Fall approaches...

As I ran through the sheets of rain today, I felt grateful for the warm 80 degree air, thinking, "Wow, this still definitely feels like summer..." thinking about the times in months to come, when rain will fall, but it won't feel quite so refreshing. Though the weather hasn't shifted much, something else has. This time of year always has a buzz to it, like we're all worker bees getting our jobs and goals ready for the upcoming months. I think back to years past, as I loaded up my backpack with new school supplies, hopeful and nervous for the year ahead. This morning, I did just that. I thought about what books I'd like on the shelves of my therapist office in the elementary school where I'll be working this year, and what outfit I'd like to wear for my first day of school. As I approach another school year, I'd like to leave all of you with a powerful quote that I witnessed while visiting social work schools, before I began my journey towards social work, two and a half years ago. It was plastered on the wall by the building, and I jotted it down, wanting to implant in my memory. It reflects the work I care about, and the work I am about to do...and I think it speaks to the larger message of what I hope our country will commit itself to, though I'm sure the next couple months will be very telling. I also have had this quote on my facebook profile since I saw it written those 2.5 years ago, and I feel ready to replace it with something new, knowing that I will carry this with me as foundation for years to come.

And with that, I share it with you:

"When I see brokenness, poverty and crime in inner cities, I also see the enormous potential and readiness for transformation and rebirth. We are creating an art form that comes from the heart and reflects the pain and sorrow of people's lives. It also expresses joy, beauty, and love. This process lays the foundation of building a genuine community in which people are reconnected with their families, sustained by meaningful work, nurtured by the care of each other and will together raise and educate their children. Then we witness social change in action." -Lily Yeh


To all you worker bees out there, I wish you well on your journeys. And I will be in touch as I move forward with mine.

Adieu!
Anna

Hello there blog-o-sphere!

It's been a full month, and here we are, on August 1st.

The commentators' voices fill the apartment, as I watch the swimming excitement of the Olympics. In honor of the Olympics, I have some fun clips/tidbits to share with y'all:

1] First, Gabby Douglas. Incredible, beautiful, Gabby, who now is one of the "Fab Five" to have won the gold for the USA women's gymnastics team:

2] Divers. And how they look in the midst of their dives.

3] Missy Franklin: a force to be reckoned with. Some may have misjudged her for her "emotions," but she channeled her awesome energy into her races and kicked ass

And this article, which challenges the one above, and speaks further about the awesomeness of Missy. 

Cheers to all the Olympians out there working hard and making their countries proud! 

<3

AK

An in(ter)dependence kind of day!

 While I think that independence is important and glorious, I also really like the idea of interdependence. Today I look forward to carousing with friends from all parts of my life at a feast later on this afternoon, as we eat grilled delicacies and chat on a West Philly porch, reconnecting, and celebrating our lives together. This day, to me, then, is more about being connected to others--interdependence-- and less about independence.

In celebration of interdependence, I invite you to look at this clip from 5/23/12, which reflects not only glorious creativity and spirit, but also great interdependence-- interdependence of the people who worked hard to put this project together, but more than that, the interdependence of this wonderful community of people, with so much love to share, all in celebration of one couple:

With happy wishes for a lovely day of interdependence, I wish you well on your fourth of July!

Cheers,

Anna

Aspirations.

A few summers back, my friends and I would listen to music and dance around in our college apartment. Recently, one of my friends posted this video to my Facebook wall, and it brought me back to those lovely days:

And not only was I able to remember our fabulous, memorable dance parties, as we reenacted this video...but I was able to be reminded that this woman (and her friend) are who I aspire to be when I get older. Their energy is infectious, their dance moves creative, and their presences are truly inspirational! Also, it should be noted that this song is sung by Ben Kweller. The star of the video is his grandmother, who was 83 at the time. Knowing this, I fell even more in love with this video.

Thank you, Jimmy, for bringing these ladies back into my life. (And this song, which I adore.) 

Cheers,

Anna

Evening inspiration.

A fabulous young woman who lives in Arizona, who I grew up with in Bergen County, NJ, is about to begin an important journey around the United States. 

She is a talented photographer, capturing the feminist movement through her photos. After taking pictures of feminists and posting them online, her success has grown, and she has felt inspired to take this project to a national level. She plans to travel, taking pictures of feminists around the country, and creating a book from her travels. Talk about inspiration! Her words are inspiring, as she discusses her project. Her project is inspiring in its unique and empowering approach to feminism. And her journey as a photographer is inspiring, as she delves into this work, jumping into this large-scale adventure! Read more about her project here.

And with that, I bid you good night. 

Sleep well, and I will (hopefully) be in touch soon.

Cheers to an inspiring week,

Anna

Inspirational Saturday

The weather is sticky and hot, and I sit baking away in my un-airconditioned apartment in Philadelphia. Today, I am posting two stories (submitted by Sally T., San Francisco, CA):

A heartwarming tale about a father's gift to his daughter on her high school graduation:

And Maurice Sendak, in all his glory, in his interview with Fresh Air on May 8, 2012:

And with that, I send refreshing air your way, wherever you are. 

Cheers to a happy Saturday,

Anna 

Buzzfeed does it again.

In a world that continues to struggle with homophobia and anti-gay sentiment, when people still post horrifically closed minded and offensive views on a happy Oreo ad, celebrating pride:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-krafts-gay-pride-oreo-draws-20000-comments-some-flak-20120627,0,490983.story

When a teen lesbian couple was found attacked in Texas, one of them killed, and the other in serious condition in a nearby hospital: 

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-texas-lesbians-shot-20120626,0,5851118.story

Buzzfeed still manages to instill hope: 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/the-most-inspiring-gay-pride-pictures

The world still has a lot of growing to do, but this selection of photos fills my heart with so much warmth and happiness. 

Thank you. 

Cheers,

Anna