Angela Shelton Foundation Hour 3

Angela Shelton Foundation Month Long Blog-a-thon


Title: I'm more than good enough!
Post photography by: Steven Shires | Pixel Pro Shop


Please donate $ to the Angela Shelton Foundation if you get anything from this or any of my other articles this month-July 10th! Thank you. Click here to donate! To see Angela Shelton's private website click here.


Dear survivor of;


(The not so pleasant things)

• 1. The western's world pressure on women to be thin and beautiful, and sexy 24-7
• 2. Physical disabilities
• 3. Emotional disorders (most caused by something listed later or society)
• 4. Graduating from a semi-broken University
• 5. Having family (a wonderful one though) that lacked emotional output as in hugs frequently
• 6. Learning disabilities that were never tested and treated until I requested it in college after my difficult math course because I could tell no one was having as much difficultly as me and I was also flipping numbers. Also my professor said that I might have a LD so I should get tested and be extra careful on exams esp. until then :p. I was only able to be tested after that course was over and I was at least 1+ standard deviations away from my IQ! 112-124?= IQ while Math= 75 which is or one point away from MR! 
• 7. Being in an abusive relationship for too long. It wasn't even that long but then their was the aftermath. 
• 8. In this abusive relationship, the physical abuse
• 9. In this abusive relationship, the emotional abuse like I am stupid when he was the stupid one 
• 10. In this abusive relationship, the still hard to even type sexual abuse and r word, rape. I said it. good for me! 

The point here is I SURVIVED IT AND...

(Pleasant things..)

• 1. I am actually pretty
• 2. I am not "fat"
• 3. Someone in the world cares or is affected by something I do
• 4. I am loved... I am loved... I am loved (creating new neuro pathways hehe ;D)
• 5. I love that I have a family that cares a lot about me
• 6. I am an Artist
• 7. I love having my sever chronic pain managed somewhat for the moment
• 8. I love having a partner/ significant other/bf that cares a lot about me
• 9. I love my ability to connect with animals
• 10. I love that I know I have LIGHT inside me that will never ever go away, that will always be there even if I don't feel it, that I can always work to rekindle my light, and help others find their light that they have that also will never go away even if they think they have never felt it before.
• 11. I enjoy friendships even when I feel horrible for not having enough time for them. 
• 12. I love horseback riding and the feeling of connection between myself and the horse. Also the independence and freedom once in the saddle. <3
• 13. I love Mother Earth
• 14. I love that I know I have already LOVED much not mention and I love that I know that I will LOVE MUCH MORE!

      That is the past, I have faced it head on, eye to eye, heart to heart. I've dived deep down into my past's soul and come out not just SURVIVING but THRIVING.        ~YES THRIVING!!!!!

      This achievement in my life that I once felt was a personal disaster happened due to the following people and organizations in order by date: My boy friend, my (good) counselors, my University's women's center, TBTN, The Clothesline Project, Angela Shelton, some of my Professors, The Glass Breaking Project, Army of Angels, and all the other survivors through A.S. and other places. Thank you and others that I did not mention for specific reasons. You have changed a life. I have finally given up somethings that I thought were right if a person tells you so. (ie. Your stupid- from my Abuser). Well I am now free from that, I am "me", whom ever I wish to be! And I am a smart beautiful person ~Sydney Smith

      Consequently now I'm on the search of who I am and want to be now that I am not Stupid, fat and ugly! I'm so excited! I know it won't be easy but I pray I have gone threw the hardest part. I posted this photograph by Steven Shires that he made for AUU. I think this is very representative of what this process is. I'm just trying to climb one mountain at a time..... it should be easier that way and should not be so daunting looking at one compared to the range. Thank you Steven! If anyone would like a print of this photo you can either contact Steven Shires yourself at the website that I have linked in this post or on my coffee lounge. I think it would be nice to have in an office don't you think?!

PART 1 : Just had something that make me frustrated but should I be?

