more games for charity!

Want to play more games to earn money for charity?

Answer4Earth.com is a general knowledge quiz game. The money generated by ads goes towards planting trees, thus helping save the environment.

AidtoChildren.com is a word definition game. For each correct answer, AidtoChildren will donate twenty-five cents to children in need through World Vision.

Thanks to tom and bluesky for alerting me to these great games!

FreeRice.com

this awesome website helps you learn new vocab words. for every word you correctly guess the meaning of, it will donate 20 grains of rice to the UN World Food Program. try it, it's fun!

silence

i know that i have been largely silent over the past few months. i haven't been ignoring you -- i really haven't. i've just taken a break.

i'm not sure why i felt the need. i was super busy, had a lot of reading, and a lot of thinking. i took a philosophy class that made me think A LOT, and it made me realize how much more i have to learn.

so i've taken a break. and i felt for a time that what i have worked so hard to establish here was just a big waste of time, like i hadn't really done anything. but i feel energized again. maybe i'm not doing a lot. but i'm doing what i do best right now -- i'm publicizing other people's efforts at making the world a better place. i'm forming networks and spreading the word about things i care about. one day, i hope that passion will translate a little more concretely; i'll be able to solve problems and help people in a more tangible way.

so i am back.

i will do my best to update this blog more often, to comment on yours, and together -- i firmly believe -- we can make this world a better place.

fair trade coffee reviews

Looking to get the scoop on the best brand fair trade coffee has to offer? Maybe you have heard fair trade coffee isn't as good as its non-fair-trade counterparts. Coffee Review conducts blind, expert taste tests and rates coffee brands by a 100-point system. Kenneth Davids, editor and writer for CoffeeReview.com, wrote a September article specifically arguing the case for fair trade coffee: Fair-Trade Coffees: The Controversy and the Cup.

If you're looking for the scoop on fair trade coffee, check out these coffee reviews from CoffeeReview.com

Big thanks to Fair Trade Certified's myspace for alerting me to this website!

GoodShop

"What if every time you shopped online a percentage of the sale went to your favorite nonprofit or school?"

Enter GoodShop. More than 100 stores (including Target, Macy's, The Gap, Best Buy, Nordstrom, PetSmart, Staples and Wal*Mart) have teamed up with GoodSearch to benefit nonprofit organizations that YOU choose.

The next time you're looking for a new book, computer, DVD, pair of shoes or clothing, go to GoodShop first.

"No username or password is required. Just designate your favorite charity or school, click on the store's logo from the GoodShop site, and then shop as you normally would.

You'll get the same great prices, but every time you place an order, you'll be supporting your favorite cause with donations that average around 3% of the sale but can exceed 20%!"

If you already do a lot of online shopping, here's a great way to get involved. Happy shopping!

who am i?

Who am I? I am just one humble truth seeker, trying to change the world. My famous tagline; does it really say anything about me? I like to think so. I seek the truth in everything, and I hope I always will. I try to remain humble in my pursuit of the truth, especially so that my perceptions and assumptions do not keep me from the truth. I am just one -- I believe there must be others in the world who desire truth as well. And while I realize I cannot change the whole world, I still believe I can make a difference.

I'm a college student, studying journalism. I hope to use journalism to impact the world positively. I'm 20 years old and wrapping up my second year of college (eek! time flies :)

The thing I want most in this world is to get published. I love writing. Fiction, nonfiction -- whatever I can get. I am never happier than when I have a pen and paper in hand, researching and writing something I am hopelessly passionate about.

I am a lifelong learner. Or at least I am learning to be a lifelong learner. I strive to have a teachable heart.

I love people, even when I don't like them. I even love people when I don't really know them. How can I say that? I strongly believe in the worth of every human being on this planet, even when others have given up hope in them. I am getting better at this every day.

I love Jesus. That truth impacts everything I do.

I feel very strongly that I am blessed to be a blessing.

Well, there's a few below-the-surface basics.

Little known fact (yeah right): I'm a confirmed chocoholic.

Now, a random list of things I like: ice cream, the color blue, smoothies, thunderstorms, comfy pj pants, a nice afghan and a good book (fireplace optional), iced tea, having a clock in every room, autumn, walks through the woods, pen and paper, playing guitar, crocheting, and singing my heart out. Just to name a few.

I hope this has given you a little picture of me :)

Now, for my unfortunate news:

I hate to drop the bomb like this, but I am almost done with school. This means I must go home, which means I will not have daily access to the Internet. Unfortunately, Wednesday, May 23, will be my last day online until autumn *sob*. I'll try to stay connected throughout the summer and check in on everyone, but I can't make any promises. I am not abandoning you! You all have created such a wonderful community here and it has meant the world to me. Believe me, I will miss you all dearly. Please don't forget me as I tarry into the world of the unplugged for a few months. I promise to return.

In the mean time, I'm working on some great stuff for the fall. I'm going to cover some topics that I am really passionate about. Hopefully, those blogs will help you get to know my heart a little better.

I will check back in tomorrow if you'd like to say goodbye. I hope you all have a wonderful, restful, fulfilling summer. Keep seeking the truth!

recycled plastic crafts and the dangers of plastic

Got plastic bags? Make a cute kite! Also check out these cute little guys made from trash. More sea creatures, and these are crocheted!

Or if you're REALLY adventurous, make a plastic bag bra??? Yeah, I think I just said that...

Okay, realistically... how about knitting your own bag?

Big thanks to NoPlasticBags for these links!

Now, for something a little more serious...

http://www.newscloud.com/read/Best_Life_Magazine_Health_amp_Fitness_Our_oceans_are_turning_into_plasticare_we

Read it and let me know what you think.

Also, check out EnviroWoman's post on soda cans. Ick!

I've got to admit, the more I read about this, the more green I want to get!