30somethingandsearching

I wanted to offer my sympathies and condolences to those in Australia who have been affected by the wildfires that have destroyed so much.  To Australia, my heart and prayers goes out to you all.  If I could, I would wrap my arms around each of you in comfort. 

It is devastating that these fires were intentional.  They believe an arsonist is to blame for setting the fires leading to the casualties they fear will be over 200.  Over a thousand homes have been lost and at least four towns destroyed.  Over 100 are injured, some in critical condition.

I cannot comprehend why anyone would set fires with the intention of destroying not only the land and wildlife but so many people’s lives. 

I hope they find those responsible and they pay dearly.  It won’t bring the lives lost back or undo the damage, but someone needs to be held responsible.

One heartwarming story has risen from this sadness.  I first saw this on Holy Cuteness  and then I saw it on Ellen.

photo credit: Mark Pardew AP Photo

A firefighter, David Tree, saw this Koala and the poor thing looked like it was in pain and pleading for help, so he stopped to help it.  He called for a bottle of water and the Koala drank 3 bottles while holding his hand.  Watch this video.

An unusual scene, to say the least.  This human-like response from the Koala and the kindness and generosity by this man really touched my heart.  The scene is truly heartwarming.

I pray the animals find habitat that is suitable for them and I pray that the human survivors get the financial and emotional aid they need.  It breaks my heart and all I can do is offer my love. 

I went asleep last night
Tired from the fight
I’ve been fighting for tomorrow
All my life
Yea I woke up this morning
Feeling brand new
‘Cause the dreams that I’ve been dreaming
Have finally came true

It’s a new day
It’s a new day
It’s a new day
It’s a new day
It’s a new day

It’s been a long time coming
Up the mountain kept runnin’
Souls of freedom kept hummin’
Channeling Harriet Tubman

Kennedy, Lincoln, and King
We gotta invest in that dream
It feels like we’re swimming upstream
It feels like we’re stuck inbetween
A rock and a hard place,
We’ve been through the heartaches
And lived through the darkest days

If you and I made it this far,
Well then hey, we can make it all the way
And they said no we can’t
And we said yes we can
Remember it’s you and me together

I woke up this morning
Feeling alright
I’ve been fightin’ for tomorrow
All my life
Yea, I woke up this morning
Feeling brand new
Cause the dreams that I’ve been dreaming
Have finally came true

It’s a new day
(it’s a new day)
It’s a new day
(it’s a new day)
It’s a new day
It’s a new day!

It’s been a long time waitin’
Waiting for this moment
Been a long time praying
Praying for this moment

We hope for this moment
And now that we own it
For life I will hold it
And I ain’t gonna let it go

It’s for fathers, our brothers,
Our friends who fought for freedom
Our sisters, our mothers,
Who died for us to be in this moment

Stop and cherish this moment
Stop and cherish this time

It’s time for you and me
For us and we
That’s you and me together

I woke up this morning
Feeling brand new
Cause the dreams that I’ve been dreaming
Have finally came true
Yea, I woke up this morning
Feeling alright

‘Cause we weren’t fighting for nothing
And the soldiers weren’t fighting
For nothing
No, Martin was dreaming for nothing
And Lincoln didn’t change it for nothing
And children weren’t crying for nothing

It’s a new day
It’s a new day
A new day
It’s a new day
It’s a new day!

will.i.am “It’s a New Day”

Do you make New Years resolutions?

I don’t.  I stopped in High School when I realized they don’t actually happen.  It seems to be part of the tradition to make the “resolution” and intend on not following through.  You may intend to on January 1^st, but somewhere in the back of your mind, you know you won’t follow through.

At least that seems to be the way most people look at it.  Because of that, I don’t do resolutions.

I do, however, make plans, set goals and have hopes for the New Year.  This year, those include finding a job in this terrible job market, paying back all debt (even in this terrible economy) and otherwise changing gears to move my life in the direction I want to see it move.

It seems most people resolve to lose weight or get in shape.  I know a few people who set that same resolution every year and never get very far.  I also intend to get in shape, but never get as far as I’d like.

I noticed this weekend that the commercials in current rotation are geared toward that particular resolution.  I can’t tell you how many commercials I saw for diet pills/powders, weight loss plans and weight loss devices.  One right after the other.  I started having weight loss overload.

I love The Biggest Loser and many of the health/weight loss blogs.  These commercials, though, are annoying.  Especially the one for the Bender Ball.  Watch this and tell me if this first girl irritates you as much as she irritates me.

“I love my abdominals.  I love my belly.  I love my abdominals.”  Come on!  Who talks like that?  Now I would love to have abs like The Fitness Diva , but I would not be going on like a woman in lust with my own self! 

I think that ball looks like it might work, but that woman in the commercial makes me not want to order it! 

So, do you make resolutions?  If you do, what is yours for 2009?

I was just helping my mom make Rice Krispies treats.  She makes 3 batches.  One for us, one for my sister’s house and one for my uncle’s.  Helping her made me think of my favorite commercial of the year.  Watch and enjoy.  My favorite part is the littlest one saying “treats.”

I love this video: