This is the program I did with my residents last weekend over Easter in Arkansas....it was awesome
Global Passport – 401 at Heifer Ranch
Four Night Program; 9th Grade – College Age
Global Passport participants, in a safe simulation, experience what it is like when someone in your community loses everything and they must rely on the generosity of their neighbors. Will the community come together and provide the needed relief?
After people’s immediate need for food, water and other necessities have been met, the need for relief work ends and development work begins. Heifer works to empower communities by supplying them with the means – including livestock, training and other resources – to strengthen their families, their communities and their hope for a sustainable future. All Global Passport “families” are challenged to improve their circumstances by adopting a variety of methods Heifer uses in the field, including adding livestock, improved animal management and finding a unique market to sell goods.
Throughout the program, participants must provide for their “family” by tending gardens and livestock, working in the village community, buying supplies from the international market and cooking cultural meals using appropriate technology. Each night the family will come together and sleep in representative housing, such as Tibetan yurt.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Keet in Pari
I love my dear aunt kit, she is so spunky, colorful and full of life in the present. I have been receiving regular emails from her on her two week trip to Paris with my uncle tom (along with every other family member...good thing she has luxurious time to write to us). Well, I thought I would share some of her emails, because, she is just hilarious!
Dear Devon,
We visited La Musee D'ORsay which has a fantastic collection of Impressionistic paintings, and which is a converted train station. I loved the building and the light filtering through the ceiling. WE both got "museum back" , but it was worth it. We walked there from our hotel and stopped off at La Maison du Chocolat on the way. I bought a chocolate something (duh, what else) that was the only thing I could afford---4.5 Euros for one piece of candy!!! Most things were $25 to $75 and I couldn't bring myself to buy 4 ounces of chocolate for the same amount as a meal for 4.
Glad to hear you are getting ejercio. Feels good to get it, n'est ce pas? I have already walked my tail off today. Tom had business at the Hopital Chocon, and I took off to find the Jardins des Plantes. Got lost, of course, but I didn't care. I was walking from 10:00 to 1:30 pm and my dogs are so tired!! I LOVED the garden, and after a rest I am going to take Tom back there. Tom is snortling/snoring as I write this. He finished his meeting and is free until we leave on Wd. am. We just finished eating a peek neek in our little room---a tartine, which was an open-faced baguette with melted cheese and tomatoe on top, warmed up; a baguette sandwich with grilled chicken in it and we split a strawberry tart. Excellent, all.
I am going to cut and paste you what I wrote to your Dad about our adventures in the emergency room...
Also...yesterday afternoon we were resting up here after our boat trip on the Seine, and the phone rang. The receptionist said "The building, she is burning. You must to evacuate now." Just as she said that I smelled smoke and heard lots of clattering on the cement staircase near our room. WE grabbed our computers and wallets---no time to pack or anything---and ran downstairs. Other guests were collected out on the sidewalk in front of the hotel and a fire truck with the extension ladder leaning on the building was already set up. Pompiers (isn't that a great name for fireman?) were climbing up the extension ladder thing, running in and out of our building and the one next door, dragging a hose from the lobby around and looking generally serious. The police cordoned off the sidewalk and the street and we weren't allowed to go near the hotel. It was starting to get cold(It was around 6:00 in the evening), and Tom was just in a T-shirt (pants, too). I had grabbed my jacket and a scarf so I wrapped my scarf around his neck and that helped a bit. He looked really "in" too. All the men wear long scarves looped around their necks---very chic! Fortunately, we had planned to take our friend Louise and her family out to dinner, so we just walked to their house, hoping the hotel would still be standing when we got back. WE had a really delightful meal at the cafe right next door to her place. It was one of those long drawn out dinners with multiple courses and waiters in black suits. By the time we walked back to our hotel at 10:00 pm, everything was fine. The receptionist didn't mention anything on our return ("Fi-yure, what fi-yure?") and the only indication that we almost died in a raging inferno was a slight smell of smoke in the stairwell. I am a little freaked out at the kind of bad-lucky things that have happened to us on this trip, so I am avoiding elevators, and looking both ways twice when I cross the street.
