Uruguay!

For spring break my junior year in high school, my Dad and Stepmom took one of my best friends and I to Uruguay for a week! It was so much fun! It was my first trip to South America and I absolutely loved it. Unlike most South American countries, Spanish is the main language in Uruguay and luckily I speak enough Spanish to get by. Uruguay is filled with historic architecture and monuments that date back several centuries. We spent 2 nights in Montevideo, the capital, and 5 nights in Punta del Este, a popular vacation place for natives and foreigners. The beaches are beautiful, although the sand is a bit rough compared to most beaches. The weather is ideal; cool but not cold. And the people are so friendly! In South America, it is a custom to spend 2 hours at each meal. You talk with friends and family, enjoy wine and several courses of amazing food! Typically, people don't eat dinner until 9:30 pm, so if you're a 7:00 pm dinner person, South America may not be your cup of tea. But I found it to be enchanting and inviting and I am looking foward to my next visit!

Hot Coffee Below!

Folgers coffee took a shot at guerrilla advertising...and it worked! A print ad of a cup of Folgers coffee was placed over manhole covers all around New York City. My favorite part is that holes were poked so that steam could come from under the streets, which created the illusion that the coffee was hot! I LOVE IT! This was done almost a year ago, but I think this is such a creative method for guerrilla advertising, or advertising in general really.

The Boulevard

Herds of SMU students crowded around tents, barbecuing and listening to music, counting down the time until they can stampede into the stadium to cheer on our fellow mustangs. This scenario is also know as game day on the boulevard. It is an SMU tradition, and a great one at that.
I love how SMU is a small enough community so that the entire student body, or a good portion of it, can come together and share America’s oldest pastime, football. I love watching everyone move into the stadium, pumped up and ready to cheer for the mustangs. I love how so many people wear red and blue. Not only is it a great time to spend with friends, but it’s a great time to meet new people. I had been on the boulevard before I came to SMU with my brother, but its so much more fun when you are a student. Hanging out on the boulevard and going to the football games is my favorite experience at SMU so far!

Just for Fun

I know we've all seen it, but this is one of my favorite videos so I had to put it up.

Excessive Training?

If you were a parent and your child came to you expressing her aspirations to swim the English Channel, what would you do to help her? The answer was pretty simple for a Chinese father: bind her hands and feet and make her swim for 3 hours! WHAT??! Huang Li's father promises that he stays close to her side and would never put her life in jeopardy, but that sounds more like torture than training to me. Apparently, Huang Li's swim is the 2nd time she has gathered media attention in recent months. Last summer, 8-year old Huang ran 2,212 miles in 55 days. Her father followed behind her on a motor scooter clocking and recording every mile. I am not a parent and I am not anyone to judge a parent, but this just sounds crazy! Isn't there some other more traditional way of training that does not involve binding hands and feet? I can't imagine my father tying me up and making me swim for hours, even if it was my idea and was supposed to help me achieve my goal. She's 8-years old; Can she really be responsible for her father's training techniques?

My "Other" Family

I am big believer in the idea that you have family all around you. Family is not strictly biological in my opinion. This is a picture of my wonderful God-Parents and me at SMU Family Weekend. My Dad told me a couple of weeks in advance that he was not going to be able to come into town and I was devastated. Not only did I want him to meet all of my friends and their parents, I wanted everyone to meet him! He is such a huge part of me and has made me the person I am today and I really wanted my friends to see that. But just as I thought it would be just my brother's and I, my Godmother called. Her words,"You know we're your people and we are here when you need us." Not only was I not expecting that, I hadn't really thought of it. After careful consideration as to whether or not that would hurt my Dad's feelings, I decided to invite them. It turned out to be the best decision! We had an absolute blast and everyone loved meeting them. My Godmother and my Mom were best friends and my Godmother has always reminded me of the way my Mother would expect me to act, present myself, treat others etc. All of the little things Mom's remind you from time-to-time. She loved getting to meet all of my friends and see all of the things we do during the day and at night. My Godfather had a great time too, but I don't think it was as sentimental for him. I mean, he is a guy. But for my Godmother, she honored to be "standing-in" on behalf of my Mom and I know my Mom was looking down smiling, so happy that she was there to share that special and fun weekend with me! It is so important to surround yourself with people who love you and who bring out the best in you. You need people to fall back on sometimes and this past weekend really made me realize how important it is to have people like that in your life.

Man Down!

