Worldwide AIDS Day Vigil

December first is World AIDS Day, a day to raise awareness and today marks the start of a worldwide vigil. Why think about this day as any different to any other? How does it matter to me? Well when I think about the fact that every day 6,000 children will lose a parent to AIDS and the reality is that the AIDS pandemic hits children the hardest. Another stat that I came across recently was that every 70 minutes someone in the UK is diagnosed with HIV --every 70 minutes! As of yet there may not be a cure but there are certainly things we can all do to ease the suffering of those with or as a result of the disease. "Observance of this day provides an opportunity for governments, national AIDS programs, faith organizations, community organizations and individuals to demonstrate the importance of the fight against HIV/AIDS." -from the World AIDS Day website.

You can visit websites like the one above to find out how to help out, or you can also get involved in your local community which may participate in making care packages, with life giving supplies in them. Several events will be happening in major cities in the states, including Chicago. There will be many church services/vigils around England and the world wide vigil starting in Toronto today at 9am Nov. 29, and making its way to New York City, and then through several key U.S. cities and across the globe through international cities until each of 6,000 children's names (that have been orphaned by AIDS) have been read. The event ends tomorrow -Friday, Nov. 30, at 9 a.m. back in New York.

Buy Nothing Day

This day is probably more appropriate for America and the famous day after Thanksgiving shopping rush, but that doesn't mean it doesn't apply to Britain or any other western materialistic nation. Oh yes we are just as materialistic and commerically oriented here, except that there's not really an 'official' start to the season of spending (hmm, could be worse??)..

This is my favourite time of year, but not for the shopping that's for sure. I tend to hide behind my computer now and order everything to my door. Nearly everything. I enjoy the local markets, especially the advent markets and such that are going on around here at this time. I love hand-made items and also enjoy giving gifts with meaning. I also like to spread the shopping out early, so I rarely if ever am caught in the last minute mess (although I know some people do enjoy that).

This year it seems less complicated for some reason,and the lists are very short. That's ok really, as my son's room is bursting to capacity and my daughter doesn't even have her own room yet. Me, I'm planning a new stovetop coffee pot (the mukka express by bialetti) but haven't bought it yet as its hard for myself or my husband to justify gifts to each other (are we sad???) and then the thought that it might come cheaper on Amazon after Christmas also keeps me from splurging.

So anyway, if you can, then BUY NOTHING today.. and if you have to buy necessities then use cash (that rapidly disappearing form of exchange), and not a credit card.

World Water Day

I discovered that March 22 is World Water Day by reading a few other blogs, including BlogHer. I felt slightly ashamed that I didn't know what it was or ever heard of it before. According to World Water Day.net, it is is an international day of observance and action to draw attention to the plight of the more than 1 billion people world wide that lack access to clean, safe drinking water. Celebrated since 1993, World Water Day was designated in 1992 when the United Nations (UN) General Assembly passed a resolution. With each passing year, the observance has grown larger and stronger.

I felt somewhat pardoned when I read though that it is still a relatively unknown event. Its at a similar stage like Earth Day in the 1970's, important but still largely unknown. I have written about my reverence for water before, as the highest energy on the earth. I truly believe this and am teaching my children likewise. This is not to say that I don't have my absent-minded moments, like leaving the tap running when I brush my teeth.. for which my son has reminded me to turn it off!

We in the western industrialised world take clean drinking water for granted. For many, even clean tap water is not good enough, it has to be purchased bottle water. Or we buy additional filtration devices. Thinking about drinking water from an open sewer because there is no other option though, changes ones perspective and turning on the tap in our clean homes should elicit thankfulness of the grandest magnitude. I will be turning on the taps with gratitude in addition to some of the regular things that we practice to conserve water including washing clothes on a lower temperature, at half-load on the washer, taking mostly showers instead of baths (which is still not as popular here), turning the water off while brushing teeth.. you could even turn your shower off while you wash your hair, but admittedly I don't do this.

I remember a friend's bathroom where their parents had this old fashioned sign that read 'if its yellow let it mellow, if its brown flush it down', a reminder that unnecessary flushing wastes water. Low flow toilets are readily available now though, helping toward that problem.

Coincidentally, I also received our water bill today. Over the past year, Yorkshire residents have given over £750,400 to WaterAid, which is enough to help 50,027 people to gain access to safe, clean water. Sometimes it seems to me like we don't all live on the same planet. How hard can it be to get everyone in the world living at the same level as each other..perhaps I'm too idealistic. But if not at the same level, then at least at the basic level of clean water, enough food and proper shelter.. why can't our governments do that as easily as they can invade and destroy a country? Why hasn't it been done without question?

World Aids Day

December 1st already, I just can't believe it. Its World Aids Day, and also wear your wellies to school day! My son's school seems to have a social conscience and encourages the kids to get involved in lots of different things, including a school exchange with one in Africa, among other things. Today they are collecting shoes for a Blue Peter school/shoe appeal to help other kids in different countries and collecting money for World Aids Day. Unfortunately my son doesn't have any wellies! He outgrew the pair he had and we never got another pair. I don't have any either...how very un-English of me.