Random Act of Kindness 66: Yoga Birthday Party

I love my Goddaughter, Violet, like she is my own daughter. When she was born and I saw her face, I cried. 

That is why I always try to be a part of her life and do my best to make her feel loved. I asked her mom, Susie, if I could help her out with her 4th birthday and she was more than happy to accept. Susie is a super mom; she works, has two kids and raises her beautiful children to be good people, and allows me to be a part of their family. 

Susie and I decided to make the theme of the party about yoga. So I handmade thank you cards, created gift bags and yoga flash cards for the kids. Overall I think they came out great. Violet seemed to have had a lovely time with her friends doing Children's Yoga. 

Here is one of the drawings I made. It's teddy bear doing "Cobra Pose."

Random Act of Kindness 65: Trekking The National Parks

Above is a picture of my friend Charlie Binkele with his mom, Terry, and his dad, John. Charlie is a very talented artist. You can check out his awesome art on Tumbler, or buy his art on IN PRNT.

Charlie let me know that his family created a game called "Trekking the National Parks," and they created a Kickstarter page. (Update 8/20: So happy it met it's fundraising goals!)

Since I always believe in supporting my friend's dreams, I made sure to donate to his family's venture. 

If you are interested in buying his awesome game, check out their online store at: http://www.trektheparks.com/store/ 

"Trekking the National Parks is a spirited family board game that lets players visit America's National Parks in a fun and competitive way. Players compete for points by visiting Parks, claiming Park Cards and collecting Cairn stones as they travel across the country experiencing the uniqueness of each of these magnificent landscapes." -Trekking the National Park

Check out their video on Vimeo. 

Random Act of Kindness 64: Home Away From Home

I love having house guests so whenever I hear people are going to be in my general area, I always ask if they want to stay at my house. 

It's my small way to let them know that they are important to me. It's also because I love seeing old friends and reconnecting. Recently had the opportunity to host my friends Jared and his wife, Stacey, and looking forward to seeing one of my best friends, Rico, in August. 

One of my favorite ways to show kindness is opening my house to my friends and giving them a home away from home.  

Random Act of Kindness 63: Love Letters

My boyfriend's cousin, Lauren, bought me an awesome present for Christmas last year. She got me really cute personalized stationary with a tiny hedgehog in the corner. I loved it so much that I went on a crazy "personalized stationary" spending spree on TinyPrints.com. 

After buying and receiving a ridiculous amount of personalized stationary from Tiny Prints, I didn't know what to do with it all. 

The more I thought about the stationary, the more I thought about how special I felt when I would get handwritten letters as a kid. 

I began sending personalized notes to my friends and family whenever they did something kind for me, supported me in my charity events, or just because I thought of them. It also motivated me to send handwritten letters to my niece and nephew, who I adore more than life, because I thought it would be nice for them to have little reminders that I think of them and that I love them. 

Handwritten letters may seem silly in the digital age but there is something wonderful about getting a love letter just reminding you that you are loved and appreciated. 

Random Act of Kindness 62: Picnic

One of the things that I love the most is setting up events for my prenatal yoga students after they have their babies. I think it's really important for new moms to stay social and feel connected to others. I love having little get together events so they can chat about being new moms, ask each other for advice, and prevent postpartum depression. 

I have to admit that in addition to all that, I love seeing all the healthy, beautiful new babies. I have an amazing job. I love being a prenatal yoga teacher. 

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Random Act of Kindness 61: My Favorite YouTube Channels

I am always thinking about what it means to "support" someone. I am sure my obsession is some deep seated hope that other people will make more of an effort to support the ones they love. I have this idea that if our interpersonal connections with our friends and family were stronger, our connections to our communities would be stronger, making our nation stronger and opening our hearts to everyone else in the world. (Idealist... I know)

Everyone has their passions and I think it's important to support what they love.

Three people, who I care about, all have something in common... YouTube. 

My brother, James Hsu, is a talented internet marketer and public speaker. He has a YouTube page called "The Adventures of Hsuperman." There he celebrates the accomplishments of various companies around the Las Vegas, NV, area, supports Las Vegas based charities, presents movie reviews for over 52 movies a year, and gives motivational speeches.

My friend, Robyn Navarro, is a talented Bay Area photographer with a special eye for beauty, light and fun. Her photography celebrates freedom, movement, and beautiful moments in life. 

Alexandria Vaun, a childhood friend, is a fashionista and has a YouTube channel where you can discover new make-up, shoes, jewelry, clothes and find out where you can get a new look. 

Whenever I have a chance, I try to watch their videos, "like" the video, "subscribe" to their page, and leave comments,  not only because I enjoy their videos but because I feel like it gives me insight on who they are, and also shows them that I care. 

