With closing out my final weeks in San Jose I am feeling the weight of leaving my home, my friends, and my job. Coupled with a busy day at work, poor sleep, friend issues, and rush hour traffic… I found myself unable to breathe and my body completely tense. I called my mom a bit freaked and our discussion quickly moved to packing and moving my apartment. Let’s just say that didn’t help. Luckily, I was soon home and went into my bedroom, closed the door, laid down on my bed and did the one thing that calms all of my nerves…

I edited photos.

I love tinkering on photoshop and seeing what I can create in half an hour. The editing that I did to calm my nerves was take a picture of my sister and her boyfriend and edit myself into them. See, not all photo editing has to be serious. In fact, the more fun the better.

Original Image
Original Danielle Creation

To top it off I sent a very non chalent email to my sister saying I cleaned up the image a bit and fixed the color… something she often has me do for her images. Then waited and waited and waited.

But that’s ACTUALLY not why I wrote this post… it was just my long winded introduction!

My dad recently returned to Ethiopia and took his usual team of miscreants. One of them took some wonderful pictures and I took one of them and edited it, printed it, and gifted it to my father. I think it turned out quite nice. There are many many many layers and I only want to brag about one, you can see it best on the far left but I layered an image I took on my visit to Ethiopia of the material they use to make their mud huts. (Straw and mud basically) Also, “Tesfa” means “Hope” in Amharic (one of the native languages of Ethiopia).

Original Image

Original Danielle Creation

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Check Out The Latest Single from the supergroup “Making The B(r)and.”

To clarify: FOMO = Fear Of Missing Out. Aka, the psychological condition that causes first year MBA students to overcommit, say yes to everything, and
never want to miss a night at the Keg (local watering hole).

Download the MP3 Here: http://www.filedropper.com/makingtheb…

LYRICS:
Man I was just like you, ultra-busy MBA
The Fear Of Missing Out had got me sweating everything
Sweating cuz I want to get straight-As
Sweating cuz I want to interview with Bain
Sweating at the Keg when I dance insane
I sweat so much I can make it rain

(FO-MO FO-MO) Im in 27 clubs with a full course load
(FO-MO FO-MO) Couldnt even find time to wash my clothes
(FO-MO FO-MO) Keep checking myself and wondering if they know
(FO-MO FO-MO) Been wearing this shirt three days in a row

I guess they knew it cuz my classmates turned to me to say
Your BO is so bad its causing me physical pain
How you gonna get an interview, if you walk around smelling like a moldy shoe?
How you ever gonna get a date, if you show up smelling like a turtle cage

(Red-Zone Red-Zone) She handed me a stick and said, Its Alright
(Red-Zone Red-Zone) Come into the Red Zone itll change your life
(Red-Zone Red-Zone) This will keep your body smelling outtasight
(Red-Zone Red-Zone) Rockin your armpits day and night!

Ever since I started using Red Zone
Everyone who smells my armpits likes the smell of my armpits
Ever since I started using Red Zone
Everyone who smells my armpits likes the smell of my armpits

No recruiter gonna to talk to you, if you smell like you might have poo on your shoe
Youll never get a hug from Dean Jain if you smell like a locker room, after the game

Im sweating in my suit, Im running to a meet and greet
But Red Zone keeps me smelling good, ask my friend he agrees (WORD!)
Things didnt used to be this way, my old deodorant only worked for half the day
I used to be so afraid, of knocking out recruiters with a stink-death-ray

(Red-Zone Red-Zone) But now Ive got mad networking skillz
(Red-Zone Red-Zone) Passing out card like dollar billz
(Red-Zone Red-Zone) I can tell my competition is not in the zone
(Red-Zone Red-Zone) Ill be heading to the closed list all alone

Ever since I started using Red Zone
Everyone who smells my armpits likes the smell of my armpits
Ever since I started using Red Zone
Everyone who smells my armpits likes the smell of my armpits

Hey ladies, let me hear you say: We like the smell of your armpits
Hey fellas, let me hear you say: We like the smell of your armpits
Most Interesting MBA: I prefer his armpits
President of the KSA: I prefer his armpits!

http://photography.daniellenoah.com/

…

Precious is about a young girl who was abused on all fronts by her biological father and mother. This movie is not for the faint of heart and has the ability to sicken you worse than a scary movie like Saw. The raw scenes and unyielding acting force the viewer to not look away and discount the girl like we probably do everyday. Instead we must face her reality whether we like it or not.

The Blindside, unlike Precious, is a true story about football player Michael Orr. The son of drug addict he had no father and 2 shirts to his name.  He was taken in by a local family and soon tutored through high school and allowed to play sports where he later graduated and went on to play football in college and recently signed to the Ravens to play professionally.

Both movies were shining examples of people who we let slip through the cracks. Who we immediately discount because they are different than us.

Who I immediately discount because they are different than me.

And for both it started with one person to take notice and soon others followed. Over time their lives changed for the better. Precious’ story might not be as surreal as Michael’s but they both changed the cycle and expanded their radius.

