My niece is going to change the world!

My ten-year-old niece, Makila is going to change the world. In early June, I spent a couple of days with her trying to make a difference in the world. I am awed by her compassion and drive to help those less fortunate. When most kids her age are worried about the newest technology craze and the coolest new band, Makila is thinking of ways to help kids in need. Don't get me wrong, she is still a typical preteen interested in the newest trends and the latest heartthrobs (She is totally team Jacob!) - but with a heart of gold and a desire to make a difference.
On June 10th, I took her to Bright Hope International for their Experience tour. Bright Hope is the organization that I volunteered for earlier this year to promote their Run For Hungry Children. The Experience tour allows you to see the work that they do and the help that they provide for people around the world living on less that $1 a day. It is an amazing organization and the tour really opened our eyes. I was not the only one impressed with Makila that night. One of the gentlemen giving the tour spoke with us a little bit and was also struck by Makila's desire to help others. He even included her in his closing prayer for the night and asked me to keep him updated on her progress.

That night, we made the mistake of waiting until after the tour to go to dinner. On our way to the restaurant, we talked about the tour and how the people that Bright Hope helps are lucky to get one meal a day. And here we were hungrily awaiting our third meal that day. Once at dinner we discussed our plans to do more. Makila wants to have a lemonade/ hot dog stand several times throughout the summer and give the proceeds to Bright Hope to feed more children. She even began designing the poster for her stand - picking out pictures from the brochure to add to the poster.

(Property of Makila - Please do not copy)

The next day, we got up early and drove out to Aurora to take part in a program called, Feed My Starving Children - another amazing organization working to feed the extreme poor. This program puts together meal packs containing enough nutrients in one meal so that people only getting one meal a day can survive. What Makila and I got to do was work with a group of volunteers to assemble, seal and pack those meals. It's really a very precise and well run program and I highly encourage everyone to go at least once to do it. Makila and I are already talking about our next trip and who we can bring along.

Makila had two jobs while we were there. She started out weighing the filled bags.

She then switched in the middle and was one of two girls filling the bags. I am so proud of the hard work that she put in that day - without complaining. She really worked hard! After we were through, we met as a group and found out that we packed 84 boxes that will feed 50 children for a whole year. Amazing! I can't wait to see what other kind-hearted things Makila will surely accomplish. You can be sure that I'll keep you posted.
Hope to see you all at her lemonade/ hot dog stand this summer!

Giving kids clothes and food is one thing but it's much more important to teach them that other people besides themselves are important, and that the best thing they can do with their lives is to use them in the service of other people.
~ Dolores Huerta

It's been a while. . .

I know, it's been ages since I've updated this blog. And I know that the two of you who actually read it have been on pins & needles waiting to hear what I've been up to. Well, in short, I have been busy! Since my last entry, I have begun my second of two required courses that I need to reinstate my teaching certificate. Too bad I'm still pretty sure I don't want to go into teaching.
Anyway, this class has proven to be as helpful as the last one, but in a completely different way. The class I'm taking now is called Technology in Education and I get to spend three hours in front of a computer every week. The class has given me some great pointers and also reminded me of how much I love to work on a computer. Hmmmm. . . if only there was a job that helped those less fortunate by playing on a computer all day.
So besides the Oakton class every Thursday, I've been taking a water aerobics class on Tuesday nights. And as much as I can, a yoga class on Friday afternoons.
I'm also volunteering several hours a week for Bright Hope International's Run For Hungry Children. I am in charge of creating and updating a spreadsheet of over 100 businesses, 100 churches and 100 schools in the Hoffman Estates area. We then have been contacting them to get involved in the race. Yay! Finally an opportunity to make a difference and work towards creating a better world.
And of course, I'm still changing the world one latte at a time 30+ hours a week. That being said, I'm really going to try to post updates more often. But if there is a lapse, at least you'll know why.
My intention for this blog was never to be solely about me, but more about my experiences and thought and observations on trying to make this world a better place. My main idea when I started this blog was to do some (for lack of a better term) social experiments and then blog about them. Or maybe talk about some aspect of society that I think has gone downhill (or maybe something that's changed for the better). I've got tons of ideas and I promise, I will make more of an effort to get moving on them.


Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.
~ Henry David Thoreau

Check this out

My yoga instructor and friend, Brooks Hall, writes an awesome blog. She has asked me to be a guest muse on her blog. You can find my contribution here: http://brookshall.blogspot.com/2010/01/yogic-healing-salve.html

Christmas Spirit

I find it a bit ironic that the blog post that I've been writing in my head for a few weeks about slowing down, not rushing and enjoying the Christmas season more had to get postponed. Why? Because I was rushing around to prepare for Christmas and couldn't fit it in. . .
However, it's only January 2nd and I think it still applies.
Christmas is over and it always amazes and saddens me to see how quickly everything comes down. It seems like the day after Christmas people are taking down decorations and stores (including Starbucks) redecorate and remove all traces of the holiday. It's unfortunate that we rush, rush, rush for this big day and then POOF it's over. No wonder everyone complains around holiday time. Nobody enjoys it because they are too busy rushing to get to it, then remove all traces of it as soon as the day is over. Nobody gives themselves the time to enjoy all of the hard work. Thankfully in my family, we were raised by a mother who thoroughly enjoyed the holiday season and we would keep our decorations up well into January to enjoy.
I will admit that it took me a while to get into the holiday spirit this year, but I'm not ready for it to be over yet either. I think the people that complain about the holiday season and the commercialization of it all need to remember what it was like to be a child at Christmas. Not just the fun of opening gifts, but the wonder of the lights and decorations, and the excited anticipation of the parties, and getting together with family and the joy of giving. Who doesn't remember making something special for their parents in school and how excited we were to give it to them on Christmas morning? I still love to give gifts. I truly enjoy watching people open gifts that I picked out (or sometimes even made) especially for them. We need to remember those things when we're running around like crazy trying to get things done. We need to take time to enjoy the wonder of the season.
If you think that Christmas has become too commercial, then do something about it. Don't hate Christmas and the Christmas season, just change your outlook and your approach to it.
~ You can start making your gifts and not buy (yes, pun intended) into all of the materialistic hype that goes on.
~ You can donate your time to a charity in need.
~ Donate gifts to children in need. Every year, I pick a name or two off of a Christmas tree at my church and buy gifts for an underprivileged child. Get your kids involved in this, teach them that there are children out there who are not as fortunate as them.
~ Instead of gifts (or in addition to) donate money to charity in a loved one's honor.
~ If you're running out of time, send your Christmas cards late. I love getting a few cards that didn't make it to me before the holidays. It helps extend the season a little more. I sent mine late this year and I know some didn't make it before Christmas.
~ Do a simple craft project with your kids. If you don't have kids, borrow some. I did. I hosted a Christmas sleepover for seven children (ages 4-12) a few days before Christmas. We decorated the tree, made ornaments for them to surprise their parents with, had pizza and popcorn & watched a movie. It was a really fun time and really helped me to see Christmas through the eyes of a child again. Sure, I missed out on two days of shopping, wrapping and Christmas card writing, but it was totally worth it.
Don't get me wrong, there are times that I feel stressed and overwhelmed during the holiday season, but all of the positives about it greatly outweigh the little stresses.
Let me share with you two stories that reminded me this year of the true spirit of Christmas and why Christmas should be enjoyed and not rushed through.
The first happened a couple of weeks ago when I was shopping at Target. I kept noticing a bunch of people who appeared to be together, all looking around in the toy section. I then happened to be at the checkout at the same time as the group and asked them if they belonged to some sort of charitable organization (assuming they were buying toys for needy kids). They said that they all worked together and that instead of getting Christmas gifts from their boss, he was buying gifts that they were all choosing for a children's charity. What an awesome way to put the meaning of Christmas in perspective.
The second happened just a few days ago. It was December 28th and I'm sure many people had already taken down and packed away their Christmas decorations. Much of my family and I were on our way to Jamaica. We had a layover in Dallas. We were all sitting around waiting for our connecting flight. As we were sitting there, we heard some people start to clap. We (of course) turned to see what was going on. The clapping people were all looking up at a walkway one floor above us. On that walkway was a large group of soldiers coming home from their tour of duty. The whole airport seemed to stop and everyone in the vicinity stood and clapped as every last one of those soldiers walked past. What an awesome thing to witness so close to Christmas! You had better believe that the families of those soldiers were extending their holidays past December 25th.
So, I'm pretty excited that because of scheduling conflicts, my family actually hasn't celebrated our Christmas yet. We are getting together on the 9th instead. We too are extending our season this year and I'm glad. I'm not ready to see all the decorations go.