I love to hear about what you're doing to school. What was the conference in Berkeley about? ...Those girls, especially ones in bikinis, don't know what a groovy RA they have and they should golly-gee-gosh show up for the floor meetings. I will check out your blog to see what else is up with you.
Take care and enjoy spring,
Love
Keet
I so long to be with you!! but I think I cannot complain since I was there for two weeks over winter break.
Dear Devon,
We visited La Musee D'ORsay which has a fantastic collection of Impressionistic paintings, and which is a converted train station. I loved the building and the light filtering through the ceiling. WE both got "museum back" , but it was worth it. We walked there from our hotel and stopped off at La Maison du Chocolat on the way. I bought a chocolate something (duh, what else) that was the only thing I could afford---4.5 Euros for one piece of candy!!! Most things were $25 to $75 and I couldn't bring myself to buy 4 ounces of chocolate for the same amount as a meal for 4.
Glad to hear you are getting ejercio. Feels good to get it, n'est ce pas? I have already walked my tail off today. Tom had business at the Hopital Chocon, and I took off to find the Jardins des Plantes. Got lost, of course, but I didn't care. I was walking from 10:00 to 1:30 pm and my dogs are so tired!! I LOVED the garden, and after a rest I am going to take Tom back there. Tom is snortling/snoring as I write this. He finished his meeting and is free until we leave on Wd. am. We just finished eating a peek neek in our little room---a tartine, which was an open-faced baguette with melted cheese and tomatoe on top, warmed up; a baguette sandwich with grilled chicken in it and we split a strawberry tart. Excellent, all.
I am going to cut and paste you what I wrote to your Dad about our adventures in the emergency room...
Also...yesterday afternoon we were resting up here after our boat trip on the Seine, and the phone rang. The receptionist said "The building, she is burning. You must to evacuate now." Just as she said that I smelled smoke and heard lots of clattering on the cement staircase near our room. WE grabbed our computers and wallets---no time to pack or anything---and ran downstairs. Other guests were collected out on the sidewalk in front of the hotel and a fire truck with the extension ladder leaning on the building was already set up. Pompiers (isn't that a great name for fireman?) were climbing up the extension ladder thing, running in and out of our building and the one next door, dragging a hose from the lobby around and looking generally serious. The police cordoned off the sidewalk and the street and we weren't allowed to go near the hotel. It was starting to get cold(It was around 6:00 in the evening), and Tom was just in a T-shirt (pants, too). I had grabbed my jacket and a scarf so I wrapped my scarf around his neck and that helped a bit. He looked really "in" too. All the men wear long scarves looped around their necks---very chic! Fortunately, we had planned to take our friend Louise and her family out to dinner, so we just walked to their house, hoping the hotel would still be standing when we got back. WE had a really delightful meal at the cafe right next door to her place. It was one of those long drawn out dinners with multiple courses and waiters in black suits. By the time we walked back to our hotel at 10:00 pm, everything was fine. The receptionist didn't mention anything on our return ("Fi-yure, what fi-yure?") and the only indication that we almost died in a raging inferno was a slight smell of smoke in the stairwell. I am a little freaked out at the kind of bad-lucky things that have happened to us on this trip, so I am avoiding elevators, and looking both ways twice when I cross the street.
I love to hear about what you're doing to school. What was the conference in Berkeley about? ...Those girls, especially ones in bikinis, don't know what a groovy RA they have and they should golly-gee-gosh show up for the floor meetings. I will check out your blog to see what else is up with you.
Take care and enjoy spring,
Love
Keet
I so long to be with you!! but I think I cannot complain since I was there for two weeks over winter break.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
My Heifer International Trip
Some women from my living-learning community floor and I are going to this four day program in Perryville, Arkansas this Thursday to Sunday the 9th to the 12th of April.
