I can still hardly believe that I was fortunate enough to travel to Italy with Haagen-Dazs and the amazing artists of L’artista Della Serie (The Artist Series). Between the location, the people and the premise, there was an alchemy that made our Italian adventure what it was; unforgettable.
I am delighted to be the first artist to be featured of the seven in the series. This week Haagen-Dazs will be sharing a number of the images chosen from my Dolce Vita collection via their social media platforms. Follow along to discover the images that we’re inspired by not only the trip itself but also by my gelato inspiration Stracciatella (it’s like chocolate chip but with an Italian twist and it’s super-yummy).
I must say, it’s going to be so fun reliving the adventure in these next seven weeks as each artist will be sharing their own works of art inspired by Italy’s La Dolce Vita and their own flavor. I can’t wait to see, hear and savor it all.
More about The Artist Series can be found on the HDMoment Tumblr page. The artwork will be revealed on Facebook and twitter. And you can always follow along and share your own sweet moments via the hashtag #HDMoment from your platform of choice. Haagen-Dazs is on Instagram too! Let’s share some HD Moments together, shall we?
When I was contacted by the lovely folks of Studio 5 about featuring a segment on Elevate the Everyday, I was ecstatic. I was told they would have one of their local photography correspondents cover the book and use what she gleaned to share her take on the concepts found within it’s pages. It sounded like a neat idea. Of course, I was crossing my fingers that she would be inspired by it.
A few weeks later, the segment aired and…BOOM…all of my hopes and expectations were exceeded. I am over the moon to share this wonderful segment from Utah’s Studio 5 morning show. Brooke Snow, an awesome photographer and mama totally blew my mind, not only her own insights but the images that came from how she interpreted the books messages and applied them in her everyday life. This is the reason I wrote Elevate the Everyday. Thank you to Studio 5 and Brooke Snow for elevating my everyday.
Before the election my daughter’s World History teacher asked her class to share what issues they would present the President with if they had the chance. My daughter eagerly shared her passion for eradicating Polio and said that, if given the chance she would urge the President to help us with the support and final financial push needed to end the disease. He teacher questioned her issue coming back with, “Polio? Really? Aren’t we done with that? I think there are far more pressing issues.” Needless to say she was deflated, not to mention frustrated because she knows better.
And so does Sikha Patra. Sikha and her friends are so vigilant about the issue of Polio in their own village that on scheduled health days, they spend their free time wielding their handmade megaphones through the streets of their village and walking from house to house to remind each family to get their children their Polio vaccines. In fact, in a soon-coming and highly-anticipated documentary film The Revolutionary Optimists (of which I had the honor of screening at The Shot@Life Champion Summit) you’ll see Sikha and her friends rally around the cause and help mothers by taking their babies in to get thier Polio drops because the mothers couldn’t. Did I mention that Sikha was 13 at the time? Watching children advocating oh behalf of other children like this might be one of the most inspirational things I have ever seen.
Sikha is a member of the group Daredevils (how awesome is that for a name?); a group that helps collect health data and rallies the community around important health issues like vaccines. The passionate and committed group divides the block, makes cartoon posters, and does puppet shows to get kids and families to come to the health days. Sikha also helps survey the neighborhoods and track how many kids have been vaccinated. She believes in the United Nations’ Children’s Rights Charter right to live and that is why she is so passionate about bringing people to polio days.
I know, right? Crazy awesome stuff.
If this is the first time you have heard the story of Sikha and the Daredevils, I promise you, it won’t be the last. That being said, I am bursting at the seams to share this clip with you from the documentary where she and other equally inspirational children from Kolkata (Calcutta) India are brought to light. It’s my privilege to share this with you. I promise, you will be totally inspired!
I can only hope to be as brave and committed as Sikha Pertra in my life. She is such an inspiration.
Thanks to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, and people like Sikha, the number of new cases of polio has dropped 99 percent. We are *this close* but, we still have work to do to eradicate Polio. Please use your voice, like Sikha does and help the fight. Imagine the impact we could have if we would all act like Daredevils?
The impact of vaccines on the lives of children around the world is incredible. Now, you can help sustain the impact by sending an email to your member of congress. Welcome your members to the 113th Congress and ask them to make sure that global health and vaccines are a priority in the new Congress. Take action and make an impact!
This story comes from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and is part of Shot@Life’s ’28 Days of Impact’ Campaign. A follow up to Blogust to raise awareness for global vaccines and the work being done by Shot@Life and their partners to help give children around the world a shot at a healthy life. Each day in February, you can read another impactful story on global childhood vaccines. Tomorrow, don’t miss Maggie Carter’s post! Go to www.shotatlife.org/impact to learn more.
Photos courtesy of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
I shared my falling into the hot tub story as well as a few other memorable events. You know, nothing like sharing your most embarrassing moments to get your point across.
Every child deserves a shot at learning childhood songs and every mother deserves a shot at hearing her child sing them.
Please join me and my friends in supporting Shot@Life! For some ways to get involved this week, check out the #Shot4Shot project. To donate please visit our Shot@Life crowdrise page.
Disclaimer: I should have done something about those bangs before I hit record.
Share the milestones today (bad haircuts and all) that mean the most to you.
I cannot tell you how honored I am to have been asked to provide images for this video from Paper Coterie. Kelly Corrigan’s words are so inspiring. *swoon*
Sikha is a member of the group Daredevils (how awesome is that for a name?); a group that helps collect health data and rallies the community around important health issues like vaccines. The passionate and committed group divides the block, makes cartoon posters, and does puppet shows to get kids and families to come to the health days. Sikha also helps survey the neighborhoods and track how many kids have been vaccinated. She believes in the United Nations’ Children’s Rights Charter right to live and that is why she is so passionate about bringing people to polio days.