I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month.

~ Harlan Miller

Life is short

I really believe that my recent overwhelming drive to find meaningful work and meaningful life experiences has a lot to do with the recent losses that myself and my family have suffered. We have lost a countless number of friends and family in the last year. Four of those losses hit WAY too close to home. I have been thinking about these people lately, especially on my visits to the cemetery to visit three of the four. I can't help but think that one of the reasons that they died was to teach all of us that life is short, so we should live it to the fullest - while we can.

The four people below really knew how to take advantage of all that life had to offer. I miss them all more than words can ever say.

Elaine Wilke "Aunt Elaine" - Died November 16, 2008.Aunt Elaine was my mom's aunt. She was an amazing woman and was active and vibrant up until the last months of her life. She was a volunteer at a hospital and a women's center. She played tennis and golf. She did all of these things well into her eighties. She was married for over sixty years, she was the proud mother of two and grandmother of two.

John Lodewyck "Grandpa John" - Died January 4, 2009.

My Grandpa was a man of many talents. You name it, he tried it. He was not only a wonderful husband, father and grandfather, but he was one of the most multi-talented men I have ever known. He was a photographer, sketch artist and painter. He was an actor, a singer and a writer. He drove race cars, scuba dived and played sports. He traveled often - he went camping, took cruises and went on international tours. He also served courageously for the United States Army in World War II. He was a prisoner of war twice. One time even bravely escaping the horror of prison camp, only to be recaptured. He was married to the love of his life for 66 amazing years. He was the proud father of three, grandfather of eleven and great-grandfather of four. He gave the best hugs ever!

Victoria Sandy-LaCerba "Vicki" - Died March 8, 2009. Vicki was my sister-in-law and friend. She lost her life way too soon. However, she packed more into her short life than I could ever dream to pack into mine. She was a lifelong learner - eventually earning her Master's Degree in Medical Radiation Physics. She dedicated her life to fighting cancer. She was asked to speak at many medical conferences. She enjoyed music - both listening as well as playing. She traveled often for leisure as well as work. She was an avid reader and would often share her books with me when she was finished. She was married to my brother for almost seven years. They had two beautiful boys - one of which will only have pictures and our words to remember his mommy by.

Rosaria Anthos "Rosie" - Died May 25, 2009. Rosie was a dear friend of our family. She also lost her life way too soon. It was amazing what Rosie was able to do - all with that great smile that she had. She co-owned a beauty salon. She belonged to many groups and clubs. She belonged to a cousins club, a movie club, the Elks club. She golfed and played cards. She was always willing to help out without hesitation. Rosie would always ask how you were doing and you could tell that she genuinely wanted to know. She had a great sense of humor and was a joy to be around. She was the proud mother of two sons.

This blog post has been incredibly difficult to finish. I wanted to be sure to honor my loved ones in a way that felt right. However, there is so much about all of them that I miss everyday, that I knew that I could never write enough. These descriptions don't nearly do justice to the incredible accomplishments of these four amazing people. I have just provided a small glimpse into their lives for you to see. . .

