State of Dress

Okay, this is really cool. Artist Robin Barcus Slonina is working on an art series called State of Dress. In this series, she is creating a dress to represent each state in America. I encourage you to check out her blog to view the different dresses. You need to go through the archives to find pictures of the dresses, since her blog has posts other than just dress-related. Below is a YouTube video of her Wyoming dress. Pretty cool.



I am curious to know what first inspired this series. I think it is really, really cool and I love the variety in the materials she uses. The photos of the dresses are great as well.

This is a very short post, but I hope you take the time to check out her blog to see this quite remarkable art series.

Help! I'm over 55 and learning computers!

I am currently teaching a continuing education class - Computers for 55 and Up. Everything that just ran through your mind is probably happening in the class, but I am actually really enjoying it.

So, we are in the middle of week two of the three week course, and I actually feel like we have made some good progress. They have learned over 38 terms and the actions that go along with them. That's a lot for a group of people that are really very much beginners to the computer world.

For those of you with parents, grandparents, or friends in the "55 and up, New to Computers" category, let me give you a few tips that I have picked up about how to help them when they ask for assistance.

1. Be patient! This is a learning process. It will take time.

2. Listen to the context of the question. More than likely they will use the wrong terminology when asking how to do something. You need to help them decifer what they are really asking.

3. Don't give them too much information at one time. Kind of like answering the question "where do babies come from" to a 5 year old. Most of the time they only want/need a little information - not the full birds & bees talk. As you explain something, check with them to make sure you are addressing what they need and that they are following it all.

4. Let them do the actions themselves. It is so much easier (and quicker) to scroll and click on things yourself, but if you really want them to learn how to access the Internet, you need to let them do it. Stand or sit next to them and walk them through it, but if you do it for them, they typically won't remember how to do it on their own later. It is part of the learning/remembering process.

5. When explaining things, it is good to give them the proper terms, but then explain it in regular language. For example, take the Recycling Bin. Once I told them it was a trash can and that you could put things in and take things out just like a trash can in your house, they got it. You are not "dumbing it down." You are making it understandable.

Most of us know someone who is learning computers and it is easy for us to feel frustrated when they don't "get it" right away. Remember, it is just as frustrating (if not more so) for those who are in the learning process.

College Days

I loved my college days! I know that is true for a lot of people, but college was a glorious time of self-discovery and self-education for me. One of the ways this all took place was through the amazing people I met while there.

This past weekend was my alma mater's homecoming. It was a big one - 100 years - so the place was packed with people who may not always make it back for homecoming celebrations. While not all of my closest friends from those days were able to come, I got to see so many people that I haven't connected with in many, many years. I loved every minute of it!

I started college as a very confused, very shy freshman. At orientation, I met two young ladies who became incredibly dear friends. Through them, I met another wonderful young woman who completed the group. The four of us will forever be known as "The Pink Ladies." We keep in touch speratically - mostly thanks to one member who really knows how to work the phone lines - but we are forever bonded by those years.



There were a group of guys that some of us dated. The four of them lived together. The were "The Boys" and we had a great time with all of them. The Pink Ladies harassed The Boys for three straight semesters - Dead Day attacks that will forever be memories of staying up late, laughing hysterically, getting bawled out the next day, and laughing some more.



By my junior year, the group of friends had grown. Some associated with each other, some were in other circles. Each year was a new game. New experiences, new friends, new memories. For many people, high school is the time that stands out as "the best years." For me, it's all about the college years. Looking back, almost every event, good and bad, no matter how small it seemed at the time, played a roll in how my life has developed. I am grateful to all of those who took part in that devleopment and I will always treasure those days.

Inhibition

I witnessed something the other day that has made me think about my own self-image and confidence...I went with my friend to have a spa/massage experience and an experience it was.


She told me in advance that for the spa area (sauna, hot tub, eucalyptus spray) some women walk around naked. Okay, no big deal. And really it wasn't, but I have to say, when I got there - in my swimsuit - I was mildly shocked at how uninhibited the other women were. My friend and I were the ONLY two in suits. The other 6 or so women there, were totally free flying.


This may sound odd, but I was not put off by this. More than anything I kept thinking - how brave these women were to be able to walk freely as God made them. In no way was I checking them out, but when full nudity is literally in your face, you can't help but notice a few things. These women did not have great bodies - not horrid, but no supermodels either. There were no obvious signs of plastic surgery to "fix" things, there was no make up, there was nothing to hide any imperfection however big or small it may have been. And they were fine with that.

A few were chatting (softly due to the signs everywhere about it being a relax zone), and I got the feeling that some of them knew each other. As much as I love my friends, and have changed in front of them on occasion, I'm just not at a place in my life where I feel comfortable baring all in front of people I know. Complete strangers might be different...who knows.


I've never been an overly modest person, but I'm not a free-bird either. I will admit that in the privacy of my own home, I do love the feeling of walking around in my birthday suit (blinds and curtains all shut tight!) Ultimately, I actually kind of admire these women for being so comfortable with themselves to go for it. I might just have a new goal to put on my "bucket list"...bare all in a women's spa at least once.

Personality extended

I recently returned from a wonderful 4-day weekend in Chicago with my dear friend JuJuBug. Yes, she is one of the Dramatic People, and I love, love, love her! Anyway, it was such a great trip and I had so much fun, but by Monday, I was ready to be home.


As the trip progressed, I found myself thinking how interesting it is that people's personalities and perceptions extend into the places they live. For me, visiting a big city is wonderful, but living there would be too hectic for me on a day-to-day basis. While I currently live in a community that is a bit too small for me, I do like having space and simplicity around me. While a city like Chicago would have a thousand opportunities of things to do and things to access, I know that I would start to feel exhausted after a while dealing with traffic, crowds, always having to pay to park, etc.


A lot of this relates to my current stage of life as a mother. I think I would find big-city life easier to handle as a single person or a married couple without kids, but with a kid - no thanks. As I ran around town (thoroughly enjoying myself) I kept thinking, "I would not want to have to push The Wee One through all of this." It had nothing to do with the people or the area - it really was the thought of the hassle.

Although I know there is no "perfect" place, for me I think my "perfect community" would be like this....

A mid-sized town (say 50-60,000 people) with a university. Not only because that is our chosen field, but typically, the people who live in university towns are thinkers and like to discuss interesting things. I want a church where I feel accepted and loved. I want family and/or friends near by (or at least a good airport within decent driving distance). I want good schools and activities for my kids that are fun and interesting. Obviously low crime. A good grocery store, a bookstore, a good coffee shop, all in town. And a good-size city near by for bigger events like symphonies, plays, traveling shows, activities for kids, etc. Is this really too much to ask?

I know for some that would seem boring, and that is why there are big cities fill of excitement. And really, how great is it that we have all these different options in the US to choose from. You can live in a rural area where the nearest neighbor is 10-50 miles away. You can live in a moderately rural area, but close to town. You can live in the small country town, the small suburb of a city, the mid-size town, the mid-size city, the big city, the really big city...whatever works for you and your life choices. Now the only thing is to understand yourself and find the right place. Easy enough, right?