February 2012
35 posts
7 tags
February 11 - RETREAT!
I just returned from an outstanding retreat with students from a mentor program that my colleagues and I have been planning for months. This was the first time our office was able to provide an off-site retreat for the program participants (thanks to a generous donor), and I was so impressed with the outcome, and am excited to see how this impacts the program this semester in comparison to...
1 tag
9 tags
February 10 - GOOD Idea: Everyone Deserves...
GOOD Idea is a regular feature for Critically Acclaimed that focuses on service projects and positive ways to impact the world around you. Read more about it here.
Earlier this week, I found this fantastic article about an Act of Kindness Day event created at New Mexico State University in honor of a student there who passed away late last year. Emily Lein was 19-years-old, very enthusiastic,...
6 tags
6 tags
Support for Ellen →
JC Penney has been under attack by an organization called ‘One Million Moms’ because of their decision to place Ellen DeGeneres as their spokesperson. Thankfully, JCP has publicly supporter their decision, and Ellen had something to say about it. Check out the video and transcript, and hear Ellen’s take on traditional values.
I, for one, commit to support JCP as a much more...
2 tags
6 tags
8 tags
You're paying attention.
I love this new blog I found via a facebook wall post on The Ripples Project - another thing I love!! :) Y’all should check out the blog, as well as check out Ripples. Now.
dailypeptalk:
Pep Talk: It’s time to stop thinking about drama from yesterday. You’ve rehashed it enough and there is nothing more to see there. This moment, right now, has the potential to make you happier than you...
9 tags
February 7 - I Do!
I love iPhones. Thanks to the New York Times app, I received an alert today that made me smile from ear to ear.
In case you haven’t heard… Proposition 8 - the 2008 state of California ballot measure that effectively halted statewide gay marriage (and resulted in MAJOR nationwide conversations, rallies, protests, advocacy work, and chatter) was ruled as unconstitutional by the U.S....
The Psychology of Color #CUAD
petepereira:
Courtesy of NowSourcing, Inc
10 tags
February 6 - Smash
So we finished the first episode of Smash tonight, and I must say, I’m a fan. I love that Shows like Glee and Smash are bringing The concept of musicals to television, and I appreciate how both shows are weaving the performances in to the show in ways that appear somewhat natural - that is, if singing as you pass through New York City is normal, which for me, it certainly is. :) I also...
5 tags
February 5 - Strength
My father turned 65 today! He is a wonderful and positive man, and I have been so blessed to have grown up with a father with a passion for wisdom and sharing that wisdom with others.
Throughout my childhood (and still today), my dad would regularly have a new tidbit of information to share, an interesting story to tell, or an article to pass along. He enjoys the learning process, and he...
6 tags
5 tags
February 4 - DIY Crayon Art
Recently, I’ve gotten into Pinterest, and have found a million-and-one project ideas that I’ve filed away for a rainy day. I’ve always been fascinated by art, and creativity has always held a significant place in my heart.
I’ve been wanting to create a large piece of art to fill this vacant spot above my couch in my apartment living room since I moved in July 2011, and...
2 tags
Lucas Klauss: My eight tips for aspiring writers →
Fantastic advice for aspiring writers! :) Read on, my friends.
lucasklauss:
This month I finally achieved my long-held dream of becoming a published author. And I have to say, it’s been pretty sweet so far. Seeing my book in stores, hearing from fans, setting out on a national tour that took me everywhere from Brooklyn to Atlanta to Brooklyn—these experiences are the…
2 tags
2 tags
“You can make a statement by how you dress. Clothes are really part of an...”
– Ralph Lauren (via fecastleberry)
7 tags
February 3 - Seeing the Bigger Picture
I’ll admit, this hasn’t been my best week ever. Far from it, actually. I’ve been feeling ill all week, but not to the point of needing to not be at work - just your run-of-the-mill under-the-weather type of feeling. Additionally, being understaffed has been trying over the past six months, and this week in particular felt like ten crammed into one. There is so much to do, and I...
