MY WALK FOR LUPUS

Men and women, young and old, all from different backgrounds came out to DeAnza Cove in Mission Bay, on Saturday for one purpose- to walk in search of a cure for lupus.

Although only a few hundred people showed up, amazingly the open vibe of love and support from volunteers and participants to people with lupus, it felt like a thousand people came out to support the cause.

The entertainment was great. People enjoyed music, food and two clowns who looked more like knock-off editions of Ronald McDonald, almost scary looking. The kids didn't want to bother with them, I guess someone figured everybody needs some humor in their lives.

For the most of the day the sun was hidden behind the gloomy clouds and the temperature stayed under 70 degrees. For the average person the cold weather could have called for a reschedule, but for lupus patients it was a picture perfect day. Mainly because the sun can take a beating on lupus patients. Most prefer not to be in the sun. Although sunblock helps, its better to avoid the sun much as possible.

People with lupus who participated in the walk were given purple butterflies, but everyone was given a sticker to put the name(s) of who they were walking for. Some people even had up to three names.

The walk began shortly after 10am. During the three mile scenery walkers had a clear site of ducks, people fishing, playing water sports and jogging.

For a person in good health, the three mile walk was a cool breeze, but for some lupus patients even half a mile was a struggle. Some people were so drained they immediately had to take a seat and cheer people on. The participants that made it to the finish line were greeted by a crowd of volunteers shouting cheers of praise.

The fundraising turned out to be a success as well. People who raised over $250 were awarded T-shirts and raffle tickets to win lavish prizes; Day spa for two worth $500, Free Boot camp trainer, Massages, gift bags, and dinner tickets.

One lucky winner received dinner for two, the day spa and a T-shirt.

Goes to show raising money for a good cause can pay off, in many ways.

The Lupus foundation raised over $40,000.

The next walk for Lupus will be held next month in Orange County.

PURPLE BUTTERFLIES

"BECAUSE NO ONE SHOULD GO THROUGH IT ALONE."

May is Lupus awareness month. This Year the annual walk for a cure will be held in San Deigo on May 9th at De Anza Cove in Mission Bay.

I have taken a great intrest in finding a cure. My sister, aunt, best friend, and boyfriend have lupus, and everyday is a struggle. A beautiful sunny, warm day, can be thier nightmare.

For some, it's even hard to get out of bed because the pain is so excruciating, but still their world should not have to stop.

Lupus is colorblind and is not sexiest.

I hope that you will help in finding a cure with support and love by spreading the word and/or joining the walk for a cure on May 9th.

We are trying to raise $100,000 that will go towards research, medicine and support those in need.

If you are interested in walking the walk, donating some funds-every cent counts, or if you just want to cheer people on, help out with set up's-every minute counts,

Please visit : lupus.org/walk

or contact:

Christi Rauth, National Walk Manager

Walk for Lupus Now

Lupus Foundation of America

Rauth@lupus.org

The Lupus Foundation of America is the nation's leading nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes of and a cure for lupus and providing support and services to all people affected by lupus.

AND THEN THERE WAS CUBA

In early April President Obama said to heck with it and eased up on all limits on the ability of individuals to visit and send money to relatives in Cuba.

Is it time for the United States to stop being stubborn in time of economic needs and allow trade embargo with Cuba?

DEATH IS NOT THAT SERIOUS

It amazes me that with all the concern and media coverage on the swine flu, people are still not taking it seriously.

I've heard some people blame it on the media for causing an over reaction, causing people to go into panic, and millions of dollars being lost in tourism.

Really, what needs to happen for people to take it seriously?

Footage of walking zombies?

Do we need all the schools in the nation to shut down before we can take it seriously?

Remember the friend I mentioned earlier who said they're still going to Mexico, regardless of the drug war they have going on-because they'll just stay close to the hotel, and who thinks the swine flu is a joke- if it was that serious the traveling company would have canceled the trip?

Yeah America my naive, I need government proof, if I'm going to die it will be in paradise friend is still heading to Cancun.

All I ask is that they in no way come back from Mexico and head towards Orange County, ever.

Some think its a joke, but truth is, you never know.

ITS BARBIE'S WORLD, WE JUST PLAY IN IT

We all love Barbie. How could you not America.

Although I wasn't much of a fan myself, playing around with a doll not my color, with a mansion bigger than my house, with a red Corvette....well, it just wasn't my style.

But now, I can totally see why people love the Bitch.

She's been a fashion icon since day one. Rocking the hottest fashion, owning house's bigger than my own, and every girl in America wanted to be just like her.

She was the first to wear a bathing suit, have a live in boyfriend and now she's a 50 year old woman who has a tattoo.

Yes, Barbie came to realise your only old as you feel and for her there's no slowing down.

Matell's latest invention of Barbie is styling. She comes with a set of stickers - flowers, butterflies- pink heart inserted Ken's and all that's pink. The stickers can be placed on Barbie wherever you like and Barbie even gives you a play gun for her Barbette's.

Of course its for children so its washable, so children can get really creative. It's actually a really good idea.

Now don't go flip out sweeties and protest Barbie. Yes, corporations are trying to make a quick buck,but were still in recession.

If your worried that Matell is sending the wrong message to young girls, that's your problem. Most young moms have slut marks hiddes somewhere already. So why not embrace them?

Besides, if your Barbette's already own a doll, you've already set her up for having low self esteem due to Barbies fake image. What woman do you know, who hasn't had plastic surgery, comes even close to looking curvy as Barbie?

I'll wait. Get the picture?

The tattoo's are press on and if you dislike the idea, don't buy it. It's that simple.

I think it's actually a good idea that Barbie recreates herself and is staying up with the times.

It also makes naive parents who continues to buy Kim a doll, inorder to make up for lost times, actually has to sit down and take the time to talk with their children about dressing a certain way,the nature of body art, and the importance of carrying themselves as ladies.

Thumbs up! We love you Barbie.

SWINE FLU HAS U.S. SINGING THE BLUES

I was chatting with a girlfriend about the Swine Flu and she was saying how she wasn't taking it serious.

I asked her " girl, did you get a mask?"

"Nope."

Why not, I said.

You know you live in little Mexico already.

"Girl, its not that serious. She said. Plus the virus is suppose to be so tiny it can leak through a mask."

I thought, that's the same attitude people had about catching HIV- it can't happen to me.

This morning watching MSNBC I was disgusted to learn the issue at hand isn't important enough to shut down U.S./Mexico borders, yet Mexico city is basically, shut down.

How dumb can we be?

I was talking to another friend of mine who's been planning a Mexico trip for labor day weekend.

Like I thought, he is still going.

I advised him to take his own bottle of Hennessy.

He will.

People, wake up, get a clue.

Stay your ass out of Mexico, get a damn mask, cover your mouth, wash your hands.

Sadly, the swine flu has already hit our backyards. Maybe it is too late.

Maybe the world is finally coming to an end, and the only solution is to get right with God, Buddha, or whoever you believe in.

The world cant go on forever but who would have thought our carelessness would come to this.

H.I.V. WHERE DO YOU STAND?

HIV is a epidemic that can be controlled by people who are sexually active.

How?By continuing to practice safe sex, not only are you protecting your partner but your love ones who will suffer with you if found HIV positive.

Play it smart. Your not laying down alone.

No longer is it just taboo. HIV is the gift that keeps on giving, if your not tested.

Don't let one mistake hold you back from saving another person's life.

Get tested, its easy, quick and confidential.

No one will know.

Until next time America, wrap it up.