#44

I took the Target gift card given to me at work last week for purposes of buying myself a Thanksgiving turkey ((who the hell buys Thanksgiving turkeys at Target??)) and donated it to the toy drive for kids in local hospitals. Now sick kids can buy shoddy but stylish home furnishings and lightsabers!!

#43

After shooting the video for "Enseña Ecuador" I decided to become part of a project called "Arteducarte" and teach art classes on Tuesdays at a public school (tomorrow is my third class but in the last two we have already worked a lot). I have two 6th grade classes and right now we are working on a photography project in collaboration with their Language class. The students will be making photo sequences to tell a story (inpired in the work of Duane Michals). They have already created their story boards and tomorrow they will be photographing... I'm seriously nervous about the potential disaster this can be (keeping track of them running around the school). I will keep sharing photos of my wonderful students and their wonderful projects. For now, all I can say is thank you J&J for being incredible mentors. The only way I can do justice to all that you have done for me is by sharing what you have taught me. Love you!

#42

Julie's Kindness Project (Part 1)

I produced, shot and edited a video for "Enseña Ecuador" (the Teach for All chapter in Ecuador) with the collaboration of my dear cousin who helped me with the second camera and the editing, and the help of two friends who recorded the track and mastered the audio. We made this video almost pro-bono (our travel and food expenses were covered). Since the chapter is relatively new (two years), Enseña Ecuador is an organization with limited budgets. The experience shooting this video was amazing, throughout the entire project I was reminded of J&J (especially when one of the hard drives broke and we lost all the footage, ugh how many times you guys told me to have backups...lesson learned, promise!) I was moved by all the stories, especially of those who teach. This experience inspired the Part 2 of Mari's Julie's Kindness Project.

#41

The Julie Project- helped raise money to help this artist get well.

#40

Today I reflect on what it means to lead my non-profit organization Grow It Forward, and how, by our mission, I personally work to connect community and pay it forward. I believe it is an inherent attribute, and it is my responsibility to share gifts of time, treasure, and talent with the world around me...and perhaps to inspire others to become self-aware of the world around them.

This morning I shared a simple gesture of compassion. I had went out for breakfast with my parents at a local restaurant. The waitress sat us down and took our drink order and scuttled away. At the table across the aisle, I could see an elderly man, by himself, finishing up his meal. I watched him place his hands upon the table and trying to leverage himself to stand. But the table, not quite sturdy enough, kept tilting and his plate and other items on the table were close to slipping off the table. I quickly stood up and went to the man's side and asked if he'd like help getting up. He asked if I could hold the table down; however, he still seemed quite weak to stand. So I placed my arm under his and helped him rise. I then grabbed his walker and asked if he wanted help with his coat. He quietly said "Thank you, I have Parkinson's" and then went on his way.

I honor those mentor/teachers before and among me, who have helped guide me to be a kinder and more compassionate being.

#39

#38

Have been seeing a few of these, thanks! Hoping to set up a special fund soon to pay for photo supplies for students, as they're getting too $$$.