I’m not really sure what to say. Thank you.

In the back-to-school rush, I haven’t kept the site very well updated, but I hope to be adding more art soon. If you’re interested in a painting, also remember that you’re more than welcome to request something different than what’s pictured now. I’m always up to requests!

Meanwhile, life goes on here in Abilene. I fully intend on being a better blogger during this coming semester, so more than likely you’ll be hearing from me again soon. (I know you can’t wait.)

Update: We made it. Praise God! Tickets are being booked!

January 16: Flying back to Texas. Our flight arrives at 4pm. Factor in a one-hour drive home, some time to pack the car, and a three-hour trip to Abilene, and it’ll be a rather long day.

January 17: The spring semester starts bright and early at 8am with my basic drawing class.

May 25: After a week or so back home from school, this day marks my departure from the States.

May 26: Full day layover in London. No big deal.

May 27: Early arrival at the Entebbe airport in Uganda, after which I’ll be headed to the Kasana Children’s Centre.

August 2: Back in Texas once again.

And that’s that.

In other news, you’ll see that the numbers in the sidebar to your right have changed a bit. Firstly, we reached $505 on December 31st, just in time to ring in the New Year! Secondly, with plane tickets on hold and prices a bit more predictable, my total estimated costs have dropped from $3,000 to $2,500. Pretty exciting, if you ask me.

I hope you all have been having a fabulous 2012 thus far! Personally, I love the feeling of a fresh calendar and a fresh schedule full of fresh opportunities. Let’s make 2012 a year of life lived to the fullest.

If you head over to the art page, you’ll find  a couple new additions. Christmas is right around the corner, and a painting can make a great gift while the proceeds go to a great cause. Check out the availability, or shoot me an email with your favorite colors and quotes, and we can get something worked out.

Can we make the push to $300?

You guys have been great. If you check out the progress meter in the sidebar to the right, you can see we’re getting pretty close to $200 raised. That’s fabulous! Share the link, tell your friends, and keep coming back.

Unfortunately, $200 isn’t exactly going to get me to Africa and back. And if you feel led to give more than a dollar, I’ve got a new opportunity for you:

art for africa

I like to pretend I’m an artist, and sometimes I even like the results. Not too long ago, it hit me that maybe my doodling habit could be a chance to raise money for next summer.

These are 8×10 acrylic paintings on canvas, featuring fun colors, flowers, swirls, and quotes. I don’t pretend they’re anything spectacular, but they might make a nice addition to your decor or a fun idea for a gift.

Paintings are available for a suggested donation of $10.

Click here to check out the selection!

fundraising central.

Quick pointer: At the top of the page, you’ll find a few changes. Most notably, the One Dollar Challenge. Curious? Go ahead and click on it. I dare you. (And no worries, I’ll be explaining things a bit more in the next few days.)

Also, if you scroll down and check out the sidebar, you can find out what time it is in Uganda at the moment.

…am I the only one who feels really excited about that?

Okay. I’m curious: Thoughts on the new look? Helpful tips and tricks for online fundraising? Random questions? Drop me a comment!

]]> http://bethmaisano.com/2011/10/new-improved/feed/ 8 http://bethmaisano.com/2011/08/getting-ready/ http://bethmaisano.com/2011/08/getting-ready/#comments Mon, 01 Aug 2011 02:39:15 +0000 Beth http://bethmaisano.com/?p=1094 There are piles of fluffy pillows in my chair, right next to an assortment of storage boxes. A “dorm shopping list” is hanging by my desk–mostly crossed out now. One week from today will be my last shift at work. Twenty days from now, I’ll be moving in at school.

These last few weeks have been full of work and shopping and family time and a pervasive sense of “getting ready.” I’m excited, to say the least. Roommates, class schedules, room numbers, move-in dates…well, it’s all very real. And coming up rather quickly.

In other news, this blog is still in an in-between stage–depending on whether I can recruit the assistance of my genius friends or not, the current look might have to be scrapped in favor of one with functional links. And until then, it just doesn’t feel right to post “for real”–but I’ll try, okay?

The new theme is obviously quite a bit brighter, happier, and (in my opinion) awesome-er. Unfortunately, there are a few issues at the moment–you might notice that several of the links aren’t functional. Hopefully that’ll be up and running soon.

In the meantime…what are your thoughts?

In any case, I’m going to be getting this place back up-to-date and (hopefully) keeping it that way.  Expect some changes around the site, and I would love it if you stick around to keep reading!

~Beth

{photo credit}

Google Becomes…Topeka

The Google blog reports that as of today, you won’t be “googling” anything—you’ll “Topeka” it. Sounds good, right?

‘Topeka Google Mayor Bill Bunten expressed it best: “Don’t be fooled. Even Google recognizes that all roads lead to Kansas, not just yellow brick ones.”’

Starbucks Goes “Plenta”

Ever wanted a super-mega-sized mocha latte?  How about a micro-sized green tea?  Starbucks has it all.  The pictures are awesome.

Kodak Announces “Aromaphotography”

Kodak has made a breakthrough: they’re now using “Neuro-Optic-Nasal-Sense Imaging” to enhance your experience every time you look at a photo.  Now you can smell those beautiful pictures of wildflowers, cookies, and your dog getting a bath.

Be sure to read the fine print at the bottom:

‘*Neuro-Optic-Nasal-Sense Imaging is also referred to as NONSense.’

Ben & Jerry’s Creates Virtual Ice Cream

Lick it.  You know you want to.

Google Wave Gives Notifications

We all know how taxing it can be to check your inbox for all those important updates.  Now, Google solves the problem by sending you notifications in person whenever you need them.  Handy, no?

Your turn!  What are your favorite April Fools pranks?

~The Management