I apologize this is going to be a bit long, I will make the major part that relates to the title for those who want the short and sweet version at the END and in a different color ;) Love ya! :SQUISH: and you can NOT forget my :HUGGLES: to you! I have changed the font on this post for a reason. I feel it fits better....just me being all artistic and shite lol


Ever since I was able to answer questions I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wanted to be a veterinarian (at the age of two it was "an animal doctor"). Between then and now all I have done in my life (well I have done now much more with the AOA and Angela Shelton I can now say because I am starting to recognize myself in my whole being more so) is work towards this goal and once I was old enough I started moving on the same path for humans. I wanted to help animals and humans. I wanted to know how to save their lives if something went wrong. I have determined that all my life I have suffered from chronic intense anxiety, and one of my ways to combat that was with gaining as much knowledge and certifications as I could in the medical field for all animals but especially all mammals. The funny thing to me, but now with this anxiety as I just stated is very clear now. I NEVER EVER CHANGED MY MIND about what my path was to be. I wanted to be a veterinarian (Large animal prefer- Horses, Cows, mixed farm -- or Large Zoo animals).

 I NEEDED FOR MY MENTAL SAFETY NET the idea that I could control something in my environment that could easily go out of control. This was probably the one thing that partly held me together for my younger years until I gave up on the fight that live was more than just fixing physical problems. 

 No one wants to accept the emotional challanges we all face every day, every moment of our lives. I was taught to throw away all emotions and as it is barely audible over the phone that I am crying (and I very very rarely cry because of the following I was given this from an important person in my life.

"Just deal it"/ with everything because you just have to "get over it" and "You can't be so emotional" and my favorite (enter a metric fuck ton of sarcasm now)"Stop crying. You aren't allowed to cry. Just stop being so emotional, you can't do that. Just get over it, you can't let things even if its sucks get to you. You can't cry like that. Stop it!" 

Wow I once again, after hearing this over and over again through out my life from this person I got frustrated but in a sad way. I was sad because I was able to really let it sink in for me that this person was probably trying to at all costs protect themselves from being hurt in this situation. No one ever wants to hear someone else cry. So after I've been toying with the idea that this other person is actually trying to protect themselves, and this all is a coping mechanism, no matter how crappy I feel from it, it is what it is. And yes, it hurts me, yes it makes me frustrated that I can not express almost any sort of any emotion other than I would say "bland" with this person without having a negative reaction. But I feel now I am making progress in the part that now I feel sad when this person does this. I feel sad for them and that they only know how to use this coping mechanism.


_______*******_______


Now I would like to vent about my frustration that sometimes I feel like others get all of this amazing help for their medical disabilities, yet I have worked hard to try to raise money etc for very specific medical aids/devices yet get little help from people other then like two people, one of which is my best friend! But I know, and I really truly am sooooooooo Thankful for the help I have received. My best friend helped raise like $250 for my goal of $14,500 for my service dog, but all donations have stopped. The only thing I have now is the donation button here on my blog through paypal and on my website which is the same thing. I guess what just got me frustrated is that I see all of these other people with many people helping them raise their money for their dog, or raise money for PT, surgeries etc. I think we all need help. But then I feel bad, like I am not good enough and I don't deserve the help because I'm just not good enough. But I feel SOOOOO BAD and SOOOO selfish for thinking that I should get help for even one second. I have so many ideas of how I can give back some to my community with my dog after it would change my life, but again I guess from my abuse, I do not feel I deserve help, but I want help so bad. WTF lol. So yeah. Their is my currently shaken not stirred brain for you. 


But as I said on twitter this summer/ fall is about leaving the past behind and finding the future. And most importantly, being ok with that. 


p.s. it is in the weeeee hours of the morning now: "wow... ok I just woke up from a 2 hour nap with the computer on my lap and I was biting my tongue the who time! Ouch! lol Does the biting of the tongue mean something ;p?????? I bit one side over another.... does that mean anything?!?! :D :D I <3 you all

