Benji Schwimmer. SYTYCD Winner. Mormon.

(061212)

I'm not sure who here watches "So You Think You Can Dance" tv show but there's a dancer named Benji Schwimmer. He's a good dancer, he's also a member of my church and he was my friend Glenn's old companion during their mission... On Tuesday, we all get the news that he announced that he was gay. He finally came out after struggling to come to terms that he was gay and he struggled to accept it because he's been a devoted member to our church but ever since he finally accepted it, he left our church and is now "ex-communicated" (that means that he's no longer affiliated with our church)

The way we found out was when Joe, Glenn and I were at Ontario Mills (a mall) eating Panda Express and then we see Glenn on his iPhone, scrolling around and then his expression changed from content to worried and disappointed (?) and then he told us if we knew Benji and Joe knew of him but knew his sister and I know of him because he was on TV but I knew he's from Redlands. So then Glenn told us about it and how they were companions for about six months during their mission (which is a long time) and then told us that Benji came out and announced that he was gay, leaving the church and is now doing whatever. Joe and I were a little surprised that he decided to leave and we thought it was a little harsh.

Later after we ate, Glenn couldn't call him because Benji lost his phone so he just sent him a private message on Twitter. But to know that he left the church and is now ex-communicated left a saddened feeling... I can't imagine leaving my church, I can't imagine the church ex-communicating with me or anything like that... I don't even want to think of that feeling but for Benji to go through that was really sad.

I don't know why he left the church, I mean, is it just because he's gay? I know some Mormon's are hella sketchy with that issue but there are some that understand (Andi and I). A lot of Mormon's think that Andi and I are not Mormons because we support gay rights, gay marriages and have gay friends and best friends but it doesn't make you any less of a devoted disciple of God if you follow His word but, I don't know. I just heard the news and I just thought of telling you guys... I just wish that the situation was so harsh. :(

KONY 2012: Join the movement!

This video has people loving it and "hating" it. I absolutely love this video because I've always known that the children in Africa (not just in Uganda) were always suffering with some kind of tragedy. I'm aware that they need the most help. Growing up and wanting to be an activist in almost all aspects, I was well aware that there were children being abducted in their own homes, away from their families (and sometimes forced to kill them) because they are promised for a "better life" and are promised to be given money to support them for the rest of their lives and sometimes, they are promised that they will be put to school. Can you imagine how bad the situation is that you are to kill others just to be put to school? Just to have money? Just to have a safer life? You and I will say "I'll never do that" but we have never lived a life where it was that bad. See, these kids need help... These kids have such a high desire to go to school because they all know that an education is the future, education is success, education is safety. But at this rate, these kids are wanting to die because they have no hope. Yet, you and I struggle to get out of bed every morning because we don't want to go to school. Yes, even I had moments like that but we have to remember that we're so lucky to even go to school to begin with when there is another child dying to go to school. And I bet you there is someone out there who has a bigger dream than you.

Ever since the fourth grade, I've always been apart of things where it helps others. I remember I had a pen pal during the fourth grade who was in an orphanage here in the United States and she would tell me her dreams and what she wanted to be when she grew up... I was living all the way in Singapore and she was living in the US. As amazing as the universe works, she found me on Myspace a few years ago during high school. For her to be that determined to find me made me feel really good... She told me how my letters helped her growing up and she found me, to keep in touch and to thank me for everything that I've done even if it played a small role as writing a letter like a friend. And ever since fourth grade, I've had countless pen pals from Russia, US, South Africa, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. I've also done hundreds of charity work and helped non-profit organizations throughout my life and I will continue to do so as I get older.

You can say that Invisible Children doesn't do what they say but honestly, I think it doesn't matter... Just the fact that one organization is trying their best to open the eyes of the people is enough for any of us. Most of us worry that we're not good enough, sometimes our unbearable source of misery in our daily lives is the weight we're unhappy about, the baldness we can't stop, the lack of achievement in the work place or whatever reasons there may be for people to feel so unhappy about... But just open your eyes and look around you. Someone, somewhere, out there is suffering more than you. There are people starving in other countries, there are babies being killed because they were born the wrong gender, there are little girls and young women being sold by their families in return for money, there are boys being abandoned by their families and being put in an orphanage where they are turned into soldiers for their country, there are millions of people being abused, there are so many things going on in our world and we're not doing enough. And I know some people are like, "How can I help?" "What can I do?" and some people can't, and I understand because as much as I want to help, I can't donate when I want to or do something when I want to but as long as you pass things along and help educate yourself and others around you and have your government in your area know about this as well... That's what helps change the world. We, as citizens, cannot always rely on our government to do things for US. WE demand what needs to be done and to make that happen is to make the government KNOW and CARE about the situation. That's how we change the world. That's how we all can be leaders in our own way.

And this is one of the reasons why I do what I do. This is the reason why I joined Jobs Daughters, Helping Hands, D.E.L.T.A Rescue, ASPCA, African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), Worldwide Foundation (WWF), Bread for the World, Africare, Earth Justice, Greenpeace, Campfire USA, World Villages for Children, Air Force Aid Society and Army Emergency Relief...

I believe that my efforts help and make that extra 1% difference.

Also, this is another strong reason why I've always wanted to join the military and the reason why I'm doing so and it's also another mission of mine to join the Peace Corps. (In due time, I will) and this is why I joined a church, not only for obvious reasons but being apart of a church that often has activities where we give back to the community is one of the reasons too.

I believe each and every one of you can make a difference and I believe that we have more power than ever before because we have technology and we have louder voices. I believe we can do what is right for the better of the future if we just keep sharing it to others and be apart of a better tomorrow.

Inspired,
Otter

A Dollar-Worth of Thoughts And Two Dozen Powdered Donettes.

For the last two weeks, it has been really hard for me lately. I'm trying to figure out how to make things work in my life, I'm now talking to Ryan again and of course, I can't stop thinking about Blue Fox.

Two days ago, I was probably at my craziest.

Otter Updates. Kinda.

Woot! Sorry I haven't been on here for a while... My cousin has been taking over the computer. So, I'm stuck on the couch, looking at the ceiling. Since I am cable-less at the moment, there's not much to do but eat and I'm not going to start boredom eating again.

But since I've been on the computer, I'm going to catch up on stuff. Dramas, shows and news. So far, I've watched the first episode of the Jersey Shore (yes, I love that show because the drama is not happening to me) and I'm going to finish my Korean drama "49 Days" which I never thought I'd like but I do.

So far, Nordstrum hasn't called me so I'm applying at Target, but when I am... It says that the server is temporarily unavailable after step three of applying online. Sigh. If not, I'll apply at Old Navy. Haha. I'm trying to find other places that I can get that's near or a place where I can easily car pool in the mornings.

Let's hope something happens soon!

Really lonely,
Otter