So, I've realized that i've been on hiatus for quiet some time. But that's to be expected of me adapting to situations and new experiences in my life. But I am here in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Three weeks have gone by and I feel finally ready to share what I've been doing.
Week one was a bit of a challenge. Despite not knowing anyone in Albuquerque except Bob and Suz, they introduced me to so many people that live their lives how they love to live.... making art or being a part of it in some form. I've met costumers, jewelers, knife makers, ninja warriors, sculptors, heard stories from actors and artists alike. Which lead me to where I am now.
Week one was spent on a ballooning crew for 5 days. A regiment. Everyday i'd wake up at 4 am to get myself ready for a day of ballooning. The International Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque is the most photographed event in the world. Being an amateur enthusiast of photography I felt that it was something I needed to be a part of but not solely for the photos. It was being a part of so much more. At this point in time in my life I'd be at preseason practice for basketball. The NCAA starts preseason practice in September and goes till a time in October where real practice starts. I felt I was missing that part of my life this year a little bit, but I realize now that in true form, I was a part of a team. New people, new experiences everyday. My team was all very new to me. I didn't know a single person. But my next door neighbor, Rachel, took me under her wings and showed me a totally different world.
Hot air balloons.
Now if you're from the midwest like I am, you'd realize that hit air ballooning is somewhat of a figment of the imagination. I got to live it. I dont particularly consider myself a morning person but I know when there is something too good to pass up. Judy- our pilot, who happens to be the municipal judge of Albuquerque, couldn't have been more welcoming. The first morning I was sitting at breakfast eating breakfast burritos in the crew and pilots tent with our crew, Judy made a point to include me in everything that was going on. While everyone was chatting and finishing their food she said "want to come see what the weather is like today with me?" Inside I had no problem getting up to find out what it was all really about.
The mornings usually started as this: We'd get to the field. Meet in the tent for breakfast and everyone would have something to tell each other. It was all very strange to me at first, being a 22 year old amongst people in their 40's 50's and 60's on my team, to get things together. To be honest I was the youngest in the bunch but there were younger people who came along for a similar experience. A crew memeber Ken and his grandson were both their the first day i started, totally unexpected ot meet anyone my age, but were there for the ballooning just like I was.
My first day was total excitement. As Rachel would say.. I experienced the "thrill of the chase"-- relating to the sheer experience of being a part of a balloon crew and getting to set and take down the balloon. Our part that day was to chase and follow the pilot and her passenger, that day being my very favorite person on the crew, Ned, from West Lafayette, Indiana. I got to see the inside workings of a hot air balloon team and even got to be a part of it.
Day two was no different from day one. I woke up @ 4 am to greet Rachel at my front gate and go meet the rest of the crew to caravan into the fiesta field. We ate breakfast et al. That day was a competition day where balloonists would compete in different events to try and win prizes such as $200 or even a new car. Judy decided that the weather was too risky to even put the balloon up that day so we didn't. I was adjusting to work with Suz so I felt compelled to go home and try to work some instead of jsut playing.
I continued crewing the rest of week only to be totally humbled by the experience of "flying with out wings" for the first time in my life. Being above the ground so many thousand feet made me feel things in a different light. When we were trying to find a place to land... the winds stayed steady and fast. Our landing would've been so much different if kind fellow balloonist didn't literally lift us up. We landed safely in a parking lot where 5 other balloons landed shortly after us and every person around lent a helping hand. Something I really liked to see. It reassured me that I was supposed to be here, even by the kindness of strangers. Later that afternoon during the normal tailgate after flight I was inducted into the Wicker Clan by hearing the story of ballooning and being blessed with an Irish prayer. In the Irish fashion, there was drinking involved... but with Champagne.... how French.
We listen to the story about the first flight of the hot air balloonist which really existed only of a turkey, a duck and a goat. Started in all in France-- how nostalgic of me.. (GEORGE). At the end of the story the whole wicker clan says an irish prayer and "blesses you" as you drink champagne from a plastic cup with out hands and ultimately pour water over your head as you're trying to drink while saying, "don't spill!"
What an amazing first week.
The second was a bit more frustrating for me.
I realized that I can't be good at everything and that I'm still learning and will constantly be learning in my life. I feel that it's the only day way of doing it.
Week three proposed a challenge for me: A visitor and work... when I work from home. My dear friend Jake came for a visit a few days earlier then expected and it realy put things into perspective for me.... I'm here to do what I'm here to do... work...learn and be a part of a different way of life and had a hard time separating this for the most part. I'm glad that it was Jake I was with because he had no object to me doing what I needed to do during the week despite my feeling of being a "bad hostess" because I couldn't cater to him. But he's a willing and able human. Thanks Jake, for being able to see past the surface of what most would expect from a visit.
Right now I feel very willing and able to do anything and everything especially with the help from my "landlords" or "bosses".. but those words to me don't seem to fit how Bob and Suz have taken me in. I feel really a part of their family. They like having me around and I like being around with them. I have so much to learn from them-- and I know their never ending life experience is going to give me a lot of what I need for the future.
Tomorrow is going to be an exciting day. I get to see a bronze pour for the first time in my life.. a feat that Bob describes as "spectacular". Then a costume party hosted by Suz's son and fiancee, her son who i've known my whole life. I'm very excited to continue to be a part of this world that I've found here in Albuquerque.
Chicago-- i still love you, but I'm doing what needs to be done.
Thanks for being so supportive the past few weeks... Bob, Suz, Mal, Sam, Jake, Sheila, Megan, Britt, Brandon, Kenny and Kelly. you've all really helped me.
Now-- HERE WE GO! I'm ready to continue. Until next post.
Peace and much love,
kmb
Friday, October 22, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
How Far We Travel in Life matters far less than those we meet along the way
So this entry is reallllyyyyyy over due. But I found my journal from Paris/Amsterdam and decided these posts needed to go up.
The beginning of the journal are letters etc I never sent, but that's kind of like me.. I write letters and never send them.
