Sunday, January 17, 2010

Poem for Haiti

I was inspired to write this for a fundraising open-mic night being held tonight at Busboys and Poets down in Washington, D.C. If you're in the U Street area between 6 and 11 p.m. please consider coming out!

Find Missing Loved Ones in Haiti

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Sending Love to Haiti


I went to Haiti by accident. It was November 2003 and the Christian publication I was working for wanted to send someone to volunteer with a Lake Worth, FL-based missions agency for a week to get some photos back for the newspaper. I was young and never been to a third world country, so I volunteered myself. Three days later, I had my $200 expedited passport, a suitcase packed with light summer clothes and sunscreen and was on an American Airlines flight headed 700 miles from Miami.

Once I got to the tiny island and arrived at the bustling Port au Prince airport, I was instantly struck by the many juxtapositions. Mountains overlooked white sandy beaches. Total chaos existed comfortably next to goodwill toward outsiders. The natural pristine beauty of the island was somewhat overshadowed by the startling poverty all around the streets and neighborhoods.

But I loved it.

For a week I attempted to learn Creole with the help of my 12-year-old translator and five dollar English/Creole dictionary. I ate the most wonderful cuisine, including fresh fish and delicious beans and rice, soup and curry meals. Most importantly, I got to work and play with the children at a local orphange, playing basketball and soccer with them, teaching them about Game Boy and rap music and sorting through medicine, a hot commodity in many rural villages. It was definitely a great experience, one I still take with me today.

Many people may not be so familiar with the culture and history of Haiti outside of what is presented on the nightly news. Yes, there have been years of intense fighting and warfare and voo doo is a part of the country's culture and yes, it is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. But there is so much more. Haiti was founded over 200 years ago as a free nation of former slaves who overthrew their masters. The people share a very proud and rich history that extends far beyond the island and into the streets of Miami, Pompano Beach, FL, New Jersey and Toronto. The people are hard-working individuals who value getting a good education, family and being proud of their community.

That is why the news of the 7.0 earthquake in Haiti struck me hard. Many crumbled structures, houses and lives were lost. Thousands upon thousands of lives once again altered by a natural disaster. I do not have blood-related relatives there, yet I feel as if any one of my family members were affected. I pray today for that nation and the people and that it may be restored quickly and I invite you to do the same. I am thinking of starting a care drive to send to Haiti, if anyone in suburban D.C. is interested. I know of a family friend who would more than appreciate sending items to her town there. Please let me know.

Here are just a few organizations actively aiding Haiti and seeking support:

Mercy Corps
http://www.MercyCorps.org

Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org

Food For The Poor
http://www.FoodForThePoor.org

World Vision
http://www.worldvision.org

Sunday, January 10, 2010

What's wrong with adult kids today?

An economy on life support. Dismal job prospects that betray what the Department of Labor's statistics report. Credit and real estate markets that are more fickle than a pregnant woman in a restaurant. It's not exactly a great time to establish yourself in the adult world if you are under 35 and have yet to reach the mid-point in your career. Many single adults, and even some with children, are moving back into their parents' house to save money or repay mountainous piles of debt.

But there is hope.

For those who were wise enough to practice thriftiness before the word became in style, the current housing market is a playground where you can get a great deal on a whole lot of house and land. Even if you want a smaller home, townhouse, or condo, prices in once exclusive areas are continuing to fall. If you were smart enough to major in an in-demand field, there are open positions in a lot of industries, like healthcare, education, social services and finance. And the stock market? Listen to the old adage: buy low, sell high. Now is a great time to consider long-term investing because the stock market is at a five-year low.

Now for the rest of us, there are still options. I chose the root of going back to school (for the third time) for additional training. The more education you have, the better your chances of standing out on your resume--depending upon what you choose to study. I chose software internet applications. Cha-ching! There are also tech/vocational skills where you can get certified in a trade or skill within a few months or a year.

Network. In the end it's not what you know, but who you know. Expand your social circle to include the type of people you want to work for. Go to chamber of commerce events, industry conferences and meetings and professional meet and greet breakfasts or luncheons. Avoid happy hours, unless you want to discuss the coctail sever's boob size.

Save money. Cut out the grande lattes, weekly trips to the spa and shopping sprees at Target. Get a roommate. Put that extra dough in a high-yield savings account and watch it grow.

Now let's go out there and make mom and dad proud.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Life and Death at 30-something


One of my classmates passed away the other morning. Kid was 34. Andrew Taylor. He was a few grades ahead of me, but I feel this one pretty hard. Died of colon cancer. Thirty-four. I am not invincible. I face my mortality every day and can be shipped to my eternal dwelling place at any given moment. It only takes a second to take us out.

I feel bad for his family, his two sisters and mom and dad. I can't imagine what they feel right now. At least they are comforted in the fact that he knew the Lord and is chillin' in Heaven with Jesus right now.

Moral of the story: Enjoy life while I can and worry about the ish that matters. And most importantly, get right with God before it's too late.