April 8, one day without shoes

Here is what I found on the Toms website explaining "why shoes".

"One Day Without Shoes is the day we spread awareness about the impact a simple pair of shoes can have on a child’s life. On April 8th, we ask people to go the day, part of the day or even just a few minutes, barefoot, to experience a life without shoes first-hand, and inspire others at the same time.

It’s Hard Without Shoes

Through everyday encounters with domestic poverty, we are reminded to appreciate having food and shelter, but most of us all but forget about our feet. Food, shelter, AND shoes facilitate life’s fundamentals. Imagine a life without shoes; constantly aware of the ground in front of you, suffering regular cuts and scrapes, tending to infection after each walk, and enduring not only terrain, but heat and cold.

The problem is large, but the solution is simple. Wearing shoes and practicing basic hygiene can prevent both infection and disease due to unsafe roads and contaminated soil. By imagining a life barefoot, we can all contribute to the awareness of these conditions. On April 8th, communities, campuses, organizations, and individuals are banding together to walk barefoot for One Day Without Shoes.

Take a walk with us on April 8th, 2010.

Facts:

In some developing nations, children must walk for miles to school, clean water and to seek medical help.
Cuts and sores on feet can lead to serious infection.
Often, children cannot attend school barefoot.
In Ethiopia, approximately one million people are suffering from Podoconiosis, a debilitating and disfiguring disease caused by walking barefoot in volcanic soil.
Podoconiosis is 100% preventable with basic foot hygiene and wearing shoes.
Learn more about our mission and giving at www.TOMS.com."

BBC 100 Books you should read

Or so they say....here is a link to see how many books you have read. Well when I first looked at this list last month I was a little embarrassed that I had only read 17.... Finally I had a mission. I love to read books but when I get to a library my mind goes blank and I can't think of any books to read. Now I had a list I could go by. I have now read 22 books on the list. Here are some of the books I've read in the last two months (keep in mind I don't have a job or a TV and its too cold to stay outside for too long).

Anna Kerenina

Not a fan of this book at all. The deceitful affair in this novel makes you sympathize with the husband who I probably wouldn't like in any other circumstance. Meanwhile there is another story line in this novel that is opposite to the story of Anna. It is a story of a good and faithful man named Levin. Apparently Leo Tolstoy shaped that character after himself. Does it count reading the book if you skim large portions of it. I couldn't help myself whenever Levin came around. What a boring character. This novel makes me want to wait another 10-15 years before I try another novel by Tolstoy.


The Alchemist

Very good but not my favorite.


The Book Thief

Now this book is not on the BBC 100 books to read list but its on mine. I really loved this book. The story was sad, you must know that from the beginning but it was lovely to read. The writing was so well done, it was like listening to your grandpa tell a story from memory that he's told a hundred times before but your sitting at his feet listening till all your hearts content.


Anne Of Green Gables

The entire time I was reading it I kept on thinking why haven't I read this before??? It reminded me of growing up on the farm and playing with Bec and Em, letting our imaginations run wild. I love that Anne is a very relatable character even if you haven't gone through the trials or experiences she has.


The Age of Innocence

I hated this book. The only reason why I finished it was to add another one to the list. I didn't even care to read about early New York society because it seemed so similar to the English stories you've read a hundred times.


Birdsong

Stupid book, another affair. I caught myself skimming again so I often had to put it down until I was ready to take it seriously.


Rebecca

What can I say about Rebecca.... My heart hasn't pounded like that reading a book for a very long time, I think since Jane Eyre. It was very hard for me to get into at the beginning so I missed a lot. Because of that I found the ending really confusing so I went back to the beginning and the pieces finally fit. The story was interesting overall but it could be very boring from time to time. I do recommend this book to book lovers out there but I'm warning you its going to get into your head.

Contestants Ready? Gladiators Ready?

For Youth we had a Gladiator night. The youth were the contestants and the leaders of course were the amazing and brilliant Gladiators. There were several challenges for the youth to complete. The young men leaders arranged everything and most of it was beyond my understanding but what I did understand was the gauntlet. We had several long mats put together with both sides held up with tables sort of like a half pipe. Then there were three leaders the youth had to get through to the end in under a minute. No pictures on that one because all available hands were holding up the tables to keep the sides up. Fun was had by all.

Introducing the newest Gladiator........Charlotte the Harlot!!!!!!


And the winner is.....


The Young Women's Leaders


Anyway...funny story.....while I was getting ready, putting on my fake eyelashes and pink leg warmers, Raven wanted to do laundry. While she took all the dirty whites, there weren't that many, and she put them in the washer. I noticed what she was doing but I was a little distracted by the beauty of my fake eyelashes. I said to her quickly "oh no Raven we won't do laundry right now we'll just pretend okay" and then it slipped my mind. Well as Mardy was taking my glamour shots I noticed that the washing machine was ON. Now my North American friends and family, you must understand that the machines over here are different. We have a very small front loading washer dryer combo...if you just thought Genius..well its not. You can only do very small loads and it takes 4 hours. On the other hand its great because you basically have to do laundry everyday so you put it in before you go anywhere and when you get back its all dry. Sorry I got a little sidetracked there.....So all the buttons are at the perfect height for Raven to play around with. Somehow she figured out all the right buttons to press and she got it going. Funny kid. Its a good thing I keep the soap out of reach.

Podcasts

Okay so I really have nothing to report. We've been staying home for the last few days but the weather is starting to look nicer so here is to hoping that we'll be at the beach soon! Tomorrow I am determined to take the bus to Boscombe so I can buy my pink leg warmers for my Gladiator costume, I've been putting it off for a long time mainly because I really hate taking the bus.....anyway... So we just found the Children's Friend Podcasts. Genius idea, Raven loves watching them so far. Here is a link. Thought I would share with you all since I got so excited about it. Enjoy!