Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
"Stop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be."
Eat Pray Love. Third time around.
I just wanted to share that quote, but then I came across these ones too
"Look for God. Look for God like a man with his head on fire looks for water."
"In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices."
"Operation Self-Esteem--Day Fucking One."
"I have good idea, for if you meet some person from different religion and he want to make argument about God. My idea is, you listen to everything this man say about God. Never argue about God with him. Best thing to say is, 'I agree with you.' Then you go home, pray what you want. This is my idea for people to have peace about religion."
"[My guru] says that people universally tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck, something that will maybe descend upon you like fine weather if you are fortunate enough. But that's not how happiness works. Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it..."
Elizabeth Gilbert...one cool chick.
a must read
and this is worth seeing....thanks for sharing MelSki. You're an awesome friend!
I just wanted to share that quote, but then I came across these ones too
"Look for God. Look for God like a man with his head on fire looks for water."
"In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices."
"Operation Self-Esteem--Day Fucking One."
"I have good idea, for if you meet some person from different religion and he want to make argument about God. My idea is, you listen to everything this man say about God. Never argue about God with him. Best thing to say is, 'I agree with you.' Then you go home, pray what you want. This is my idea for people to have peace about religion."
"[My guru] says that people universally tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck, something that will maybe descend upon you like fine weather if you are fortunate enough. But that's not how happiness works. Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it..."
Elizabeth Gilbert...one cool chick.
a must read
and this is worth seeing....thanks for sharing MelSki. You're an awesome friend!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
woo hoo
cant wait to see some super friends in Champaign.
which is a place...I'm not crazy
Little Rock is.....um.... boring.
I am not in need of a Bill Clinton action figure
which is a place...I'm not crazy
Little Rock is.....um.... boring.
I am not in need of a Bill Clinton action figure
Its official
I love Blogs.....Blogging....Blogers....bl there just isn't any way of saying it without sounding dorky :) I am honestly amazed at the connections I've made with people since sharing my India adventure. I didn't even think people read this (my 6 followers obviously made me feel like only my friends understood the things I say :) It kinda makes me feel silly for ranting at times. I never considered myself a "writer" so trying to express my true self through blogging still sounds nearly impossible. But somehow this page is attracting like-minded inspiring AWESOME people. Thank you for coming out of the woodworks and setting my soul on fire these last couple weeks. I don't care how you ended up here. I don't care if you love that boy friend I have (it only means we share common interests) as long as your not sending me hate thoughts and judging my every word PLEASE comment, say HI, send me your blog address, anything. We obviously have something to share with each other.
22 days till I leave for India. CRAZY! One of the girls that is doing the bike ride found my blog! I'm so excited. When I get home (on May 3rd) I'm going to have some serious preparing to do before I leave. My community has been so supportive. The encouragement and gifts have been mind blowing. We are asked to bring small gifts for the girls from our hometown, if anyone wants to go collect some seashells in San Diego with me that's what I want to bring. Am I allowed to bring seashells to India?
They sent us some info...I got a kick out of this
"INTERNET, COMPUTERS, ELECTRONICS, ETC.
We will have internet access throughout the cycle for emergencies and blogging/real-time journalistic purposes. Nonetheless, remember that we will be staying in villages therefore internet access will not ALWAYS be available."
we will have internet for emergencies and blogging. :)
I like to think I will keep up with this while I'm gone but I bet it won't happen. BUT I'll have lots to share when I get back.
LOVE TO ALL YOU WONDERFUL READERS and thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for being you and sharing it with me.
If my blog had a front door this would hang from it
22 days till I leave for India. CRAZY! One of the girls that is doing the bike ride found my blog! I'm so excited. When I get home (on May 3rd) I'm going to have some serious preparing to do before I leave. My community has been so supportive. The encouragement and gifts have been mind blowing. We are asked to bring small gifts for the girls from our hometown, if anyone wants to go collect some seashells in San Diego with me that's what I want to bring. Am I allowed to bring seashells to India?
They sent us some info...I got a kick out of this
"INTERNET, COMPUTERS, ELECTRONICS, ETC.
We will have internet access throughout the cycle for emergencies and blogging/real-time journalistic purposes. Nonetheless, remember that we will be staying in villages therefore internet access will not ALWAYS be available."
we will have internet for emergencies and blogging. :)
I like to think I will keep up with this while I'm gone but I bet it won't happen. BUT I'll have lots to share when I get back.
LOVE TO ALL YOU WONDERFUL READERS and thank you again, from the bottom of my heart, for being you and sharing it with me.
