The Most Immediate and Efficient Way To Help Survivors in China and Myanmar (Burma)

Monday May 12, 2008 was a day of destruction and devastation in Southeast China. They were hit with a 7.9 magnitude earthquake. The latest death toll estimates are as high as 50,000 (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24642170/). Thousands more are homeless and stranded in remote mountain villages.


You can donate to many charities and rescue organizations to help the victims of this earthquake. The best place to donate (and by "best", I mean what percentage of your donation actually helps those you donate to) is through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The people who run this organization are paid by the Church, not from percentages of donations, so 100% of your donation goes to those who need help. The Church Humanitarian Services are usually the first to arrive with supplies to disaster areas in the world. We were one of the first to arrive with fresh water and food in Myanmar and China. Visit http://www.lds.org/ldsfoundation to donate online, right now. This is the easiest way to give immediate help to those suffering in China and Myanmar. Not only have they lost all their material possessions and homes, but many have lost their families. Weather has also hindered rescue efforts, and the death toll in Myanmar is now estimated at 78, 000 (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080516/ap_on_re_as/myanmar).

I can't imagine a huge earthquake or cyclone in California, killing over 25,000 people. It breaks my heart to see the destruction and homeless casualties of these natural disasters.

If you have the resources, help any way you can. Give up a night out to dinner, or a new pair of shoes. They need our help more than you or I need to eat out, or complete an outfit.

I have an aunt and a cousin from China, so I take a special interest in what happens over there. I have watched many news clips and read many articles on the earthquake. I hope that if you read this blog, it isn't the first time you are reading about the earthquake.

If you have the time, go to MSNBC.com and watch this video on the earthquake and survivors in China.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24650541#24650541

I BELIEVE

I believe in:

1. "Going Green"
2. Not eating fast food. Or red meat. Or pork. Or partially hydrogenated oils, except when it's in Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
3. Wearing red nail polish.
4. Therapy.
5. Facials and Massages.
6. Dancing With the Stars/American Idol/America's Next Top Model.
7. Wearing cute shoes even when they hurt.
8. Looking pretty for no one but myself.
9. Reading and expanding my knowledge daily.
10. Watching the news so I know what is happening in the world (Unlike Tawnie, who, bless her heart, found out about the writer's strike that started in November, in February, from me during a phone convo, when she asked why The Office didn't have any new episodes and she would faithfully turn on the TV every Thursday from December-Feb., hoping for a new episode).
11. My religion.
12. Owning a Storm Red Metallic Mercedes CLK350 Cabriolet
13. Volunteering for those less fortunate so I can stop being so self-involved and realize there are people who have more problems than I do.
14. Actually volunteering and not just saying "I volunteer". (EX: I just signed up to be a patient companion for Hospice).
15. Getting my chocolate fix. And homemade Cream Puff fix.
16. The Little Mermaid.
17. Saving money.
18. Spending money.
19. MY BEST FRIEND: Annie, our Australian Terrier
20. Running on the bluffs in Bakersfield.
21. THE BEACH.
22. Having a fantastic broadcasting career.
23. "Me" time.
24. Good friends who get you through the day: Tawnie, Diane, Brooke, Britt, Monica, Jocelyn.
25. Cleaning to relax.
26. MY I-POD (and i-Tunes... and fantastic playlists with fantastic names)
27. Fiber-One Cereal with a little bit of Honey Nut Cheerios. Mmmmmmm.
28. Victoria's Secret and Banana Republic, but only because I work there and get amazing discounts.
29. JOHN LEGEND.
30. Salsa Dancing.
31. Making goals, writing them down, posting them on the wall to read every day.
32. Day-planners.
33. Gold jewelry.
34. Contemplating becoming a minimalist.
35. Making lists.
36. YOGA. In the morning right when I wake up and at night before I go to sleep.
37. Keeping a journal.
38. New York City life.
39. Never looking back.
40. Learning from my mistakes.
41. Gardening (weed whacking is my fav.)
42. Attempting to cut back on TV but not quite doing it because right as Dancing with the Stars ends, So You Think You Can Dance? starts.
43. The LAKERS. NEVER THE JAZZ. I hate them. I do not believe in them and never will. EVER. The only reason I KIND of liked them before was because they had Derek Fisher, who has since returned to the best team ever.
44. Sports Center (ESPN... I've WORKED for ESPN before. So I can say it ["I believe in Sports Center"] and mean it).
45. Eating sushi once a week. At least.
46. Keeping in touch with friends and family.
47. Singing in the car.
48. Late night phone conversations.
49. Living where I want to when I grow up (living on the Mountaingate Country Club in Los Angeles, CA, plus owning a condo in Newport Beach, even though there if there was a huge tsunami it would destroy my home and probably me. Maybe I should invest in a Helicopter?)
50. Reading political memoirs.