I struggle with still being young and let’s face it… poor. I technically still qualify as a poor college student, how do I have anything to spare? I type this fully knowing that any extra money I have goes directly to shoes or the latest technical gadget.

Being poor or a college student is just an excuse. Admittance is the first step, right?

Not to bring in another movie but Dayereh (The Circle) by Jafar Panahi is an Iranian national cinema about a select group of women and the limitations they face in being a woman in Iran.  The movie can be long due to no score and long takes but overall I would recommend it. However, it is an interview with the director that I most remember. Jafar Panahi says,

“In my view, everyone in the world lives within a circle, either due to economic, political, cultural, or family problems or traditions. The radius of the circle can be smaller or larger. Regardless of their geographic location, they live within a circle. I hope that if this film has any kind of effect on anyone, it would be to make them try to expand the size of the radius.”

Posted via email from Danielle’s posterous

But just as my love for Walmart grew, I too began an agency crush on The Martin Agency. Their Walmart commercials have a perfect balance between sentiment and humor like this past Christmas’ collection.

But what really captured my heart was when I found out they they are behind the FreeCreditReport.com commercials. I love those commercials. They are quirky and catchy but most of all when they get stuck in my head, I’m not annoyed!

If you have some minutes, look at their website. They are endearing and entertaining.

We want to fill our building to the brim with the most talented people in the industry, and we are always looking to meet experienced, senior-level professionals in all disciplines. And it goes without saying (but we’ll say it anyway) that attracting interactive specialists is one of our highest priorities.

You don’t need to have a degree in advertising. You don’t need an MBA or PhD. You don’t need to tell us that you were editor of your high school yearbook in 1994 (but by all means let us know if you were voted “Most Likely to Succeed” or “Best Looking”).

You do need curiosity and energy. Dedication and integrity. Enthusiasm. Originality. And a big healthy serving of joy.

We want you because your unique background and perspective allow you to speak to the broad audiences we reach. We want you because you listen to the challenges of clients and coworkers and instinctively become part of the solution. We want you because you are intelligent, inspiring, and refreshing.

And it wouldn’t hurt to get some fresh talent on the agency dodgeball team, so if you’re especially scrappy or have a great arm, make sure to include that too.

Can’t wait to meet you.

Crush on, my friends, crush on.

PS. Another favorite:

It is officially, the entire Noah family is on Twitter.  Some of you may not be familar with my parents or sister but let me tell you why I think you should follow them:

Ray [@rnoah]: When my sister and I were still living at home, he successfully survived years of being the only male.  We got him countless male dogs but in the end Squire or Jake can’t protect him from 3 women.  Not only has he seen The Notebook, listened to Hilary Duff (and enjoyed it), folded our underwear and been told many stories of boyfriends who deserve to be exes BUT he has survived!!  By following his twitter, you will get daily updates on his blog, non-profit, and random RNOAH facts usually involving coffee.  He hasn’t quite mastered the fact that he too can follow people, but hopefully soon…

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Linda [@LindaNoah]: You have been warned… I am her mini me.  We look alike, we act alike, and we talk alike.  This can only lead to trouble.  When we are not fighting like cats and dogs over our similarities she is conquering the world one personality at a time.  She is a behavioral guru and can understand a person within a single handshake.  Team building, public speaking, marriage counseling, and parenting are all in her repertoir.  Having just joined this past weekend I cannot make any guarantees as to what will be tweeted but an estimation.  By following her twitter, you will potentially get links and tweets regarding communication arts, parenting, and updates usually centered around missing her daughters.

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Ashley [@ashleynoah]: Without shame I can promise you, Ashley is my better half.  If we were combined, we would create the perfect person.  She is book smart, while I am street smart.  I trust no one, she trusts most of everyone.  Tall, short. Blonde, brunette. Funny, funnier. Doesn’t matter who is who (Except I am the funnier one ), although we are different, our interest and passions are the same. Or maybe I am just a true younger sister and copy everything she does! Ash is currently getting her MBA at Kellogg in Chicago and still raising awareness and support for Ethiopia.  Needless to say, but I will say it anyway, Ashley is a giver and a world changer. Just like Linda, she is new to the twitter world but what I expect to read from her is her daily happenings in Evanston, MBA studies and activities, and Soli, Soli, Soli.

That is my family in a nutshell and hopefully you can get to know them as you get to know me as well.

For those not following me on twitter, you can find my updates at @dani_noah

Stuck in a college classroom, barely surviving, and regretting every decision I had made for the last 20 years, I was unmotivated and dissatisfied with life. To most, my life was the quintessential college experience.  I was the in the best sorority, with the best boyfriend, at the best Southern California school, studying the best major, in the best college. But best wasn’t cutting it. I was miserable and in need of a change.

