Day Eleven: "Forget About Tomorrow"

“Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Matthew 6:34

This is something I really to need to engrain into my mind and my heart.

This morning I woke up at about 6 a.m. and let’s just say I spent the next three hours in the bathroom..if you know what i mean. I apologize for the detail but if you want my full experience here—that is it! Needless to say I ended up skipping class after informing my professors of my situation who were very understanding.

As I sat here alone attempting to ignore the pain shooting through my abdomen I knew that this feeling was not something I ate. I have been eating healthy and normally. I was almost positive it wasn’t a virus. I have no fever and this is the second week I’ve had this. No. It’s my worst enemy: anxiety. I am too intense about everything in life and always worried about the unknown ahead of me. This trip has been really trying for me and I am learning a lot about myself.

I decided to read some of “Fear Not” by Max Lucado, which my mom gave to me for Christmas to take with me on the trip. When I came across Matthew 6:34 it was just what I needed to read. I am not really sure how to diverge my stress for the time being, but I am going to work on loosening up and being more fun.

In any case. I made it to the hat-making part of today. The milliner confirmed what I had already observed: “Wow. Big head.” He stated with a French accent. Laughing, I replied “I knew it all along!” His comment lightened my mood. It is not finished yet. BUT I will show you when I’m done!

After I came back for a nap. Well I didn’t really plan on a nap, I just happened to fall asleep on the back of the kitchen chair.

Then it was time for Trend Forecasting. It was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. For one, I admire their adventurousness and ability to use their intuition to predict what trends people will follow. The man that spoke to us was Philip who works for Trend Union, which is headed by Lidewij (Li) Edelkoort. 

I remember watching a segment about her from the New York Times online but never in a million years did I think I would have the opportunity to hear on of her forecasts. She is the most well known forecaster and companies of ALL sorts go to her. Nissan, Coca-Cola, Disney, Gap, Fuzzi, and the list goes on and on and on. We even got to hear the forecast for Summer 2012. So if any of you want to know what to expect—I would be happy to let you know.

From an interactive media perspective the presentation was extremely trend forward itself. The images were interesting, colorful but subtle, and captivating. And the music kept me on the edge of my seat. I personally feel as though trend forecasting is one of the most interesting careers out there. Forecasting doesn’t just involve fashion. It is forecasting beauty, food, transportation, communication, architecture, and lifestyle. Essentially their job is to forget the past and find possible inspirations for two, seven, or even ten years ahead! It takes a lot of talent to predict. But Edelkoort is impressive. She did a presentation in August of 2001. In it she spoke about the trend in battle, self-defense, and war as a primary concept. This was only one month before 9/11. She did not have any inside knowledge of what was to come. All her information came from the research she and her company had done in hundreds of locations. Together she concluded and indicated that these feelings and patterns were  emerging. It certainly requires a great deal of intelligence and an even greater understanding of society.

I am definitely going to do some more research about forecasting. It's a unique field to enter into.

Now I’m going to nibble on saltines (well they don't actually have saltines here but close enough) and bread--what else is new. First thing I’ve eaten all day though so wish me luck:/

Oh and I may need some luck on my next endeavor. Doing wash in the bathtub. I know what your thinking so do not comment on that thanks!...it was my mom's idea.