Haiti-One Year Later

Its no longer on the front page of newspapers.
Its no longer the "lead in" for the nightly news.
Its no longer covered as heavily.
The major pushes for donations have stopped.
Resources have dried up.
Cholera outbreaks have claimed the lives of over 3500 Haitian people.
The people still suffer.
Families still mourn the loss of loved ones.


Prior to today, I really struggled with finding a "unique" way to honor the people of Haiti without mimicking the things other websites, blogs, etc. were already doing. It finally donned on me this morning that my focus on wanting to be "unique" was selfish. This day is not about me, or my blog, its about paying my respects to a great people. As one with Haitian friends all of whom I consider part of my extended family, I am ashamed of my self-centeredness. We all have our moments.

The island nation is still fighting the devastation caused by the quake, which killed over 230,000 Haitian people, and by some estimates left some 1.5 million people home. Additionally, the subsequent Cholera outbreak has claimed the lives of 3500 so far and the numbers are still climbing. All things considered, there is but one word that could describe the people of Haiti: Resilient. Resilience is the ability to work with adversity in such a way that one comes through it unharmed or even better for the experience. I found this little blurb about what the word means: "Resilience means facing life’s difficulties with courage and patience – refusing to give up. It is the quality of character that allows a person or group of people rebound from misfortune, hardships and traumas.  Resilience is rooted in a tenacity of spirit—a determination to embrace all that makes life worth living even in the face of overwhelming odds. When we have a clear sense of identity and purpose, we are more resilient, because we can hold fast to our vision of a better future.  Much of our resilience comes from community—from the relationships that allow us to lean on each other for support when we need it."


They have suffered from one tragedy after another but have remained hopeful for better days. Their spirit is inspiring.  What really breaks my heart when traumatic events occur is that after a certain amount of time we stop talking about it. The media stops covering it and we stop checking on the people who were affected. We stop asking people how they are coping with their loss. Its almost as if we believe that as time progresses and people stop talking about something then it MUST have gotten better.

I intentionally allowed the "Haiti needs your help" app to remain high on this blog in hopes that it would remind people that Haiti still needs us. The great thing about anniversary is that people are once again talking about Haiti. My hope is that the conversations turn into generous donations.

Read on for stories I've found so far about the anniversary...

Political Flashback: The scream heard around Iowa

When I saw this news conference I didn't see anything wrong with Dean's scream. Before the Iowa caucus, Dean enjoyed at least a 30% lead on John Kerry & John Edwards. The loss in Iowa dealt a blow to Dean's campaign but it was the constant replay of Dean's "I have a scream" speech that is believed to have had a devastating impact on the campaign. Footage of the scream was played an unprecedented 633 times over the course of 4 days. The scream was characterized as primal & unpresidential, a description that all but halted Dean's pursuit of the DNC's nod for POTUS.  After losing in the Wisconsin primaries, Dean ended his campaign. Despite this, his Vermont supporters stood by him on Super Tuesday and voted him to victory in their primary.

On a lighter note, check out Dave Chappelle's version of Dean's speech.

Chappelle's Show
Black Howard Dean
www.comedycentral.com
Buy Chappelle's Show DVDs Black Comedy True Hollywood Story

Gotta love Chappelle.

Sidenote: I guess Pennsylvania voters didn't think saving Senator Spector's historic 30 year Senate career was reason enough to keep him in office. Although his run has ended, his service was appreciated and his Senate legacy is one for the record books.

HUSL Today Flashback...Become a savvy shopper

*Updated*
Unless you have been living under a rock or in a cave for the past few years, you are probably sick of hearing stories about the recession. There are anecdotes about how the recession is affecting the American people and the trickledown effect of the credit crunch. Countless news stories and online articles offer tips for how to “recession-proof” your life. Hip Hop prophet Kanye has said "What you on dog? Tryna stay recession free."

Unfortunately, most of their advice is not geared towards the YP. My suggestion applies to everyone, young and old. I propose that everyone takes control of their expenses and become a savvy shopper. A savvy shopper is a person who can find a great deal the average shopper overlooks. A savvy shopper can be wealthy or living below the poverty line. They are charming enough to get what they want and smart enough to know how to ask for it. A savvy shopper never pays full price for anything and they never stop looking for good bargains. If you are not already shopping savvy, it is time for a change.

Here are 5 tips you may find helpful:

Image source: http://richsellshomes.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/shopping-cart-short-sale.jpg

1. Use your resources. You can your mission to become a savvy shopper by using the resources you already have. If you are a member of an organization, ask if they offer any discounts to dining, entertainment, or restaurants. Take advantage of the discounts and participate in the promotions to ensure your organization remains valuable to the company.

2. Ask for discounts/upgrades. Wherever you shop, ask if they offer any discount programs or frequent shopper incentives. You can find such programs almost everywhere including greeting card stores and specialty shops. These incentives will allow you to participate in events and the savings will add up. I have saved over $150 in eight months at my local grocery store just by signing up for their free customer reward card. Additionally, I have saved hundreds more at local stores which offer family and friends discounts if you sign up for their e-mail list. I realize some of you may cringe at the thought of junk e-mail, but strategically subscribing to the companies where you spend most of your money can prove to be beneficial. You may save money on shipping costs, receive special discounts/coupons, participate in member-only clearance events, receive free merchandise and many others.

3. Be forthright. Sometimes the employees may forget to mention promotions, do not be afraid to ask. Their failure to mention potential discounts should not discourage you. Case in point, the employee at my favorite sports store failed to mention their discount program at checkout. I asked the manager if they had a frequent buyer program and they did. For every $200 that I spend, I receive a $20 coupon.Other companies offer a dollar to point reward system that allows you to earn points for every dollar you spend. The points can be redeemed for different prizes. Most of the reward programs do not require you to submit substantial personal information (name, phone number, address, and age) and you could save hundreds of dollars just for signing up. Sometimes, you can receive discounts just my showing and ID card. The important thing is to ask. Everything we purchase is an investment and investing without a return has never made sense.

4. Shop around. Comparison shopping involves looking at the prices of several products to evaluate which one is the best value. The best value does not always mean the cheapest product. The best value is unique to each person and requires that you decide what is important to you.

The skills of a savvy shopper can be used all the time. I suggest comparing restaurant prices, hotel rates, apartment rental rates, gas prices, textbook prices, shipping rates, computer programs, movie rental fees, vehicle maintenance services, and the list goes on. The internet makes this easier and cheaper than ever. You can shop around in the comfort of your own home, or during breaks at work. Once you determine what you are looking for, shopping around is just a matter of asking for it. If you can find the time, I recommend shopping around for all of your big purchases (i.e. apparel, household items, items for your vehicle, vacation deals, etc.). There are several websites dedicated to online comparison shopping, use them. Peruse company websites for special deals, mail in rebates, etc. If you do not find the best value at your favorite company/store, ask for a manager and alert them to your findings. Some companies have price match guarantees which encourage shoppers to compare competitor prices. In such instances, if you find a comparable product at a lower price, the company will honor the lower price.

5. Dont be afraid to wait. In terms of merchandise, there is only so much time before the item that caught your eye will go on sale.  The wait time can range from a few days to a few weeks and waiting a few days can save hundreds of dollars. However, if you MUST have a certain item immediately, by all means treat yourself. BUT if your ego can afford to wait, HUSL Today recommends you to do so.
Image source: http://celamarksystems.com/images/tag_OG.gif 

Are you a savvy shopper? Share your tips!