Can this happen?

Well, I have been sewing out of my mind!

And I am starting to think...am I crazy to be doing this right now? I was talking about it with my mom tonight and I think that we brainstormed some pretty awesome alternatives.

All I know is that I know in my heart that something must be done and this is how I can contribute. This war must come to an end. The Congo must become free. We as a world should work together to create a conflict free world. This is a passion. This is a dream. I have to do this.

I'm going to go through with it

Well, today I re-talked myself into the Etsy shop! I am going to start emailing fabric places to see if they can donate any spare fabric. If anyone reads this and has any spare fabric please email me at blair.barrows9@gmail.com! I would really appreciate it!!! I plan on donating 100% of the proceeds to non-profits for the Congo, so donating fabric would help out sooo much!!! Well, I hope that this works out!!

My inspiration for today that sent me over the edge:

http://fallingwhistlesretour2010.wordpress.com/

These guys are living their protest. They are traveling sharing their voice as their weapon for change. They are my inspiration and they should be yours.

1 step forward...10 steps back???

Well, while I was watching the Ellen show I learned about a brave teenager named Constance. When wanted to go to her school's high school prom and she wanted to bring her girlfriend. Her school told her that not only she could not bring her girlfriend but she could also not wear a tuxedo, even though that is what she would have felt more comfortable in. She said that the school said that it was ok for her to wear one but they just did not want a man to show up in a dress. The school told Constance that she could bring her date on the condition that they could not hold hands, kiss, or make anyone uncomfortable. If they did make anyone uncomfortable then she and her girlfriend would have to leave. After the school dealt with some outside battles, they cancelled the prom all together.

This is UNBELIEVABLE!!! At least it is to me. I feel like things have come so far but this just shows me how much further things have to go. This just makes me angry because I want to go into education! Today I listened to women say how frustrated they were with teaching. I know that it is a difficult profession but it is what I want to do. But do teachers even have any power? The school board trumps over all. Teachers can inspire and change children, teens, and adults. However, if the school does not allow the inspiration to happen then what are teachers faced with?

Nice people

After a rough night of not sleeping and thinking the most refreshing thing happened this morning! My dad and I went to Waffle House, a after church tradition. When we walked in we were welcomed and introduced to a lovely older couple! Her name was Verna and she quickly began complimenting me and my dad. We all sat down to wait for a table and she began to tell us about how her and her husband had been married 60 YEARS and met at the Marist (a local school here) prom all those years ago. She raved about her husband, constantly complimenting him about how wonderful he is and has always been! I was overwhelmed with how nice she was and the beautiful story of her life love. I only wish and hope that each person is able to experience that in their life. I feel like today if a person is hopeful about the future it is seen as naive and unrealistic. People ask themselves why they should believe in life happiness and happy endings. Yes we are faced with horrible situations everyday that allow us to think this way. However, happiness exists in the world between people. I am 100% sure of it.

Craft challenge!!!

Alright, I am making a craft challenge for myself! Do something crafty EVERYDAY! Maybe now I can finally finish all of the knitted gifts that I have promised everyone! And get some fun care packages together for some fun people! What have I done today? I hand stitched the back of the two baby blankets that I made! The blanket stitch that I learned in brownies has never been so helpful...

In other news: If you have not heard of "The Swell Season" then what are you doing??? This is one of the most beautiful bands of our generation! ...Or mine at least...

They speak of truth and beauty and belief. What more could we ask of our musicians? Please give them a listen! You will not be sorry!

Smile

I know that a smile is one of the few universal facial expressions thanks to psychology and anthropology classes. However, I never realized how universal the smile was until yesterday. I was in the park watching a really cute schmedium sized dog. The owner spoke spanish and was playing with his daughter. We spoke different languages, but for a second we both shared a smile. I know it sounds cheesy, but come on, I'm a cheesy person.

What I have thought about: This beautiful story

The man without a face, or rather a nose and his wife who still stands by his side. I almost started crying last night while watching this amazing story on the news. He choose to live without a face than die with one. His story is touching and I believe that everyone needs to hear about it.

In other news, I finished two baby blankets yesterday! My domestic skills are growing? I owned that bias tape!

Changing History?

What challenged me: Altering Books?

I feel like whenever textbooks get changed it is a super conservative party fighting that their children are learning material that is "too liberal" for their mind. It reminds me of parents thinking that their children will turn gay from reading Harry Potter. I saw on t.v. that Texas had voted to change their history textbooks. They wanted to change specific words in it to make them sound more "friendly," and add more information such as the Conservative resurgence. I just don't have a good feeling about this...

In other news: I am breaking out the sewing machine tomorrow!