Spreading the Word Part 2

Okay, I am late with steps 3 and 4, where did my week go during holiday break? To the holidays I guess. Well, I'm here to resume the simple steps we can take to save the Earth!

3. Go for Seconds. Recycling doesn't mean separating your bottles and cans. It can mean using things for a second or third time. That padded envelope you got or the box from Amazon, scratch out the label, tear off the stamp and use it again! What can you use for seconds around the house?

4. Watch your waste. Items you throw away can contaminate the soil and water for thousands or millions of years! Your community probably has special disposal procedures for oil or batteries. Ink cartridges can be recycled where you bought them. And I bet you didn't know this, those new super-efficient light bulbs contain mercury - so proper disposal is critical!

I know Ikea recycles batteries, light bulbs and other items. The Pasadena Library will take your used batteries. There are local organizations that will take used cell phones, I remember recycling mine to The Body Shop where they can refurbish it and use it at Womens' Shelters. And there's http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/ which you can donate your phone for soldiers to use overseas. Also, San Gabriel will have an electronic waste recycling day at the San Gabriel Christian High School on 1/15. I typically have an area for all my stuff and when the day arrives, I just drop it all off! Thanks WWF for all the incredible tips.

Spreading the Word

As an avid preacher of connecting with you community and spreading the word for organizations, I'm compelled to do this. WWF has a list of "10 Simple Things YOU can do to Help Save the Earth".

I am guilty of not doing all of it but it is my commitment to do my part. I'm going to share 2 at a time to give time for all of us to practice it. If anything - spread the word, post it up and talk about it. That's how making a difference starts... by talking about it.

1. Put on a sweater: turning on the heat in wintertime, your furnace is probably burning fossil fuels. We're out to conserve resources and reduce global warming.

2. Put one foot in front of the other: Can you imagine that one hundred years ago, 99.9% of people got by without cars? How can you drive less? I know it may take some planning, but how long does it really take?

Stay tuned for the next steps next week! :)

The Moments that Changed Your Life, or Did It?

I'm a firm believer that there are moments that change your life. There are people that have stepped in my life and took my path to a whole new direction.

As I look back and reflect on what life would've been, I'm astonished. Two years ago, there was a conversation of living in Germany. That did not happen and I'm here today to support my family, be with my students and live for myself.

I recall running for Freshmen Class President back in the day. I remember the moment I gave my speech in the 8th grade asking for votes and it was definitely a traumatizing experience. I still remember the emotion to this day. But what I didn't figure out was that because I didn't become Freshmen Class President, I was able to take Beginning Speech as my elective. The rest is history. (If you don't know, I'm still a part of the Speech program today).

All I did was look at it from a different light. What did you have happen to you that was a moment that changed your life and you didn't realize it?