Here is the summary: Participants internalize complex issues surrounding hunger and poverty by experiencing the circumstances that many Heifer International's project partners face each day. Participants will leave with the awareness of their role as a global citizen and with ideas on how to create change.
The interactive educational simulation includes powerful and surprising situations that open the world beyond the participants own borders. Through experiencing conditions that arise daily for millions of people they become aware of the effects of poverty and hunger. They feel the discomfort and frustrations when faced with difficult life choices- how will I feed my family?
Throughout the program, they will work to provide for their "family" by tending gardens and livestock, working in the village community, buying supplies from the international market, and cooking cultural meals with appropriate technology. Each night the family will come together and sleep in representative housing, such as Mozambique, the Tibetan region of China, or the Mississippi Delta region of the US.
I AM REALLY EXCITED!! and my hall director in the building where we all live is going too!!
Here is the summary: Participants internalize complex issues surrounding hunger and poverty by experiencing the circumstances that many Heifer International's project partners face each day. Participants will leave with the awareness of their role as a global citizen and with ideas on how to create change.
The interactive educational simulation includes powerful and surprising situations that open the world beyond the participants own borders. Through experiencing conditions that arise daily for millions of people they become aware of the effects of poverty and hunger. They feel the discomfort and frustrations when faced with difficult life choices- how will I feed my family?
Throughout the program, they will work to provide for their "family" by tending gardens and livestock, working in the village community, buying supplies from the international market, and cooking cultural meals with appropriate technology. Each night the family will come together and sleep in representative housing, such as Mozambique, the Tibetan region of China, or the Mississippi Delta region of the US.
I AM REALLY EXCITED!! and my hall director in the building where we all live is going too!!
Devlopment, Poverty, and More Development
Saturday April 4th I went to this awesome one day retreat/conference focusing on sustaining ourselves for a lifetime of service at UC Berkley. Spronsored by the Shinnyo-en Foundation and the Cal Corps Public Service at the UC, the reateat was called "The Soul Food for the Student Activist."
The keynote address was by a strong woman named Shakti Butler, who both her and her husband, Rick Butler, make amazing documentaries. She touched on everything from what our passion to be involved with social justice is to reflection to environmental racism. She is truly inspiring.
Then, after some Brazilian dancing to build community, we went into our first of two workshops where I listened to a former Professor at Berkley named Michael Nagler, talk about the power of meditation and non-violence in our work (www.metta.org for meditation). For the second workshop, I attended a session called "if you are not with me, you are against me." This was interesting in connecting and disconnecting our positive passions with the ways our work sometimes plays out negatively.
At Berkley, it was great, everyone assumed I went to their school and when I told them I went to USF, they were surprised and interested and I got to represent the city in such a different and colorful place at Berkley. It will be weird not to be a student at USF anymore, though I am sure I will still try to find ways to stay a part of the community.
The keynote address was by a strong woman named Shakti Butler, who both her and her husband, Rick Butler, make amazing documentaries. She touched on everything from what our passion to be involved with social justice is to reflection to environmental racism. She is truly inspiring.
Then, after some Brazilian dancing to build community, we went into our first of two workshops where I listened to a former Professor at Berkley named Michael Nagler, talk about the power of meditation and non-violence in our work (www.metta.org for meditation). For the second workshop, I attended a session called "if you are not with me, you are against me." This was interesting in connecting and disconnecting our positive passions with the ways our work sometimes plays out negatively.
At Berkley, it was great, everyone assumed I went to their school and when I told them I went to USF, they were surprised and interested and I got to represent the city in such a different and colorful place at Berkley. It will be weird not to be a student at USF anymore, though I am sure I will still try to find ways to stay a part of the community.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
PEACE ONE DAY
Check it out: http://www.wiserearth.org/aof/112
Peace is not the absence of war; it is a virtue; a state of mind; a disposition for benevolence; confidence; and justice.
