5 posts tagged “links”
It figures that the moment I no longer have access to ovens and thrift stores is the moment I begin to intensely crave baking and shopping. I go through phases. For two months I won't be able to get enough apples, grilled cheese and scarves. Then, all of a sudden I'm crazy about cats, heels and orange juice. The problem with my phases is that my physical location does not always allow me to indulge. A large part of living abroad is learning to live without the things you are used to. Which is just one reason why I love the internet. I'm currently going through a phase of style addiction. What I mean is that I get excited about experimenting with clothes, accessories and whatnot. I know that is terribly girly and vain, but I find it just as interesting as any photograph or century old oil painting. I can't do a lot of shopping here because of sizing and the lack of thrift stores, but I do have the internet! I've found several sites that document personal style through ordinary people on the street. My favorite one is called "Hel Looks" and is completely comprised of people the author found in Helsinki. Sites like this one allow me to indulge and be inspired. Even if I can't shop, I can be creative and work with what I've got. Below are my favorite pictures found on the site: www.hel-looks.com
www.free-burma.org
People like that excite and inspire me. I'm sure they are just three of the many who have made such decisions in life and never looked back, but they are documenting it and sharing their adventures with the world. I'm kind of disappointed that I didn't find it sooner so I could follow their journey in real time, but reading the archives will be just as interesting and less suspenseful. Can I be a lost girl too?
The 25 Most Exquisitely Sad Songs in the Whole World
Why on earth did I make myself listen to at least part of everyone of these? Because it's one of those days where you feel strong enough to listen to the saddest songs in the world and just reflect. Plus, the sun just came out after what feels like 2 years of rain. I especially "like" numbers 24, 23, 19, 15, 11, 7, and 4. There is also a whole list of favorites sent in by readers, but I've had enough for now. Or for the next 2 years.
Very cool photography concept with beautiful results. I wonder if I could do something so useful with some of my old textbooks? I guess I should let their shelf life extend until I'm at least a certified graduate. Speaking of which, I don't know what it is about me and studying abroad but I seem to have found a fairly studious rhythm here. By studious I mean I've been contributing, questioning and analyzing left and right in the classroom. I'm one of the "smart kids" that everyone turns and listens to! But I'm not nearly as smart as Cara Barer's photography...
As an exchange student I have some extra time on my hands. It feels very strange to not be working or volunteering, but I know these few months of pure exploration will go by quickly and soon be replaced with busy days and rushed evenings. So, I'm trying to not only enjoy this time but to use it in a unique way. I spend a lot of time browsing the internet. I never thought I would be one of those people, but I've recently discovered the sheer overload of amazing stuff that exists online. There are so many creative, interesting, thought provoking and inspiring things happening out there.
So, I've been keeping my eyes open for inspiring things as a sort of research for my future plans. Some of these things give me new ideas, some of them make me smile, and some of them renew my faith in the creative potential of the human race. Deep, huh? Here are a few of my recent discoveries (I apologize if you've already seen them):
O Wee Planets Photography
: I love this concept and think this guy in particular is quite good at
choosing
locations and assembling the images.
O PHRESH 5 Studio
: I had the pleasure of meeting Jonathan Cruz while working in Iqaluit
and recently
discovered his website. He's a freelance graphic artist and I think
he's incredibly
talented. He also did a kick ass job of inspiring youth to create
anti-tobacco art.
O George Lange Photo
: He's a famous portrait photographer. This is a clip assembled to
showcase his work. I love
the series pieces and I totally dig the background music.
O Cardboardistry : Innovative, yet simple. I like it.
O Pushmepullmedesign : I just like these.
O Phylotaxis
: Although I'm still wrapping my mind around this one, it seems like
one of the most interesting new ways
of thinking about what art is.
On a final creative note, last night I inspired a "non-artist" to paint a lovely postcard. I'm so proud and encouraged to continue doing so. Excellent work Patrick! :)
Yes, it's been done before. Yes, it's cheesy. Yes, it pulls on heartstrings to make money. But, I really enjoyed 'Freedom Writers'. The story resonates with me. If you haven't seen the previews with that profoundly catchy tune "Dream", this is the premise: A first time white teacher of freshman English at a Long Beach high school tries to find a way to reach her students and unite them across the racial gang lines they've drawn. They begin writing in personal journals everyday as an assignment. They're encouraged to write about anything they feel. She also works above and beyond the call of duty to arrange and pay for special trips, dinners, and lessons. Over time the class becomes a family and the students grow beyond any expectations they (or anyone else) had. It's a true story, and the journals were eventually published in a book called "Freedom Writers". This teacher, Erin Gruwell, has gone on to teach at the university level and started a foundation that tries to recreate her approach in classrooms across the U.S.
It's an inspiring story. Ms. Gruwell and her students deserve all of the recognition they've received for creating a new educational perspective. Stories like this one make my heart tighten and my adrenaline rush. I've wondered if this was just a human reaction. This kind of stuff seems to make me feel more excited and empowered than most everything else in life. I kind of fell into working with "youth" by accident. It certainly wasn't something I was seeking out. But it slowly snowballed into something I could see myself doing for a while. I think I've benefited much more from the experience than I've helped anyone, but it's the possibility that my life and my actions could positively affect other lives that makes this line of 'work' so appealing to me. I can't imagine anything making me truly happier. I don't think I'll become a teacher, or even a counselor, but I hope whatever life I create for myself allows me to offer vision, guidance, friendship and inspiration to people who need it. Sometimes the amount of potential in the world absolutely overwhelms me.
