Awesomes and Awkwards

To give you a smile. 

Awesome:

Getting to see my old Bible teacher, you may recognize his name, Buddy Shuh, oh yeah, he just happens to be on The Biggest Loser this season and he looks incredible. Everyone kept telling me how they didn't recognize him when they saw him, but I thought I would, I mean I was prepared because everyone had told me, plus I've been keeping up with the shows and his facebook. Nope, I didn't recognize him, after a moment I placed the voice and almost screamed. So exciting. He so deserves this, he looks great.

I learned how to take a picture of my i-phone screen. I don't know why, but I believe this will be of the upmost usefulness.  

Two Kindergarten boys who walked up to me and said, "I like your boots." What fashion forward little guys.  

The book The Good News About Injustice by Gary Haugen. First of all, Gary Haugen is one of my heroes, he started International Justice Mission and spoke at Fourth Estate, which in my book pretty much makes you one of the coolest people that walk around on the planet. There really is no second of all. 

Finding out that the Ugandan Roadie for my district last Spring (who I talked to and was going to pick me up from the airport if I went to Uganda last summer) now works at the orphanage I'll be volunteering with this summer. How cool is that??

Awkward: 

An old babysitting Mother of mine noticing my purity ring and gasping, "Oh my gosh, is that a RING?" "Umm, yes, but not...that."

Talking to my school health department about Immunizations. If I hear one more time that I am "a risk to the community around me" with out all my childhood shots I may scream. 

Telling Ethan I have to run to Target and him saying, "Oh, I'll come too, unless you need...girl stuff.." No, bud, even if that was all I needed in the whole wide world I would never admit it to you, I prefer you stay completely oblivious to that aspect of my life. But he asked me three times, I was starting to worry if I was sending off a "girl stuff" vibe.  

This little girl: She had been running up to me all day long. Finally I tickle her and she laughs and suddenly stops, turns to me and says, "Stop that, you old goose!" Then she followed me around for the rest of the day. 

Nuts

Oh, Girl Scout Cookies, how you slay me. 

A quick list of things that will make you go nutty:

• New professors half way through the semester
• Searching through an entire book for one quote because you neglectfully forgot to cite the page number. I've now read said book about 6 times. 
• Way too many girl scout cookies
• The dastardly 12 hour "How to Teach Health in the Elementary Classroom" class coming up this weekend.

Way too many nuts!
What makes you go nutty?

Some Steve Jobs for You

-Steve Jobs via Invisible Children

Awkwards 'n' Awesomes on Thursday

 Skirt and Top: Salvation Army  Belt: Bella Mia  Sunglasses: Von Maur 

Awkward: 

That middle picture, not sure what's going on there.  

The 16-year-old boy who blushed straight up to his ears when Mr. Qdoba man asked if I was with him. Poor 16-year-old boy and unobservant Mr. Qdoba man, the kid was obviously with his Mom.  

 Dancing barefoot. I'm literally the world's least coordinated dancer, and unfortunately, dear Ethan doesn't much have rhythm either. Sore toes. 

The whole dining alone at a restaurant thing. I personally don't mind it. I'm perfectly happy with my book and a few empty seats around me, but where it gets awkward is when a couple from school comes and dines at a nearby table. It continues to get awkward when you catch them looking at you with sympathetic faces. The awkwardness all culminates when you and the couple walk into your dorm at the same time afterwards. How does that happen?  

Awesome: 

Leaving the window open all the time. All night long, all day long. Ah, it's quite nice. I will happily continue to change in a ball in the corner if we can continue to leave the window open at all times. 

Professors who move back paper due dates.  

Playing with little second cousins.

Although he may only be here for another day, Mr. Sun. He's just so handsome. Can't get over him.  

This piece of prose a dear friend of mine sent me. I believe it to be true. It's in the format of The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis but it's about the Invisible Children movement. Please do go read it. 

