I was going to do a post about Mother's Day and the non-eventful day at my house, but that would have been completely boring. Instead, I wanted to share information about a new foundation I've found online. I (along with lots and lots of Vampire Diaries fans) was Googling Ian Somerhalder on Thursday night, completely freaked about the season finale. And I found out that he started a foundation to help save the world!
You can check out the website for yourself HERE.
"The (Ian Somerhalder) FOUNDATION aims to empower, educate and collaborate with people
and projects to positively impact the planet and its creatures." As a foundation, it isn't just one group of people and some Ian Somerhalder fans. It's a huge group of people as well as many different activist groups. "There are numerous causes, many campaigns and organizations aiming to
encourage change, which includes ending deforestation, planting trees,
eliminating pesticides and healing our planet."
Here is a link for the Gift Shop
And you can Get Involved too! There are all sorts of ways you can get connected with this organization. They've started a book club. There are fundraising opportunities. And volunteering opportunities. This place is amazing! I'm so very excited to see a celebrity making a conscious effort to help the world and end all of the destruction.
Please get involved! This is a great cause, one that I am going to help as well! There are so many ways to contribute here, since it's a foundation that is concentrating on bettering the planet, not one specific thing!
~Kate
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Always A Country Girl
As I write, I'm sitting in my hammock in my backyard. I used some rope from the garage to string it up safely between two trees, both of which I planted as tiny saplings when I was younger. I'm very happy to report that even as close as we are to the river (about a mile, I think) there are only a few bugs bothering me.
Having a bit of firsthand experience, I started thinking about the differences between the "country" and the larger cities.
I like Grand Valley State University, where I transferred to from a community college. It's an amazing school, with helpful and (usually) understanding staff, and a beautiful landscape, as well as a great curriculum. That said, I can't wait to finish school and get out again.
You see, I'm not a city girl. I can't live in a house where my neighbors' windows are less than ten feet away, and they can look in at me if I forget to close the blinds. I have to have room to breathe, a backyard for my future kids to play, ESPECIALLY to hang my dear hammock. (Which I'm taking to school next year and somehow making it hang in my dorm room so I can sleep in it instead of the bed.)
I always knew there was a difference between the smells of my hometown and the smell of my family's campground. But now I've found there is a different smell between home and Grand Rapids. The campground definitely smells the best, with all the trees and weeds and grass and flowers... I'll stop running on now. But the city smells so... dirty. Buses run around campus all day long, in 10 minute intervals (which is excessive if you ask me). There are a LOT of smokers on campus, so every time I walk between classes I'm inhaling secondhand smoke, which pisses me off to no end. Home smells so clean, even outside. Someone in the close neighborhood always has a freshly cut lawn, so you smell the grass. When the wind blows, I can smell my mother's flowers (when they're in bloom, anyways).
I want to find a house farther into the country in this little town. I really can't imagine living anywhere else, though I would if I had to. Demonstrated by my partial relocation to a city.
But I'll make the best of it. I don't hate the city, but I could never live there. There is a certain amount of space a girl like me needs to live, for dogs, maybe a garden, hopefully a few horses. Definitely some foster kids when I get financially set.
Love to all!
Kate
Having a bit of firsthand experience, I started thinking about the differences between the "country" and the larger cities.
I like Grand Valley State University, where I transferred to from a community college. It's an amazing school, with helpful and (usually) understanding staff, and a beautiful landscape, as well as a great curriculum. That said, I can't wait to finish school and get out again.
You see, I'm not a city girl. I can't live in a house where my neighbors' windows are less than ten feet away, and they can look in at me if I forget to close the blinds. I have to have room to breathe, a backyard for my future kids to play, ESPECIALLY to hang my dear hammock. (Which I'm taking to school next year and somehow making it hang in my dorm room so I can sleep in it instead of the bed.)