-Baruch Spinoza
Peace is not the absence of war; it is a virtue; a state of mind; a disposition for benevolence; confidence; and justice.
-Baruch Spinoza
Thursday, March 19, 2009
All this Excitement!
It has been a while, I know, but I have been busy! Last week from the 7th of March to the 12th (Mary Ellen Middleton's birthday- Happy 37th!) my good friend Katie Warner came to visit me in the city from cold Pitssburg. She is getting her masters in International Development at the University of Pitt and came to SF for her spring break! Katie and I met in Ciudad Sandino Nicaragua doing internships with the Foundation for Sustainable Development. She had been there for about five months, and left a month after I got there, and was great support and fun. It was great for Katie and I to catch up and talk about our development plans for the future. It is horrible too, we realized that so many people from our program in Nica have gone back and we are sooo longing too. So hopefully if she get her alternative break trip funded by her school she can go down to prepare for the work they are going to do and I may go with her before that trip...we will see.
We hit up everything in the city! From the Ferry Building to Pier 39 and Ghiradelli Square to Sausalito and Stinson Beach (she had perfect weather when she was here) to GGpark and Haight street she got it all! We definitely had the most fun in the mission district though eating our infamous gallo pinto (the beans and rice dish we ate three time at day in Nica). Good times....
Katie-I'll miss ya!!!
We hit up everything in the city! From the Ferry Building to Pier 39 and Ghiradelli Square to Sausalito and Stinson Beach (she had perfect weather when she was here) to GGpark and Haight street she got it all! We definitely had the most fun in the mission district though eating our infamous gallo pinto (the beans and rice dish we ate three time at day in Nica). Good times....
Katie-I'll miss ya!!!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Do You Know Your Ecological Footprint?
In my Environmental Science Lab today we talked about exponential population growth and our ecological footprint.
Check it out: http://www.myfootprint.org/en/take_action/reduce_your_footprint/
mine is 3.31 worlds
Here are some energy and environment saving ideas from the website:
There are many simple ways to reduce the footprint you leave on the planet. Learn how to reduce your footprint in each consumption category–carbon, food, housing, and goods and services—but don’t stop there. Amplify your impact by encouraging others to follow your lead. Engage your friends and community with local and global movements for social change, or start your own movement!
REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
Use cleaner transport
Walk, bike, or take public transit whenever possible.
Avoid allowing your car to idle. If you’ll be waiting for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine (except in traffic). And don’t take the drive-through—park the car and walk inside instead.
Have your vehicle serviced regularly to keep the emission control systems operating at peak efficiency. Check your car's air filter monthly, and keep the tires adequately inflated to maximize gas mileage.
Avoid short airplane trips—take a bus or train instead.
Add energy-saving features to your home
Install compact fluorescent bulbs in all your home light fixtures—but remember, compact fluorescents contain mercury, so look for low-mercury models and be sure to dispose of old bulbs safely through your local hazardous waste program.
Weatherproof your home. Make sure your walls and ceilings are insulated, and consider double-pane windows. Eliminate drafts with caulking, weather strips, and storm windows and doors.
Insulate your water heater. Even better, switch to a tankless water heater, so your water will be heated only as you use it.
Choose energy efficient appliances.
Adopt energy-saving habits
Keep thermostat relatively low in winter and ease up on the air conditioning in summer. Clean or replace dirty air conditioner filters as recommended to keep the A/C operating at peak efficiency.
Unplug your electronics when not in use. To make it easier, use a power strip. Even when turned off, items like your television, computer, and cellphone charger still sip power.
Dry your clothes outside whenever possible.
Make minimal use of power equipment when landscaping.
Defrost your refrigerator and freezer regularly.
Choose green electricity. Many utilities give you the option to purchase electricity generated by wind and solar power for a small rate surcharge.
