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.

Wish Lists: A Temporary Fix for Those of Us Afflicted with the Impulse to Shop

It's unbelieveable. It's the best feeling in the world. I can't describe the feeling of elation each time I purchase an item of clothing, a pair of shoes, or a great piece of jewelry. It's inconceivable that a single purchase can bring me so much bliss. I walk away from with that bag in my hand, convinced that my wardrobe or shoe collection is complete, and that I won't ever have to shop again. And that lasts about... 3 days.

And with these inescapable impulses to purchase that "IT" item, I have spent too much money in my life on shopping, coming dangerously close to being in "the red", and dangerously close to calling my daddy to bail me out. Yes, I am aware that makes me sound like a spoiled brat. And I am ashamed to admit that I used to even think of my dad as an option to bear my money burdens from my careless addiction.

Oh the plus side, in recent months I have been phenomenal at saving money and staying in "the black", and NOT SHOPPING. But, sadly, only because it was a "do or get thrown out of your house and die" situation. And I have a car bill to pay. But those cravings still come every now and then, in full force, and I can't do anything about it.

Or can I?

Thanks to the internet, I have found something to help that somewhat abominable impulse:

WISH LISTS.

Most clothing and shoe websites have these wish lists, where you can create an account, and add items you see and like to your list. You don't actually buy what is on the list, but it saves your favorite items for you to look at over and over again, as much as you like.

It's almost as good as buying the clothing, and it temporarily staves off my craving to purchase something new. By clicking the "Add to Wish List" link, I get a small feeling of delectation, a promise of what the future might bring, if I ever have surplus money to spend, as I so, quite often, longingly yearn to have.

For those of you who are probably wondering: I am NOT a credit card harlot, and I am not in any sort of major debt. I don't owe thousands of dollars, and most of my purchases are under $100. Sometimes even under $10. Money that is NOT credit. So take back those condemnatory thoughts that I am reckless and irresponsible and not thinking about my future.

My name is Tracie, and I am a responsible Shopaholic.

We Will Never Say Goodbye

(My dad when he was three with Grandpa Knabe after they caught a big fish in Little Rock, Illinois)

I have so many good memories of my Grandpa Knabe. (with Grandma too). They took me, James my brother, Kellie my sister, to Sea World and Knott's Berry Farm when we were little. I wanted to go on the "big kid" roller coaster, and I remember my Grandpa fought hard for me to get on a roller coaster I was too short for. I wasn't able to go, but he gave that kid a hard time for not letting me on.

Grandma and Grandpa Knabe moved to Bakersfield when my little brother Bradley was born in 1993. Here is a picture of Grandpa with a shovel at their new house site.

Then there is a picture of my grandparents on the front porch of their finished house.


Easter Sunday was my favorite time spent with Grandma and Grandpa Knabe. They would "hide" (scatter generously, really) eggs all around their backyard. Some eggs would be filled with candy, others with change, mostly quarters. Then the big money eggs would have 1,5, and 20 dollar bills in them. I'm not bitter Grandpa Knabe used to guide Bradley directly to the $20 dollar eggs. Well, not anymore. I usually came away with $50, so I had no room to complain.

He passed away last night from complications from pnemonia. He was 90 years old, going to be 91 this August. He and my Grandma were married for over 65 years. He had a good life. A loving wife, 3 kids, 9 grandchildren, 8.5 great-grandchildren. And he counted Annie, our family dog, as a member of the family. When my family would go out of town, Grandma and Grandpa Knabe would take Annie and watch her at their house. They would buy her treats and Grandpa would play ball with her outside. You better believe my grandma and grandpa sent her a Christmas card with MONEY in it this year!

(Me, my brother Brad, and my cousin Mark, his wife Jenny, and Drew with my grandparents)
(My dad, his sister Lynn, and my grandparents in Bakersfiefld, CA)

I am going to miss him. I haven't seen him in a year and a half since he and my grandma moved to Boise, ID to live with his daughter Lynn, and her husband, Dave. I always said that I would go and visit them because I was so close in Utah, it just never worked out. I regret not making the time to go and visit him.

I love you, Grandpa. You're in a better place now. God be with you 'til we meet again.

"You will always be a part of me".

