There Are No Strangers, Just Human Beings We Haven’t Met Yet.

Last Thursday evening I had the pleasure of attending a “Girl’s Night Out” hosted by Hewlett Packard and I am so very glad that I attended.  Honestly, when I first received the invitation and saw it was on the westside of L.A. at 6:30 p.m. my first, immediate thought was oh hell no I’m not driving for 2 hours in traffic which was then immediately followed by a second thought of but wait, Tracey Clark invited me and and Jen Lemen is going to be there so how can I not go?  It was a no brainer. My camera and I were going. And it did not take 2 hours to get there.  It only took an hour and a half!

It was a small, intimate event with maybe 25 or 30 women that I had never met in person but most of us, if not all of us, are bloggers and I have no doubt that I probably have read or do read their blogs regularly.  We listened to Tracey give great tips on how to capture that perfect photograph for making your holiday cards along with a slideshow of her photography she showed as different examples.  You didn’t have to attend to learn about this.  She’s got a great series going right now over at Shutter Sisters entitled “Great Greetings” that you are more than welcome to be part of as well, so if you’re needing inspiration to make that great holiday card, this is perfect for you.

After Tracey’s presentation we were directed to different ‘stations’ where we could make different gifts and crafts for the holidays (or for anytime, really) using wonderful, free downloads provided by HP at HP’s Creative Studio.  They are free to everyone all of the time and I highly recommend you check it out.  We made ‘cookies in a jar’ gifts with great labels, gift tags, etc. that came from HP’s website.  Even I made one and if you knew me you would know that Martha Stewart I am not.  I’ve never been the crafty one, just the one who takes the pictures, but I was able to do these crafts.  They were simple and easy and took no time at all. My favorite thing to make though, because it involves photos and that’s right up my alley, is the Zen Garden Photo Matchbook.  This little booklet is the bomb! I’ve already made two at home and they will be mailed out at Christmas time instead of cards to some friends and family members.  If you’re a scrapbooker, there’s even stuff for you.  They have great scrapbooking papers, embellishments, etc. for you to download and print, too.  Looking for inspiration?  Feeling craft-challenged?  Then head over to HP!

 The night was fun and entertaining and we had the great pleasure of a private performance by Dana Parish.  This girl’s voice is amazing and her music and songs are absolutely beautiful and moving.  You really need to check this girl out.  Her music is available on iTunes and you can hear her music on her myspace page as well.  Got little girls and a great hubby?  Check out the song She Laughed. 

Even though the night was fun and entertaining, there was a purpose to the night as well.  If you are not familiar with Jen Lemen and her stories of her travels to Rwanda and giving, even in the smallest of ways, you really should.  Jen told us about how she came to meet Odette who is from Rwanda which ultimately led to Jen traveling to Rwanda to meet Odette’s children and family.  Jen said, “There are no strangers, just dear human beings we haven’t met yet”.  How awesomely true is that?!  I’ve always felt that way but Jen put it into words perfectly.  Everyone needs help now and then.  Some need a little help, some need a lot.  Isn’t it our job, really, to help out in whatever way can, no matter how big or small?  Keep this in mind this holiday season, but more importantly, keep this in mind all year long.  It doesn’t have to be just financial help, it can be any type of help at all.  Sometimes, just being there and listening is the best thing you can do to help someone.  There’s no way to give too little or too much.  Everything matters whether you know the person needing help or not because, like Jen said,

“There are no strangers, just dear human beings we haven’t met yet”.  

 And finally, thank you to Karen Cage of Hewlett Packard who put the whole evening together.  You rock!

Now go make a great day everyone!