Just to keep you interested

When I was in DC on monday, we went to the botanical gardens, because they were showing 16 of the Cool Globes (originally an artist collaboration project from chicago)
There website is: Coolglobes.com if any one is interested.
Basically these artists got together, and each designed globes with a different global warming theme. I saw globes on recycling, composting, unity, using public transport system, awareness, offsetting your carbon footprint, and many others. I didn't get to really look at the last few, because my aunt was illegally parked and wanted to leave, but the ones I saw were frapping amazing! I love political art!

It was cool, because each globe kind of dealt with a problem, but also a solution to the problem! So it wasn't just like "well there is carbon in the atmosphere, and we are probably going to die soon..."
NO! It was there is carbon in the atmosphere, and here are some easy things you can do to reduce that.
SO here are some tips on how to go green and also why we should go green.

One can of aerosol keyboard cleaner has the same green house gas creating effect as burning 100 gallons of gas.

1.5 million barrels of oil are used to make U.S. water bottles each year.

If all Americans viewed and paid bills electronically, we'd save 18.5 million trees and 15.8 billion gallons of water

Unless current fishing methods change, there will be no seafood by 2048.

Try to go car and meat free one day a week

If everyone in America were able to reduce their junk mail, it would save 100 million trees a year.

Leaving your car at home two days a week will save 1,590 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions each year.

Go vegetarian once a week. If 10,000 American gave up beef once a week, it would reduce tons of fertilizer and save enough water to fill 22,719 pools.

I don't know if I said this alreayd, but arbor day is going to freaking count for something next year. And Earth day. Be the change, right?

Gen-Gen-Genocide!

Here's something...interesting that Switch Over to Darfur made as a satire on the Olympic games in China:
http://www.switchovertodarfur.org/

Also, Terri found this really cool website:
http://www.betheirmessenger.org/
This website deals with human rights issues in Uganda, Congo, and Darfur. It's centered around individual people's stories though, not just statistics, and I haven't really had a chance to look at it, but I signed up for her weekly email list and at the bottom she wrote:

Keep up the great work! Every little thing we can do makes a difference. Time to think outside the box, and think globally. The world is so much bigger than what happens within our four walls. Every time you think something isn't possible, or you can't really make this or that work - try it anyway! 9 times out of 10 that gets me places. Persistence!

I learned a great lesson this week which teaches me to strive for wisdom to know where change is needed and the strength to do it.

It's refreshing to read that, because lately I've been feeling really weighed down about the world and all of it's problems. I've felt like there is so much to do (which there is) and I don't know, just thinking about how much there is to do is discouraging. Like, where do you start?
And I've been caught up in family problems so much that I don't want to get involved with Darfur. But I read her email, and she oddly enough inspired me, so hopefully that bought will be done.
I really just want one day with a good internet connection to just sit there, write, read, and learn.
And catch up. I feel rather behind in my summer to do list.
Oh well.

I've recently become obsessed with "Couches in Alleys" by Stryofoam. Only the version I heard was a Ben Gibbard live concert, and it is very different from the original. Kind of sadly so. If you guys want a link to that, here it is as well:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=E6H0tRlRb0M
Mostly, I would recommend going to podcasts, NPR, NPR live concert podcast, and downloading the Ben Gibbard one. Frapping amazing. Iron and Wine has one too that is awesome as well.

Also, I am leaving for Chicago tomorrow, and will have an unpredictable internet access, so I may not be on for two weeks or so...depending.

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD!
But I read

ZEeeeeEeeeEEEEn

Here is way more than you probably wanted to know.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zen

Basically... my poorly worded interprtation of Zen is looking into yourself to find answers and wisdom as opposed to outside sources... the idea is that we all possess wisdom, we just have to meditate over simple daily experiences and find it in our own minds and souls. I think finding it is zen. Something like that anyways... you should prbably read the article.

The Kite Runner

So there has been a lot of hype about this book and I think it's being made into a movie (?) so I was a little hesitant in reading it. I really liked it though and I things are popular for a reason.

