Day 20 - P2P Journey Through the South Pacific

Travel Day!!!! I had such a fantastic travel with People to People. I am so happy that I can now share my experiences with family and friends back at home. I ready to sleep in my own bed and eat home cooked meals. I miss home so much. Thank you mom for letting me go to Fiji, New Zealand, and Australia this summer! Love you bunches.

Day 19 - P2P Journey Through the South Pacific

Today is the last day of the entire Journey Through the South Pacific trip. I am so sad. I want to go home but I still want to stay longer in Australia. The best part of the day was taking a picture with a koala and feeding a joey. I also enjoyed playing in the mud. Crab hunting was very exciting. I got to hold a baby puffer fish and a de-barbed sting ray.

Day 17 - P2P Journey Through the South Pacific

No, I did not the touch the butt.  :(  I just kept on swimming, swimming, swimming.  [Finding Nemo reference]

The day is the best day out of the entire Journey Through the South Pacific trip because I got to swim in the precious waters of the Great Barrier Reef!!!  \(^-^)/ Woot Woot! The water was clear as ice and thankfully tolerable enough to swim. I dislike cold water. There were schools of fish and the coral was very lively. The best part was just being able to realize I was actually swimming in one of the great wonders of the world! Now I can check off swimming in the Great Barrier Reef off my list. I want go back again someday because I did not see Nemo. So now I am adding to my bucket list is to see Nemo while snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.

Day 13 - P2P Journey Through the South Pacific

Goodday mate! We finally landed in Sydney, Australia! The first thing that came to my mind was kangaroos. Yes, I have been waiting all of my life to see a kangaroo up close. Unfortunately we were not able to find one. It is okay because there are still seven more days left of the trip. The first site we did take pictures of was of course the lovely, sophisticated Sydney Opera House. I took so many pictures of me standing by the Sydney Opera House and of course selfies. Lol. It was magnificent. By the afternoon my knees were all dirty because I learned how to play rugby and Australian football. Dinner was the most interesting since I ate kangaroo for the first time! It was so delicious I ate all of it! It is nothing like steak or chicken. It has a distinct taste that I cannot describe; the texture is gamy so watch out. If you really want to know how good kangaroo tastes you should visit Australia! For the rest of the night we shopped for souvenirs at Darling Harbor.

Day 11 - P2P Journey Through the South Pacific

FULL ON New Zealand!!! This morning started not so well but by the end of the day the morning seemed to be a breeze. Today I learned three things: Make it happen, stay positive, and if I do my best than I can accomplish any goal. Today I attempted the Ladder Obstacle and Leap of Faith. My favorite out the two courses was the Leap of Faith because I challenged myself by facing my fear of heights and I won! My fear did not shut me down. I am disappointed that I was only able to reach the top of a 20 foot wooden pole and not be able to jump and leap for the trapeze. There is always a next time. (^-^) I am proud that I even attempted the Leap of Faith. I remember telling myself the entire climb that "I can make it"! As I realized how fast I was climbing I imagined the famous scene of Mulan climbing up with a gold medal and making it to the top to show she is a warrior. By applying the skills I learned during the pep talk before made me have the determination for overcome my fear of heights. The saying: "You can achieve any goal if you put full effort" is true because today I proved to myself that I can succeed.

Day 10 - P2P Journey Through the South Pacific

Today I had fun louge riding and site seeing Waimungu Thermal Valley. The scenery was spectacular.  The best part of the tour was the rain! It poured the entire time. While walking by the scalding guizers and looking up at the tall, thick trees I felt like a dinosaur for a couple of seconds. Oh the days of watching Land Before Time.

Day 8 - P2P Journey Through the South Pacific

Home stay!!! For three days I had a great time with my home stay family. The McDuff's were very humorous and friendly.  I learned some Kiwi sayings such as "togs", "bench", and "rubbish bin", and I must not forget... "chips". There were many times that seemed awkward to both me and Jessica because we were assigned to a household full of  boys. The oldest was 15 years old, the middle child is 14 yrs. old, and the youngest is 11 years old. I loved feeding apples and carrots to the cows they are raising. Cows are so cute. On the first day my family took Jessica and I to a geothermal pool in Meranda and ate lunch at the beach. It was so much fun! At lunch we ate fish&chips and drank L.P. soda. I have to say that I do not like the taste of L.P. soda. It has the taste of lemonade and ginger ale and I don't really drink soda often anyways. I liked hanging out at the beach because Odallis, Michelle, Bekah, and Nicole were all there too. It gave Jessica and I a little break from the boys. By the late afternoon Mr. McDuff brought all of the family to a geothermal swimming pool in Meranda while Mrs. McDuff started dinner. I could not believe how hot the pool was, it was steaming, literally scalding hot! I had fun swimming and talking to Odallis, Michelle, and Nicole again. The last night there was fun because the we all got to play cards and listen to music together. I had a fantastic home stay.

