For my friends who received a business card...

I have moved. I may continue to post on this site here and there, but have not decided in what to do with it yet. However, if you would like to see a more professional side of myself, please head on over to ----

 http://elizabethewing.com/

Thank you.

Moving forward - 2012

Yay! I'm writing a blog post! It's been awhile. Just had to take time and not worry about keeping that deadline. I think if I hadn't been trying to do so much in my community and research each nonprofit on top of that it would have been fine. But I was starting to feel some burn out, and decided it was for the best. I might do weekly nonprofit profiles on here though, how would you feel about that?


Anyway, I suppose now I should go into a new year list... well... I hope to write a lot more in 2012. I hope to move away from reading so much online (I'm constantly researching and reading interesting articles), and to actually create more. I hope to make it a practice of not getting online at all on Sundays (except for what I need to do for my job as a social media coordinator...) and be outdoors. I also started an outline for a new feature-length script.

Most of what I plan to do this year I have not considered "Resolutions," because I hope to cultivate lifestyle changes instead of radical goals. If I had to write out a list of goals though...

1. Finish my 2nd feature-length script. I've broken it down into a certain amount of pages per month.

2. Learn/relearn a language. I will be using http://www.memrise.com/, and I am currently signed up to learn Arabic. The problem is I want to learn how to speak it... and I've only been able to find it for writing. So maybe I'll switch to Spanish. Both would be helpful for me to know.

3. Completely organize my picture and video files. ESPECIALLY my family and client pictures. This has to happen anyway since I am getting hired more and more for shoots.

4. Taking care of my body through diet and exercise. I just watched "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" on hulu. Wow it is eye-opening and inspiring.

I will probably continue to use this blog for nonprofits and random posts here and there. But moving forward I will be mainly using my new website, elizabethewing.com. Not sure what it is going to evolve into, but I'm very excited and it has a LOT of potential! I am also starting a daily documentation project that won't be as time-consuming as my 365 self portrait project. I hope to take a picture everyday, to document aspects of my life and to celebrate that this is a 366 year! ;P

Here is from the first day, I'll sign off with this!

If you want to follow my new blogging spot, go to http://elizabethewing.com/, though I'm not sure if the RSS feed is properly working yet! I'll have it much more polished by the end of the week. *Crosses fingers and hopes...*

Losing my Mind

Where have I been since I last posted?

I really can't tell you. My life has been busy, but not necessarily the good kind. It's been a more of a mix I suppose. I'd say most of it has just been a blur. Not the best feeling to have when you are a young twenty-something. On the plus side, I am gaining more confidence at work. And while I am still in the adjustment phase, it is becoming easier on my poor college-scheduled brain.

Once I get home though, it's a different story. I am forgetting to fill out paperwork (I missed TWO bills over Thanksgiving, crap crap crap), I've misplaced little things as I'm running out the door... it goes on. If I am feeling like this as a single person with no kids, then how do families do it? The women in my office say it's really hard. It's always a challenge for them to make sure that they are taking care of their marriage, kids, house and somehow find the time to take care of themselves. So I know that it's tough no matter what age you are and whether you are supermom or not. But I think they all are currently doing a much better job than me. >...<

I'm still behind on personal projects, though I have made some significant headway recently. I'll get there. I really need to write some letters, one to someone that I failed pretty miserably. I still feel guilt over how I handled that one. To be fair, it was a situation that I just didn't know how to deal with. Now that I am in a working environment, I am able to use that past experience and communicate much more effectively. I still should write him a letter...

So this is where I am at. I am Generation Y according to the "research."I fit the profile pretty well. Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go finish up some Cyber Monday shopping and then promptly fall into bed.

Much love to y'all,
Me



*Update, it was only one bill I missed, and that will be taken care of tomorrow. I'll probably call and see if I can get any late fees waived. Either way, it's not very big. But the other would be if I really had missed it. Whew. :)

Ten Reasons to go to Bed before Ten

This is my current list. I hope to review and revise some more, and then attempt to be all artsy and design something in InDesign. I'm a crap designer, but it will be a fun challenge. And hopefully through doing it I will ingrain these reasons into my head.

