Monday, December 31, 2007

Champagne and Bacon Bits

It's almost 2008. I don't get it. I'm gonna celebrate a good year tonight, hopefully with friends, and champagne (and bacon bits). You'll understand the reference if you come over. Thank my mom for all the yummy snacks, and I am bringing a little bit of Ireland into the new year as well.

It's nearly been a year since I left for Ireland, which blows my mind. Life is speeding up from about 25 mph to around 38.5. What happens when time starts going 55?

Friday, December 21, 2007

Schedule

For whatever reason, I wanted everyone to know my schedule for next semester just so you know I'm not ignoring you, I'm just really busy.

Monday:
8:30-11:30 IP Studio time
12-1 IP Professional Practice Workshop
1:30-3:30 IP Class time

Tuesday:
10-11:30 Ancient Egyptian Religion and Culture
1-2 Discussion section for Ancient Egyptian Religion and Culture
5:30-9:30 Work

Wednesday:
8:30-11:30 IP Studio time
1:30-4:30 IP Class time

Thursday:
10-11:30 Ancient Egyptian Religion and Culture
5-6:30 Lecture Series

Friday:
1-4 Screen Arts and Culture 423

Saturday:
2-6 Work

Sunday:
Homework

I believe any free time that there seems to be in my schedule will not actually be free time, but work time. I'm sorry in advance for not being able to play.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

I'm Done, but in a good way

I'm done with classes FINALLY. I just took the Buddhism exam and I'm almost positive I got an A on it. Oh man am I good in the times of cramming information into my head. Now that I am done, I plan on doing whatever I want for a long time. Right now, I want to sleep. So I'm gonna. You can't stop me. Later, we're gonna have some funs, all of us left in Ann Arbor. Fun I tell you! That's the plan.

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Friday, December 07, 2007

Weddings and Funerals

Does anyone else find it strange that wedding invitations are now being sent out on Facebook? I do. I also find it slightly disturbing to have been invited to a funeral just now on Facebook. What is happening to the world?

Thursday, November 29, 2007

The British Are Coming!



Schoolhouse Rock is one of the greatest collections of anything ever made.

My favorite part of this one is the map of the US at the end. It's so accurate.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Times-a-Changin'

I've figured out a lot of the logistical problems with my project recently. I finally have a good idea of what I am doing and why I want to do it...which is definitely a step up. I wrote up my grant proposal tonight...well last night and this morning (notice the time). It's back to weird sleeping patterns again for me. Overall my project is progressing even though I haven't painted for a while.

I registered for classes today, for the final time. It's a bit odd, but oddly relieving. Next semester I am taking IP, our weekly lecture series, a one credit minicourse that ends in the middle of February on Planets and Moons, and Ancient Egyptian Religion and Culture, where the required course reading is the Book of the Dead. I may actually read for this class (which will be a first). I am not taking a studio course so that I will be able to work solely on IP and then be able to do little projects on the side. I also realized today that I won't have Friday classes or even morning classes. The earliest class I have is at like 10. This is going to be a good semester.

Ohio State Game sucked. That's all I got to say.

Thanksgiving rocked. That's all I got to say.

I am now a frame building, canvas stretching, gesso priming master. Be proud.

I still think I may be Buddhist.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Tryptophan


I'm ready for my turkey coma. It's almost time. Happy Thanksgiving (a bit early).

Friday, November 16, 2007

Did you just spit?

I stole this from Zac but only because it's amazing.


Shameless plug:
All Student Exhibition opens today at 6 and runs until December 15th. There is work in the Robbins and the Slusser galleries in the art school and in the Work gallery on State St.

One more shameless plug:
My work's at the Work, downstairs. Go look at it.

Thursday, November 08, 2007

My number 4

This is my reaction to the number 4. I don't think it's done yet. I have to do some mock ups and or models.



Each of the canvases are 4inx4in. There are 16 of them all together (4x4). There are 4 squares in each of them. And the symbol that each individual grid makes is the original glyph for the number. Also I used the colors CMYK which are colors that printers use to print (if you've ever had to change ink cartridges you should know this). It's all about the number 4.

Do you think I'm done? Do you have any suggestions? Please help!!!

4

When I say the number 4, what do you think of?

Here's something to think about: 4 is the natural number following 3 and preceeding 5.

Have you ever tried to define a number? I find it interesting because I never have thought about the definition of a number before. I have always just had the understanding of them. Numbers are the same as symbols. No matter how much we think the letters of the alphabet are letters, they are really just symbols, abstract and don't mean anything. ABSTRACT!



