Haven't really written about Hurricane Katrina although its now been 5 years since her terror reigned. I did, however, come across this story, which I bookmarked 5 years ago and still remember my first thoughts.

At the time of the hurricane, I was a community organizer in Washington, DC very much invested in the forward progression of my home away from home. When I read about Deamonte Love his story struck me. Not just because he was separated from family and somehow remained composed but because he led a group of kids, all younger than his 6 years, to safety. He appeared to me to be a natural organizer. I thought, this child's potential and leadership capability is both unparalleled and apparent at such a young age.

I made a silent promise to myself then that I would help send this young man to college and although he doesn't know, I have not met his family and have no idea what is going on with him, I intend to keep my word. Consider this my paying it forward.

I don't know if anyone else is persistently attacked by the hunger monster at work but I'm going to take a cue from my nanny friends, grandma and this site and begin packing snacks for my journey.

So I'm talking to a friend from college about how I wish life came with instructions.
He explained,

"Seems like your first 5 years after undergrad are just random cards dealt.
And you have to try to make a winning hand
But you have no idea what card game you're playing."

I think that's an adequate depiction of it. Any thoughts?

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Peace for the day. That is all.

This is what I need.
Peace of Mind - Lauryn Hill



Because currently I am this.
Someone Searching - Ginny Owens



I'm searching and its crazy because I don't know what I seek. Peace. Clarity. Understanding. Wisdom. Where is it?

Wasn't planning on having this blog take this turn but I guess I'll share with you as I make this quest, I've been putting it off for so long. Can't wait any longer. Peace.

So, for the past 3 months now we've been hearing about this BP oil spill.

Right about now there are over 140 million gallons of oil in the Gulf. Its the largest spill in Gulf history, will cost over $100 Million to clean up and My question was and has been, just what is 140 million gallons? I need it in layman's terms. How many football stadiums is that? What's the equivalent in bathtubs?

I hear the spill is comparable to about 35,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Or even better, its equal to the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill every 1 to 2 weeks - 1.

Its crazy how people can justify anything. You'd think this would be a wake up call for other types of energy and a decrease in dependence on oil yet, I am uninspired by arguments against them thus far. Oil is a dirty business. I remember visiting a National Park in Bangladesh in 2008 and hearing about the wonderful drilling being done in that beautiful place by Shell because they own the land beneath it. Great.

So what's next, people?

Ethanol anyone? You never heard about corn damaging the earth like this! Ever heard of an electric spill? We're looking into putting solar panels on the house and the next car will be electric but people think I'm being too dramatic. Excuse me for doing my part.

1. In case you wanna see it for yourself. Read here.

I was just reading about left-wing progressives who are unhappy with Pres. Obama and letting him know. They are disappointed in handling of events like the BP oil disaster, the changes to the healthcare bill and joblessness and letting him know their support can't be taken for granted.
The part that got this all going,

“We thought that an election was victory. We forgot that candidates don’t deliver change, that they become part of the system,” said Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins of Green for All, a progressive environmental group that opposes Obama’s loosening of offshore oil exploration restrictions.

At work as a community organizer, we talked about this from time to time as well when community members considered running for public office. Would this result in the watering-down of their values? Do you have to change to compete? If you are in the system, must you become of the system?

As much as I would like to say no I think people change to operate within their surroundings in most instances. In schools, jobs, the government, you adjust to the social norms albeit unintentionally as you become versed in the lingo and attempt to work and communicate with others. If you don't, there can be a constant discomfort, like magnets repelling each other but, is this always the case? Can you change a system from inside?
What do you think?