A New Life Gift & Video/Blogathon

      Today my new and very first office of my own is in the final stages of drying before I can move in and really get myself organized and get to work in a private space. We've painted EVERYTHING, and even shampooed the carpet. Soon as I can I will be posting picture of before and during after I move in. I am so excited because it will be a place of my very own. MY OWN. My sanctuary.
      Here I will better be able to take care of myself and be more affective at working with my goals as an Army of Angels! Recently with my meds being changed or not shipped on time I've had problems esp when I'm in a lot of pain. but now I see so much light and I feel it warming my skin. I can close my eyes now and not worry so much all the time.
       I still worry as I always will until I reach a deeper level of healing, I will still hold my breath for half of the day as always. But this feels better than the overwhelming feelings I was having before that left me rendered almost useless. A smile is growing across my face and I like that. Also for those who know, things are settling down for the moment between me and my lover. We had a very very very rough patch, now its just rough, which is much easier. :SQUISHES: and :huggles: to all of you. You all are so powerful and special. Don't forget to go to the blogathon this weekend I'll be there over the late evening hours. The lovely Angel that is doing this is a wonderful person that I talk to all the time and is dear to me. Funny you are all so dear to me even if I don't talk to you. :huggles:
__________________________________________________________
      Don't forget to mark your calander for July 9-10th for my video/blog a thon and try to skip getting coffee 2 times from Starbucks. Remember how the management raped and employee? I haven't heard anything about how they are handling that which is bad HR so I've actually stopped going there all together. But if you save money from two coffees that is like $6- $7-$8 that you could easily donate that you would have already spent that month! I've already made a small donation just because of that. :D And I got a larger donation when I told someone else about that. If you think about it, if you just gave up one coffee a month.........thats $3-$4 bucks x 12........ = so much help to keep the Angela Shelton Foundation ALIVE. 

Angela Shelton Foundation Fundraiser

I know I was not looking my best when I shot this but I had to share my feelings! After all it was in the middle of the night! ;p

Why

NOTE: This posting has negative language in it. It is recommend that it be read by adult readers only.  This posting in no way is representative of the organizations that I support.




This is the year of why. Why the fuck this and why the fuck that. Really why the fuck anything. I usually answer "Just because" but that is not flying any more with me being in my mid twenties with my degree almost in my red hot hands and no job to be herd of or even thought of at this time. My psychologist ( I went with a psychologist this time because the many years of counselors and therapists seem to have gotten me no where so I though yes, Sydney go with the one with a bigger and better degree! Plus you have to pay them more so they have to be better right?????) says to me that I am in a "time of transitioning" and keeps on asking me what I'm going to do with my life. Time and time again I give him some bs answer ( oh yes, my lovely degree is in bs~Love it!) and he just gives me a frown. God dam I would tell him if I fucking knew! But I don't know. Why is that? Why don't I know where the hell I'm going and with who and for how long? I see other people around me in the same point of life ( now many they haven't had the "life experiences cough: being raped etc" like I have ) and they know where they are going and who they are doing. Literally. They are married. I want to be married. I've been in a mono relationship for 7+ years. 7+ years and now, just now we are in couples counseling. Now I love this person so much I believe that no one could understand but :sigh:

Now I would LOVE love to delve into this more but I don't know if my lover will take me if I were to do this. Maybe in the future as I'm trying to be more true on this blog now.

Anyways. So fuckin A. Fucking Y. Why did all of this crap happen to me a long time ago ( the stuff that lead me to Angela Shelton). Am I supposed to do something with it because right now I don't feel like I'm doing a very good job at any of that world. But at the same time I SOOO want to do something. I want to change something. But why?? Why this why that why anything at all?

This change in me being in mucho less pain for the majority of the time has opened my brain and my life again. Before it all I was a leader of men, yes of men. And I was very good at it. Hummm....So now I will just eat cake to dull this question for now.... yumm.