That's the evolution of the number 4 as a glyph. I am completely boggled by the fact that none of the glyphs mean anything to me until I reach the end, and then it seems to be instinct of numbers that kicks in. It's so embedded in our brains that 4 means a number to us, it's a representation of a number, that's all.

It's weird to question something you think you have such a grasp on.

I'm gonna go back to thinking about numbers.

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Blech

I feel kind of sick, and I think it has something to do with all of this stupid technology. My stomach hurts because I spend so much time in front of my computer. I want to go out into the world and forget about this so-called interweb. It just makes things more complicated, most people think it makes things easier, but that's a lie. I liked it better when I had to look words up in the dictionary and read my encyclopedias. Why is the world moving at 5,000 miles per second? I am going to slow down. Kthnxbye.

Friday, November 02, 2007

I don't know what this means...

I had a conversation with my mother the other day.

"Mom, I think I'm Buddhist."
"Yeah, I've always wondered about you."

This makes me feel funny, but kinda special.

Sunday, October 28, 2007

I only needed to make six tentacles, because I already have two.


Lots and lots of things are going on right now. Nothing to do with my IP, and I'm ok with that. I made my halloween costume this week and I think it's awesome. It's the first real costume that I have ever made for myself, and I think I did a damn good job with it. I am an octopus. I have six artificial tentacles because I already have the two legs. Sara and I were sea creature friends, we had bubbles last night, but they did not work so well. I think it was the temperature. I think that this really is the first halloween, at least in the past few years, that I really loved my costume. It has always been a last minute thing and I have always been upset with the result. But that's mostly because I don't think through what I want to be so early on. Juliana was little red riding hood and Genevieve was Pocahontas. We were the best group walking around the streets of Ann Arbor, better than all the girls with their butts hanging out, better than all the guys dressed as some form of beer product. We were totally the best. Ha. Basically this was a great halloween weekend and the fun isn't over yet. I'm going trick or treating with the family at the Natural History Museum soon. I haven't seen them in a long long long time and miss them. Especially my neice, she's going to be a butterfly. I hope she doesn't get scared and fly away when I come up. I think I need to start getting ready for that actually. More dressing up...gosh halloween is so cool. Can't it be every day?

Monday, October 22, 2007

Can't everyday be like today?

Today during IP, I was trying to do research and brainstorming about my project. I needed that time to think and really process what my work is about. I'm still a bit confused, but less so than I was. I know why I am doing it now and I understand what is important to me about them. I am less interested in the process than I am the final paintings. I need that gap of understanding to be lost on the audience. I like the fact that they won't necessarily get the correllation between the data sets and the paintings. I talked with Anne (one of my IP professors) and she reiterated the point that I should be researching phsycological aspects of these, e.g. why am I so obsessive, how do I think of these things, what makes me do the things I do. I agree with it fully. I am back on track and feel really good about the project again.

Also, when I was doing research today on Agnes Martin, I stumbled upon this woman named Xylor Jane. She is my salvation. I have felt so lost for so long about my research from other artists. I mean, I can find people that work with color, I can find people that work with grids, I can find people that work with mathematical formulas, but never any that did all of it. I thought I was the only one. WRONG! And never more glad to be wrong. Xylor Jane's work corresponds so well with everything that I have been working on, not only recently, but the entire time I've been in school. Here's her artist statement:

"Xylor Jane's work draws on mathematical algorithims to make intricate and staggering installations. Deriving her patterns from often basic arithmetic exercises (such as the Fibonacci Series or prime numbers), she deals in both complexity and simplicity, finding hidden curiosities and subtle patters amidst swarms of numbers. Her rigorous execution highlights the personal touch and commitment she brings to each piece."

I mean, wow. She is me. I emailed her asking her for, well basically her biography, and I also asked for help with my project, hopefully she will be able to. I am so totally back on track. I feel so good about my project and not so lost. All in all, today was a great day.


Here's Xylor Jane's website if at all interested:
http://www.xylorjane.com/index.html

Sunday, October 21, 2007

This is seeming more and more appealing


https://www.workandtravelireland.org/home.aspx

Can't I just go back now?

No,
wait,
got to finish school first.
Geez, I keep forgetting that.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Wow, just wow



I feel the need to introduce this to everyone. We used to watch this every day in Ireland. I want you to notice the odd forms of seduction and affection throughout the entire video. It's so good.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Confused much?

Yesterday I had my midterm critique for IP. It didn't go too well. I'm frustrated because my professors are not giving me the feedback I need to proceed. They keep talking about my presentation at the final show, when in fact, that's months away, and I need them to ask questions about my project. About my concept. About the form. I need them to ask me questions so I can find the right answers. Well anyways, I was frustrated to the point of not being able to do anything yesterday.