I didn't really find it super sad or depressing, more just a story about the unpleasent side of life, which I don't think is bad. I really like the way it was written, it help my attention the entire time, an accomplishment. Once I started reading I didn't want to stop. So I kind of didn't. Oops.

I thought it was a good example of how we are always chasing after someone who isn't chasing us. I think that's the way it usually goes. I wish that soneone would just turn around and chase who was chasing them and if everyone turned around maybe only a couple people would get left out... but I guess that wouldn't work because if everyone turned around then you would be back in the same place. Ok so I wish that every other person would turn and then the world might be happy.

I think a lot of times we hear about war and we don't really think that real people with real lives are suffering and dying. I loved how much the book explored the characters and why they were the way they were. It gave a glimpse into a world that many of us are lucky enough to neevr ever have to see.

The book made me feel like I take lots and lots of things for granted and it made me want to appreciate things more... so I am. I am thankful for the light.

Also I want to get rid of a lot of my material possesions. I really don't like being in stores and I don't like clutter, advertisements, or television. I cleaned out my room once already this summer but I'm going to do it again. I want to be able to fit everything I have into a suitcase. I know that is unrealistic for an American college student so I will just do what I can, and one day I hope to have very very little. Haha my goal in life is to not have anything.

Material things are empty to me, the only thing that I really wouldn't want to do without is a camera, and I have already done that since I lost mine in April. I was actually happy when I lost it... even though it's the one thing that I really really cared about, in losing it I realized I could live the way I want to and everything would be fine. I finally ordered a new one Monday though. I am really excited about it. It's been a while and it hasn't felt right using other people's. Although I greatly appreciated Glen sharing his camera and my mom letting me use hers this summer.

Back to the book... I wonder what other people get out of it... I know that it has inspired me to try and find a way to help others and it has made me very thankful and appreciative. I would really recommend reading it if you haven't, I think it will impact you.

silly catholics

Ok Laura... I think that the Gospel from this morning might help you out some with your worries.

It was about the 3 parables (in Greek parables means comparison) of wheat, the mustard seed, and yeast. I kind of forgot what the wheat one was about... SORRY, but the mustard seed was about, and I'm sure you've heard this before, how it is the smallest of all seeds but grows into a huge bush. The yeast was about how just a tiny amount can make 3 measures (50lbs) of flour raise into bread.

The point of it was that we have to start small. Even if we never see the full effect of what we do it is still important that we do it no matter how small it is. Our priest also gave the comparison (or modern parable, haha) that Jesus was just one man, completely open to God's will and grace, and He asked 12 people to follow him, and here we are still talking about Him 2,000 years later. There are now 1 billion Catholics in the world... Jesus started small too. I mean yeah, I guess He was Jesus but still. We always think that a big change is the only good change but I think it's more like we just aren't around or are capable of seeing the full effect of the small changes we have.

Anways I just wanted to give you more thoughts on the matter of little things not making a difference. I feel like that a lot too, the why am I doing this no one cares and it isn't accomplishing anything thoughts come often. But who are we to think that we know everything and can tell whether or not we see what is "enough" change? Everything matters and the good you put into the world goes where it needs to, not always where we need to see it. Trust in God's grace... sorry to sound preachy. I don't like that talking about God is a negative self righteous thing in our culture. I'm not trying to be that way... just wanted to share some thoughts that always make me feel better when I get cynical. Also I was wondering why it's cool to be cynical. Psh... I'm trying to let go of that part of me. Yes I know suprise... love might exist.

Ok so here is good ol' Ghandi. OMG so at the library I was reading a kid's book about Ghandi and I found out that he barely graduated from high school and failed out of college. It took him 3 years to pass the law school test also. I wanted to read the rest of it but they promoted me to shelving the intermediate books so I had to go.

Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.
Mahatma Gandhi

Be the change you want to see in the world.
Mahatma Ghandi

Laura, if you're all the change that takes place that's change enough. Also Obama is for change so don't worry. I'm sure he's not lying.

