Come on ride the train
I feel so so so so soooo good right now 0:-) [[But don't ask why I'm still up!!]]Last nite/this morning I danced for 12 straight hours [[not sitting down ONCE]] in the name of innovative research and treatment of Pediatric AIDS. It was for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and Camp Heartland. There were about 200 of us BU-ers dancin' the nite away in one of our gymnasiums, and I have to say it was one of the most amazing events I've been a part of. As an SMG class officer and NHMF coordinator, I've been a part of a lot of incredible life-altering events... but the precision and success in planning and pulling off this event was spectacular. There were inspirational posters and banners all over the gym that our moralers made for us dancers [[moralers sign up to cheer us on, 3 shifts of 4 hours each throughout the 12 hours]]. However, with all of the people there, it was so hard to find your moralers!! My moralers were non-existent the first 8 hours so I'm thankful that some of my favorite sigma chi boys were there and gave me candy, hugs, and dances! I'm proud to say that I didn't sit down once and DANCED MY ASS OFF in the name of a good cause!!
An 11-year old boy named Matthew spoke to all of us dancers before the event and I think he gave everyone in the room a new perspective on life. He was born with AIDS [[from his mother]] and he got up on stage with the microphone and just looked at us all and spoke from his heart. He wasn't afraid, shy, timid, or nervous in the least bit to be speaking to a room full of college kids. And what he said was 110% true... it's not fair to children born with AIDS that people don't know or care enough to know more about who they're sleeping with. We don't just have ourselves to think about. Tons of children like Matt are born infected with the disease, and I can't even begin to imagine what he goes through every day. Like the rest of us, Matt didn't get to chose his life, but he has to deal with the consequences of his parents' actions every day. I'm telling you, this child exuded more confidence and courage than I've ever seen of a person his age; yet, he's ridiculed by mindless peers everyday through words like "AIDS boy" when those kids have no idea what AIDS even is. He's intelligent enough to know that people like that don't matter. "Live how you want to live, because if you're living by what other people think and what other people do, what kind of life are you living" was Matthew's message. The most amazing thing is that here is an 11-year old boy standing infront of hundreds of college kids in a lecure hall that we're usually all sleeping in and all eyes are vividly glued to this child. He made everything about life seem so easy and care-free. Don't listen to people that don't matter. What good are they anyways? Have fun for yourself and because you deserve it. You determine who you are and who you want to be. I don't think that there was one person in the room that did not want to be more like this child. He has taken the cards that life has dealt him and he's chosen to reach out, educate, and touch other people's lives. He is aware of the difference he is making, and he knows how important awareness is. Plus, he's an amazing dancer!! He busted moves I've never seen! He stayed and danced with us, and we presented him and a representative from the EGPAF with a $50,000 check at 9 AM this morning when everything was over. This was the biggest charity event in BU history and we raised $5,000 more than BC. It was incredible.
He thanked us repeatedly for fundraising and dancing all night long in the name of Pediatric AIDS research and treatment. But that was after he explained that all of his life he's watched his best friends [[from camp]] and family members die of AIDS-related causes and it made me want to do so much more for this charity. He was truly appreciative for all of our work, and we did work hard, and it made me feel so good. I had such a great time participating. Me and Fio, Ivette and Jenna danced our butts off and I'm sitting here SO SORE AND EXHAUSTED!! But I get to go to bed and my aches and pains will go away with rest. Matthew's won't. For the remainder of my time at BU, and hopefully after I graduate, I plan on doing so much more. I encourage everyone to pick a charity and do the same thing. You can make a huge difference by being dedicated to a good cause, and you feel really good about yourself. There are so many charities and organizations that can use the help, so just do a little research. :)
I have an 8 AM lecture to give announcements at, so GOOD NIGHT <33
P.S. - Mine and Katie's posts about Tom Brady were April Fool's jokes and everyone we talked to fell for it :D It was really wishful thinking! My mom hung up the phone with me when I told her it was only an April Fool's joke! Hahaha!
Much Love,
als xo
An 11-year old boy named Matthew spoke to all of us dancers before the event and I think he gave everyone in the room a new perspective on life. He was born with AIDS [[from his mother]] and he got up on stage with the microphone and just looked at us all and spoke from his heart. He wasn't afraid, shy, timid, or nervous in the least bit to be speaking to a room full of college kids. And what he said was 110% true... it's not fair to children born with AIDS that people don't know or care enough to know more about who they're sleeping with. We don't just have ourselves to think about. Tons of children like Matt are born infected with the disease, and I can't even begin to imagine what he goes through every day. Like the rest of us, Matt didn't get to chose his life, but he has to deal with the consequences of his parents' actions every day. I'm telling you, this child exuded more confidence and courage than I've ever seen of a person his age; yet, he's ridiculed by mindless peers everyday through words like "AIDS boy" when those kids have no idea what AIDS even is. He's intelligent enough to know that people like that don't matter. "Live how you want to live, because if you're living by what other people think and what other people do, what kind of life are you living" was Matthew's message. The most amazing thing is that here is an 11-year old boy standing infront of hundreds of college kids in a lecure hall that we're usually all sleeping in and all eyes are vividly glued to this child. He made everything about life seem so easy and care-free. Don't listen to people that don't matter. What good are they anyways? Have fun for yourself and because you deserve it. You determine who you are and who you want to be. I don't think that there was one person in the room that did not want to be more like this child. He has taken the cards that life has dealt him and he's chosen to reach out, educate, and touch other people's lives. He is aware of the difference he is making, and he knows how important awareness is. Plus, he's an amazing dancer!! He busted moves I've never seen! He stayed and danced with us, and we presented him and a representative from the EGPAF with a $50,000 check at 9 AM this morning when everything was over. This was the biggest charity event in BU history and we raised $5,000 more than BC. It was incredible.
He thanked us repeatedly for fundraising and dancing all night long in the name of Pediatric AIDS research and treatment. But that was after he explained that all of his life he's watched his best friends [[from camp]] and family members die of AIDS-related causes and it made me want to do so much more for this charity. He was truly appreciative for all of our work, and we did work hard, and it made me feel so good. I had such a great time participating. Me and Fio, Ivette and Jenna danced our butts off and I'm sitting here SO SORE AND EXHAUSTED!! But I get to go to bed and my aches and pains will go away with rest. Matthew's won't. For the remainder of my time at BU, and hopefully after I graduate, I plan on doing so much more. I encourage everyone to pick a charity and do the same thing. You can make a huge difference by being dedicated to a good cause, and you feel really good about yourself. There are so many charities and organizations that can use the help, so just do a little research. :)
I have an 8 AM lecture to give announcements at, so GOOD NIGHT <33
P.S. - Mine and Katie's posts about Tom Brady were April Fool's jokes and everyone we talked to fell for it :D It was really wishful thinking! My mom hung up the phone with me when I told her it was only an April Fool's joke! Hahaha!
Much Love,
als xo