2012 - Year of the Dragon

Everyone around me knows that I have been PUMPED for 2012! Super excited and ready for a great year, I am over 2011!
Usually I check up on the new year Chinese horoscope. It started a couple years ago at work as a joke that we would all see what each year had "in store" for us and then it stuck! Well, this year I should have skipped the quirky tradition.
There are four areas that you can read a prediction on:

Career
Love
Money
Health
The first three were so-so, no big promises or gleams of optimism. Rather bleak in fact. Mostly they just said to play it safe, not take chances, and "follow the guidance of the Dragon" blah, blah, blah...
Then I got to the last category.

"Health: There is an Unlucky Star showing in health area. That's a sign of injury. Therefore, Horse people need to pay attention the safety at work, to drive carefully on the road and to avoid conflict with strangers. Also, if Horse people have physical fights with others or do dangerous sports (like mountain climbing, car racing, diving, ski or even riskier activities), it might cause a bloody injury. Some fortunetellers suggest that doing a blood donation or teeth cleaning will help people escape accidents or injuries. Also, Horse people shouldn't ignore their health in 2012. Otherwise, a hospital door is opening for you."

So..I guess I'll be staying home in 2012.

American Diabetes Association 2011 Accomplishments

In the spirit of wrapping up 2011 take a look at all the great things the ADA, it's volunteers, and all your donations were able to accomplish this year!
Check out this link, http://www.diabetes.org/assets/pdfs/advocacy/2011-advocacy-accomplishments.pdf to see the see the full list of 2011 highlights. Below are a few of my favorites:

~The "Advocates in Action" initiative celebrated it's first year anniversary.
~The ADA expanded it's "Safe at School" campaign for children with diabetes.
~Instead of restricting access to glucose monitoring for children in Washington State, due to advocacy efforts access was expanded.

Hopefully the win against cutbacks in this area will discourage future attempts! Here's to a successful 2012!

All of the Other Reindeer: A Bad Influence?

Last week there were a couple news stories where parents were advised not to let their children listen to the classic Christmas song about Rudolph this year. The debate is whether or not it teaches children that they should only be friends with someone who can do something for them.
This is absurd.
Songs like this are not what is ruining this generation of children. Parents of this generation are the problem. Media is the problem. Making excuses for bullying instead of disciplining and consistent training at home are the problem and parents who expect the school to raise their kids rather than themselves. An excuse should never be made for a child who is making fun of another child. Kids will be kids, and they will pick on each other from time to time, that's the type of behavior that should be corrected immediately so they learn the difference between what is acceptable treatment of others and what is not.
I submit that the reindeer actually learned a lesson that day. That they shouldn't judge someone just because they are different and that we all have different abilities that were given to us to accomplish a purpose. The reason for Rudolph's red nose was to lead the way. Santa recognized that.
With that being said, I will continue to listen to Rudolph for this year, as well as many years to come and I hope that if I ever become a parent I will be a good enough one to teach my children the true meaning of the song as well as Christmas, not just during the holiday season but all through the year.

The Compassionate Friends

While we are all celebrating the holidays and enjoying time with family and friends eating great food and finding amazing deals, I wanted to take a moment to share with you about this special day coming up! So many families have suffered from the loss of a child and I can imagine that during the holidays is it especially hard.

Recently I learned about a national self-help support organization, The Compassionate Friends. Fifteen years ago they created a Worldwide Candle Lighting to be held on the second Sunday of December in honor of all families grieving the loss of a child. Services are held in communities across America and the globe that you can attend and/or light a remembrance candle in memory of a lost child. You can visit their website (http://www.compassionatefriends.org/), to find the service nearest to you. The event officially begins at 7 p.m. on December 11th!