Accepted

It's official - I am going to grad school. You can click on the above logo for more information about the school and program but to summarize: I will be in a two year program to get a masters of fine arts in design (with a focus on industrial design). At the end of August I will transform into a design student once more in hopes of launching into the field of consumer products. I was so excited to get accepted. I heard only 15 of 2oo+ applicants get in and I was flattered to be one of them. Post acceptance, however, has been a different story. I've had a few anxiety/panic attacks thinking about all the financial aid we just accepted and wading through my self-doubt and insecurity. Thankfully Kevin has been unwavering in his confidence of me and this direction. It is a ginormous risk - to move from merely dreaming about being a product designer to actually attempting to become one. Let's just say I've left plenty of space for miracles to happen :)

Back in March Kevin and I were walking through the Denver International Airport and I was in awe of the ceiling and design. I love it! I also love that in a few months it is quite likely I will never have to design interiors again - no more carpet, paint colors, tile patterns, space flow diagrams... I can't wait. Finally my appreciation for architecture will be set free to be just that - appreciation.

Under Construction

Yesterday I went to see one of my projects that is currently under construction - the renovation of the x-ray/imaging department of a hospital in Oakland (7,271 SF). The steel studs and electrical are all in - in June all the drywall goes up. Occupancy is set for January 2010. I can't wait! My first project (from start to finish) is only months away from completion.

Are Cheerios Healthy?

An article by The Daily Green reported today:

"Just weeks after Kellogg agreed to stop a national advertising campaign that misleadingly claimed its Frosted Mini Wheats boost kids' attention spans, General Mills has been ordered by the Food and Drug Administration to scale back its claims about what Cheerios can do for your health. In essence, General Mills had been claiming that a box of Cheerios is a powerful drug designed to lower cholesterol, fight heart disease and high blood pressure, when in fact ... it is a breakfast cereal.

This is a strong reminder to consumers that the health claims on food packaging can often be misleading. A varied, balanced diet, with more plants than meat, and fewer processed foods, is the most commonsense diet for most people. Cereal can be a part of that diet, for sure, but we shouldn't think of fortified cereals or processed whole wheats as the solution to our health problems, or the key to losing weight."

Yet another reminder to never underestimate the power of marketing - it is pretty tempting to believe it is actually good for your health when you walk down that massive cereal isle!

What do you think - what cereals are actually healthy and why? I try to avoid them altogether and stick to oatmeal. I get tired of trying to read all the labels and discern the truth behind all the compelling words.

Chase the Lion

“Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.

Grab life by the mane.

Set God-sized goals.

Pursue God-ordained passions.

Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention.

Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God.

Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future.
Stop playing it safe and start taking risks.

Accumulate experiences. Consider the lilies. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can.

Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshipping what's right with God.

Burn sinful bridges. Blaze new trails. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not.

Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away.

Chase the lion.”

Mark Batterson: In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day.
‘Lion Chasers Manifesto’:

Using Our Passions to Change the World

Please visit Crashing Forward for more details!