9 tags
February 2 - Spread Love
For 17 years of my life, I lived in Colorado - the most beautiful state in the USA, in my humble opinion. Colorado had the best of everything - incredible weather, four gorgeous seasons, every professional national sports team, the majestic Rocky Mountains, hiking, skiing, outstanding Universities… Colorado has it all.
I miss having the mountains as my directional marker to the West.
...
6 tags
February 1 - What's so great about February?
Throughout the month of February, I’ve decided to try two things:
- wear red, purple, or pink each day, without repeating
- write one blog post each day
I’m off to a good start with the first, so here’s my attempt at the second. :)
February is my favorite month. Could it be because it’s my birthday month? I’m sure that’s a part of it, but also a lot of...
December 2010
3 posts
“God wants to develop you in such a way that your life reflects Him. don’t...”
– (via toutcequibrille)
3 tags
#reverb10 - Prompt 2: Writing
What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it? (Author: Leo Babauta)
While there may not be one action I do each and every day, I do have a handful of weekly tasks that keep me busy, and have taken me away from my writing goals (exhibited clearly by my lack of updating this blog regularly). One of those hobbies would be watching my two favorite...
#reverb10 - December 1, 2010
Thanks to my friend Richard, I’ve decided to participate in #reverb10 (check it out at www.reverb10.com) I’ll post more about the project later, but am submitting my first post from my iPhone, so bear with me. ;) To meet today’s deadline, I’ll simply respond to the prompt (below).
“December 1 One Word.
Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re...
August 2010
1 post
2 tags
BREAKING: Prop 8 ruled unconstitutional →
SO EXCITED!! PRAISE GOD! Thank you, Chief Judge Vaughn Walker!
CONCLUSION Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. Because California has no...
July 2010
2 posts
3 tags
6 tags
“I love that sometimes we need to go to the opposite side of the world to realize...”
– Derek Sivers - TED Talks: Weird or Just Different?
June 2010
9 posts
12 tags
Motivational Moment: World Cup
World Cup fever has taken over my office, and I have thoroughly enjoyed listening to the groans and moans of coworkers shouting about their disdain for every bad call, missed goal, and score for the other team. (Working in an officle - a cubicle with a door - means I get the pleasure of overhearing a lot of fabulous things that others may not realize they are sharing with me.) Now, I’m not...
3 tags
6 tags
Prop 8 Closing Arguments Set for Wednesday (June... →
As the state Supreme Court case over the California ban on same-sex marriage comes to a close this week, Frank Rich provides an outstanding op-ed in The New York Times, blending pop culture references and factual political evidence eloquently in his support for marriage equality. His compelling argument in ‘Two Weddings, a Divorce, and ‘Glee’ (linked above) includes this gem:
...
8 tags
Bonnets are Back
Dear Fashionistas,
Bonnets are back. That’s right, you heard me correctly - all the latest rage. Now I am not talking about the traditional mid-18th century brimless house bonnet – those are so last century. I am referring to the ever-so-brilliant calash bonnet, with the intensely large stiff brim – you know, to protect your hair from the gale. (Thank you, Wikipedia, for clarifying such an...
4 tags
3 tags
Summer Blog Challenge 2010 Participants
The following blogs are participating in the 2010 Summer Blog Challenge.
Critically Acclaimed - JBrady
Pocket Susan - Susan B.
Finding Focus - Richard Dedor
Waiting on the World to Change… - Tara Kermiet
Exchanging Keys - Regina Lattimore
Droplets: Even the Ocean Was Created by Rain - Kelly McDowell
Enjoy, and Happy Reading!
-JBrady
3 tags
Home Libraries Influence a Kid's Success in School... →
Bring back Book It!
It turns out, growing up with books around the house has a profound impact on educational achievement. Check out the article in the link above, courtesy of GOOD.
5 tags
With Foursquare, life is a virtual game - CNN.com →
Fascinating article about Dennis Crowley, co-founder of FourSquare - the popular location sharing iPhone/smartphone app.
“Crowley sees these video-game-style rewards as reason enough for Foursquare users to make more effort to explore the real world — and, in the process, to have more fun with their daily lives.”
CNN does a great job explaining the app for those who are...
3 tags
