Launched Birth Kalamazoo's New Site!

I have been doing a lot of freelance projects that I definitely think I need to blog about. One project that I am so happy to be part of is the redesign of Birth Kalamazoo's new website: Click Here!

This group supports natural birth and conducts birth classes in Southwest Michigan. They promote education in the community and offer world class Doulas to support women in through their birth journey.

I helped to create the new site to sink more with the their current marketing materials. I really enjoy designing for organizations that I believe in and support. I am an aunt once again and I want to welcome my new nephew Calvin Rutgers into the world (picture on the left).

Crickets Crickets... My poor negetlected blog.

I am rather inspired by my amazing friend since childhood Rachel for keeping up her rather enjoyable loveshoebox blog. I didn't realize that you can write a blog and actually have people read it and share opinions/insight into different topics. I love to catch up with what her topic is next.

My blog has been collecting dust bunnies since I went to Colorado back in April. So much has happened since that time including getting a new job at Kellogg in the Print Services Department. I was so worried when I was searching before for a job and only a month later I found something which isn't easy in the state that is #1 for unemployment.

I visited Rachel in Vancouver and found that I love the West Coast especially BC. They had licence plates that said, "Beautiful British Columbia". I totally agreed. I think I would love to live there and I even have family. My cousin Sharon who I met for the first time was such a cool person. I wish we lived closer I know we would be really great friends. I already dying to go back! I also have had some freelance opportunities with another design studio in Grand Rapids and an amazing gig with "Flipped" a feature film directed by Rob Reiner being shot in Ann Arbor. I got to work with the Production Designer who worked on the summer movie "The Hangover". I have been so busy and loving every minute of it! I have been all over the map literally and figuratively. I have been thinking of moving to NYC and now LA! We will see what will happen. Is it possible for me to live everywhere and do everything? I hope so... Take one day at a time and enjoy the ride.

Breaking Away in Boulder

I recommend a trip to the rocky's for everyone.

We Feel Fine

I came across some of Jonathan Harris's talks on the TED Award's site. He is amazing to listen to and I want to follow what other projects he heads up. I am becoming a big fan. I like creative ways of using all this data and not for a particular profit. The internet is a more impersonal connection but people are using it more and more to express themselves and feel a human connection with others. I was very fascinated by many of his projects including one he did about online dating called "I Want You To Want Me". This site seems refreshing and very fun. He has a curiosity to connect with other people. When I go to this site that collects feelings across the internet, I almost feel like I'm intruding. This random person I don't know feels really sad, another girl is excited about something going on at her work... thought after thought. If anything it is therapeutic to write down in a journal the way you are feeling. Mabe more so for people to do it on the internet. As if they have released a thread of themselves for whomever cares enough to scan through to see what they are doing.

http://www.wefeelfine.org/

Inspiring People from Ted Awards

I have discovered something that maybe many people already know exists but I had no idea. I love stumbling across things that you never knew about. Finding it yourself is very gratifying. While researching presentation design I came across the TED AWARDS. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. I really love Design but the other areas and lectures in Technology and Entertainment are equally as engaging. This annual conference started in 1984 the year I was born. It brings together the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives short presentation or lecture. The Ted Awards bring brilliant people with extraordinary ideas! I think it would be great for me to share some of my favorites to encourage others to learn about these people and these topics. Maybe I can also thread together my own interests by the people I find most fascinating.

http://www.ted.com

Thoughts on Revolutionary Road

I recently saw the movie revolutionary road. It was a pretty depressing movie but it had some interesting points and the acting was amazing not to mention the art direction. It had threads of truth in it that people can relate to in daily life. The fact we all want to feel special and DO SOMETHING with our lives outside of the normal just get a job to pay the bills, settle down, have some kids, and just live your life. I dread the idea of settling down-- can we call it something else? I don't think I'll ever exactly settle down. Being committed, faithful, responsible for things is another story but to me that doesn't mean settling down. Sometimes I think the thing that draws people to me is the thing that also can push them away. In relationships at least. Guys are drawn to the explorer side but they also want to just want to be comfortable and have stability. I want stability too but I want to still be passionate about everything. I understand that need for adventure and the desire to travel to new places. The idea of just getting so comfortable in the suburban way of life with the 2 kids, a dog and mortgage doesn't entice me but at the same time I want it. Can we have both? Best of both world? Can I be comfortable and "settled down" without settling down? I want to always be a free spirit and dream of going places and doing new things. I understand being noble to commitments and taking on responsibilities even if they are not glamorous. I just don't want to lose myself in those things I guess. I wonder if I'm the only one that feels this... The picture above is one I took in Venice when my parents were visiting Italy. I love this picture for some reason. I hope I get to see new places in my future and balance that with my "settling down" life.

