Oh Materialism...

This past Friday, which happened to be Black Friday, I had a terrible day. I went out early, hoping to get all the good deals only to be miserable all day. First, I was super sick. I was coughing and blowing my nose all day long. I found myself just walking around in a haze, unable to appreciate all the great sales going on. Secondly, I didn't even find great sales. I found myself buying things and not really saving much money.
My life sucks.
Not only am I sick on the greatest shopping day of the year, I didn't even buy hardly anything for myself because the sales were lousy.

But I think I need a wake-up call.

To be honest, the last thing I need is another article of clothing. I look at my closest and just see t-shirt overflowing from the shelves. I was moping around the mall looking for good sales to buy even more of what I don't need.

In countries around the world, children aren't as blessed as I am. They are lucky to have two good shirts, let alone a different shirt to wear everyday of the month.

Talking with other girls at work today, I realized how materialistic I am. I love buying more things and wearing new, name brand clothes. I realized how blessed I am to have the means to own all that I do.

I hope to be more aware of this as the Christmas season continues. As I go out buying for other and myself and as I ask for more clothes form Christmas, I need to remember all those who don't have material things. My life far from sucks.

No more whining...

As Thanksgiving approaches and, as a student, I long for break, I also whine about the amount of work I have to do. As always, there are papers to write and exams to study for. I realize just how ungrateful I am to be receiving such a good education. So I think its about time for me to stop complaining for once, and just remember the things that I am so thankful for.

So many times I take my family for granted, especially my mom. I think so often people forget about the ones who surround them most of their lives. I was lucky to be raised in a home filled with love. But it hasn't always been a joyful place. Heartache is also a reality we have lived with. It is in those times when I saw how blessed I am. I now know that I can turn to my mom and siblings with anything. We hold each other in the hard times and find ways to make ourselves laugh and smile again. Laughter has been a blessing in my home, especially when we're all so sick of tears. I consider my family to be home; it is where my heart is the most content to be.

This Thanksgiving is going to be very different for several reasons. But no matter what, I am going to remember to give thanks for my family. God has blessed me so much! So no more whining for me!

My Family Last Christmas :)

Gotta love your "friends".

Know what sucks more than anything? People. The worst is when they say one thing, then totally do the opposite. What is that?  And they're supposed to be your friends? ...yeah right.

My life sucks so bad when it comes to dealing with people. I don't know if its my attitude or theirs, but something has gotta change. This weekend, for example, has been a total let down. People were excited to go out and have fun together, only to turn around and make new plans. Friendship is difficult when you're so angry at someone. I don't even feel like calling these people friends anymore. Friends don't ditch friends. Now I'm stuck bored and not liking them very much. What a super friendship.

But some lives are completely different...

Children in Uganda live in a reality of war. There is a constant fear of being kidnapped. Being kidnapped means a new hell begins. After being brainwashed and drugged, they are made into soldiers, fighting for the Lord's Resistance Army and the infamous Joseph Kony. The army has abducted 20,000 children, mostly boys, from their homes and villages in this 17 year war. This is a struggle that continues everyday and has received national attention. Even if the children are able to escape, the mental damage that is done requires serious attention. Organizations such as Invisible Children provide relief to this situation as well as battle the reign of Joseph Kony by raising awareness using their 2003 documentary film Invisible Children.

The fear that these children live with in Uganda prohibits hope. Friendships are severed when they're stripped from their villages. Making plans to have fun with their friends is the last thing on their minds with the threat abduction always present.

In reality, I'm blessed to have freedom, let alone friends. And I really do have some great friends :)

In fact, one of my good friends, Molly, is really involved with Invisible Children. She fundraises for them in very unique ways...check out her blog!! She is an amazing girl who is looking to make a big difference.