TweetMic : I'm looking for guidance

Please listen to my Tweetmic ( and iphone app) >  | http://tmic.fm/rgrz6jgpuyo


I'm in the Army of Angels but this Angel needs some help right now.... I don't know what to do.... I don't even know what options exist

Photograph: Taken and edited by Sydney Smith, of Sydney Smith

Dear Survivors, Shit to poo its all good

I've noticed again many of you/us have hit another rough patch. It is either a pile of horse crap, (although I do love horses!) or a new pot hole that came out of no where on the highway and you were going 90. Well, bless you Angels. Bless you for all the crap you've been through and all the shit you will go through in the future. Bless you for the power you have obtained by having noses that are much more hard core than the average person and only typically take notice to the herd of skunks that just had a brazilian wax job in front of your nose. You are a warrior with your experience, knowledge and life skills. I've seen you take the horse shit and make it into a beautiful sculpture, then when cold light it for fire, then when it rains use it to help seal the shelter. I've finally come to realize that yes, shit might not shine, but it does have its purpose as poop. You ladies have figured out the 101 ways to use it and be beautiful people at the same time. I love you for that. Thank you for inspiring me to live on in this life with ever raining shit that I've learned to love and call poo.

If you enjoy my posts consider donating to the cause that saved me: http://www.firstgiving.com/sydneysmithaoa

Song-by me

Song Title :" YOU” 
By Sydney Smith
Lyrics go to the music of “If I was a boy” for the majority by beyonce
From my website subpage : Sydney Smith's Songs and Poems



Sometimes it’s more than a push
I feels more like a punch
Like your forcing me to throw away
Everything that makes up my name
But each time you say
It is better for me
To put it all aside and 
Make it all just go away
But I don’t know if I can
Live up to your demands
I don’t know if I can play along
And run your marathon
The more I am who you want
The more my mirror is blinded
Not knowing who I am
Or where I started from
But each time you say
It is better off for me
To put it all aside and
Make it all just go away
Yet I know there is more than you
I know some where is me
I just have to look real hard
To rediscover what you pushed from me
Yeah I know 
I’m worth at least that
Because I’m beautiful 
And you can’t take away that
Yeah
Because I’m beautiful
And you can’t take away that
Yeah 
Because I’m beautiful 
And you can’t take away that

The Glass Breaking Project & a SD

The Glass Breaking Project has a new website: click here. I personally know one of the two creators of this project and have participated and I LOVE IT! so go....click! check it out!

The Glass Breaking Project was founded by Jessica Buchanan and Medallio Green, students of Shenandoah University.

Medallio Greed is a senior Business Major minoring in Political Science. 

Jessica Buchanan is a senior Psychology minoring in History and Women’s Studies.

Medallio and Jessica were challenged by their Women’s Studies professor, Dr. Amy Sarch, to come up with an inspirational way to help people release anger and raise awareness about the silence that surrounds violence.  They came up with The Glass Breaking Project in 2008 and are currently hosting their 3rd annual Glass Breaking event at Shenandoah University in 2010 and taking the project to schools across the country.  The Glass Breaking Project is soon to be a non-profit organization headed by Jessica and Medallio.

 The Glass Breaking Project’s Mission:
• To promote a healthy outlet of anger for people that does not promote hurting others around
• To stop violent acts towards others such as domestic violence, verbal abuse, rape, and molestation by raising awareness of how often these acts occur
• To shorten the statistic of every women/man that is raped, domestically beaten, or verbally abused daily.
• To raise money through donations and use that money to raise awareness about our cause
• To create a healthy environment for people to come together with their stories to share or keep remembered
• To make all aware of the violence in the world and for everyone to unite and take a stand against it

______________________________________________

My Pending Service Dog

      On another note, I just found out that it will cost me $12,000. to get a service dog trained (that is not including the price of the dog from the breeder that specializes in SD). So I'm really sad about that because my doctor really wants me to get one and the trainer honestly believes that I could really benefit from a SD. But I see no way to get that kind of money. Its crazy. So yeah. sad face. I really expect the full price to be about $16,000. But if it was only $12,000 (again without the purchase of the dog) I would have to get at least 24 different companies to donate $500.00 to reach the estimated training costs. I so want it to work as it will change my life forever for more than better. It will give my life back. More than that. So If anyone knows any businesses that they would recommend or would like to ask on my behalf if I give information I would greatly appreciate it. My trainer has a blog where she and I will up date and take pictures etc of my SD (service dog)  as it is trained (which takes a year) and watch us grow. I think I would also continue to update the blog after my dog is perminately placed with me. I would do this for anyone who would donate/ sponsor so they could check the progress and amazing help that their donation/ sponsorship will do for me. My trainer said I would be a poster child for people who would benefit from service dogs. 