Talk about guerrilla advertising! This was placed in different places around Toronto, Canada to promote the Canadian Red Cross. Their message: Know What to Do! If I were to come across this at the mall or at a movie theatre, I would definately be caught off-guard. There is a man lying on the floor, or so you think, and someone needs to help him. Why isn't anyone helping him? Why can't I help him? I'm guessing that Downtown Partners out of Toronto hopes that the people who come in contact with this ad will go through the same series of questions. All ultimately ending up at the same conclusion: learn what to do in case something like this really happens. It is a great way to get into people's heads about the importance of knowing how to save lives. A regular print ad would simply be flipped through, this puts it in your face making it hard to resist...the goal of advertising! I have never seen something like this done before, although I'm sure it has, so it seems very creative to me. The element of suprise is definately there because its presented in an unexpected fashion. Downtown Partners should be proud!

Love Design

This print advertisement was done by Grey Worldwide, Milan, Italy to promote a fundraising event for cancer research. The most famous designers in Italy contribute their work and all of the proceeds will go to the Italian Association of Cancer Research. This ad really caught my eye because its different from most cancer awareness ads we see. At first glance, you see what looks like a person's heart rate; the line goes up and down if the person is alive. You next assume that the ad has something to do with health awareness. Then you focus in on the flat line in the middle; after careful examination, you realize it's a table. The ad incorporates the entire concept of the fundraiser without bold, boring text in the middle. One man responded to the ad by saying, "The heart of the design is beating," and essentially it is.

A Century in Silence

No words, just music. The product: Levi's jeans! The commercial starts from the beginning of Levi's and travels through the decades by unveiling the trend of the time period. Just as you think things are about to get steamy, another layer of clothing emerges, and the sequence continues until the two are left wearing skinny, low-rise jeans, then..well you get the picture. The ad is fun and edgy, but still tasteful. The jeans of "today" are showcased as being much sexier than the overalls shown in the beginning. Without words, the intention of the ad can easily be grasped by viewers. I have not seen this commercial on TV but I would like to.

Level "8.5" Fan= NOT Obsessed!

This poor little man claims he's not an obsessed fan of The Office, but he definately is! He's also hilarious! A total creeper but very entertaining.

Natural Beauty

This is one of my favorite pictures. I took this at our farm of a mare and her filly one afternoon. The filly was just learning how to really "use her legs" as they say. Horses are very clumsy when they're first born because unlike us, they try to stand-up right after they're born. The sun was just beginning to set, as you can see in the background, and it made for a perfect picture. It is such a serene, peaceful moment and even in black-and-white you can see it. It's really nice sometimes to step back from all of the hussle and bussle that we surround ourselves with and appreciate the natural beauty that is all around us. I have been fortunate enough to grow up around horses and they're such mysterious but gentle creatures. I love that this picture captures such a simple moment!

The "Little" Things in Life

This adorable picture was taken at Camp Mystic, the summer camp I have attended since the age of 7. You are only allowed to be a camper until the summer before your senior year. So last summer, I took on the task of being a counselor for 19 9-10 year old girls for 1 month- the girls with the biggest smiles in the front of the picture were my campers. I had two co-counselor's in my cabin, Wiggle Inn, and during the day I was one of many lifeguards for the entire camp. Throughout the term, I was faced with several situations I was not prepared for, but overall, it was the most rewarding experience in my life thus far. Tucking 19 little girls in every night and having them jump on your bed every morning may not sounds like too much fun to some people, and I had my doubts in the beginning. I wondered if I had what it takes to "parent" 19 soon-to-be 5th graders; if they would like me; if I would be fun or cool. As silly as it sounds, I was actually terrified of these little girls. But for everything I gave those little girls, they paid me back in full! I walked away from that month feeling like I had grown so much as a person and as a woman. While they tested my patience, annoyed me, asked me questions I was NOT prepared to answer, and blatantly disobeyed me, they helped me discover myself. I barely got paid and honestly I didn't care. Having this experience the summer before I embarked on the biggest journey of my life, leaving for college, was perfect timing! I will always cherish that month when 19 little girls helped me find the person I am today!

Pure Perfection

This commercial was done by JWT London for Smirnoff Vodka. The obvious message of the campaign is that Smirnoff is the purest vodka on the market. As is the way they present it. What a great idea! Most alcohol campaigns involve a provocative 30-second slot with mood setting background music and finishes with a "be responsible" reminder. This is fresh! I admit, I did have to watch it 2 times to catch everything because I wasn't expecting the commercial to be so innovative. Its catchy without being too complex. The art direction is admirable. Helicopters, plains, scuba divers and statues come flying out of the ocean, beginning with a beer can that is tossed back at a sailor who tries to toss it into the water. The end of the commercial focuses in on the crystal-clear water, a visual metaphor for Smirnoff's tagline. JWT is definately a trend setter in the advertising world!

