My busy-ness has paused for a moment. On my way back from work this morning (yes... thats how early I had to do a school presentation to 3rd graders) I noticed that the beautiful day had altered. A fire was billowing in the foothills right beyond Boulder.  

Just recently, on Labor Day, we had a wild fire that took over a week to contain. A few weeks ago my hubs and I went for a hike and saw the damage of the last fire:

this last photo was so you could see just how burnt the burn areas are compared to those with pretty green living trees... but the top two photos show you just how big the fire was.

Today is windy. That equals trouble.
I'm really hoping this fire is much easier to contain and does not have the damage that the last one did.
I wanted to take a moment to ask for your well-wishes, positive energy, prayers, whatever-you-believe-in goodness sent to our firefighters, the county, and particularly those who live in the area.

and now back to the massive readings, three papers, presentation, poster, and experiment all due Monday...

Busy Bee

Do you hear that buzzing noise?

Its me... in a constant state of motion trying to keep up with my upsurd schedule and get everything done that needs to get done.

I'm seriously so busy that I have caught myself first waking up, when you are still in that semi-conscious stage, sleep-talking rehearsing my upcoming presentation. Like I said --- upsurd. absolutely crazy. This weekend I won't be celebrating Halloween. I'll likely be eating the candy in between kids ringing the door bell as a prepare like a mad woman for all the projects that have quickly-approaching due dates.

-sigh-
That means blogging and reading blogs is a luxury that I have to give up for a bit.
I miss you! and every day I've been tempted to visit and procrastinate with you, but that's just not a good idea right now. So I'll be gone for a bit longer.

but this busy bee is sending you love and will be very curious to catch up on all my lovies in blogland when I finally can.

A history of discrimination

This past week was "spirit week" to support the LGBQTI community following the recent suicides that brought so much media awareness around an on-going problem: discrimination.

I think the LGBTQI, Muslim, and Latino communities are the ones that are still socially acceptable to point a finger at. If Mom can talk about how scary those Muslims are, or Dad complains about those Latinos who took his job and don't belong here, or friends can say "that's so gay" in every other sentence... then how on Earth is an impressionable kid supposed to get the message that it is not okay to discriminate?

How as a society do we not see that we have discriminated against so many people in our history, and that this is no different? All the apologies our government has issues to other races/ethnicities seem to go to waste (not that they were really much good to begin with) when it is still acceptable to discriminate against other races/ethnicities and sexual orientation.

I wonder if part of the problem is that people do not remember where they come from. Many people just label themselves as "American" or a "mutt" but what is their lineage, what is their race/ethnicity? I think if people remembered their own past, then hopefully they would be much more empathetic. Just looking at a brief history of discrimination in the United States:

The Native Americans have faced discrimination since the day settlers stepped off their boats.

Woman have faced discrimination since female settlers began arriving in 1619.

Blacks have been discriminated against since approximately 1680 when slavery was officially adopted in the colonies.

In the 1830s the Mormons were discriminated against and forced to move further and further until they were living in Mexican territory, which eventually became Utah.

In the 1840s the Irish arrived in mass following the great potato famine. During that time the Chicago Post wrote, "The Irish fill our prisons, our poor houses...Scratch a convict or a pauper, and the chances are that you tickle the skin of an Irish Catholic. Putting them on a boat and sending them home would end crime in this country." (hmmm... sound familiar with a different ethnicity right now?!)

Then in the 1880s Eastern Europeans started to immigrate over. Thus Ellis Island opened up.

During the first half of the 20th Century, Japanese and "Mongolian" (Other East Asian races/ethnicities) faced discrimination and segregation. The children went to segregated schools and the Oriental Exclusion Law made it impossible to gain citizenship.

During the Great Depression Jews were blamed for the depression and the New Deal of Roosevelt.

