Wednesday, August 16, 2006

2006 Run For Congo Women


September 16th, 2006, All around the world people will be running, walking, biking, and swimming to raise awareness and funds for women in the Democratic Republic of Congo. My friend Lisa Shannon established this run all by herself last year, then since I met her last spring we've been working on a global campaign to raise awareness about the Congo crisis. Many people have heard about Lisa's run and want to participate, so this year it's YOUR TURN! Our goal is to raise $1 million. Please help us.

All of the info you need can be downloaded HERE. You can do it all by yourself or with a group. The most important thing is just to DO SOMETHING! The death toll will soon cross 5 million. Half of these deaths are children under the age of five. We must not continue to ignore this crisis. Let's stand up and declare that these lives matter and that we are choosing to take action in our own small way to make a difference in our world!

If you're close to Seattle, you can join us on Sat. Sept. 16th at 10am at the Rampart Lakes Trailhead for an 11 mile round trip hike (or any portion you are able to do). Otherwise, plan your own run or sponsor a woman in the DR Congo at Women For Women International. (Be sure to put "Run For Congo Women" in the "referred by" line, to be sure that your donation goes to the Congo.)

Also, THIS IS IMPORTANT: If you are a US citizen, please click HERE to send a letter to your congressman to support a bill for aid to the Congo.

Breathing Underwater

I can't believe it's been 4 months since my last post.... EEEKS!
Well, I'm going to try to get back to it here. I am learning that life in the Pacific Northwest during the summer months is hectic, magical, beautiful, and very social. Unlike my summer experiences growing up in California, where the perpetual sunshine left few seasonal markers, and the heat drove everyone indoors; summers in Seattle beckon the groggy winter nappers, soggy from the unending spring rains to dry off in the warmth of the sun. The sea and the flowers are stunning and with evening light until at least 10pm, the nights are filled with friends and music. Along with all of the socializing and get-aways, my summer also included attending my first births as a doula (I'll write more later), to hosting house guests half a dozen times, to saying goodbye to my husband's grandmother (more on that later, too), to traveling to DC to work on the Congo campaign... Yep, I've been learning how to breathe underwater.