Happy Holidays!

The Year in Review

December 25, 2005

This year was a year of awakening to the world and to me, you would have to be blind or just plain ignorant to not have been impacted by the most publicized events of the year.

Southeast Asia Tsunami-December 26, 2004. Can you imagine waking up the day after Christmas on your family vacation by a wall of water crashing into your hotel, or can you imagine just waking up and your home and all its possessions are just washed away without any warning. The tsunami was a terrible tragedy, but the world really pulled together with donations and fundraising events to help the people affected by this terrible tragedy. My only hope is that this money gets to where it is needed most and that it does not fall into the wrong hands. One year ago, we have learned so much and realized so little it seems.

Iraq War-Ongoing. How many more of our sons and daughters must die because of this conflict? It gets to the point where you wonder why we are in that country, there are other places that our government could be helping that I believe are in greater need, and would probably appreciate it more. The world Quagmire is used a lot when referring to Iraq, and that is such a true statement. There are so many variables with the war in Iraq, you have the insurgency attacking American interests, yet then there are the innocents that you must stay to protect. It is my thought that we are in a catch 22 in that country, and have committed to a lengthy stay by default. War was declared far too quickly against Iraq and now look at the mess the US has gotten itself into. The loss of lives saddens me greatly, sons, daughters, mothers and fathers dying because of a hasty decision which I believe was made to make up for daddy's mistakes and oil money. If you have not seen Farenheit 911 you should definitely consider it required viewing, as it will make you think.

Hurricane Katrina-August 2005. A domestic tragedy which studies have proven would happen. There are so many questions related to this tragedy which are yet to be answered, if they will even ever be answered. It disgusts me that someone didn't do something for the poor people of New Orleans when they had even the slightest indication that a Category 5 hurricane was bearing down on them. Public transportation failed miserably and the city, state and federal government failed these people miserably. Not to mention the horrible conditions the hospitals were left in. I remember a picture of busses flooded in New Orleans. Think of how many people could have been evacuated northward with those buses, not to mention the city buses that could have been used to get people out. The levees surrounding the city were only capable of holding back a Category 3 storm surge, and multiple studies have been done, not to mention articles depicting the exact scenario that happened. It is just mind boggling the cavalier attitude of the officials in Louisiana, the delay in ordering evacuation, the inability to transport people out of city, instead housing them in the Superdome. So much blame can be placed, but I hope instead that lessons are learned from this event, and implemented to avoid another tragedy of this magnitude. You would think that the Tsunami would have awakened people to the power of mother nature, but it took Hurricane Katrina to really hit home and make us realize how small we really are.

Personal Reflection. I have realized so many things this year, the world is such a vast place, there are so many individuals and communities in need of help and assistance in many various ways. From a fair trade economy for nations recieving US subsidies, to a fair wage and good benefits for Wal Mart (and other low wage occupation) workers so they no longer have to be dependent on welfare and ultimately the taxpayers. This year for me is about "trimming the fat", decreasing waste and expense in my life, as well as eating healthy and living a more healthy lifestyle. My main goals for the next year are to continue with school, live a healthier lifestyle, and decrease waste and expense in everyday life. I am already a cheapskate to begin with, but I think if I am more resourceful I can save more, in many aspects of my life. It is my dream to advance my healthcare education so that I can in turn impact others and assist them in empowering themselves through education and prevention of illness. I would love to travel to other countries and work with people there, educating them and empowering them to improve their health and general well being. I no longer want the high paying job with the nice house, it would be nice, but I think I will get more satisfaction from helping others that need it most.

People I look up to for their social contributions and intelligence-Bono, Oprah, Bill and Melinda Gates, Angelina Jolie and anyone else making an effort to influence the lives of the less fortunate.