Fool Me Once, Shame on You- Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me

I think anyone who has lived with a roommate, or two, can appreciate this. Besides being HILARIOUS!! its a great idea. Very creative!! Too bad both of my roommates have already seen the video.

Look Out Rush Limbaugh!

This is a TV ad for VoteVets.org responding to Rush Limbaugh's remarks on soldiers speaking out against the war. I am not even going to attempt to take a side, but this is the definition of extreme advertising. I get a little uncomfortable when I watch this ad and I almost feel a little guilty. Maybe its because the war veteran is so bold in his attack on Limbaugh...Maybe its the way he talks about his traumatic brain injury as pictures flash on the screen...Maybe its because I feel guilty for supporting the war? I'm not sure. Nevertheless, the ad got a reaction out of me. Several to be exact. I don't know what category this advertisement falls under, but it's definately in-your-face!

What the Buck?

A funny, sarcastic summary of the lastest celebrity dirt...or at least the good stuff!

Free Speech: Dress Code Violation?

In Waxahachie, TX a Texas High School sophomore named Pete Palmer was sent home for violating the school district's dress code. His violation: wearing a John Edwards for president 2008 t-shirt. The school stands behind their decision by arguing that no t-shirt's are allowed unless they pertain to a school organization, club, or sport or are from a college or university. Under these laws, Palmer was in violation. However, the school board may be dealing with more than the media because Palmer's parents are considering filing a lawsuit against the district, and I can't blame them. Where is the line drawn between violating a student's rights and mainting order in the school environment? American's have earned the right to free speech and while I understand some things should be monitored and restricted at school, I think this crosses the line. Palmer in no way disturbed any of his classmates, drew attention to himself, or acted inappropriately. He wore a presidential campaign t-shirt! I went to a public high school and I am very aware of the dress code policies and I hated most of them as a student, but I did understand where the concern was. But this is ridiculous! At some point, school's are going to be like prisons where everyone wears a solid color jumpsuit so that no one is offended or ridiculed for having opinions or concern for what is going on in our world. Everyone in America is protected under the First Amendment and that is the argument Palmer's father is making in support of his son. It will be interesting to see how the school board maintains their reputation with all of the scrutiny and controversy that is resulting from the media's involvement.

Ignorance is Unacceptable!

This print ad was directed by Hisham Kharma for Alma Magazine. The tag line: "Wow! Ninjas are Awesome! Ignorance is Unacceptable!" What a great example of a symbolic signifier. The swastika is such a powerful symbol that doesn't need any translation. It carries a culturally determined meaning and in this case, is linked to something completely different from itself- a magazine. I love the tag line too because it adds a little humor to such a somber and disturbing symbol without being anti-semetic. When you first look at the ad, you're not really sure what company would consciously choose a swastika to promote their product, but for Alma Magazine it works. They're trying to appeal to prospective buyers and readers of the magazine and after seeing this, I want to check it out.

Short & Sweet

Not only do I like the art direction of this commercial, I really like that it is short, simple, and to the point. It is obvious the camera is waterproof because the picture is taken beneath the water, no explanation is neccessary. It captures an exciting and dangerous moment that appeals to a specified target market: those who enjoy acquatic activities and fall under the "risk-taker" category. Although I'm sure it appeals to the masses as well. This commercial for the Olympus 725 SW Camera was done by Springer & Jacoby, Germany and I think they did a great job!

Blood Donation Hourglass

"You could be saving someone's life this second, and he could be saving yours the next."

This advertisement was done by TBWA Shanghai, China to raise awareness of the urgency of blood donation in China. At the time this ad was run, September 2006, someone in Shanghai needed blood every 90 seconds and there was a severe shortage of people donating. The message of this ad is very powerful, yet easy to interpret. The red sand is representative of blood and the hourglass furthers the metaphor; when one side runs out, the glass will flip and another person will be in need of blood. One day, that person might be you. It appeals to a large target audience and makes an impression on anyone qualified to donate blood. This ad really hit home with me because I am a strong advocate for blood donation. My grandfather had to have a blood transfusion and required 13 pints of blood. It is so important for people to donate while their healthy so that we can help those around us. The intended message is very obvious even without reading any of the text in the lower right corner. This is another great example of how TBWA continues to make influential, creative advertisements all over the world.

One You Won't Forget!

