7 Billion!

It just took us 12 years to go from 6 to 7 billion people.
This is just insane, considering that our known resources and current technology only allow for about 10 billion, which is expected around the year 2050, according to this infographic: "Population of the Dead"

Breaking Habits

About two weeks ago, I bought a Samsung Galaxy Tab. Not the newest one, which I cannot afford that easily but also because I like the original much better.
So, I know for myself that I did not bought this particular gadget because of a hype or a trend or something. But I would have bought some gadget for sure, even if I may not necessarily need it... and that's the worst part!
Our habits, especially concerning comsumption and convenience, are what will drive this world to an early end... and I'm part of reason, so is everyone of us.
The consumer's responsibility is obvious. But on the other hand, many gagdets and computer or all other electronics just won't last too long. That for itself generates enough demand for new products which the industry hopes for in order to increase the profit and all that stuff that comes with the money. And that's the main point: it's not about making money anymore...  it's about making even more money while employees of independent contracters hardly gain enough money to feed a family.
And I'm saying all this being fully aware of how fast technology gets obsolete these days. But then again: if we're all would be honest about it, we hardly need most of the stuff we buy so frequently, at least not with such little time in between.
Let's just try a bit harder and break a few habit for good!

Communicating (with a Handicap)

I was helping out in my parents' bakery the other day when a customer came in and pointed to a certain type of bread role and raised three fingers with the other hand. I then asked "Three pieces of this one?"
But then I realized that I would not get an answer... this particular customer was deaf-mute. I suddenly felt so guilty not being able to grasp her handicap, even worse: I would continue to talk to her even though I was fully aware of it by now... that just shows me how stupid normal  people actually can be, not being able to adapt to individual needs and even being overstrained with the situation.
I just think that this could teach all of us how lucky we are and that we should appreciate the simple things in life.

What's actually worse is when people without such a handicap are just not able to communicate with each other... be it due to a lack of interest or just the lack of social skills. This might be the cause for most of our problems concerning our extended family, our circle of friends and our coworkers as well, and maybe even  greater society.
Maybe I'm not even making sense...

Ramadan

Today is the first day of Ramadan, which means that millions of people all over the world will refrain not only from any food or water, but from any worldly pleasure, too. That makes it pretty much like Lent. But it's not only about starving oneself or about any perverted pleasure of torturing oneself like that. It's about raising awareness for how lucky we actually are, for how spoiled we are considering how much time we spend whining. And especially when we think about the endless people worldwide living through a horrible situation just like in east Africa.
I'll be honest: I feel like starving now and I don't like it. I love food and I often eat quite something.
And even though I could eat a whole cow, knowing that I will end up eating in the evening makes so much more bearable.
BUT: What about people who just don't know? What about all the people who do not even have a proper meal to complain about? Muslim or not, Ramadan or Lent or whatever, we all should consider ourselves a bit more lucky. But more importantly: We all should help others feeling lucky, too.
Happy Ramadan.

Donation

I'm a potential organ donor. I carry the card allowing the removal of my organs in the case of my death with me every day. Oddly, I received a lot of criticism for it. The reason for this is mistrust and mostly everyone is mistrusted.
Especially aid organisations. These certain people always claim to be willing to donate in order to help the needy, the victims of natural catastrophes in particular. But that's mostly it, just that. No real donation happens, nothing more than sympathy is the result. And they justify this by questioning how much of their donation actually goes to the needy, which is a totally understandable concern.
BUT: By not donating at all, the needy eventually won't receive any help. So even if only 1% of your donation is actually donated, you will have made a difference!
That's why I beg you to help the people of Africa, living through a horrible famine these days.

Picture taken by Colin Crowley for Ssave the Children

Save the Children - Umi's Recovery

Thanks for reading this. I hope it helped you to do the right thing.

Prejudice

Since I'm part of an ethnic AND religious minority, I'm fully aware of how wrong prejudices are. Often I can understand what causes such thinking and sometimes I won't even blame people thinking that way.
BUT: What on earth causes justifies me, a victim of prejudice myself, to have prejudices against others???
That's just not right, it's plain wrong.
I realized it last week. I was about to buy a second hand tablet-pc and I got in touch with one German engineer (I know that from his automatic e-mail signature) and one rather young Russian with a barely any complete sentence and a rather heavy accent on the phone. Even though the price was the same for both, both objects had some pros and some cons for them (be it accessories or the location where to pick it up), I still refused to call the Russian a second time... only for my damn prejudices!
This is just wrong. And that's why I'll call him now.

Trench Work

Turks are often to be found doing the hard manual labor which is physically exhausting and mostly not too healthy. Reason for this is partly the lag of some major education. But that would apply for many Germans too and you still won't see as many of them doing that kind of work.
It's not that Turks are that dilligent and that Germans are the lazy ones (the degree of education would look much different then), but one thing is for sure: Turks are often not only responsible for themselves but for their family as well. That alone forces them to earn some money somehow. In addition to that they just do whatever needs to be done.
I just think that it's not right to look down on cab drivers, construction workers or on people being self-employed or working for street-cleaning.