Today I sat down with my painting professor and told him why I haven't been giving my all in class. It's mostly because when I'm in the art school, I feel guilty not being in my studio working on IP. I think I'm brainwashed. He said he understands and really helped me find a way to apply my IP into the painting class. I'm finally motivated to work on these paintings for his class. Also, I asked him to look at my IP work and he helped me loads with that as well. I mean, I feel so much better now that I have talked myself through things, and I think I am just going to have to get outside help from people sometimes...or most of the time. This is not a bad thing.

Also one of the reasons I was feeling bad about my paintings is that I am planning on making 15, when in fact I have yet to finish my first one. This is partially because of the paint that I was using. To counter this, I went out and spent nearly $200 on new paint...I need to find a grant. If anyone knows of any organization that is willing to fund something like this, I need it.

Or, if you want to help me fund it, that would be great as well. HAH!

Friday, October 12, 2007

Some like to call her Reg Spek

So on Tuesday, right after my nap and right before I had to go to work, I checked my emails and happened to have one from my brother. In said email, there was the offer of free tickets to see Regina Spektor on Wednesday at the Fillmore in Detroit. So I was like, alright yeah totally. So on Wednesday Juliana and I went to see Regina and it was so great. We only kind of got lost trying to get there...oops. The show was amazing, without all the special effects that most singers usually use. The whole show was just her, a piano and sometimes a guitar and her wonderful voice. Basically it was simply awesome. During the encore she finally played Fidelity, which is about the only song that I really know of hers. Juliana and I wanted to get out before the huge crowd so we were leaving as this other song came on. So, this song, I have been trying to figure out who sung this song since I was in England, being placed on hold by Vodafone, where a song was repeating over and over. I liked the song but didn't know who it was by and tried to find out, and I finally have...I can't explain how much I was freaking out. It's a good song.




On another note, I am currently watching the Matrix, and finding correllations to Buddhism all over the place. I mean, pretty much the whole movie is about the Buddha and his lives. Just a discovery that's blowing my mind. Apparently this week is full of those.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

It was long I swear...wait, what?



This is a video some girl made of the walk home from the Burren College in a previous year from ours, but I just wanted to show everyone what I was walking past every day in Ireland. Then maybe we'll all be on the same page for why I have to go back.

Critique about video: I wish she had kept every step of the walk in there and not cut anything out making it that uncomfortably long video that you almost don't want to finish but do at the same time. It would have been much more affective. BUT, I also understand it's a pretty cheesy concept and still makes me happy just to see it all again and feel like I'm still there.

Have fun.

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Eyelids are drooping...

So from Sunday at about 5:30pm until this morning at about 11:30am, I had been in the art school every hour except for about three and a half. I have not slept more than about 4 hours in the past few nights...and I had an exam this morning. I am slightly delusional, and by slightly I mean a lot more than slightly. This is an interesting path I am heading down, it's not very promising for a sleep filled school year, but hey, I think I'm ok with that. Sleep can't be that important right? My reward for working so hard...sleep. I'm going to bed, and yes, it's rare that I go to sleep before 1, so be proud.

Sleepy.
Sleepier.
Sleeping.

(The word has lost all meaning)

Monday, October 08, 2007

International Show

This past month all of the students who studied abroad were invited to submit pieces to the International Show that they worked on in their respective foreign countries. I submitted three pieces, an installation, a set of paintings and a grouping of photos.


'The Ultimate Rotation'
This is a piece that I attempted to install at the Burren College, but did not have access to a bed nor a way to hang the projector from the ceiling, hence the reason that I wanted it in the show. I don't know how successful it is in the end but I am glad I was able to finally wrap up the loose ends.


'The Rolling Hills of Ireland?'
These are exercises in the abstraction of the idea of a landscape. I took colors and forms from the area around the Burren to create these. (A non-landscape form of these paintings are what my IP is all about)


'Close Encounters of the International Kind'
The print quality on these is poor but I just wanted to put something in that showed the people that I met in Ireland. I plan to print all of these out with good quality paper, so they'll look prettier, and yes that's the technical term.

I plan on posting more pictures of my artwork as the paintings I'm working on currently start to take shape.

Saturday, October 06, 2007

Apparently I'm on a kick.

I just really like all these music videos and think that everyone else should as well.



I mean, it's Rogue Wave, how could you not absoposolutly love it? Maybe I'll come up with another one to share, who knows.

On another note, why is it effing 85 degrees out? It's October earth, stop with the summer, we don't want it anymore.

Friday, October 05, 2007

All my friends say that of course it's gonna get better.



