TWLOHA '09

Happy Friday, everybody!
Alrighty, so it's officially TWLOHA day 2009. There are several reasons I support this cause.
Like many things these days, serious issues (or even Christianity, ugh) are becoming culture crazes. As neat as it is to have sharpie 'LOVE' tattoos sprawled across our forearms, It's really important to do our homework about the causes we are supporting. One statistic for all reading just to open your eyes...

Untreated depression is the number one cause of suicide, and suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers. (-NIMH)

So, this may seem pretty heavy stuff for a blog, but after doing my research all week, I decided I would be part of TWLOHA awareness day/weekend. I "attended" last year...but the extent of my knowledge was basically whatever they taught us in health class in high school. Read up--seriously. It'll blow your mind.

So this year I went all out. I took out old body paints, and got to work. I won't lie...this morning was pretty emotional. Writing LOVE to support awareness over top of your own scars is a pretty powerful experience. But it just goes to show that anybody suffering from depression can get help, and overcome the illness.

I hope everybody takes a little time today to do your part. Spreading awareness is the first and easiest way to reach out. When you feel that there's nothing you can do, just SHARE! Especially if mental illness/addiction has affected you personally--whether it was you going through it, a friend or family member who suffered. The most important thing you can do is educate yourselves.

Much LOVE
Lanners

If you're reading this, and you know you need help, there are many resources available to you...

Emergency 1-800-784-2433 (or 911)
Distress Centre/Drug Centre Crisis Line 403-266-1605
Teen Line 403-264-8336
Canadian Mental Health Association, Suicide Services 403-297-1744

As well as web sites to inform yourselves...

http://www.preventsuicide.us/hopeline-new/
http://www.selfinjury.com/
http://www.suicide.org/teen-suicide-and-youth-suicide.html
http://www.al-anon.org/
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/get-help-today/

Well hello there, bloggers!

It sure has been a while. The last time I posted anything was in January, I believe. The start of this year...and it's already the end!
It's safe to say that 2009 went by WAY too fast! Many things have changed over the past 10 months, in so many ways. Most of them good, no worries! I've made a ton of new friends through work and church. I did a bunch of mini trips around Alberta and Saskatchewan with Brandon. I really think that it doesn't matter how far you go, being able to leave the city and experience something new is always a good thing! We went to his grandma's wedding (dad's side) and celebrated his other grandparents (mum's side) 50th anniversary! Most of this years good news has happened in the past couple of months, which is good, because I can remember details!
First, Brandon and I celebrated our first anniversary (of dating), which I think is really cool! Man, is he ever amazing! I know it's said that relationships take work, and I definitely agree...so why is this so easy? Haha. I guess it is only a year. It just seems like a long time to me, being a young'in and all! A year is a long time when you're only 19.
Talon, my youngest brother, turned 5 in September! His first day of ECS was this past August. It's Talon's first year or school, and Tyrin's last!(my second brother). Tyrin went to England again for his third time in June, as well as traveling across Canada playing soccer. He made it on to the provincial team, and later went on to win nationals! Ty will also be graduating this year. I'm very proud of both my brothers :)
In more recent news, one of my best friends, Ben King, recently got engaged! I feel terrible, because I was supposed to help him pick out the engagement ring, but our schedules didn't line up, and he did it without me. HOWEVER, he did decide he wasn't going to wait until Christmas like he said he would. Instead, he proposed two days after purchasing the ring, lol. So I didn't even get to see it first! But I am super blessed that they asked me to plan their wedding! Another thing that has happened this year! I've decided to wait to go to University for a little while, and so I'm going to be taking courses to be a wedding planner, and hopefully join an agency shortly. So I'm SO lucky that Ben and Felicia asked me to do this for them. This way, I have some what of a "portfolio" piece and some great experience!

All together, there weren't any life altering changes this year...but it was filled with friends and laughter and memories, for sure. I have a feeling 2010 will be a good year as well!

God Bless!

Tyrin and his group in Liverpool

Ty playing in England. Nice face, kiddo haha.

Ben and his awesome fiance, Felicia

Excellent pick, Ben.

Brandon's parents at his grandparents 50th anniversary

Joe (B's cousin), Grandma Darbison, and neighbor

Joe (cousin), Grandpa Darbison, Crystal (B's sister) and Tina (B's mum)

Switcharoo

Update:
I've decided I'm switching my African trip with My European trip. I want to be able to spend more than a few days in Egypt, so I'm going to just do my Northern African tours with the rest of Africa NEXT spring. European tour will depart last friday of August '09. Then Hawaii with daddy and Dawn for December. Another add-on...I'll be taking an extra two weeks for Ireland and Scotland with my buddy Mike. He wants to head to the isles...clearly to drink his face off for 13 days, but I'm personally excited to see my heritage lol. Thus, all these changes will push my Southern Asian visit until next summer. Everything will still happen! Just switchin the trips around. Just a quick tid-bit for those following the glamorous life and deepest inner workings of Alannah Hutchings, hahaha.

Counting down the days til Travel shopping,
xo Alannah

I believe this is the beginning of a beautiful...financial disaster?

Hey there friends,
There are several reasons I've decided to create an official blog this lovely, freezing January morning at 5:30 am. I suppose for one, it is actually a very good idea when I take in to consideration how easy this will make my travel logs, notes and updates. However, I'm probably over tired and thus anything spontaneous or grand in nature seems like a spectacular and plausible endeavour. I'll keep this 'introduction' if you will short, but as detailed as need-be.
After much thought as to where I see myself in years to come, along with my previous accomplishments and dreams for the future, I have decided to live out my dreams of travel. Much like many young people fresh out of school and eager to explore the world around them as well as themselves as individuals, I believe that there is much to be taught and taken in on my part. I truly believe that in order for me to know myself to the greatest extent of my ability, I must stretch myself beyond my mental, physical and geographical boundries. I am bound and determined to make the next couple years about more than mere photographs and site-seeing. It will be more than cultural exploration. It will be about exploring myself and testing my ability to push the envelope on my inner limitations regarding my confidence, compassion, maturity, mental/physical health and spirituality. After spending the past few months rather secluded (by choice, mind you) from most extra-curricular interactions, and taking the time to better know myself...I've come to realize that we really aren't good to anybody until we not only come to terms with, but honestly love ourselves. The greatest desire of my heart is to be the shoulder to cry on. To be the adviser. To be the person people can rely on to trust, to nurture them, and to love on them to the greatest of my ability until it hurts. I want to be the best mum I can be. I want to be the best wife I can be. I want to fulfill every God-given potential within me. And I believe that taking the time needed to truly explore and educate and love oneself is the best and only thing that will bring upon the ability to be that person not only for the people you love around you...but going so far as to reaching out to the nations. When acceptance and love and beauty can be found within, you become positively contageous to those around you.
And so I begin my journey. It's going to take me a long while to raise the funds for this. I'm hoping a small portion of the costs of these trips can be sponsored, as a couple of these will be missions. Here comes a second job, and a special dose of will-power. I think one of the greatest tests begins right here in Calgary. Having the self-discipline to save the money and plan as much as I can while still working on my schooling. I think prayers are in order! Please keep me in yours...it would be greatly appreciated.
Off to bed I go.

Sleepy but optimistic for things to come,

xo Alannah