If my blog had a front door this would hang from it
Thursday, April 23, 2009
stuff I have to do...soon
a personal checklist
that I decided to type and blog instead of just write down
keeping me from getting this stuff done sooner
~respond to the beautiful emails I got about India!
~pack for my trip. leave tomorrow for 10 days.HALEY!!! bring Hat
~pack for Flip Flops trip. She usually stays at home with my brother and his fiancee but she's going to have a sleepover with her boyfriend. :)
~make Lindsey love me
~mail what I have to mail. I don't like the post office
~pick up my car and stick on the new registration
~return the amazing hybrid I was using while my insurance was expired (clean)
~decide if I want to go straight to BALI after India!!!!
~make the clouds go away so the sun comes out
~figure out why I pay for health insurance when I get billed for a basic checkup. (shitty)
~finish The Only Way Out Is In
~surf
~hot yoga (india prep)
~sit still
but this is all i really want to do....
that I decided to type and blog instead of just write down
keeping me from getting this stuff done sooner
~respond to the beautiful emails I got about India!
~pack for my trip. leave tomorrow for 10 days.HALEY!!! bring Hat
~pack for Flip Flops trip. She usually stays at home with my brother and his fiancee but she's going to have a sleepover with her boyfriend. :)
~make Lindsey love me
~mail what I have to mail. I don't like the post office
~pick up my car and stick on the new registration
~return the amazing hybrid I was using while my insurance was expired (clean)
~decide if I want to go straight to BALI after India!!!!
~make the clouds go away so the sun comes out
~figure out why I pay for health insurance when I get billed for a basic checkup. (shitty)
~finish The Only Way Out Is In
~surf
~hot yoga (india prep)
~sit still
but this is all i really want to do....
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
selling the slumdog star
Slumdog Millionaire child star Rubina Ali is at the center of sensational newspaper claims that her father has offered her up for sale -- for $300,000.
The 9-year-old's dad, Rafiq Qureshi, allegedly put his daughter on the market for the huge sum -- and blamed her movie-star status for his decision to sell her.
Qureshi was approached at his home in Mumbai, India, by an undercover reporter for British newspaper The News of the World who claimed to be acting on behalf of a wealthy Arab sheik who wanted to adopt the child.
Qureshi told the journalist, "We are considering Rubina's future. Obviously if you wanted to adopt we could discuss this, but her parents would also expect some proper compensation in return. We are talking of around £50,000 for this to happen. We can discuss everything about this deal when we meet. There's a lot of interest in Rubina, she's become very famous."
But in a further call, he allegedly told the reporter he planned to sell his daughter to the highest bidder -- and expected $300,000 (£200,000) from the sale.
And Qureshi's brother declared, "The child is special now. This is NOT an ordinary child. This is an Oscar child!"
A source tells the newspaper, "Rubina's family are furious that despite the film doing so well and their pretty daughter becoming so famous, they are still living in such rough conditions... Dad Rafiq is streetwise and knows that soon his daughter's success will be forgotten and her moment of fame will be over. He has a family to feed and simply can't afford it. He is keen to find a rich family to bring up Rubina but only if they are willing to help the whole family to get out of the slums."
Officials at children's charities have expressed their concern over the case, and have pledged to help Ali.
Save The Children's Adrian Lovett says, "Save the Children pays tribute to The News of the World for highlighting this awful reality. We will do all we can to help Rubina."
so sad :(
The 9-year-old's dad, Rafiq Qureshi, allegedly put his daughter on the market for the huge sum -- and blamed her movie-star status for his decision to sell her.
Qureshi was approached at his home in Mumbai, India, by an undercover reporter for British newspaper The News of the World who claimed to be acting on behalf of a wealthy Arab sheik who wanted to adopt the child.
Qureshi told the journalist, "We are considering Rubina's future. Obviously if you wanted to adopt we could discuss this, but her parents would also expect some proper compensation in return. We are talking of around £50,000 for this to happen. We can discuss everything about this deal when we meet. There's a lot of interest in Rubina, she's become very famous."
But in a further call, he allegedly told the reporter he planned to sell his daughter to the highest bidder -- and expected $300,000 (£200,000) from the sale.
And Qureshi's brother declared, "The child is special now. This is NOT an ordinary child. This is an Oscar child!"
