Showing posts with label Ball State. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ball State. Show all posts

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Falling Whistles

CRANE COUNT: 198

Well, it's always hard to keep up with blogging and craning back at school, but at least this time I have managed to keep up. Since the start of the new year, I have given away 17 cranes away.

So far, things are looking a little better this semester in terms of more sleep (until this last week, which has been a little stressful...hadn't gotten to bed before 5 am since Friday until yesterday...) I had my first concert with the Ball State University Singers on Saturday...I play piano and keyboard for them. It went pretty well, and I'm excited to start getting back in to jazz piano!! But no wonder I'm sick again. Bleh.

(late) New Years Resolutions/goals/hopes/dreams:

* Crane goal of AT LEAST one a week
* Get all A's this semester
* Learn jazz comp/improv on the piano (or at least get a decent grip on it..)
* Get architecture internship this summer
* Take a cross country road trip and learn how to surf
* Find a way to raise money for Falling Whistles

As promised, about Falling Whistles...

Right now, the world's deadliest war since WWII is happening in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 6 million people dead and 1,500 people dying each DAY.

The main conflict is over the mineral resources in the area- minerals used in our electronics such as cell phones and computers...a history of conflict between local groups and an unstable government doesn't help anything.  Falling Whistles was founded by a normal guy named Sean who had no idea what he had stumbled upon- a country in turmoil.

He came back home a changed man. He couldn't stop talking about what he had seen...finally he annoyed his friends so much, he had to do something. This something was creating Falling Whistles. He had the idea of making and selling whistle necklaces as a way to remind him wherever he went and start conversations, spreading the word.

I went to hear Sean talk a couple months ago, and it was one of the most moving things I've been a part of. I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to do to help, but any little bit counts. I'm going to get a whistle soon...here's a link if you wanna get one!! They are pretty awesome.

Read more about Falling Whistles here.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Another Earthquake...

CRANE COUNT: 126
DONATIONS: $33.10 (Japan fund)

So if you didn't realize, I am also trying to start a fund to help with the rebuilding of Christchurch, New Zealand after the devastating earthquake felt there in February of this year.  Since my dad was originally from New Zealand, a lot of my family (and friends) live there and I feel a very strong connection to NZ. My family and I have visited Christchurch many times..it was a beautiful city and will never be the same :/

Before/after the first earthquake- the CTV building in Christcurch

Before/after downtown

On Monday, another earthquake hit the city. At a 6.0 on the Richter scale, it was almost as strong as the one felt previously this year (a 6.3 and 7.1)- and some experts are predicting a 20% chance of more to come, along with the aftershocks already felt since Monday. Since it happened during the day, there are no reported deaths; however, the already devastated city has been even more severely damaged. Click here for a more in depth account...

If you would like to help, click on either of the following links and email me at chrispianist04@gmail.com to let me know how much you donated.

http://www.christchurchearthquakeappeal.govt.nz/
http://www.redcross.org.nz/donate

And here are some more cranes, of course!

118- Jennifer, who is going to major in fine arts next year! With her beautiful picture and green napkin crane.
121- Michelle


122- Melissa and the Ball State University map crane
123- Emily (and Mary, who I promised would get her own crane later!)
124- Maeleen. Orientation roomies!
125- Preston + mini yellow crane
126- Ryan