Moments of Musing

A Cause for Military Suicide Prevention

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 In case you didn’t know, this month is Suicide Prevention Month and today is Suicide Prevention Day. In honor of it, I am letting you know about Antonio Centeno’s cause. Antonio is a former U.S. Marine, Texan, father, husband, and founder of the veteran resource High Speed Low Drag. He reached out to me to spread awareness about military suicides. Back in 2003 his friend, 2nd Lt Christopher Shay, killed himself while they were deployed.

Sadly, that wasn’t an isolated incident. Veterans commit suicide at a rate of 22 per day. To help combat this tragic epidemic, Antonio is going to give Stop Soldier Suicide (a non-profit vet-run organization) $20,000 this Veteran’s day to raise awareness of military suicide. To do this, he created 400 neckties to honor each of the 4 military branches. For every tie sold he is donating $50 to the cause.

You can check out his project here. The ties cost $79 each, however, any veteran/active duty/military spouse can use the code “military” for a $30 discount. It’s explained in this video. Antonio is also a fashion designer (he runs the website RealMenRealStyle.com) so the ties are designed using 100% silk, regimental stripe, and historic service colors.  He figures he could give service members a tie they’re proud to wear all the while helping those vets who need it.  Win-Win!

 Now go give your service members a big hug and kiss and tell them thank you for all they do!
 

*** If you or any veteran you know is battling with PTSD, mental illness and/or suicidal thoughts, the Department of Veterans Affairs has a crisis hotline and website. ***

 
 

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

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In all my (25) years on this earth, I’ve found that being happy is the best problem solver. No matter is going on, looking at the good helps me to overcome the negativity associated with the situation. It’s the light at the end of the tunnel in the present. It’s backed by hope, faith and optimism. 
 
Positivity breeds positivity. So be happy. Because happiness trumps sadness, fear, anger, concern of the unknown. Happiness prevails.  
 
Choose happiness.
 
  
 

A Really Aloha Friday

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Time to carpe vacay! Timmy and I are headed to the Big Island this weekend! The amazing guy he is, he surprised me with plane tickets on my first night. We’re pretty darn excited!

For me, travel rewards some of my most amazing life experiences. I’m a firm believer that travel is good for the soul.


Or 25, in my case … or any mature age, in my opinion …
*I would rather own little and see the world than own the world and see little of it.*

 


 Travel Quotes The world is a book! Aline
Have a great Labor Day Weekend, and if you’re also traveling – safe travels and enjoy!
 


Meet My Blogger Big {Rhymes & Ribbons}

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I’m so excited that today is my and Tim’s “Friday.” I’m also really excited that today is the day I introduce you all to my Blogger Big!

When the Big and Littles signup came around in, I decided to give it another go. It didn’t really work for me the first time but I’m all for second chances (most times). I was lucky enough to be paired with a blogger whose blog I’d actually already been following and whose posts I enjoyed reading. We also share a bit in common, from being Gamma Phis to our love of Nutella and travel. Today, we’ve swapped guests posts.

Readers, meet my blog big, Amanda from Rhymes and Ribbons, an American girl living in England!! And head on over to her blog to read my post about a favorite trip of mine to China.

Enjoy!

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Hi guys! My name is Amanda and I blog over at Rhyme & Ribbons! Jackie and I were matched in the Bigs/Littles programs which is brilliant, because, as you her readers know, she is fantastic! (Plus we were both Gamma Phis and that’s always exciting as well!) I grew up in New Mexico, went to university in Georgia and have been living in England for the past 3 years.
I want to talk a bit about English stereotypes today. Any traveler or expat is usually at least aware of them. It’s normal to have expectations of another culture.  And some people say that is stereotypes there are grains of truth.  Now, I’m not so sure about that.  But there are some fabulously absurd ones!
1. English people have bad teeth.  In fact, in some parts of Mexico bad teeth are called “dientes ingles” English people in general do not have bad teeth. Some Brits do, some don’t.  Just like in America.  However, there is (completely reasonably) less importance placed on the “Hollywood smile”. So millions of preteens that have slight overbites probably won’t be getting braces in the UK.
(Thank you The Simpsons)