Purchase carbon offsets to make up for the energy use you can’t eliminate.
REDUCE YOUR FOOD FOOTPRINT
Eat more local, organic, in-season foods.
Plant a garden—it doesn’t get more local than that.
Shop at your local farmer’s market or natural foods store. Look for local, in-season foods that haven’t traveled long distances to reach you.
Choose foods with less packaging to reduce waste.
Eat lower on the food chain—going meatless for just one meal a week can make a difference. Globally, it has been estimated that 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions are associated with meat consumption.
REDUCE YOUR HOUSING FOOTPRINT
Choose sustainable building materials, furnishings, and cleaning products.
Explore green design features for your building, like passive solar heating, a rainwater catchment or grey water recycling system, and recycled materials.
Choose efficient appliances, including low flow shower heads, faucets, and toilets.
Choose furnishings that are second-hand, recycled, or sustainably produced.
Plant drought tolerant plants in your garden and yard.
Use biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning products.
Adopt water-saving habits
Take shorter, less frequent showers—this not only saves water, but the energy necessary to heat it.
Don’t use the garbage disposal. Compost instead.
Run the dishwasher and the laundry machine only when full.
Wash cars rarely, or better yet, take them to a carwash. Commercial carwashes use less water per wash than home washers, and they are also required to drain used water into the sewage system, rather than storm drains, which protects aquatic life.
Avoid hosing down or power-washing your deck, walkways, or driveway.
Regularly look for and fix leaks.
REDUCE YOUR GOODS AND SERVICES FOOTPRINT
Buy less! Replace items only when you really need to.
Recycle all your paper, glass, aluminum, and plastic. Don’t forget electronics!
Compost food waste for the garden. Garbage that is not contaminated with degradable (biological) waste can be more easily recycled and sorted, and doesn't produce methane gases (a significant greenhouse gas contributor) when stored in a landfill.
Buy recycled products, particularly those labeled "post-consumer waste."
Check it out: http://www.myfootprint.org/en/take_action/reduce_your_footprint/
mine is 3.31 worlds
Here are some energy and environment saving ideas from the website:
There are many simple ways to reduce the footprint you leave on the planet. Learn how to reduce your footprint in each consumption category–carbon, food, housing, and goods and services—but don’t stop there. Amplify your impact by encouraging others to follow your lead. Engage your friends and community with local and global movements for social change, or start your own movement!
REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
Use cleaner transport
Walk, bike, or take public transit whenever possible.
Avoid allowing your car to idle. If you’ll be waiting for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine (except in traffic). And don’t take the drive-through—park the car and walk inside instead.
Have your vehicle serviced regularly to keep the emission control systems operating at peak efficiency. Check your car's air filter monthly, and keep the tires adequately inflated to maximize gas mileage.
Avoid short airplane trips—take a bus or train instead.
Add energy-saving features to your home
Install compact fluorescent bulbs in all your home light fixtures—but remember, compact fluorescents contain mercury, so look for low-mercury models and be sure to dispose of old bulbs safely through your local hazardous waste program.
Weatherproof your home. Make sure your walls and ceilings are insulated, and consider double-pane windows. Eliminate drafts with caulking, weather strips, and storm windows and doors.
Insulate your water heater. Even better, switch to a tankless water heater, so your water will be heated only as you use it.
Choose energy efficient appliances.
Adopt energy-saving habits
Keep thermostat relatively low in winter and ease up on the air conditioning in summer. Clean or replace dirty air conditioner filters as recommended to keep the A/C operating at peak efficiency.
Unplug your electronics when not in use. To make it easier, use a power strip. Even when turned off, items like your television, computer, and cellphone charger still sip power.
Dry your clothes outside whenever possible.
Make minimal use of power equipment when landscaping.
Defrost your refrigerator and freezer regularly.
Choose green electricity. Many utilities give you the option to purchase electricity generated by wind and solar power for a small rate surcharge.
