Doodle Pad

7 years to be a teenager. 7 years of making sense. 7 years of making memories now closing.

In a few more minutes, I’ll close the chapter on my teenage life and open a new chapter.

I received a greeting a while ago and he gave me this quote: “Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born.”

I may be a year older but I’ll always be child at heart…  

…and a lady in mind.

“All our lives we’re taught to worry about getting older, though life has some secret schedule for us to keep. But there’s no magical age for being our best, no deadline for dreaming, taking risks, & being fully alive.”

m0iety:

Green Pedestrian Crossing created by Jody Xiong

The China Environmental Protection Foundation developed an outdoor campaign, displayed on the street, to creatively promote this message. They decided to leverage a busy pedestrian crossing; a place where both pedestrians and drivers meet.

The campaign involved laying a canvas 12.6 metres long by 7 metres wide on the ground, thus covering the pedestrian crossing with a large leafless tree. On either side of the road, beneath the traffic lights, were placed sponge cushions soaked in green, environmentally friendly, washable paint. As pedestrians walked towards the crossing, they stepped on the green sponge, thus leaving green foot imprints on the canvas of the tree. Each ‘green’ footprint on the canvas looked like leaves growing on a bare tree, which made people feel that by walking they could create a greener environment.

The ‘Green Pedestrian Crossing’ was carried out across 7 thoroughfares in Shanghai. The campaign was then extended to 132 roads across 15 cities in China, with a participation exceeding 3,920,000 people.

Watch their video below:

Best Singles Ad

1. If you work too hard, there is never any time for her.
   If you don’t work enough, you’re a good-for-nothing bum. 
   
   
2. If she has a boring repetitive job with low pay, it’s exploitation.
   If you have a boring repetitive job with low pay, you should get off your butt and find something better. 
   
   
3. If you get a promotion ahead of her, it’s favoritism.
   If she gets a job ahead of you, it’s equal opportunity. 
   
   
4. If you mention how nice she looks, it’s sexual harassment.
   If you keep quiet, it’s male indifference. 
   
   
5. If you cry, you’re a wimp.
   If you don’t, you’re insensitive. 
   
   
6. If you make a decision without consulting her, you’re a chauvinist.
   If she makes a decision without consulting you, she’s a liberated woman.
   
   
7. If you ask her to do something she doesn’t enjoy, that’s domination.
   If she asks you, it’s a favor. 
   
   
8. If you try to keep yourself in shape, you’re vain.
   If you don’t, you’re a slob. 
   
   
9. If you buy her flowers, you’re after something.
   If you don’t, you’re not thoughtful. 
   
   
10. If you’re proud of your achievements, you’re an egotist.
    If you’re not, you’re not ambitious. 
    
    
11. If she has a headache, she’s tired.
    If you have a headache, you don’t love her anymore.

A little girl came home from school and said to her mother, “Mommy, today in school I was punished for something that I didn’t do.”

The mother exclaimed, “But that’s terrible! I’m going to have a talk with your teacher about this … by the way, what was it that you didn’t do?”

The little girl replied, “My homework.”

While waiting to pick up a friend at the airport in Portland, Oregon, I had one of those life-changing experiences that you hear other people talk about — the kind that sneaks up on you unexpectedly. This one occurred a mere two feet away from me.

Straining to locate my friend among the passengers deplaning through the jet way, I noticed a man coming toward me carrying two light bags. He stopped right next to me to greet his family.

First he motioned to his youngest son (maybe six years old) as he laid down his bags. They gave each other a long, loving hug. As they separated enough to look in each other’s face, I heard the father say, “It’s so good to see you, son. I missed you so much!” His son smiled somewhat shyly, averted his eyes and replied softly, “Me, too, Dad!”

Then the man stood up, gazed in the eyes of his oldest son (maybe nine or ten) and while cupping his son’s face in his hands said, “You’re already quite the young man. I love you very much, Zach!” They too hugged a most loving, tender hug.

While this was happening, a baby girl (perhaps one or one-and-a-half) was squirming excitedly in her mother’s arms, never once taking her little eyes off the wonderful sight of her returning father. The man said, “Hi, baby girl!” as he gently took the child from her mother. He quickly kissed her face all over and then held her close to his chest while rocking her from side to side. The little girl instantly relaxed and simply laid her head on his shoulder, motionless in pure contentment.

After several moments, he handed his daughter to his oldest son and declared, “I’ve saved the best for last!” and proceeded to give his wife the longest, most passionate kiss I ever remember seeing. He gazed into her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed. “I love you so much!” They stared at each other’s eyes, beaming big smiles at one another, while holding both hands.

For an instant they reminded me of newlyweds, but I knew by the age of their kids that they couldn’t possibly be. I puzzled about it for a moment then realized how totally engrossed I was in the wonderful display of unconditional love not more than an arm’s length away from me. I suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if I was invading something sacred, but was amazed to hear my own voice nervously ask, “Wow! How long have you two been married?

“Been together fourteen years total, married twelve of those.” he replied, without breaking his gaze from his lovely wife’s face. “Well then, how long have you been away?” I asked. The man finally turned and looked at me, still beaming his joyous smile. “Two whole days!”

Two days? I was stunned. By the intensity of the greeting, I had assumed he’d been gone for at least several weeks – if not months. I know my expression betrayed me.

I said almost offhandedly, hoping to end my intrusion with some semblance of grace (and to get back to searching for my friend), “I hope my marriage is still that passionate after twelve years!”

The man suddenly stopped smiling.

He looked me straight in the eye, and with forcefulness that burned right into my soul, he told me something that left me a different person. He told me, “Don’t hope, friend… decide!” Then he flashed me his wonderful smile again, shook my hand and said, “God bless!”

- By Michael D. Hargrove and Bottom Line Underwriters, Inc.

Copyright 1997

(Source: academictips.org)