I really like this video as well. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that I've been playing a lot with the idea of color recently. I also really just enjoy the song, regina's voice, and pretty much everything about her. I wish her voice was mine, oh and her hair, well pretty much I just wish I was her.

This is another song I've been enjoying maybe a little bit too much recently. Again, it just fits with my life. When I say that I don't necessarily mean the words, but the song, the music is what gets me most of the time. I rarely actually listen to the words of a song. Sometimes I all of a suddenly understand a song, sometimes I never do.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot.

Everyone. Don't think you can walk all over me. Because you can't. You may have been able to before, but I've changed and you'll get a handful if you decide to fuck with me. Just remember that.

Cellphone's Dead



I'm going to have to say that this is probably one of the greatest music videos of all time.



This is just a great song. I've been listening to it a lot a lot recently. I don't know why. It just fits my life right now? Don't ask, 'cause I don't know.

Beck is so amazing.

Thursday, October 04, 2007

Is it late?

On average I leave the studio at about 2am. Is this late? Too late? Or no? I don't know anymore. I just don't sleep it seems like. I think I need to find a better solution to going to bed so late.

Yeah.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Realization is Key

I just realized that it's been almost a year since I went to Ireland. I think once that one year mark hits, I am going to have a mental breakdown. Mostly because it doesn't seem like there's anyway that a year could have passed. I don't understand time, it just keeps speeding up. Pretty soon I'll be graying sitting in a rocking chair on my porch. I mean, that's what I plan on doing. Certain parts of me can't wait, others can.


I think these spray paint fumes are getting to me. I'm gonna go get some fresh air.

Monday, October 01, 2007

October, what?

I can't believe it's October already. Every time a new month has rolled around this year I have been in utter disbelief. It feels like 2007 is not real. I mean, looking back on it, this year has been full of adventure and holy god a lot of traveling, but there are parts of me that wonder where the year went. Time is speeding up. We're already into our 5th week of school, that seems a bit crazy to me. Maybe it's just me, but 2007 has been a year going at 2,000 miles per hour. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, it's just a thing.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

I asked, and I recieved.

Today we went on our IP excursion to Detroit, it was great. But the thing that made me the happiest...I had apple cider for breakfast.

Friday, September 28, 2007

I'd like some apple cider please.

It's fall. The trees are changing, they sound crunchy in the wind. Some are even red already. I'm excited for the blanket of leaves on the ground. I love walking through the diag early in the morning before the leaf blowing idiots have come through to dispose of the wonderful, aromatic, colorful leaves. Sometime soon I'm going to Alber's Orchard out near my house, it's the greatest little orchard in the world (ok maybe that's an exageration). If anyone's interested in going with me just let me know.

I'm excited for the weather to finally turn from horrible and humid, to cool and crisp. It's my favorite time of year. This is the time that I feel most productive I think. Probably because I'm happiest. Last night I started one of my paintings for my senior project, and wow is it going to take a lot of work. Physical and mental. My arms, my neck and, surprisingly enough, my butt hurts. I think it would make more sense if you saw me painting one of them. So far it looks good, I hope that trend continues...of course.

I figured out recently that in the past year, I haven't lived in one place for more than three and a half months. This means, that mentally, I don't 'move' into any place. I think that this is part of the reason that I still haven't moved into my house really. I still don't have a dresser, my desk is still in boxes, and I'm rarely here. My clothes are everywhere, I haven't even opened my closet, which I should be using. I think I just feel like it's pointless because I'm only going to be here for a few months, when in fact, I will be here for much longer. I don't even know what most of my possesions are anymore. I haven't used most of them for nearly a year. Let alone do I know where any of them are. My life is becoming less and less organized, but in turn, less and less material based, which I don't mind so much. I have all this junk that I don't use, soon I will let it go forever. But maybe it's time to move in...

I watched TV the other day with Juliana, and the majority of the time I was frustrated. I think that I truly am done with TV. It's a pretty dumb thing now that I think about it, there's so much more out there. So much.

On Saturday we're going to Detroit, a trip for all the IP students. We're going to MoCAD and to the new Work gallery there. We're also going on a river boat tour. Oh and did I mention, it's all free for us? Anyone who didn't sign up for this is an idiot. Networking is key, so is having fun. I plan on doing both.

Pretty much I've been doing lots and lots of stuffs. Busy forever I will be. I'm glad for it too. I like being busy, it's much better than being bored.

One thing that's been frustrating me recently is the fact that I keep speaking in the third person, and sound like an idiot. I don't know where it came from nor do I know how to get rid of it. Help?

Friday, September 21, 2007

I might be crazy.

I might be crazy to do this.