"I'm never traveling with out my passport again" Katherine Lauri Johnson
10/31
Amsterdam
I'm sitting at the Centraal Station with Katherine, O'neill and Charley. The space around us is incredible. The roof is on massive arch.. the whole place is amazing. This is pretty much our day. We [Katherine and I] woke up, walked to meet the guys and hung in the book store for about a half hour. I purchased, "My Name is Charles Saatchi and I'm an artaholic". Couldn't have found a book more suited for me in France. We had to make the usual debate about food. (just had the most glorious sugar waffle). I saw Subway and didn't wanna fuss. Katherine got a hot dog. We found the french fry place for Charley and then went on the search for a coffee shop. Walked near Daam Square and its neighboring areas we found really crazy places. Today is Halloween and I'll be spending it on a train. Maybe alone, I might be a totally different bus which I have a feeling is going to happen but whatever. I'll be in Paris tomorrow. Paris, I really can't wait to see you. Tomorrow we'll be together but I have to leae after a while back to Aix. It'll be wonderful to see Jade, Jacob and Alexis. My life here can't really be beat. I'm so ready to start a life- but then I ho and what happens? I told Charley last night how I'm afraid to go home because the drinking is going to be so strange to me especially with my friends. I'm just afraid that going away will have changed so many things- but at the same time I needed do this. Tomorrow is our first game of the season!! It's so weird that I'm not going to be there and they're at SIUC. I really truly miss being around my bball family but it's a bit a part of growing up. I really want to Meg about moving to Denver. It's scary but I'm really graduating. I don't know how I'm really going to handle that... just another journey ahead, I suppose.
Just some random prose..
"Our seating changed from wall table to chill area to the coolest box area for smoking hookah near the front window. I drank a beer and watched soccer highlights and day dreamed about the boots that girl was wearing. Everyone [enter TGUK- No way to begin] was kind of doing their own thing when I saw Nick walking past on the street. O'neill ran out in so much excitement. The two of them and Nick's friend Kat came in and sat with us. I feel like the weekend was good for us and came full circle."
"The soul of a journey is liberty, perfect liberty to think, to feel and do as one pleases."
Amsterdam... WHOA! We arrived last Tuesday evning and now we're heading home to Aix. When Katherine and I arrived in Amsterdam we took the 2 tram to Leidseplein. We got off to find out Hostel. Once that happened I was so realy to find a coffee shop and we did not too far from Leidseplein. We went back to the Hostel for beers and hanging out with some of the people staying at the Hostel. I met two guys who went to Stagg and grew up in Palos. It was seriously such a small world. I also met this guy from Estonia, the first Estonian to enter my life! He was really cool and had been traveling for about a year.
"since i've been here I've never felt more meditative then when sitting in front of a Titian"
"we're not tourists, we're fucking FRENCH!"- Mary Hamilton
"Etonnante peinture, sans dessin et sans bord, critique sans parole ou l'art sans le secours des forms sans vignette sans anecdotte sand fable, sans allegories corps et sans visage par le seule vertu des ton n'est plus qu'effusion lyricisme ou le coeur se raconte se livre change ses emotions"- Les Nympheas
11/15/09
Paris
It's really interesting leaving Paris. I truly don't feel like I've gotten my fix. I saw the Eiffel towe but Really didn't see it. But what I see was something totally different then what most would see. We staying in the 5eme Arrondissment. Our hostel was great. Pretty nice for a hostel Jamin, Katherine and Joy were my roomates. I thought it was going to be hard at first but they were all great. Our first day we had some train problems leaving Aix so we lost a few hours. Once we arrived in Paris, we made our way to the Grande Palais for the Renoir exhibit. I've never seen Renoir in person so it was exiting to be going. My entry group was Kate, Nick and Joy or "team sexy" as we called ourselves. Ha. We were able to walk arond for a bit before our entrance time. Sandwiches were desperately needed because we didn't have time to eat so, we went back to the metro station and got some food and mosied along. We walked toward the place where Napoleon was buried over the most beautiful bridge above the Seine. We noticed a few "l'espaces vertes" and watched the guys playing rugby rough one another up while the ball was in play. And we even found some inviting grass to lay on.
We returned to the Grande Palais and entered the exhibit. I fell in love with one painting in particular. Country Dance (Aline Charigot and Paul Lhote). The way this woman is painted really makes me feel like she's truly happy in the arms of the man holding her. She's laughing. The way she looks over his shoulder makes me wish i were this girl and the way the man (paul) holding her is paying careful attention-- absolutely made me fall in love with him and this painting. The unity of the exhibit was great. I love the photos of Renoir's life.
We headed back to the Hostel to get some awesome college dorm food. haha. We had diiner and after all went to bed. The first night's sleep was amazzinnnggg!
The next two days were spent at the Louvre. I wasn't quite sure what to expect becuase I'd never been before. The quarter outside was huge. We walked thru a square to get to the main entrance. Ahead you'd see the massive arches that date back a few years, the most incredible fountain; it was striking even though it wasn't projecting water. You could seriously feel grandeur that the Louvre holds even on the outside.
We saw Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese exhibitand looked at Titian that was maybe a Giorgioni through the morning session. The afternoon was dedicated to Rembrandt's "bathshiva". It's incredible how far you can arrive in a painting by looking, seeing and discussing what's going on by differences in color form subject even light.
After the Louvre, John and Alan took us to a pub in St. Germaine for a post work beer. After the pub we walked a long the river. Nick, O'Neill and I decided we needed to have a birthday beer for (for nick) by the Seine. And by birthday beer I mean we went to a convenient store and bought a few and shot gunned them. :) We made it dinner a little bit late but everoyne had gotten our food for us- what sweethearts! Since it was Nick's birthday Mary surprised him with a cake- Mary is awesome. After dinner some us decided to go to Notre Dame and hang out. Martha's friend Zoey is studying in Paris for the semester so she came to meet us. We hung out there for a few hours then walked home. Listening to Sigur Ros' album ( ) along the Seine was one of the most incredible experience of my trip. Paris is truly magical even with out music but when you have the right song and open your eyes to what's around you - you find meaning to so many things. Music is a language that I speak and it speaks loud and clear to me.
