
“I was just a young physical education teacher in the Chicago Park District back in the summer of 1968, a time of horrific tragedy for the Kennedy family, when Eunice Kennedy Shriver wrapped her arms around the very first Chicago Special Olympic games held at Soldier Field,” Justice Anne M. Burke of the Illinois Supreme Court said in an e-mail message. “I will never forget at the start of the games when she asked me to go to Sears and buy her a $10 bathing suit so she could jump in the pool with the Special Olympics swimmers.”
I’ll keep trying to be more like this incredible woman.
Stephanie McGraw: A long life, well-lived
Posted on 10. Aug, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people
Back in January I blogged about two of my mother’s friends who both turned 104 on the same day. I’m sad to report that one of the women, Stephanie McGraw, passed away on July 31st. She lived a long, full life, as reflected in her obituary in the North County Times.
I wish the best for her family, and for her “birthday twin,” Doris Heard, who continues to be active in her 104th year. My mother took the photo below of Doris on the left and Stephanie on the right.
If Julia Child could do it, so can I
Posted on 09. Aug, 2009 by kchristieh in books, food, inspirational people, international, movies
The new movie Julie & Julia inspired me so much that I’m half-tempted to make boeuf bourguignon for dinner tonight. Instead, I opened up my cookbook cabinet and told my kids that they could each choose a recipe that contains no ingredients that I’m allergic to and I’d make it for them this week.
I knew I’d love this movie. I loved reading both Julia Child’s and Julie Powell’s even before I knew a movie was being made about them. Although I perfectly fit the demographic for someone who’d love these books – a French-speaking, American woman blogger – I think the books and the movie have a more universal appeal. They portray passionate people looking for a purpose in life who are willing to work hard at what they do. I also appreciated both the literary and on-screen representations of their marriages. Both women were in loving marriages full of mutual support and respect. Nora Ephron did a wonderful job of knitting both books together, and Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and the rest of the cast are absolutely marvelous.
I can’t wait to see what my kids choose for me to cook.
White House | Black Market vs. Pakistan
Posted on 08. Aug, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, international, religion
Sometimes I think my brain has a brick wall between its different sections. Sometimes that’s bad, but sometimes it’s necessary in order to fully process what’s going on.
For example, the other day I was waiting to see whether my daughter liked a shirt at White House | Black Market when my cellphone started its merry little ringtone. It was my friend Majid, who’s a pastor in Lahore, Pakistan. He told me about an awful massacre of Christians in Gojra, a village near Lahore. We had an imperfect connection, not only because he was in Pakistan but because I was in the heart of the Glendale Galleria, but even as I gave thumbs-up to my daughter’s clothing selection, I heard about how a mob of 1,000 burned nearly 150 homes, killing 11 people. It was surreal to hear of such horror even as I stood in such a safe and comfortable place.
Majid said that the people of his church are not only giving aid to survivors of the attack, but on August 11th they’re going to bravely protest the government’s mistreatment of religious minorities. August 11th had already been declared a national holiday commemorating the anniversary of Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s 1947 speech calling for impartial government, religious freedom, rule of law, and equality for all, so it’s fitting that this would be a day to protest for these things.
These people are very brave to protest, and deserve all the prayers and support that people can give them. I hope it makes a difference.
Links:
- Pakistan churches to hold day of protest on August 11 (Presbyterian Outlook)
- Pakistani Christians Stage Protest Rallies after Violence (Assist News Service)
- Violence against Christian Minority in Gorja City, Punjab Province (ACT International, which is also raising funds to help displaced villagers)
- Majid’s Church
- Proud of being Pakistani? & Flames of Hate (great blog posts with more details about the attack and the current situation in Pakistan)
- (shows how close it is to Lahore)
Here’s part of a message I received from Majid today. He said it was ok to publish it here, since he wants to get the word out about this tragedy.
The Gojra Tragedy is another shameful incidence of religious intolerance and violence against minorities in Pakistan. This is not the first time that the fanatics/ extremist amongst the majority community have committed serious acts of aggression and murder against the minority groups for no fault of theirs.
