Things I Know

Things I Know
I'm tired of narrow minded, self aggrandizing (but I only do it for myself bs) people. Those people that think they are better than others, start things and then refuse to listen to both sides of an argument! Go away!

Getting a trademark only means that a coffee grower has to be paid an additional "trademark" fee for someone to buy their coffee beans - it doesn't guarantee coffee prices, only the world wide market does that. I'm not sure if that amount is equivalent to the money that some companies freely give to communities for development purposes (on top of the bonus prices they pay for beans).

The French figured out that they really didn't want as many restrictions as they thought they did on the agriculture based products they produce because it may mean that they may lose their income for that product totally.

I still support Starbucks - I still believe they do better in this world than a lot of other companies - I am glad that they are engaged at all.

I love being busy - this week has been great.

The KSU Geography Club is a reality - I wrote the constitution, presented the club to the Student and Administrative Board yesterday and we were recognized as a new registered student organization. We are going to work on projects that involve developing countries and economic development - particularly for women.

Yesterday I joined a student group - STAND - Students Taking Action Now Darfur.

Yesterday, because I was in the STAND meeting and someone asked me why I was there - ONE, I was asked to help develop a community service project, with ONE type goals, for 25 freshmen in a community learning setting!!!!!!! Oh, just consider the possibilities - hands on, students held captive (hostage is okay too). Just think of what can be accomplished!

Today I worked the Geography Awareness Week table in the student center - learning projects and working with others who want to make a difference in the world, make me happy.

Today I saw the film made by the college students from Southern California - Invisible Children. Hug your babies and be damned glad that you weren't born in Uganda! Remind yourself just how fucking lucky you are to have been born in this country or, at least remind yourself just how fucking lucky you are to live in this country! If you have other feelings, get over yourself.

Today after the film, the professor who sponsored it, told the kids in the class who I was, why I was there (as a representative from ONE) and a student, and a founding member of STAND at KSU and, if they were interested in learning more about the activities I was involved with, she would get them in touch with me!!!!!

We talked about the importance of the shift in development policies from just handing money to governments (corrupt or not) over the last 20 years from the first Live Aid event to the current model and preference for people in developing countries to be an integral part of the development process from the bottom up!

I know I am lucky, the more people I meet, the more opportunities I have to let people know they have choices in how to respond to the global emergencies we face today. This is all happening to me for a reason. Yes, it's a lot of work. No, I don't get paid for it. Yes, this is happening to me for a reason - it's where I should be!

Nancy

P.S. Thanksgiving next week - everyone will be coming here. That means movies (Bond and Borat), laughs, walks - family comforts. And, everytime I am able to hug and love my babies, my husband and my mom - I will remember how lucky I am.

Three weeks of school before finals - too much to do.

nbb