Monday, March 28, 2011

A Message From B To You:


Hey BASHites,

            It’s me, B. I just wanted to take a moment to catch up with all of you. I know we’ve been promising to blog more but with Spring Break and tests we haven’t really had the chance. However, this week has just been SO cool that I had to take a moment to share it with all of you.  As you know, The BASH tries to promote teens getting involved and using their voice to make a difference in the world by sharing causes they are passionate about to raise awareness to them and to help fix those issues. While we normally use the blog and inboxes to highlight a specific BASH project, I’d like to take this time to share with you something I am doing to spread the message of The BASH Organization. This week, I have had the opportunity to learn about global issues, cultural practices and peace alongside the most remarkable teens in the world.
I’m currently representing the United States at the “Just Peace Summit” run by Three Dot Dash and The We Are Family Foundation in New York. By basing our summit on the words of Mattie J.T. Stepaneck, a revolutionary teenage peacemaker and advocate of youth advocacy, we are all learning about how to inspire peace through our own actions and projects. We have learned that peace, while complex and seemingly unrealistic, is possible if we start with ourselves. It’s been such an incredible experience getting to know the fellow 2011 GTLs (Global Teen Leaders) and how they, despite all of their cultural challenges, maintain peace in their hearts and countries by organizing diverse projects to better the world. More importantly, our peace exploration provides us the opportunity to hear about customs and viewpoints from teens in their countries and increase our global awareness and understanding about teens around the world. While we have learned so many things, like hearing Paul Brandus, from The White House Press Corps, speak about maximizing twitter marketing opportunities, to hearing Pamela Newkirk encourage us to take to online recourses to report responsible journalism, meeting my fellow GTLs has been the most rewarding and memorable part of my experience at the summit thus far. The 2011 GTLs have taught me that while different people develop their own interpretations about the world and respond to the same life challenges in different ways, there is a common thread in each and everyone of us that makes us all relatable and of use to one another.   
So, here is my BASH Challenge for all of you--- Tweet us @thebashorg and tell us about your interesting family customs and read everyone elses’ responses so you can take part in the cultural journey with me.
           

                                                Happy Spring Break! Xx, B

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Guess Where We Are Headed To Day?

We're off to a spot where the city defines its name
A place to discuss camping
and lots of therapy games
It also happens to be a place we are revamping
Where kids get to exclaim
"I'm Better!"


Don't have a clue? 
Check back and find out!