If you love someone with a YouTube page, consider watching the videos and leaving comments for them. It's a random act of kindness that will warm their hearts. You can also share the channel in the comments below. Tell us why you love the channel and why they are important to you. 

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Random Act of Kindness 60: Taking Care of Others

Being sick is a horrible feeling. The coughing, sneezing, and fever, is a painful reminder that health is important. 

Getting out of bed feels like a arduous journey. Taking a shower is exhausting and sometimes leaves you sitting in the shower stall wondering when you will have the energy to get back up. 

So over two weeks I tried to do my best to take care of my boyfriend when he caught a horrible chest cold. 

Funny enough, I caught the same cold the next week and he ended up having to take care of me for two weeks. 

I guess the good thing about taking care of your boyfriend, when he's sick, is that he will take care of you when you get sick. 

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Random Act of Kindness 59: Uber- What Goes Around Comes Around

My boyfriend and I took Uber to pick up our car at an auto repair shop. We were running late and weren't sure if we were going to make it to the shop in time to get our car. 

When we were rounding the corner, a few blocks away from the shop, when we saw a puppy running down the street with a leash. 

My boyfriend and I asked our Uber driver to pull over and let me out so I could catch the dog. Our driver pulled over reluctantly and let me out. I could tell he was a little worried leaving me in a random neighborhood. 

I watched as the driver slowly drove past the pup before accelerating, to get my boyfriend to the auto shop before they closed.

With some blind faith, I knelt down, whistled, and said "Here boy!" The puppy looked at me and bounded toward me with playful happiness. He flung himself into my chest and started kissing my arms. I grabbed the end of his leash and noticed he chewed through it. 

I called the phone number on the tag when a man approached and said, "I know who owns that dog." He walked me over to a nearby store where a woman had just came out. She was ecstatic when she saw me with her puppy. She thanked me for catching him. 

"It's not a big deal. I did it because I hope someone would help my dog if she ever got lost," I said. 

Just as I was starting to walk down the street, my Uber driver pulled up and said he would take me to the auto shop so I wouldn't have to walk. I climbed in and he took me two blocks to the shop. I asked him if I could pay him for the short ride and he said "no". He said he was happy to help me because he liked that I wanted to help the dog.

What goes around comes around. I asked my boyfriend to write a nice review of our driver and give him a five star rating because I think it takes a special soul to take the extra time to make sure a girl arrived to her destination safe and sound... free of charge. 

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Random Act of Kindness 58: Locks of Love

Being a yogini, I think about non-attachment all the time. I try not to have too many possessions and try to let go of things as much as I can. (It can be really hard)

One thing that I am attached to... literally... is my hair. I love my long hair.  

But in an act of non-attachment and as a random act of kindness, I decided to donate my hair to Locks of Love. "Locks of Love is a public non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children in the United States and Canada under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. They meet a unique need for children by using donated hair to create the highest quality hair prosthetics. Most of the children helped by Locks of Love have lost their hair due to a medical condition called alopecia areata, which has no known cause or cure. The prostheses we provide help to restore their self-esteem and their confidence, enabling them to face the world and their peers."

Before my haircut today at Olive Hill Salon. 

Nini, my awesome hair stylist, sectioned off my hair and measured each segment to make sure they were all 10" long. 

It was awesome that Olive Hill salon had  copies of Lock of Love donation forms! 

Filled out my donation form, and ready to put it in the mail. 

I was super scared to cut my hair but I am excited about my new, lighter, summer hair. 

I want to thank Nini at Olive Hill Salon for helping me today on my Random Act of Kindness. If you are thinking about donating your hair to Locks of Love, I suggest going to Olive Hill Salon. Check them out at: 

Olive Hill Salon

2920 Woodside Rd.

Woodside, CA 94062

(650) 851-1150

Facebook: Olive Hill Salon Facebook

Twitter: @OliveHillSalon

Update: June 11, 2014

I got this in the mail. Awesome! 

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Random Act of Kindness 57: Pixie Project's Furbowl

Above is my sweet girl Ruby and her buddy Speedy on her head. Ruby is a sweet and shy rescue dog who's been in my life for about four years. Ruby and her brother Max were the first dogs I have ever had.

After meeting them, I think my capacity to love and my ability to feel compassion grew. It's hard to describe how an animal can affect your life except to say that you will never be the same after having one in your life. 

The love and joy that you receive from these loyal and loving animals is unimaginable. 

Because of Ruby and Max, rescue animals have a very special place in my heart and that is why I support a wonderful animal rescue group called "Pixie Project." The Pixie Project is a non-profit animal adoption center and rescue. They offer a variety of services to the public including but not limited to: pet adoption services, pet owner education and support and low cost and free spay and neuter and veterinary services for homeless and low-income pet owners.  

