Bill and Stephen talk business

Boo-yeah!!!

Today Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in Davos, Switzerland to speak at the World Economic forum. While there, he met with former US President Bill Clinton who is currently the UN special envoy to Haiti. After their meeting, Clinton made these remarks:

"It has been unbelievable. First, the Canadian people are so generous. I’ll bet you on a per capita basis, they’re number one in the world now in helping Haiti. Probably because of the Prime Minister’s matching grant program but for whatever reason, the Canadians have all given money and all want to support it. You should be very proud of that. There is a big Haitian diaspora in Canada but this goes way beyond that. I’m very grateful."

Canadians have now donated $82.5 million to the relief efforts in Haiti. That is essentially the equivalent of $3 from every man, woman, and child living on Canadian soil. And that amount has yet to be doubled by the government's matching donation. Don't worry, this is only the beginning.

See, in the midst of a failing world economy, Canada is holding her own. We have the means to give, and we are doing it. I am so impressed with how this disaster has been handled by our leaders. I am so grateful to be citizen of a nation that is stable enough to be able to lift the hands that hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees. We have a connection to Haiti through a sliver of our population. But more than that, we have a connection to Haiti through our hearts, cuz they are people just like us. They need help so we give. 'Nuff said.

I AM CANADIAN!!!!

And I've never been so proud to be a part of the true north, strong and free.

Help Haiti - NOW

I was supposed to be flying to Haiti today. I was going down with my dad as a part of a humanitarian aid group to help a group of orphanages. Due to some coordination issues, the trip was postponed.

Funny how things work out.

Before the quake in Haiti, many people were without food on a daily basis. There was no public infrastructure. No plumbing or electricity, no sewage control or clean water supply. Many lived in cardboard slums amidst the poorly constructed cinder-block buildings and over-crowded streets. There were over 400 000 orphans, with limited options in a society ridden with disease, danger, and corruption.

Now multiply that by a devastating 7.0 earthquake.

Haiti needs our help now more than ever. They simply have NOTHING. No one has food or clean water. The meager temporal belongings they had are buried in the rubble. Most hospitals, homes, and government buidlings collasped. The aftershocks continue and fear is rampant. Who knows how many new orphans there are now? There is looting, rioting, death, crippling injury, fear, and pain everywhere.

And yet... they still have hope. Haitians have survived hundreds of years of being pillaged by natural and political disasters. In spite of being the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, they are a modest and self-respecting people. And in spite of the anguish they are experiencing now, they still pray and sing in the streets.

Many different countries have come to the aid of Haiti. Some sooner than others, and in varying sums, but the important part is that someone is there. Haiti couldn't survive alone before, we cannot abandon her now. These are people who need help, and we are people with the means to provide it.

"It's the spirit of generosity that is part of who we are as Canadians. It's part of our history. Our country was built with, for, and by people who share. We're not solo artists. We're team players." -George Stroumboulopoulos

Millions of dollars have been raised. The Canadian government is even matching every dollar Canadians donate!! So everything we give is doubled. Yesterday I gave 5 bucks at the clothing store H&M. First the store will match the money, then the goverment will match that money, and $20 just went to Haiti. For a country where the average daily wage is about $6, that will make a difference. Every bit does.

That is just the beginning of my donations - and I make next to nothing! But that is more than Haitians have, so I give.

Canada for Haiti has raised nearly $13 million in addition to the $50 million raised previously. That is about $2 for EVERY single Canadian. And the numbers are still growing. Isn't that awesome?!! I am so very proud to be Canadian right now!!

"When the world is struck by a tragedy, the likes of which we are seeing right now in Haiti, it suddenly becomes a lot smaller and we realize just how close we really are. As Canadians, we come from all walks of life, from different backgrounds and different means. But one thing we have incommon is our tremendous generosity of spirit. It is to that spirit that I am appealing now when I ask you to please give and give as much as you can. Because at the end of the day, I can't think of anything more Canadian than that." -Michael J. Fox

I don't care who you are, where you are from, or what prejudices you have. Give to help Haiti. There are many reliable organizations that will put your contribution to good work for Haitians. I know it's a recession and all that. But if you have a roof over your head and you eat every day, you can afford to give to people who don't. We are all people, all part of a world community, and it's times like these that push the other issues aside to provide help to those who need it most. We cannot wait, we must take action and give. When all is said and done, I hope a lot more is done than said.

