Happy Birthday to Me!

Posted on December 19th, 2007 by gail helen.
Categories: Relationships, Education, Personal, Politics, Feminism, Omnia Vanitas, Current Events, Money, Give, Random.

For my birthday, my boyfriend sent me the most wonderful gift I received this year. Instead of sending me the usual bouquet of flowers (a staple of the long distance relationship dance we’ve been doing for the last decade or so), Ed made a donation in my name through Changing the Present to educate Afghani girls. Not only did this thoughtful gift show an understanding of three of the causes most important to me — education, feminism, and the promotion of human rights on the global scale — it really made me feel loved. I wish I could have made the actual email card I received display properly, but during this busy season I simply don’t have the time to futz with the code. To find out more about how you can honor a loved one with a charitable gift, click the link above, or if you’re interested in the cause of educating Afghani girls, click the banner below. Trust me, it’s a gift that will keep on giving!

ChangingThePresent

Problem

Under the Taliban, education was prohibited for girls. Now, the hard-won right of simply attending school in Afghanistan for girls is becoming more and more difficult. Experts estimate that every day in Afghanistan a girls’ school is destroyed or a teacher is murdered. Attacks have closed schools in several entire districts in Afghanistan — nearly one-third of all districts have no schools.

The Gift

We cannot allow the destruction of women and girls’ education to continue, with education so crucial to long-term empowerment. The Feminist Majority Foundation is working to keep Afghan girls’ schools open, as well as to reopen those schools that have been closed. We must do all we can to ensure that the rights of Afghan women and girls do not slip away again.

Your donation of $60 will pay the salary of a teacher in Afghanistan for one month. Without teachers, who are being targeted by extremists in Afghanistan, the right for girls to go to school is meaningless.

3 comments.

Travel Insurance

Posted on July 5th, 2007 by gail helen.
Categories: Personal, Omnia Vanitas, Current Events, Travel, Sponsored Posts, Money, Random.

Although my trip this week was canceled and I was able to recoup my expenditures on tickets and lodging arrangements, it reminded me that Travel Insurance is always a good idea. Especially now that I’m all flu-icky and wouldn’t get on a plane for $200 (although I’d probably do it for $300, depending on the eventual destination). I recently discovered TravelSafe, a family-owned and operated business that has been working hard to protect the traveler since 1971, through a recent press release. Apparently, TravelSafe offers an industry-first — a “Cancel For Any Reason” option — plus coverage for hurricane warnings and other inclement weather, worldwide medical protection and emergency medical evacuation, coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, trip cancellation/interruption, even the ever-present threat of terrorism. Before this weekend’s attack in Glasgow, on the very airport I’ve flown into dozens of times, I never considered visiting my family to be a risky prospect, even though I was in the air on 9/11. Travel seems to be an increasingly complicated undertaking — from fear to “mechanical difficulties” to acts of god — and so I think I will definitely be engaging the services of a travel insurance provider the next time I venture far from home.

0 comments.

Options Trading

Posted on June 29th, 2007 by gail helen.
Categories: Education, Personal, Omnia Vanitas, Current Events, Sponsored Posts, Money, Random.

One of the best things about reading press releases is that it exposes you to topics you might otherwise have never investigated.  For example, I just discovered that options trading refers to contracts which give the trader the option to buy or sell a fixed amount of a certain stock at a specific price within a specific time frame.  I will have to invest more time into studying this type of trading, as I have very little knowledge of the topic.  For example, I don’t really understand how historical option data could be useful to an investor.  Power Options offers a complete suite of educational materials, providing the essential data you need to invest with stock options.  In my opinion, I think this is a great resource for both novice and expert options traders.  As I begin to research the market and decide how best to invest my savings, I will be looking at their site in depth, because knowledge is power.  I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s why they’re called “Power Options.” :)

0 comments.

iWant!

Posted on June 29th, 2007 by gail helen.
Categories: Personal, Omnia Vanitas, Technology, Current Events, Money, Random.

It is the release of the decade with all who hold (true) geek credentials.  I have several collegues and friends who have been waiting all day (for some, night & day!) for the chance to drop $600 for the iPhone. iWant, iWant, iWant!!!  But alas, I have a contract with TMobile that I simply can’t afford to break.  Plus, they are the only phone company to offer me a truly great service experience — I have no complaints about them whatsoever, and few people can say that about their cell phone carrier.  But still, I’d almost be willing to carry both contracts just to own that little piece of Apple beauty . . . La sigh, I say, La sigh . . .

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The Demise of Forth & Towne

Posted on June 22nd, 2007 by gail helen.
Categories: Work, Personal, Omnia Vanitas, Current Events, Money, Random.

Well, it’s been about a week since my favorite store, Forth & Towne, officially closed for business. La sigh. This was like a cross between Banana Republic and the Gap, both trendy and classic, pretty and functional.  It was such a wonderful place for a girl like me — professional outfits that weren’t stuffy or too plain, simply perfect for a young woman trying to develop a business wardrobe, although a little costly — that of course it couldn’t last.  Just goes to prove my usual saying — I never get what I want.  :)   Still, the closing sale was awesome.  I got dresses and slacks for 75% off the retail price, even on previously discounted merchandise.  I don’t mind admitting that I went a little crazy — I bought two pairs of pants for my mother and aunt on the off-chance they might fit (they don’t) and a dress and a pair of silk pants that are two sizes too big for me — but sales have always given me retail fever.  It will be at least three months before I buy another item of clothing, so hopefully I’ll find another great store before then.

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