During the World War II the Japanese-American and German-American families were forced to go to "War Relocation Camps" and "Exclusion zones." Lets keep in mind that there was much more prejudice against the Japanese-Americans partially because it was a smaller group and therefore easier to contain, and I'm sure also it was partly due to being so "different". And immigration laws were followed to a "T" turning away many of the Jewish German refugees.


This is just a brief history that misses many of the issues/histories/stories of those discriminated against in the U.S. But my point is that today we treat the Latinos no differently then the Irish were treated in the 1840s, we treat the Muslims as if they were the Japanese during the 1940s, and those with sexual orientations that are not straight are treated like any minority before its acceptance into our society. I honestly fail to understand how society does not see the correlations, the repeated history.  I fail to understand the lack of compassion.


What exactly does the hate do? In none of the circumstances above did it do anything useful or helpful. So why would we feel justified in continuing to discriminate today? How is this an okay thing?

And so I open up my heart and ask you to do the same. Imagine yourself in their shoes. Get in touch with your family history and feel the wounds that your family went through to be deemed "okay" in the U.S. Get in touch with what it would be like to be you a century ago, two centuries ago, during colonization in the U.S. 


Because I KNOW that once you are able to imagine the pain you will not add to it, and you will speak up so that others do not add to it, and hopefully it will make even the slightest dent in our current affairs.

Happy Friday #12: Happy Pandora

I love Pandora radio... lately I've been listening to the Benny Goodman station a lot. Love it! Its a nice mix of jazz. It puts me in a romantic mood. And makes me want to dress up as a flapper and take dance lessons.
It has helped me write many papers and read many research articles this week...
its been a busy and tiring week, and I'm grateful for the little things that have helped carry me through it.


What helps you through the rough weeks?

Wee Bit Thursday

 {one} have you ever crawled through a window?Haha yes. as a kid I used to sit out on my roof at night to just chill out. 
{two} what’s one subject that you wish you knew more about?all of it. I wouldn't mind being a know-it-all :)
{three} who’s your favorite villain?catwoman.... too bad they haven't made a good movie about her yet.
{four} have you ever hit a jackpot on a slot machine?no
{five} what is your favorite disney movie?so many. Sleeping Beauty is such a lovely one though. speaking of which, I really like Maleficent as a villain.
{six} if the whole world were listening, what would you say?open your heart.and use your brains.honestly I'd probably have something much more profound to say, I'm really just too tired now.
{seven} if you could choose one song to describe you or your life, what would it be?again, too tired to answer questions that need thought. 
{eight} your desk: messy or organized?messy organization. it looks like a mess, but I know exactly where everything is. Its just because I have a bazillion projects, papers, readings happening at once.My office desk is very organized and  clean though.
{nine} have you ever had surgery?yes. knees, abdomen, mouth
{ten} if you could have any animal as a pet, what would you have?I miss having a bunny. I also miss horses.but if it was something exotic: I'd really want a cuddly tiger. 

Happy Mail!

This post is long overdue. My mailbox has not been as happy as usual; however, I'm lucky to have very loyal friends/penpals in Micaela and Claire.  Since my last post I've received so many encouraging, funny, heartwarming and honest cards, letters, and postcards from these girls. The post would be much too long if I included all the wonderful mail they've provided since the start of school... but just as an idea: 

And while my mom doesn't write as often as Claire and Micaela, she still writes often... and usually includes little clips of things that make her think of me. In this case, Gluten Free recipes and an article about the Rocky Mountain prairie dogs that carry the plague. haha

Then, this week I somehow hit the jackpot and got a bunch of lovin'

Some from Jill

More from Micaela (girl you are amazing!). And check out this fabulous peacock card she sent me. I'm tempted to have the tail tattooed over my right shoulder... one day!

Mama Lechuga even sent me something this week. Micaela comes from such an amazing family. Reading her blog, I sometimes forget that I don't actually know them. And I've decided that one day, maybe post tail tattoo, I would like to spend a holiday with them! haha. Anyways her darling mother crocheted all Micaela's penpals a little something. How adorable is the butterfly magnet?! And I can't wait to find a use for the doily!