The brutal attack on Christians in a village called Korian near Gojra town on 31st July 2009 where more than 50 houses were burnt and the people were terrorized on the pretext of desecrating the Holy Quran which in fact never took place.
After two days the Christians living in Gojra town were attacked and seven members of a family were burnt alive, two shot dead and their houses were burnt completely.
An emergent meeting of all Church leaders and primary members of the community was called on 3rd August 2009 at NCCP Ecumenical Center and unanimously condemned the incident of Korian and Gojra.
It was further resolved that the NCCP along with the Catholic Bishop Conference and representatives of the community at large urge the Government and Parliament from the day that the Blasphemy Law was enacted, hundreds of Christians were subjected to prison and torture of no fault of theirs.
It was also resolved that the leaders of the community with the support of the community at large demand the government to repeal the 295 B & C and save the community from religious fanatics and terrorists. For decades these acts of extremism and intolerance have taken place in Shanti Nagar, Sangla Hill, Bahawalpur, Taxila, Murree, Bamian Wala, Kasur and now Gojra and many other places.
It was decided that a protest and prayer meeting be held of all the churches on 11th August, 2009 at Naulakha Church, Lahore in remembrance of the martyrs of Gojra as an expression of solidarity with the Gojra victims.
Why are Costa Ricans so happy?
Posted on 07. Aug, 2009 by kchristieh in animals, inspirational people, international, life lessons, startling statistics, travel
When I left for my week-long vacation in Costa Rica, I figured I’d come back with photos of monkeys, a few bug bites and a deeper tan. I couldn’t have been more wrong. I didn’t see a single monkey, get bitten by a single bug, or darken my skin by even one pixel. Instead, I returned home pondering the meaning of happiness and our place in the world’s ecological and economic crises.
The Happiness Question arose because before I left, I read an article about how Costa Rica was ranked highest on an international survey of happiness. How could a country be so happy when it contains so many squalid, makeshift shacks? Or when it has so much barbed wire and so many bars on the windows? Am I so materialistic that I can’t imagine being so poor and so happy, or were the people that live in those shacks not surveyed? Does the barbed wire exist out of fear, or out of a desire to protect what’s dear?
My daughter, who studied Spanish, Costa Rican history and ecology for the past month in San Jose, says that the reason that Costa Ricans call themselves “Ticos” is that it’s short for simpatico, which means “kind.” Between that and the Costa Rican motto, pura vida (which translates to “pure life”), it appears that the country tries hard to put a positive spin on things. My daughter also says that Costa Ricans are very proud of their beautiful country and their gracious countrymen. And who can blame them? Over 60 years ago, they abolished their military, and devoted their money and effort into security, education, and culture. This stable nation is home to five percent of all known animals on this planet, and has become a world-renowned ecotourism destination. And I will attest to the fact that every single person we met there was incredibly helpful and friendly.
When I returned home, I grabbed off my bookshelf to see if Costa Rica was listed as one of the happiest places that the author chose to visit. It wasn’t. So I went back and looked at the article again, and saw that the survey compared nations based upon their populations’ life expectancies, life satisfaction, and ecological footprint. Costa Rica definitely scored high for ecological footprint, considering its conservation efforts and the fact that people living in shacks don’t use many resources.
I doubt that our country could ever match Costa Rica’s ecological footprint. We’d need to severely limit our material consumption to do so, and I don’t think that on average we have the willpower to do so. And if we did, I doubt we’d be very happy about it.
That’s depressing.
Independence Day carolers spread the spirit of the 4th of July
Posted on 04. Jul, 2009 by kchristieh in food, inspirational people, local news, music
Three young patriots treated us to a striking rendition of “God Bless America” today. Thank goodness they came before we departed for that other great American tradition, In-N-Out!
The performance was capped off with an Apple Pie. What could be more American?
Happy 4th of July!
