This is where I become nerdy.

For this post I'm going to actually be an actual adult and reference a news story, then give my two cents.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/07/16/facebook.skin.lightening.app/?fbid=XzwfqFwFnhp

For those of you who didn't read the link to the article, which I'm sure is all of you, it goes a little something like this:

Vaseline introduced a new product specific to India's male population claiming it whitens skin. A social media campaign was launched in the form of a Facebook application. Users of the application would upload pictures of themselves, then virtually apply the cream to the uploaded photo and see how their skin would appear after use. A test sample application, if you will.

What's the big deal?

Well, I'm sure you are smart enough to think of a few ideas. I won't discount your intelligence merely because you choose to read about a young lady that manages to lose her keys on a weekly basis, but that's neither here nor there...

But my true questions is, why is it so bad? Michael Jackson did it, right? (bad example, sorry. still too soon.)

While the application wasn't created by Facebook (as many thought), Vaseline had the right motives, though it appears to a western audience as cruel or even racist.

The Indian culture values pale, fair skin as beautiful, just like American's view tan skin as beautiful. Get my gist, yet?

I say Vaseline made a smart move. This is clearly a market in India that Vaseline needed to tap into, just like the hundeds of thousands of sunless tanning lotions, foams and whatchamacallits available over-the-counter in America.

Vaseline is standing their ground on the creation of the product, (Who would seriously sue Vaseline?) and I think that's smart of them. I think they have the research to back up their product creation.

If India only knew people paid a ridiculous amount of money to resemble their country's natural skin tone. I guess the grass is always greener.

In any case, my pale skin would be a big hit over there. Anyone want to hop a plane to India with me?

-End marketing nerdiness-

Big Mac

I heard this news yesterday and become so overwhelmed I started crying while sitting at work haha

But here it is in an e-mail my dad sent to some friends and family members-

I had an appt. with my oncologist yesterday and he gave me some really good news!

When I first was diagnosed in early May, some bloodwork was done and it was determined that I had a 'cancer marker' at a very high level of 1,739. Normal is just 4.

After 3 rounds of chemotherapy, that number has already dropped to 24.

The doctor said that in his entire career, he has not ever seen this number drop so quickly.

Praise God ! And thanks to all of you who are praying for me.

Love Ya All,

David

Once again, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for all the prayers and support. So many loving people have gathered around my family at this time and it's been one of the biggest blessings of my entire life.

There have been times that I have physically felt God's presence when people have prayed over me for and about my dad. I can't even describe the feeling I got, but I knew God was there.

Please continue to pray for the rest of his recovery and chemo treatments.

When my mom called me yesterday she said my dad ate an entire Big Mac the previous day, which is so wonderful to hear. His appetite is looking up!

Free Snow Cones After the Game

Last weekend, Taylor, Tiffany and I ventured down to Dallas to watch my first major league baseball game!

We left early Saturday morning - maybe not early for some people, but if it require me waking up within the six o'clock hour, believe me it's early - and headed to Southlake to stay with Reagan's family.

It was such a fun weekend, though a little tiring. We ran around the Dallas area and headed into Frisco so I could visit Ikea for the first time.

Let me tell you- I'm sure I don't, though - Ikea is a life changing experience. It's like Disneyworld for home furnishings. And I'm not exaggerating.

We meandered around there for a few hours and finished up in time to hit up Sonic's happy hour.

My first MLB game was a success, except for one thing: the Rangers didn't win. Oh well, I did get a free hat and fireworks show, so it didn't matter much to me!

Taylor's aunt and uncle were wonderful hosts and it was so much fun to spend time with Taylor's extended family! The more I spend with them, the more I like them, which is undoubtedly a good thing.

And though Tiffany isn't my family, I really think that we are just beginning a wonderful friendship! It was great to get to know her a little better this weekend. She and Reagan will marry in less than a month, so it was fun talking about the wedding/life things with her (and her MIL to be) this weekend.

Next weekend we are heading up to Wichita to visit my family! I'm super excited! Taylor hasn't been up since last Thanksgiving, so I hope he's ready for some Kansas fun.

Dad update:

Dad goes in on Wednesday for another chemo treatment. This time he will be meeting with his oncologist to talk about how he is progressing.

Though I'm not a doctor, I really think the chemo treatment is working for him! I'm trying not to get my hopes up, but in the past few weeks he has been doing a lot better! He's even gained a few pounds! So thank you to everyone who reads this and prays for my dad - your prayers have been such a blessing for my family!