So many are so very, very true.A little comedy, a lot of reality. This is less about your 20s and more about the lessons of growing up. Painfully accurate and worth reading.
You’ll question every decision you make and never feel completely certain that you made the right choice. It’s pointless to wonder though. You’re here now so you might as well make it be the right decision.
Not sure that I’ve ever been so honored to introduce someone as I am right now.
Gac Filipaj is a refugee from the former Yugoslavia. For the past twelve years, he has worked as a janitor for Columbia University. His job title is “Heavy Cleaner,” which includes emptying the trash and cleaning the toilets.
During this time, he worked until 11pm every night during the week. After his shift concluded, he would start studying. This weekend, after twelve years of study, Gac graduated from Columbia University with a Classics degree. Rarely have so many qualities I admire been wrapped up in a single person.
Oh please don’t go, we’ll eat you up, we love you so!
(Source: bookwormsgalore, via mariahajile)
60% of North Carolina voters don’t know Amendment One bans recognition for all unmarried couples, gay & straight
(via mariahajile)
This man sent me an email after I took his photo:
“I suffer from documented clinical Post Traumatic Stress. I have been a victim of mistaken identity and was shot as a teen. I won the case, but left emotionally scarred. It makes me nervous to be outside at times.
My wife read about how dogs help Soldiers with PTS and got me a dog, Roscoe. Apparently, there were many clinical studies that support this…I am thankful she is a smart lady.
Roscoe makes me feel more confident to roam the New York streets again. He provides an Emotional support for me. I have three boys and they can see me strong when I am outside thanks to Roscoe.”
Dogs are amazing creatures.
This letter destroyed the 250 word limit, but since I’m a sucker for good writing, I’ll let it slide:
Dear HONY,
In a city where weather, the MTA, opportunity, and conflict are all so unpredictable, I can be certain of only one thing. If the wind isn’t too strong and it’s not pouring rain, Kishan, the bubble man, will be standing near the steps of Bethesda Terrace creating bubbles that stretch so large, they look like translucent elephants floating into the clouds.
I first stumbled upon Kishan during class one day. We were given an assignment to take our video cameras out and explore the city by filming elements surrounding us given our half hour time frame. With a stroke of luck and rebellion, we ended up in the park, and for a solid hour filmed a bubble in every which way one can film a bubble. When we brought our footage back, our peers were fascinated with the way the sunlight reflected off the soap suds and how gently they would pop and create a mid-air waterfall.
Later in my freshman year, the Communications Department required students within the major to declare a concentration: one of them being a focus in film. This concentration was more selective and applicants were required to produce creative work alongside their application. Stressed and in need of inspiration, I walked through the park and stumbled upon the bubble man, yet again.
He immediately remembered my name, something that most New Yorkers realize isn’t a regularity. Stunned and somewhat touched, I asked him if I could film him for my concentration project. He agreed, and for the next two weeks, Kishan and I talked bubbles.
A very good actor, subject- I didn’t know what to call him- his awareness of the camera was fascinating. The control of his bubbles— even more breathtaking. “What do you want me to do now, Sarah?” “Uh, I’m not sure.” “How about you go inside a bubble? That might look cool.” I would nod and hit record. Before I knew it, I was enveloped by a transparent casing, and for a slight second his enthusiasm makes you wonder if your feet might slightly lift off the ground. As if, maybe he has a secret to levitation, gravity, and flight.
I’d ask him: “You do this everyday, don’t you?” He said, “Why not? It makes people happy. It makes me happy. There’s nothing I love more than watching some big guy, well in his 40s transfixed by this giant bubble in the sky. He follows it around.” Bubbles see no age, I suppose.
I set the final film to a classical Chopin piece, and watched, fascinated by how natural Kishan’s art complemented the music. I had a thought- maybe Kishan is beyond a bubble blower. He’s a composer, Bethesda Fountain’s own Mozart, waving his hands in the air and creating these physical notes that hit this part inside of us that we thought left us long ago: our innocence. He endures an ethereal symphony, and if you’re lucky, you can hear his music.
-Sarah
Need to find the Bubble Man!!
Slow Jam the News with Barack Obama | April 24, 2012 [x]Automatic reblog.
(Source: apolloadama)
A submission from Secretary Hillary Clinton.
Original image by Diana Walker for Time.
Word.
(Source: textsfromhillaryclinton)
(via mariahajile)
