r.i.p.

“i hope to hell that when i do die somebody has the sense to just dump me in the river or something. anything except sticking me in a goddam cemetary. people coming and putting a bunch of flowers on your stomach on sunday, and all that crap. who wants flowers when you're dead? nobody.” - j.d. salinger

may he rest in flowerless peace.

grace

w.c. pelon

haiti

by now, i'm sure everyone reading this is aware of the devastation that occurred in haiti last tuesday. the level 7.0 earthquake that hit just outide port-au-prince left an unimaginable amount of destruction in its wake -- death estimates are being placed as high as 200,000 people and the capital city and its surrounding areas are left completely decimated.

there are a number of ways to donate money to help the people of haiti. a staggering list of organizations providing disaster relief can be found here. another way to contribute (to the red cross, specifically) is by texting "haiti" to 90999. this will add a $10 fee onto your phone bill. at this point, monetary contributions are the most efficient way to help with haitian relief.

i made my donation late last week and, although i realize that money can help the people of haiti immensely, i still feel as though i can -- and should -- be doing more. i'm hoping to spend at least part of my spring break volunterring in haiti and wholeheartedly suggest that others consider doing the same. for now, though, i'm sending positive energy to the people of haiti. i hope that relief and peace come with time.

tiny ghosts

tiny ghosts, a site i stumbled upon earlier tonight and have become irrevocably obsessed with, was created by a man (who chooses to remain anonymous) who "became obsessed with the idea of constructing an entire story in just two sentences." he places these two sentences over two pictures, creating poignant, and sometimes heart-wrenching, works of art. he aptly describes the concept behind his "freeform self-expression" as:

"it's about being frightened of war and what you might turn into when you grow up if you aren't careful. it's about loss and longing and love and hope and being small and scared of a big world and not knowing your place in it and wanting to belong but always being on the outside and not being sure that god loves you but really hoping he does even though pretty much everyone else thinks you are a weirdo."

here are a few of my favorites. they'll need to be opened in a seperate window for the full effect.

BELIEVE

i just finished reading a short book that i bought my mother for christmas titled, simply, believe. this book presents a number of statements that, if one embraces, will help the reader change his or her life. i found them to be incredibly inspirational and wanted to share them with all (two) of you that read my blog. i'll begin with the quotation provided at the beginning of the book:

"if somebody believes in you, and you believe in your dream, it can happen" - tiffany loren rowe

believe in fresh starts and new beginnings.

believe that opportunity is everywhere and all around you.

believe that the universe is friendly and life is on your side.

believe you are a once-in-all-history event.

believe you are here for a reason.

believe that nothing is too good to be true.

believe you must take your chance.

believe when others might not.

believe that passion persuades.

believe in doing great work.

believe that some boundaries are meant to be crossed.

believe there is always, always, always a way.

believe you are far bigger than anything that can happen to you.

believe that there's light at the end of the tunnel.

believe you might be that light for someone else.

believe that life is sacred.

believe that the little things aren't little.

believe you are blessed.

believe in the miracle of the second chance.

believe in giving back.

believe in love and everything it touches.

believe the best about others.

believe that friendship is an honor and privilege.

believe in taking a stand.

believe in doing the right thing because it's right.

believe you can make a difference.

believe that together we are better.

believe we can build a better world.

believe in today.

believe that the best is yet to be.

believe in yourself.