So the last two days I've been out of the office to attend a symposium on suicide prevention that was hosted by Mental Health America of Texas. Really rough subject matter, obviously, but I came out of it with a lot of statistical knowledge that I had definitely lacked before-hand. Here's some facts - (about both mental illness and suicide)
Men are twice as likely to take their lives as women
Veteran men are twice as likely to take their lives as civilian men
1 in 4 people will have a mental illness at some point in their lives
90% of those who take their lives have a mental illness
Kind of terrifying, isn't it? How about the fact that the number of people who have mental illness is more than those who have cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined? All of this information was provided in hand-outs from the Center for Disease Control and the US Department of Health.
You know what's super cool though? Maybe you've heard of this band, (especially if you're from Austin) called Alpha Rev. I had the opportunity to meet with the lead singer, Casey McPherson, at the Symposium. He himself has been affected by suicide, having lost two people close to him. The man is on a mission: he was there to recruit people to participate in filming videos with messages of hope about suicide. He was seeking people to tell how suicide had affected their lives, how to help those in despair, and to reach people feeling suicidal by turning their testimonials into you tube videos. Isn't that incredible? This guy was just signed to Hollywood Records and has been touring this last year and this is how he's choosing to spend his down time! He's in talks with MTV to have them pick up this project, too, which is clearly awesome.
The sad truth: when people first start thinking of suicide, they tend to google ways to end their life
Casey's goal: to tag these videos in so many different ways, that when people look up information about suicide, specifically ways to end their lives, that instead they'll find these video messages imploring them change their mind, and giving them a means to end or at least reconsider their hopelessness.
I'm truly in awe of Casey and his dedication to this project. I can't wait to give you readers an update when it has been finished! I hope and pray that it will make a difference in the lives of people who are contemplating suicide, or those who have a friend that has disclosed to them their suicidal thoughts. At the end of my video, here's what I said (paraphrasing) - I know if my mom had thought about all the things she would miss, if she had TRULY understood what she would be depriving herself of, that she would be here. That's what everyone should know when they are thinking that suicide is the only way. I know she wouldn't have missed my wedding or the birth of her granddaughter for anything. So if you are considering suicide, please - just find something positive, anything positive, and cling onto it for dear life. Because I swear to you - no matter how bleak everything must seem, there are things down the road in your life that you will not want to miss.
On another not-quite-so-sad note, I have a story that might entertain you. I sit down for the final break-out session of the conference, and I end up sitting next to a interesting specemin of humanity. She's bigger, sixties, dressed in every color that can be considered in the green spectrum, hair looks like she's just touched an electrical socket, and is reading a book....with a familiar font...and a familiar book jacket. Before I can stop myself, I say "Is that a Stephanie Meyer book?" (by the way I totally love Twilight). It's like the hand of God has just touched her. She looks at me with wide, frantic eyes. "YES! IT IS! I'VE READ ALL OF THEM....TWICE! I CAN'T PUT THEM DOWN!" She's reading what is apparently a mini-story sprung off of the Eclipse book, written in the perspective of another character. She tells me all about it. She recommends other vampire/werewolf literature. Then she pauses. Takes a breath, slowly turns to me and says "vampires. and werewolves. are REAL. (small whisper voice) they. are." Luckily the speaker started right then, and I began to remember why I'd been apprehensive to read the Twilight series to begin with....
Friday, June 11, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
A Million Different Possibilities
Life is so up in the air. I think maybe it is in general at this age - and maybe (I hope) there's an age set in place at which things tend to calm down. Kevin and I are very excited for the next few years, but there's an old adage we're living by right now that the military itself regularly tells us, which is "hurry up and wait." We've made a huge decision, and now we're ready to get the ball rolling! Snap snap! I, by nature, am a very impatient person. I will readily admit this! But all I can think about is my plaguing desire to have dates down on my mental calendar. When will Kevin be leaving? What job will he end up getting assigned? Where will he attend school? Where will we be stationed? Where does planning for baby #2 fit into this equation? So many questions.
That being said, I think now is the best time for me to exercise patience - for mine will most certainly be tried for a lengthy amount of time. If anyone can make it through this though, I know it will be us!