Friday morning we were at the Louvre again. We split into two different groups. Martha, Jamin Nick Joy and I were with John. We visiting the Marquis by Goya and then Delacroix's sketch of "The massacre at Constantanople". Then saw the final version in the great big rooms. THE LOUVRE IS INCREDIBLE [Getting rid of the old feelings, the old way of thinking.]
I knew how extensive and amazing their collection is but I never thought of how amazing it would be to stand in front of these pieces and dissect them as if they were a worm in 7th grade Bio lab.
We left the Louvre around midday and headed dwon along the river towards our afternoon session @ Musee D'Orsay.
We bough sandwiches and ate on the steps of the D'orsay. We broked into small groups again for the afternoon. I was having a really hard time concentrating and standing in one place at a time. My legs kind of hated me because I'd been running a lot before Paris and forgot to bring my running shoes- so they were pretty restless. We looked at Delacroix, Lautrec and Van Gogh. Because I was having a hard time concentrating and was in a very small room where the Lautrec, I had a small panic attack. It was kind of scary but i got out of it. Our afternoon ended in front of some Daumier sculptures. I thought it was fitting to do a cartwheel in the museum at the end of the day.
Mary, Martha and I went for a glass of wine in St. Germaine. It was so nice to se a little big of a different side of Paris wtih two great friends who know the city. We walked back for dinner ended up staying in and playing cards in the boys room. Saturday morning we were at the D'Osay again. small group assignments were given. My group looked at Monet's "Camille". That painting was so incredibly powerful. I ended up sobbing in front of it. It was a very tender moment towards the end of our session. Our second painting of the morning was a Cezanne "Old Man"-- it was a painting with an amazing color palette. Cezanne has a way of applyin paint to canvas that's soft and harmonious.
The afternoon was spent at the l'Orangerie. I'd neve seen such an amazing exhibit in my life. The cool part of the afternoon was that we were given an assignment to concsider explore and discuss the relationships of this work by Monet. (The waterlillies). To set the scene you walk into a normal entrace of a museum. We walked to where the exhibit was after receiving out tickets. The first room was a round room with small verticle slits on either end. There were two entrances to the exhibit. Either door would bring you to the first room and it hit that you you're looking at these huge panels of color and you start to recognize that you're seeing Monet's "Les Nympheas". The white surrings of the oval shaped roomsgive your attention to the paintings. The first room held panels that were seemingly done @ different times of day and different times of the year. After spending time in front of the nymphs in the first room, I moved to the second and found myself in awe. The sound was more open because the room was larger and the painting were almost able a conducive series. Walking around the room was like walking around an island. I took a few laps and realized a person could go crazy in this room if they were moving around at a rather quick pace. But walking around the room you were able to get a feeling of being right next to this body of water. Being at the Orangerie and having been to Giverny where these were painted gave two very different experiences but all in all both unique and memorable.
After the Orangerie some of us went back to the hostel. It was 2 day before my birthday they surpsied me with a raspberry tart cake from Paul to celebrate. I felt really special. We opened a few bottles of wine after dinner, played some cards and formulated a plan for the night. We went to a bar called Pop Off in the Murait to meet Martha's friend Zoey. We stopped for birthday beer along the way thanks to Nick. We got a pitcher and the night was off. Good conversation and dancing with some of the greatest people I know couldn't have been a better birthday. Sunday morning we went to Musee Monmartent Monet in a pretty nice area near the Eiffel Tower. We had a great last morning looking at more Monet. I was kind of bummed because I had to leave early to catch my train to geneva to meet my International Relations class.
(insert train ride to Switzerland)
I met Meg and some of the other girls when I arrived in Switzerland. We had a great dinner then went back to the Hostel. I was pretty whacked out because I was so tired. Monday we went to the ICRC, The UN and Botanical Gardens and on Tuesday to the International Office of Migration. I am on the train back to Marseille and I'm still exhausted. I'm going to London this weekend which I'm excited about. I get to see Mike, Maz, Sal, Rob and Franny. Steve and Laura may or may not be there which is a bymmer but It'll be a great trip either way. Really looking forward to it. Tonight I'm going for a beer with Nick and Thusday is CURRY NIGHT!!
...that's just what I wrote in my journal because I know i was going to be busy after returning from Paris... hence why it's taken me a year to put this up!
The beginning of the journal are letters etc I never sent, but that's kind of like me.. I write letters and never send them.
"I'm never traveling with out my passport again" Katherine Lauri Johnson
10/31
Amsterdam
I'm sitting at the Centraal Station with Katherine, O'neill and Charley. The space around us is incredible. The roof is on massive arch.. the whole place is amazing. This is pretty much our day. We [Katherine and I] woke up, walked to meet the guys and hung in the book store for about a half hour. I purchased, "My Name is Charles Saatchi and I'm an artaholic". Couldn't have found a book more suited for me in France. We had to make the usual debate about food. (just had the most glorious sugar waffle). I saw Subway and didn't wanna fuss. Katherine got a hot dog. We found the french fry place for Charley and then went on the search for a coffee shop. Walked near Daam Square and its neighboring areas we found really crazy places. Today is Halloween and I'll be spending it on a train. Maybe alone, I might be a totally different bus which I have a feeling is going to happen but whatever. I'll be in Paris tomorrow. Paris, I really can't wait to see you. Tomorrow we'll be together but I have to leae after a while back to Aix. It'll be wonderful to see Jade, Jacob and Alexis. My life here can't really be beat. I'm so ready to start a life- but then I ho and what happens? I told Charley last night how I'm afraid to go home because the drinking is going to be so strange to me especially with my friends. I'm just afraid that going away will have changed so many things- but at the same time I needed do this. Tomorrow is our first game of the season!! It's so weird that I'm not going to be there and they're at SIUC. I really truly miss being around my bball family but it's a bit a part of growing up. I really want to Meg about moving to Denver. It's scary but I'm really graduating. I don't know how I'm really going to handle that... just another journey ahead, I suppose.
Just some random prose..
"Our seating changed from wall table to chill area to the coolest box area for smoking hookah near the front window. I drank a beer and watched soccer highlights and day dreamed about the boots that girl was wearing. Everyone [enter TGUK- No way to begin] was kind of doing their own thing when I saw Nick walking past on the street. O'neill ran out in so much excitement. The two of them and Nick's friend Kat came in and sat with us. I feel like the weekend was good for us and came full circle."
