Straight Ticket to Heaven!!

I've been really busy lately so I'm sorry I haven't been up. Midterms were last week and also over flowing into this week so I've been swamped!! In addition lots of volunteer work!!

This holiday season I'm going to try not to shop much, my New Years resolution this year was to be less materialistic and move charitable. To actually get in the real holiday spirit of giving love, not gifts. So this year I'm trying to not shop as much and donate my time to helping others. I'm doing volunteer work currently for Girls Inc. doing their WOW program, in addition Rey and I are going to do soup kitchen as the holiday season closens, and I'm going to participate in sending care packages to our troops in Iraq. Regardless of my feelings on the war, I feel for our troops and would hate to be in their situation. They are they without a choice and bored to death. The organization I'm working with is asking for the following and I'm wondering if you would like to participate and make a difference this holiday season with me!!

**The number one request is always for snacks (needs to individually packaged):
Chips, crackers, cereal bars, granola bars, beef jerky, cookies, trail mix, candy, popcorn, little Debbie or hostess cakes, gum, M&Ms and chocolate covered pretzels (the only chocolates that seems to make it), etc. Halloween candy works well, too.

**A close second is comfort food, most units have microwaves:
Canned pasta/raviolis, easy mac, hamburger helper singles, soup, tuna. Also powdered drink mixes, ground coffee, tea bags

**Some common 'niceties' requests:
Magazines, baby wipes, lotion, white socks, deodorant, feminine products, body wash, clear lip gloss and chapstick, hair bands / clips, tooth paste, mouth wash, shampoo, conditioner, powder, shaving cream/gel, quality metal razors and blades (soldiers with burns or facial shrapnel wounds find the disposable razors scrape their injured skin.) Many female soldiers ask for 'anything to help them remember they are female'.

**Stuff to pass the down time:
Dvds, cds, video games (PSP, xbox, wii, ninetendo DS, etc...hard to imagine them playing games, but I guess it is common, because I see the request alot), books, magazines, footballs, cards and believe it or not board games. These do not have to be new... rececyled and used work well too, as they tend to recycle among each other at well.

**Blank Christmas cards to send home, stationary, pens.

Most important cards and letters!

So keeping with my New Years resolution and not wanting to be materialistic this holiday season, I'm asking anyone if they have any old board games they no longer need and if you can you can mail it to the organizer or meet up with me and give to me so I can give to her. Just thought if you and your family had some games you've been wanting to trash, you can donate it to a good cause. If you have no recycled games anything else will do I'm sure!! So there's no excuses, I know we all have things like loose leaf binder paper, pens, and envelopes we can send over for them as stationary for them to write their families and loved ones, I know we all have SOMETHING to give. Even $5 will help. My Mother and I are accepting money if you do not have any items to give and we will go out and buy the most requested items asked for. So whatever you want to donate I'll be happy to collect. I'm sure the soldiers will appreciate it for the lonely holiday season.

We now have 3 central drop off locations: My job in Castro Valley, My Mom's house in Hayward, and Rey's in Millbrae. If you have no means of transportation I will even come to you to pick up!!
I'm planning on video blogging as soon as I have some spare time. Until then everyone, I hope you are all well and in good health!!

Love you all!!