The making of an Eagle Scout
Posted on 15. Jun, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, my life, parenting
I was honored this evening to serve on the review panel for a local boy who was trying to get his Eagle Scout award. He had clearly worked quite hard for this, and taken the Boy Scout lessons to heart. He had glowing letters of recommendation praising his leadership abilities, enthusiasm, and diligence, and he and his parents were very articulate in explaining how much he’d learned and how much this meant to him. It was one of the most pleasurable committees I’ll probably ever serve on: it took about 1 millisecond for us to come to the unanimous conclusion that this boy clearly deserved to become an Eagle Scout.
I wish that my son had continued on in scouting past elementary school, but alas, club soccer won out. It’s not as if we have a strong family history of scouting: my husband didn’t continue on in scouting, and my father chose to go the DeMolay path instead of complete the few things he needed to do to become an Eagle Scout. I was actually a Boy Scout Computer Explorer Scout, and enjoyed playing on the computers at Bell Labs in high school, but we never had uniforms or oaths. Neither my daughter nor I continued with Girl Scouts past elementary school.
What is it that makes a kid stick with scouting? From what I heard tonight, and what my own family’s experience is, I’d say it depends upon:
- The quality of the leader
- Whether the child enjoys being with the other troop members
- Family tradition
- Competing demands
- Love of scouting
My father regrets not becoming an Eagle Scout. He says that when you’re an adult, there are very few accomplishments you can proudly note that you achieved in high school. One of them is becoming an Eagle Scout.
Even though he wasn’t an Eagle Scout, my dad’s a great guy anyway, as are the other guys in my life.
Read about an amazing everyday hero every day
Posted on 09. May, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, parenting
“Hero” is a big word. It describes someone who’s made a great personal sacrifice to help or save another person.
Most of us don’t meet too many heroes in our lifetime. I’ve met a few, and have blogged about others.
Next time you’re feeling a bit negative about your fellow humans, check out Today’s Hero Blog. Each day it tells the story of an everyday hero. These aren’t people you’re likely to read about in the newspaper or on Wikipedia, but that makes them that much more extraordinary. Most of these people have quietly made a difference in others’ lives without any expectation of recognition. They do what they do because it’s the right thing to do.
Here are a few of my favorite stories. Watch out for the first one: it made me cry.
- Randy Shroeder, who quit the Army to raise three daughters after his wife died at a young age;
- Douglas Weymier, a high school teacher who went above and beyond to get a student on the right track;
- Ben Jones, a bus driver who went out of his way to help a passenger who was down on her luck.
We don’t all get a chance to be heroes. But if we ever get the chance, I hope we’ll all step up and become one. And hopefully I’m teaching that to my kids.
Save the babies + educate the kids = healthy society
Posted on 06. May, 2009 by kchristieh in education, feminism, inspirational people, international, non-profits, quotes
One of the biggest lessons Greg Mortenson has learned since he started to build schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan is to LISTEN. I think he’s learned it quite well. He’s listened to children, their parents and village elders who have asked him to build schools for their villages. He’s listened to mothers who have asked him to help reduce the infant and maternal mortality rates. And as a result, boys and girls are being educated in greater and greater numbers each year, and those children are coming back and helping their villages escape the cycle of poverty and ignorance that serves as a breeding ground for Taliban extremists.
I had the privilege of hearing Greg speak at the California Distinguished Speakers Series this evening in Pasadena. He’s just like how he describes himself in his bestselling book, Three Cups of Tea: just an ordinary, humble guy. But that’s what makes him so extraordinary. He’s made it his life’s mission to educate the children of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and is particularly interested in making sure that girls get an education. He said that when a girl learns to read, she is likely to teach her mother to read, to read newspapers to her family, and to someday deny her son the blessing that he requires to go on a jihad. Greg is the son of former missionaries, and doesn’t have much money. But he’s determined and passionate, and gets others excited about making a difference in the world.
One of the first slides he showed was of this African proverb:
Teach a boy and you teach an individual
Teach a girl and you teach a community.
At first glance it’s easy to dismiss that as being more applicable to Third World countries, but I found it interesting that he said that many of the American politicians and military readers who say they’ve been touched by Greg’s book say they read it because their wives encouraged them to. I was pleased to hear that the new administration is taking Greg’s ideas seriously. Maybe Barack Obama does read my blog! ;)
Many thanks to Robin R., who gave me the tickets (my hubby accompanied me – I’d given him the book to read last summer!) since she wasn’t feeling well. I hope she gets better soon! Now I need to sleep and stay healthy to continue making a difference and to have the energy to do even more things!!