Then the amazing Fritzi Marie and the wonderful canine Bono Baby sent me this cute gift. A mini wire hanger to go on my vision wall! This was just for participating in the cute little love hanger project. How sweet was it that Bono Baby sent all of those who played along a cute little something. And how generous!

of course you can't get mail without sending mail... so this is what flew out my mailbox this week...

since some of them just got sent off today, recipients will have to guess which ones they are getting! 

This thank you note cracked me up. I love it. 

A postcard of some art by a local artist. honestly, I don't like the art... but it puzzles me and so I'd like to see what the receiver of this postcard thinks of it. I am intrigued despite my dislike!

This card just made me laugh.

As some of you know, I'm very into art and my nickname is bunny... so this makes me giggle. 

And a Marc Chagall postcard

This card is really bright. Its kinda hard to look at.

Sorry Claire. No surprise for you. A little handmade postcard to you.

And some little old lady cards for G.G., my grandmother-in-law

 and my grandparents. None of whom have blogs or read mine... so the surprise will still be there!

While going over presentations this weekend, I was busy multitasking and making little collages for future postcards. I'd like to offer that if you email me your address, I will send you one. Who doesn't like getting a little mail love?

Some postcards that do not yet have destinations include:

They would love to find a home. 

Post Secret Sunday and a Scavenger Hunt Invitation

Post Secret is an ongoing community art project where people mail in their secrets anonymously on one side of a postcard. Each week I am filled with anticipation to see which few postcards were selected on their blog. I always seem to find one or more that I can connect with. Some even seem like they were written by me and I just forgot I'd done it. Others I connect with in different ways.


This week I liked:

both are along themes that have been coming up a lot at internship. Our society has a lot to learn when it comes to supporting individuals and helping them have healthy self esteem. 

In other news, this week was much to busy to play along with Ashely's Scavenger Hunt.  But I am hopeful that I will be participating next week. Photography is one of those artist's dates I really enjoy giving myself. 

If you want to play along with me....

The rules are simple:

1. Anyone can participate. 
2. You're encouraged to take five new photos this week for the challenge. 
3. If you get stumped, you may use one photo from your archive (although I'm not too strict about it - I do my best to take fresh shots). 
4. Link up here on Sunday (or Tuesday at the latest)
5. Have fun!

And the hunt items are:

1. The 5 Senses
2. Child/Children (October 2010 item)
3. Dining(October 2010 item)
4. Night
5. Sky

if you choose to play along, make sure to visit Ashley's blog on Sunday to link up! 

Happy Friday #11: Happy Communication

Communication. As bloggers, we all communicate with each other and with a much larger population. But even as people, who blog or not, everyone communicates constantly throughout their day. And yet, for the most part, communication is not something we are actually good at.

We write and talk a lot. But that doesn't necessarily mean we are communicating.

Often, we forget to listen. Or even if we are listening, we forget to respond back with what we have heard. Brains are a tricky thing. Just because we heard something doesn't mean that is what was said. Or, as just because we said something doesn't mean that is what we meant.

What a conundrum!

But good communication takes these things into account and works with it. And today Non Violent Communication is making me particularly happy. It made for some awesome moments yesterday. And I think it is worth sharing with you the basic concept to use at home, with friends, with peers, and in business relationships. Of course, each context may mean you change how much you use this. But really... this is a form of communication that can be helpful in any relationship.

Non Violent doesn't really have anything to do with violence per say... not in the way we think of it with punching and screaming and such. Although, that is an example of communication, as is most behavior.  Non Violent Communication refers to taking out the subtle aggression and blaming that often occurs when we talk with others. It is based on compassion. It is very fascinating and simple in theory but hard in practice. I highly suggest following the link for anyone interested in the idea (actually I highly suggest it in general).

the following comes from a worksheet available at Step-Up

Guidelines for Respectful Communication When You Have a Conflict

When you are speaking:

1. Talk only about the specific behavior of the other person.
2. Talk about what the person said or did that upset you.
3. Describe how you feel.