      I was so happy that she truly understood what a service dog can do for a person on all levels. This gave me hope. Much more hope than from any other SD organization before this one. I hope my hope will not fall only due to money. I know many hopes in the world fall to this, but this is my life. I need help with my activities of daily living. I just want my life back. :( If it was only easier, if I wasn't alone in this. 


So have you checked out the Glass Breaking Project yet??!!! ;)

My challenge to you

This is my challenge to you. Today March 20th and March 21st I will be tweeting with the hash tag #Women. I want to talk about how powerful we are, how much many of us have over come and triumphed, how so many women support others, and yes even some not great things like women against women. I want to bring up issues. I want people to think for a moment. What I would love is for everyone to join in and maybe #Women could make it to a twitter topic. Now I know their are bad people out their that will say bad things about women, but that does not deter me. No, that just shows me that they are insecure with their own selves and feel they must bash others to make themselves feel superior. All we need to do is ignore them. If they message us, block them. As simple as that. Any of you remember the Worm? ugh.


Now I fully understand that this is as Angela Shelton says just barely even tapping on the big toe of a great monster. But I would like the practice of tapping on the toe before taking down the monster. I want to stretch my arms, take a deep breath and say, "This is what I believe in" and see what happens. One must practice before taking down an opponent. One must whisper into the opponent's ear that someone is their to challenge them. I am ready for this process. I am ready for training. Are you?


It is important to note that negativity is the loss of power in my eyes. To stoop any level lower than your moral ideals reduces the power of your light leaving you less likely to succeed. Therefore, in my challenge and I hope yours, we will blind any opponent with our light. The light that is naturally found inside us. Have you ever heard of "killing with kindness?" I think that is what my personal light and mind is guiding me towards.


In all I just challenge you to speak well of #Women on twitter and bring up important issues and try to NOT attack the opponent. Kindness can hurt just as much and harshness yet do good at the same time. So today and tomorrow if you so choose to, use #Women in a good light on twitter.

Photo from http://www.textually.org/textually/archives/cat_twitter.htm?p=4

Sexual Assault/Rape in the Military

Women soldiers stop drinking water early in the evening to avoid having to use the bathroom to try to avoid being RAPED by fellow soldiers

What do you think about this?!

I found this article very interesting and very in line with most of the stuff I have heard about this issue in the past. I do want to note one stat was wrong. They said that a woman in the Militaries stats of being raped is 1 in 3 (I have no problem with this- what I have a problem with is that they said is this is double that of a civilian. That is flat out not true. civilians are at LEAST 1 in 4. Last time I did math that would mean the Military would have to be 1 in 2 to be double the civilian stat which is widely accepted as 1 in 4. ( I believe it is higher both in the Military esp. and in civilian worlds due to many many break downs in the system(s) and trust, safety, and access to get help let along take action.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1968110,00.html#ixzz0gmMHUT0I

Photo from http://www.wowowow.com/files/imagecache/300x/2008_0724_iStock_women_military.jpg Retrieved from the WWW on March 13, 2010.

How do you feel beautiful?

Recently I've been having issues with the way I look. But then I settled down and found my light and saw that I really am beautiful in more than one way. I realized it doesn't matter if you have big thighs, or a big forehead, EVERYONE has something different about them that makes them who they are, even the super models I guarantee have something about them. They are characteristics that make us special. Yeah some times we don't like all of our special characteristics but I think if it does not negatively effect our health, we can learn to live and love our quirks and characteristics just as most people have different laughs!

With this realization, I am working on creating new neuropathways to love ALL of me.

So How do I feel beautiful? By appreciating all of my characteristics and turning to my internal light when I question that. My question to you is how to you feel and keep feeling beautiful?

How to get a job!