A source tells the newspaper, "Rubina's family are furious that despite the film doing so well and their pretty daughter becoming so famous, they are still living in such rough conditions... Dad Rafiq is streetwise and knows that soon his daughter's success will be forgotten and her moment of fame will be over. He has a family to feed and simply can't afford it. He is keen to find a rich family to bring up Rubina but only if they are willing to help the whole family to get out of the slums."
Officials at children's charities have expressed their concern over the case, and have pledged to help Ali.
Save The Children's Adrian Lovett says, "Save the Children pays tribute to The News of the World for highlighting this awful reality. We will do all we can to help Rubina."
so sad :(
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
look what happens with a love like that
Life as been a little crazy lately (in an amazing way)
haven't really had time to sit down and collect my thoughts
but one thing in particular has been on my mind the past 24 hours
everyone around is incredible
you..... whoever is reading this
you're incredible
I have this amazing blanket of gratitude over me
thanks for tucking me in
goodnight
at Odanadi
"Even after all this time
The sun never says to the earth,
"You owe Me."
Look what happens with
A love like that,
It lights the Whole Sky."
-Hafiz
haven't really had time to sit down and collect my thoughts
but one thing in particular has been on my mind the past 24 hours
everyone around is incredible
you..... whoever is reading this
you're incredible
I have this amazing blanket of gratitude over me
thanks for tucking me in
goodnight
at Odanadi
"Even after all this time
The sun never says to the earth,
"You owe Me."
Look what happens with
A love like that,
It lights the Whole Sky."
-Hafiz
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."
Recently I moved out of LA where three years of work stayed and I ventured down to San Diego where my community waited with open arms to support my future work in the place I love the most. The free time really scared me. God forbid I take some time off. The average American works 93,600 hours in a lifetime. That’s over 10 years straight workin’. So after getting over my personal judgments I made a list of how I would ideally spend my time off….. 1. yoga 2.surf 3.volunteer 4.and of course, travel. Traveling will always be on my list of things to do. The world is my school, cultures are my subjects, and airplanes are my school bus. I just can’t get enough.
On a recent adventure to a workshop and yoga filled farm in Maui I came home bursting with the side effects of giving, community, and love. Now, I’m working everyday to create that atmosphere not only with my immediate friends and family, but everywhere I go. If you give you will receive. I always understood that, but couldn’t truly live it. I never felt like I had enough to give. It took immersing myself in a giant community that gives, and gives, and gives AND receives just as much in return. It’s a beautiful circle. Part of that cycle is reaching out to your community (which I’m working on as we speak) and believing we can accomplish things together. It’s the perfect time for love, and giving, and community (I know I’m not the only one these days with some time off). It’s time to build on that gift and take it EVERYWHERE we go.
A few days after making my “list of things to do with my time off” I received an email from one of my most respected yoga teachers….
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
CYCLING TO STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING
WHAT: Cycling with Indian women survivors of human trafficking to raise awareness, build confidence, and strengthen communities.
WHEN: May 22- June 25, 2009
WHO: 10 female volunteers will be selected to bicycle ride for 30 days with 20 young women survivors of Odanadi Seva Trust. Odanadi is a non-profit organization based in Mysore, India, which rescues, rehabilitates and empowers young women and children survivors of sex trafficking.
DESCRIPTION: Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bicycle ride with 20 strong survivors and learn first-hand about human trafficking in India. Participants will cycle for approximately 20 km (12.4 miles)/day for 30 days to 60 villages in Karnataka, India. In each village, the Odanadi women will make presentations about human trafficking and environmental justice. The girls and volunteers will plant a tree in each village as a gift from Odanadi and as a reminder about the issues discussed.
It’s still way beyond my belief, but I was selected to participate in this incredible experience. Woo Hoo. Now enough about me…
I don’t want to depress you with the statistics, but human trafficking is the highest growing underground crime today. It is growing by the millions every year and it’s a billion dollar industry that will continue if people don’t start speaking up. Have you seen the movie Taken? ..The American girl gets taken from the airport, drugged and used for trafficking. The United States is the number one destination for human trafficking. It’s everywhere. But the numbers in India are unacceptable. The stories are heartbreaking. The younger the child, the more they’re worth.