Do not:

1. Blame
2. Criticize
3. Put down
4. Bring up the past or other things that bother you (stick to one behavior or problem)
5. Talk about the other person's personality, attitude or motives

When you are listening:

1. Don't talk.
2. Listen carefully.
3. Do not interrupt.
4. Listen for the feelings of the other person.
5. Don't think about how you are going to respond (this interferes with listening).

When you respond to the speaker:

1. Describe what the other person said.
2. Describe what you think the other person was feeling.

Do not:

1. Correct what the other person said
2. Argue about what happened
3. Deny the other person's feelings
4. Bring up the past or things that the other person does that bother you
5. Criticize
6. Put down
7. Justify your behavior

and then a simple little fill in the blank to help you...

Person A:

When I see (hear) _______________,
I feel ___________
because I am needing (wanting) ________________.
Would you be willing to _________________.

Person B:

What I hear you say is  __________________________. 

Is that right?

Person A:

Yes. or No, what I mean is _________________________.

Person B: What I hear you say is________________________.

Is that right? 

This continues until Person A says that Person B got it all right. Once Person A's statement has been heard correctly by Person B, Person B responds with how that statement makes them feel and the conversation continues but with switched roles. 

I know... this seems a bit ridiculous in how simple it is. But you wouldn't believe how often it is that when we are talking we aren't actually communicating. 

And anyway. This is a long post to sum up that good communication makes me happy!

Random colorful photos are simply to break up a wordy post. All images found at Weheartit.com

Wee Bit Wednesday

{one} have you ever milked a cow or a goat?No. 
{two} what sound does your alarm make when it goes off in the morning?a harp strum... its actually not bad 
{three} chocolate milk or hot chocolate?hot chocolate, but I am picky and it CAN NOT be made with water. ugh. gross. how do people drink that?
{four} what is one of the quirkiest things about you?just about everything. maybe my love for studying the psychology of serial killers. although apparently it is quirky to love studying in general...
{five} are you more like your mom or your dad?My dad died when I was 2... but I am told I am still like him when it comes to some gestures, wanderlust, ambition and his "Mule" pigheadedness. However my mom also has wanderlust in her blood, is very ambiitious, and is equally stubborn. haha. My mom could be my twin. We have the same skintone, laugh, smile, bodybuild, and hand movements.  {six} do you sleep with the tv on?No. I prefer there not be a tv in the bedroom. 
{seven} if you were a crayon, what color would you be?I would be a shade of blue. looking at the list of Crayola colors these are the names I like, not all of them are blue:Pixie Powder, Alien Armpit (this a real crayon name, not that I like it as much as it makes me laugh and I bet kids love it!), Sunburnt Cyclops, Sasquatch Socks, Metallic Seaweed, Cosmic Cobolt, Steel Teal, Razzle Dazzle Rose...you get the picture, it couldn't just be "blue" 
{eight} ross, joey, or chandler?I like friends, but I never really got that involved in it... so without being attached to their characters, Joey is definitely the hottest.
{nine} do you play any musical instruments?I wish I could play the piano. I played the flute in 4th grade... funny now I can't STAND the sound of flutes.
{ten} what’s the worst thing you’ve ever cooked/baked?I can not make my mother-in-law's family spice cookies. I follow her recipe exactly and I've tried multiple times... no matter what each batch has been a failure.I follow other spice cookie recipes and VOILA... perfect cookies. I swear my MIL purposely changed the recipe because they are one of my husbands favorite things. Haha. I think its funny she feels the need to compete. Hello, I give him sex... I win.

Scavenger Hunt # 2

A last minute entry into Ashley's weekly Scavenger Hunt

Pink:

 I couldn't choose between these two shots, both taken for the hunt. A baby's pacifier left in a parking lot or a neighbor's rose.