"The soul of a journey is liberty, perfect liberty to think, to feel and do as one pleases."
Amsterdam... WHOA! We arrived last Tuesday evning and now we're heading home to Aix. When Katherine and I arrived in Amsterdam we took the 2 tram to Leidseplein. We got off to find out Hostel. Once that happened I was so realy to find a coffee shop and we did not too far from Leidseplein. We went back to the Hostel for beers and hanging out with some of the people staying at the Hostel. I met two guys who went to Stagg and grew up in Palos. It was seriously such a small world. I also met this guy from Estonia, the first Estonian to enter my life! He was really cool and had been traveling for about a year.
"since i've been here I've never felt more meditative then when sitting in front of a Titian"
"we're not tourists, we're fucking FRENCH!"- Mary Hamilton
"Etonnante peinture, sans dessin et sans bord, critique sans parole ou l'art sans le secours des forms sans vignette sans anecdotte sand fable, sans allegories corps et sans visage par le seule vertu des ton n'est plus qu'effusion lyricisme ou le coeur se raconte se livre change ses emotions"- Les Nympheas
11/15/09
Paris
It's really interesting leaving Paris. I truly don't feel like I've gotten my fix. I saw the Eiffel towe but Really didn't see it. But what I see was something totally different then what most would see. We staying in the 5eme Arrondissment. Our hostel was great. Pretty nice for a hostel Jamin, Katherine and Joy were my roomates. I thought it was going to be hard at first but they were all great. Our first day we had some train problems leaving Aix so we lost a few hours. Once we arrived in Paris, we made our way to the Grande Palais for the Renoir exhibit. I've never seen Renoir in person so it was exiting to be going. My entry group was Kate, Nick and Joy or "team sexy" as we called ourselves. Ha. We were able to walk arond for a bit before our entrance time. Sandwiches were desperately needed because we didn't have time to eat so, we went back to the metro station and got some food and mosied along. We walked toward the place where Napoleon was buried over the most beautiful bridge above the Seine. We noticed a few "l'espaces vertes" and watched the guys playing rugby rough one another up while the ball was in play. And we even found some inviting grass to lay on.
We returned to the Grande Palais and entered the exhibit. I fell in love with one painting in particular. Country Dance (Aline Charigot and Paul Lhote). The way this woman is painted really makes me feel like she's truly happy in the arms of the man holding her. She's laughing. The way she looks over his shoulder makes me wish i were this girl and the way the man (paul) holding her is paying careful attention-- absolutely made me fall in love with him and this painting. The unity of the exhibit was great. I love the photos of Renoir's life.
We headed back to the Hostel to get some awesome college dorm food. haha. We had diiner and after all went to bed. The first night's sleep was amazzinnnggg!
The next two days were spent at the Louvre. I wasn't quite sure what to expect becuase I'd never been before. The quarter outside was huge. We walked thru a square to get to the main entrance. Ahead you'd see the massive arches that date back a few years, the most incredible fountain; it was striking even though it wasn't projecting water. You could seriously feel grandeur that the Louvre holds even on the outside.
We saw Titian, Tintoretto and Veronese exhibitand looked at Titian that was maybe a Giorgioni through the morning session. The afternoon was dedicated to Rembrandt's "bathshiva". It's incredible how far you can arrive in a painting by looking, seeing and discussing what's going on by differences in color form subject even light.
After the Louvre, John and Alan took us to a pub in St. Germaine for a post work beer. After the pub we walked a long the river. Nick, O'Neill and I decided we needed to have a birthday beer for (for nick) by the Seine. And by birthday beer I mean we went to a convenient store and bought a few and shot gunned them. :) We made it dinner a little bit late but everoyne had gotten our food for us- what sweethearts! Since it was Nick's birthday Mary surprised him with a cake- Mary is awesome. After dinner some us decided to go to Notre Dame and hang out. Martha's friend Zoey is studying in Paris for the semester so she came to meet us. We hung out there for a few hours then walked home. Listening to Sigur Ros' album ( ) along the Seine was one of the most incredible experience of my trip. Paris is truly magical even with out music but when you have the right song and open your eyes to what's around you - you find meaning to so many things. Music is a language that I speak and it speaks loud and clear to me.
Friday morning we were at the Louvre again. We split into two different groups. Martha, Jamin Nick Joy and I were with John. We visiting the Marquis by Goya and then Delacroix's sketch of "The massacre at Constantanople". Then saw the final version in the great big rooms. THE LOUVRE IS INCREDIBLE [Getting rid of the old feelings, the old way of thinking.]
I knew how extensive and amazing their collection is but I never thought of how amazing it would be to stand in front of these pieces and dissect them as if they were a worm in 7th grade Bio lab.
We left the Louvre around midday and headed dwon along the river towards our afternoon session @ Musee D'Orsay.
We bough sandwiches and ate on the steps of the D'orsay. We broked into small groups again for the afternoon. I was having a really hard time concentrating and standing in one place at a time. My legs kind of hated me because I'd been running a lot before Paris and forgot to bring my running shoes- so they were pretty restless. We looked at Delacroix, Lautrec and Van Gogh. Because I was having a hard time concentrating and was in a very small room where the Lautrec, I had a small panic attack. It was kind of scary but i got out of it. Our afternoon ended in front of some Daumier sculptures. I thought it was fitting to do a cartwheel in the museum at the end of the day.
Mary, Martha and I went for a glass of wine in St. Germaine. It was so nice to se a little big of a different side of Paris wtih two great friends who know the city. We walked back for dinner ended up staying in and playing cards in the boys room. Saturday morning we were at the D'Osay again. small group assignments were given. My group looked at Monet's "Camille". That painting was so incredibly powerful. I ended up sobbing in front of it. It was a very tender moment towards the end of our session. Our second painting of the morning was a Cezanne "Old Man"-- it was a painting with an amazing color palette. Cezanne has a way of applyin paint to canvas that's soft and harmonious.