I’m going to do this. And today I’m practicing reaching out to my community, because I believe in my community, my amazing friends and family. Money is the obvious thing, but really I’m reaching out for anything….. India travel tips (like don’t eat cold food!), vitamins or good natural medicines, books, a good place to go get my shots, visa tips, ANY amount of money, or encouragement. ANYTHING. Anne Frank said “no one has ever become poor by giving. Maybe you just share with me a story about you giving, cause that’s what this is all about anyway. It’s not about me. I hope to pay for my plane ticket and there is a fee that goes to the organization I’d love to raise. It covers my food, bike, blanket, and most importantly donates to the cause. These people have opened an amazing space for survivors to live, love, sing, dance, and do YOGA! The video talks all about Odanadi (The Soulmate; one who walks hand in hand with you through life journeys; a mate, a friend for all seasons). Thank you for reading this, for watching the video, and for being an Odanadi.
I’ve upgraded my paypal account if money is something you’d be kind enough to give. If all my facebook friends gave one dollar… :)
never done this?…create an account or sign in and go to “send money” you can find that here (https://www.paypal.com/us/verified/pal=tawneyoga%40gmail%2ecom) put in my email tawneyoga@gmail.com and the amount you wish to give.
It a beautiful thing that I believed I could take the time to write this and know I will receive exactly what I need. I have to give them my confirmation tomorrow so if encouragement or maybe ideas for what I’m going to tell my parents is what you have to give the sooner the better ;)
I can do this!
Thank you for being you
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
<3 Tawney
On a recent adventure to a workshop and yoga filled farm in Maui I came home bursting with the side effects of giving, community, and love. Now, I’m working everyday to create that atmosphere not only with my immediate friends and family, but everywhere I go. If you give you will receive. I always understood that, but couldn’t truly live it. I never felt like I had enough to give. It took immersing myself in a giant community that gives, and gives, and gives AND receives just as much in return. It’s a beautiful circle. Part of that cycle is reaching out to your community (which I’m working on as we speak) and believing we can accomplish things together. It’s the perfect time for love, and giving, and community (I know I’m not the only one these days with some time off). It’s time to build on that gift and take it EVERYWHERE we go.
A few days after making my “list of things to do with my time off” I received an email from one of my most respected yoga teachers….
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
CYCLING TO STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING
WHAT: Cycling with Indian women survivors of human trafficking to raise awareness, build confidence, and strengthen communities.
WHEN: May 22- June 25, 2009
WHO: 10 female volunteers will be selected to bicycle ride for 30 days with 20 young women survivors of Odanadi Seva Trust. Odanadi is a non-profit organization based in Mysore, India, which rescues, rehabilitates and empowers young women and children survivors of sex trafficking.
DESCRIPTION: Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bicycle ride with 20 strong survivors and learn first-hand about human trafficking in India. Participants will cycle for approximately 20 km (12.4 miles)/day for 30 days to 60 villages in Karnataka, India. In each village, the Odanadi women will make presentations about human trafficking and environmental justice. The girls and volunteers will plant a tree in each village as a gift from Odanadi and as a reminder about the issues discussed.
It’s still way beyond my belief, but I was selected to participate in this incredible experience. Woo Hoo. Now enough about me…
I don’t want to depress you with the statistics, but human trafficking is the highest growing underground crime today. It is growing by the millions every year and it’s a billion dollar industry that will continue if people don’t start speaking up. Have you seen the movie Taken? ..The American girl gets taken from the airport, drugged and used for trafficking. The United States is the number one destination for human trafficking. It’s everywhere. But the numbers in India are unacceptable. The stories are heartbreaking. The younger the child, the more they’re worth.
I’m going to do this. And today I’m practicing reaching out to my community, because I believe in my community, my amazing friends and family. Money is the obvious thing, but really I’m reaching out for anything….. India travel tips (like don’t eat cold food!), vitamins or good natural medicines, books, a good place to go get my shots, visa tips, ANY amount of money, or encouragement. ANYTHING. Anne Frank said “no one has ever become poor by giving. Maybe you just share with me a story about you giving, cause that’s what this is all about anyway. It’s not about me. I hope to pay for my plane ticket and there is a fee that goes to the organization I’d love to raise. It covers my food, bike, blanket, and most importantly donates to the cause. These people have opened an amazing space for survivors to live, love, sing, dance, and do YOGA! The video talks all about Odanadi (The Soulmate; one who walks hand in hand with you through life journeys; a mate, a friend for all seasons). Thank you for reading this, for watching the video, and for being an Odanadi.
I’ve upgraded my paypal account if money is something you’d be kind enough to give. If all my facebook friends gave one dollar… :)
never done this?…create an account or sign in and go to “send money” you can find that here (https://www.paypal.com/us/verified/pal=tawneyoga%40gmail%2ecom) put in my email tawneyoga@gmail.com and the amount you wish to give.
