Grateful Oblivious

What is Oblivious Nerd Girl grateful for this Thanksgiving holiday?  

Lots of things. It's been an emotional past couple of weeks.  First with the earthquake that affected my uncle's province in Bohol. Then with Typhoon Yolonda which left the convent that my two aunts were staying at demolished.  My relatives are not located in the heavily covered Tacloban, but in Ormoc.  Reports from my dad tell me that our family out there is alive, but the infrastructure around them is gone.  

I am thankful for the many relief efforts that have and are taking place in the States.  The news talked about feelings of helplessness that Filipinos abroad experienced.  I definitely felt that way. But as is the case, the Filipino American community pulled together and there have been several events like concerts, food drives, and other things.  For me, the most important thing is continued relief efforts.  The conversation does not stop when the press stops covering it.  Relief and recovery efforts will continue.  Folks have asked where and who to donate to.  This is my short list.

NAFCON - For folks who want to donate to a Philippine organization not affiliated with the government, this is who I recommend.  They are already doing work year round in the Philippines since they are based there.

Team Rubicon - Strawberry Farm Boy Mike brought this organization to my attention. He currently works on Veteran Homelessness and Team Rubicon actually provides jobs to returning Vets. It puts all their training to good use.  Team Rubicon is looking to send at 125 folks to the Philippines to continue recovery efforts. Donations to them support recovery and support returning veterans.

Oxfam -  Oxfam was already on the ground in the Philippines doing relief efforts after the Bohol earthquake.  They continued to bring aid and supplies to folks hit by Yolanda.  Seeing them distribute aid in the days immediately after Yolanda were the few happy stories I would read. 

Shelterbox - Like Oxfam, Shelterbox was already in the Philippines conducting relief efforts to those impacted by the earthquake in Bohol.  They are now also focusing on Yolanda relief efforts. A Shelterbox provides aid in the forms of a tent, water purification equipment, a stove and cooking supplies, and other things.  

If you are able, please support some kind of relief efforts.  I am extremely grateful that folks are continuing to fundraise and provide assistance to the Philippines in some way, shape or form.  If you would like to get continued updates on relief efforts you can join the US Haiyan / Yolanda Relief Efforts - Info Sharing group.

2013 has been a crazy year. It is my jesus birthday year since I turned 33 this past September. While there were definitely some downs, they do not outweigh the ups that have happened.  I am thankful for Strawberry Farm Boy Mike for all his love and support. For Mom and king tsismoso aka Pops for making me laugh with their random stories. For my extended family for letting me be the closest thing to a sister they will ever have. For all the LA homies who are always down for a drink, a good story, and a meal. For BBC who make me smile every time we're together. We've gone from drunk college kids to grown ass people with BBC babies that I absolutely love and adore! (Yes this means Kaylee and Baby Micah!) I love all you bougie bitches and can't wait for the latest addition to our BBC family. 

I am thankful for this space on the internet that is my constant reminder to create.  That there are words that need to be written, edited, and published. And that there are more oblivious stories to come.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!