Operation Smile

I'm standing on my soap box for just a little, mainly because I feel that it is a worthy cause. 

As I have mentioned on here I was born with a cleft lip and palate. And, although it wasn't pleasant to look at it didn't make me any less of a person. I was also extremely fortunate to have been born in New Zealand where the surgeries and dental work needed to repair the cleft were free.

I had my first surgery at six months. The second at 12 months and then I had several more intermittently up until I was 17-18 where I had my final major surgery associated with repairing my cleft lip and palate. This was reconstructive jaw surgery where I had my top jaw broken and brought forward and my bottom jaw broken and moved back to correct my 'underbite'.* All this was free but I know that this is not the case for other children in the world, many who don't have their surgery...ever.

This is where I just want to mention Operation Smile (Australia's Site**) and all the great work that they do. Basically, doctors and other volunteers give up their own time and money to perform surgery on those who would, otherwise, be unable to afford the surgery on their own. I'm not sponsored by Operation Smile or anything like that I just support what they do and have been thinking of volunteering my time or my knowledge toward this cause.

The simple, 45 minute surgery is life changing. I can say this from experience though I was only a baby when I had my first surgery. I know that I have been extremely lucky and I just hope that I can help other children even if it is just by raising awareness.

Testimonials Just look at these before and after photos...

Now, I'm putting my soap box away.

On a different note - The Walking Dead was just as awesome as I thought it would be. Torso zombie was amazing. I really want to know how they did that.

*I had this surgery twice since the first time sort of failed and one of the titanium screws in my jaw decided to work it's way free...it wasn't fun.
** There isn't one in New Zealand so Australia is the closest one for me.

The Walking Dead...

I'm excited. No, I haven't won anything and I'm not going anywhere fun. I'm excited because The Walking Dead is finally airing here in little old New Zealand. I've seen clips and read reviews, heck, when I was last in the States I was this* close to buying the graphic novels that the show is based on. So I'm looking forward to tonight when I can sit down, possibly drag my dad along since I used to drag him to all the horror films when I was younger since my mum hates them with a passion.

Now, it's not just because there are zombies and it's set in a post zombie world. I'm excited because of the special effects, especially that torso zombie in the park. Seriously, that looks frakking amazing. Plus, although it seems to follow some of the standard rules of zombies it seems pretty intense, which is always good in a zombie film...hell, any horror film really.

From all accounts it seems to be doing pretty well in the States too. I've heard about the second season that seems to be amping up the stakes so I'm really stoked that it is about to start here tonight. Though, I could have ordered the entire first season over a month or two ago from Amazon and would have seen them all by now. Unfortunately, I have to try and curb my DVD buying since I don't know when I get paid next as I'm waiting on paperwork from the UK. Apparently, the teacher's council in NZ wants to make sure that I'm not an international fugitive. Though the thought of me being an international fugitive is so absurd that I find myself giggling. I'm about a stealth and mean as a freaking jigglypuff** though not as pink.

And, while I'm on the subject of zombies, I thought I would mention one of my favourite blogs:
Zombies Everywhere

Daily zombie updates with great little anecdotes along with great survival tips for when the zombie apocalypse happens. Don't say I don't do anything for you - especially when you survive the zombie apocalypse!

Also go here or here for all your zombie bumper sticker needs.

*You can't see this but I'm actually holding my fingers a wee bit apart...
**I hang my head in shame at the pokemon reference...