On Saturday, I had a reunion with two of my college roommates. After the dorms I moved into an apartment with 3 other girlfriends, Kasey, April, and Kelly. We had a great time living together, and hadn't seen them in almost 2 years at another friend's wedding. Kelly is still living in Long Beach, but Kasey and April are local and we met up for dinner and a long needed catch up.
{Kasey, me, April - 2010}
{2007}
Last year I started something called Project 365...posting 1 photo every day for 365 days. I started it in July and was successful in posting every day, but at the end of 2010 I decided I wanted to start a new one for 2011, just to have it run from Jan 1 - Dec 31. You can see both projects on the tab above called "Project 365."
Sunday was a special day as well. I went to a volunteer orientation for a nonprofit organization called Art 4 Healing. They do art as a form of therapy with kids and adults suffering from trauma such as loss, disease, stress, etc. I hope to work with the cancer patients at the Children's Hospital...something very close to my heart. When I was in the hospital, I had a wonderful Child Life Specialist who provided endless projects, arts & crafts, and other activities that kept my mind off the current situation I was in. I am starting to realize more and more that maybe working with pediatric cancer patients is something I want to do, whether as a career or being involved in volunteer work. I went through that experience, may as well use it toward helping others in the same situation. At the orientation we did a mini painting workshop, this was mine:
So far this year has been great. Staying optimistic. Attempting to get the ball rolling on my next steps in life. I have already seen long lost friends, been participating in Tracey Clark's Picture Winter class (see my photos here), and taken lots of photos with my new camera. It always feels good to have a new fresh start. So...what's new with you?
i love the picture of the flowers, very cool. oh, to meet up with old friends, there is just nothing like it, is there? i met my two best friends in 7th grade and we are still BFF....and ummmm...i'm 36 so that's a long time! : ) art 4 healing sounds so cool i have always wanted to do something maybe a little like that but then i'm not sure..maybe one day. thanks for joining in for coffee this week!
ReplyDeleteAwww! The girls!!! I am glad you got to see them chels! All you are missing is Kelly:) You are so talented Chels, in so many ways!! Love the painting. Kind of reminds me of Van Gough's Starry Night :)
ReplyDeletewell hi chelsea- lovely to meet you over a virtual coffee...or in my case today mint tea...!
ReplyDeletewow - i loved your painting...there's a lot of confidence in your bold, sure brush strokes...you would be an inspiration to a art class that took people in therapy away from their situation for a moment & just encouraged them to create...
we had a friend in sydney, australia who did this with young people who were incarcerated for petty crimes etc...& they really believed that these people changed with, amongst other things, their encouragement...they learnt so much about another side of themselves.
fantastic photos of you three *roomies*- friendship is a blessed thing- not to be taken for granted...
so glad we met- thank you to amy!!
melissa x
Love your work, as always, Chels! I think a career in helping others through what you know is already a tough struggle is brilliant! Or even just volunteer work! You have SOOO much to add and bring to the world and you probably don't even know it! Love and miss you.
ReplyDeleteK