If you didn't laugh when you watched this commercial you should try and find a new sense of humor. This commercial makes me laugh every single time I watch it, and I've probably seen it 50 times. It may seem inappropriate to some, which is probably why it was pulled off of television not long after it aired. But personal opinions aside, the commercial is successful. It leaves an impression on everyone who watches it and it's not an easy commercial to forget. When someone says, "Have you seen that funny commercial with the little kid who says penis?"...the first thing that comes to mind is, "Oh yeah, the BlueCross BlueShield one!" The point is, I remember it and the company associated with it. And isn't that what we as advertisers are striving to do? Create commercials, print ads, billboards etc that make an impact on consumers and viewers? I wonder if BlueCross BlueShield would see positive results if they put this commercial back on the air.

$5 For a Life

On Sunday in Kandahar, Afghanistan, a 15-year old boy was hanged from a tree by Taliban militants for having U.S. dollars in his pocket. Taliban used the boy as an example to warn other villagers that they would face the same punishment if they had U.S. dollars in their posession. They stuffed 5 $1 bills into the mouth of the limp boy hanging from the tree and left him for the village to see. Hearing this story made me physically sick to my stomach. An innocent boy lost his life because of the reputation that has been attached to America. They hate our country so much that they are willing to sacrifice one of their own just to send a message to their village. Their own village; not a large population. I mean, we all know that things happen in Afghanistan that don't happen in many other places and killing is not something they see as a crime, but its really sad that even our money has cost people their lives.

Fairy Dust!

Everyone has a character, whether it be a superhero, cartoon character, or animal, that they dressed up as for Halloween and secretly wish they could be. As you can see, mine is Tinkerbell. I was Tinkerbell 4 years in a row for Halloween and have always had a secret little obsession with her character. This is a drawing I did for a project where I had to design a costume with lights on it. I, of course, opted for Tinkerbell. Something about being able to fly around, sprinkling fairy dust and listening to other people without having to talk has always appealed to the "child" inside me. She is the epitomy of a little girl's alter-ego and sometimes, we have a hard time letting go of that. I wonder sometimes if I had the opportunity to be anyone or anything else for a day, what or who would I choose? There are so many influential and amazing people who have contributed extraordinary ideas and accomplishments to the world that I would love to "shadow" for a day. But if I could actually "be" someone else, Tinkerbell is definately my first choice. Everything I associate with Tinkerbell has a happy or exciting connotation. She isn't really a controversial character and she gets to hang out with Peter Pan! There is an innocent, child-like perception of the world that I associate with Tinkerbell that I think everyone secretly envies and wishes we could revert back to.

My Guardian Angel

Happy; Innocent; Whole. Those are the first three things that come to my mind when I look at this picture of my Mom and I taken when I was about 4 years old. Not only was it a happy time because we were at the beach and it was summer time, but because the picture captures my Mom and I together. At this time, I was completely oblivious to what the future held and didn't have a worry in the world. I had no idea that 8 years later, my Mom would be taken from my family. To most people, it sounds like I'm throwing a "pity-party" for myself. But I'm actually doing the opposite. You can never be too sure of your life or anticipate what tomorrow will bring. There is a good chance that one day you're going to wake up and realize that life isn't always as good as your dreams. But that's life! You can't control everything and you shouldn't try to. The saying really is true; "what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger." I have an appreciation for life that most people never discover and I am so thankful for that. My Mom was diagnosed with cancer in April of 2000 and passed away in August of 2000, only 4 months after she was diagnosed. While it didn't happen overnight, losing my Mom at such a young age has taught me so many things about life and has made me so much stronger than I ever would have been. Lessons: #1- You never know how much time you have here, with the ones you love; time to make a difference; time to do all the things you want to do before you die. I've learned to make the best of each day & I try to be nice to everyone I meet. #2- You're never alone. Even on those days where you feel like nothing is going right, no one cares if you're upset and there's no one there to listen to you bitch and moan, someone is there. I haven't been able to have a "real conversation" with my mom in 7 years, but I talk to her everyday. As cliche as it sounds, I like to think of her as my guardian angel. She is with me everyday and she's always there to listen to me when I don't want to talk to anyone else. You have to make the best of what you have, even if you hate the circumstances. And just when you think you can't, tell yourself that it could always be worse!

Mind Map

4 different beginnings and no definite ending. A mind map. Something that allows someone to peek inside your head and follow your thoughts, never knowing exactly where they will end up. Paint alone can lead to so many places; Canvas; Van Gogh; Car; or Brush; where it takes you next depends on the person. Many times you will find yourself crossing paths you've already taken or perhaps at an intersection of new, yet similar, places. To see the paths I chose, follow my map. Where does paint take you?