However, wishing to satiate my longing to find out what life will be like for the next several years, I set out looking for a blog for wives who have enlisted husbands. I thought perhaps I could better prepare myself for what to expect at certain ports, get some cultural tips, heck... maybe even just get a list of military acronyms! Most of all though, I wanted to find a blog by a girl close to my age that has a positive outlook on what can be a very difficult journey. I searched...a lot...and came up dry. Still searching.
Monday, May 17, 2010
In the Navy
It seems like all I have is major news lately, apart from finding crazy tshirts I like. So I'll get right to the point: Kevin is joining the Navy!
Talk of this first came about mid-January after visiting my family in Houston. My cousin Sam recently finished his service in the Army, and he and Kevin had an opportunity to talk about it while we were down there. Economic times being what they are, the military affords a certain degree of financial stability along with health benefits, educational benefits, and of course....fringe benefits, such as travel.
Since I'm mid-way through a career change and Kevin was looking for one as well, and this idea presented itself....well, here we are! Kevin did amazing on his entrance exam, missing only one question. We did have a bit of a hitch - which was oddly enough...Kevin's flat feet.
?!?!?!?
Now, you couldn't have paid me to believe that this might be an issue. It's something I only thought mattered circa WWII, but apparently it still matters! Luckily after much ado, he was able to get a waiver that allowed him to join. He's decided to look into the nuclear program, but he won't have his official job assignment until later this month - when he'll also find out when he's leaving for basic training in Elgin, Illinois. After basic, he'll be attending school and then we'll find out where we're headed. Kevin and I have already decided to request all locations outside of the United States, but ultimately plan on moving back once he has finished with his military service.
Needless to say there are several details yet to be decided, but I'll be sure to update everyone as soon as I have them! I know that all-in-all, this announcement may come as a bit of a shock - but it's been well thought out and we feel like this will give our family a certain degree of stability that it lacked before. We are well aware of the risks associated, but look forward to our new (and definitely more mobile) life! Thanks to all of you who have shown your support. More details as the story unfolds!
Talk of this first came about mid-January after visiting my family in Houston. My cousin Sam recently finished his service in the Army, and he and Kevin had an opportunity to talk about it while we were down there. Economic times being what they are, the military affords a certain degree of financial stability along with health benefits, educational benefits, and of course....fringe benefits, such as travel.
Since I'm mid-way through a career change and Kevin was looking for one as well, and this idea presented itself....well, here we are! Kevin did amazing on his entrance exam, missing only one question. We did have a bit of a hitch - which was oddly enough...Kevin's flat feet.
?!?!?!?
Now, you couldn't have paid me to believe that this might be an issue. It's something I only thought mattered circa WWII, but apparently it still matters! Luckily after much ado, he was able to get a waiver that allowed him to join. He's decided to look into the nuclear program, but he won't have his official job assignment until later this month - when he'll also find out when he's leaving for basic training in Elgin, Illinois. After basic, he'll be attending school and then we'll find out where we're headed. Kevin and I have already decided to request all locations outside of the United States, but ultimately plan on moving back once he has finished with his military service.
Needless to say there are several details yet to be decided, but I'll be sure to update everyone as soon as I have them! I know that all-in-all, this announcement may come as a bit of a shock - but it's been well thought out and we feel like this will give our family a certain degree of stability that it lacked before. We are well aware of the risks associated, but look forward to our new (and definitely more mobile) life! Thanks to all of you who have shown your support. More details as the story unfolds!
Friday, March 5, 2010
Must. Have. T-Shirts.
This is a t-shirt that has a moose. With a mustache. Are you kidding? You know you want this shirt. And you also know you want to wear an adhesive mustache while wearing it.
This? A robot riding a triceratops.
Grenade in the shape of a bunny. Why not?
Okay, so it's not weird and hysterical. But I thought it would be a very cute maternity shirt!
Ah, images from the drive from Austin to Amarillo....
Lastly, a puffer fish. I love sushi so much, why not have a shirt to prove it?
Thursday, February 18, 2010
New Things
So I've had a whole lot going on lately, which is why I haven't been blogging. Here's a life snap shot:
September, 2009 - I quit my job at Wells Fargo and decide to change career paths. I will say this to anyone who will listen....working banks or anything revolving around financial services will suck the soul right out of you. It takes a person who can absolutely separate their moral conscience from themself while at the office to withstand that sort of environment. I can't do that no matter hard I try... and I tried for a very long time. I've been working in banking/financial services since 2002 and it's really the only thing on my resume. And now? I'm OUT!
