Wordless Wednesday - Rain

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I Resolve to Drink More in 2010

Like a lot of bloggers posting in the new year, I too have eliminated resolutions from my vocabulary. However, I want need to do something to improve my life in this start of this new millennium. I really wanted to jump on the bandwagon saying goodbye to the awfulness that was 09 and hello new start. I have to admit, though, that 2009 was great for me in many ways. I had my first summer off in 20 years, in fact, spent a huge amount of time with the kids, going days sometimes without yelling. I spent a wonderful summer without going overboard on spending, and even managed to snag a job right when my severance pay ran out.

The last month of the year, though, was so sucky even Mexico made me cranky, and that is just wrong. I felt so out of control when it came to solving my most pressing problems. Weighing heavily was the lack of regular employment for either of us. Funnily, a friend called me "the most famous unemployed person [she] new." Us bloggers really get around don't we. There was the photo shoot by Joe Claus, an unemployed photographer did a photo spread called "Let Go-Photographs of talented people in Silicon Valley who’ve been dumped by local businesses"

I heard about this when I responded to another request by Patrick May, San Jose Mercury journalist, from another blogger, and got on his mailing list. He wrote an article on the photo shoot, and I got a lot of comments at school the next day. He sends the occasional request for his pinkslipped series, and he published a quote about holidays without a paycheck. The best was when I was interviewed for The California Report about COBRA at the subsidy, was called a "goddess" by a wonderful friend. Thank goodness they've extended the subsidy, since I still don't have benefits with my job.

So what's in store for 2010? I'm going to find the things I can control that makes me happy. Some people are giving up alcohol, I resolve to drink more in 2010. How will I accomplish this?

• Planning regular mom's nights out, even if we end up with only two moms


• Joined a co-ed soccer team who's main reason for existence is drinking beer after the games ("beer practices" when it rains)


• Hand-made Kahlua and amaretto from a small Mexican distillery, party at my place.

In 2009 I switched to real food, started a few exercise programs and lost weight with a cleanse, 2010 is the year of feeding my emotional side.

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Thinking of Others

I'm having a hard time getting motivated to post. I'm way behind on my Silicon Valley Moms blog obligation, yet I can't seem to get in the right state of mind to write something. A light-hearted post seems wrong in the face of my funk, not to mention the tragedy in Haiti. Writing how I've been feeling would just be too pitiful for public eyes. So I'm going to push my personal issues aside and talk here about how to help others and how I want to help.

Last week I got an email from the KIT list, a "keep in touch" email list started to "help great people find great jobs." The founder of the list asked everyone this week to do something each day to help someone else find a job, a "pay it forward" movement. What a great idea. I could use my blog and facebook and twitter to do something, even something little, right? Wrong. I can use the excuse that I was making sure "I put my own oxygen mask on" before helping others, for why I mostly helped myself instead this week, but the reality is I was just feeling sorry for myself. I set up a future lunch with someone working at a place I applied at a while ago, followed up about a potential contract at my current company, and poured over craigslist postings looking for jobs for my husband. Except that last part, this is the kind of stuff I should have been doing for the past 6 months, and yet that overdraft notice was what finally put the fire under my but.

Then this earthquake hit, and it was awful. Really awful. We had a few earthquakes here, remember? What a world of difference. Haitians were suffering tremendously from poverty before this earthquake, and now the devastation was incomprehensible. I hadn't even gotten it together enough to help pay it forward for job searchers. Before I did anything I got another KIT List email, essentially tapping into the Pay it Forward effort to helping the victims of Haiti.

It's time to focus others. Many people around the internet have posted how to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake, so follow those links or here's what I got from Sue at KIT List.

News reports say the best way to help the Haitian effort is through
monetary donations. Here are some links to trusted charities:

Text Donation:

• SMS text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts
• SMS text “YELE” to 501501 to Donate $5 to Yele Haiti’s Earthquake Relief efforts
• You can also give via phone at (888) 4-HELP-BAY or online.
  

American Red Cross - Disaster Relief Fund

Catholic Relief Services

A list of charities from a local San Francisco TV station site:

Avoid scams by checking the legitimacy of an organization at CharityNavigator

Tonight I gave while watching Project Runway with the Clever Girls Collective, who managed to get it matched by Silicon Valley Community Foundation. They gave to half to the Red Cross and half to Wyclef Jean's Yéle Haiti. Don't forget to see if your company will match.

And for those still looking for a job, that will have to come in my next post.

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Are you ready for some Futsal!

Creative Soccer Instruction By Brian Pelton
2010 Winter Futsal Class Schedule

Coach Brian runs the K-2 soccer practice at Castro School. He has the top soccer coaching license in America, the second highest license in Brazil, and is one of only two people in America with a Futsal coaching license issued from the Brazilian Futsal Federation. His classes for Futsal and will have an emphasis on dribbling, shooting and playing games. Coach Brian uses age-appropriate exercises and futsal balls, as well as games that develop coordination and agility. Your child will have a great deal of fun while doing the part of futsal that is most fun: dribbling and scoring goals.
All classes will be at Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 E. Remington Ave., Sunnyvale

Futsal Classes
 Classes will be held Saturday mornings from 8 – 9:15am
 For players between 5 and 8 years old
 A minimum of eight players are required for the class to be confirmed.
 The cost will be week of class will be $15/week (limited number of scholarships available) or $120 for the 10 week clinic. Ask about siblings discount.
 Players must bring their own water, energy drinks and snacks. Please have your child wear tennis or futsal shoes and shinguards. Balls and other training equipment will be provided. No food or drink allowed in the gym, but can be consumed in the lobby
 Classes will run from Saturday, January 9th through March 13th in the Sunnyvale Community Center Gym.
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2010 Creative Soccer Instruction Futsal Class Application Form
Parent’s Name _________________________ Child’s name __________________________ Age _________________
Child’s name _________________Age _________________
Address
Phone numbers: Home_________________Cell______________Work
Email address
Any medical conditions? _____________________________________
Emergency contact name/phone ____________________________________

Typical class schedule
15 min: Individual Futsal ball work
30 min: Coordination & shooting games
30 min: 3 v 3 or 4 v 4 Futsal games

Liability Waiver
I grant my child/children permission to attend a Creative Soccer Instruction (CSI) futsal class. I understand that soccer activities are strenuous and there is a potential risk of injury. As parent/guardian, I waive all claims of liability against Brian Pelton and CSI and any city where the camp is located. My child will participate in the camp using proper protective equipment and does so with my permission and at their own risk. In case of emergency, I hereby consent to medical examination and/or treatment for my child/children. Parent/Guardian signature ______________________________________________

Mail signed form with a $45 nonrefundable deposit** to:
Creative Soccer Instruction
c/o Brian Pelton
616 Manzanita Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA 94085
Questions? Email Creative Soccer Instruction at pelotasdad@yahoo.com or call at 650.575.9383
** Credit may be applied to any other camp or towards private training sessions.

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