1. Discipline begets Discipline

2. To be well-rested for the next day

3. To make it possible to start the day off with Jesus

4. Because temptation is great in the dark of the night

5. It is more fun to take pictures when the sun is rising than when the sun has gone

6. Weight is more manageable and skin practically glows

7. Family time is easier to schedule

8. To Encourage Simplicity

9. More ability to focus

10. Time to Detox from the internet.

What do you think, good enough reasons? Is there anything you would add or switch out?

Volunteering... Activism?

I'm starting to feel like I am an activist. Do I have the right to call myself that if I have never gotten arrested for my activism? I try to keep aware of all the plights of the world... I share a lot on twitter and facebook, I suppose that counts for something.

No, to be honest I think I am somewhere in-between. Let's face it, I am part of the ME-generation. I am living with my parents who were gracious enough to let me live here with free (Though I still contribute to the household!) room and board... I own more crap than I know what to do with... my time is limited, but it is my own. I was born and raised in the 1st world, and it is hard for me to give up my comforts. Yet, I work with my own hands to serve people, what money I can give I do, and more and more my time is given to my church, my family, and my community.

Tonight I went to the local humane society and offered my services as a photographer. The amount of space in that building is to small for all of the cats they have. They have all but completely waived the adoption fee in order to promote saving as many cats as they can. Unfortunately they might have to start euthanizing soon. They do have a staff member who is taking pictures of the adoptive animals but if she needs or wants help than I want to be that person.

On October 29th I ran a race for freedom. You can see the recap video here. It was amazing, and something I want to continue to do for charity. I will hopefully put something about it together for myself and post it here.

About a month ago, I began volunteering for my church's youth group. At least half of the kids who come on Wednesday nights come from broken families. The second week I showed up, a girl pulled me aside after and together the youth paster and I had a talk with her. High schoolers are calling this beautiful girl a B****.  Seriously. She does not know why, but they have continuously called her foul words and ostracized her. This is not my world. For the past four years, love and support was freely given. It has been years since I have been negatively teased and bullied. Being with these kids has put me out of my comfort zone.  It is good, because not only do they help me to see how far I have come, but so I can show them that things change. What seems so horrible and unforgiving will become the past, feelings will be cast aside. What a difference a few years makes.

On September 8th, I gained a child through World Vision. I hope to one day meet her and listen to her story. But for now, I pray that she is well and taken care of.

Then there's SAT-7, started on July 27th. Oh maaaannnnn. I feel like I could talk about SAT-7 forever now. Yes, I know that I work there. But I have learned so much about the Middle East and North Africa. I get so passionate about the people now. I honestly and truly love them, even with so many faults and crazy stories about extremists. I am so glad to be a part of something that inspires people to live a better life. To search for the plug to that hole in their soul. God truly is moving over there through SAT-7. Go Jesus! :)

I still have so many goals and dreams when it comes to helping people. Look up statistics of poverty, drug violence and human trafficking. It makes me sick. It has moved me to get off my butt and work to do at least a little bit of something. Will you let your awareness move you?

Tell me about your story and passion. How you are using it for good? I end with this.  Give. Tell. Go!

Reading IS important!

It feels like every blog I go to now is talking about reading. Books are being listed on facebook, on twitter, in my magazines and more. Seriously, everywhere my eyes goes someone is talking about reading books. Books have shaped my life, they are part of the glue that binds me and my parents from the all times they read to me before I could do it myself--Books-- well, they were my friends when I barely had any.

I clearly remember being given THREE detentions in school because I was continuously caught reading books at my desk. When I got in trouble at home, I was grounded from reading (and also TV, that made for a boring day). I snuck in more reading than kids do texting these days. Well, ok, that's probably not true. Have you seen the little fiends?!?

Back to reading. Our public libraries need help. While I am SUPER excited they are going to be able to lend out digital copies of books soon, I would still HATE to see all those books fall into disarray or worse, disappear all together. Literacy is one of the driving forces that allows communities to pull themselves out of poverty. Literacy opens minds and informs those who seek it. Much is to be said about the importance of literacy, but here, watch the funny video, and read some books!