I always knew there was a difference between the smells of my hometown and the smell of my family's campground. But now I've found there is a different smell between home and Grand Rapids. The campground definitely smells the best, with all the trees and weeds and grass and flowers... I'll stop running on now. But the city smells so... dirty. Buses run around campus all day long, in 10 minute intervals (which is excessive if you ask me). There are a LOT of smokers on campus, so every time I walk between classes I'm inhaling secondhand smoke, which pisses me off to no end. Home smells so clean, even outside. Someone in the close neighborhood always has a freshly cut lawn, so you smell the grass. When the wind blows, I can smell my mother's flowers (when they're in bloom, anyways).
I want to find a house farther into the country in this little town. I really can't imagine living anywhere else, though I would if I had to. Demonstrated by my partial relocation to a city.
But I'll make the best of it. I don't hate the city, but I could never live there. There is a certain amount of space a girl like me needs to live, for dogs, maybe a garden, hopefully a few horses. Definitely some foster kids when I get financially set.
Love to all!
Kate
Friday, May 4, 2012
Technology: Improving Life or Corrupting It?
What do you think about technology? Now give the question true, complete thoughts. Probably, you’re mind goes to all of the good things: telephones, cell phones, and texting mean nearly-instant contact with whomever you choose, removing the hassle of walking/biking/driving; computers do the same as well as make research, math, and organization (among hundreds of other things) easier; television, DVDs, and Internet provide constant entertainment to even the most bored; cars, planes, and trains make transportation quite simple no matter where you plan to go.
But what about the consequences to go with those good things? Phones (especially texting) make us lazy. Would you have gone to see that friend, who is in a neighboring town or even a neighboring state, if you didn’t have fast, reliable, and energy conserving modes of transportation? Probably only once in a while, or maybe a few times per YEAR, which would preserve the excitement of spending quality time.
As a side note, I’ve recently learned that my sister, who is a freshman in the same high school I graduated from, is allowed to text people in class. It’s been nearly four years since I graduated, and the administrators then were very anti-cell phones. They didn’t even like them turned on if you left it in your locker… This is NOT right. Education is going even further downhill.
And how long would that five page research paper take you if you had to read through books to actually learn something, instead of just using Google to find the most relevant matches to your topic? Gosh, that would mean you would have to do some real homework, and spend some quality time in a *gasp* LIBRARY! With all those musty, old books, and the ladies behind the counter with nothing better to do than walk around shushing visitors. (Which, I’ve never met a librarian who shushed people, and I’m a 20 year old bookworm.)
Television and video entertainment add even more to the lazy population. After all, who wants to go outside and kick a ball around or jump on a trampoline when there are talking sponges, idiotic faux-high schoolers, and lame jokes to keep people (of ALL AGES) glued to the television. Life before these shows? There was one? Are you sure?
I’m all for technology, so long as its use is regulated properly. I have a 2000 Monte Carlo. I have an LG Rumor Touch that I love to text with. Obviously I have computer and Internet access, but I’ll even tell you it’s from my personal laptop running on the Highspeed Verizon Internet my family was introduced to early last year. I have shows that I feel I can’t live without, though I’ve proven myself wrong time and time again by missing an episode or ten and not dying.
It’s all about smarts and regulation, and I personally blame the adults in the world. The adults whose parenting skills are lacking, who are self-indulgent, and probably quite lazy.
That car you drive? Whether it’s an old ‘88 Buick something-or-other or a 2012 Ford blah-blah, whether it gets 12 miles per gallon or 40-something, you’re STILL injuring the planet. Don’t whine about how much money you’re wasting on fuel while going places; MAKE SMARTER TRIPS and use less fuel!
