NICE Assignment: Forward that Junk Mail

Last week I stumbled upon this campaign by Chipotle Mexican Grill, and it's so NICE that I had to post it. :)

We all get our share of spam, right? Ms. Dorathy Felix wants me to transfer $6.5 million to me because her "uncle is a total trait to my life." Hmm. I hope Dorathy isn't too upset that I didn't write her back. But I have this thing in the works with a Nigerian prince, and well, one multi-million dollar transaction at a time.

Well, Chipotle wants to turn your junk mail into better school lunches!

Today's Assignment: Forward that Junk Mail

For every ten junk emails they receive at nojunk@chipotlejunk.com, they'll donate a dollar to The Lunch Box organization, which provides tools for school districts that assist them in making good food available for their students. They need 500,000 emails to donate $50,000, and right now they are at 76,545.



So send those junk emails! I'm sure you probably have plenty! Might as well put those ads for ****LOVE LOVE PILL BLUE PILL**** to good use.

NICE Testimonial: Lost and Found

Happy Friday everyone! A few days ago, Glenda J. emailed me this incredible story about her encounter with two kind strangers while away on an overnight trip.

I think I’ve always believed in miracles but believed they happened to other folks, not me. A recent trip has changed that last part, forever.

My mom and I went for a “girl’s only” overnight to Portland, OR. We went down on the train from Seattle on Friday and had lunch with family and walked around in the afternoon to see some close sights. Saturday we took our time with breakfast then headed out to the Tri-Met Max to take our bags to the train station or bus station then planned to enjoy a few hours at the Saturday Market before returning home, again by train.

I put our 2 bags together and made it to the stop with my mom after a few map consultations. We got to the stop and I put my purse down to take our bags apart to make the boarding easier. We got on and we were on our way.

Suddenly, I realized that I didn’t have my purse. I got off at the next stop and ran the fastest four block sprint I have done in years. My bag was not there, or in the trash containers or anywhere. I frantically looked around and even asked a homeless man if he had seen anyone with a black purse, no luck.

I got back on the Max and rejoined my mom at the Greyhound bus station where we had agreed to meet. She was outside when I arrived, reading her daily bible lesson. I expected that she would let me have it but she didn’t—even though I had put her wallet in my purse to make it easier for her. We had no ID, credit cards or tickets back to Seattle. Thankfully she did have her cell phone and “gambling coat” with enough money to get us home. I briefly thought about calling my cell but I knew it was off. Instead I called the police and reported the loss, called the credit union and cancelled our major cards.

I finally took a short break to the restroom while my mom dealt with the credit union. While I was there I found some else’s ID which I quickly turned over to security. When I heard them calling the person, I thought, “at least that person is getting some of their things back.” After my mom finished with the credit union, she had to use the facilities as well, so I decided to call the Tri-Met Police and leave a number in case my purse had been turned in. After that I thought, “Why don’t you just call your phone? What could it hurt?” I did and that’s when my miracle began.

Someone answered and before I could barely say who I was, the kind voice on the other end said, “I have your purse and need to get it back to you!” After confirming where we were, I broke down and sobbed with joy. My mom returned and was very concerned—what had happened? I could barely croak out that my purse had been found and that they were going to bring it back to us.

About an hour later we met our rescuers. From them we learned “the rest of the story”. Caitlin, the voice on the phone, had found it with her friend Gordon, probably within moments of me leaving it. They looked for the owner but their bus came so they returned to their home in SW Portland. While I was making a police report they were calling the hotel we had stayed in to find out we had checked out, and they called my home and left a message. They were concerned to find both wallets and our train tickets—how would they find us? Well, thankfully I made that call and Caitlin answered. We gave them a finder’s fee and had a perfect stranger take our picture—proof of my miracle.

While waiting for our train to arrive we marveled over “our miracle”. We agreed about two things. One, we were indeed blessed. Two, we needed to return, sooner than later!

PS—We did return about a month later and caught up with Caitlin and Gordon for breakfast. We presented our framed “Found” photo and story and urged them to visit us soon.

Isn't that wonderful?? Stories like this reinforce my faith in humanity! I once lost my wallet at the Museum of Natural History in NYC. My husband, the skeptic, didn't think there was any way I'd see it again, but I checked with the information desk and sure enough, some kind soul turned it in! And I couldn't even properly thank them! Thank goodness for people like Caitlin and Gordon. :)

Do you have a NICE:Testimonial that you'd like to share? If so, click here to send me an email!

An Operation NICE show?