Day 7 - P2P Journey Through the South Pacific

Kia Ora! That means welcome in Maori. We finally landed in New Zealand yesterday. I love the rain here because it smells pure. I do not smell chemicals and gasoline! Definitely not in Las Vegas anymore. Haha LOL. Last night was amazing because I got to stay at a Marae. I enjoyed the welcoming ceremony.  My favorite part was watching the haka and performing "Happy" by Pharell Williams. The food was very delicious too. There was meat, potatoes, and gravy! Yummm.....gravy. The morning was fantastic. The pipping, hot Milo hot chocolate was to die for. Sipping the rich chocolate and feeling the cool breeze from outside the dining area was perfect. I love winter in July! The rest of the day was searching for Hobbits. He he he. We went on a tour of Hobbiton!  It was cool to dine in the Green Dragon for lunch. I am not a fan of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings series, but is was still awesome to see the set. I did not know that the background of the famous movies were filmed at a farm. From all directions I could see a sheep grazing! I just love sheep. They are so fluffy!!!

Day 4 - P2P Journey Through the South Pacific

Did you know that I am a tree hugger? Bright and early this morning my delegation and I walked up the steep Sigatoka Sand Dunes. Of course today had to be the hottest day so far of the Fiji trip. No problem for me. Did I sweat a lot... yes, but it was worth while trudging through the deep, hot sand.   It was fun because I got use to sweating and in the end we ended up on the beach. That is quite a present don't you think. After the beach we walked back into the forest and made a beautiful tree hugger. What? I learned that the origin of "tree hugger" originated from the time period of James Hook travels of Fiji. While Fijian men protected the woman and tribes from the white settlers the woman tried to protect the land too. Women would protest and try to protect the native trees by holding hands around a tree. Unfortunately many woman were cut down with the trees. In their honor my delegation and I planted native trees and created the first tree hugger of the People to People 2014 Fiji trip. Planting the a young tree and decorating a tree hugger I found out that I am a tree hugger too. While decorating the tree hugger I put myself in their shoes. If upon an attack I would definitely do anything to save the people I love and care about just like the women who bravely risked their lives. I am a tree hugger because I care about the Earth and people. I believe I am alive today because I am suppose to share peace and love.

Day 3 - P2P Journey Through the South Pacific

Today we visited a village around Nadi, Fiji. It was a great experience. Our tour guide was Abi. He was funny and very welcoming. This morning was the first time I ever had kava! Yes, if you ever heard it tastes bitter, you are correct. The taste of kava is very unique by having a smooth texture yet the taste and look of muddy water. The after affect was miraculous, I felt like I was sitting on top of cloud. Everything seemed calm. I liked the welcome ceremony very much and would like to go back to the village again. Everyone in the village was happy to see us. Bula! was shouted out everywhere we went. I am glad the elementary school we visited liked our donations. The children were so humble and cute. Before we left they sang us a song that made me want to cry. Visiting the village made me appreciate what I have. The fact that the children were ecstatic to receive our donations was very touching. The most beautiful part of the day was seeing a waterfall.  I have seen a waterfall in the past, but today was different. I had the opportunity to actually jump off the waterfall. I tuck my hands and knees while I splashed into the brisk, refreshing water. It was a thrilling experience for sure.

Day 1 - P2P Journey Through the South Pacific

Finally landed in Fiji!!! Woot woot. Bula everyone! My friends and I are so exhausted from the 17 hr. plane trip, but our energy levels are still up to 100%. Today we ventured to the Kula Bird Eco Park. We got to take lots of pictures of the expressive and multi-colored native birds. My favorite part of the tour was walking across the swaying bridge! I was wobbling the entire time, such clumsy me. We arrived at the Warwick Fiji Resort and Spa later in the day. The hotel is so beautiful. I love watching the waves ripple up against the sand. The water ranges from a deep, royal blue to a nice clear turquoise color. Fiji is definitely paradise.

