Stop Traffick Fashion

I first encountered human trafficking when I was visiting Thailand several years ago. On that trip I visited a home for young girls who had been rescued from child prostitution. It struck me as horrifying that these sweet, exuberant girls, who were around 7-14 years old, had previously been forced into prostitution. Since then I've read more, heard more and learned more. It's not just these girls. There are younger girls, older girls and other men, women and children.

Every time I hear about trafficking I have a feeling that my life cannot be the same. Something has to change. How can normal people make a difference about such a big problem? We can't all quit our jobs and join the rescue effort - although maybe we should do that more. Over the past year I've come up with something that I can do now.

Check out my new site: Stop Traffick Fashion. Right now it says "coming soon." Coming in June 2009 it will be a boutique selling accessories made by survivors of human trafficking. You can read more on the site. You can also subscribe to the blog. The blog will provide news and information about human trafficking, as well as updates about the site. Check it out and tell all your friends!

Penultimate

Hi everyone.

This is going to be my penultimate blog post on this site. I say that because I've always wanted to use the word penultimate. I remember when I first heard that word in grad school my friends and I had to go look it up. In case you're wondering, it means "second to last."

In case you're worried that you won't stay up to date on the details of my life, I will fill you in on the coming few months before I return to Cincinnati. I've already started to wean you off anyway since I haven't been posting very regularly. This weekend I'm going to Brighton to see Ray LaMontagne in concert. In a few weeks my sister is coming to visit for one last time. We're going to high tea at The Ritz and to see Snow Patrol at the O2. I'm going on a weekend trip to Montpelier, France at the end of March and then to Venice for Easter. One week later I am on a way one trip from London to Cincinnati. That will be capped off by another Ray LaMontagne concert the night I arrive. [Speaking of concerts - do any of my friends in Cincinnati want to see Kings of Leon in May?]

Why am I going to stop writing this blog? Something bigger is coming that has been diverting my online attention.

Watch this space.

New UN report on Human Trafficking

Here are some highlights from a new UN report on Human Trafficking.

Free Audio Book

Click here to download a copy of the book Not for Sale - completely free!

"Award-winning journalist David Batstone reveals the story of a new generation of 21st century abolitionists and their heroic campaign to put an end to human bondage. In his accessible and inspiring book, Batstone carefully weaves the narratives of activists and those in bondage in a way that not only raises awareness of the modern-day slave trade, but also serves as a call to action."

Quotable

Here's an interesting quote I found about London the other day:

“You find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” - Samuel Johnson (author of the first complete dictionary - according to Wikipedia)

Hmm. Luckily for my mom I already booked my flight back to Cincinnati before I found that quote. I guess Samuel Johnson didn't have such conflicting emotions and ideas. Life is an adventure!

Cirque du Soleil

Last night I saw the Cirque du Soleil show, "Quidam" at the Royal Albert Hall. I have to say, it was one of the most amazing things I've seen. I kept thinking to myself that they must be defying physics!! I would highly recommend any of their shows.

Record Snowfall...

I've been enjoying our big snowfall in London...I've heard things like the most in 6 years or the most in 18 years but I don't really know what's true. All I know is we have a good 6-8 inches so far and it's still snowing. I was jealous of all the snow in Cincinnati last week so I am happy to finally have a good snow after having 3 winters in London!

A new ad campaign

There's a new ad campaign happening in London and throughout the UK on various modes of transportation including the Underground and on buses:Of course, they can't prove there is no God, just like I can't prove there is a God. It's meant to be a re-assuring campaign but the "probably" doesn't seem very re-assuring. If I was worrying about it, I don't think this would help me feel better. Of course, I am biased.

A momentous day

I'm a few days late in commenting on the Inauguration of Barack Obama. I don't have much comment except that I did watch it. I need to stay in the loop at least a little bit since I'm not in the country. I do have to say it's nice to be able to turn off the news so I'm not overwhelmed with the coverage of the event.

But, on Tuesday night I went to see Thriller Live. Thriller Live is a West End show celebrating the music of Michael Jackson. It's not like Mamma Mia which tries to build a story around the songs, it's just music and dancing. During the song "Heal the World" they had photos of people who I assume they thought helped heal the world. I'm not sure what the criteria was but the last photo was Obama. (So you see, these two things do tie together!) Perhaps not as important in the grand scheme of history, but it was more entertaining than the speech.

Memo to the drunk girls sitting next to me: We came to hear the performers on stage sing, not you. Of course, everyone was singing to the party songs, but not the ballads. Next time if you want to sing, maybe you should audition.