Seth Godin 

Rachel Held Evans

Jasmine Star

And I hope to create my own list soon. I am still sick with a cold, so I am going to bed early. I will add a link when it's done!

Farming PSA

Wow, I got chills. Seriously, this PSA views like a short film and stays with you long after it's done. So many of our families simply buy from the grocery store without one thought of where our food comes from. But everything we (should) eat is from a farm. Yet farmers are going bankrupt right and left. There is no support system for the smaller farms anymore. I wish I could say that this is a quick fix. It's not. Farming is a skill that takes a lot of hard work and a whole lotta cash. Many farmers go deep into debt simply to buy equipment needed and maintain it. Less and less people are willing to work that hard and fewer still have the pockets deep enough.

Even though I am just barely touching the surface, there are amazing foundations and organizations that are combating this problem. And remember to support your local farmers as much as possible each season. It's win win, because as your local economy get better, so does your health! :)

Speaking of local farms, my friend Jackie and I went to our local pumpkin patch. We had so much fun!

Day 50? --Catch up!

Wow, where did the days go?! I drove down to visit my alma-mater on Thursday and it's been a whirl-wind ever since. I had the perfect 3 day weekend but I unfortunately came back with a cold. I fought it and fought it, but alas, this cold got the best of me. Since I started feeling bad, I have reviewed a lot of my lifestyle and have come to a few decisions.

-One, I am going to the doctor's soon to discuss formally being diagnosed with ADD. I just feel like this is a step worth seeking especially because finding out different options available could help me better communicate with my boss.

-Two, I am once again, re-sorting my priorities. This month is NaNoWriMo. While this is not my year to write a novel (though that is on my bucket list!), I would like to get back into script-writing. I am going to start putting my new script on a higher level than this blog, at least for the month of November. Which leads to...

-Three, I am not going to count days anymore. Since I continue counting but skip weekends, it gets really confusing. I still hope to write about a lot of awesome non-profits and charity stories, but not as strict as I first started out. I need my time back with less pressure!

-Four, minimalism. This is something I sincerely want to pursue. But it is very difficult! I am so far away from living a minimalistic lifestyle it's scary. Although I know in the long run it'll only be better for me. Besides, I think it would be pretty cool to be able to simply hop on a plane with nothing one day, just because Jesus told me I had to go. ...Financially going minimal will be a game changer! :)

Since my heart has been captured by adoption, I would like to encourage you to head on over to this site and read the story. It's amazing what people can do when there is a support system, and boy, do these people need it!

Thank you,
Beth

Day 48: SAT-7 Update

I am slowly adjusting to working a full-time job. It's harder than you think after 12+ years of schooling. The office world and school world are VERY different, especially right after four years of college where you are (somewhat) in charge of your schedule.

But every week I am growing more and more passionate about SAT-7 and what we do. On Tuesday we had a man from Tunisia visit our office. We spent the entire afternoon learning from him and hearing just how SAT-7 has a role in the Arab world.

There is a strong group of believers in the Middle East and North Africa and they must be supported. Because they very rarely have access to Bibles, listening to the Word of God through Satellite makes encourages their faith. He was very adamant that SAT-7 makes a huge difference in the lives of people and millions tune in regularly to watch our programming. Praise God!

Anyway, I am out visiting at my alma-mater for a long weekend but wanted to share a note about the recent Earthquake that has struck Turkey. It is a heart-breaking disaster and SAT-7 TURK is doing as much as possible to be a Christian voice in the midst of this questioning and traumatic time.

Read more from the SAT-7 USA president, Rex Rogers, here.

Day 47: Give Kids The World

Ok, I failed to put my research into this nonprofit, but it looks like there is a Give Kids the World village, that allows sick kids and their families a free place to come and have the best family vacation possible. It is a resort in central Florida that has served over 111,000 people since opening in 1989. Wow.

Give Kids the World is unique in that kids have to wish to go to someplace in Central Florida. Only after the wish is asked her than this organization is contacted and the family is flown out there at no cost to them.