My older sister, Ashley, had just graduated from a nearby university and her schedule allowed her to travel to Benishangul-Gumuz region of Ethiopia with a non-profit organization focused on leadership development and humanitarian efforts.  As the leadership seminar went on for a week, she snuck away to take a look at the only local hospital servicing the 600,000 people in that region and she was stunned. Within ten days of experiencing less than ideal conditions, she made the decision to change the direction of her life and dive into the non-profit world of medical and health relief for developing countries. One month after returning home, she began her own non-profit, Streams of Life International.  After three months she had SOLI’s focus, board, and goals set out.  Within six months, SOLI was recognized by the state of California and the Federal Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization. Just one year after her first trip, she invited two doctors, a paramedic, several construction specialists, gathered $30,000 worth of medical supplies, and set out to revisit the people of Ethiopia and provide relief.  She also invited a photographer to record the events of the trip.

That photographer was me.

Unknown to me, my sister hoped my superficial view of the world would be impacted by what I photographed, as much as hers had been on her visit the prior year.  Three months and three thousand dollars later, I couldn’t help but shake my head with wonder as I sat in a dirty hotel room in Assosa, Ethiopia.  My hotel consisted of a mat as a bed and a bucket with cold water over the toilet to act as a shower.  The walls were this hideous lime green color and electrical wiring was exposed everywhere.  My immediate surroundings should have been my first clue of the long day that lay ahead of me.

As soon as I stepped out the door, grimy, smelly, and persistent kids, chattering in a language quite foreign to me, immediately surrounded me.  They grabbed onto every finger of my hand and began walking with me as I made my way to the place our group was going to meet.  The only thing running through my head was, “where is my sanitizer?” When the infested children were not clamoring to hold my hand, or begging for water, money, or gum, their parents were pushing me and calling me “foreigner” and “white person”.   To say the least, I was overwhelmed.

I found solace in behind my camera lens as everything swirled around me.  I didn’t want to get too close to what initially appeared to me as insanity. It just felt easier to observe everything as a picture rather than to engage in the devastation.  I could feel my sister watching me and within minutes, she pulled me out from behind my camera lens and stuck me at a desk in a make-shift medical clinic to handle patient intake. I was known as “Doctor Noah” and it was my responsibility to work with translators to find out each patient’s name, medical history, and why they wanted to see the doctors.

Men and a few women waited in long lines to get into the clinic. Many of them had never seen a doctor in their entire lives.  I was so unprepared for the disease and sickness of these desperate people:  bullet wounds with the bullet still in the chest, goiters, infections, Aids, tuberculosis, malaria, complaints of worms in the head, and bruises from head to toe.  My heart broke as each person shared his or her story of pain and suffering.  Their needs were so huge and several were beyond the scope of our meager clinic. However, I was so impacted by how grateful the people were just to have someone show them some tender care.  Was my sister a genius?  To me, that day she was, because by sitting me at a dirty desk in the middle of Ethiopia, Africa, having me hear the stories of people so less fortunate than me, “ruined” me for good.

From that trip I learned that Ethiopia’s quality of life can be improved greatly by awareness and education. 85% of all diseases can be prevented by basic sanitation. That means by teaching the children something as simple as washing their hands could change the average life span from 40 to 60. Yaregal Aysheshem, President of Benishangul-Gumuz, Ethiopia said, “The states problem, number one is health.  You see without good health the people or a person cannot do everything.  So in our area we have no infrastructure, health infrastructure.  So because of this a lot of mothers and children die.” There is a widespread practice of harmful traditions against woman that is dehumanizing and discriminating. They are considered as living commodities. Rape and early marriage are the most prevalent problems school aged girls are suffering from.  Because most of the girls are not old and developed enough to have intercourse it is causing severe health problems that can include infections to the womb and HIV.

Now we see everything that’s going wrong
With the World and those who lead it
We just feel like we don’t have the means
To rise above and beat it.

John Mayer’s “Waiting on the World to Change” has become the anthem of today’s generation.  We seem to spend our days waiting on the world to change rather than realizing we can change the world.  We have so much, and yet, we give so little.  We can chat on our cell phone with a friend in Japan, watch live video of penguins in Antarctica, spend a weekend in London in between midterms, and travel to Africa in one overnight flight.  But when it comes to making a difference, we don’t make the time or perhaps we fear we don’t really count in the grand scheme of life.  Is it possible that my generation is a generation of benchwarmers?  Are we perfecting standing on the sidelines for the game of our lives?

We keep on waiting
Waiting on the World to change

USA Today labels us as young, smart and brash.  While Clayton Collins of the Christian Science Monitor gives credit to social network websites like myspace and facebook popularity to our “all about me” attitude and that our generation is showing symptoms of elevated narcissism.  Jody Turner of CultureofFuture.com says that we are hard to define, “Most kids coming out of a college are looking at ways of contributing but not giving up their material goals.” It has also been said that we are among the hardest working generation in comparison to our parents and grandparents.

One day our generation
Is going to rule the population

This generation can make a difference.  There is more to life than fulfilling our selfish and shallow desires.  We think we are living the ideal life, but when we wake up in the morning, something is missing.  There has to be more!  Rather than waiting on the world to change we can be the change the world sees.  It is our generation’s turn to step up and to lead and it doesn’t have to mean solving global warming or finding the cure for cancer.  It can be as simple as listening to a broken man tell you he has worms in his head.

I might not have changed Ethiopia, but it changed me.  And now I am resolved to not let my story end here. Change the world, don’t wait for it to change you.