BP Oil Spill. What can YOU do to help?

There is nothing that pulls at my heart more than knowing that the oil spill that began on April 20th, 2010 is still continuing after 39 days of what seems to be very little action between BP, the U.S. government and from other organizations. Sadly, it seems that from President Obama's speech yesterday on the BP oil spill, people are already comparing the spill to the likes of the Hurricane Katrina disaster. I believe what is being compared is the government's response efforts on disasters as large as what we have seen in the last few years. Although I am not happy that the issue has not been resolved, at least President Obama is taking responsibility and attempting to fix BP's bloody mess.

Many times the word Boom has popped up in the news. I had never heard of it so I decided to research it. It is a type of oil containment equipment which apparently is the best way for the BP oil spill to be contained but it isn't the greatest deterrent. According to the Huffington Post, "It's not a fail-safe method of keeping the oil from washing ashore" and that the oil has reached the shorelines of Alabama and Louisiana and already is making its way into the marshlands.

I am deeply saddened knowing that the coastal ecosystem is being effected so profusively. This disaster is why I am, according to my fiance, a "Hippie". I have been VERY concerned about what we are doing to our planet and to ourselves as human beings. I could rant and rant and rant about everything that is going on but honestly, what would that get me!? Nothing! Action over whining I always say! So therefore, what could YOU and I do in our effort to help out with this oil spill? I for one, can not drop everything I am doing in my life to go down there to volunteer. I may be environmentally concious but I do have to work to survive.

Well, I found out that you can donate to the National Wildlife Federation, which I have already done! The NWF also has other options you can do to help out such as volunteering to help clean the spill, speak up for alternative energy sources by calling your State Senators, and by helping spread the message online via twitter or you can text SAVE to 20222 to donate $10 to the National Wildlife Federation.

These are only a few options that I have found. I am sure there are many more out there! I hope others out there see this and are willing to donate too!

Hello! I am Salek! I am a 22 year old woman in constant battle with myself to eat healthier, exercise, and all the while stay environmentally conscious! What better way to keep myself in check than to have a blog on said topics? There are soooo many blogs out in Internet land like mine but I am going to try and keep you folks as entertained as possible in my own endeavors. Of course, I will be plugging blogs I thoroughly enjoy on a daily basis.

I have been sitting here with a cup of tea and nom-ming on a pack of blueberries for the last half hour trying to decide on what topic I could begin writing on first. As much as I dread talking about it, I will begin discussing my health first.

I am overweight. Discouraging no? ALAS! Do not click the back button yet! Let me explain myself first. I have Poly-cystic ovarian syndrome. I was diagnosed in 2007 after eight years of heavy and sporatic periods. Apparently, my issues with weight loss has been effected by my PCOS. I was rather happy that I could have a bit of an explaination behind my difficulty losing weight but it was no excuse to not exercise or eat healthy!

Last year in February I had an epiphany after watching my brother graduate from Boot Camp in the Navy; I want to be recognized for my valor and my willingness to protect my country and its people just the same as my brother. I also plan on joining the military.

While I still have the military as one of my biggest goals to date, I decided to attend the Police Academy after I graduated College for that extra experience. My Police Academy test was last Saturday. I passed my 300 meter dash, sit ups, bench press, but failed my mile and a half. I was devastated but I know that my next test is two months from now. I will not fail again.

From my brother's graduation, I had stayed very disciplined with eating healthy and exercising every day. I actually lost thirty pound in a course of seven months and than October 2009 came around. I was still in school and I worked in food service. I lived and breathed my job because of the impending holidays. Since I spent most of my days in my restaurant and my school, I gained almost all of my weight back. I am at 200 lbs as of today.

So where exactly does this lead me? I gained all of my weight back, I failed my Police Academy test, I'm sore, tired and hungry as hell. I guess I'll just have to keep you posted as I discover that for myself.

I may fail but I always get back up and try again.