Purchase carbon offsets to make up for the energy use you can’t eliminate.
REDUCE YOUR FOOD FOOTPRINT
Eat more local, organic, in-season foods.
Plant a garden—it doesn’t get more local than that.
Shop at your local farmer’s market or natural foods store. Look for local, in-season foods that haven’t traveled long distances to reach you.
Choose foods with less packaging to reduce waste.
Eat lower on the food chain—going meatless for just one meal a week can make a difference. Globally, it has been estimated that 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions are associated with meat consumption.
REDUCE YOUR HOUSING FOOTPRINT
Choose sustainable building materials, furnishings, and cleaning products.
Explore green design features for your building, like passive solar heating, a rainwater catchment or grey water recycling system, and recycled materials.
Choose efficient appliances, including low flow shower heads, faucets, and toilets.
Choose furnishings that are second-hand, recycled, or sustainably produced.
Plant drought tolerant plants in your garden and yard.
Use biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning products.
Adopt water-saving habits
Take shorter, less frequent showers—this not only saves water, but the energy necessary to heat it.
Don’t use the garbage disposal. Compost instead.
Run the dishwasher and the laundry machine only when full.
Wash cars rarely, or better yet, take them to a carwash. Commercial carwashes use less water per wash than home washers, and they are also required to drain used water into the sewage system, rather than storm drains, which protects aquatic life.
Avoid hosing down or power-washing your deck, walkways, or driveway.
Regularly look for and fix leaks.
REDUCE YOUR GOODS AND SERVICES FOOTPRINT
Buy less! Replace items only when you really need to.
Recycle all your paper, glass, aluminum, and plastic. Don’t forget electronics!
Compost food waste for the garden. Garbage that is not contaminated with degradable (biological) waste can be more easily recycled and sorted, and doesn't produce methane gases (a significant greenhouse gas contributor) when stored in a landfill.
Buy recycled products, particularly those labeled "post-consumer waste."
Monday, February 23, 2009
SAY YES TO GAY MARRIAGE
Check out this video:
http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/divorce
Hi,
Have you heard that Ken Starr -- and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund -- filed legal briefs defending the constitutionality of Prop 8 and attempting to forcibly divorce 18,000 same-sex couples that were married in California last year? The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in this case on March 5, with a decision expected within 90 days.
The Courage Campaign has created a video called "Fidelity," with the permission of musician Regina Spektor, that puts a face to those 18,000 couples and all loving, committed couples seeking full equality under the law.
Please watch this heartbreaking video now. If you have the same reaction that I did, please help me spread the word by sharing it with your friends and family ASAP:
http://www.couragecampaign.org/Divorce
The more people who see this video, the more people will understand the pain caused by Prop 8 and Ken Starr's shameful legal proceeding.
After you watch the video, please join me and over 300,000 people who have signed a letter to the state Supreme Court, asking them to invalidate Prop 8 and reject Starr's case.
Thanks.
http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/divorce
Hi,
Have you heard that Ken Starr -- and the Prop 8 Legal Defense Fund -- filed legal briefs defending the constitutionality of Prop 8 and attempting to forcibly divorce 18,000 same-sex couples that were married in California last year? The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in this case on March 5, with a decision expected within 90 days.
The Courage Campaign has created a video called "Fidelity," with the permission of musician Regina Spektor, that puts a face to those 18,000 couples and all loving, committed couples seeking full equality under the law.
Please watch this heartbreaking video now. If you have the same reaction that I did, please help me spread the word by sharing it with your friends and family ASAP:
http://www.couragecampaign.org/Divorce
The more people who see this video, the more people will understand the pain caused by Prop 8 and Ken Starr's shameful legal proceeding.
After you watch the video, please join me and over 300,000 people who have signed a letter to the state Supreme Court, asking them to invalidate Prop 8 and reject Starr's case.
Thanks.
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