Books: 

This is a past photo from a trip to the Denver Art Museum. Since I am a grad student surrounded by books its amazing that I just couldnt get a single shot of them... avoidance, perhaps?

Fall Colors:

Leaf:

 I was unsatisfied with the picture I took for the hunt, so below is another photo taken during the first snow storm in October 2009.

Orange:

10.10.10 a day late...

So yesterday the blog world was a flutter with different takes on 10-10-10.

Where was I? In bed.

But this morning I am forcing myself up and into my usual routine so that I can make it through a long school day. Illness be damned.

And so, I bring you yet another version of 10-10-10. I found an article written by Suzy Welch that I had thought was worth sharing. I haven't read the book. I haven't even checked out her site, but just now googled it to provide the link. I just found a three page article... and really, you don't even need that. I'm sure the concept can be expanded and explored but it is so easy... and so I introduce to you 10-10-10.

What are the consequences of my decision in 10 minutes? 10 months? 10 years?

The answers to those three questions will help a difficult choice become an easy and reasonable move. They will also help you explain -why- you made your choice to all those who might be affected by it.

In instances where impulsive actions may have happened before, the 10-10-10 questions may help to slow down the thought process and bring perspective.

Simple? Yes. Brilliant? Yes.

Happy Friday #10: Happy Ends

Hello dearies, 


I'm only writing for a short bit since I am violently ill... something going around school that is not my typical chronic stuff. However, it is still nice to take time to recognize what makes today a fabulous day. Happiness is a mindset after all! 


Today I am so happy to be DONE with changes to the presentation that my peers and I are presenting at conference. We had been asked to submit extra materials with it in order to possibly make it into a distance learning course for continued education credits for art therapists. This is kinda cool since they don't ask that from all presenters, and we are just a bunch of students. We won't know if it has been made into a course for a little while yet, but what a RELIEF to have it all handed in! 


Doesn't it just feel fabulous when you have worked hard to complete something! What projects have you finished lately? Don't forget to give yourself a big pat on the back for getting them done.


I hope that regardless of what life is throwing in your direction that you are still finding reasons to be happy.

{Happy Friday!}

Wee Bit Wednesday

{one} grilled or fried?grilled. the frying process grosses me out. although, I do like French fries.
{two} if you could change one thing about where you live, without worrying about money, what would you change?I'd stop renting and build a house. I can't wait to actually be able to design a place of my own.
{three} what is your favorite time of day?Whenever I am feeling my best... 
{four} what’s your favorite cereal?I used to love Granola or Raisin Bran. However I don't eat it anymore due to food sensitivities.But I still eat oatmeal! Drizzle a  little flax and honey over top... YUM!
{five} do you open your mouth when you put mascara on?Yes. 
{six} if you could make any fictional character come to life, which would it be?Maybe Wolverine... but only if it was still Hugh Jackman and he was in love with me, obviously. Otherwise, maybe Charlotte from Charlotte's web, even though I don't like spiders.Or... I wouldn't mind owning a transformer either....and I love Mr. Darcy and Lizzy obviously.Gosh. This question is just too hard for me. I think I could go on and on.
{seven} what are your favorite pizza toppings?Pineapple. I thought it was the weirdest thing until I actually tried it
{eight} are you a heavy or a light sleeper?Heavy, but I always wake up to things that need my attention, like I'm listening for them.
{nine} what is your favorite board game?Again, how can I choose?! Risk, Monopoly, Clue, Candy Land. 
{ten} what star/celebrity do most people say you look like?Because of the current hair I get Bettie Page

But I think its just a hair thing... and my love for heels 

I used to get Sandra Bullock, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Lopez, and Cindy Crawford a lot. 

They don't exactly look like each other, so I don't know, but I guess between the long brown hair, olive skin, dark eyes and heavy eyebrows, big smile, (I used to have a beauty mark similar to Cindy's) and prominent cheek bones and the same overall facial shape. ... maybe.
Now its YOUR turn