Oh and here is an article about the Pope in Australia at a World Youth Conference. It's pretty good and he is wise I suppose. Haha... Pope.

http://my.earthlink.net/article/int?guid=20080720/4882b840_3ca6_1552620080720-388027423

chill laura bells...

Ok so here are some ideas for the recycling bins. The world thingy would go on the lid and the leafy thing around. The other stuff is just kind of random art ideas for our roomies. Also I did them on cardboard so it is being REUSED! Ha.

I like to call the later ones my grassy noels. So the pictures are pretty terrible and I am still trying to master basic photshop skills so the colors are pretty off from what they actually look like so you get to use your IMaginaTIon! Tell me about your thoughts!

Terri's List of Things to DO!

do! hahahah, kind of like "duties"

Terri, here is your list of things to do:

Make a shag carpet

Research companies (primarily organic…are they lying?)

Research Feng Shui

Read Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Find a wooden silverware separator online

Learn Czechoslovakian

Run!

Write poetry!

Find other earth themed things for our room (bamboo curtains, a lamp?, a rug if shag rug does not work)

Listen to ALL of the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Tell Glen to get all of the Beatles

Photoshop another picture of Phil's child

Research Zen

Learn more about labyrinths (I don't think this was on your list, but I added it if you want to)

Be a more healthy vegetarian and get Tracey involved.

Zen and David Francis

I saw my cousin, David, today. I haven't seen him since the spring break of my junior year. That is too long to go without seeing someone in your family. I don't really know much about David. He is at least 6 years older than me, and we were never really close growing up. I think I remember watching Kraft's Kreatures with him when we were smaller. And we all used to go to Kennywood together. He used to work there, and once he won a really big stuffed dolphin for us. My mom liked it better than we did because it was the actual size of a baby dolphin.
Basically it was really awesome to see him again, and he said that when I go to visit New York to let him know so he could show me the sites.

also, what is zen?

GO GREEN!

I think I failed on the weekly environmental tip...oh well. If anyone has any, please reply in a comment, and i'll post them on the blog. Not that anyone really reads this blog. Just Terri.
I'm in Pittsburgh today, it smells like a semi humid forest, and I don't think that made sense, I was just trying to be clever like Death Cab for Cutie, but I couldn't think of anything that rhymed with today and described what Pittsburgh smells like. I don't actually really know what it smells like, I haven't been outside much. Just yesterday after we got out of the air port. I really liked flying in, because in the plane, all those thousands of feet into the air, you could look across and see the moon. And it was slightly closer than it looks here on the ground.
It was so pretty last night. I think it's cool that no matter where we are, we still look at the same moon and stars.
It makes me feel like we are closer.
It's weird to think that I am thousands of miles away from Texas, when it doesn't feel like I've left Texas at all.

I'm also done reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I think this book (along with Kung Fu Panda) has brought me some levels of peace. I'm not kidding about the Kung Fu Panda either. For those who haven't seen it, I would recommend it. I really liked the Turtle. Terri. The turtle was amazing.
But about Zen...he just thinks so differently. It's amazing to get to read this book and see a completely different person, and get to know them in detail, because of everything he's pouring into the book. He thinks about things a lot...things that I wouldn't bother with. But reading the book has helped me to think differently, and i like spending time thinking. Especially on road trips. I really like to stare out the window and just think...listen to music...and think.
So I've been thinking about my life more, trying to think from all sides...
One of the things he said that has really stuck out, is that you have be in peace before you can fix anything (like a motorcycle or even something small...I like to apply it to my life using an essay or something) Or maybe even relationships. I'm trying to achieve that peace.

But I've been thinking a lot about the concept that there is no original thought anymore. I don't agree with that. I think everything we do is original. No two writers sit down and write the exact same story. It may contain similarities...but I believe that it because in life, we generally experience the same things. In different degrees and at different times, but they are the same. So why shouldn't the two stories contain some similarities? We are both human. I believe original thought has truly vanished when these two writers (in different parts of the world, never having met each other) write the exact same story.
I believe nothing can be accomplished by saying original thought is gone. Claiming such can only stunt our creative process.

the unbearble lightness of being

So I really like the title of this book. I think its a really beautiful image... the unbearable lightness of being. I love it!