I may not have much, but I will continue to give to Haiti. After the initial crisis ends, the rebuild must begin and it won't be easy. They will need us more than ever. But I believe they can rebuild. And from this disaster a great nation will rise, built by people who love, work, share, and believe.

I did not fly to Haiti today, but my money is going. Along with my prayers for peace and comfort to a people who need them so very much.

Another year gone by...

How the heck does my life seem to drag on, then all of a sudden I am year older?? I loved being 27. 2009 was a great year. It's really kinda hard to let them go.

So I tried to fly under the radar today. Didn't make any big plans, just did a few things to treat myself. If I've learned anything from single life, it's that you can't expect anyone else to make you happy, you just have to decide you're gonna be. Besides, no one knows what I like better than me:)

So today I worked out with Bob Harper and my Biggest Loser peeps. I watched Regis and Kelly and drank vanilla milk. I read and listened to inspirational stories about relief efforts in Haiti and the Olympic torch relay across Canada. I bought myself a couple books I really want to read and some shirts that will still look cute when I get fit again. I went to lunch with my family. I took a nap. I watched a wonderful Disney movie with my nephews. (Princess and the Frog deserves to be a classic) And I sang out loud to my favorite songs.

There were a few frustrations in the midst of that goodness, but also some happy surprises. My mom, little brother, and some close friends made extra efforts to brighten my day, which was awesome. I heard from a few long lost friends. I had a facebook page overflowing with greetings. And I got a very generous financial boost from my aunt. I am so very blessed!

So although technically I am older and stuff, I really just feel very fortunate to be who I am, have the life I do, and know the people I know. I feel like I still have so much to learn, so many things to experience, and so many more people to love.

And now I look forward to another year full of possibilities! 28 is looking pretty good after all:)

Sanity

My testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ
Yoga
Babies
Friends who still call
Funny movies with hot leading men and super happy endings
Chocolate

Another week in my world... Bring it on.

The Blind Side

I just saw a most incredible movie. It is the story of a family who saw beyond their own needs and took in homeless teenager. But it became so much more than that. They gave him hope for a future. He gave them so, so much more. I am almost speechless. There was so much love, just emanating from the characters. And these are real people!!
This is exactly why I want to teach!! I want to be a Leigh Anne Tuohy. I want to take all the beautiful life experience and love that I have been blessed with in my life, and help some kid know how wonderful he really is. I want to make a difference in the world. I want to get things done.
This story is so inspirational, and the best part is that it is true! You don't have to be a millionaire to help someone. You just have to be willing to stand up for what's right, believe in people, and love like it's never gonna hurt. You have to have faith. Trust in people; see their potential.



See the movie, read the book, but most of all, live the love. There are so many people out there who need what you have to give.

"Let us remember, too, that greatness is not always a matter of the scale of one’s life, but of the quality of one’s life. True greatness is not always tied to the scope of our tasks, but to the quality of how we carry out our tasks whatever they are. In that attitude, let us give our time, ourselves, and our talents to the things that really matter now, things which will still matter a thousand years from now."
-Spencer W. Kimball

What would I do without Sunday?

It is my day to recharge, spiritually and physically for the week ahead. I love, love, love Sundays! So why was today so great?

• I got to teach today. I learn so much through teaching and testifying of truth! And I love to see people's eyes light up as the spirit touches their hearts.
• I took a 2-hour nap. GLORIOUS!! I love naps :)
• I ate delicious grapes from Chile. Isn't it amazing that in the dead of Canadian winter I can eat fresh produce grown halfway around the world?
• I got to listen to an apostle speak during the CES broadcast. His words gave me so much hope, which is just what I needed.
• The sky was clear, and the stars were amazing! I love that we live far enough from the city that we can see billions of stars so clearly. Someday I will know more than 3 constellations :)
• I almost got a calling!! I haven't had a real calling in over a year, but since I could not promise to be here till the end of September, it's a no go :( Fortunately, the Primary president still wants me to help, so I am now unofficially the Primary music director. YAY!!!

