Be Aware

By now most of you have probably figured out that I think it is important to be aware of what is going on around the world. Awareness is the first step in reducing the problems our world faces today. I may not have a time slot to speak to the Senate about things we can do to reach the MDGs, but one day I may be able to share concrete information with someone who gets that opportunity in the future. The more aware we all are, the louder the voice that cries out against inequity becomes.

I have recently found two websites that give information about the state of the world in very concrete and statistical ways. I prefer to learn about things this way because I've come to resent each picture of a starving child that tries to compel me to action. For one thing, motivation must be intrinsic for one. And two, the bloat of so many humanitarian efforts has made me very cynical to private causes (see the post below).

If you have the time, check out these two very informative websites:

CIA World Factbook

and

Human Development Report

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Sunday morning, feeling very cynical about the unproductive, uninspiring Displace Me event, Kristen and I went downtown. Atfer eating beingets at Cafe du Monde, we walked around aimlessly, taking pictures with statues and playing in a fountain until noon when the city livened up. At lunch, in true Nawlin's fashion, I had a supurb bloody mary and a bowl of gumbo. Cajun food is the best food. Oh, I was a happy kitten!

The coolest thing that happened the whole trip occured while we were waiting to be seated. A couple who was waiting on their food looked over and asked if we were in town for Jazzfest. We told them that we had come for another event and they offered us free tickets and bus passes to get there. We ate our lunch, hopped on a bus, and in fifteen minutes we were sweating like pigs under the hot sun and jamming out with the New Orleans Social Club.

If I had to come up witha slogan for the weekend it would be, "The best adventures are the ones you never see coming."

Addendum: For those who are curious, I have posted more pictures from New Orleans on my photography page.

Plans

I've got an exciting week ahead of me. I am attending a black-tie Nursing Gala at the Beau Rivage in Gulport tomorrow night. I tried to find other nursing students to go with me but they were all too wrapped up in school work to do it. I will be going stag. One of these days I'm going to get to wear a pretty dress and NOT be all by my lonesome (although not anytime soon, it appears). I don't really know what to expect tomorrow night but it will be fun to get dolled up and go out on the town.

This weekend I am going to Displace Me, an event associated with the people who made the video on the Invisible Children that I posted below. There are 15 locations around the country where people will band together to 'experience displacement' being fed rationed saltines and water and sleeping under cardboard boxes. Documentaries will be shown and letters to senators will be written. It stands to be a very unique experience. I am taking my camera and my video camera and I hope to be able to capture some inspiring photos. The plight in Africa is always a tear-jerker for me, so any pictures of myself will definitely be taken early on in the evening.

One day I hope to go to Africa and offer humanitarian aid. I want to vaccinate and educate on how to stay healthy. I want to help build infrastructure, even if it is only in one small village. I want to help one child get the education needed to help the people in his or her home pull themselves out of the mire. Lofty, dreamy goals, I know. Reality has never stopped me from pursuing my dreams before, why should it with something as important as this?

Invisible Children

This isn't a cheery post. There are not jokes, anecdotes, or anything of the sort. I want to share with you two disturbing, inspiring videos. I hope that you can find the time to watch them.






You can visit the website for this foundation here.