Hello My loves, My kindreds, bright ones... The leaves were tinted in hues of expiring light. Deep orange, long yellows kissed the feet of the trees; amidst thee, the fallen October forest Love cleared the air as it had for 24 years. The sun gave me crowns of golden light from the roots of my hair to the youth of my bears. I was deep in prayer. I said “my God, you are so good, you are so good to me. Thank you for my blessings of health and sight, forgive me for my follies.” Just then the wind whisped and purred through layers. To: my ears. ...:You were speaking:... You said “dear one, I’ve brought you here year after year, and I’m proud of the dreams you’re breathing.” I thanked you so deeply for your giving and taking. A breath, the breath. Such sustenance, such light brings rest to my heart’s vacancies. I feel the wake of learning Love’s name. I wouldn’t have it any other way. ______________________________________________________________________________ It was the fall of 2011 when I found myself on the grasses of UCLA. I had been thinking, “I just need a camera, if I had a camera, I could make a movie.” For quite some time, I had been dreaming all of the ways I could create my imaginings through the art of film. As I proceeded down Bruin walk, I heard a voice say, “do you want to make a movie, we’ll give you everything you need for free.” I immediately took hand of the opportunity and signed up for the student film festival UCLA was conducting. 4 and half days later, I had 5 minutes of the first film I had ever created. And what I created truly inspired me. I felt for the first time through my exploration of the heavens, of art, that I had found something that fulfilled my insatiable hunger to create. I went on to take film and theatre courses at UCLA. I had the privilege of learning video production from a professor who has surely molded a piece of my path. It is in the Spring of 2012 that I took a piece of my film-work and submitted it to a film program at the University of Cambridge, UK. The film below, is a minute inspired by God, love, the human experience, and Terrence Malick’s Tree of Life. This moment of my work garnered my acceptance to the summer, film program at Cambridge. Due to a recent series of unfortunate events, my savings for this opportunity was wiped out. I have recently been told that I do not qualify for federal financial aid, as the studies are thought to be extracurricular. Currently, my admittance to the program is pending until my fees are fulfilled. I have been in contact with the University of Cambridge about my financial absences, and they have agreed to give me an extension to come up with the funding. I have just landed a fantastic job that will surely help me on my way, however a month is quite a short amount of time. I am one week grown from my graduation at UCLA, and I could not be more excited for my future. I am an artist; I have always been. However, I hadn’t until now found an art that fed me. I truly from the depths of my heart believe that we are all given gifts to use and elevate this life’s experience. I have found mine. I ask God every day to invest a light in me so that I may inspire others. I am asking my friends, family and lovers to help support me in this opportunity. I see the world’s potential for peace, and I dream to create in a way that propels these notions. We are all facing difficulties and challenges that are placed in our destiny to keep us humble while we grow ourselves. I understand what an honor and privilege it will be if I am able to take hold of this education. I too understand that everything happens for a reason and that I am at the mercy of a higher will. I am asking for an immense amount of prayers and positive thought towards this endeavor. And for those of you who had planned on gifting something in the name of my graduation/birthday, I ask that in lieu of that, you contribute what you are able to my pursuits. I will be keeping my saving efforts up to date. I promise to live my life in the pursuit of my dreams. love and light, Tatiana Echols 310-251-0999 Tatiana.echols@yahoo.com P.S.-If you have any ideas about fundraising, please be sure to let me know.