It'd be a dream, right? Well, I figured I'd give it a shot and submit an audition video for Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star. I felt a little silly, and there are people out there with some amazing 3 minute videos, but I just had fun and put this silly thing together last night. I mean hey, you never know, right??

Voting started weeks ago, so I'll never catch up to those folks with millions of votes, but it says that casting directors will view all the videos. So I really just need one super nice person to think I'd be somewhat interesting. Haha! Unfortunately I couldn't even mention Operation NICE by name, but hopefully the sparkle of this project shone through. :)

At the very least, watch three minutes of me interviewing myself. Haha!

Have a look!

NICE Assignment: Tell Me About Your Dad

Father's Day was on Sunday, so I thought it'd be a good idea to honor all the amazing dads out there this week! They come in all shapes and sizes and personalities. :)

I actually learned something really cool about my own dad (seen here in his younger days) this weekend. We were talking about paying bills (gosh such grown up talk!) and he mentioned his monthly charity payments. Now I knew that he had an "adopted" child in need through the Christian Children's Fund, but what I didn't know is that he has been donating to twelve charities a year for about 20 years! Not to mention the extra that he donates during Christmas time in lieu of family gifts. I thought that was wonderful. Even when he went through a bout of unemployment, he continued to support those non-profits because for him, writing the check to the Red Cross is as important as writing the check to the electric company.

This made me think that I could do more. If I can afford to pay an $80 phone bill (darn you iPhone!), then I can certainly afford to support a charity every month. And I got a bit excited, thinking about what charities I would choose as my own personal twelve! I'm so glad that my father can continue to teach me life lessons as I enter my 30's.

Today's Assignment: Tell Me About Your Dad

I want to hear about your dad! What makes him nice? What's the nicest thing he's done for you? Leave a comment here for all of us to read! And I'd like to say a collective "thanks" to all the incredible dads out there!

NICE Chit Chat: Thanks for Getting my Back!

For those of you who follow me in Twitter, you might have seen my tweet from this morning. An anonymous commenter posted something on my most recent blog post, and well, it kind of made me sick to my stomach. They said that I sometimes come across as "racist and fake," and it was "just an honest opinion."

At first I thought it might have been someone playing around, since the post topic was about "speaking nicely." But I couldn't stop obsessing over this comment. "Fake," I can handle. I mean sure, sometimes being overly nice does come across as fake. But racist? That was an accusation that did not sit well with me! Had I made a joke about something? Sometimes I make comments about being half Asian. Did I cross a line somewhere? What could I have said to make this person think this way?

Well, you all got my back! You told me not to worry, that the commenter obviously didn't know me. And you assured me that (to you) I'm neither of those things. Phew!

But I still worry a bit. I mean, it's nearly impossible to be nice 24/7. There are times when I'm a full-on [insert expletive here]. I try to hold my tongue (or would it be "bind my fingers?") when I'm online since being nice is kind of my MO. I don't want to ruin that. And I know I shouldn't let one comment bother me, but I know it's definitely going to make me evaluate what I say or type in the future. And maybe that's a good thing. In fact, I'd love it if the anonymous commenter could let me know what I might have said so I can refrain from ever sounding "racist and fake" again. Might as well learn from the situation, right?

By the way, have I mentioned lately how much your support rocks my world? :) I probably would have stopped blogging a while ago if I didn't have you guys cheering me on along the way. YOU'RE the nice ones!

NICE Stuff: Speak Nicely

I came across the Speak Nicely website a few months ago and it's just the cutest thing! They promote the idea of good manners in children by creating products with uplifting, positive messages. And founder Audrey Weitz knows a few things about kids...she has five of her own!

From the Speak Nicely website:
All people have the power to use their speech to build up others, and to bring themselves up. With some simple messages we can work to make the world a better, more pleasant and peaceful place to live. Children have this power too; if we teach them to use their words well, they will be our beacons of light.

With messages like, "A Smile is Good" and "Honor People," how could you not be inspired? I'm a big fan of the Be Nice friendship bands. :)

(image from Speak Nicely)

So please visit the Speak Nicely website and support a kind business. And remember, positive words are powerful!

NICE Testimonial: A Really Nice Guy

Four years ago today I married my best friend, so I'm dedicating this post to my wonderful husband, Rob.





I'm sure "nice" wouldn't be the first word our friends and families would use to describe Rob. He tends to be on the sarcastic, practical joker, emotionless side. In fact, he did laugh at me because I cried at UP.

