africa + christmas

a couple Northern Ugandan boys

last night a got home late after going to the hospital with one of my players who got a really bad concussion in our game. so i get home, opened my computer. don't know why because i hate getting on it after i work on one all day long. then i randomly found a song a youtube by Sara Groves called "I saw what I saw". It was about her time in Rwanda.

I watched it and cried. Completely aware of the fact that I had forgotten about Africa. I mean I remembered, but forgot at the same time. I miss that place so much.

So then I went to a bunch of random sites to see how war-ending efforts are going, especially in Uganda and the Congo as the LRA (the Lord's Resistance Army) is continuing to abduct children and force them into their army to try and over throw the government there. I checked out Invisible Children and realized it's still going on and I forgot about all those kids.

Ugh.

Anyway, one thing I love about Invisible children is that 100% of there profits go to helping in the war in Uganda. Not this pathetic, buy a 300 dollar (RED) iPod and 4 dollars goes. Wow. Way to go Apple. As much as a rave about your projects and am obsessed with them that is ridiculous number.

So here is my Christmas wish. Since I never know what people should get me for Christmas.... Invisible Children have started a product line called "Mend". It's a hand bag making line, giving the women in Uganda who's kids have been abducted by the LRA a way to make money and provide for themselves, without having to sacrifice their bodies. I actually was in the application process for being the design liaison for this line in May, but turned it down because of KAA. It is an incredible program.

Anyway. I want a bag. One of these bags, the women make.
I'd like the MEND cinch-black-pink-and-polka-dot one to be exact.

I always never know what to do with my life. Now I really don't know. Memphis. Kenya. Uganda. Sterling. Wichita. Who knows. Well He does, but I'd like to.

confession time.

i have to make a confession.

no crushes this time. unfortunately all hope for some have been lost. but here's my real one....

i listened to christmas music on my way to work today. i don't know what's happening to me. the once scrooge mentality that i possessed just can't wait for candy canes, twinkle lights, and the colors red and green to be flooded everywhere.

plus i'm in the middle of making christmas stationery/letterhead at work. i think that's only encouraging my desire to see santa fall through a chimny.

mmmm.... i just thought of christmas cookies and got real excited. yum.

I have a crush.

It's time.
After being off of here for a few months I'm gonna start blogging again. I know you are all so excited. So at least to make me feel better read through this first one :)

The last few months have been CRAZY so i'm not even going to update any of you on them, except to let you know I am a graphic designer/college basketball coach who is trying to take one day at time in the little town(s) of sterling and lyons kansas. learning a lot right now so i figure i might as well share some of it with whoever wants to know.

main thing right now: i have a crush.

yes, that's right a crush.

since i've been in lyons working i have had the great opportunity to meet some pretty incredible people. most of them are over the age of 65 and i think that's why i like them so much. so my crush is an older, local artist who has the sweetest, most compassionate heart. i just finished designing some postcards for him and his wife's show coming up in Ellsworth this month and every day he would come in just to check and see how things are going. i have loved listening to his many stories and just getting to know him. i am sad that i finished his project because now i don't get to see him. long story short, he stole my heart. i hope i get to work for him again sometime soon!