The afternoon was spent at the l'Orangerie. I'd neve seen such an amazing exhibit in my life. The cool part of the afternoon was that we were given an assignment to concsider explore and discuss the relationships of this work by Monet. (The waterlillies). To set the scene you walk into a normal entrace of a museum. We walked to where the exhibit was after receiving out tickets. The first room was a round room with small verticle slits on either end. There were two entrances to the exhibit. Either door would bring you to the first room and it hit that you you're looking at these huge panels of color and you start to recognize that you're seeing Monet's "Les Nympheas". The white surrings of the oval shaped roomsgive your attention to the paintings. The first room held panels that were seemingly done @ different times of day and different times of the year. After spending time in front of the nymphs in the first room, I moved to the second and found myself in awe. The sound was more open because the room was larger and the painting were almost able a conducive series. Walking around the room was like walking around an island. I took a few laps and realized a person could go crazy in this room if they were moving around at a rather quick pace. But walking around the room you were able to get a feeling of being right next to this body of water. Being at the Orangerie and having been to Giverny where these were painted gave two very different experiences but all in all both unique and memorable.
After the Orangerie some of us went back to the hostel. It was 2 day before my birthday they surpsied me with a raspberry tart cake from Paul to celebrate. I felt really special. We opened a few bottles of wine after dinner, played some cards and formulated a plan for the night. We went to a bar called Pop Off in the Murait to meet Martha's friend Zoey. We stopped for birthday beer along the way thanks to Nick. We got a pitcher and the night was off. Good conversation and dancing with some of the greatest people I know couldn't have been a better birthday. Sunday morning we went to Musee Monmartent Monet in a pretty nice area near the Eiffel Tower. We had a great last morning looking at more Monet. I was kind of bummed because I had to leave early to catch my train to geneva to meet my International Relations class.
(insert train ride to Switzerland)
I met Meg and some of the other girls when I arrived in Switzerland. We had a great dinner then went back to the Hostel. I was pretty whacked out because I was so tired. Monday we went to the ICRC, The UN and Botanical Gardens and on Tuesday to the International Office of Migration. I am on the train back to Marseille and I'm still exhausted. I'm going to London this weekend which I'm excited about. I get to see Mike, Maz, Sal, Rob and Franny. Steve and Laura may or may not be there which is a bymmer but It'll be a great trip either way. Really looking forward to it. Tonight I'm going for a beer with Nick and Thusday is CURRY NIGHT!!
...that's just what I wrote in my journal because I know i was going to be busy after returning from Paris... hence why it's taken me a year to put this up!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Dear readers...Sorry to keep you on your toes, but i'm sad to say you might have to wait longer for entries about Paris, Geneva and the weeks to follow. I'm just about at the breaking point of insanity with school work. (And someone once told me study abroad is a joke, HA! I've never worked harder in my life.) Stay tuned...
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Sylvia made me write this post.
Only because my dear friend-sister Sylvia is active follower of my blog, I decided I'd fulfill her wishes of me updating. Yes it's been almost a month but I've been busy and out of the country....ha.
This was written previously on my way to Amsterdam from Giverny
27/10/09 Tuesday.
Listening to: Pixies: Surfer Rosa
Dad's visit was nice. It was really intersting have him where I'm living now. It was really funny to see him just walking down the street in the middle of a French day. It was really a great visit. I'm glad that Kathy and Bob Schmidt came too. From what I was told about their travels, it sounds like the three of them had a ball in Paris and Lourdes as well as Aix with me! Dad arrived on a Monday when I had my critique for midterms. It was kind of a bummer that I able to hang out with him for more the meals when he was here, but it was midterm time and I unfortunately had them. We we're fortunate enough to be able to go to Marseille. The only downside was the the temperature and the abundance of precipitation going hand in hand with the wind. We made the best of it. Jade and Jacob, my host parents, invited my dad, Kathy and Bob over for dinner Wednesday evening of their stay. Jade and Jacob couldn't have been more welcoming. I thought the translation barrier was going to be cause a lot of problems but I think we did very well with that. It's always funny when your brain switches on and you can figure out what you want to say and how to translate that to others. I also think that with a glass of wine and aperatifs helps everyone relax a bit more.
The rest of my midterms we're too bad but it's still very weird that it's almost november and this adventure is almost done.
Dad left Friday morning, as did I. I had one French class before departing where we watched "Paris Je T'aime". The film is truly brilliant. Les Marchutz left for our great adventure to Giverny around 10:30. We arrive in Paris :) and transferred to the metro. (side story: while waiting for Alan to buy our tickets for the Metro, we had noticed an abandoned bag at the Gare du Lyon, which is one of the central train stations in Paris. We moved a ways away from it when the security of the station came down and roped it off. It was kind of funny seeing them put queue markers up around it, you know just incase people wanted to come and check out this abandoned bag.) We took the metro to Gare St. Lazare and made out way to Giverny. Arriving in Giverny, we were met by a woman called Verral. She is a friend of Alan and John's and is very intellegent, resourceful and overall a nice person. She took us to where we were staying for the week.
Since there are 12 of us we had two house on the Terra Foundations grounds in Giverny. The Terra Foundation was started in Chicagi. It was once a museum on Michigan avenue but they close it and continued in different fashion of the Terra Foundation.) The 7 girls stayed in the big pink house :) and the 5 boys stayed in "The Bear Den" as O'Neill would call it. We had the most incredible gardens on our grounds. Givern is a good place as is but where we were tsaying one enhanced out experience. Firday night we had some aperatifs with Verral and had our first dinner of Quiche (which would continue to be a dish for our dinners.) After dinner we sat outside and didn't stay up too late.
Saturday morning I woke up really early so I could go for a bike ride. It was still pitch black when I got up but decided to go anyway. After a while it started to rain so I idnd't want to get my camera wet, I headed home. I had a nice breakfast with Mary, with BIG cups of coffee- I was in heaven. We met around 900 to walk around the town of Giverny. The majority of the morning it rained but we saw the whole of Giverny. Up until lunch time and afterwards the lot of us painted the garden from our backporch. Later that evening we had Quiche for dinner, but it didn't matter. We were together and loved every second of it. Sunday morning we went to Monet's gardens. Wow- I really had no idae how breath taking they are. We spent the majority of our time in the many different part of the gardens. For my work that day I paintined in the gardens and took some pretty rocking pictures. I Sunday night we had a few previous students come for dinner. and it was kind of weird having them there because John and Alan were at dinner with Verral.
