This is my second blog post about “Girls Like Us.” For part one, click here. I’ve now finished this eye opening book. I know the question that many people ask and think about in relation to someone who has experienced sexual exploitation is: “Why didn’t you just leave?”

What an important question!  The answer – how can they when they often have no where to go, are beaten, abused, threatened, tied up, and if they have no financial way to care for themselves (most are between the ages of eleven and eighteen). A quote from “Girls Life Us” states: “For commercially sexually exploited and trafficked girls, the perception of threats is almost always based on the reality of violence. Girls believe that their pimps will act on their threats to hurt, to maim, to kill, and with good reason. So many of these girls have experienced rape, had guns held to their head, heard their trafficker talk about other girls he’s killed — enough violence, in other words, to ensure that girls are hesitant about running away.”  (p. 158)

I am writing this second post just to let you know that after finishing the book, I can assure you that you really need to read this book in 2012. This is one current version of slavery, and it has to stop. You can go to this link to find out more information on how you can support GEMS: Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (located in New York City). My sister (and the end of the book also mentions it) alerted me to the documentary that was also created called: “Very Young Girls.” You can find more information about this video online or you might be able to watch through Netflix.

Please support this very important cause!

For those of you that know me, I love all things Portland.  The boutiques, breweries, bakeries and coffee shops all mostly local.  This is a town of the localivore.  We have pop-up shops at the holidays, a major drove of food carts all over the city, many of which somersault into a restaurant based on their success.

After reading: The 10 Best Things about Portland – I have to disagree with many on the list, they are vague and bland.  I know the article is for Paste magazine which focuses on music, film and culture, but here is my list:

1. Keep Portland Weird: How many towns do you find that have a man riding a unicycle playing an accordion?  It’s so Portland and I love it.

2. Monthly art events: Last Thursday, First Thursday, First Friday – each unique event for different neighborhoods means multiple opportunities a month for art exploration, purchases, artist demonstrations, and networking

3. Portland Bridges: I know we aren’t the only city in the US with many bridges, or even that we can compare (Pittsburgh has over 446 bridges), but I believe the bridges in Portland is one of the things that gives it its charm.  The Fremont bridge at night is my favorite.

4. Powells: I have to agree with Corey DuBrowa on this one.

5. VooDoo Doughnuts: Most unique doughnut shop in Portland.  Flavor/taste isn’t top on my list, but always an experience and always a line down the street.  A great place to take out of town guests.

6. Saturday Market: The largest continually operating open air, arts and crafts market in the country.  Allows the individual to talk to the artisan about their craft.  Many local artisans are found through the Saturday Market.

7. Boutiques: We have quite the array of boutiques, many of which only sell local designers and artisans.  This past year after traveling to many cities in the US, I have yet to find another city that has the same diversity of local boutiques, it makes it nice to come home.

8. Stumptown Coffee Roasters: Need I say more.  Local. Coffee.

9. Rain: Portlanders are a hearty bunch.  Yes, maybe our skin is thinner than if we lived in Colorado, but it takes a certain person to be able to withstand the Portland rainy winter, and make it through when the sun comes out again.

10. Sportswear companies: Nike, Adidas, Columbia, KEEN, Lucy, Nau, etc.  The list continues, and I love this about Portland.  The creative talent that exudes this town is inspiring.

Portland you are in my heart.