Pretty cool, and definitely appreciated.

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Day 47: The Collective Heart

Oh man. I'm exhausted tonight. I don't know where this came from as I was fine all day. But seriously I'm about to drift off...

NOT to say the the Collective Heart is boring. Really, I'm tired, but not because of this organization!

Their mission is: Uniting humanity by inspiring global and collective transformation. They raise funds specifically for schooling in Kenya and Uganda. They seem to be working on five different schools right now, which is pretty tough.

And... I'm going to bed.

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Day 46: 826 National

I'm switching nonprofits again! I'll definitely be doing The Collective Heart soon though.

The 826 National is an organization that focuses on students learning creatively. They offer after school tutoring, in-school projects, writing workshops and more. They are very specific about reaching low income students and challenge them to explore what they are capable of.

I haven't heard of them before, but there's a duo that has won my heart and they are supporting this nonprofit by giving a portion of their latest album that dropped today.

If you haven't guessed by now... the duo I'm talking about is She & Him and their Christmas album is out! In case you are living under a rock and don't know, She & Him is Zooey Deschanel and Matt Ward.

Go buy some AMAZING music and support 826 National!

She & Him website
826 Website

*I  just realized that I should have done one of the singing videos that Zooey does. They are so simple but so captivating at the same time. Curse my lack of time management.

Weekly List: Oct. 24-28

Monday: The Collective Heart

Tuesday: Project Recoil

Wednesday: Give Kids the World Village

Thursday: SAT-7 Revisited again. :)

Friday: You suggest one!

Day 44: Friday's nonprofit

Somedays it's good to just do good for others. Instead of begging around for a suggest nonprofit, I decided to head over to my cousin's house to help with a major cleanup. I wasn't planning on blogging about it, and I had wanted to do it. It was only an hour, but I had fun. I got to catch up with her, and play with the dog, and dust a lot of fun knick-knacks. I don't know why, but I always take more care when I'm helping someone else out.

How about you?

Weekend Challenge - Go be a nonprofit yourself and just go help someone for no reason! Or play with the animals in the humane society. Give out hugs to the homeless at your local shelter or soup kitchen. Come on. Just one hour, you can manage that, right? Let me know how it goes!

Day 43: World Vision Revisited

Donating through World Vision gets addicting. It's only been two months but I already want to sponsor another child. I have to budget for student loan payments first (that starts in January, ack!) but if I can swing it I'll sponsor a little boy from Peru in 2012.

Anyway, I have been really lazy (more run-down to be honest) and haven't written Anju a letter yet. I just got an envelope from WV encouraging me to do so... so I guess I'll post it on here as well!


Hi Anju!

Here is a little bit about me:

My favorite color is Orange.

My favorite sport is Tennis.


My favorite activity is Dancing/Reading.
-Anju,
Do you know why June is my favorite month? Because my birthday is in June too! I can't wait for the summer. :)
I am praying for you!


That's it. Short and sweet. World Vision now offers an email program which I am very excited about. I plan to utilize both email and hand-written forms of communication so this program will definitely help me to keep on track with talking to Anju. WOOO!!!!

Here's the email link: https://my.worldvision.org/send-email

Day 42: Roll Back Malaria

Roll Back Malaria works with several (aka hundeds) of partners to combat Malaria. Their goal is to reduce Malaria morbidity and mortality by reaching universal coverage and strengthening health systems. Long-term, RBM wants to see a world where Malaria exists no more.

And according to the most recent news article on their site, that day could hypothetically be right around the corner. A new vaccine against Malaria has been created, with positive results. If this vaccine proves itself, this could be a HUGE game-changer. Life for the people in these Malaria-risk areas would not have to worry nearly as much. And receiving one simple shot versus taking all those pills?! That's a no brainer for any missionary, visitor, or resident.

Roll Back Malaria seems to have a strong handle on things. They are effective, efficient and passionate. Though their website is not attractive at all, and not the easiest to navigate, I like what they do. They don't seem to be huge on social media yet, but their Twitter account seems to be really good. I think that's how I found them actually. Check them out if interested.