O'Neill opted to teach us Texas Hold 'em. Instead of using chops or €/$, we bet sips of wine. Probably not the best idea. I think there was one point a bet of 45 sips, of course the losing party didn't take those sips because it's just silly to do that with nice wine. Diner was lamb, rice and potatoes. It was pretty disappointing. It was bad news for me because I didn't want to eat meat that day when I probably should've. After dinner we were outside on the porch for a while where we had a small night painting session. Charley, Mary, O'Neill, Katherine and Kate all made some good stuff. Charley, Nick, Mary and I were the last ones outand it was nice just hanging out. Mary and Charley wen t to bed so Nick an di Stayed up and some some photos in the studio. I tried giving him a photo lession but it turned out to be a bit of mess. Monday I did some water colors in the morning, went to lunch and attempted an oil in the afternoon but I felt it was really unsuccessful. John and Alan though differently. The museum forgot to send us dinner so we order pizza. We played assassin thorugh the majority of the night. Nick eventually won because I didn't want t o play anymore. Alan came in to join the game of Poker we had going on. So, some of us ate together while the others played cards. The pizza was lousy as usual but still together we were in a good spirits. Mary, Martha, Charley and I foind ourselves hanging out upstairs in mine and martha's room with a bottle of wine laughing out heads off at the silly comments we were making. Eventually we joined the rest of the gorup outside.
The frivolity continue for a few more hours. What was meant to be sleeping upstairs in my room turned into a small fance party/dog pile on Martha's bed. It was pretty funny to be quite honest. We really have a sense of community between the 10 of us. We really are a family. I'm so lucky be with such amazing people at the end of my college career, making things seem a little strange. This morning I woke up next to Mary and Charley, I guess we all had switched rooms. The house was a mess so we had majory cleaning to do. I had about 20 minutes before we had to leave for the train so I walked by my favorite staircase at the Butler house and just listened to "Sweet Avenue" by Jets to Brazil. The line "now all these tastes improve through the view that comes with you. Like they handed me my life for the first time it felt right" completely blew me away looking at some of the most beautiful things my eyes had seen. I finally got my fall color in the fall weather:) I was really missing that down in Aix. It felt right ot be in Giverny with these people. Currently I'm on my way to Amsterdam with katherine. We're meeting the boys in the morning and our Dutch vacation begins. We were given assignments in the Van Gogh and Rijks Museum of paintings to look at. I hope this leg of our trip is going to be graet. For now.. you'll find me lost in art and music.
Amsterdam really was a lot of fun. Katherine and I stayed at a Hostel called the Flying Pig. Sitting downstairs in the bar we met these two guys from.... CHICAGO!!! Not only were they form Chicago, but they were from Palos Park. that's about 5-10 mins from where I live. They also went to Stagg High School, one of the three in my HS district. You never really know how small the world is until these kinds of things happen.
We woke up Wednesday morning with O'Neill's head popping through our door. Stupidly, O'Neill, Nick and Katherine all forgot their passports. How that's possible i'm not sure but it was kind of funny hearing the boys story about Passport control coming onto the bus. Wednesday we basically just explored the city. We had a rockin lunch at this cute little cafe where they would sell light fixtures from the ceiling. It was pretty cool. I had the BEST aubergine and humous sandwich. Nick showed us a lot fo the city because he's been there before.
Thursday we went to the Rijks Museum where there was an exhibition for the Masterpieces. It was a good three house museum session. We looked at some really great pieces but were getting antsy to do something else. We walked around the city for a bit while longer and explored the canals a little bit. WOW. The canals are some fo the most beautiful bodies of water I've ever seen. The way they were placed through out the city and the overal aesthetic gives me a huge appreciation for them. We went back to the boy's hostel for a bit. Took little naps and the boys showered. We went out and had sushi for dinner that was A-w-e-s-o-m-e. We retired early because we were runnin low on fumes.
Friday we met the boys around 1. Katherine and I spent the morning sleeping in a bit then going out to shoot some photos. It was nice to be able to just go out and shoot for the fun of it and not for work. I think being in Amsterdam helped with my photos because there were so many things that appealed to me. I took some great shots whilst being there. We finally reconnected with the boys and went over the Van Gogh museum. This museum was SOOOO great! There are 4 floors of predominantly Van Gogh pieces and the majority are amazing. I had seen a Van Gogh/Gaugan exhibit in Chicago when I was younger and remember looking at his pear tree for about 20 minutes and when I saw it in it's proper home I couldn't help but feel nostalgic.
We left on Saturday to get back to Paris on sunday on an overnight bus. Boy was that an experience. All this time I thought I was going to be away from traveling on coach busses but I find myself more and more on them whilst I'm here. Basketball season must be here! We arrived in Paris and were able to hang out at Mary's apartment for the remainder of our stay. She showed me around the Mazarin, the oldest part of Paris. I saw a lot of the old squares that definitely looked like 1940's film. It was so quaint and endearing. The train ride back wasn't too bad but I was just totally pooped by the end of the trip. Good thing I didn't have class until 2 on Mondays.
Last week we started painting still lifes in the studio. It's really different to paint a still life instead of just draw them . I had a bit of trouble working it out but I'm getting the hang of it. I want to crank out at least two or three more painting before we leave for Paris. I can get it done.
Wesnesday we're leaving for Paris..... I AM SO EXCITED!!
I'll try and keep this updated but my schedule the next few weeks looks pretty busy.
11/11-15/11 Paris
15/11-17/11 Geneva
17/11-20/11 Aix
20/11-23/11 London
23/11-03/12 Aix
03/12-06/12 Paris or Barcelona
06/12-18/12 Aix
19/12-31/12 Chicago
31/12-MAY Quincy
Got a lot of places to go and see!!! I'l try and keep you all posted!
