Noteworthy: RIP MJ!

See, even the late great Michael Jackson cared about Mother Earth.

What a great man he was. Will this inspire you to change your habits?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOnL5c8LMqM

Michael Jackson's Earth Song

Enjoy!
Tia

Ecosystem Farm Volunteering

I had the opportunity to volunteer for the Accokeek Foundation's Ecosystem Farm. My experience was personalized because I was the only volunteer there, so I embarked on four hours of work with some of the employees. The project in mind for the day was wheat harvesting. I had never harvested wheat or even seen wheat in it's natural form ever! This experience was definitely a memorable one as I learned new things and saw some of the beauty that Mother Nature has to offer. (Anyone ever wonder why Nature is a woman? I guess I'll ask Captain Planet... lol)

On the way to the farm, I road down a long "back road" that featured farms and other ecological centers. I came upon a wetland, which I will work on better identifying. I couldn't believe it since the only wetlands I get to see are polluted and sometimes dried up. If only the world could enjoy all the benefits that the people who live and farm on this "back road" get to experience daily.

Seeing all of the beauty of this secluded area made me think: "When did convenience begin to trump Nature's needs?" Everyone who knows me knows that I love the animals, so I often think of the impact our actions are having on our fellow earthlings. How often do you consider sacrificing something for an animal. Here's a clue: If you no longer use plastic grocery bags and have converted to a canvas market bag, you've just contributed in some way to an animal's preservation. Go you! "Plastic is bad, umkay???!!!"

If you would like to explore or volunteer at the ecosystem farm, visit http://www.accokeek.org/

XO

Tia

Sponsors Update!

I'm so excited that I have people who believe in my success and my cause. I am taking this time out to give thanks to all of my sponsors with a brief spotlight on my newest.

Today I rejoined a boot camp designed by MD-native, Corey Belin. Corey began Belin Sport and Fitness back in 2007 and the company has quickly grown through quality training. He is a personal trainer but his most popular service is the Belin Sport and Fitness Boot Camp that has gained much recognition in such publications as Washington City Paper's 2009 "Best of DC" list. I began working out with the boot camp back in 2008 and had stopped due to my schedule irregularities. BS&F has since added mutiple times and locations to fit any schedule, in addition to expanding in New York City and supporting co-ed camps. I would recommend this camp to anyone who would like to work out in a friendly environment and gain amazing results all while having fun. BS&F is now on board to help me prepare for the national pageant. I will update you with results periodically.

My current company sponsors:

• Events Forever
• BP1 Management
• InGenius Press (www.ingeniuspress.com)
• Belin Sport and Fitness (www.bsandf.net)

I did not forget my individual sponsors. *wink*

I am looking forward to assisting more positive companies who would like to support my cause.

Thanks again for all of your support. I am even grateful for those of you who have helped me with preparing for the pageant! Where would I be without any of you?

With Love,
Tia

Cast Your Vote for Emily and Lamar!

These days, it always seems that I have another friend appearing on a television show for any odd reason. Well ladies and gentleman, once again I am asking you to aid me in pushing Emily and Lamar to the finish line for the 'Today Show Throws a Wedding' contest.

I met Emily and Lamar on New Year's Eve and have admired their relationship ever since. I truly would love to see them win such a huge gift because they deserve it.

To learn more about Lamar and Emily follow these links.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/31082248#31082248

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/31063909/

To cast your vote: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30370935 or text "3" t0 46833.

Good Luck Lamar and Emily!

*Now back to my regular environmental topics... lol*

Happy WED!

To stimulate worldwide awareness of the environment and to enhance political attention and action, World Environment Day (WED) was established in 1972 by the UN General Assembly. It is commemorated yearly on 5 June.

This years' theme is 'Your Planet Needs You—UNite to Combat Climate Change.' It reflects the urgency for nations to agree on a new deal at the crucial climate convention meeting in Copenhagen some 180 days later in the year, and the links with overcoming poverty and improved management of forests.

So, for the environment today we should all band together and do something.

Here's a tip: Unplugging all unnecessary electronics when they're not in use can save energy and your money.

XO
Tia

M.I.A.

Okay, so I've been MIA lately. Well, at least not updating my blog. I do apologize for leaving you for weeks without updating you on my new found environmental knowledge... lol

Well, since I last made a post, I've...

• ...judged a pageant.
• ...acted in a movie.
• ...worked three-days before [the stage play].
• ...acted in a stage play.
• ...worked another three days after [the stage play].
• ...attended a class.

In other words, I don't rest. I did get a chance to watch some shows on PBS.org that helped me further my environmental knowledge and gain more insight into how our bad habits effect the ecosystem.

The quote on the header of my blog is so true. All things ARE connected my friends. For example, where do you think those harsh chemicals that we use everyday are going? They come right back to us through our water from our personal care products to the chemicals in our cleaning products. All of this waste water filters right back to us or contaminates our watersheds, which too eventually gets back to us.

In our waste water:

• New products that include new chemicals are outpacing our filtration systems. Our filtration systems have the capability to filter foreseeable chemicals; however, they cannot filter the chemicals they don't yet know how to counter; these are the same chemicals that cause sickness in our marine life.

In our rain runoff:

• Where do I begin with this one? Just imagine consuming a bottle of fertilizer. Essentially, we are poisoning ourselves by poisoning our waters. We are losing fish, crabs and are unknowingly potentially causing sickness to ourselves when we consume seafood from the waters we contaminate.

You all know I don't like to preach, but I just want to emphasize that the world is our home. I always use the analogy of someone coming into your home and dropping trash where ever they are, spilling anything anywhere, drinking all of your water, bashing in your walls, and for non-smokers, filling your home with smoke. All of this is the equivalent of the damage that we are doing to OUR environment: the system that makes life and some luxuries possible for us.

I hope that you can come away with some insight from this post. To learn more about nature and our environment, you can watch some useful videos at PBS.org.

Regards,
Tia

P.S. Being a vegetarian feels great! (More on that later.)