Maybe.

I'm not sure.

Yes. No.

See?

What is a map really?

For my senior thesis/IP/extravaganza I'm mapping out the population of Ann Arbor through a formulaic way of painting. Got it? Good.


Tomorrow, I'm mapping the Farmer's Market.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Planes, Trains and Automobiles?

So over the past week or so I have been mulling over a few things. IP is getting more intense, even as I write this. However, it's a good intense. I'm finally working out the kinks in my project and I think I'm going to be able to really get started on it this Saturday. Work has been interesting. We're calling the art school contacts right now, and I have been doing most of the calling, I mean, it makes sense. Anywho, I've kind of been networking from it...I've given some people John Luther's (career planning expert extroardinare at the art school) email so they can be contacts for future members of the real world (e.g. myself). And, since one alumni is matching every donation that alumni give 5:1, they've actually been more willing to donate. Sooo, I've raised a lot of money for my school, weeeee. I've just bought the Planet Earth series on DVD because I didn't get to see them for I was not in the country when they aired. So far it's totally been worth the money I dropped on them. I've been watching them slightly too often, distracting me from the work I should be doing. But hey, at least I'm learning right? Yes? I've got some random thoughts:

Elephants are amazing, I've decided they're my favorite.
I don't enjoy still lifes, I've done too many of them.
I do not plan on watching TV, maybe ever again.
My hairs are growing extremely long.
I'm going to apply for as much funding as I can to get back to Ireland after I graduate.
I don't know how long I want to be gone, could be a month, could be 5 years.
Thanksgiving is still my favorite holiday (don't ask me where that one came from).
I work best when I have a lot of responsibilities.
Maybe I'll work with paint, maybe I'll work with photography, maybe I'll get a real job, maybe I'll live my life as it comes...who knows?

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Rogue Wave

I just saw the Rogue Wave/Feist show. It was AMAZING, with extra ZING. Rogue Wave is wonderful live, there's really a lot of depth to what they can do. I am for surely impressed with their skills. Still, Zach Rogue is my hero and my secret (but not so secret as of now) celebrity crush, mostly because of his voice.

Feist was her amazing wonderful self too. She holds so much power on the stage, and boy can that girl sing. Funny thing about the show was that once Rogue Wave was done and done, I figured out that I had been more excited to see them than Feist. They are my favorite. But I'm so glad I got to see Feist.

Oh did I mention that Spencer got me all of Rogue Wave's autographs? Yeah that's effing awesome. Yay for big brothers in high places. That may have made me happiest of all.

Good day, and more to come.

Friday, September 14, 2007

Only way to go is up.

Last night, I talked a while about everything going on in my head with Juliana, and slowly pulled out of the freakout. Definitly feeling better today, but still have all these things on my mind. Now, though, I'm trying to think about it all logically. I talked with Joe today and feel better as well. But at the same time, made me want to take him up on the offer of staying in his house, now all I need is a plane ticket. I'm going to try and take this one day at a time. Balance out my life, and live it to it's fullest, without stressing too much.

Fall is coming, I see it in the trees and feel it in the air. I am getting excited for that. I think I'll focus on the good things about being here for now. It's almost time for apple orchards. Let's plan an excursion.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

More downfall.

I can't explain how much I miss Ireland. I know even if I try, nobody will understand.

With fall comes my downfall...

Now, I know I have been back in the US for three and a half months, but it wasn't until I started school again until I realized that life really had gone on without me. I had been prepared for coming back to a new a different place when returning home, and yes I did have some problems with the return, but nothing too big. I thought to myself, neat, I didn't have to deal with reverse culture shock. WRONG! Totally wrong. I thought that I was impervious the the effects because I had been traveling and experiencing many different cultures all being blasted in my face for so long, that the States was just another one of those simple adjustments. I didn't realize that it was going to take so so long for it to settle in. This summer was OK, I came back, Ann Arbor was it's small self (in summer standards) and I didn't have to deal with all the people. During move in week, I was completely surprised and overwhelmed by how many students were here. I am and will always be used to walking past cows on the way to school, not thousands of people I don't know.

That's issue number one. Until being back in classes, and with my friends again, I didn't understand the fact that life really had moved on. We're the head honchos in the school now, there is no one older than is, the seniors, in my mind, just disappeared. The last thing I remember is them freaking out because it was half way through the year and many had not started working quite yet. That's my last memory of the class of 2007. Sad right? I don't know anything about the senior projects they ended up accomplishing, I don't know how they were displayed, I don't know where the majority of them are at this moment. Also, coming upon this realization that life had changed, I noticed that all my friends had changed and moved on as well. Nobody, myself included, was/is the same as they used to be. The dynamics in the school have changed, and in the friendships I hold dear as well. I am mixed up, emotionally and pretty much in every other aspect of school life. The campus has changed, the people have changed, I have changed. Why could I not see this coming, even after everyone said it would? This has hit me especially hard.