And a few more reasons I have to be happy:

-I got to watch some great films in my dad's theatre this week, including 'Gone with the Wind' and 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid' which I had never seen before. Classics! On the big screen! Awesome!!

-I got to hang out with my little brother, one-on-one, a couple times this week. He is such a fun guy when he's not playing video games!

-I have a plan!! I am in the process of preparing for the GRE and doing grad school applications. I'm gonna be a teacher! With a Master's degree! And I also have a big job interview coming up that will help me pay for it all. Things are looking up, and most importantly, I finally feel good about my life!!!

And now, for another week. Bring it on!!

Just a little crush

I think every girl needs a crush. It gives you something happy to think about any time you need it. For married girls, crushin' on your hubby keeps the fun alive. For us single chicas, it keeps the dream of finding that 'someone' alive.
I've recently developed a crush on a pretty interesting guy. Trick is, I've never met him, he is semi-famous, and lives about a thousand miles away. But it doesn't much matter, cuz crushin' on him brightens my day and rekindles my hope, which is just what I need right now.
Besides, I COULD meet him someday... you just never know :)

A year in review

I currently find myself in a situation very similar to one year ago. I was unemployed, rather lost, and temporarily living with my parents while I tried to sort out my next step in life. Although not far from that situation again, I am much more at peace with it all this year. I have a plan, it is much more realistic, and I am wiser (I think).

I decided that since 2008 was pretty rough for me, I was going to make up for it in 2009. And boy did I!! I have had a most amazing year. I have been places and met people and experienced things I had always dreamed of, yet never imagined possible. I was left speechless, breathless, and motionless on multiple occasions. I stored up a truckload of great stories to tell the kids some day, and took over 5000 photos to support the tales.

Here are my favorite moments of 2009:

• Re-connecting with some wonderful old friends, and the awesome meals and conversations we shared
  
• Working at Disneyland Paris


• Paris Institute and the Chinese-speaking Elders


• Kissing under the Eiffel Tower


• The spectacular lightning storm over Venice


• Playing at Disneyland Paris with some fab American friends


• My first Jason Mraz concert


• Celebrating the 4th of July with a bunch of Europeans at Parc Asterix
  
• Exploring Versailles with my bestest best friend and eating a raspberry from Marie Antoinette's garden
  
• Being thought French, twice:)


• Boat tours down the river Seine


• Eiffel Tower fireworks on Bastille day
  
• Real crêpes


• Dancing under the stars with my Frenchman


• Attending Campus with the French YSA


• Climbing to the top of monuments, mountains, and towers in several countries


• Sunsets!! -from the mountains of Cinque Terre in Italy, the top of the Arc de Triomphe, at the Eiffel Tower, on the beach in Tel Aviv


• Going to church at the BYU center in Jerusalem


• 4 sessions in one day at the Madrid Temple


• The beach in France, Israel, Belgium, Spain, Holland


• Staying in the honeymoon suite of my hotel


• Learning to understand Spanish and Italian
  
• A million wonderful people who made my day: co-workers, guests, old friends, new international friends, family, church leaders, missionaries, new babies, little kids....


• Catching up with my cousin Cathy and her kids
  
• Meeting my newest nephew, Miles Conrad Harper, and spending a wonderful week with him and his parents.
  
• Taking piano lessons again


• Singing with my family for the Christmas program at church


• Date nights with my Rugama nephews


• Discovering my career path and the decision to attend grad school


• Interviewing with Disney Cruise Line


• All the good news from friends and family getting engaged, married, graduating, or having babies.

See? 2009 was a great year! And I have every intention to make 2010 even better.

My life is a great adventure. I have been so blessed! Right now, I'm just taking a pit stop - but I think I'm on the right track. And with all that fun behind me, who knows what tomorrow might bring??