Around Town: Time to Myself with My Friends

Being a mascot is very busy work. You have to go to all of these important events, participate in projects, pose for photographs, be on t-shirts, flyers, and letterheads...and you have to do it all without breaking a sweat!

There are times, however, that I get a moment to myself. I like to chill out, listen to some music (what kind of music...well, that depends on my mood), and enjoy a cup of tea.

Lately, I've been going to visit Cafe Valentino's with Danica on Saturdays. It's got a very vibrant, community atmosphere, but it's also a nice place to relax and unwind. The owners love to get to know their customers one-on-one and are always busy at work behind the counter or setting up a new carafe of coffee.

Personally, I like the iced green tea. I find it very refreshing and it goes well with my breakfast - I usually get the banana nut bread and have some cream cheese on it...

Oh dear, now I'm making myself hungry.

Anyway, you know me, I'm all about supporting our local businesses. They're what make our communities unique!

Do you have a favorite, unique place in your community? Tell us about it! Maybe I'll have to stop by and visit it for myself...

- Jojo

Some Thoughts on Haiti

I get really worried in situations like this; not just for the victims of natural disasters like these, but more that the overwhelming response will eventually fade away and become forgotten.

It's really easy to jump on the bandwagon when things are at their peak! Haiti really needs supplies and relief now, and the donations have been pouring in all over the world!

...but in one year, or two or three or more, the people of Haiti are still going to need help. Can we promise to remember them - and all the other people of the world - in that time? Will we promise to keep donating to causes like Doctors Without Borders and the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity, even when those organizations aren't in the news?

Everyone I have spoken to about these current events have very loving, very giving hearts. Let's keep that love and selflessness going whenever and wherever we are able for a lifetime.


- Jojo

Wow!

I was SO impressed about our first meeting! It was pouring rain, but we still had people driving out to be there. I don't know how we crammed a dozen bodies into a tiny corner in Starbuck's. We may have to start looking for new meeting digs!

I heard some great ideas, though! Ways to help out Haiti, plans for our "big" project of the year...you can hear all about it if you're signed up to receive the JUJU NEWS - our weekly newsletter sent straight to your email.

What I REALLY like is that we're going to start using the website for everything, including RSVPing for meetings. That sounds like it's going to make it SUPER easy to organize.

Go check it out! If you haven't been there already, it's http://www.havegoodjuju.org/. It's still "in progress," I guess, but all the information you need is up there.

Can't wait 'til our next meeting...better, our first project!


- Jojo

Welcome Back!

I hope that everyone had a lovely holiday.

Today, I'm excited because we're finally going to be having our Good Juju meetings again. People are so busy around the holiday season that we all take a break from the volunteer group to relax. It's a lot of work to volunteer! But now that everyone is refreshed, it's going to be great jumping back into good works.

There are a few ideas me and my friends had about some volunteer projects we can do: Free Stress Relief (involving bubble wrap) and maybe a little multicultural spring festival!

I even heard that we already have our new Relay for Life team captain for this year...I don't want to give anything away, but it will be our first "guy" captain and he's already got a bunch of awesome, creative ideas up his sleeve! :-)

So, I'll be at Starbucks (you know, the one on the corner of Sycamore and Cochran) at the first Good Juju meeting of the year. That's on January 17th from 4-5pm. I'll probably order an iced green tea with lemon...I think green is my favorite color.

See you there!

- Jojo

My Past Travels

Thanks to my Jujubee friends, I have actually been quite far around the world already! And, of course, there is plenty to see in my home state of California.

Here are a few photos from some of my past travels.

This is my friend Jessi. She was the first person to take me out on a little trip. She, Matt and I went to Chinatown in Southern California while researching some possible themes for our Relay for Life! We had great fun - we even ran into this big dragon! Yikes!

Here I am up in the Bay Area! This is Union Square in San Francisco. It's a great place to visit because you're surrounded by a million different cultural influences. Not to mention that the shopping is great. That day I also got to see Alcatraz, Pier 39, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Unfortunately, my camera was out of batteries by the time I got to these places...so I will have to go back one day and get some more great photos!

This is my first international trip! Here I am in Australia, across the bay from the Sydney Opera House. There's the bridge in the background too. I walked around Sydney all day on this trip and saw some really awesome sights like this. I tried a vegemite sandwich, but it just isn't my thing...too salty!

Well, there you have it! I wonder where I'll go next!

- Jojo

October 2009: India

This past autumn I took a trip to India with Jujubee Devika. It was beautiful and the food was simply amazing! Devika took great care of me and even took me bangle shopping.

Just one more country to check off my list! I am well on my way to spreading the Good Juju all over the world. If anyone is planning on traveling somewhere soon, please feel free to take me with you! I promise I don't make a mess, I don't eat much, and - though I have difficulty walking by myself sometimes - I'm pretty darn light to carry around.

- Jojo