That's issue number two. Now, today was the first lecture series (Penny Stamps at least, we had some form of it in Ireland) that I have been to since December. I have been excited for a long time to see the lecture series again, odd yes, but not really. I used to despise them, but mostly because of the extra work we had to do with them, but now that it's just listening to great lectures, I love 'em. Before it started, I pretty much had a meltdown. I'm finally coming to the realization that I am a senior in college, about to embark on life, and I have no effing clue what I want to do. I am continuously changing my mind, nothing stays put for more than a few days. I don't think I have what it takes to survive in the so-called 'real world'. What am I going to do? Everything is becoming a last for me. I did this in Ireland as well, the last time we had class, the last walk up to the school, the last time we would all be together in Ireland. I play games in my head, but mind you, none of these games are fun, the always give me anxiety. This is exactly what I am doing now. I won't ever have another first day of school. I won't every have another first football game of the season. I won't ever move into a place again, only intending on staying for the school year. My life seems to be falling apart at every seam and particle. I have NO idea what to do. I almost had a panic attack in the lecture before it even started. Tiffany had to calm me down. I don't have panic attacks ever really even, so it's strange that is has been happening every more frequently. I am growing up. When did that happen?

Something that everyone must understand is that when I was little, I only viewed myself through the age of about 18. I knew who I wanted to be when in middle school and in high school as well. I never thought of myself out of high school. So when it came time for college, I was a little less prepared, but prepared all the same. I have lived the past few years in a slight fog, knowing slightly what I wanted to do and who I wanted to be, but never exactly planned out like I had done with the first 18 years of my life. Now that the giant unknown abyss of life is approaching ever so quickly, I don't have the slightest notion of what I want to do. It scares me. I am scared. How am I supposed to live my life when I have no idea at all who I want to be? What is going to happen to the friendships I have made these years in college. I know that not all of them will continue, it's impossible to think they would. But how am I to choose who is important enough to try to remain friends with? I feel sick just thinking about this. I don't want to lose contact. I want to put the rewind button on repeat. These have been some amazing years of my life. I have grown up so much, and wouldn't change anything for the world, because I love who I am, and what I have done. Of course there have been things that I wish hadn't happened, but, if they hadn't happened, I wouldn't be where I am today. I don't want things to change. I don't want to go back to hating life. I don't want to go back to who I was without these people. I can't stop this mindset that I am in. Everything is the last. Nothing is new. I feel dizzy thinking about life. What is life, why do we stride for what we do? Why did I go to art school? Have I screwed myself royally? There are so many things I need to talk about. I need the time to voice what is occuring in my brain. I need someone to speak at.

All in all, I truly wish I was back in Ireland. I can't help but think this all the time. I really badly don't want to be in the US, the only thing that is keeping me here is my family. I can say that yes, friends are keeping me here as well, but they are less perminant. My family has always and will always be there for me, that's why I think it's so hard for me to let go of them. I do really feel the need to go back to Ireland and live there. I don't know for how long, and I don't know when I will be able to go back, but I want to live there. Everything about it makes me smile. The people, the culture, the life, the time, the landscape, the words. I don't want to go back, I need to go back. I think I left my time there unfinished. Who knows. All I know is that, the best time of my life was spent in Ireland, especially in the Burren. It's a separation from the world, it is it's own place. I truly need to go back. I think that once I graduate, I will work to save money to go back to Ireland, this is my goal. I am setting this goal as I write this, it's a new thought, and I swear I will live by it.

In the near future, I need people to be there for me, I need to be able to rely on my friends. I need to make art, I need to get everything off of my chest. I need to be more vocal with what I want, and what I have problems with. I need to be myself. But can't I just go back in time?

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Back in Ireland...and then the flight home.

I got into Rosslare in the morning. It's in the southern part of Ireland, so I still had a long way to go to get back to Ballyvaughan. I caught the train to Dublin which was probably one of the best train rides ever, mainly because of the view, it ran up the coast most of the way, but also because I was just plain excited to be back in Ireland. Once in Dublin, I only had about 45 minutes to get to my train to Galway. I regret not being able to go back to Dublin more, even though it's not the greatest city, I just didn't get to do all the things I wanted to. Anyways, I got to the train to Galway and was off. Back home. Excited and nervous. I was constantly worried that the only reason I liked Ballyvaughan was because of the experience at the time and the people who I was with. Alas, this was not the case, Ballyvaughan has a special place in my heart. When I got back to Galway, I had to call Joe to come pick me up because the last (only) bus to Ballyvuaghan had already left. It was greatly cold, something I was not used to anymore, and did not have enough clothes to keep me warm. I got back to Ballyvaughan pooped, but so excited.

