ubuntu.

(Not referring to to the computer system - but the actual concept that it derives from. But - they have a cool logo.)

I AM BECAUSE WE ARE.

This past year has been an exercise in stepping out of my comfort zone and as a result I have had the most incredible experiences and opportunities. (Some of which I could have never even imagined.)

One thing that has really resonated with me - is the fact that you can not accomplish everything on your own AND in order to become what you want to be (if you even know what that is...) you need to circle back to the simple concept of human connections.

Ubuntu (oo-BOON-too) is an ethical concept of African origin that focuses primarily on our relationships with each other. It teaches us that teamwork and collaboration has the power to reshape our workplaces and our relationships with our co-workers.

I plan on making Ubuntu infectious in 2011.

"In Africa there is a concept known as Ubuntu - the profound sense that we are human only through the humanity of others; that if we are to accomplish anything in this world, it will in equal measure be due to the work and achievements of others."

- Nelson Mandela

13.3% (Re-visited)

 A few of you asked what I submitted to the exhibition....

Well - I wrote a little book called "200something".... (Stay Tuned!)

And YES - I made this submission before I had the epiphany to be a good wife and actually CHANGE my name :) 

http://wuho.org/13point3

13.3%

 ...and just like that - it was printed. bound. mailed. and tracked all the way to Los Angeles...

I recently made an “...an exasperated reply to those who say: ‘there are no women making architecture.’"

I submitted a little project that was realized in early February - but has been ever evolving since about 1992... 

Just a little something that conveniently fit inside a standard sized 9x12 manila envelope and it has about 200something pages...

((Is anyone in LA?? I need a photo of my exhibit!!!))

http://wuho.org/13point3

Just over thirteen percent of architects are women, according to the American Institute of Architects.

The exhibition 13.3%… borrows from the conceptual structure of curator Lucy Lippard’s landmark 1973 exhibition of conceptual art, c. 7,500, in which each work on display fit into a standard manila envelope. Lippard’s exhibition contested the belief that there were no women making conceptual art at the time — and she did so by mailing evidence of this work directly to the gallery for display. Nearly forty years later, 13.3%… provides a space and form in which to consider the contributions and visibility of today’s practicing female architects.

kiddies...

Dear Work Husband, 

We haven't talked about it in a while, but I would like to tell you that I REALLY miss our kids..

I took this year off from mentoring students in the ACE mentoring program in order to clear my head and focus my energies on developing ME.

...well apparently developing ME is taking a little bit longer that I thought - and I guess I just didn't want to miss it so soon.

 

Mrs. Millner

 ...the artist formerly known as Tiffany Strother-Millner.

Well - I tried the "hyphenated thing" for a year...

...and I thought that he was "okay" with it...

UNTIL.

..we went to the Capital Grille and the waitress came to the table and pleasantly said " Good Evening Mr. + Mrs. Strother..."

That was it - and I just couldn't take it anymore... I didn't want to hear his mouth. (I assure you - it made for interesting dinner conversation)

I knew that Deme was more on the "Traditional" side of things... but I guess I was just trying to hold on to my independence... 

I mean COME ON!!!!!! You are one person for 32 years and then you just become someone else...

Ugh - it's going to be alright :)

You should have saw the smile on his face when he opened a little box and saw my NEW driver's license in it... 

Priceless.

Love You Deme!

Tiffany C Millner

The Friday Five.

Aww.. nothing like a little shameless self promotion :)

http://www.blackweblogawards.com/2010/10/22/friday-five-tiffany-strother-millner/

Sunrise + Sunset

It's been a while...
I have been on vacation.
I wrote "something" a few months ago - and I have finally blown the dust off of it.
I met some new people.
I video taped a little tv show (more to come on that soon)...
I celebrated an anniversary and fell in love all over again.
I ate wedding cake that was frozen for an entire year - and STILL was exceptionally moist and scrumptious.
(Angie - You are the best!)
I shot some really cool photos and watched the sunset every night (for a week) that God sent to me...
It's amazing how fast it sets...It really puts time into perspective when you think about how little time there really is between sunrises and sunsets.....

BUT.
I have been seriously M.I.A.

I have been purposely avoiding writing...documenting...expressing my feelings for the fear that something uncharacteristic will flow from my fingertips.
I am not afraid anymore...
Blogging should be about life and all of the experiences that the blogger wishes to share and I wish to share this with you.
The second that you start to lose faith - you will know.
Your heart will grow heavy.
Your energy will cease to exist.
Your mind will spin uncontrollably and you will feel as though you are trapped inside a glass box looking out - with no hopes of escaping.
I was in that same box not only an hour ago and I am finally ready to accept the fact that I am nothing without my faith, my love, my dreams, and my hopes...
They were still there - but the wool was so thick over my eyes that I didn't even see them. I felt as though they abandoned me...
I am writing with my heart on my sleeve to express to you that you will never be alone and without hope - even when you feel at your worst.
Always remember that and those dark clouds will surely fade sooner - rather than later :)

Ok - Enough of that!!

(back to smiling)