26 Great Things About My Church
Posted on 28. Apr, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, international, religion
There are so many reasons I love La Canada Presbyterian Church: the beliefs, the people, the programs. Today I was reminded that I also love how much our church reaches out to the world. I’m constantly amazed by how many people at our church take on so much. Here’s the list of 26 upcoming events I put on the Outreach portion of our church website this evening:
-
Sat., May 2nd:
Mother-daughter-friend lunch -
Wed., May 6th:
Scott Chamberlain speaks at Pastor’s Bible Study - Sun., May 10th:
-
Wed., May 13th:
Rudy Carrasco speaks at Pastor’s Bible Study - Sat., May 16th
- Sun., May 17th:
-
Thurs., May 21st:
Tour After-School Tutoring Program -
Mon., May 25th:
Run a Marathon (or cheer them on) for Child S.H.A.R.E. - Tues., May 26th:
-
Wed., May 27th:
Oasis in the City – Discovering Urban Mission Together -
Sat., June 6th:
Bring Joy to Women and Children in Need (Hope Gardens) -
Sun., June 7th:
Visit the Walter Hoving Home -
Wed., June 10th:
Microfinance: A Solution to Global Poverty - Mon., June 22nd:
Changed Lives & Changed Villages in Ethiopia -
Sat., June 27th:
Work Project with Harambee -
Fri., July 3rd – Sun., July 5th:
Improve an Orphan’s Home -
Sun., July 5th – Sat., July 11th:
Help Rebuild in Galveston, TX -
Sat., Sept. 26th:
Hammer with Habitat for Humanity -
Wed., Oct. 7th:
East Africa Vision Evening -
Mon., Oct. 12th:
Hear About Ethiopia -
Sat., Nov. 7th:
Hammer with Habitat for Humanity
I wish I had time to do all of these!
The value of volunteers
Posted on 19. Apr, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, non-profits, quotes
One of the things that makes our society great is that there are so many people who are willing to sacrifice their time and energy to volunteer for a wide variety of causes. I heard the following quote from Young Boozer III this weekend as he accepted the Stanford Medal. The originator of the quote is anonymous.
Don’t ever question the value of volunteers. Noah’s Ark was built by volunteers; the Titanic was built by professionals.
Here are some other great volunteering quotes:
A civilization flourishes when people plant trees under which they will never sit. (Greek Proverb)
Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in. (Anon.)
It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference. (Tom Brokaw)
Volunteers are not paid — not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless. (Anon.)
If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else. (Booker T. Washington)
You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give. (Winston Churchill)
The miracle is this – the more we share, the more we have. (Leonard Nimoy)
Volunteering is not a choice, it’s a responsibility. (Anon.)
The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others.
In every community there is work to be done. In every nation there are wounds to heal.
In every heart there is the power to do it. (Marianne Williamson)
Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart. (Elizabeth Andrew)
The last one is DEFINITELY true! I have a busy week coming up…time to get some sleep so I’ll have the energy to get everything done!
Why is it so surprising that Susan Boyle has an awesome voice?
Posted on 15. Apr, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, music, tv, videos
In just four days, on “Britain’s Got Talent” has had over 10 million hits.
She’s got a lovely operatic voice, and lots of spirit. I hope she wins.
Here’s what Wikipedia says about her:
Boyle is the youngest of nine children and lives in Blackburn with her ten-year-old cat, Pebbles. Boyle suffered oxygen deprivation during birth, resulting in learning disabilities. Her classmates teased her because of this and because of her appearance. She stopped her pursuit of singing to look after her sick mother who died in 2007, at the age of 91. Her performance on Britain’s Got Talent was the first time Boyle had sung after her mother’s death. She is unmarried and presently unemployed.
It’s too bad the judges, the audience, and so many on the internet seem to be surprised that she can actually sing.
