New Photo/Mailing Project

This weekend I helped me sister with her promotion video for service learning.  The main theme was to change the world.  She cut out red paper hearts and wrote "Keep Changing the World" on at least 15 of them.  We drove and walked around our town, hoping to reach out to the community.  All we asked was 2 minutes of their time.  Most people sped off before we could finish, others just shrugged and said they were in a hurry.  There was no commitment or any financial donation.  The people's faces weren't even going to be in the video.  My sister was just handing out hearts and hoping to pass on the word.

By the time she finished today, we had about 20 people out of the 30 she asked.  Not bad for 2 days.  It gave me an idea.  Thanksgiving is coming around and it wouldn't hurt to give people kinds words and gestures.  I was thinking I could send anonymous greeting cards to people.  Maybe short notes, wishing them a good day, hoping they smile at least 5 times that week.  It'd be fun to photograph. 

Better yet, I should try and keep in touch with friends that I haven't talked to in years and see if they'll reply.

I enjoy taking time to write to people and getting replies.  It seems more personal.  Every time I see 25 emails bulking up my inbox, I just cringe and try to put it off.  It builds up so I can't really ignore them, though I try to avoid turning on my computer.  I get enough reminders on my phone.

Highlights of my day

Even though I wish I could scream my stress away, I know that's not going to happen.  Thank goodness I work with kids because they always manage to say something to make my day.

Kid 1: Mrs. Anne...
Me: I'm not married! I'm too young.
Kid 1: Oh sorry, Miss Anne! How much older are you going to be until you do get married?

Kid 2: Are you going to grow anymore?
Me: Nope, I stopped a while ago.
Kid 2: Pretty soon I'll be as tall as you!
Kid 3: What are you talking about? She's not short, she's taller than all of us! Look! (Measures by arm span) Her height is 6! She's 6 feet tall!

Kid 4: You're fancy!
Me: I am?
Kid 4: Yeah, that's why I like you.

My favorite is the Sesame Street kid.  I smiled at him on the playground and he kept following me around.  Pretty soon he started to dance in circles and sang the Sesame Street theme song.  I tried so hard to keep a serious face, but I ended up laughing with him.

I love kids :).