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I pen this today as a half-vaccinated person feeling very fortunate! The vaccine roll out in my state has been discombobulated at best, so the first day I became eligible for the vaccine my husband and I drove six hours roundtrip to spend 30 minutes at a mass vaccination site in Kennett, MO.
Although our day-to-day existence hasn’t changed radically, the ability to plan some things like family get-togethers in the future seems radical and exciting. Being fully vaccinated means my husband can likely visit his family in Ireland after not being able to see them for two years. TWO YEARS.
As we slowly emerge from our cocoon I’m trying to be much more intentional about how I spend my time. One area where I want to focus is how I can help my friends, many of whom happen to be Asian American. They have been nervous the last few years and now, a year into the pandemic after some leaders calling it the “China-Flu” or “King-Flu”, they are absolutely terrified. Tragically, this week’s shocking events in Atlanta validates their terror. Another friend forwarded me a link to a free training: Bystander Intervention to stop Asian/American and Xenophobic Harrassment. I feel like it will be a well-spent hour in learning how to protect my friends. If you’re interested you can register here.
Finally, the first day of spring arrives today with the vernal equinox! Without the cacophony of the ‘normal’ pace of life-pre pandemic, we’ve become much more attuned to the celebrations throughout the year. I’ve always loved the first day of spring but today we will really celebrate it. I don’t even remember the first day of spring in 2020-like so many things this time last year, the disruption of daily life and scrambling for hand sanitizer were valid preoccupations. This year feels like the first day of spring is the embodiment of optimism and hope. The days are longer, we’ll be able to spend more time in nature when the days become warmer and the vaccinations continue to be administered, which hopefully signals the beginning of the end of this pandemic.
Happy Spring and enjoy the weekend!
Suzanne
************- How Design Can Change the World
- The “99% Invisible” podcast focuses on a different aspect of the “unnoticed architecture and design that shape our world” each episode – and might give you a new perspective on the creativity that goes into the everyday!
- How the ad industry is pitching you to get a vaccine.
- A few practical tips for how to treat creative expression as a skill to be learned
- How to “trick” your brain into responding creatively, even when you’re experiencing a creative block
- This episode of NPR’s “Life Kit” podcast focuses on how to make creating art a habit (or click here for the article summary)
- Read about the ways that AI and creativity interact (and how even robots can build a sort of “creative practice”) might provide some inspiration!
- How to divide a creative process into manageable steps
Things to Do Around the World:
- Skillshare is offering a workshop “for dreamers and doers at all levels” called “Make Creativity Your Career: Find Your Passion, Purpose, and Path” through April 19th
- The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. has virtual programs available throughout March and April
- The Whitney offers free online courses- Check out Art History From Home: Art and Social Change
- Have you ever tried needlepoint? Needlepoint.com offers several online classes that come complete with the kits and instructional videos. You can even create your very own clutch!
- Have you ever been to New Orleans? If not or if you’re yearning for a trip to the Big Easy, you can take a virtual tour here