Hello everyone :)

Obviously, I've now hit the three star mark (YES! *pumps fist*). For that reason, today is a very good day.

But sadly, the Blender has really slowed down lately. When I first began here, there were interesting conversations, inspiring stories and it was a pretty fantastic place to be. Today, not so much.

I'm afraid the Blender will slow even more due to the recent departure of two of our most active stirrers. I'd hate to see such a brilliant forum go to waste because it has such potential, and fulfills its purpose entirely when being used correctly. So, I think from now I'll be doing my best to revive the Blender.

Though this is now a goal of mine, it is not the sole purpose of this blog. I'll be using this blog to keep you all updated on my activities related to STIR. I'm not very active, and not very productive- but I try.

So, for those who don't know me, my name is Bridget. I'm thirteen and am in Year Nine at school. I first became involved in STIR last year when I ran a 40hour Famine group, and I'll be doing the same this year. I'm a vegetarian atheist (I did used to be Christian, but I re-evaluated my reasons, ect. Things change.). Feel free to ask me about any of these things, I love a good debate :). I enjoy fair trade chocolate (milk or dark), drink lots of tea and literature is my secret passion. I'm a Scout and scouting is very dear to me, and I also like to sing and dance (though I lack much natural talent). /end self-blabber.

I really think that's all I hoped to cover. I'll try post again soon, but until then...

Be happy :),

Bridget

Hello everyone :),

I'm back! Today I mainly wanted to talk about something that I was involved in roughly a week ago.

Last Wednesday, Year 9-12 students were chosen to participate in a 'Youth Forum'. It was run by our council to get youth opinion and ideas. We were asked a lot of questions about how, as youth, we would improve the district and also on our opinion on a new council position- a "Youth Ambassador". These Youth Ambassadors would be aged 16-24 and be our district youth voice in the council.

Now initially when I heard the premise and general itinerary of the day, I was very, very excited. It seemed a way for youth to get involved. As the day began there were presentations from council members, and empowering speeches from youth and adults who did the Kokoda track and an Afghani refugee.

I thought it all looked pretty promising, and was looking forward to the part where we actually offered ideas and stuff. I was looking forward to being able to talk about making a difference in our district and talking about conservation, sustainability and education.

Sadly, this didn't happen. The most discussed topic was the lack of concerts in the area. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement.

We turned something that could have been remarkably productive and hard hitting into something that was about partying. Safe partying, but partying all the same.

We're supposed to be the voice of the future (and all that blather) but instead we focused on trivialities. I mean, I believe safe, fun events are important- but they were the only thing discussed, which I thought was off.

To all the council members that don't listen to youth, and think youth forums and youth ambassadors will be a waste of time and that nothing good will come out of it- I think they were proved right that day. I was hugely disheartened about the state of the people around me and what they think is important. And, the council will use this Youth Forum as a example- "Cost a lot of money, time and effort and some kids still put down 'make the olympics come to our district'" It makes youth look bad.

Also, I'm worried that if our council does instate the position 'Youth Ambassador', that it will be reduced to party thrower and not privy to the other elements of council such as the economic and environmental sections. I'm of the belief that this would be a horrific waste of a position, because it has the potential for great good.

This post is incredibly rambly, but I wanted to say something about this. What do you think? Have you had any experiences like this?

Anyway...

Be happy!

It really matters what sort of people attend; we had a lot of people only there for the free lunch and day off school. I'd love to hear how yours goes, be sure to tell me. I hope productive things happen :).

Tree planting day was a success, we planted about 300 trees in a local park. It even made the paper :).

Every year, our school runs 'Operation Christmas Child', a project organised by the Samaritans Purse. The basic idea is that you fill a shoebox up with toys and pencils and other things, and Samaritans Purse will send it off to a child living in poverty. Last year, approx 8 million boxes were given to children in need. It's a wonderful project, and it's a lot of fun to send one off. Last year I helped with the sorting of some of these boxes, and our school raised about 150. It is a lot of fun, so if a school/church near you runs it, join in :).

Why is there always like, 50 people on the website at any one time, and a new user everytime I log on- but nobody comments? I'm dying here, somebody say something!

Okay, FORTY HOUR FAMINE, HERE I COME!

I'm starting forty hour famine at nine o'clock, because it was more sensible to do it that way. So, in just half an hour I'll be giving up food and furniture. I'm really, really excited. So, what are you giving up?