All of these people grabbed life by the horns and lived it to it's fullest - leaving behind an inspiring legacy. I can't help but think about what my legacy will be. Right now, I'm feeling like it would be pretty empty, so I am taking steps to enrich my legacy. I really believe that living my fullest life, includes finding work that makes a positive impact on the world. I am seeking out volunteer opportunities that are meaningful to me in the hopes of finding my true passion and hopefully a new career. And at the same time, I will be helping out some awesome causes!

"The life given us by nature is short, but the memory of a well spent life is eternal."
~ Author Unknown

Back to School

After two years of searching for my dream job, I came to the realization that I need to do something more. While I know that making a darn good latte is making a positive impact on the world - one customer at a time, it's not quite the the difference I'm looking to make.

So, as my last post title suggests, I decided to start with me. . . As positive as I think I am about not going into teaching, I decided I would just look into what I might need to do to reinstate my teaching certificate. It's been TEN years since I had graduated college and earned my degree, so I was fully expecting ISBE (Illinois State Board of Education) to tell me that I need tons of classes and would have to pay large back fines. But, no. I would need to pay a $55 back fee and take five credit hours at any college or university. Any Education classes would do. Really?! $55 and two classes?! Really?! That's all it would take for them to allow me to teach after all this time. Quite frankly, I was stunned. How could I not do it? So, in a very brave moment I signed up at Oakton Community College and began to look for my first class. YIKES! College again after ten years. I'm too old for this!

There must be some divine powers at work telling me to reinstate my certificate after all this time - because I found the perfect class. It is called Peace Education. The class totally fits in with my desire to go into a non-profit. The first day of class we watched a video about the desegregation of schools in the south. It occurred to me after watching the video that the civil rights movement, the main push for equality took place in the 1950s & 60s. But weren't slaves freed in the 1800s? Yes, slaves were freed in 1865 after the Civil War. About a hundred years after the slaves were freed, the United States were still segregating blacks & whites. Watching the video I was disgusted at the way some whites were so resistant to allowing black students into their schools and how horribly mistreated those students were. After 100 years. 100 years! I know I've gotten all of this information before and even seen different pieces of movie clips from the civil rights movement. But this time it finally clicked for me the tremendous amount of time that America has been battling racism. But even today in 2009 there is still so much prejudice and racism. How long will this continue?

It's not just the prejudice and racism though. It's poverty and hunger and disease and illiteracy and abuse and on and on. . .

According to The Talmud in a quote from one of my class books, "It is not for you to complete the task but neither are you free to abstain from it."

I want to do something about all of this. No. I NEED to do something about it. I truly believe that we were all put on this planet for a purpose and I can't help but feel my purpose is to make a positive diffrence in this world, whatever that may be.

This class has given me hope.

Starting with ME

This is my first attempt at blogging, so bear with me. . .
I've been thinking about starting a blog for quite some time now. Although my life has been very interesting lately - it's not exactly what I want posted all over the internet. So, I've been trying to come up with a worthwhile topic. . .
Again, the craziness of my life would make for a good comedic blog (or a really sad tragic blog). However, I wanted to focus on something positive. I want to use this blog to talk about making a positive difference in the community and ultimately the world.
On a personal level, I've been trying to transition into work that makes a positive difference in the lives of others. In December 2007, I left the security of a 9-5 (okay, usually 6:30-3ish) job with decent pay to find my "dream job." Little did I know when I quit my job that the economy would completely tank and I'd be lucky to find a job anywhere, much less my "dream job." So for the last 16 months, I have been working at Starbucks and trying to break my way into the non-profit world to no avail. Unfortunately, this economy has brought about a lot of job seeking fish in a very small sea of potential jobs and when employers look at resumes they will inevitably choose people with experience in their field. Not a great time to be switching careers.
Which brings me to this blog.

It's time to make a difference in this crazy world of ours - dream job, or no dream job.

And I'm starting with ME.
So, what do ya say? Let's change the world, one blog post at a time.