Day #4

It's Laundry Day!


Ahhh laundry. I have yet to meet an individual that enjoys laundry day.

We always hear about how lucky we are to have laundry done at home. It is no joke.

My laundry room is outside in the cold and in a dungeon like room. Scary.

There is something that I have always liked about laundromats even though I have never used one.

Really old laundromats are great for photography scenes. Trust me. Look it up.

Waiting is the worse.

In the dungeon of a laundry room we pay $1.00 for each load in the washer and $1.00 for each load in the dryer. $1.00 + $1.00 = $2.00

It was free at home :(

I enjoy the coin part of laundry and putting the coins in. The memories of going to the arcades return.

not exactly the same.

During the weekends when I am stuck at home doing my homework and trying to stay warm, my act of the unexpected is closer to home.

This is it...

To: You - From: Me
Love The Unexpected

"After using or taking the quarter you must pass on the unexpected to a stranger. This can range from holding open the door to simply leaving the quarters in front of you. Pass.It.On. :)"


Again a note and a gift. Above is a picture of $2.00 in quarter and a dryer sheet.


The unexpected doesn't have to be a huge thing. The simplest things are the greatest surprises because they are so unexpected and a lovely delight.


When you go to do a daily deed such as the laundry or even pick up the mail. Leave a note for the next person. Maybe even a little gift. 


Do you remember the last time the simple things made you smile?


-Jayme Lynn

Photo courtesy of Flikr

Day #3

Menus.

Menus are everywhere.

I have NEVER gotten along with menus because I am no good at making decisions. 

When I choose what to eat and stare at the menu longer than 15 seconds a decision won't be made. It will then take up to 10 minutes to decide.

With traveling to new places comes trying new foods which is also a big favorite! Luckily my father loves basically every type of food and will try almost anything with me. After moving to a new part of the city, my boyfriend and I have been exploring new places to eat. 

We found the most adorable diner!

They have a cereal bar!

3 bowls for $4. YES! 

My first time visiting this adorable diner was in the morning and the cereal was pulling me in! That morning was a 10 second look at the menu. Cereal it was. The next visit was dinner and a 10-15 minute look at the menu. 

Only being my 3rd day, I still had a few ideas up my sleeve for my 362 days ahead of me. I love finding notes that others have left to leave a smile on another's face. 

That is what I did.

"You Are Special. Love Who You Are"

A small note. Maybe this was exactly what someone needed to hear. I have no idea and I will never know. Maybe who ever found it didn't need to see it, but whoever finds it next will. The mystery about the unexpected acts is one of my favorite parts.

When you open a menu next will you think about what you want or what someone else may need?

-Jayme Lynn

Day #2

School. 

I have mixed feelings about school.

 I am a student which makes it difficult to like school and think that it is good for me. 

I spent a year at a traditional university and met so many great people and made good memories. However, I was commuting and know that the experience would have been much different if the school was away from home. The homework was like any other school and not too much different from anything I had previously. Reading assignments, papers to write, and finals to take. 

Books. Books. Books. 

Art and design have always always been a love of mine. After high school art school was in my eyes, but my parents thought it would be smart to have some gen eds under my belt before I transferred. Charleston, SC is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited and was already packing my bags to move for school. 

Charleston, South Carolina

Obviously, I am not living in Charleston or I would be writing this outside under my favorite beautiful trees. I will live in Charleston before my 30's. Chicago is where my dream led me and now I am attending one of the best design schools in the country. 

Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is rather cold this time of year, but B-E-A-Utiful during the spring, summer, and fall. Never been to the big city? There is nothing to be afraid of unless the south side is on the list of sites to see. Everyone assumes that because Chicago is the 3rd largest city then there must be crime at every corner. It is true there will be crime just like every other city or town, but do not let it stop you. Come visit! And bring the camera!! Shopping is fantastic as well as the sites.


Anyway, back to school. Shopping gets the best of me a lot of the time. I am in my second semester of design school and the work load has multiplied by10. Having class 23 hours out of the week can be draining after awhile, but the education is fantastic. No student enjoys the homework or long classes.

As I said at the start...as a student it is hard not to side towards not enjoying school, but I know that I am at a great school and am learning  A LOT for my future career as an Interior Designer and I WILL be great at what I do. I WILL design Boutique Hotels around the WORLD!

Drafting.

All of that said, on January 22, 2011 I was at an open house for my school with my boyfriend looking at the photography program. Watching all of the soon to be students memories came back to me. I love to think about what someone may be thinking in any given situation.

There was a mother next to me and I started up a conversation with her to reassure her that she and her daughter were in fact making a good decision. I did not lie to her about all of the work and I did let her know that the people and teachers are fantastic!

A sigh of relief came over this woman because a stranger gave her an unexpected reassurance she had been looking for.