December, 2009: So I've been looking for jobs (unsuccessfully) for four months....and finally I find one!! Sort of. Then I interview and get offered a position!! Sort of. I know, I know...Here's what I mean by sort of:
In high school (senior year) I used to work for AmeriCorps tutoring at-risk children. I really loved my time there, and when I started looking for non-profit jobs I stumbled upon some AmeriCorps listings. Long story short, I work for a non-profit called Foundation Communities doing volunteer coordination but am paid through AmeriCorps.
How it works: non-profits apply to AmeriCorps to see if they can get volunteers, and AmeriCorps reviews the non-profit and grants positions as needed. So, that's me! Here's the catch: Salary. There is none! You get a monthly living stipend that (believe me) is very minimal, and also health benefits.
So you may be asking yourself...why did you take the position? Well, because I want to work in non-profit. I have relatively no experience in this field, and it's all about who you know, because there are about a billion other people competing for jobs in this sector and they all have advanced degrees. So I need a leg up, and here it is! So it's going to be a time of "tightening up the belt" for a year/year and a half, but I really think it will be worth it. Foundation Communities is AMAZING and has so many programs, including affordable housing for low-income families, tutoring and mentoring programs, free tax preparation, free financial coaching and help for students who are pursuing higher education...just to name a few. Here are the programs I help run!
Cash for College
and
Financial Coaching
In the mean time, I'm continuing with doing my volunteer coordination with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in addition to my new job. I coordinate the speakers for their In Our Own Voice program, which allows consumers to speak about their journey through mental illness and the mental health system, acceptence of their illness and their subsequent recovery. I love it! There's also the added benefit of it being theraputic for me because of my mother. While the of loss of her has diminished over time, it can still be a daily battle.
On another note, NEW HAIR!
I tried, but I absolutely cannot take a regular picture of myself, so....sorry!
September, 2009 - I quit my job at Wells Fargo and decide to change career paths. I will say this to anyone who will listen....working banks or anything revolving around financial services will suck the soul right out of you. It takes a person who can absolutely separate their moral conscience from themself while at the office to withstand that sort of environment. I can't do that no matter hard I try... and I tried for a very long time. I've been working in banking/financial services since 2002 and it's really the only thing on my resume. And now? I'm OUT!
December, 2009: So I've been looking for jobs (unsuccessfully) for four months....and finally I find one!! Sort of. Then I interview and get offered a position!! Sort of. I know, I know...Here's what I mean by sort of:
In high school (senior year) I used to work for AmeriCorps tutoring at-risk children. I really loved my time there, and when I started looking for non-profit jobs I stumbled upon some AmeriCorps listings. Long story short, I work for a non-profit called Foundation Communities doing volunteer coordination but am paid through AmeriCorps.
How it works: non-profits apply to AmeriCorps to see if they can get volunteers, and AmeriCorps reviews the non-profit and grants positions as needed. So, that's me! Here's the catch: Salary. There is none! You get a monthly living stipend that (believe me) is very minimal, and also health benefits.
So you may be asking yourself...why did you take the position? Well, because I want to work in non-profit. I have relatively no experience in this field, and it's all about who you know, because there are about a billion other people competing for jobs in this sector and they all have advanced degrees. So I need a leg up, and here it is! So it's going to be a time of "tightening up the belt" for a year/year and a half, but I really think it will be worth it. Foundation Communities is AMAZING and has so many programs, including affordable housing for low-income families, tutoring and mentoring programs, free tax preparation, free financial coaching and help for students who are pursuing higher education...just to name a few. Here are the programs I help run!
Cash for College
and
Financial Coaching
In the mean time, I'm continuing with doing my volunteer coordination with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in addition to my new job. I coordinate the speakers for their In Our Own Voice program, which allows consumers to speak about their journey through mental illness and the mental health system, acceptence of their illness and their subsequent recovery. I love it! There's also the added benefit of it being theraputic for me because of my mother. While the of loss of her has diminished over time, it can still be a daily battle.
On another note, NEW HAIR!
I tried, but I absolutely cannot take a regular picture of myself, so....sorry!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
More Places I Want to Go
Yes it's true that this feeling comes to me on somewhat of a daily basis, and today happens to be one of those days. While I'm sure you're thinking I'm going to say New Mexico, I assure you I'm not. Real estate prices there (at least in Santa Fe and Taos) are exorbitantly high, so no. Not there.
I woke up this morning thinking that despite the dreary sky, the temperature could hardly be more perfect. Almost immediately, I realized how short-lived this cooler weather is going to be. Naturally, a mild depression begins to sink in.
Later I begin my routine facebook stalk, and happened upon some of a friend's pictures of her daughter's birthday. What do I see in the background? Tall aspen trees? Forest? Mountains? Such is the landscape of Flagstaff, Arizona. When I think of Arizona I think of scorching temperatures and dry flat desert. Oh yes, and the Grand Canyon. I always considered it to be a fun place to visit, but not to live. I think I could be starkly wrong on this one, because check out these photos! (courtesy of Flagstaff)
Lest I forget to mention the fact that the high temperature in the summer is an average of 82 in July. Perfection? Yes. Lastly, we have the oh-so-lovely Native American element that I love.
Hopi tribe! Love the pottery and rugs. I mean, the tragically beautiful culture.
I woke up this morning thinking that despite the dreary sky, the temperature could hardly be more perfect. Almost immediately, I realized how short-lived this cooler weather is going to be. Naturally, a mild depression begins to sink in.
Later I begin my routine facebook stalk, and happened upon some of a friend's pictures of her daughter's birthday. What do I see in the background? Tall aspen trees? Forest? Mountains? Such is the landscape of Flagstaff, Arizona. When I think of Arizona I think of scorching temperatures and dry flat desert. Oh yes, and the Grand Canyon. I always considered it to be a fun place to visit, but not to live. I think I could be starkly wrong on this one, because check out these photos! (courtesy of Flagstaff)
Lest I forget to mention the fact that the high temperature in the summer is an average of 82 in July. Perfection? Yes. Lastly, we have the oh-so-lovely Native American element that I love.
Hopi tribe! Love the pottery and rugs. I mean, the tragically beautiful culture.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Santa Fe
The travel bug has a nasty bite. I'm dying people!!!
Is anyone else missing New Mexico right now? I think Santa Fe is especially beautiful, not to mention fun, in the winter time. If I think about it I can almost feel the cold, crisp mountain air and smell pine and pinon. I have this certain picture in my mind of the sky reflecting pink - snow suddenly starting to fall. These pictures have all been meticulously stolen off of google, so forgive me.
Margaritas at the bell tower?
Or how about the square? Natives call it "the plaza" but I like calling it the square.
All dressed up for the holidays...
Church...
My fave Cafe Pasqual...
...my Mom used to live out of this cook book. There was a brief period of time that we used to go to Santa Fe so much it felt like every weekend!
You can't tell me THIS doesn't look like a good idea - a weekend at Santa Fe's luxury spa Ten Thousand Waves.
Kevin, if you're reading this, I feel like it's pretty clear where we should be going for our next vacation! Maybe we'll pick up a few kachina dolls on the way! I loved these as a child and still do.
Is anyone else missing New Mexico right now? I think Santa Fe is especially beautiful, not to mention fun, in the winter time. If I think about it I can almost feel the cold, crisp mountain air and smell pine and pinon. I have this certain picture in my mind of the sky reflecting pink - snow suddenly starting to fall. These pictures have all been meticulously stolen off of google, so forgive me.
Margaritas at the bell tower?
Or how about the square? Natives call it "the plaza" but I like calling it the square.
All dressed up for the holidays...
Church...
My fave Cafe Pasqual...
...my Mom used to live out of this cook book. There was a brief period of time that we used to go to Santa Fe so much it felt like every weekend!
You can't tell me THIS doesn't look like a good idea - a weekend at Santa Fe's luxury spa Ten Thousand Waves.
Kevin, if you're reading this, I feel like it's pretty clear where we should be going for our next vacation! Maybe we'll pick up a few kachina dolls on the way! I loved these as a child and still do.
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