But in all honesty, and what our friends and families might not even realize is that Rob is one of the kindest people I know. If he sees a stalled car, he will be the first one to pull over and offer to help push it. He always carries extra granola bars when he travels to hand off to the homeless he may pass. And even if he barely knows you, he will help you move! And he truly means it when he offers!

I consider myself pretty darn nice, but I admit there are days when I would rather sit at home than go support a friend at an event. But for Rob, the people in our life come first. And even though that means that we spent the day before Memorial Day driving around to three different BBQ's (despite my pleas), it doesn't matter. People come first.

And that attitude makes him an amazing middle school teacher. He is not only their educator, but also their coach, their mentor, their advisor, and their friend. When we go to "Skate Night," I see every kid, whether his student or not, run up to him with the biggest smile. In some ways I'm jealous. I certainly don't get that reaction at my job! But I know that he is making a difference in the lives of those kids, and I'm grateful for that.

So while Rob might not even describe himself as "nice," he certainly would describe himself as reliable, trustworthy, honest, dependable, and supportive. And I think those traits are incredibly nice.

NICE Assignment: Love List

Okay, I said I was back, and I'm not kidding. :) I'm starting this Monday with another NICE Assignment for you all.

Coming back from my conference, I started thinking about my career and what I want to be doing with my life. What are my goals, short term, long term? Same thing happens every time I get back from this conference. And you know, I NEVER KNOW! There are so many things I love doing, and I can't pick just one and run with it. So as I was in the car, running some errands this weekend, I started thinking to myself, "What are all the things I love to do?" Maybe if I wrote it all out, reflection would be easier.

Today's Assignment: Make a Love List

So that's what I did. I wrote it all out. Actually, I doodled it all out. :) And it's not all career-oriented. I mean, the fact that I love sleeping might not help me decide what my future path will be. But it was a fun activity! And you know, I love doing so much stuff. I don't know how people can ever be bored! I don't think I could ever be bored!



So if you have some time, why don't you make a list of all the things you love to do! You can post it in the comments here, or write a blog post, or doodle it out on a piece of paper like I did.

I'm baaaaaaaaack!

First, I want to say thank you to everyone for your positive thoughts for my mother. She's getting a little better every day. Still pretty weak in the mornings, but nothing quite like what she had last month. It seems it might all be related to her preexisting thyroid condition, so hopefully she'll continue to improve.

I just came back from the HOW Design Conference in Denver, CO, and it was inspiring to say the least. This conference was less about the act of designing and more about finding inspiration, fostering creativity, building community, and spending your life doing something you're passionate about. I made incredible new friends and spent time with wonderful old friends.

And throughout this conference, I couldn't help but apply everything I learned to Operation NICE.

Operation NICE is my passion! It's a project I started because I believe in it, not because I wanted to get rich. But in addition to this blog, I also realized that design and art are my passions too. So maybe I can figure out a way to combine my loves.

Another thing that my amazing friend Amy (see left) made me realize is that when I put my energy into this project, I feel fantastic! I feel good about myself and happy and inspired. And why the heck wouldn't I want to feel that way all the time? So yes, I'm jumping back into this. There's no backing out. Do I know where it's headed? Heck no. But if I'm not pushing it forward, then I'm doing a disservice to it. And yeah, maybe that means late night blogging and using weekends to plan assignments or whatever it may be. It's worth it. Your support makes it worth it.

GROUP HUG! Awwwww!

NICE Giveaway #16: And the winner is...finally!

Hi all! Okay, it's like a month and a half late, but I didn't forget about you all! Here's the winner for the Kir DeVries Earth Day (ahem) giveaway! I hope Kristen won't be too upset with me for taking so long.

I did a quick little random integer generation, and came up with entry number 10! And that comment belongs to.....Boom Boom!

Boom Boom said...
I recycle both at home and at work. I once had my entire car filled with cans and bottles when I forgot to take in the work load:) I also reuse anything I can...bottles, can, containers. And of course I bought reusable grocery bags!

That make me chuckle because my husband always brings recyclables home from work too. :) Good job, Boom Boom! And congrats to you one winning the Kir DeVries Natural Ultra Concentrated Cleaner & Laundry Soap, assuming Kristen still has them in stock. *fingers crossed* Send me an email and I'll get your info over to Kristen!

I owe Kristen a big thank you, especially for putting up with my flakiness! And thanks to everyone for the awesome environmental tips! I learned a few new ways to help out the planet. :)

Okay, so this post is me coming out of hiding. I'm ready to jump back into Operation NICE, and hopefully most of you stuck around during my lull!