Leftovers and Art

When you're young and low on money, sometimes the simplist things mean more than what would typically meet the eye.

One of my favorite things about the internship in California has been the experience of meeting with the Graphic Designer at Mosaic each Thursday. I join together with two other interns each week to experience and learn something new about LA and about art. Last week's adventure took us to a little Italian place in Pasadena that left my stomach topped off for the remainder of the day as we talked about the role graphic arts play in our regions and how it can be used to convey certain messages to its audience. And the leftovers were just as great. Talk about a huge meal for a great price. It was like I was back home at the Villa.

Today's adventure took us to Little Tokyo where we dined at a local restaurant that was one of our leader's favorites. I've never feasted on Japanese until today as we sampled various items from the menu that I can neither spell nor pronounce. But even more so, afterwards we briefly toured the area observing the art, posters, and design around us in order to connect with an audience specific to the one we were in for our next project.

There is an element of treating others on your behalf that means the world to that person. Sometimes an individual is hungry, often physically but emotionally hungry for the connection for community. A simple embrace in conversation. A common thread across a table.

This element of serving and giving to others so simply is one I've experienced before. A snapple at the bagel shop. A mocha at the coffee shop. And the amazing thing is that is has a ripple effect, like this insurance company commercial I just saw. It catches on.

And I want to keep it going.