Feminists for Hire: Finding a Job After College (I think this applies to all job seekers)

From : http://feministcampus.blogspot.com/2010/03/feminists-for-hire-finding-job-after.html (retrieved on March 11, 2010 from the WWW)

With the mid-point in the semester upon us many students are suddenly met with the daunting question: "What next?!" Whether you're considering a job after graduation or a summer internship to gain additional skills and experience, doing your homework is still a requirement to landing the opportunity you've been waiting for.

Resume: I was once told by someone I had an informational interview with that only the President should have a resume more than one page. While some career centers differ with this advice, it's critical that you tailor your resume (whatever its length) to the job that you are applying for. Remember that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all resume and you should be sure to highlight your skills and experience that is relevant to the job/internship you are applying for.

Other tips: Consider developing an objective statement or one sentence sales pitch at the top of your resume. When listing your previous work experience don't forget to include your leadership with your feminist group on campus. Limit the number of bullet points (2-3) when listing your qualifications to include the most relevant skills and any quantifiable results.

Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your first introduction to your potential employer and is just as important (if not more) as your resume. Like the resume, tailor your cover letter for each job/internship you are applying for and always refer to the specific qualifications they are seeking and your experience that makes you such a qualified candidate.

Other tips: For some markets an out of town address can be a dead end for your application. If you are applying for a position in another location, particularly if it is a great distance away, consider asking any acquaintances in that area to use their local address on your resume. It may seem like a minor thing but given the competitive market and tightened budgets by many companies, factoring in moving costs could be a deal breaker.

Interviews: So you got the interview. Yes! Now the real work begins. Interviews are not only an opportunity for you to shine as a qualified candidate but also a chance to interview the organization to be sure it is the job/internship for you.

Before the interview: Do your research. Be familiar with not only the responsibilities of the position you are applying for but also the current projects and issues of the overall organization. Be sure to pack multiple hard copies of all requested materials (cover letter, resume, writing sample, etc.), develop a list of questions you want to ask the interviewer and a notebook to take notes during your interview. Dress the part. Business attire is normally your best bet. Remember: dress for the job you want, not the job you have. Plan for traffic, elevator outages, wrong turns (i.e. the things that always happen when you need to be somewhere important) and arrive 15 minutes early.

During the interview: Smile, make eye contact throughout the interview, and speak calmly and confidently. Sit up straight and pay attention to your body language throughout the interview. Potential questions the interviewer may ask include: why are you interested in this position, what are your strengths and weaknesses, what is your work style, why would you be an asset to this organization, or what was your greatest challenge and how did you overcome it? Don't feel pressured to answer each question right away and know that you can always ask for clarification. Think through your answers and always try to reference the skills and responsibilities of the position and your relevant experience.

End of the interview: Always have questions prepared for the interviewer. Potential questions include: describe my day-to-day responsibilities, do you offer any opportunities for professional development, what other staff will I work with most often, or how will my performance be evaluated? Be sure to ask about the next stage of the interview process and thank the interviewer for their time and consideration.

After the interview: Within the next 24 hours write a thank you e-mail to each person who interviewed you. Thank them for their time, express your interest in the position, and briefly reiterate your qualifications. Also attach any documents they may need to this e-mail, including your resume, writing samples, and references. Contact your references to re-confirm and alert them that they may be contacted by your interviewers. Make sure your references know the description position you have interviewed for, what makes you interested in the position, and any particular qualifications they should emphasize if contacted.

Other tips: Never underestimate the power of informational interviews! They will give you great advice, contacts and prepare you for the real deal. Find people whose jobs you want to have and send them an email. Ask for a 15 minute meeting (maybe over coffee?) to talk about their career. People love to talk about themselves and, in turn, you get loads of advice and (hopefully) connections! Also, visit your career center to practice a mock interview to fine tune your answers and develop your interview skills.