Braggin

So, please do excuse me, but I just have to...
Brag to you about Ethan.
Because he's pretty stupendous. If I do say so myself. (Why shouldn't I say so myself, it's not like I can take any credit. So I DO say so myself.)
But anyways, I must now tell you how he enjoys doing terribly nice things for his slightly scatterbrain-ed girl.
First, he bought two different types of green tea for me to enjoy when my skin turns yellow (yep, yellow fever, I know you're hiding inside me. Travel-nurse told me so.) Then, he bought my family dinner (not just me, my family). Then, he fell asleep on the couch (which was just funny, I guess not so much of a bragging point there, but you should have seen him, drawing a mustache was a serious temptation). Then, he stayed late to finish a terribly thrilling episode of The Mentalist that he had already seen but because it included ghosts and I felt that finishing it alone sounded...gulp (and he fell asleep again). And soon he will be on his way to a wedding with my entire family- including the 5 uncles- all over 6 feet and 200 pounds.
Also he's tall.

But mostly he bought green tea. That was nice.

Have a fun St. Patty's day.
(er, not tooo much of that fun, you hear?)

Awesome and Awkward!

Awesome:

Crepes for breakfast: first these made me feel decadent and second, it was with Caroline! Caroline's engaged to Ethan's brother. I feel the need to tell everyone this. Did you hear? Daniel and Caroline are engaged!

The little boy at the toystore (who had two different boots on) who walked around with a t-rex saying, "I may be big but I'm very nice!" 

 Mom being terribly Mom like and buying a dress for me. It's actually a night gown, I swear you can't tell.

The SUN! 70 degrees in March? Well, if you insist.  

Getting shots from the travel clinic. This sounds like a bad thing, doesn't it? But it means that I'm going! I'm going to Uganda, I mean, I knew before but it's really, really real!

Awkward: 

Mom quoting Ghost Town at a funeral, specifically the line "everybody dies" to the deceased's grandson.  

 My dream where I was quite certain I forgot to put on a shirt before going out in public. I'm incredibly disturbed that dream-me didn't seem to mind. 

Asking the checkout lady to check a price for me. The price was overpriced, "no thanks" I say. "So you just want this top?" Holding up what I just no-thanks-ed, "nope, I'm good, thank you!" I say. "So you just want this?" She holds up something I had returned to her earlier, "oh, no, nothing today, thank you," I say. "So both?" ..She almost convinced me that I did actually want both. 

 Getting locked in a dressing room and knocking on the door (rather desperately), "let me outtttttt...please?" for about 5 minutes. When the lady did arrive I realized that I probably should have put on..er..more clothing before she got there. 

Your Kony 2012 Questions Answered

Jacket: CAbi  T-Shirt: AE Jeans: Nordstrom Shoes: DSW 

Disclaimer: I do not speak on behalf of Invisible Children, I am only a member of their Fourth Estate


1. I've heard the Invisible Children (IC) only uses one third of their funds to work in Central Africa, is this true?
Invisible Children's mission is three fold:
 The first is sustainable programs on the ground in Central Africa. These are things like the first Rehabilitation Center in the Congo, renovating schools, providing scholarships, creating jobs, etc.
The second is educating the Western World about what is happening to their family in Central Africa.
The third is to create advocacy programs for those in the Western World who want to help their family in Central Africa.
 In Fall of 2011, Invisible Children raised approximately 8 million dollars. 37% of that money went directly to programs on the ground, 17% went to films and products to make the Western World more aware (after all, you heard of Kony2012, yes?) and 26% went to Programs in the States for people who have become aware and want to do something. The remaining 20% went to fundraising and operating costs.
For a break down of these financials, go HERE.

2. I've heard IC isn't independently audited, isn't that illegal?
Invisible Children is independently audited every year and the findings of this audit is published on their website. This is a rule that all Non-Profit organizations must follow.

3. Didn't IC only receive 2 out of 4 stars on Charity Navigator? 
Charity Navigator gives Invisible Children 3 out of 4 starts. It giver their Programs 4 out of 4 stars. As for Accountability and Transparency, the score is currently 2 stars due to the fact that IC does not have 5 independent voting members on their board of directors; they currently have 4. They are in the process of interviewing potential board members and will add an additional independent member this year in order to regain a 4-star rating by 2013.

4. Does IC support the Ugandan government?
No, IC does not support any government or condone any negative behavior that the government may have performed in the past. They do not pay any money to the Ugandan Government. However, working with the local military forces who are most familiar with the LRA is the only way to truly stop Kony's terror. This also makes it easier to create sustainable programs. IC never wants to be "the Westerners coming to take over," so they partner with citizens in Central Africa.

