Because I am a bad girl, people always automatically think that I am a bad girl. Or that I carry a dark secret with me or that I'm obsessed with death. The truth is that I am probably the least morbid person one can meet. If I think more about death than some other people, it is probably because I love life more than they do.

To actually feel like you've done something good with your life and you're useful to others is what I was always wanting, and was always looking for.

People will say what they want to say, and it's okay. And my life will go on, and I need to focus on my life. So, do I need to defend that I'm a decent woman? I sure hope I don't. I know I am.

If you don't get out of the box you've been raised in, you won't understand how much bigger the world is. You might never find out that you are useful for all the right reasons - and not all those stupid things that people tell you you're useful for.

To be put simply refugees are us. And their mothers are like us, they love their children the same, they laugh, they dream, and they are survivors, they are amazing.

Life comes with many challenges. The ones that should not scare us are the ones we can take on and take control of.

It is wonderful to hear of the relief efforts that are finally coming to New Orleans and the rest of the region, but as well all know, it is simply not going to be enough.