I AM, a hole.

I AM, not whole.

I AM, at the dentist today.

I AM, watching him covered in cavities.

I AM, wondering why there are so many tests for me.

I AM, a big, giant, ugly, black hole.

I AM, so young.

I AM, wishing my age brought on confidence.

I AM, wanting to be connected.

I AM, disconnected forever.

I AM, lost.

I AM, wishing my age brought on confidence.

I AM, lost.

I AM, not...I AM too...I AM not...I AM too...I AM not...I AM too...

I AM, suspicious

I AM, unsure of the other side.

I AM, wondering if it's him.

I AM, not scared.

I AM, obvious.

I AM, not hiding.

I AM, not small.

I AM, loud.

I AM, a boxer.

I AM, fighting with so many insecurities.

I AM, fighting for my kids.

I AM, fighting loneliness.  

I AM, trying to fight with faith.

I AM, looking.

I AM, wondering if there really is someone watching over me.

I AM, curious to see what will happen next.

I AM, not ready for more of the "hard".

I AM, looking up at the gray skies.

I AM, a song.

I AM, not Paul.

I AM, not Linda.

I AM, a list.

I AM, a list of things to do.

I AM, a list of things I need.

I AM, a list of things I want to be.

I AM, Monday.

I AM, at Alina's Career Day

Hello, my name is Vivian, and I'm an artist.

I have a room in my house that I work out of, instead of calling it my "office", we call it "the art room". It's where we ALL create and I love this space in my house.

This has not always been my full-time job, I've always painted and sewn, created- before and after my jobs I had out of the house. One day, I became brave and really wanted to show people what I created. I created a doll, and I called it the "I AM doll". Here's what the doll looks like...everyone say "hi" to the dolls...

(show kids dolls...)

Now, I know you're thinking- "that's just a box with rectangles hanging from it", right?

(wait for the laughter to end)

But, I created them and they are "dolls" to me, I AM, the artist! Simple boxes with these "things" hanging from it- my "I AM" doll.

(wait for additional laughing to end...these are 3rd graders...)

So, these "boxes with things hanging" have the words "I AM" sewn across the center. "I AM happy", "I AM crazy", "I AM sad", "I AM a sunny day"...you could make up whatever phrase you wanted to with these simple words. And this is one of the things that makes them special- they can mean something different to everyone. When I created these dolls, the "I AM" was part of a phrase "I AM someone who can make a difference".

What's even cooler about these "dolls" is when someone buys a doll, 30% gets donated. (kids immediately need to impress me with their math skills...I'm impressed!) 

The donations help fix homes that are still damaged from the Hurricane Sandy storm over Halloween last year, it could help kids feel better, it could help buy books for a Library! So, with my company, people buy what I'm creating and I get to then put some of that money towards helping others- how cool, right??????  You all just had a food donation at school- how great does it feel to know that you all helped some families eat a meal or have a snack!

I have cards that I attach to the dolls so when people buy the dolls at a store or online, they can be reminded where their donation is going. I've brought cards with me today, so that we can all play with the "I AM" phrase. It's really fun and when you're done filling it out, you can attach it to your book bags, use it as a book marker...whatever you want.

Now, because today is so special to me, I'm so happy I was invited-  I'd like to donate a girl doll and boy doll to your classroom- let's vote on which patterns you'd like to have and then we can vote on where you'd like to donate to: Hurricane Sandy or Queens Library.

(craziness begins and the fun of voting and donating is DONE!)


I AM, proud of myself and I've made Alina proud of me as well.

I AM, rained on.

I AM, done with my run for the morning.

I AM, running away?

I AM, running towards nothing.

I AM, maybe just moving too fast?

I AM, over it!

I AM, over the laziness.

I AM, over the whining.

I AM, over the bipolar.

I AM, over the guilt of being one parent that has to play the part of 2.

I AM, over being crushed.

I AM, over the emotional tantrums.

I AM, over feeling selfish when I do something for myself.

I AM, doing something for myself.

I AM, worried.

I AM, worried for a friend.

I AM, worried about a pain in my side.

I AM, worried I have advice because I know too well on this topic.

I AM, worried I know about that topic.

I AM, worried for those boys.

I AM, worried for all girls. 

I AM, an Aunt!

I AM, a bee.

I AM, a spider.

I AM, not a hornet.

I AM, a bug.

I AM, unique.

I AM, so dam unique and I like that about me.