5. Didn't IC say that Kony was in Uganda? I heard he hasn't been there in years. 
You're right, Kony isn't in Uganda and he hasn't been there since about 6 years ago. The Sudanese President was previously giving Kony resources to live on the border of Sudan and Uganda. The deal was, the Sudanese President would give Kony supplies and weapons if Kony would keep the South Sudanese "rebels" from getting out of hand. In his free time, Kony could do what he liked in Northern Uganda. However, the Sudanese President himself became indited as a wanted criminal and he could no longer aid Kony and the LRA. Therefore, Kony moved into the jungles of the D.R. Congo and Central African Republic (this is on the Kony2012 video at 15:00). The jungles there are about the size of California which made it easier to hide and the villiages were more remote- they couldn't call for help when the LRA would attack.
So, back to the question at hand: Kony isn't in Uganda, IC never tried to claim otherwise. He only started in Uganda. This does not mean that his terrors have stopped, he has only moved. Therefore he must be stopped.
For more information about the damage Kony has done and is doing in Central Africa go HERE.

6. Why now?
IC has been working to end this war for years. Recently, as you may know, President Obama fufilled the Lord's Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act that was signed in May of 2010. He did this by sending approximately 100 advisory troops in October 2011 (read more about this HERE). This was a crucial last piece of the puzzle. As soon as this development happened, IC knew they had to keep the troops there. If the troops pulled out, they believed there was no way U.S. aid would ever return to combat the LRA. The only way to keep the troops there? Keep pressure on Congress- they had to know that U.S. citizens wanted to aid in the arrest of Joseph Kony and his top commanders. The best way to do that? Make Kony famous. Everyone must know his crimes and must want to see him brought to justice.


7. Isn't there really more to the story?
There is a lot to this story, after all, it's been in the making for over 26 years. The Kony2012 video breaks it down to it's simplist components; it's only half an hour long. In the Kony2012 movie, the LRA violence is explained  to the public almost exactly as it would be explained to a four year old (hence Gavin being a centerpiece to the movie). I completely and whole heatedly back this choice. I have been involved with Invisible Children for years, but only became an advocate a year ago. I've described the complexities, the maimings, tha rape, the terror that has been inflicted on Cnetral Africa and it still it was difficult to get people to listen. I've shown other films of Invisible Children's, which are lengthier and dive more in depth into what has happened during this 26-year war, and still I couldn't get many to listen. Invisible Children's movies are not new to the internet, but it was this one that went viral. I believe this is because of two reasons. First, I believe that this is God's movement and he took it and ran with it. And second, that it broke down what's going on so that people could understand. It was not meant to be comprehensive, it was meant to get your attention. For a better understanding of the LRA go HERE. And also HERE: it details what has been going on in Central Africa for the past 26 years.

Sorry that was so lengthy, guys, but there are a lot of questions out there!
For any further questions, please contact me. I'd love to answer any questions or criticisms you may have.

Awkward and Awesome!

Shirt: c/o CAbi  Jeans: Nordstrom  Boots: Steve Madden  Bracelet: Invisible Children 

Awkward:

 Waving and smiling at someone across the hall as you run into a large potted plant. "Oh yeah, just really enjoy foliage, don't mind me."

Hitting my head on four objects in 24 hours: the fouton, the floor, a dresser and my bed. My brain was just plain certain I was nine inches shorter than I am. He's still not positive of my actual height.

Walking into work to hear my boss say, "What are you doing here?" Come to find the girl whose shift I was taking showed up too! After her talking to the boss for about 5 minutes she had to stay and work her own shift. Poor the her. Awkward the me. 

Walking into the lobby of my dorm and hearing a guy say, "Are those hunter boots?!" I look up and he and his lady friend are both just staring at my footwear, "Why, yes, yes they are." 

Awesome:

I have successfully remembered to water my daisies everyday for a week now. I believe this is good news for any future children I might have, I will not forget your nutritional needs. I may forget to buy your favorite cookies, but only if they don't line up with my favorite cookies.

Today is Happy Women's Day. That sounds like a good day for chocolate, doesn't it? 

Getting to go home for Spring Break yesterday. Spring Break doesn't actually start until tomorrow. Yippee! 

