So in just over 24 hours we're leaving.
One more sleep and I'll be away from everything in a foreign country for a month. eek.
I'm so glad ~Obifalls is coming with me, I know I would have lost my mind if she wasn't.
so nervous.
I'm saying goodbye to Ryan today, he's leaving for Queensland, so he'll be sun baking in luxury while we're trekking up the Himalayas. -_- thanks, man.

Christmas was awesome, I got the Sims 3 (which I played non-stop yesterday to make the most of it), a big brandy-glass fishbowl that I've been wanting for SO long (now i just need fishies ^.^), a haircut voucher, which is probably too late to use before i leave, some toblerone's which will keep me company overseas heh and that's pretty much it!
I think it's a damn good haul seeing as me and my parents are broke as sh** because of this trip! I wasn't even expecting presents!

It hasn't really hit me yet, I know that at the airport today with Ryan it will and I'll break down crying. I hope it's before he goes through the gates...oh God, I'm going to look so strange...

Time to be brave.


Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and I love you, everyone. Everyone.

THE countdown has begun...
it's only 10 days 'till Christmas and only 12 days until me and ~Obifalls leave for India.
We'll be spending the next 3 and a half weeks travelling, trekking, eating, sleeping and most likely bickering in a country very different to our own.
Any advice is welcome from anyone whose travelled to a similar country before, or travelling in general. I've already made a mental list of things to ensure;
- hand sanitiser & proper hygiene always
- don't eat meat: otherwise make sure very thoroughly cooked through
- don't touch the stray dogs/animals, no matter how cute they are

anything else to add?

I've got most of my clothes and equipment, I really just need things like hand sanitiser and toiletries.

If anyone else is going away these holidays, please share =]

---

I'd like to offer this space to `GeneratingHype who, it is estimated, will only be with us for a few weeks longer, due to a severe illness. He is hoping to make it to New Years Eve, and I'm confident he can. I wish him the very best during Christmas, as he is getting married =]
Please, if you could spare a few minutes, offer a comment on his latest journal: [link] and a prayer.
I know I speak for all who know him when I say his presence and his inspiring talent will be horribly missed.


with sentiment


I hope you're all happy and well...

[link]

oh how i want this calender
Dx

anyone feeling generous?
(it's 20% off!)


Happy December

Hellooooooooo
I wanted to ask you guys what you think about charity and giving money (and time) into doing something that will help someone else. Someone you may not have even met and never will.

Lately, for whatever reason I've been getting into charity a lot more than I usually would have, (I'm not going to say "a lot" because compared to some people I do very very very very little) and I noticed that some people really don't give a shit about anything that happens outside their own little world. For example, I was suggesting to a customer at work if they wanted to donate or buy a wristband in support of World Hunger which my workplace is currently supporting and a couple of people just responded with "can I have my change?" and went on.

One man actually went on to say to one of my friends that,
"it's all very well for you guys, you get all the money anyway!"
To me, this is disturbing. If someone refuses to donate because they are under the impression that their money is not going to the designated cause, there are people who are missing out on support - even if it's just a couple of dollars.
Another man refused to give for the benefit of people overseas, excusing himself by saying,
"we've gotta fix up our own country first,"
I really can't help being bitter about this second comment, because as I look at it, by saying that, he's excusing himself (in his own head) for being a complete tightass; I can't see him going to st Vincent de Pauls and donating his whole wardrobe anyway.

I want to know if any of you think like this (and I know that if you do you're hardly going to comment, thinking I'm going to tear you down), but be courageous and let me know your reasons. Do you not have enough money? Do you think it's all a conspiracy to get your money? Are you like the man above and want to see a change in your on country before you focus on others? If so, what are you doing to improve the living conditions of people less fortunate in your own area.
I know this is a debatable subject for some people, and I'll try to be open and understanding to your own points of view. But I'm curious, so let me know


So, there's a particular cause that I've been trying to get behind and support, it's called the ChartJacker's project, if you've not heard of them, watch this video from their YouTube channel;
[link]

A couple of guys off YouTube have created a song using resources purely form the internet. I mean, they've constructed this song through people's contributions (vocals, lyrics, riffs) "donated" to them.
The song is out now on iTunes and the purpose is to get it to number 1 on the UK charts, with all proceeds going to Children in Need.
Here's the song (please buy!)
[link]

I'm asking you guys to buy the song and support these guys who've put SO much of their time and effort into creating this song for Children in Need.
If you're in the UK, you can do even more. By buying this song, you can contribute to the charts and your money will still go to charity. If you're not in the UK, but you know someone who is, please ask them to buy the song, or buy it yourself.
The reason I'm doing this, is because I know there are so many kids who could gain a brighter future through our donations, even if I can't immediately see the effect of my donation in my own country. Having worked a lot with children in the past 3 or so years, I know how much this could help those of them who are disadvantaged.
As well as the cause, I'm doing this to support those people who are doing the hard work for us! These guys didn't have to create a song for charity, but they did spend their time doing this for other people's benefits.
I'm asking that you do the easiest thing you possibly can and just clink on the link and buy the song, it's so easy and it'll well be worth your time. =]

So I hope you stuck around to the end of this journal, thanks so much for reading.
I know this isn't a popular topic for some, but it's something that is growing closer to my heart.

So please, if you do nothing else, give me your opinions on charity. Are you supporting any particular charity? Do you wish you did more to help? Do you think it's just plain stupid?

thanks guys =]