Is it because she’s 47? If so, then I wonder what people think of me at 45. Also, why judge her so harshly when American Idol judge Paula Abdul is nearly 47? Is it because of her appearance? Or her learning disability?
Whatever the case, I hope that people learn a lesson from Susan Boyle about not judging people by their outward appearances, and instead giving them a chance to perform.
As Susan says,
Modern society is too quick to judge people on their appearances. … There is not much you can do about it; it is the way they think; it is the way they are. But maybe this could teach them a lesson, or set an example.
A pathetic tribute to Cesar Chavez
Posted on 31. Mar, 2009 by kchristieh in environment, inspirational people
After the blogger picnic at Farnsworth Park in Altadena on Saturday, I took the long way back to the car. Behind the main park building, I found the Cesar Chavez Memorial Garden. Isn’t it pathetic?
People shouldn’t plant memorial gardens unless they plan to maintain them.
Is there anyone out there who would take this over and give it the love it deserves? I can’t, since I can’t keep a plant alive for more than a week, but hopefully this blog post will reach someone who cares.
Don’t plant a garden for me when I die someday. Just make sure this blog isn’t deleted.
This could be heaven or this could be hell
Posted on 05. Mar, 2009 by kchristieh in books, inspirational people, religion
Are you motivated out of hope or fear? How you answer that question might determine if you’d prefer the book on the left or the one on the right. I spotted “90 Minutes in Heaven” and “” side-by-side at a nearby Ralphs supermarket. I was surprised there was a full rack of Christian books near the checkout lines.
I haven’t read either, but both sound interesting. I’ve always been fascinated by near-death experiences, since it seems that the people who have them are often deeply impacted by them.
I wonder if the one on the right is shorter since it’s only about 23 minutes instead of 90? But I bet it’s way scarier. Hopefully the guy on the right had enough of a wakeup call that he’ll wind up in heaven next time.
Car wreck, financial wreck, the joy of childhood and the love of a dog
Posted on 28. Feb, 2009 by kchristieh in animals, economy, inspirational people, my life, parenting, shopping
While I was on my way to take my daughter’s car to the body shop today,
three people called me on my cellphone, but I was a good girl and didn’t pick up the phone. But when I stopped at the corner of Lake and Walnut in Pasadena, I took my camera out of my purse and snapped some pictures of the people protesting in front of IndyMac:
Later in the afternoon, my daughter and I had fun watching these delightful children in the fountain at Paseo Colorado in Pasadena. They waited patiently for the water to come back up, and would step on where the water had come out previously to get it to come, just like adults press elevator buttons over and over.
When the water finally came, they laughed and giggled with such delight that it took a cold or hurried soul not to stop and smile. I think Paseo Colorado management should pay kids to play there and make us all happy.
When I got home, my dog ran to the window to greet me.
It’s the little things that bring the most delight.
My new mug: Chloe O’Brian for President, 2016
Posted on 25. Feb, 2009 by kchristieh in inspirational people, shopping, tv
Now that I’m trying to drink tea instead of Diet Coke, I figured it was time to get a few new large mugs. I couldn’t find any I liked online, so I made my own. If you don’t watch “24″ this won’t mean much to you, but it features my heroine, Chloe O’Brian. To spiff it up, she’s sporting an Aretha Franklin inauguration hat and posing for a presidential candidate poster, a la 2016. I put the graphics together in Fireworks, and then had them printed up at Shutterfly. You can download my image here. Feel free to make your own mug!
My kids don’t understand why I like Chloe so much, but to me it’s obvious why I love this self-described “stay-at-home mom”:
- She’s always on the right side.
- She’s a total geek, and knows how to do just about anything.
- She says it like it is.
- She’s not afraid. Ever.
- She’s incredibly loyal.
- Her bosses couldn’t do their jobs without her.
My gosh, she sounds like Chuck Norris!
I’m not sure she’d be the best President, since she probably wouldn’t want the job, but I thought the mug was fun anyway. I love Jack Bauer, too, but I’d never pretend I want him for President. He might be a little too…trigger-happy.
Older Entries »
Recent Comments