That cell phone that you’re probably using to access this blog right now? And the television in the background with the stupid sponge or barely clothed “women” in those music videos? SHUT THEM OFF! Go outside and enjoy the sunshine (with proper sunscreen so you don’t get skin cancer due to the lack of natural protection being slowly killed by the FUEL BEING USED). Grab your kid, or a neighbor, or a friend, and go for a walk. Go to the park and swing while you talk, really swing using your legs, not just sit on them like those “cool” kids do. Take your sister, brother, daughter, son, nephew, or niece outside and teach them to ride a bike, rollerblade, climb a tree, hit a homerun through the neighbor’s window and then run REALLY FAST so you can attempt to blame it on someone else. BE ACTIVE, because the more active you are, the more energy you have (its proven!).
Yes, I said I blame the adults. But YOU can turn it around by getting off your ass and making a difference in your own life.
Turn off the technology and go outside; you’ll be healthier for it. Conserve energy, especially fuel; both your budget and the planet will thank you. Spend some quality time with family and friends without distractions; you’ll end up happier, I guarantee it.
But what about the consequences to go with those good things? Phones (especially texting) make us lazy. Would you have gone to see that friend, who is in a neighboring town or even a neighboring state, if you didn’t have fast, reliable, and energy conserving modes of transportation? Probably only once in a while, or maybe a few times per YEAR, which would preserve the excitement of spending quality time.
As a side note, I’ve recently learned that my sister, who is a freshman in the same high school I graduated from, is allowed to text people in class. It’s been nearly four years since I graduated, and the administrators then were very anti-cell phones. They didn’t even like them turned on if you left it in your locker… This is NOT right. Education is going even further downhill.
And how long would that five page research paper take you if you had to read through books to actually learn something, instead of just using Google to find the most relevant matches to your topic? Gosh, that would mean you would have to do some real homework, and spend some quality time in a *gasp* LIBRARY! With all those musty, old books, and the ladies behind the counter with nothing better to do than walk around shushing visitors. (Which, I’ve never met a librarian who shushed people, and I’m a 20 year old bookworm.)
Television and video entertainment add even more to the lazy population. After all, who wants to go outside and kick a ball around or jump on a trampoline when there are talking sponges, idiotic faux-high schoolers, and lame jokes to keep people (of ALL AGES) glued to the television. Life before these shows? There was one? Are you sure?
I’m all for technology, so long as its use is regulated properly. I have a 2000 Monte Carlo. I have an LG Rumor Touch that I love to text with. Obviously I have computer and Internet access, but I’ll even tell you it’s from my personal laptop running on the Highspeed Verizon Internet my family was introduced to early last year. I have shows that I feel I can’t live without, though I’ve proven myself wrong time and time again by missing an episode or ten and not dying.
It’s all about smarts and regulation, and I personally blame the adults in the world. The adults whose parenting skills are lacking, who are self-indulgent, and probably quite lazy.
That car you drive? Whether it’s an old ‘88 Buick something-or-other or a 2012 Ford blah-blah, whether it gets 12 miles per gallon or 40-something, you’re STILL injuring the planet. Don’t whine about how much money you’re wasting on fuel while going places; MAKE SMARTER TRIPS and use less fuel!
That cell phone that you’re probably using to access this blog right now? And the television in the background with the stupid sponge or barely clothed “women” in those music videos? SHUT THEM OFF! Go outside and enjoy the sunshine (with proper sunscreen so you don’t get skin cancer due to the lack of natural protection being slowly killed by the FUEL BEING USED). Grab your kid, or a neighbor, or a friend, and go for a walk. Go to the park and swing while you talk, really swing using your legs, not just sit on them like those “cool” kids do. Take your sister, brother, daughter, son, nephew, or niece outside and teach them to ride a bike, rollerblade, climb a tree, hit a homerun through the neighbor’s window and then run REALLY FAST so you can attempt to blame it on someone else. BE ACTIVE, because the more active you are, the more energy you have (its proven!).
Yes, I said I blame the adults. But YOU can turn it around by getting off your ass and making a difference in your own life.
Turn off the technology and go outside; you’ll be healthier for it. Conserve energy, especially fuel; both your budget and the planet will thank you. Spend some quality time with family and friends without distractions; you’ll end up happier, I guarantee it.
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