The next day we all went to the Cliffs of Moher (third trip for me) because Oscar would be going on a school tour for a few days, family time (I was an honorary member) was essential. It was so windy, but lots and lots of fun. I missed Gwen and Joe and the kids a lot, still do. That night I went to see Meg and Danny. I went over for dinner and it was yummy. It was good just hanging out reminiscing with people and letting them know about my travels. We then went to one of the pubs, Hyland's to be exact, and met some of the new students attending the school. It wasn't as weird as I expected it to be. It wasn't even that weird seeing people living in our house. I just kind of accepted it I guess. Well I had too many drinks, had to use the bathroom, ran back to the house (for the pub had just closed), tried to get into the house, couldn't figure out the lock (stupid Irish doors, they defeat me so), had to go back with Meg to her house, and I think my bladder almost exploded, for cereal. Anyways, I wasn't able to get the door open at the house so I had to stay with Meg. Which was fine. I only got a few hours of sleep but that's how I was the whole time I was traveling, going going going on not much sleep.


The family (plus me) minus Gwen.


The family (plus me) minus Oscar


It was only kind of windy.


I absolutly love this picture.


Meg and I on the end of the pier.

I got up, went back to the house, tried to get in and failed again. I had to walk up to the school to see what Gwen and Joe were up to, which was completely fine with me. The walk was nostalgic, even though a lot had changed. The walls were completely covered with green leafy plants and the trees had become full themselves. Once I got back up to the school I walked around, found Joe, talked for a bit, found Gwen talked for a bit, found Robert, silly silly man, talked for a bit, then waited around until Joe went back to the house. He gave me a lesson on opening the door, and then we just relaxed. I went with him to pick up Jasper and then we all went back to the house and made dinner. Over all it was a slow day, good though.


Joe and I.


Joe doing 'Blue Steel'.


Meg and I.


Danny decided it would be a good idea to do this, for some reason.


Michael and I, very tired, my last night, so very sad too.

My time in Ireland was slowly melting away, and progressivly I was getting more and more solemn. I hung around with people, had a great time, and the last day held saddness but was all in all very wonderful. I had everything packed up and did all the lose end things that I had wanted to get done. Oscar came back from his school tour and we had a great dinner, then watched a movie. After the movie was over I went to hang out at Meg's house again. We were up forever just hanging out. We went for a midnight drive around to see everything at night. We didn't get back in until about 3 something which at this time we could see the sun starting to peak through the dark sky. I slept for about 4 hours got up and found myself not wanting to say goodbye. Meg came over, she was going to go to the airport with me so I would have someone with me. We got in the taxi and the whole way to the airport I was secretly saying goodbye to the roads I had traveled so many times. At the airport I broke down and didn't want to go. I remembered back to what Gwen had told me earlier when I said I didn't want to go home. She said I didn't have to get on the plane, then as it was flying off, I would look off and say to myself, 'shit'. So I boarded the plane, which was a bit delayed. As we took off I saw the Cliffs, the Burren, and Ballyvaughan, for about a half hour I couldn't stop the tears from flowing. I was upset, and didn't want to come home. Once I landed in Boston after the long flight, I called my mom and told her that I didn't want to be here, and that I wanted to go back. I think I wouldn't have felt so bad if I had just been able to go straight back into Detroit and not have to hang around in America but not at home for so long. I made it home, and found myself at the complete opposite end of the terminal where the whole thing started. The long walk to baggage claim made me realize that it really was over. I saw my parents, got my bags, and we were off, back to the house I left 21 weeks to the day ago. My mom made me call my whole family to tell them I was back. They all were excited, but I was a bit apprehensive. I didn't want to have to deal with readjusting to America. To not being in Ireland. To not traveling. To having to deal with real life again. Slowly I aclimated back into my life here, and I do miss it there, but at the same time am glad to be back. To all that helped me on this endeavor, thank you.

*I will miss everything about Ireland.

Paris, Roscoff, and the Ferry...

Now, Paris was not a place that I had thought I would be able to go and did not really plan on it, however, due to not being able to make it all the way to the port I was ferrying from in one day, I just had to stop. Oh darn, got to take a pit stop in Paris. Too bad. Just KIDDING! I didn't get there until about 2 or so in the afternoon. I had booked my hostel already and it was in a really nice area of the city. Once I figured out the system of the Paris metro I was fine, though it did take some thinking. The stop was ever so close to the hostel making me very happy. I didn't have to search for too long. Once I got there I explored a bit. The hostel had one of the most amazing staircases I have every seen. It creaked and squeaked, and was old, but I thought it was so great.

