Perspective

I was going through my favorites online today.  Sorting them out, seeing how my interests have changed, deleting the links that no longer work.  And I found one of my friend's deviantart profiles.  I haven't looked at this in a long time.  I love that she is a crazy redhead like me.  And so I loved her picture "Seeing in Red."  I also loved this picture that she titled "Finding Beauty in Dying Things."  And it reminded me to look for beauty all around me.

http://theredrandom.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d1bh52a

 

Perspective is everything.

ArtPrize 2012

This was Nick and I's favorite piece at ArtPrize.  (We even agreed on which piece we loved most.)  It is a piece by Dan Heffron.  It received 6th place in ArtPrize and was located right outside the B.O.B.  It was carved from a single black walnut log.  Most artists didn't allow you to touch their pieces, but for this one it was encouraged.  You can read more about the piece here: http://www.artprize.org/dan-heffron/2012/life-in-wood.  Both years we have really enjoyed the art and festivities (interactive art) outside the B.O.B. 

I can't wait to go again next year!  So much incredible art!  So much to see!  We were there for about seven hours and still didn't see it all.  Definitely an inspiring experience. 

Binder Park Zoo

My boyfriend and I went to Binder Park on August 22nd to see the bear cubs!  They were seven months old and they were so cute! 

We also really enjoyed feeding the giraffes!

 

 

Next I want to go see the baby hedgehogs at Potter Park!

Lanterns

I have yet to let a lantern go, but my boyfriend and I happened to go to ArtPrize on the night of Lights in the Night!  More than 15,000 lanterns were launched from downtown Grand Rapids!! It was an incredible experience!  And I thought fireworks were pretty amazing. 

Apologize and Encourage

Today a customer apologized for being a jerk to me a couple weeks ago. I was shocked and caught off guard as this never happens, but it was the encouragement that I needed for the day. Each day holds a small glimmer of sunshine that needs to be held onto tightly. Or if it doesn't I somehow need to create my own glimmer. I need to remember to be a glimmer of sunshine for others as well.  Sunday, I also received some much needed encouragement from my boss. The apology and encouragement remind me how important these two things are in our lives, especially at work and in relationships. I need to remember to be encouraging and thankful always and apologize when needed. When I am stressed I tend to get really short and to the point with people. I am also working on not letting my stress show, or better yet not getting stressed about things at all, but just taking them as they come. I have a feeling this will be a lifelong process. But my stress level has gone down recently, even when things aren't going well. May it continue. 

Toledo Zoo

We went to the Toledo Zoo for my birthday. Our favorite parts of this zoo trip were the elephants. We enjoyed watching the mama elephant with her baby and also enjoyed watching an elephant eat a whole watermelon! It was interesting to hear one of the zookeepers talk about the elephant eating the watermelon because the zoo rescued him from an abusive owner. Before arriving at the zoo the elephant was a part of a small thrown together circus and lived on a diet of skittles and donuts. He was also abused by his owner's wife with a pitchfork and arrived caked in feces. :-/  He is on a much better diet now, has gained a lot of weight and they have helped him develop muscles that he was never able to develop while living in a small cage.

Next I want to go to Binder Park Zoo to see the baby bear cubs!

Potter Park Zoo and Baby Tigers

Today, my boyfriend Nick and I, went to Potter Park Zoo to see the tiger cubs!  They are 10 months old and weigh around 70 lbs.  They are so adorable! You can read more about them here: http://www.potterparkzoo.org/blog/tiger-cub-update. 

One more star for my summer list.*

Magic

"If there is magic on this planet it is contained in water." ~ Loren Eiseley

Summer Fun

Summer is full of fun and inspiring things to do.  I’m hoping to fit them all in!

I have starred the things that I have done this summer, but want to do again.

-          Go to the beach**
-          Collect sand from different beaches
-      Go to the Zoo (want to visit all different ones)***
-          Blow bubbles*
-          Let a lantern go
-          Sparklers!
-          Photo shoot with my love
-          Tigers game
-          See the baby tiger cubs at Potter Park*
-          Butterfly garden
-          Outdoor concert*
-          Go to a drive-in movie
-          Visit John Ball Park Zoo
-          Fireworks*
-          Bike riding
-          Long walks*
-          Sunsets at the beach*
-          Sunrise at the beach
-          Read a few good books
-          Go to Art Prize
-          Visit an aquarium
-          Visit an African Safari Zoo
-          Write*
-     Strawberry Smoothies**
-         Stargazing
-         Bonfires*
-         S’mores with Reese’s
-         Fireflies
-         Strawberry Shortcake*




What do you want to do this summer?

Delicious Morning

I started my morning with strawberries, peaches, and bananas in strawberry yogurt.  What a great start to the day. :)