2. The English are cold (in personality not temperature). Again, obviously false.  In my opinion this stereotype comes from the fact that people just aren’t as loud boisterous in England in public as in America.  The first time I took the tube I was like, “why is everyone so quiet? wtf?”  I know that when I’m upset everyone around me knows because I am that obnoxious, whereas most of my English friends would wait to express upset in private.  I must embarrass them all the time. 
3. All English people smoke. Again, this is obviously not true.  But I have found that it’s much more  looked down on in America than it is in England.  Come on, everyone in America has been that girl that when a smoker has walked past them and accidentally blown a cloud of smoke in their face they exaggerate their coughing.  (Or maybe that’s just me?) But that’s much less likely to happen in England. I think there are actually a lot more smokers per capita in the US than in the UK but American non-smokers tend to be more judgmental than British non-smokers.
(Not cool Harry Potter, not cool.)

4.  Everyone drinks tea. Well not everyone, but tea consummation in England is miles higher than in the US.  The UK is the 3rd largest tea consumer (after Turkey and India). It’s the equivalent of saying all Americans drink coffee.
5. Food is terrible in England. This is just patently false.  Of course there are traditional English dishes that I find disgusting (any meat in a pasty, meat pies, scotch eggs, etc) but you find gross things in any country (frito pie, anyone?). I could give you 100s of restaurant recommendations in the UK.
I absolutely adore being an expat in England! Please come by if you want to read more about my adventures in the UK.

This or That?

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     I don’t recall where I saw this but I wanted to give it a try:

      Neutrals or Colors: Hmm it really depends on the day. I’m a huge fan of both. I do try to incorporate color as much as possible.


      Diet or Regular: Hmm doesn’t really matter because I don’t really consume beverages of which there is a diet or regular. I prefer water, water, and more water. 

      Winter or Summer: This is easy: SUMMER. I’m a summer baby (my birthday was the 5th) and I just love the sun and warmth. My favorite thing about Winter is a biggie though – the Christmas season. I’m pretty obsessed with it.
        
      Sedan or SUV: Though I currently – and have only – drive a sedan, I prefer the size and sleekness of SUVs instead.

      Dog or Cat: I’ve never had a pet …besides fish. But I am much more of a dog person. Cats freak me out a bit and the cats I’ve been around have been quite … boring (in that they really just stick to themselves). (No offense to cat owners!!)


      Blonde or Brunette (red, gray, white, black): Definitely brunette. I love my dark hair and have even dyed it darker. When I was younger I tried blonde but the roots were too much and I thought it looked a bit cray with my tan.

      Up or Down Hair: Depends. My hair is usually up if I’m home or down if I step out – besides when I’m in my work out clothes or rocking a bun.

      Coffee or Tea: I’ve had multiple cups of coffee a day this summer. Good thing there are benefits to that stuff. I do love tea, though – my favorite being jasmine followed by green because of its benefits.

      Heels or Flats: Heels for {fancy} nights out. Flats all other times.

      Action or Drama Movies: Hmm I’m much more into dramas. But I do love a good action flick every now and then AKA when it’s Tim’s turn to pick a movie.

      Salad or Pizza: SALADS. I could – and practically do – have one everyday. Not only because they’re healthier but because they’re so yummy if dressed right and with good toppings.

      Rich or Poor: Rich, of course. But but but not necessarily with money – though that would be nice. Rich with experiences and adventure. With wonderful people in my life. With good health. With love.

      Tropical Vacation or Mountain Trip: Tropical vacation. But this is a big reason why I love Hawaii – you can get the tropics with the hikes. I’m into adventure so I love doing both but usually vacation = relaxation = the beach with a bahama mama or mai tai in hand.
       
      Linkup: Friend Connect Blog Hop