As a whole I really liked the book. There was lots of philosophical thought and questioning that I really appreciated. The characters all knew themselves really well and had good reasons for all the things they did and I thought that was cool. It makes me wonder if real people know themselves so well, I don't think I ever will.

It talked about everyone needs to be watched and how there are four kinds of people. First there are the people that need lots of eyes on them of people whom they don't know, the people that want to be famous and have lots of attention. Second there are the people that want lots of eyes on them that they know, the very social people that also require a lot of attention and need to know that people they care about are watching them. Third are the people that need the constant eyes of a lover. (Laura) Finally there is a rare group that needs the eyes of someone that may or may not exist or be watching them, more like the idea that someone is watching them that they don't know about.

So Laura gave me this book to read and she read it for her little mentor class but I'm wondering what class did you read this for? Because there was a whole lot of sex... also we need to rent the movie even if it is porn because I know you like that anyways Laura. Don't be shy. It's only natural. Don't you want to feel my bones on your bones! (not my bones on yours but well, you know the song nevermind)

Travels

Terri wanted me to blog about my travels, so here I am, blogging.
Glen and I went to Ruidoso over the past weekend. We went up Saturday and came back Tuesday. I wish that I could say it was a relaxing weekend, but it really wasn't. It went too quickly for me to relax, and by the time I started to relax, it was Monday evening. Not to say that the trip wasn't fun, because it was, it just went by too quickly to be a real break from everything.
I kind of want that real break from everything right now.
BUT back to Ruidoso. It was beautiful. We got there and it started raining. Pine trees + Rain= win. IT SMELLED SO FREAKING GOOD. Glen and I walked around the cabin area that evening and spent some time swinging on this swing, and smelling the trees. I might have sang to one of them. Upwards Over the Mountain. really off key.
We stayed at Apache Village, had a one room cabin with a small bathroom crammed into the side. The room was about the size of our rooms back at carpenter wells...small, but cozy. There wasn't any air conditioning (OMG) not that we needed it, because it was COLD, so I kind of felt like we were in nature because of that.
That was about as far as nature went. Lately I've been feeling in a naturalistic mood. I want to go hiking, spend time outdoors, get away from the city. So, I thought it would be fun if for my birthday Glen and I went and did some hiking, stayed in a cabin, got away for awhile. Well...the forest was closed. The most hiking we did was around a golf course. It was funny, we brought a lot of water, hiking shoes, clothes for hiking, sun screen, backpacks, and we had that going around the golf course. We were extreme.
It was nice to talk though. I think that's what we spent the majority of our time doing. I'm trying really hard this summer to be okay with not doing something all the time. That got me the first few days, because we would eat at 5:30, and not really have anything to "do" in the evenings. But who cares? I wish I was okay with just playing scrabble and reading and getting to be in Ruidoso. I wish I could have appreciated that fact alone. Not in Lubbock anymore. Ruidoso with the frapping pine trees, and clearer air, and RAIN! But no, I was like do do do.
It went away by Monday.
But it was annoying.
What else? We drove up as far as we could to Sierra Blanca, because that mountain is frapping gorgeous. I will post a picture on here later. It was misty and cloudy around the top, so you couldn't see everything...except for all of the dead trees in the forest. They closed it down, btw, because there was an extreme fire danger in Ruidoso, and seeing all of the dead brown sticks interspaced with the live green ones... it was sad.

And we went to Saint Elenors on Sunday. Glen wanted to go because he knew that mass would be the same there as it would in Lubbock. I never really appreciated that until this trip. I LOVE that about the Catholic church. I used to hate how mass was the same every weekend. But it's not. The format is the same, but now I like that. Somehow going to a church that doesn't follow the format doesn't feel like church. I'm not saying it's wrong, just to me, it doesn't feel like church. Saint Elenors was very welcomming, and gave us Mother Theresa cards with a prayer on the back. I sat by an older lady by herself, and she shook our hands and told us she was really glad to see us there.