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Day 41: Three Avocados

I LOVE the story behind Three Avocados! This is one of the many reasons I love missions trips. When God moves, He really moves! And so many lives are changed through just one divinely sparked experience.

We are a society that runs on coffee. Seriously, so much so that Dunkin' Donuts has based their slogan around it! In our busy lives, we love to have that little boost of caffeine to get us going in the mornings. But so  often as we drag ourselves out of bed, we forget that people all over the water are dying just from drinking. No, they are not dying from drinking coffee. They are dying from a life-sustaining source that no one should be afraid of. Unclean water. Three Avocados is looking to change this by giving back all profits from selling fair and organic (not certified, but the founders did their homework; check it here) coffee grown in Uganda.

Having just more recently gotten into coffee, I now think more about who else would enjoy the good stuff. The number one coffee drinker in my heart (and home!) is my dad. I'm thinking Christmas presesnts! :)

I'm going to buy some now though, to see for myself what it tastes like. Go on, you know you want to too!

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P.s., I love their thoughts of the day on Twitter. Highly recommend following them there!

Day 40: Forgotten Voices

Sorry I missed yesterday! That's what happens when you and a few friends randomly decide to go to the bowling ally after choir and volleyball practice. Got back at midnight, crashed. Then went to work, gym, church youth leader meeting (oh yeah... I'm helping with the youth group now btw) and just got home. So you get two updates tonight!

Forgotten Voices.

Not sure why, but I actually found out about this organization when they added me on Twitter. I have been wanting to support more charities, so I followed them back. And since then, I've really like what they have had to say. They always have good links and keep their information short and sweet.

That being said, Forgotten Voices has more than just a good social media coordinator. They are very specific in which they address the needs of African communities struck by the AIDs epidemic through giving support to the local churches to empower and care for the orphans in these areas.

To me this speaks out as an INCREDIBLE need that they are fulfilling! Not only are orphans usually overlooked, but are sometimes so overwhelming to deal with that communities have to let them slip through. But Forgotten Voices is reaches out to the people who are mandated by God to care for orphans. This organization steps in and teaches leadership, provides resources and connects helpful ministries in the area together.

Neatness tells a great story in her video, and her soul just speaks deep into my heart. She has known bad, and she has known good. She is very honest about her life. Yet her hope that God will continue to give her good experiences is one that many children who have lose their parent(s) to AIDs cannot typically hope for.

I hope you take some time and find out more about what Forgotten Voices does and how they help children like Neatness.

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Day 39: Weekly List

Time is moving fast on this project! It's not going quite the way I imagined it would, but that's real life for ya. I think because I am still cleaning and re-sorting so much in my house I just simply do not have the time to dedicate creating anything of substance for this project. Which is a shame, but unavoidable.

Oh, and another major project I've been working on is hopefully going to be released on Friday!!! I'm praying it works out, but it probably won't be completely done... just functional.

Monday: Forgotten Voices

Tuesday: Three Avocados.

Wednesday: Roll Back Malaria

Thursday: World Vision Revisited

Friday: Suggest one! I skipped this past Friday because no one suggested anything. I guess I should just start asking people.

Have a wonderful week! P.s., look up (and reflect on) Micah 6:8.

Tip;
---Read the entire chapter, and then bam! You'll know when you get to the one I'm talking about. My eyes have to stop on it every time. 

Day 38: Eat-Art Revisited.

Ok, so my internet at home has been going in and out. Even when it was working I couldn't do anything on blogger. Right now I am at Denny's, eating desert just so I don't feel skeevy...

Back to Eat-Art.org

I have yet to submit any pictures. I really want to, especially since I just got a few of my portfolio printed out and I seriously got chills. I might just be biased though.

Confession----   I was lazy and have not contacted Eat-Art about this post at all. So I really don't have much to say, other than I am buying this piece for a cousin. It is going to be a "house warming/Christmas" present for her. This way, I get to give her a print of her favorite animal and send 1000 meals to feed hungry children. I am unbelievably excited about this!!!!

Here is  their donation page.

P.s., yes, I just bought that print, even though there are cheaper options. Go buy some art. :)