The true awesome, the best awesome, the awesome that will cover an entire year of awesome: How God is using the Kony2012 Movement. It's incredible. It's gone positively viral. We were hoping for 500,000 views for the entire year, in these past 4 days we've gotten over 50 million. Stop Kony is everywhere, his face is on everything. God took this and just ran with it. It's incredible. If you have yet to see the video, here it is, and if you have any questions, I'm planning to post FAQs from Kony2012 within the next few days. Stay tuned.                                                                                          

If Money Grew on Trees Instead of Being Made From Them..

 

   

       

Cardigan  Tank  Dress  Suit   Phone Case  Sunnies  Duffle  Sunnies Case

..This is what I would be purchasing. But instead my money goes and lives in the bank waiting to be transferred to Uganda in May. Not that I mind. 

Joseph Kony

Joseph Kony is this guy: 

He is the number one wanted war criminal in the whole, wide WORLD. 

But you've probably never heard of him. 

Or if you have, you've heard very little. 

I've written about the longest running war in Africa before, especially here, on October 16th, four days after President Obama sent U.S. advisory troops to aid the Ugandan army in their efforts to arrest Joseph Kony. In an attempt not to be redundant, I encourage you to click that link and see a lengthier summary of what is truly going on with our family in Central Africa. Because that's what they are, our family. 

Right now, our family in Central Africa has been living in fear for the past 26 years because that man up there, Kony, has been terrorizing with his "Lord's Resistance Army" or LRA (absolutely no affiliation with Christianity or the Lord). He has captured over 30,000 children and used them as soldiers and sex slaves, making them live out unspeakable night mares. 

Why hasn't he been stopped? 

Because Kony knew what he was up to, he attacked the people who didn't even touch the world's radar screen; they come from the lowest of the low end of the socio-economic scale and were invisible to the world for almost 20 years. 

But then these three boys went over to Uganda on a crazy adventure to try to film the war that was happening in Sudan at the time. Long story short, they made these children visible through the Non-Profit they started called Invisible Children. 

And so now here we are. Everything is in place for Kony's arrest and the liberation and rehabilitation of his child slaves. Why do I think God is allowing this to continue for even another day? 

Because you need to be aware. 

Invisible Children's goal for this year, 2012, is to make Joseph Kony the most famous man in the world, after all, he is the worst criminal in the world, everyone should know his name. When he is arrested he will be taken to the Hague and tried for 12 counts of crimes against humanity and 21 counts of war crimes. The entire world will watch. As this man who has become evil incarnate finally receives justice, every one will have to take notice. Every "bad guy" out there will have to know that we will seek them out, even when he oppresses the invisible. Don't you see? Those "invisibles" are our family members, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts. Our liberty is woven with theirs. 

And so, this year, 2012 has been dubbed the year of justice. 

Spread the word. 

Let's make Kony famous. 

KONY2012.COM

Interested?

I'll tell you allll about him tomorrow. 

This man will be the most famous man of 2012.
Might want to keep your eye on this. 

Awesome and Awkward Thursday

Awesome:

 A $5 sweater. He used to be $70. How do you like them apples?..er, sweaters?

Mom being OK with me possibly going to Greece next year. Poor that lady, she puts up with so much from her wanderlust daughter.

Daisies live in my window. They wave at me in the morning.

Black bean and Quinoa Infused Tortilla Chips. Go try 'em.

Not having to do dishes for a whole day!...minus one bowl. But only one bowl!! 

Awkward:

 Being told, "That's a very unusual last name." "Well, what's yours?" "Hopper." And Natkin is unusual?

The Chipolte waitress-person calling me "lady;" "What salsa you want, lady?"

 Walking into the hallway with a shirt that is..er..rather low because I live with 24 women, and it's Open Hours- 3 guys, right outside my door. Oops. 

 Having the "Write Right" guy (these English Majors they pay to read over your papers and edit them for you) reading my paper in front of me. Oh yeah, totally meant to write did not and not didn't..uhh..yep.

Reading a sale sign as "$5 stuff." It said "$5 off." I read it out loud to Ethan about 4 times before he corrected me.  

I promise to bring pictures back in the very near future. Pinky Promise. Thumb Promise. Ring Finger Promise.