Tuesday, December 1, 2009

World Aids Day


Today is World Aids Day.

World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1st. The World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988. World AIDS Day provides governments, national AIDS programs, faith organizations, community organizations, and individuals with an opportunity to raise awareness and focus attention on the global AIDS epidemic.

Over a million Americans are estimated to be living with HIV. Worldwide, an estimated 33 million people are living with HIV.

Get the facts, and take action!

Here are some things you can do:

  • Get tested.
  • Decide not to engage in high risk behaviors.
  • Use protection (Not only for you, but for your partner too!).
  • TALK TALK TALK! Talk about HIV prevention with your family and friends.
  • Get involved!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Thanksgiving


Hope you loves out there had wonderful Thanksgiving weekends! What did you do? Here's what I did:

1. Hang out with fam (see pic above...I look quite coy.)
2. Eat 2 Thanksgiving meals (fiance's family and my family living in the same state= full bellies)
3. Go Black Friday shopping (because I needed a dress for a Christmas party this coming Friday)
4. Study (sort of...)
5. HAVE FUN.

Now, to descend into a black hole of despair, to emerge victorious on December 16th.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Rihanna on domestic violence.





This is such a heartbreaking and honest interview. I think that Rihanna deserves a lot of respect for speaking out.

I have been volunteering at the Boston Medical Center for the past few months, interviewing women in the emergency room about their ideas and experience with domestic violence. The stories that I have heard are heartbreaking.

Domestic violence is an issue that I think deserves a much bigger audience. It is something that we, as women are warned about, but once it happens to us, we are expected to keep silent.

Nobody wants to be a victim. Nobody wants to admit that they have been emotionally or physically abused.

But how can we speak out when traditionally, the course of remedy to leave your abuser isn't so easy? What happens when you love the person who is abusing you? What happens when, the person you love is so violent, that even a restraining order won't keep them back?

This is not a simple issue, but somehow, we miss this point. In Massachusetts, one in every 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime, and an estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner every year.

How do we change, because something has to give. It is NOT okay to condone or trivialize domestic violence issues.

Please take a moment visit Jane Doe Inc., for more information.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

What I wish I had right now.


Some macaroons from Laduree would be so very good at this moment {11:29 p.m.} in time. I have got to find some way to get these babies for my wedding. Can there be such a thing as a macaroon cake? or a macaroon tree? Ah, I miss Paris.


The Heidelberg Project


The Heidelberg Project is this amazing community project in Detroit, Michigan that I happened to come across while futzing around on the internet. What a great program.

Check out some history:

The Heidelberg Project, bearing the name of the street on which it exists, was started in 1986 by Tyree Guyton. He was assisted by his grandfather, Sam (Grandpa) Mackey (deceased), and his former wife, Karen Guyton. Tyree was raised on Heidelberg Street and, at the age of 12, witnessed the tragic effect of the Detroit riots - from which he claims the City of Detroit never recovered. Though once racially integrated, many neighborhoods have become segregated urban ghettos characterized by poverty, abandonment, and despair.


Armed with a paintbrush, a broom, and neighborhood children, Guyton, Karen, and Grandpa began by cleaning up vacant lots on Heidelberg and Elba Streets. From the refuse they collected, Guyton began to transform the street into a massive art environment. Vacant lots literally became “lots of art” and abandoned houses became “gigantic art sculptures.” Guyton not only transformed vacant houses and lots, he integrated the street, sidewalks, and trees into his mammoth installation and called his work, "The Heidelberg Project", after it's location on Heidelberg Street.
Despite numerous awards, the city demolished parts of the Heidelberg Project installation in 1991 and again in 1999. Still, the Heidelberg Project continues to exist, evolve, and grow - providing hope and inspiration to the local community and the community of the world.


Today the Heidelberg Project is recognized as one of the most influential art environments in the world.

To donate, and check out more facts, go here.

Monday, November 2, 2009

And for real, here's my costume.


I'm actually in between two of my bridesmaids, Korto and Sarah
{a.k.a. Roller Derby Girl and Ladybug}

Where's Waldo?







I had waaaaaaay too much fun dressing up this Halloween. Can you tell?