TWLOHA!

To Write Love on Her Arms

Mission Statement:

"To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire and also to invest directly into treatment and recovery."

I was introduced to this organization during my sophomore year of college. I was coordinating a fashion show and we needed to find a cause that connected to our population. TWLOHA was it. It was a fresh and ‘cool’ way to address the same problems that have been hindering people forever.

(For the last scene of the show, we all wrote love all over!)

I think that this group presents themselves in a way that attracts younger audiences that are often affected, but not given a voice. I don’t suffer from depression, self-injury, or depression, but I am strongly compelled to be a part of the movement. It’s contagious. Once you learn more about this organization it’s hard not to work towards the cause.

This is an example of one of their ad-campaigns. I like it because it’s straight to the point AND pretty. TWLOHA advertisements feel youthful because of their bold colors and choice of media. Some of their ads look like art projects I had in high school.

They also spread their message electronically through Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Tumblr, blogs, and their very own website.

The merchandise also helps spread the word. They’ve got t-shirts, hats, totes and much more. All of the items look good. It’s an easy way to educate while looking good; a conversation starter.

“Hey, what’s twah-low-ha?”

Here are a few more ads:

The call to action is clear.

Be encouraged.

Be informed.

Be inspired.

Check out the website to learn more:

http://twloha.com/

Here’s the link to the merchandise:

http://twloha.zambooie.com/

Awesome Destinations

I consider myself to be an international person. The only problem I face is the fact that I’ve never been out of the United States. I find myself drawn to exotic and colorful locations, but I’m never seen there personally.

If I had the money, the guts, and the time, I would disappear. The world’s coolest destinations (according to Karrie Jacobs of Travel+Liesure Magazine) are the exact places I would go. Some of these spots have put the rules of architecture on its ears with their unusual shapes. These would be the best places to take pictures.

Herzog & de Meuron’s showroom at

VitraHaus, in Weil am Rhein, Germany

Image taken by Iwan Baan

“Furniture manufacturer Vitra’s grassy headquarters at the meeting point of France, Germany, and Switzerland (just outside Basel) has been an architecture destination since its Frank Gehry–designed museum opened in 1989. There are also buildings by Zaha Hadid and Tadao Ando, but the most remarkable sight may be the new showroom and store designed by the Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron. The architects have taken the archetypal pitched-roof house, elongated it, and stacked 12 of them up like fireplace logs. Inside, you can follow winding staircases through the dreamlike space and look for home furnishings.”

The article goes on to point out 7 other locations that are sure to shock and intrigue. I found this article interesting because it was simple and straight to the point. The images were the first things to catch my eye. I was surprised that something with such an awkward design could stand. I am enticed enough to want to visit. I’m interested to see the inside. I want to know if the second floor is level. Does it connect all way through? How many staircases are on the inside? Are you allowed to wonder the entire building?

This piece has served its purpose. I have yet to travel the world, but I know this is somewhere I want to go.

Follow the link to read about the other destinations:

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-coolest-design-destinations/1

"Fat-urday!"

Dr. Oz takes a new spin on dieting. One day of the week is designated for pure cheating; he calls it "Fat-urday." On the "Fat-urday" meal plan you're allowed succumb to the temptation of every snack you desire and eat junk to your hearts content.

When you don't eat your body holds on to the fat. This is because it senses that it is being starved. The same goes for a sudden diet. Your body is more reluctant to let go of the fat it is storing because it has prepared itself to go without food for some time. The idea of a cheat day doesn't put your diet in relapse mode, it gives your body the freedom it needs to drop the extra fat.

Dr. Oz explains that people who cheat lose more weight. I believe he is correct. My sister has lost almost 20 pounds using the "Fat-urday" concept. In her case she follows a saintly diet regiment during the week, and binges like its nobody's business on the weekend. It works for her.

Unfortunately Dr. Oz doesn't tell people to completely lose their minds during their one day cheating sprees; he lays out some ground rules.

Follow the link to read the full article:

http://healthybodydaily.com/dr-oz-diets/dr-oz-fat-urday-cheat-on-your-diet-and-still-lose-weight-with-ozs-fat-urday-cheat-plan

OR

Follow the link to watch the episode:

http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/dr-ozs-fat-urday-day-cheat-your-diet

Exposing the Process and Making a Change

I've never been one to expose the process of my work. Its difficult. My thought process is not something that can be explained. I move backwards, then forwards, through the middle, and then on to the perimeter. Sometimes I mix things up even more and work in order.

It has been this way forever. In elementary school we started learning the basics of algebra. My teacher explained this long drawn out procedure that in my mind made things harder. By eliminating several steps and swopping out a formula, I was able to make sense of the whole mess. My teacher was angry at first, but when she couldn't find flaw in my new system she had to let it go. I have to internalize information in a way that will make sense to me when I spit it back out.

In church, one of the Elders kept trying to take my pens away. During the sermon my head would be down, and my pen would be busy. Apparently my focus on the program sheet was too strong. In hindsight I can see why he thought I wasn't listening, but it doesn't change the fact that he was wrong. I'm a hardcore doodler. The action of drawing stimulates something in my mind. Every word spoken around me resonates on the inside. Eye contact is not something you want from me in a situation that requires listening for long periods of time. Eye contact means that I've allowed my mind to wander. Even my process of listening differs from the norm. In the end, the information was retained. I know that Jonah was swallowed by a big fish, not a whale. I also know that you can't run from your responsibilities to God; he'll find you.

I am taking 'Words and Images,' and my current struggle is exposing the process. It seems to be an integral part of the class already. In the past I've moved according to my own rules. As long as the end result was correct, the means to getting there wasn't an issue.

It's a new day.

In order to be successful in this class, I'm going to have to make a change … at least for the time being.

...but you'll be fine...

I'll admit it, when I started this class I was not prepared for the amount of work that would be required of me. I heard horror stories about the late nights, spontaneous tears, and cruel critiques. "But you'll be fine," always followed. From one student to the next, "I failed it the first time, but you'll be fine." How am I supposed to respond to that? The people that I have been looking up to admit that they've succumbed to the misery of the challenge. Then who am I to say I can do it?

Fear can leave you comatose; crippling your mind and your actions. Waking up from that oppressive fear is what allows for growth in the future. The warnings were coming from a good place, but perhaps too many warnings came at a time. I had begun something without even realizing it. Only now am I registering what I've truly gotten myself into.

All that's left for me to do now is to work hard and pray. I'll pray that they were right, "I'll be fine," I had better be. I have NO plans of ever taking this class again.