To help support Pixie Project, I signed up for their bowling event, "Furbowl," on May 17th and am helping to raise money for their non-profit. 

If you want to donate money to Pixie Project and help support me and wonderful animals like Ruby and Max, please make a donation to my team "Badass Bay Bowlers." 

Most of the time I focus on doing Random Acts of Kindness for other people but it's good to remember that not all the wonderful things in my life revolve around people and so when I give back, it's good to give back in different ways. 

Update: June 11, 2014: 

The event was a success and they earned $56,000! This helped build 6 new kennels and will save 100 dogs every year! 

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Random Act of Kindness 56: Polio Vaccination And Naming A Baby

My friend Adam had an awesome post on his G+ today. His fellow Googler, Jason Morrison,  is asking the Internet to name his baby boy. Check out Jason's official post here: Jason Morrison

What's really awesome is that this lovely couple and some of their friends are going to donate $1 to Save the Children, for each vote. 

"My wife and I (along with some other Googlers) have pledged to donate $1 for each vote –   see details in the FAQ.  For $1, Save the Children can provide one complete polio vaccination course for a child.  Just by voting, you will be helping a child in need.  If you would like to join us and donate $1 of your own, please go to this OneToday campaign." 

So, today as my Random Act of Kindness, I voted for the name "Xavier," and donated some money to the OneToday campaign. 

In the comment box below, let me know what name you voted on. 

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Random Act of Kindness 54: Homeward Pet Fur Ball

I have a very special place in my heart for rescue dogs because all my dogs have been rescue dogs. They are such wonderful creatures and have brought so much happiness and love into my life. 

When my friend Ryan asked me to be a guest at the Homeward Pet Adoption Center's  "Fur Ball Auction", in Bellevue, WA, I had to accept. 

Homeward Pet is a nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter serving the Seattle area. Their mission is to give homeless animals a second chance through rescue, shelter, and adoption programs.

Here is my friend Ryan, board member of Homeward Pet, his lovely girlfriend, Grace and I walking into the Homeward Pet Fur Ball Auction.

At the auction you could pay for the adoption fees for the animals at the shelter to help get their animals adopted. When you look at those faces, how could you not donate? I paid the adoption fees for Smokey and Benelli. Hope those cuties get adopted soon. 

 Here's all the awesome people at my table. Table 22 was the best table at the auction. We had such a good time.

Here's some random photos of me with doggies. What cuties. 

I had a great weekend. Spent time with old friends, donated money to Homeward Pet Adoption Center and helped support a cause I believe in. Doesn't get much better than that. 

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Random Act of Kindness 50- 53: Obsessive-Compulsive

For those of you that don't know me very well, I'm extremely obsessive/compulsive.

When I was in high school, I learned how to crochet and started making blanket after blanket after blanket till I hated crocheting. It lasted a few months. 

When I moved to California, my friend Regina taught me how to crochet baby hats for hospitals. Once again I became obsessed and crocheted hats till my hands felt like they would fall off.  After a few months, I  stopped. 

So here I am again... picking up the needle, unable to do anything else. 

Random Act of Kindness 50: Here's the baby hat I made for my student/friend Connie: 

Random Act of Kindness 51: Here's the baby hat I made for my student/friend Alicia. 

Random Act of Kindness 52: Here's the hat I made for my sister to keep her head warm while she skis. 

Random Act of Kindness 53: Here's the hat I made for my niece and nephew. 

In total, I think I've made and given out about 20 various colored hats in April. I have problems. This is also why I haven't blogged in a while. I didn't give up my Random Acts of Kindness.... I'm just crocheting instead of writing and drawing.   :) 

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Random Act of Kindness 49: Pedestrians

I love going for walks because it gives me a different perspective on life. I love taking my time in neighborhoods, looking at the flowers, trees and plants. I love waving at neighbors, smelling the air and remembering what it's like to walk softly and having intention in my actions. 

Walking also reminds me how lucky I am to have a car. Whenever I walk to a destination instead of drive, I think how much I appreciate my air-conditioned car and how quickly I can get to a place, when I need to. 

After taking a long walk on the beach today, I became extra aware of pedestrians. As my act of kindness today,  I wanted to make an effort to be kind to those who were walking around. When I was walking, I would move over to the right to let faster walkers or runners pass me. When I was driving, I would make sure I wasn't blocking the sidewalk as I pulled out of a driveway or parking lot. 

I think small acts of kindness like these seem insignificant but I could tell that people noticed and appreciated the thought. 

