SAVING THE WORLD (or at least helping)

Okay, so I really, really hope Jenny and Whitney contribute to the blog a lot because I keep finding great things to post and I don't want to hog the whole thing. I think maybe I'll start my own so I won't have any guilt issues...hmmm...
Anyway, I wanted to let you guys know about this amazing project so (hopefully) you can pass it along.
I'm sure you have all heard about the amazing One Laptop Per Child program. If not, I will briefly explain: An amazing man, Walter Bender, came up with the idea of producing a cheap ($100) laptop that can be mass-produced and then bought by lesser-developed countries to give to their school children so that they will all have access to computers. These things are really amazing.

I am so impressed by the thought that went into these! They are solar-powered and run on very little energy so that students don't need to have access to an outlet to use them. They have super-sensitive wifi that can pick up even really weak signals. They are specially designed to be able to use and see the monitor outdoors in the sun as many children study and go to school outdoors. The monitor can turn 360 degrees and be used as an electronic book. Not only that, they have great programs for music and graphics where kids can play around recording themselves and music, etc. They also hook up so that what is being typed on one can be seen on another to facilitate group work. AND, with all that, they are small, lightweight, look awesome, and even have a handle on the back! I LOVE it when people are so innovative for a good cause.

As you might have guessed, though, there is a catch. Although the computers are supposed to only be $100, they are currently selling for almost $200. This is because the few really large orders that the company was relying on haven't come through, and nobody is willing to take the first step to make the big order so that they can start being mass-produced. Basically, this project needs to just get off the ground so that people will realize its value and then it will grow. Right now the company is accepting $200 donations on its website to send a laptop to a child in an area that needs it (right now I think the focus is on Peru).

The REALLY awesome thing, though, is this promotion that they are doing for two weeks starting on November 12. For the first (and possibly only) time, benefactors can get one of these laptops for themselves. By paying $400, you receive your own laptop and pay for one to be sent to a child in need. Isn't this amazing? I was just thinking how perfect that would be for anyone with children. Where can you get such a cheap, perfectly-tailored children's computer? I know that my niece loves playing on the computer and to be able to have a great, sturdy child's laptop for $400 just seems like an amazing opportunity.

Whew! Sorry - I'm really excited about it if you can't tell and I really want this company to succeed! There was a great article in the Newsweek on this if you would like to check it out. There's a little video where they demonstrate the laptop so you can see how it actually works. Here's the link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20941373/site/newsweek/

Hole Lotta Love

I first saw this commercial in the movie theater with Chelsea. I don't know if it was the mood we were in, but we couldn't stop laughing at the people running into the hole. To this day, whenever I watch it I start giggling out loud. I thought I would share the fun with you ladies. Hope you enjoy it!

I Am In Love

with this dress! So chic. So elegant. So simple. So practically modest. {via sartorialist}

I won't let it die!

Dearest mothers-

I was half tempted to just write that I will be a real mother in nine months, but then I thought better of it. So, I am sitting her on Sunday, and I realized that it had been almost two months since I had even checked the blog. I was wondering to myself, "What's Whitney doing in D.C.? Does Jo still take naps with soft Church music, and if so, who is her partner? What is going through Sarah's head right now?" Then I decided to check the blog. And low and behold, it has an entirely different look. And I love it. Right then and there, I decided that I had to write.

I'm now the second counselor in the YW, which means I get to hang out with teenagers EVERY day. Actually, I am enjoying it. There's just something so very loveable about being awkward. I had forgotten so many things: combined YM/YW activities, YW in Excellence nights, New Beginnings, etc. And I get to help plan all of them.

Nigel and I are doing well. We went to the football game yesterday and cheered and laughed and ate greasy food. Last week we went to the state fair, where I informed Nigel that I had never been able to have a funnel cake when I was younger and we went as a family to the fair. This year, I would have one! So we ate corn dogs and hot dogs and icy lemonade and funnel cakes. We came home and couldn't move the rest of the night, so we watched a movie. I love the state fair. There is something so very American about watching teenagers sell cattle and sheep or viewing the 4H sewing items (people still sew?) and pie contests and a 700 lb. butter sculpture. We pet the pigs and smelled the cows. All in all, it was a delight. Except for the fact that Nigel now wants a pet pig. He claims they are smarter than dogs and will fetch the paper.

Now...well...we're trying to figure out internships for summer. Exxon Mobile took us out to dinner at Tuscano's which made me further wonder why I went into teaching. No school ever wined and dined me to convince me that I should be a teacher at their school. It was quite the opposite. However, I wasn't about to complain--I got free roasted pineapple.

And with that, I hereby intend to be a better blogger.

Playing Mom...

I love what Sarah has done with the blog! I am trying to do my part to keep it alive. I will write more about the happenings in my life later, but I just wanted to put up a bunch of pictures of Schuyler, Kirkland, and Roe from my 2 weeks playing watching them in Mesa. I know I'm biased, but I think they are so cute! Sorry about the blurry one, but it was just a funny moment with Roe waiting like a baby chick as Kirkland is trying to help her with her bottle. Love you all!

Is there anybody out there?

So, the blog is dead. I mean, really. But I'm going to puff one more breath into its lungs with hope of reviving it for good. I think now is the most logical time to keep it going anyway, since we're all sprawled all over the place. So much is happening - Whitney in DC, Jenny starting a new school year, Joanna figuring out what's next! I mean, really... it's probably one of the more interesting times we could be keeping track of each other. :)

September is going well so far. It's one of my favorite months. Or it has the potential to be. The weather slowly cools into crisp autumn days and evening comes ever-so-earlier luring us slowly inside for movie/tv/comfort food/cuddling goodness. I love fall.

On Labor Day Spencer and I rode our bikes up Emigration Canyon to Ruth's Diner for breakfast. Ruth's is one of Salt Lake's finest comfort food establishments. We've been three times now and we always sit at the same table on the patio with the trees and the lights and the musicians playing. It's a great little place. If ever there is another 4WM rendez-vous, we should put Ruth's on our list for sure!

Last week I went camping, in two weeks I'm going to San Francisco, and for now, I'm just waiting to hear what's happening with all of you.