Networking: In such a competitive job market, making the right connections can make all the difference. Tap into your area alumni network and connect with networks for young professionals. Groups like the Women's Information Network (WIN) connect and support pro-choice women in the DC area and are replicated in other cities across the country. Bring your resume to the National Young Feminist Leadership Conference and talk to leaders of organizations that you want to work for. Network online by creating a LinkedIn profile. Upload your resume, get recommendations from past employers, connect with your contacts and get "introduced" to people online.

My last piece of advice for feminist job hunters is simple: tell everyone you know you are looking for a job! Take every opportunity to learn about what people are doing and sell yourself. Not in a cheesy way but in a, "oh, that's so interesting. I've actually done a lot of research about misogynist textbooks in grade schools, too" kind of way. The more people know you are looking for a job the greater the chance they will know someone who is hiring!

Finally, remember we need feminists in all sectors. If you're applying to law school, want to be a teacher or start your own business you can and MUST bring your feminist consciousness with you. Good luck feminists! Go forth and shake up the workforce!

http://feministcampus.blogspot.com/2010/03/feminists-for-hire-finding-job-after.html

A new small project for Angela Shelton

Hello everyone!

I have a request of all of you who support Angela Shelton and the work of those who support her work. Please send me a JPG only of a STAR!!! I request that the size of the star be no large than 2'' x 4'' approximately give and take. And the size to be no larger than 1 Mb total for the entire email. Please send the email to TheSydneySmithProject -at-gmail.com with the subject line of :STAR SUBMISSION. Submission deadline. NO LATER THAN APRIL 4TH(Sunday)!!!!! As I need time to collect all the pieces and then create the piece and then send it to Angela. I'm trying to get as many as possible but ONLY ONE star PER PERSON.

I came up with idea to make it so YOU are apart of this very special creation. Angela is most likely to be auctioning this item off for the Angela Shelton Fundation ( and if she doesn't I might try too) which helps not only you but our friends and people we have yet to met. I am so thankful to help this cause. It brings me great joy to use my art to help lift up spirits in need of light, love and courage. Please take this step with me. This is just one more way we can make a difference.

The best part will be trying to find your star on the completed piece!

In summary

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

1. Deadline for all submissions is APRIL 4, 2010 (A Sunday I will hope to get Angela to say something that Sunday to remind you all xing my fingers)

2. The STAR must have no fewer than 5 points but no more than 8.

3. Please keep the image size to about 2'' x 2'' or 2'' x 4''

4. The image MUST be in a jpg.

5. The total size of the email must me at a max 1Mb

6. Only ONE submission PER PERSON

7. Entries will only be accepted at the following email address TheSydneySmithProject -at-gmail.com
Any entries delivered to facebook or other places will be deleted sorry!

8. HAVE FUN! :SQUISH: and :HUGGLES:

what you can do is scan an hand drawn picture and save it on to your computer as a jpg- it will ask you what you would like to save it as ie a jpg, gif etc. select jpg. Save it into a file you will remember then attach it to your email. Don't forget to crop the image!

OR

If you have a tablet you can use that to create your hand drawn star. If all else fails, contact me and we can talk about it. Consider going to your local library first as they will usually let you use their scanners! (I don't really want to give out my home address to have things mailed to me even though I trust you all I'm still trying to protect myself from people from my past)

Oh, ps. today I was sketching out the HAWK DANCES painting. I need to do more landscape research though before I move forward. And with that I can check my color pallet.

And don't forget to feed my fish at the bottom of my page hehe! And lastly I can't wait for my speaking engagement. Super nervous but very very excited. I just wish I could call Angela for a bit and talk to her about how she constructs her speeches and gives them. But I am a very powerful woman, I know with practice I will become better :)


photo from http://hubblesite.org/gallery/album/the_universe/pr2002010c/web/

Happy International Women's Day!

We come in all forms, interests, shapes and colors. Our back grounds vary more so then the colors of the rainbow, but we have one thing binding us all together even if we choose to accept it or not. We are women and girls. No matter our age or race we all have something to give and our socioeconomic status will not stand in our way as we have already proved with much hard work. I am thankful for all the women and girls that have come before me, are here now, and those we will see in the future for the gifts they will bring. Thank you.

photo from http://www.lvlconnection.com/