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Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Last Week in Atlanta : Free ASO Concert


 Last week, I had the absolute pleasure of getting to attend my very first performance by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra!  The best part was, as fun as dressing up and being all fancy is, I was barefoot, taking pictures, and snacking on cheese!  Thanks to a big Atlanta collaboration, the ASO gave their (free) performance at Piedmont Park, and everyone was invited!

My friend Cary is my go-to person when it comes to knowing what's going on in Atlanta.  She has already invited me to way too many events than I could ever accept, but I'm really glad I was able to make it to this one.  I used to visit the Chattanooga Symphony often in college because the events were required for my music minor.  I always love listening to beautiful music played well, and the ASO's Performance in the Park was no exception.  I'd had a very busy week last week, and I thought that I might have to head home early from the concert just so I could get some extra rest, but turns out listening to lovely live music was just what I needed!  I stayed all the way through the encore and had a great time.


Look at how many people were there!  I'm pretty sure this picture covered maybe half of the entire audience.  It was so delightful to see how many people had come out to enjoy the performance!  There were kids dancing to the music, people who stopped by after their workout in the park, and even some folks with their dogs on the outskirts of the crowd (because they technically weren't allowed).  I wonder how many people there were listening to a symphony for the first time ever! 

Last year, the ASO gave 4 free performances in the summer, but required guests to RSVP, which meant a smaller number of folks could attend.  This year, they decided to hold one free concert but have the guest list be unlimited.  I'm hoping they'll keep up the unlimited plan for next year, and I think you should keep an eye out for them, too!


Monday, June 20, 2016

Summer 2016 Bucket List

A 2016 Summer Bucket List
 
Happy summer, friends!  I have no vacations plans for the season (which means I sounded really lame when my dentist tried to make light conversation last week), but I do have small, personal plans.  Caleb and I have decided that we finally need to use that ice cream machine we got as a wedding gift almost three years ago.  I also think I should prioritize going swimming at least once, especially since last year I didn't swim at all!  Some of the more nerdy things on my list are tasks I'm knocking out on my 101 Challenge.  (I'm 76% finished!)  All of the list are things I really do hope to accomplish, though, and I'm looking forward to marking these things as complete!

I love making short spurt bucket lists.  Writing these things down is a way to keep myself accountable for completing them, and it's helpful to have the physical list in view around the house so I can be reminded of the importance I want to place on these things.  Also, I'm competitive by nature, and this is a fun way to watch myself check things off that I've wanted to do.  It may sound small, but it's a good rush for me, and it can help build momentum that I can use in other parts of my life, too.


Can you think of anything I should add to the list?  What plans do you have for the summer?  If you need some more inspiration, here's my list from 2 years ago.

Saturday, June 18, 2016

When Evil Demands Response

I know many voices have been raised against the hate-fueled act of terrorism carried out this past weekend and week, and I believe it is important for me to add my own, even though I doubt I'm saying anything you haven't heard already.

It has taken me a long time, but I am finally learning that besides taking part or joy in the evil, one of the worst things we can do in these instances is to say nothing.  When we let these things happen without comment and without condemnation, is it not the same as telling the world it doesn't bother us?  Inaction is, in fact, an action.

Here in Atlanta (and also at my church), Martin Luther King Jr. comes into conversation often, and he's naturally one of the first speakers and activists I think of when I'm looking for advice on how to react in situations like these.

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"He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. "

“The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.”

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

~ Martin Luther King Jr.

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There is much I'd like to say in regards to the politics and public reactions I've come across this week, but today, this post is just focusing on what I believe to be the most important facet of this situation.  Evil is evil, we cannot stand for it, and we cannot let it roll over us without affecting us.  Let it move us to speak and move us to action.  Let it move us to love.
He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth124474.html
He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/m/martinluth124474.html