It’s Friday! If you can, leave work an hour early and just spend sometime with yourself. It’s so easy to get stuck in a daily routine and it can be extra tiring on your mental/emotional health to switch from your work hat to your social hat at the snap of 5pm.

We challenge you to indulge yourself in 60 minutes of me time. 

If you had an hour to spend with yourself what would you be doing?

(Source: sophiewhittaker)

good:

Infographic: Health Food and Weight Loss Around the World

A global survey conducted by The Nielsen Company last year found that people from different countries and cultures generally agree on how to lose weight and what foods are the healthiest.

Check out the infographic on good.is→  

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

It’s a week of huge advancements for Alzheimer’s Disease! In light of our #AVoid Book Project, to contribute to Alzheimer’s Disease research, we are excited to share these awesome new developments with you! 

Awesome news #1: According to Scientific American, 3 recent studies have revealed a clearer picture of Alzheimer’s than ever before. The new technology lead to the discovery of a protein that builds up plaque on a patient’s brain. Of course, there’s still a long way to go, but a small step is a step nonetheless!

Awesome news #2: President Obama has joined the fight and is bringing the rest of the country with him. HuffPost & NYT reported that the Obama Administration is about to increase spending on Alzheimer’s research by $80 million. Alzheimer’s Disease is no joke; We’re glad President Obama is recognizing it and doing something about it.

Awesome news #3: After hearing all these cool advancements, don’t you want to advance the Alzheimer’s Disease research yourself? YOU CAN! Only 3 days left to submit a photo of a treasured memory along with a donation to be featured in our book, AVoid. More info here! 

Always go bigger,

Denise
 

My personal story with Alzheimer’s disease..
elliphantom:

My Handsome Grandpa

I never saw my grandpa like this, tall an athletic. By the time I was born, my grandpa had survived 2 strokes and was in his early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Despite his memory loss, we developed a close bond. He’s the reason I love 客家 food, the reason I love San Diego day trips, and the reason I love being a Peng彭.

In high school, I went to visit him in Taiwan. At that point, Alzheimer’s had taken pretty much his whole memory. My mom, sister, and I walked into his room and greeted him. No response.

But then I felt someone hold my hand…. and it was my grandpa. No words were exchanged. He just stroked my hand and cried. At that moment, I knew he remembered and loved us.

I am lucky to have gotten that last glimpse of recognition. But for many people, that recognition never comes back. Let’s do something to save our memories. Join the Big or Bigger movement and donate a memory of your First Love.

Join us this weekend, Jan 28-29 as we create a massive art installation! More at facebook.com/makesomelove

Master Class with Emerson Aquino

Emerson Aquino- Hip Hop

Saturday , January 28th 
@ Starting Arts Studio 
(3340 Montgomery Dr, Santa Clara, CA 95054)

Beginning Class- 10:00-11:30am
Inter./Advanced Class- 12:00-1:30pm

Co-Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Funkanometry SF Dance Company. Emerson has trained and danced with groups such as 220, Anarchy, and Culture Shock Oakland.

Class is only $15, and $5 will be donated to Dance for Canswer!

Cheers, MLK!

Creating positive change is simple. It starts with one dream, and one voice to bring it to life. Today, more than any other day, we are reminded to dream BIGGER. 

UPDATE 1/9/12: The poster contest is being extended until Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012 at 5pm.

The Asian Heritage Street Celebration (AHSC) produced by the AsianWeek Foundation is hosting its annual poster contest in partnership with the Asian American Women Artists Association, Asian Art Museum, Center for Asian American Media, and Kearny Street Workshop.

Organizers are looking for graphic artists to create an exciting and innovative image. The winning artwork will become part of the personality for this year’s event and will be featured in a wide-scale multi-media marketing campaign in both the mainstream and Asian Pacific markets in a combination of posters, postcards, Muni bus ads, BART banners, bus shelters, newspaper ads and in a TV commercial. The winner will also earn a $500 grand prize and be announced on www.asianfairsf.com.

Visit their site for more information and submission guidelines.

Good luck!

sweetupndown:

you thought I didn’t really notice. But I did. I wanted to high-five you.

Yesterday I had a pair of brothers in my store. One was maybe between 15-17. He was a wrestler at the local high school. Kind of tall, stocky and handsome. He had a younger brother, who was maybe about 10-12 years old. The only way to describe him was scrawny, neat, and very clean for a boy his age. They were talking about finding a game for the younger one, and he was absolutely insisting it be one with a female character. I don’t know how many of y’all play games, but that isn’t exactly easy. Eventually, I helped the brothers pick a game called Mirror’s Edge. The youngest was pretty excited about the game, and then he specifically asked me.. “Do you have any girl color controllers?” I directed him to the only colored controllers we have which includes pink and purple ones. He grabbed the purple one, and informed me purple was his FAVORITE.

The boys had been taking awhile, so their father eventually comes in. He see’s the game, and the controller, and starts in on the youngest about how he needs to pick something different. Something more manly. Something with guns and fighting, and certainly not a purple controller. He tries to convince him to get the new Zombie game “Dead Island.” and the little boy just stands there repeating “Dad, this is what I want, ok?” Eventually it turns into a full blown argument complete with Dad threatening to whoop his son if he doesn’t choose different items.

That’s when big brother stepped in. He said to his Dad “It’s my money, it’s my gift to him, if it’s what he wants I’m getting it for him, and if your going to hit anyone for it, it’s going to be me.” Dad just gives his oldest son a strong stern stare down, and then leaves the store. Little brother is crying quietly, I walk over and ruffle his hair (yes this happened all in front of me.) I say “I’m a girl, and I like the color blue, and I like shooting games. There’s nothing wrong with what you like. Even if it’s different than what people think you should.” I smile, he smiles back (my heart melts!) Big brother then leans down, kisses little brother on the head, and says “Don’t worry dude.” They check out and leave, and all I can think is how awesome big brother is, how sweet little brother is, and how Dad ought to be ashamed for trying to make his son any other way.

Sometimes standing up to bullies means standing up to someone in your family 

(Source: The Huffington Post)