P2P Journey Through the South Pacific Travel Day!!!!!

I am so excited to finally travel across the world on my first People to People trip. I am healthy and my luggage is all packed. I am ready to leave America!!!!!

What Stays in Vegas . . . isn’t me! Au Revoir! Ciao! Avtio!

Fundraising for my trip to Europe
with People to People &
Sending Care Packages to Marines in Afghanistan

I was recently accepted to the People to People Student Ambassador Program. For 20 days this summer, I will travel with a delegation of Student Ambassadors and teacher leaders, to France, Italy and Greece. Our itinerary includes sites such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumphe, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Sistine Chapel, and gondola rides though Venice. We will meet with local dignitaries and students in the countries we visit and complete a community service project.

About the People to People Program:

People to People was founded by President Eisenhower in 1956. It was his belief that if young people are given the opportunity to experience different cultures and gain an international perspective, they will in turn promote world peace. http://bit.ly/ztOQos

Why you should back my project:

This trip will be an incredible adventure, and equally expensive. I want to raise enough money to pay for part of my trip and for spending money. To show my appreciation for your generosity, I will send a care package to a United States Marine stationed in Afghanistan for every pledge of $20 or more that is made to my European Odyssey campaign.

• For a $10 pledge, I will send you a postcard from one of the fabulous places I visit.
• For every $20 pledge, I will send you a postcard and send a care package.
• For every $40 pledge, I will send you a postcard, send a care package and 1 dozen homemade cookies.

CNN Year in Review: Food Safety

According to an old adage, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But for egg eaters across the United States, breakfast briefly became potentially deadly.

In August, an outbreak of salmonella poisoning spurred a recall of more than 500 million eggs from producers across the country, and was eventually traced back to two sources - Wright County Egg Co. of Galt, Iowa, and Hillandale Farms of New Hampton, Iowa. Inspection reports released by the Food and Drug Administration indicated that neither company adhered to its salmonella prevention plans.

Click here to see the entire post by Kat Kinsman - Eatocracy managing editor

Food Safety Bill on Senate Floor (again)

The final push in the Senate for the Food Safety Modernization Act.
(Look, I'm on the Senate floor!)

Senator Coburn was a Victim of Foodborne Illness?

Senator Coburn says he had foodborne illness for 30 days straight.  Really?!?  He is lucky he survived!  5,000 people every year aren't that lucky. 

He also said: "we have never had a food supplier in this country that has not recalled when asked to recall" . 

Not true!  When the PCA (peanut butter) outbreak happened, Westco Fruit and Nuts, Inc. refused to recall trail mix that had PCA peanuts in it. 

The Senate ALMOST Voted on S.510

Last week Senator Reid tried to have the Senate vote on S.510.   Then, Senator Coburn objected.

In The Public Interest : Food Safety Delays Make Us Sick

I met Elizabeth Hitchcock, a public health advocate with U.S. PIRG, last week in Washington, D.C. at the CSPI press conference. Ms. Hitchcock, I enjoyed meeting and speaking with you, thank you for your commitment to food safety!

Read her blog post here.

Advocates Demand Action on Food Safety

Click here for related print article on CNN.

Trip No. 4 to Washington, DC!

This week I made my fourth trip to Washington, D.C. in support of food safety legislation.



Margaret Quinn, Randy Napier, Ami Ghadia, Jeff Almer & me



Sandy Eskin, Pew Charitable Trusts



I spoke at CSPI's press conference at the National Press Club



Interview with Voice for America
(Link to the article)

Doing my homework before meetings

Another Push for Food Safety (article on Politco.com)

America's Obsession with Food

By Kathleen Chrismer

Over the past decade, food has become a central theme in entertainment. Television channels and programs are dedicated solely to food preparation, popular chefs, cooking contests, or the latest fad in restaurants. With coverage like this, our standard three meals a day almost resemble an obsession. If you have an idea for a television show that involves food, you will likely find an audience for it. That is, unless you are talking about food safety.