This was written previously on my way to Amsterdam from Giverny
27/10/09 Tuesday.
Listening to: Pixies: Surfer Rosa
Dad's visit was nice. It was really intersting have him where I'm living now. It was really funny to see him just walking down the street in the middle of a French day. It was really a great visit. I'm glad that Kathy and Bob Schmidt came too. From what I was told about their travels, it sounds like the three of them had a ball in Paris and Lourdes as well as Aix with me! Dad arrived on a Monday when I had my critique for midterms. It was kind of a bummer that I able to hang out with him for more the meals when he was here, but it was midterm time and I unfortunately had them. We we're fortunate enough to be able to go to Marseille. The only downside was the the temperature and the abundance of precipitation going hand in hand with the wind. We made the best of it. Jade and Jacob, my host parents, invited my dad, Kathy and Bob over for dinner Wednesday evening of their stay. Jade and Jacob couldn't have been more welcoming. I thought the translation barrier was going to be cause a lot of problems but I think we did very well with that. It's always funny when your brain switches on and you can figure out what you want to say and how to translate that to others. I also think that with a glass of wine and aperatifs helps everyone relax a bit more.
The rest of my midterms we're too bad but it's still very weird that it's almost november and this adventure is almost done.
Dad left Friday morning, as did I. I had one French class before departing where we watched "Paris Je T'aime". The film is truly brilliant. Les Marchutz left for our great adventure to Giverny around 10:30. We arrive in Paris :) and transferred to the metro. (side story: while waiting for Alan to buy our tickets for the Metro, we had noticed an abandoned bag at the Gare du Lyon, which is one of the central train stations in Paris. We moved a ways away from it when the security of the station came down and roped it off. It was kind of funny seeing them put queue markers up around it, you know just incase people wanted to come and check out this abandoned bag.) We took the metro to Gare St. Lazare and made out way to Giverny. Arriving in Giverny, we were met by a woman called Verral. She is a friend of Alan and John's and is very intellegent, resourceful and overall a nice person. She took us to where we were staying for the week.
Since there are 12 of us we had two house on the Terra Foundations grounds in Giverny. The Terra Foundation was started in Chicagi. It was once a museum on Michigan avenue but they close it and continued in different fashion of the Terra Foundation.) The 7 girls stayed in the big pink house :) and the 5 boys stayed in "The Bear Den" as O'Neill would call it. We had the most incredible gardens on our grounds. Givern is a good place as is but where we were tsaying one enhanced out experience. Firday night we had some aperatifs with Verral and had our first dinner of Quiche (which would continue to be a dish for our dinners.) After dinner we sat outside and didn't stay up too late.
Saturday morning I woke up really early so I could go for a bike ride. It was still pitch black when I got up but decided to go anyway. After a while it started to rain so I idnd't want to get my camera wet, I headed home. I had a nice breakfast with Mary, with BIG cups of coffee- I was in heaven. We met around 900 to walk around the town of Giverny. The majority of the morning it rained but we saw the whole of Giverny. Up until lunch time and afterwards the lot of us painted the garden from our backporch. Later that evening we had Quiche for dinner, but it didn't matter. We were together and loved every second of it. Sunday morning we went to Monet's gardens. Wow- I really had no idae how breath taking they are. We spent the majority of our time in the many different part of the gardens. For my work that day I paintined in the gardens and took some pretty rocking pictures. I Sunday night we had a few previous students come for dinner. and it was kind of weird having them there because John and Alan were at dinner with Verral.
O'Neill opted to teach us Texas Hold 'em. Instead of using chops or €/$, we bet sips of wine. Probably not the best idea. I think there was one point a bet of 45 sips, of course the losing party didn't take those sips because it's just silly to do that with nice wine. Diner was lamb, rice and potatoes. It was pretty disappointing. It was bad news for me because I didn't want to eat meat that day when I probably should've. After dinner we were outside on the porch for a while where we had a small night painting session. Charley, Mary, O'Neill, Katherine and Kate all made some good stuff. Charley, Nick, Mary and I were the last ones outand it was nice just hanging out. Mary and Charley wen t to bed so Nick an di Stayed up and some some photos in the studio. I tried giving him a photo lession but it turned out to be a bit of mess. Monday I did some water colors in the morning, went to lunch and attempted an oil in the afternoon but I felt it was really unsuccessful. John and Alan though differently. The museum forgot to send us dinner so we order pizza. We played assassin thorugh the majority of the night. Nick eventually won because I didn't want t o play anymore. Alan came in to join the game of Poker we had going on. So, some of us ate together while the others played cards. The pizza was lousy as usual but still together we were in a good spirits. Mary, Martha, Charley and I foind ourselves hanging out upstairs in mine and martha's room with a bottle of wine laughing out heads off at the silly comments we were making. Eventually we joined the rest of the gorup outside.
The frivolity continue for a few more hours. What was meant to be sleeping upstairs in my room turned into a small fance party/dog pile on Martha's bed. It was pretty funny to be quite honest. We really have a sense of community between the 10 of us. We really are a family. I'm so lucky be with such amazing people at the end of my college career, making things seem a little strange. This morning I woke up next to Mary and Charley, I guess we all had switched rooms. The house was a mess so we had majory cleaning to do. I had about 20 minutes before we had to leave for the train so I walked by my favorite staircase at the Butler house and just listened to "Sweet Avenue" by Jets to Brazil. The line "now all these tastes improve through the view that comes with you. Like they handed me my life for the first time it felt right" completely blew me away looking at some of the most beautiful things my eyes had seen. I finally got my fall color in the fall weather:) I was really missing that down in Aix. It felt right ot be in Giverny with these people. Currently I'm on my way to Amsterdam with katherine. We're meeting the boys in the morning and our Dutch vacation begins. We were given assignments in the Van Gogh and Rijks Museum of paintings to look at. I hope this leg of our trip is going to be graet. For now.. you'll find me lost in art and music.
Amsterdam really was a lot of fun. Katherine and I stayed at a Hostel called the Flying Pig. Sitting downstairs in the bar we met these two guys from.... CHICAGO!!! Not only were they form Chicago, but they were from Palos Park. that's about 5-10 mins from where I live. They also went to Stagg High School, one of the three in my HS district. You never really know how small the world is until these kinds of things happen.