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Random Act Of Kindness 48: Ohana

No matter what city I'm in, I try to remember it's a place other people call home. I always try to be respectful of their neighborhoods. Whenever I see litter on the ground, I do my best to clean it up, even if I didn't make the mess. 

I was in Maui, Hawaii recently and decided to pick up the beachfront as I went for a walk. I want to keep the area clean and beautiful not only for myself, but for the natives and other visitors.

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Random Act of Kindness 47: Shopping Carts

One of the things my dad use to say is, "Put things back where you found them." Oddly this stuck with me as I grew older. I have a tendency to put my things in the same place. Whenever I don't, I end up searching the house aimlessly. 

This even applies to grocery shopping. After dropping off my grocery bags in my car, I always take my grocery cart back to the grocery cart holders so the next shopper will have a cart. Sadly, it doesn't really stop there. If I see a random grocery cart in a parking space, I will grab it and roll it back too. Sometimes I end up with up to five carts before I get back to the grocery cart holder. I probably look like I work for the store pushing all those carts but I feel like I am saving someone's car from getting a ding, or saving someone time from having to move one out of a parking spot, or just making it easier to find them. 

If I get to the cart holder and there is a jumble of carts, I line up all the carts and push them into each other to make them compact. Nothing drives me more crazy than to see five carts taking the space of 20. 

So my neurotic habit was my random act of kindness today. I was at Whole Foods rolling carts together, making them compact and hopefully making someone's day a little easier. 

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Random Acts of Kindness 46: Crocheted Baby Hats

I only really know how to crochet a few things but one of them is little baby hats. I started making little hats to take to my prenatal yoga classes to give to my prenatal yoga students. I hope that when their babies are born, they will have something to keep their cute little heads warm. Check out my hats below. 

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Random Act of Kindness 45: Encouraging A Young Entreprenuer

I was driving home after doing some errands today when I saw a cute little kid outside with a table and a sign that said "Bracelet $1," outside his house. After returning home, I grabbed some cash and walked back to the kid's house. 

His mom said that he created his own company making rubber band bracelets. He sells them and reinvests his revenues to buy more materials for more bracelets. What an awesome young entrepreneur. 

I bought two bracelets. One for myself and one for his little sister. He seemed really excited about his sale and I was happy to be able to support his business. 

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Random Act of Kindness 44: Tip

My boyfriend and I had lunch at Village Pub, 2967 Woodside Road, Woodside, CA and were talking about their menu. Their chicken salad is one of our favorite foods. They recently changed what they put on the chicken salad and so we made a bet on why it looked different. 

Our favorite waitress, Cristina, came by and we asked her why the salad looked different. Because of her answer, I won $50 off my boyfriend. YAY! 

Instead of getting something for myself, I decided to buy Cristina a shirt she liked, since she helped me win the bet. She commented in the past that she liked a shirt that I was wearing so I got her mailing information and sent her the shirt when I got home. Gotta love Amazon.com. 

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Random Act of Kindness 43: HandUp

Rose Broome and Scott Wainner

Today I had the honor of having coffee with Scott Wainner, serial entrepreneur/ angel investor,  and Rose Broome, Co-Founder and CEO of Hand Up. Rose was kind enough to meet with Scott and me and tell us about her company, HandUp. 

HandUp is direct giving for homeless people and others in need in San Francisco. Donations are redeemed for basic needs like food, clothing, and medical care through their partner organization Project Homeless Connect.  

It was great learning about HandUp and how they help the homeless in San Francisco. After our meeting, I ran home and took a look at their website to see who I could help. There are a lot of profiles so it can be a little overwhelming to go through the site, but then I stumbled upon Brenda. Her story really touched me because she is a cancer survivor and has a loving canine companion named Bear. I own and love animals and both of my parents had cancer when I was a teenager so I understand the devastating nature of cancer. 

It feels good to know that 100% of my donation will be used to help Brenda purchase dentures and/or help her dog, Bear, have eye surgery.

Here is "Brenda's story: I battled cancer for 14 months in 2000 and 2001. Going through chemotherapy has caused me other health problems and now I have congestive heart failure. I have been in SF for over 20 years. My mom and daughter are in Petaluma. I am really hoping to get into more permanent housing.

Bear, my dog, is my companion and is also in need of some medical attention. He needs laser surgery for his eye in order not to go blind. Pets Unlimited and Pet SOS are offering to do it for $300. (It normally costs ~$3,000). In addition, I'm looking for help with dentures. $1000 will allow me to get much needed dentures through Project Homeless Connect."

Here is her video:

If you want to donate to Brenda, like I did, please click here: Brenda or if you want to check out other people who can use your help, check them out here: HandUp Members

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