In 2006 my daughter Rylee got sick and almost lost her life from eating E. coli contaminated spinach. Since then I pay close attention to the items we buy, how we handle food and prepare our meals, and watch food recalls closely. Over the past eighteen months my family, together with Safe Tables Our Priority (S.T.O.P.), victims of foodborne illness and their families have been urging Congress to pass stronger food safety legislation to update laws that were enacted over 75 years ago – long before the globalization of our food supply.

Earlier this year, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and media-mogul Ryan Seacrest, launched the television series Food Revolution. The show brought residents of a West Virginian town into our homes once a week to share their struggles with obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Chef Oliver attempted to show them the rewards of cooking and good nutrition. His message: “This food revolution is about saving America’s health by changing the way you eat. . . . Switching from processed to fresh food will not only make you feel better but it will add years to your life.”[1] Just a few days ago, Food Revolution won an Emmy award for Outstanding Reality Program.

While the celebrity chef and producer deserve acknowledgment for raising public awareness of good nutrition, the show missed an opportunity to further educate the public and completely ignored the issue of food safety. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the foods most commonly associated with foodborne illness are the those you would consider healthy: fresh produce and fruits, meat and poultry, eggs, and shellfish. At the time the Food Revolution team accepted their award, over half a billion eggs had been recalled due to salmonella contamination and sickened at least 1,300 people.

Here’s the good news: There is legislation that will move the focus to prevention of foodborne illness rather than reaction to it. The Food Safety Modernization Act (S. 510), will update the United States’ antiquated food safety system by giving the FDA mandatory recall authority, increase inspections of food processing facilities, require science based testing and reporting of pathogens for high risk products, and require imported foods to meet U.S. safety standards.

The bad news: Time is running out. This bill will not become law and will not do any of these things if the Senate doesn’t vote on it soon.

Hollywood, if you’re listening and really want to make an impact on the viewing public, help us make America aware of the need for healthy and (equally important) safe foods. We all need to eat and shouldn’t worry that in our quest for good nutrition, we may actually eat something that kills us.

To take action, visit http://bit.ly/aaU2cS and tell the White House it is time to pass strong FDA legislation now!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1]“Message From Jamie”, http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution JamieOliver.com, August 2010.

Also posted on Mom's Rising

Letter to the President

Nevadans Want Safe Food!

The vast majority of Nevada voters - 82 percent - support Congress passing legislation that would improve the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) oversight of the nation's food supply, according to a new bipartisan poll commissioned by the Pew Health Group and conducted by Hart Research Associates and Public Opinion Strategies.

Hart Research Associates

(Report Summary at http://www.makeourfoodsafe.org/pages?id=0018)

 With Congresswoman Dina Titus at the
press conference release of Nevada poll results

With our good friend and awesome food safety advocate

Chef Keith Norman

This is for the victims that weren't as lucky as me

Tressa's Story

Video on NBC about  risks of foodborne illness.  Tressa and her children got sick from Listeria ten years ago, we met her in Washington, DC last year. 
http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Food-Borne_Illnesses_Sicken_Thousands_Each_Year_Washington_DC.html

Another Recall of Leafy Greens

This time it is e. coli O154 (not as common as O157:H7, but just as dangerous). This afternoon, my mom was on a conference call hosted by Senator Reid with blogger mom's. She told him about this recall and how important it is to the food safety bill passed.

http://www.freshwayfoods.com/about/press/20100506.php

Recall of Product Made in Las Vegas!

We need to get the food safety bill passed so companies like the one in Las Vegas can't keep shipping contaminated products. Don't these companies know they will get caught eventually. Is the profit they made worth it? Now they will probably have to close the plant down and have caused other manufacturers to recall their products too. This is UNACCEPTABLE!

Make Our Food Safe Lobby Day - March 4, 2010

Another trip to Washington, DC.  Even though it was good to see all my friends from S.T.O.P. and meeting new members, I wish that the Senate would speed up the vote on S510 (Food Safety Modernization Act) because there have been so many recalls lately.  It was kind of sad to realize that the reason we were all together is because we had been sickened by contaminated food.  

I went to the Nevada constituent breakfast and gave Senator Reid and Senator Ensign posters, signed by my classmates and teachers, asking for their support of food safety legislation .  Then I spoke legislative aides and advisors to Sen. Reid, Sen. Ensign, Rep. Waxman, Rep. Dingell, and Rep. Engel  about my experience with food borne illness.  I hope this bill gets signed soon!