It a beautiful thing that I believed I could take the time to write this and know I will receive exactly what I need. I have to give them my confirmation tomorrow so if encouragement or maybe ideas for what I’m going to tell my parents is what you have to give the sooner the better ;)
I can do this!
Thank you for being you
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
<3 Tawney
Friday, April 10, 2009
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
yesterday
was 80*. I started the day at 7:00am in my friends coffee shop, Jitters. I ate one of her made from love blueberry muffins with brown sugar along side my favorite, mate latte. The best tea ever, yorba mate and almond milk.
I met Taryn and Katie for this seasons first BEACH DAY. Which means I have to bring all kinds of entertainment (cause I can't lay out for too long). I packed up the books, journal, hulahoop, surfboard, wetsuit, and water and headed for Swamis. Ate a yummy acai bowl before collapsing into the sand for the majority of the afternoon. I surfed with some friends passing through town that I met in the water the night before. But my towel was so much warmer than the 56* water so I didn't stay out long. The vitamin D gave me some energy and I made an afternoon bikram class which was magnificent, even with the lovers beautiful talented ex girlfriend behind me. :) haha We had a nice family dinner at our favorite italian joint for my brothers birthday and I went to bed early. Green light day.
If I could get myself to surf and yoga everyday I think I would burst with happiness
I met Taryn and Katie for this seasons first BEACH DAY. Which means I have to bring all kinds of entertainment (cause I can't lay out for too long). I packed up the books, journal, hulahoop, surfboard, wetsuit, and water and headed for Swamis. Ate a yummy acai bowl before collapsing into the sand for the majority of the afternoon. I surfed with some friends passing through town that I met in the water the night before. But my towel was so much warmer than the 56* water so I didn't stay out long. The vitamin D gave me some energy and I made an afternoon bikram class which was magnificent, even with the lovers beautiful talented ex girlfriend behind me. :) haha We had a nice family dinner at our favorite italian joint for my brothers birthday and I went to bed early. Green light day.
If I could get myself to surf and yoga everyday I think I would burst with happiness
Monday, April 6, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
today was a green light day
meaning...life is awesome... good shit keeps happening.... like... catching lots of green lights
Friday, April 3, 2009
supernatural
I met Haley during the "akward" stage of life. Braces, bad hair, and the beginning of boys. She was what we like to call a triple threat, aka damn talented. The first time I ever sang in front of people was with her. She was confident, graceful, and did I mention talented? After breaking out of the artsy middle school and into the public high school we knew entertainment was the only way we'd make it through. We joined the high school's first dance team, we were in the show choir, and we started our diva duo girls group SuperNatural. We would walk down the hallway and hear people (mostly band members, but whatever) singing our songs. "I gotta crush on you, your irrasistable. so pure, so true. I don't know what to do with you" Still one of the catchest tunes Ive ever heard. In that awful sort of way. :)
We shared what we thought would be one of many limos on my 16th birthday, we did talent shows, went on trips, went to concerts, had concerts, we went to prom together. Then I moved back to California. Of course we kept in contact, but it was definetly different trying to keep up and keep in touch. Then we started blogging :) our blogship began. I feel as close to her now as I did in school even though she just moved to Nashville. I love keeping up with her parralel life and as I admire our determination to go agaisnt the grain and follow our dreams, I wonder when we will cross paths. Hearing all the blogstyle details makes me just wanna hang with my girl, see this life she talks about. You'd think something would manifest out of all this blog stalking and thoughts of my far away friend.....something like a trip to Nashville?......in a few weeks?......Of course....wouldn't have it any other way. See you soon my friend. Can't wait to bring the pictures to life.
http://www.myspace.com/haleyshawmusic
We shared what we thought would be one of many limos on my 16th birthday, we did talent shows, went on trips, went to concerts, had concerts, we went to prom together. Then I moved back to California. Of course we kept in contact, but it was definetly different trying to keep up and keep in touch. Then we started blogging :) our blogship began. I feel as close to her now as I did in school even though she just moved to Nashville. I love keeping up with her parralel life and as I admire our determination to go agaisnt the grain and follow our dreams, I wonder when we will cross paths. Hearing all the blogstyle details makes me just wanna hang with my girl, see this life she talks about. You'd think something would manifest out of all this blog stalking and thoughts of my far away friend.....something like a trip to Nashville?......in a few weeks?......Of course....wouldn't have it any other way. See you soon my friend. Can't wait to bring the pictures to life.
http://www.myspace.com/haleyshawmusic
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
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