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)