Today I am OH so grateful. This year I helped participate in our company's holiday drive. Our employees donated gifts for over 950 youth in San Diego this year. I read some of the quotes from staff at San Diego Youth and Community Services (where we gave the donations) and was choking back tears at work.


SDYCS Executive Director
“On behalf of the youth in our programs, I thank all of you at Qualcomm for your generosity and compassion. Your donations during the Annual Holiday Toy Drive, put smiles on the faces of over 950 at-risk youth who often have to do with less because of the challenges they face. We also appreciate all the volunteer time you contributed during the evenings and weekend to ensure the gifts would get to our youth. We value your partnership with us and thank you again for making such a tremendous impact for youth in our community.”
Walter Philips, SDYCS Executive Director

The Bridgman Home- Deaf Group Home
“I would just like to thank Qualcomm and all their dedicated staff for their holiday contributions. Many of our youth have come from homes where the holidays were a stressful and sad time and where their family was unable to communicate with them. So, for many of our youth, this holiday season is the first time they will be able to celebrate the holidays in a safe, warm, caring environment with others who are like them. I realize it’s hard to know sometimes the impact that one person or a small group of people can have on someone’s life but I wanted to take a moment to thank each and every one of the staff at Qualcomm for their amazing generosity during this season. These youth, youth who have grown up abused, neglect, and thrown away now have a place to call home and the ability, thanks to all of you, to celebrate that.

Unfortunately, I can’t share photos of the youth because of confidentiality; however, I would like to take a moment to share an experience with one of the youth in the home. All of our youth are teenagers, most of them above the age of 15 to help set the stage for this a bit. One of our teens who has a history of severe abuse, trauma, deprivation, and neglect asked for a Barbie doll. Yes, a Barbie doll! When she opened her gift from one of the persons at Qualcomm, it was a Barbie doll with a set of clothes. This teenager who has been through so much in her life began to cry. Later, when I asked her what prompted that reaction, she said “it’s my very first doll. I’ve never had one before!”

With that, I will say once again, thank you to all of the staff at Qualcomm. Again, I know it can be hard to know the impact you might have on another person’s life; however, for this youth, someone gave her a childhood she never had.

Happy Holidays and all my best for a safe and warm Christmas!”
Michele Cannon, MSW, PPS, Bridgman Group Home Director

EC-Behavioral Center
“In my whole life, I never would have imagined giving my child an IPod!” This is coming from a mother of 6 who was homeless and recently found a home. She was in tears and so thankful for the gift card to Target and extra wrapped gift.

“The staff at the EC BHC were thrilled with last week’s delivery and completely grateful for the beautiful presents. Our clients and families have been ecstatic and grateful for the thoughtful presents.”
Rachelle Amini, Psy.D., MSWProgram Manager/Clinical Psychologist
East County Behavioral Health Clinic

Foster Care
“In my many years working in foster care it has been incredible to see the generosity of people, even during challenging financial times. All the act of kindness is greatly appreciated.”
Monica Bradley, Foster Care Marketing & Retention Coordinator

Breaking Cycles
" I wish to express my sincere appreciation for the wrapped gifts and gift certificates that were provided to the Breaking Cycles Program. All of the hard work and generosity of Qualcomm Inc. and its donors will be appreciated by the adolescents at the Youth Day Center and Reflections Program who will receive these gifts on December 22nd and 23rd 2008." Christopher Montoya, Center Director Breaking Cycles

Quote from a 16 year old who received a $50.00 Target Gift Certificate today 12/22/08: "Thank You Qualcomm, this will help me buy a few things for my family that I would not have been able to afford - Merry Christmas"

Take Wing
“We really appreciate all of the hard work and the wonderful gifts! Qualcomm has helped make it possible for our youth and young adults to have a happy holiday and to put gifts under the tree for their kids as well. Thanks so much for everything!”
Kristin Krogh, Community Organizer

“We just cannot thank Qualcomm enough for their hard work and dedication to giving our youth an unforgettable holiday. These gifts might be the only gifts they receive these holidays and without your efforts this would have never been possible. Once again, we appreciate everything you do during this time of the year and we thank you.”
Raul Bautista -Take Wing Transitional Living Program, Case Manager

Quotes from youth:

“Thank you for the present you gave me, I loved it! I always wanted something so that I could hear music, now I am so happy I get to hear music and take it with me everywhere I go. So thank you again for the iPod Shuffle.”

“I liked my backpack. I am happy! I liked my gift card. Thank you. I liked my cards.”

“When I got my gift I thought it was going to be a gift card, but I felt something heavy so when I opened it, it was an iPod Shuffle. I was going to faint because it’s my first iPod I’m going to use!”

“I feel happy because I can buy anything I want, for example - iPod Shuffle, clothes, shoes… anything I want.”
“I love it! It’s like you read my mind! It’s just what I wanted!”

Colds are about the worst thing ever.  They're not bad enough to excuse yourself from going work - but they run you down and make you spit constantly and blow your nose 'till it's so raw it bleeds.  Ugg.  

All I want right now is a massage and some soup.  And a cute guy to cuddle up next to and watch a movie. Is that too much to ask?

Yes, I'm a sporadic blogger.  Today I returned to San Diego after 6 fabulous days in Ohio.  Lately when I return to Ohio I have a sense of completeness when I'm there.  A yearning that makes me think I may want to return some day.  If I could find a job like the one I currently have back in the Cincinnati area I would seriously consider it. 

