Our lives this time each year can get especially busy, and it can be easy to forget to take off to concentrate on ourselves. However, it's important to dedicate time each day to relax and do something you enjoy, such as yoga, reading, or writing in a journal.
The TeenSpace retreat for teens and parents is taking place Saturday, January 31st (2009) from 8:30– 4:30 in Sedona, Arizona. At the retreat, teens and and adults will explore how to be more self-aware and live life with more self-care and make better choices for themselves and the world around them.
Facilitators of the event will include author Debra Beck, yoga teacher Maura Mark, and meditation instructor Sarah McLean. You can visit http://teenspacesedona.eventbrite.com for more information about the event and how to register.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
Real Beauty
It's Pride and Prejudice Week at NewMoonGirls.com, and this week we're celebrating the differences that make you proud to be YOU!
Have you seen any of the other Dove "Real Beauty" commercials? What do you think about this campaign? Do you think that the commercial above is effective at communicating the editing involved with creating the advertisements we see in magazines and billboards?
The Dove "Campaign for Real Beauty" is one of my favorite ad campaigns. We are constantly presented with media-created images that influence our perception and expectations of what physical beauty is. Watch one of Dove's commercials below, titled "evolution," which shows the creation of a beauty advertisement from start to finish. You can see for yourself how many advertisements are the result of stylists and computer editing.
Have you seen any of the other Dove "Real Beauty" commercials? What do you think about this campaign? Do you think that the commercial above is effective at communicating the editing involved with creating the advertisements we see in magazines and billboards?
Friday, November 7, 2008
ASYMCA Essay and Art Contest
November is Military Family Month!
The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) launched their annual essay and art contest this month and all children of U.S. active duty, National Guard or Reserves are invited to enter. If eligible, you're encouraged to write an essay about your military hero or illustrate your military family. Winners will receive a U.S. Savings Bond and the winning artwork and essays will also be displayed around the country.
The deadline for the art contest is February 20, 2009 and the deadline for the essay contest is March 20, 2009. Visit Asymca.org for entry forms and for more information about Military Family Month.
The Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) launched their annual essay and art contest this month and all children of U.S. active duty, National Guard or Reserves are invited to enter. If eligible, you're encouraged to write an essay about your military hero or illustrate your military family. Winners will receive a U.S. Savings Bond and the winning artwork and essays will also be displayed around the country.
The deadline for the art contest is February 20, 2009 and the deadline for the essay contest is March 20, 2009. Visit Asymca.org for entry forms and for more information about Military Family Month.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Election Results!
It's hard to believe that the 2008 election season is over! Barack Obama was the clear winner of yesterday's election with 349 electoral votes, making him the 44nd president of the United States.
I thought Obama's victory speech was incredible, but I was almost more interested in McCain's speech. After realizing he had lost the election last night, John McCain gave a concession speech in Arizona to a dismayed and booing crowd. The crowd booed at points while he was talking, such as when he stated that he had called and congratulated Obama prior to the speech. However, McCain remained poised throughout his speech and was graceful in discussing his loss. You can watch his concession speech below:
What are your thoughts on the election? Did you watch either Obama's or McCain's speech on television last night? How do you think McCain handled losing the election?
The election may be over, but it's still election week at NewMoonGirls.com! The election may be over, but you can still cast YOUR vote in our Mock Election.
I thought Obama's victory speech was incredible, but I was almost more interested in McCain's speech. After realizing he had lost the election last night, John McCain gave a concession speech in Arizona to a dismayed and booing crowd. The crowd booed at points while he was talking, such as when he stated that he had called and congratulated Obama prior to the speech. However, McCain remained poised throughout his speech and was graceful in discussing his loss. You can watch his concession speech below:
What are your thoughts on the election? Did you watch either Obama's or McCain's speech on television last night? How do you think McCain handled losing the election?
The election may be over, but it's still election week at NewMoonGirls.com! The election may be over, but you can still cast YOUR vote in our Mock Election.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Election Day!
It's Election Day! Be sure to head on over to NewMoonGirls.com and cast your vote in our mock election!
Vote for our Kids
It's Election Day - finally!
As I drive voters to the polls today I'll be thinking about how important this election is to our children. Whether they are still infants or they're already tax-paying adults like my daughters, this election will have a huge impact on their lives.
With our nation's deep economic and environmental woes, no matter who is elected, we're facing a time when Americans will all need to step up and defer some of our "wants" to make sure all of us get what we truly need. Luckily for parents, sacrificing our wants for our childrens' needs is something we already have some practice at! The part that will be different is how we define what our children truly need (as opposed to what they want).
One other thing on my mind is that whichever ticket wins today, there will be girls living in the White House or the VP's residence. That's exciting and will engage many kids in following what happens in national politics. It's already been wonderful in the campaign to see the genuine and expectant faces of Malia, Piper, Sasha & Willow as they accompany their parents at some appearances.
For me it's a reminder of the hopes of our children and the ways we as parents are responsible to their hopes.
I hope you all are voting today for our kids.
As I drive voters to the polls today I'll be thinking about how important this election is to our children. Whether they are still infants or they're already tax-paying adults like my daughters, this election will have a huge impact on their lives.
With our nation's deep economic and environmental woes, no matter who is elected, we're facing a time when Americans will all need to step up and defer some of our "wants" to make sure all of us get what we truly need. Luckily for parents, sacrificing our wants for our childrens' needs is something we already have some practice at! The part that will be different is how we define what our children truly need (as opposed to what they want).
One other thing on my mind is that whichever ticket wins today, there will be girls living in the White House or the VP's residence. That's exciting and will engage many kids in following what happens in national politics. It's already been wonderful in the campaign to see the genuine and expectant faces of Malia, Piper, Sasha & Willow as they accompany their parents at some appearances.
For me it's a reminder of the hopes of our children and the ways we as parents are responsible to their hopes.
I hope you all are voting today for our kids.
Monday, November 3, 2008
How do YOU vote?
It's election week! While you have to be eighteen years old to have your vote count officially in the United States, NewMoonGirls.com and many schools are holding mock elections this week!
However, many people question the purpose of these mock elections. Do kids, especially those who are younger, really understand the issues on which they are pretending to vote? With less information about the policies, it's easy to end up voting for the same candidate as your parents. While this emulation is often criticised, it makes sense--you vote based on your own personal values, which are often passed along and taught by your family.
Do you think that you will grow up to vote like your parents? What about if your parents vote for different parties? What can be done to help kids become independent and thoughtful voters?
You can read more about and discuss this issue here at NewMoonGirls.com. Also visit NewMoonGirls.com this week to read about the different political parties and have your voice heard in our unofficial election.
However, many people question the purpose of these mock elections. Do kids, especially those who are younger, really understand the issues on which they are pretending to vote? With less information about the policies, it's easy to end up voting for the same candidate as your parents. While this emulation is often criticised, it makes sense--you vote based on your own personal values, which are often passed along and taught by your family.
Do you think that you will grow up to vote like your parents? What about if your parents vote for different parties? What can be done to help kids become independent and thoughtful voters?
You can read more about and discuss this issue here at NewMoonGirls.com. Also visit NewMoonGirls.com this week to read about the different political parties and have your voice heard in our unofficial election.
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