Obey Sightings in DC

I absolutely love the Obey movement. Although I am slightly disappointed I see obey shirts are being sold at the buckle which to me is more dude bro-ish of a store then underground artists... You know what I'm talking about? Dude-Bros just don't get it. I am happy that Shepard Fairey is doing so well with the Hope poster and with the brand growing. Obey started with Andre the Giants face being tagged all over major cities all over the world. I had seen it in New York, Israel, and Greece just to name a few places I have been that I randomly saw Andre. It was really neat discovering it on my own in DC when I was there for the inauguration. I haven't been creating much of any art other than my 9-5 commercial work for presentations etc. but I hope to get back to my artistic roots sometime in the near future.

A new day...

There are so many things I could tell to you about being in DC on January 20th, 2009. You could feel the energy everywhere. People seemed more genuine and willing to help a stranger that day. My friend Robin forgot to get batteries and a stranger gave her 4 fresh batteries and would take no money for his generosity. I hope this willingness to help each other grows and I hope that this generation can stop thinking of themselves and start thinking about what is best for everyone. I fall short everyday as I think of my needs before others but I know to those who have been given much, much is expected. I have been given a lot and I don't always show that my best in giving to others but my heart really wants to give. I decided to volunteer for an after school program in my community called Girls on the Run. I was originally thinking I'd be an assistant coach but now I am considering being a full time coach. If those are the needs of my community then I will step up and make time. I want to make an impact in my world and with the support of my work to leave a little early a few days a week during the program, I can make a difference in young girl's lives.

Presidential Inauguration 2009

I am very excited because a friend of mine won tickets to go to the Inauguration and invited me to use one of her tickets. I can't imagine what it will be like to be in DC on that day but I already feel the excitement. We are staying way outside the city because it is very expensive at this time to find anything in DC. I will keep an update on my blog about what happened and all the things that went on.

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon

Some news to share I completed my second Marathon on October 5th in Minneapolis/Saint Paul. It wasn't the best conditions when it started down pouring around mile 6 but that made it that much sweeter when completed.

Pink Elephant on my Lap.

Be pretty.

Chicago has FUN things.

Hope.

WSI kzoo symphony Ad

LA-Z-BOY Print Ad

Expect the unexpected with La-Z-Boy.

University Hospitals Print Ad

I worked on these print ads when I worked at Doner Advertising. The objective was to create a print ad that shows the Cleveland community that University Hospital is the hometown hospital in town. The Rainbow Babies program encourages parents to choose the best for their child.

New Job!

I just started as the Marketing Coordinator at WSI in Kalamazoo. WSI is a staffing agency that strives to invest in their clients as partners by building a strong relationship in order to understand their specific and unique needs. They provide results by a process they go through to match the right people and the right companies because it is important to the company environment fits their personality and specific needs. I am very excited to help direct the Marketing and Branding for this exciting company.

Detroit Zoo

The Little Red Plane

This is my second Children's book in the making. It is written and edited by Suzanne Rutgers and Marissa Gearhart.

I <3 Brooklyn

Emily and I at the Brooklyn Bridge.

Adventure Horn Blower

As I am seeking out opportunities New York I stumbled upon a position I never knew was offered. My friend Jen captured this photo on our trip to see Lady Liberty.

Prius Microsite Concept

I love my Prius. So I decided to create a concept for a microsite that would be for Prius owners and those that wish they were. It would be a flash site that constantly is growing and changing reflecting on Prius' positive change to our environment. I would have the Prius sponsor new tv series online to get people to the microsite.

Sipping on Tavalon Tea in a Vespa Sidecar

I am going out to New York to explore, go on some interviews, and see some old friends. I can't wait. The last time I was in NYC was last summer when I came out for less than a week. I had the luxury of riding around in cherry apple red a Stella Vespa sidecar through Little Italy and SOHO. Taking pictures with my friends high end camera as we drove. One of my highlights was checking out Tavalon Tea Bar. It is the best tea I have ever had because they are so precise on heating up the tea. I can't wait to go back there as I check out more places and look around for design work.

Jugglin' Ain't Easy

Hey I entered this Ad in moveon.org's Obama in 30 Seconds contest.
Please send this to people to watch it.


http://obamain30seconds.org/vote/?v=view-1551-hJ4oCI

How I found myself drawn into and away from the Victorian Mold.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=580691332773
"Across the broad continent of a woman's life falls the shadow of the sword." On on side of that sword, she said, there lies convention and tradition and order, where "all is correct." But on the other side of that sword, if you're crazy enough to cross it and choose a life that does not follow convention, "all is confusion. Nothing follows a regular course." — Virginia Woolf

Transitional Phase 2.3

Traveling is a rush of excitement mixed with anxiety of the unknown. The longing to be away but fear of being too far from the familiarity home. Wanting to experience it all drives me far away but the longing for community brings me back.