Is there ever an overwhelming feeling that comes over you to talk to a stranger and reassure them about something?

-Jayme Lynn

Photos Courtesy of Flikr

Day #1

Tourists. 

In almost every large city there are bound to be tourists around. I grew up in the capital of Illinois. Some have visited this wonderful place to learn more about Abraham Lincoln. Yes, he was a great man and accomplished some pretty awesome things, but after awhile we are all ready to hear about something new. 

Tourist are easy to spot. 

Whether it is how they are dressed...

Or how the map is blocking their view...

We have ALL been there now and again in our life. 

Almost everyone enjoys traveling and discovering new places. One of my very favorite things in life is traveling and learning about others cultures and ways of life. Although our own town/city may be boring in our eyes, it is a new adventure to another. 

Now, living in Chicago instead of Springfield...tourists are absolutely everywhere.

...unless there is a blizzard going on outside!

Although we may get frustrated with having visitors in our town because their walking or driving is slowing us down,  remember that everyone has been there and it is nice to take in the new sites. 

For my first act of the unexpected I offered my kindness to tourists close to my home. 

On January 21, 2011

None other than Wrigley Field.

Yes, tourists love this place...especially those cub fans. I am not a baseball fan, but I hear that cub fans love this place. I did however go to a Dave Matthews Band Concert this past fall and stood on the field two nights in a row. 

It was magical...

On my way to a GREAT little cafe called Uncommon Ground only a few blocks from Wrigley...I ran into a couple and yes they were tourists. Lucky for them it was the coldest day ever! I believe the real feel was negative 3 degrees outside. Any who...I saw the girl with a camera staring up at the Wrigley Field sign and her boyfriend standing to her left in a hoodie (not the most ideal coat for the weather). I then stopped to ask if they would like a picture, after hesitating and wondering if I was abut to rob their camera, she gratefully said yes. 

I took the time out to help a stranger or two that happened to be tourists. I know that when I visit a new place I want to remember not only the sites but the residents as well. 

So...next time you see a tourist remember how you want to feel in a new place...

Welcome.

Have you ever had an experience when traveling that was pleasant because of a kind gesture from a stranger?

-Jayme Lynn

Photos courtesy of Flikr.com

365 Days

365 days...

A number of things can happen in 365 days...

1. Move to a new place.

2. Make news friends. 

3. Fall in love.

4. Have a child.

5. Get a gold fish.

6. Make a career change.

7. Discover a new hobby.

8. Accomplish something amazing.

9. Become a better person.

10. Buy a whole new wardrobe.

11. Change your life.

The point is...

     365 days

    1 year

52 weeks

8,765.84243398224 hours

525 948.766 minutes

There is more time than we think.

When we were young time went by rather slow...

Waiting for a ride.

    

Waiting for santa.

Now, people would pay good money to get more time.

It is hard to appreciate the little things in life when we are running 5 minutes late to a meeting or class. 

 

Fast pace.

Sometimes it is nice to just stop and smell the flowers and enjoy the laughter of people around.

What if...in 356 days something big and small could happen at the same time?

A couple of weeks ago I discovered a story about Noah Scalin. Noah wanted to create something everyday for 365 days no matter what. He did not quite grasp how difficult the task was going to be that he had signed up for. With help and support from friends and followers he was able to accomplish his goal and is supporting others!

His story inspired me to create something for 365 days straight. 

Unfortunately, I am no good at making decisions and took me about a week to decide. 

FINALLY I decided what I could create!

Smiles. Happiness. Joy. Hope. Peace. 

The Unexpected.

When I was deciding what I could create for 1 year I was limiting myself to only artistic things. 

I was forgetting the thing I love more than art...giving the unexpected. 

Each day=A different act.

For each day over the next 365 days I will do a kind act for a stranger.

The small things have always meant the most to me and I believe that 365 small things can ripple into 1,000,000 small things which equals something rather large.

I will need all of the help I can get. 

The purpose for the blog is to document my year to come 2011 (which happens to be my favorite) and because I am going to need support and ideas for the days ahead. 

With all goals obstacles will occur and committing is a huge step for accomplishing goals.

I am very excited to share all of my days to come and cannot wait to hear all of your ideas and thoughts!

Always, Jayme Lynn

Photots courtesy of Flikr

Who I am...

This is me...

My favorite number.

My Love.

My inner child.

I will leave a mark on the world.

Home Sweet Chicago.

I believe we all need to extend the LOVE.

Driving to the middle of nowhere.

Bubble Baths.

Enough said.

Sometimes we all need to have a good scream.

Hopeless Romantic? Guilty.

Discovering myself and new places.

Ahhh Paint :)

Photos say more than words.

Follow your heart.

Journal.

On top of the world.

This was a little about me. I can't wait to get to know you.

- Jayme Lynn

Photos courtesy of Flicker & ACPhotography