http://www.thisiswhyyourefat.com

Q) How do you define "BTVfam"? And bodyroll jokes aside, how does one REALLY become BTVfam?

Jae:

BTVfam is our online family. Most of the time, the connections we make from blogTV tend to be stronger than those we make in "real life". BTVfam is a group where not only we can call each other friends, but we become a closer unit..just like a family.

In all honesty to become BTVfam, you just have to be you and if anyone feels like you can connect with everyone else like they have"¦then you're in. It's not defined by bodyrolling, or "the book", or by a label, or even by the bracelet. BTVfam shares common interests, shares life experiences, and shares memories. I know we've been broken into a lot of mini-groups and I know there can be tension at times in BTVfam, but that's how families are.

We are all BTVfam even if not everyone knows each other..we came together through blogTV and carry it on in our everyday lives.

Q) How do you define "BTVfam"? Is there anything you'd add to or change in Jae's definition? Is BTVfam one group, a series of groups or just a concept?

Phil:

Good question, Mel. I think Jae pretty much nailed it on the head. The points I want to stress is that in families, not everyone gets along. People who join the BTVfam think that we all love each other all the time, and this couldn't be farther from the truth. What I love about BTVfam is that we are just like a real family, with real problems. Hopefully tho, as a unified group, we all are willing to help other members in need and be there for each other.

As for the last part of your question, I feel that the BTVfam is a mixture of all three of the things you mentioned. We are one BIG family at heart, but it's much easier to define us as a concept of individuals who have a common feelings and beliefs. And as all families, there are smaller, more nuclear, families inside the giant one. <3

// via WonTonDJ

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From Jeremy's YouTube:

In 2007, I went to Ghana in West Africa.

My life was changed ever since I met the people of Ghana. I realized that alot of us, especially in the States, take life forgranted. We are extremely blessed with abundance of food, resources, and choices.

Then I go to Ghana, and some of these villages don't have the right medicines, barely any food, and lack of many things. But what I've realized is that they have a joy inside that isn't fueled by materialism or anything of that sort. The more you have in life, the more u want, the less you need God in your life.

In Ghana, because they have soooo little, they rely and trust in God for their survival and health. FAITH. A strong faith.

I will forever be grateful for what they've taught me through their living and their lives. I wanna go back to Ghana one day and learn more and help more and put my faith in action. God is doing great things in the lives of people there!

Jeremy "Passion" Manongdo

I know what you mean, man.

When I was in the Philippines a couple years ago, we were driving around my uncle's banana plantation and I kept noticing these little shacks all over the place. Then I'd notice clothes hang-drying around them. Then I'd notice a family of five standing around one of 'em. It'd finally hit me:

This is their home.

That realization was so intense, but it totally put things in perspective for me. I thought to myself: the car I drive today is probably worth more money than what these entire families will ever see in their entire lives...

It's so easy to get caught up in material things because we've been blessed with it our whole lives. iPods, computers, internet, cell phones, cars, microwaves, fast food, running water, air conditioning...we've been blessed with these things for so long, we forget that people once lived still live without any of these things.

One thing I've started to wonder about myself: if I were completely stripped of all things familiar to me -- friends, family, technology, reputations -- what kind of man would I be? How much clearer would my world be?

Thanks for the reminder, J, on exactly how lucky we are, how some things are more important than others, and how God is always a part of our lives.

-Mel

This is what I've been working my ass off for:

Big props to Scott Yoshimoto and MOVeMEDIA Productions for this amazing vid!!