Going Green, My Dream Car

I used to roll my eyes at the people who were "going green" to save the earth. Why live up to an unrealistic ideal when you can't really make a difference? I thought to myself, who cares? I'm going to eat at McDonalds when I want to. I'm going to buy that red Mercedes CLK convertible when I can. I'm going to use as much energy as it takes to make my house cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

It all started when my dad bought a Toyota Prius. He wanted to buy a new car, but also save gas. I came home during Christmas break this past year and learned how to drive the Prius and fell in LOVE with it. I love it. It's absolutely amazing. You save so much gas and the car runs really well. The car switches running on the battery and the electric engine. When one is going, the other is charging. It has a Aluminum double overhead cam (DOHC) 16-valve VVT-i 4-cylinder engine, and even though it's 4-cylinder, it still has a lot of power. The next time I buy a car, it will be a red Toyota Prius. It's my DREAM CAR.



Look at how pretty it is!

I didn't care at first that I was using less gas and therefore creating less pollution until I read the best book in the world, Fast Food Nation. I will EXPRESS (Thank you James for informing me that my use of "promote" was incorrect) my thoughts on that book later, but it triggered my "Recycle-Save-the-World-Use-Less-Energy-Use-Less-Gas" way of life.

I just helped to recycle over 250 pounds of garbage from my parent's house (most of it was in the garage and backyard). {I actually felt like a better person as I was flinging wooden boards and metal from the back of the truck.} I bought an organic-cotton t-shirt and feel so proud every time I wear it. I buy organic milk. I don't eat fast food anymore (FFN did away with my fast food cravings... it now makes me gag).

I'm not an extremist. I'm not unreasonable. I'll drive my mom's gas-guzzler across town without complaining. I don't use just one sheet of T.P. like Sheryl Crow says. I accidentally leave lights on in the house. I don't recycle everything. But every now and then I want to fill a truck, take it to the dump, and hurl recyclable objects into the designated recycle pile.


Future plans: Donating to the S.P.C.A. and recycling my parents newspaper.

Side note: I'm SO HAPPY Kristy Lee Cook is off American Idol!!!! I couldn't stand her. And I want Anya to win ANTM.

Yeah, yeah, I watch too much T.V.

WORD OF THE DAY:
Inveigle (Verb)
1. to entice, lure, or ensnare by flattery or artful talk or inducements (usually fol. by into): to inveigle a person into playing bridge.
2. to acquire, win, or obtain by beguiling talk or methods (usually fol. by from or away): to inveigle a theater pass from a person.

Manual Labor and American Idol

My mom is a nurse and my sister is going to nursing school. So I thought I'd be okay working at the hospital this summer, making lots of money and getting out of debt. I went to work yesterday, and I realized that I cannot work in hospitals. I just can't do it. I don't know how my mom and sister go there every week. There are sick people everywhere, and most of them don't have visitors or people in their rooms and it just makes me sad.

I was in charge of getting rooms ready for new patients... and my body is NOT made for manual labor. I sound so pathetic and lame when I say that, I'm even rolling my eyes at myself. I am in awe of people who do manual labor for a career. I lasted eight hours and 30 minutes. My shift was supposed to end at 11 and they made me stay til 12 and that almost made me cry. You shouldn't work someplace that makes you want to cry.

I love that my parents had a bet on how long I would last. My daddy won. So, I'm taking the paycut and working at Banana Republic and Victoria's Secret, reveling in the employee discounts and free merchandise. It's the only time in my life I will be able to work retail, and I'm taking the opportunity and running with it.

AMERICAN IDOL. Two words that make me SO happy. I love love love American Idol this season. The themes recently have been crappy (Inspirational songs?? That was so LAME. Not creative at all), but my two favs keep stepping it up each week. I want the two Davids to be in the final two. Out of all the performance's, David C.'s "Eleanor Rigby" by Lennon (UPDATE: His version of Mariah Carey's "Always be my Baby" is the BEST AMERICAN IDOL SONG I HAVE EVER HEARD!!! 4/21/08)
and David A.'s version of "Angels" by Robbie Williams
were performed brilliantly.

And enough of the boo-hoo from Michael Johns being cut. He was so awkward on stage and deserved to be cut. Not as much as Kristy Lee Cook (I loathe her and her sheer luck that she has been able to sing country songs almost every week) needs to get the heck out of there, but ever since his horrible Beatles melody, he has deserved to go home. I like Brooke White too, but mostly because she's my aunt's roommate's good friend and I have to show support. She doesn't have the vocal range for Mariah Carey songs though and I think she's out.

I won tickets on the radio for having the best excuse for not having my taxes done. Lesson to be learned: Procrastination Pays Off.