We woke up Wednesday morning with O'Neill's head popping through our door. Stupidly, O'Neill, Nick and Katherine all forgot their passports. How that's possible i'm not sure but it was kind of funny hearing the boys story about Passport control coming onto the bus. Wednesday we basically just explored the city. We had a rockin lunch at this cute little cafe where they would sell light fixtures from the ceiling. It was pretty cool. I had the BEST aubergine and humous sandwich. Nick showed us a lot fo the city because he's been there before.
Thursday we went to the Rijks Museum where there was an exhibition for the Masterpieces. It was a good three house museum session. We looked at some really great pieces but were getting antsy to do something else. We walked around the city for a bit while longer and explored the canals a little bit. WOW. The canals are some fo the most beautiful bodies of water I've ever seen. The way they were placed through out the city and the overal aesthetic gives me a huge appreciation for them. We went back to the boy's hostel for a bit. Took little naps and the boys showered. We went out and had sushi for dinner that was A-w-e-s-o-m-e. We retired early because we were runnin low on fumes.
Friday we met the boys around 1. Katherine and I spent the morning sleeping in a bit then going out to shoot some photos. It was nice to be able to just go out and shoot for the fun of it and not for work. I think being in Amsterdam helped with my photos because there were so many things that appealed to me. I took some great shots whilst being there. We finally reconnected with the boys and went over the Van Gogh museum. This museum was SOOOO great! There are 4 floors of predominantly Van Gogh pieces and the majority are amazing. I had seen a Van Gogh/Gaugan exhibit in Chicago when I was younger and remember looking at his pear tree for about 20 minutes and when I saw it in it's proper home I couldn't help but feel nostalgic.
We left on Saturday to get back to Paris on sunday on an overnight bus. Boy was that an experience. All this time I thought I was going to be away from traveling on coach busses but I find myself more and more on them whilst I'm here. Basketball season must be here! We arrived in Paris and were able to hang out at Mary's apartment for the remainder of our stay. She showed me around the Mazarin, the oldest part of Paris. I saw a lot of the old squares that definitely looked like 1940's film. It was so quaint and endearing. The train ride back wasn't too bad but I was just totally pooped by the end of the trip. Good thing I didn't have class until 2 on Mondays.
Last week we started painting still lifes in the studio. It's really different to paint a still life instead of just draw them . I had a bit of trouble working it out but I'm getting the hang of it. I want to crank out at least two or three more painting before we leave for Paris. I can get it done.
Wesnesday we're leaving for Paris..... I AM SO EXCITED!!
I'll try and keep this updated but my schedule the next few weeks looks pretty busy.
11/11-15/11 Paris
15/11-17/11 Geneva
17/11-20/11 Aix
20/11-23/11 London
23/11-03/12 Aix
03/12-06/12 Paris or Barcelona
06/12-18/12 Aix
19/12-31/12 Chicago
31/12-MAY Quincy
Got a lot of places to go and see!!! I'l try and keep you all posted!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Danse: Waiting
Tonight i went to one of the presentations of the "Fete de livres" which is an asian book festival. My host mom Jade had one of her books published and is highly involved with it. The dance I saw tonight was called Waiting. It was one of the most interesting things that I've ever seen in my life. here are some pictures that I took. They're all long exposure because I wasn't allowed to take picture but I did anyway with out flash.
Weather
Today's seminar was great! But the only thing that's really eating at my is the weather....
It got cold. Mind you I'm a Chicagoan, I LOVE the cold weather.... But it changed so suddenly here!!! Last weekend I was wearing shorts and a tank top... This week I'm trying to hold on for dear life to stay warm.
Let's take a look.....
Today's Forecast for Orland Park, IL
High /
Low (°F) Precip. %
Today
Oct 15 Showers 41°/39° 60 %
Fri
Tonight
Oct 15 Partly Cloudy 41° 20 %
Fri
WELL LOOK AT THAT!! Just no rain.... Can't wait for my winter coat to arrive on monday....!!
OH YEAH AND MY DAD!!!!!!!!
It got cold. Mind you I'm a Chicagoan, I LOVE the cold weather.... But it changed so suddenly here!!! Last weekend I was wearing shorts and a tank top... This week I'm trying to hold on for dear life to stay warm.
Let's take a look.....
Today's Forecast for Orland Park, IL
High /
Low (°F) Precip. %
Today
Oct 15 Showers 41°/39° 60 %
Fri
Tonight
Oct 15 Partly Cloudy 41° 20 %
Fri
WELL LOOK AT THAT!! Just no rain.... Can't wait for my winter coat to arrive on monday....!!
OH YEAH AND MY DAD!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
As of today
I've officially quit smoking. I've been two days smoke free.
It's a little harder then I thought. (being around smokers 24/7).
I've decided instead of smoking- I'm going to run a marathon.
I've said all of this before... but there's something about being here in France that's giving me a little extra drive to not just fall back into old habits. So, I've decided to quit smoking and run a marathon.
My first goal would be to run a 5k. Second 10k. And where I can squeeze in the others. This is not for anyone else... solely for me. I've realized that I my body is still capable of being very actice despite the past injuries... I'm not wimpingn out this time. I'm going for it. In May Quincy hosts a half marathon, that's ultimately my goal for second semester. I might have a little bit of help form Ms. Brittany Carper who might run it with me :)
All is well today.
It's a little harder then I thought. (being around smokers 24/7).
I've decided instead of smoking- I'm going to run a marathon.
I've said all of this before... but there's something about being here in France that's giving me a little extra drive to not just fall back into old habits. So, I've decided to quit smoking and run a marathon.
My first goal would be to run a 5k. Second 10k. And where I can squeeze in the others. This is not for anyone else... solely for me. I've realized that I my body is still capable of being very actice despite the past injuries... I'm not wimpingn out this time. I'm going for it. In May Quincy hosts a half marathon, that's ultimately my goal for second semester. I might have a little bit of help form Ms. Brittany Carper who might run it with me :)
All is well today.
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