Strength

With each passing day, it gets worse.

 With each new worry, it draws nearer.

 When will it end? When will love be the only thing we have?

The thought of it can make one sick.

The anxiety is a killer.

 Love may be powerful.

 Love may be eternal.

But love won't save the day.

With each new scary thought, the heart pounds.

With each update of news, the stomach sinks.

When will it end? Will love be enough?

The thoughts of death can make one ill.

The future seems paralyzing. 

Emotions may be strong.

Emotions may be forceful.

But emotions won't last forever.

With each hug from a family member, strength grows.

With each statement of "I love you," spirits rise.

When will it end? Will love grow stronger?

The thoughts of life are daunting. 

The days grow longer.

Love may grow.

Love may stumble.

But in the hearts of family, love will prosper.

Lazy Saturday Full of Wonder

As I sit in my room at home this weekend, there are so many thoughts flying around in my head.  Trying to come up with a few design schemes for monday is consistantly interrupted by worries.  I'm worrying about school, about my family, about time in general.  As you all should know by now, worrying is kind of my specialty.  While this weekend should be about celebration, the multiple birthday's are kind of put on the back burner while worrying about sickness is the main act.  As I've said before, there's a lot going on.  I'm trying to stay focused on the positive while attempting to focus on my work.  I'm definately not complaining about my life, I'm just contemplating what seems so unfair.  All of these recent events have made me realize how lucky I am while making me realize that worrying about the placement of walls or program spaces or transitions on a floorplan are not worth it when compared to the bigger picture.  As I sit here on my bed in a pool of trace paper and pencils, as the sun is slowly setting, I can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring.  Should I wonder if my drawings will be enough or if my family will gain the will power to move on to another day?  There's really no competition.

Design Frustration

Analysis may be important like that of the site, program, concept, lighting, materiality, spatial transitions, etc.  The list can go on and on.  I've reached a point where I do not have a clue of what else to produce.  Diagram after diagram on board after board.  When does it end?  Should I make study models as space fillers?  I don't want to repeat anything but I feel like I don't have enough.  With the first presentation of the semester tomorrow, I hope to start off on the right foot.  The fact that I've already gotten stuck is not such a good sign.  I have my concept down.  I have a solid program.  I have a perfect site.  The only thing I'm missing is the mindset to focus and produce something.  Granted, I've went through an entire pad of trace paper creating diagrams and concept sketches but in the end only a select few seem relevant.  As the thought of presenting tomorrow ways heavy on my shoulders, I'll give you a sneak peek of what I have:

Thesis Statement:

To create new definitions of spatial transitions, mobility, and flexibility through exploring spatial outcomes and needs for the physically disabled in making a gathering activity hub for children.

Concept: 

When thinking of children, play, and activity, one thing that comes to mind is a playground.  It is a symbol of childhood play.  However, most physically disabled children can not utilize everything a playground has to offer.  So my concept is to adapt the idea of a playground and translate it into a spatial activity landscape. 

Program applied to a Playground

Playground = Activity Landscape