When the Night Comes

I traveled into DC last night to Ebenezer's Coffeehouse where I went to church during Snowmageddon. A coffeehouse on a Friday night, you ask? I met up with Whitney (girl from the gym) and her co-worker to watch a documentary produced by the founder of The Invisible Children. I didn't know much about the video I was going to see, and I was a little worried I might spend the evening weeping at the tragic stories of African children subjected to ridiculous brainwashing and murdering. Fortunately, this documentary brought a hopeful view on a difficult subject.

Today is World Malaria Day, and the film, When the Night Comes, was made to bring awareness to the rampant malaria epidemic in Africa. The stats were mind-blowing. It is the longest lasting epidemic in all of history, and the amount of attention the western world brought to the Swine Flu epidemic significantly outweighs that which is given to malaria, despite the fact that 1 person died by swine flu per 100+ malarial related deaths. And the amazing thing... the key to stopping it is simple. Nets... $10 nets to cover people while they sleep, that's it! If they can stop the spread then the cases will be easier to cure quickly, and the number 1 killer of Africans will be slayed.

The film creatively displays facts and figures through the eyes of three young Californians. It will even have the viewer rocking with laughter at moments. Check out information on how you can help today at When the Night Comes and Nothing but Nets.

For the Love of Cooking!!

I was sitting at home tonight, and couldn't help but indulge in my craving for one of the first things I learned to bake.

Believe it or not.... before there were cupcakes, I made cookies, cookies, and more cookies, hence how I earned the nickname "Cookie Monster." Unfortunately, the cookbook that my standard recipe is from (For the Love of Cooking) is currently at my mom's house and has been falling apart since before my first batch, which was when I was like 6. :) And since I didn't have it, and it was too late to call mom, I had to settle for the Better Homes and Gardens recipe which is a little too sweet for my taste, but fortunately, it doesn't make near as many cookies as my usual variety. Peanut butter cookies just aren't as good unless they're covered in table sugar. MMM.....

They made me feel a little more at home when I was feeling a little lonely on a Saturday night. I'm determined that I will NOT spend next Saturday night on my couch!

While my cookies were in the oven I caught the opening dance of America's Best Dance Crew: Champions for Charity on MTV. And when the only female champions made their way out onto the stage I burst into laughter when their costumes looked remarkably familiar.Their sneaks are even bedazzled like my tap shoes... :)

Click little clip for a laugh! :)

Stock photos a la Amber and Sarah

I've been on a roll the past two days in designing our materials for the Annual Meeting, which is quickly approaching! This afternoon at about 3:30 I ran in Amber's office and said I have a project for you!!

Why would she pass up tearing up FNRA raffle tickets and making our own stock images!?

I think the shot above is the one! I'm going to use it for my Flip Ticket poster. I love the shadows of the pillars and the white space will be perfect for my text.

Then after picture #201934 (I'm exaggerating, but it was a lot!), Amber turned the camera on me as I was so excited about our little project. haha!

The pillars were just screaming for me to use my macro settings on my personal camera, so that I did! And the results:

It was a fun Friday afternoon!!

By the way, on the inside, I'm SCREAMING at Facebook as it won't show up on either of my browsers, and I can't look at it at work. Thank heavens for my bberry!!

xoxo! Happy Weekend!