 A year or two ago I would have said no time in the near future would I ever leave San Diego.  But as I stay here I continue to miss the people from my Midwest roots.  There's something very different about the people in Ohio.  Something I think I constantly search for in my friends out here.  I think it gets worse each time I return. 

This was possibly the last time in Oxford for a while.  Mom is retiring in the Spring and moving out here in the Summer.  Then no more home in Ohio!  I have very mixed feelings about her move.  More than anything I wish San Diego was a short drive from the Cincinnati area.  I would even take a 5 hour drive. I just want to be near my friends again. 

It's been a while since I've posted...but I need to back up a bit and update about the election.  We all knew this would be a historic election, but I never knew it would be to this extent.  That morning, I went to the local library to cast my vote.  I had to wait 30 minutes in the rain - incredible!  The man behind me had two sweet kids in line with him who randomly burst out with American the Beautiful.  It was so appropriate and perfect.  The highest voter turnout ever...and Barak Obama as president.  Holy crap I'm excited!  Throughout the night I got text messages from my family talking about how proud they are.  

Mom: 8:16pm 11/4/08

I'm so proud.  Tears are running down my face.  It's like independence day. President Obama!!!!!

Dad: 9:26pm 11/4/08

Wow! What an amazing speech.  I will never forget this moment.  I am proud to be an American at this moment in our history.  My tears are those of incredible joy.

I had planned on going to the Sullivan's house to watch the election with a my dad and some of the Sullivan's friends.  But that afternoon, I found out that Qualcomm had 4 free tickets to the Madonna concert and Dan Sullivan had given me the opportunity to take them!  I was so excited and immediately called Denise, Teresa, and Becky to join me.  We arrived at the park and called the guy at Petco who came out and handed me 4 tickets, letting me know that if there was anything in the way of our view that we could trade them in for different seats.  We found our seats near the front of the stadium and were SO excited.  There was a speaker that was partially in our view, but no way were we going to complain about free seats!  About 20 minutes before the concert started, a woman from the park asked me if we'd like floor seats instead. Umm...YES!  So we got our wristbands and headed onto the floor.  There we ran into some friends of ours and found our seats - just one section from the stage (maybe 50 feet away).  The concert was incredible and Madonna was beyond elated.  She announced to the crowd Obama's victory (although I already had text messages from dad and Mike to let me know).  She must have said "I'm so happy right now" about 4 times.  During Ray of Light, she forgot the words to her song and stopped to laugh letting us know it was because she was so f*ing excited.  Before the last song or two, the whole crew came out wearing t-shirts with Obama's face that said "express yourself".  She saw the empty spaces from the aisles and said we should fill up all the empty space immediately.  Security held their ground and Madonna insisted Security let us through saying, "Let us celebrate together for once in our lives!"  We ended up running forward about 5 feet from the stage and each time she mentioned Obama the crowd erupted. 

It was certainly an incredible night that I will never forget.  Part of me wishes I had been with my dad and listened to Obama's speech that night live, but nothing will change the fact that I voted for Barak Obama on November 4th, 2008.  I sure hope he lives up to our expectations.

Hope.  So many thoughts/emotions surrounding the election results from yesterday.  Foremost is the hope that Obama will bring.  More on that later.

For tonight: I feel a bit lost.  In a funk?  Unsure of myself.  Lack of confidence? yuck.

Today I picked up Chris Martin from the airport.  Back from the Navy for the first time in months.  I felt honored to be able to pick him up and hang out with him tonight.  It's also Kevin Lambert's birthday so we celebrated.  I wore my "That's What She Said" T-shirt, Chris wore his "Skyline" T-shirt...and we had skyline for dinner.  It was awesome!  Unfortunately, I didn't take good care of Chris' car while he was gone and so his battery was dead.  But we learned something new!!  Chris and I went, bought a new battery, and installed it.  I took photos!

Just a few minutes looking through old notes reminds me where I come from and what amazing people I am surrounded with.  Every single card and note (there had to be over a hundred) made me smile, laugh, or cry.  All because of wonderful, encouraging, people I've been blessed with over the years.

I can't explain the feeling of being at a live concert. I just went with Becky to see The Swell Season.  It was incredible.  These folks know how to put on a show (along with Iron & Wine who opened).  It's not only their incredible music, but their interaction with the audience.  They asked us to sing along, listened when people yelled comments, laughed with us, and even asked two girls to come on stage in dance because they noticed them in the audience.  They described their music and what it was meant to convey which added so much to the experience.  They talked about life issues like politics and your heart versus your brain.  And they made jokes and we all laughed.  I felt so connected.  There's nothing quite like music to speak to your soul.

Two weeks until I head back to Miami.  I can't hardly stand the waiting.  I want to be Oxford with my mom and my favorite dog on the planet.  I want the small town feel of running into people you know no matter where you go. I want to experience fall and the chill in the air.  I want to see those friends who know me to the core and I feel 100% myself around.  I want to see my favorite choir sing and be able to stand up next to them and join in something bigger than myself.  I want to eat Skyline and Bagel & Deli. I want to feel at home.  I'm looking forward to October 24th.

Miracles.  

Jamie & Andrew discovered today that they are expecting a precious little girl.  As soon as I received Jamie's text my heart twisted and tears formed in my eyes.  What a little miracle!  I can't explain the feeling in my heart aside from the fact that Jamie & Andrew are going to be fantastic parents.  I am beyond excited for them and hope that they will indulge me and allow me to share in their excitement.   I can only imagine finding the same news for myself someday and the emotions that will precede and follow.  What a gift!