Me & Dana

Margo, Margaret, Dana & Me

Me & Gail

Me & Senator Harkin (IA)

Senator Ensign, Me & Senator Reid

Me interviewing Tino Cuellar

(Mr. Cuellar is Special Assistant to the President for Justice & Regulatory Policy)

State of the Union Address 2010

The Make Our Food Safe Coalition and Safe Tables Our Priority asked us to host a State of the Union Address gathering. We hoped that the President would talk about food safety, but he didn't. Oh well, maybe next time.

Me on the CBS Evening News!

Watch CBS News Videos Online




Watch CBS News Videos Online

Lobby Day in Washington, DC - October 2009

Blog video from the Make Our Food Safe Coalition lobby day.  We went back to Washington, DC to encourage Congress to pass food safety legislation.

More Progress in Food Safety

Please watch this video that talks about changes in the FDA. You might think that the video is boring, but it is so very important. While you are watching, think about how important these issues are to you, your family and our nation.

The work is not done, there is still legislation that needs to be passed in the House and Senate.

Killer Cookies!

Today I was looking on the CNN webpage and was cruising around checking what was in the news, and I saw an article about contaminated cookie dough made by Nestle. Okay, isn't Nestle THE cookie company, the ones who pretty much invented the chocolate chip cookie?

It seems that Nestle is doing the right thing by not selling the product. Sadly, about 200 people will be layed off because the factory isn't making the cookie dough for now. If there were better food safety rules, then maybe the cookie dough wouldn't have gotten contaminated, and the company would still be producing and not loosing money. Even more important is the fact that with better food safety rules and procedures, there wouldn't be 70 people sick right now.

Even though eating raw cookie dough is so yummy, be sure to cook it completely so if there is any bad stuff in it, the heat will kill it. Besides, cookies that are warm and gooey are way better than cold dough!

Swimming week

This week and the next week I will be taking swimming lessons instead of tennnis lessons. These past few days I have learned alot, and at the end of the day my legs get sore and achey and I just want to pass out on my bead and go to sleep. I've been working on are freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly. My favorite ones so far is the breaststroke and freestyle. I like these two strokes because they give you alot of power and they are the most common strokes I use to swim.

First week of summer vacation!

What are you doing this summer?

This week I'm going to tennis camp. So far it's been really fun, but kind of challenging too since I've never played tennis before. I have made some new friends and we hang out at the pool after our lessons are finished.

My dad (Curtis) is coming to visit me this weekend, I'm so excited to see him!

What I liked best about Washington, D.C.

While I was in Washington, D.C. I met a lot of people that had been affected by foodborne illness, like e. coli, salmonella and Hepatits A. I also met people from S.T.O.P (Safe Tables Our Priority), Pew Charitable Trust and Consumers Union, who are working really hard to get a law passed that will hopefully prevent more people from getting sick.

I got to go to Capitol Hill and meet with Senator Harry Reid and Ann Wright in his office, Jennifer Pineda in Senator John Ensign's office and Amanda Cott in Congresswoman Dina Titus's office. I told them about how I got sick from eating spinach contaminated with e. coli and asked them to support food safety bills H.R. 875 or S.B. 510.

I also did a lot of sightseeing with my mom and dad. We went to the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Wall, Air & Space Museum, National Archives, Library of Congress, White House, Museum of the American Indian, Natural History Museum and Freer Art Gallery. But of all the things we did my favorite was going into the Senate Wing of the U.S. Capitol and seeing the Brumidi Corridors...oh yeah, and riding the Metro all over the city.

My Capitol Hill Video Journal

From www.makeourfoodsafe.org

Washington, D.C.

I am going to Washington, D.C. with Safe Tables Our Priorty (S.T.O.P.) to speak to the United States Congress about my experience with E. coli. I hope our representatives will see that we need better laws in place so the food we eat is safe.

Here is a video of my interview with Channel 3 News that aired today at 5:00 p.m. in Las Vegas:



This version aired at 6:00 p.m.:

This is me at Sea Life Park in Hawaii with Kekaimalu (she's a wolphin). My birthday gift from Uncle Timmy was swimming with the dolphins, he's the best!