Once I got all checked in I left immediately for the Louvre. I know that there are much better museums in Paris than the Louvre but I only had one day, one afternoon really, to get the things in that I've always wanted to see. I would have kicked myself for not going to the Louvre. So, I got there from the Metro which pops up right in the underbelly of the museum and walked in. I bought my ticket and went straight for the most famous pieces. I saw the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory and the Mona Lisa. Here's another place where there are people everywhere and so much to see. After the three big ones, I put on my headphones and just started to walk. Fast mind you, just looking and taking it all in. I found some places where there were barely any people, and it was fun kind of losing myself in the place. I in face have no idea where I was for the most part and that was fine with me. The museum was going to be closing at 6 so I left a bit before that. I went up through the new entrance in the giant glass pyramid and began my slow pace towards the Eiffel Tower.


The first part of Paris that I saw, the metro.


Outside the Louvre.

I just meandered through the wonderful streets towards the giant beacon, obviously I did not need a map. I got to the tower and got in line to get up to the top. Through the course of the line I saw a girl wearing the 2006 Michigan football t-shirt and everytime we passed each other in line kind of struck up a conversation. After about 45 minutes in line I got to go up the elevator to the second platform. This was not that interesting, there was a restaurant and some shops, that's all really. I just wanted to get up to the top so I hopped in line for the elevator. Once in the elevator, I got a bit shoved up against the back of it, only realizing that it was another door made of glass when the world fell out from beneath me. I could have had a heart attack had I had heart problems. It was like riding a roller coaster. My stomach got all fluttery I felt like I would be falling at any moment. It was a long ride too, or at least it felt like it. Once at the top I went out onto the viewing platform and that's when I realized, the city of Paris is not discernable unless you can SEE the Eiffel Tower. Therefore I did not take many pictures. It was still worth the experience of it all. It took a while but I finally got down onto the ground again, made my way back to the hostel and went to sleep. I was completely beat and had to get up early to make my train to Roscoff. It's so fun to tell people, oh yeah, I went to Paris, but I was only there a night. It's like passing through a small town in Michigan on a road trip, just no biggy.


That's me in front of the Eiffel Tower


And that's me on the Eiffel Tower.

The next morning, I checked out really early, got to the train station, which was luckily on the same metro line as my hostel. The train I was riding was a TGV, which I don't know what stands for, but it goes really fast, like upwards of 200 miles an hour or something like that. It's also a very nice train compared to some of the things that I was on. Well this day was the first day in the entire time I was traveling that it started to sprinkle and even rain. Surprisingly enough I was very happy to see this. Sun for over a month is nice sure, but I'm too used to Michigan and Ireland weather. I also finally got use of the sweatshirt that I brought with me. When I was in Athens I could not figure out why I had it, but by this time, I completely appreciated the warmth. On the train I just watched the scenery go by. I think I would have liked the northern part of France better than the south. It was much more, I don't know, cozy. Smaller, less trouisty, more the place for me. I saw a field of artichokes growing, which surprised me, I wasn't even sure if they were artichokes. Apparently they were. Once I got up to Roscoff, the port where ferries head back to Ireland leave from, I had to walk and find my way through the town to the water. The town reminded me a lot of Ireland, it was quiet, small, and raining. The only big difference was that no one was speaking English. Well I had to wait around for a few hours, so I took my time, mostly just sat and read, this time I was reading Frankenstein. We departed, and my heart jumped, I was on my way back to home, well my second home that is. I was in such a good mood.

This ferry was much better than the Greek one. There was actually a bunch of stuff to do. I watched a few movies, they had shows and such going on, and everyone was speaking English. And not just any old English, Irish accented English. I was so glad to hear the accent again. You know how you don't know that you miss something until it randomly comes back into your life? Well apparently the Irish acccent is that for me. This time it was much easier to sleep. There were these lounge like chairs that leaned back, almost like a bed. It was very cold but I slept pretty well. I was so excited to get back to Ireland, I cannot even explain the joy.


Yay, it's gray out. On the ferry.

*A few things I will miss about Paris: The art, the architecture, the city in general, and the fact that I barely got to see any of it.

*A few things I will miss about Northern France: Mostly just the fact that I didn't get to see much of it.

*A few things I will miss about the Ferry: Again, there's not much about the ferry I will miss.

Switzerland...

I was to meet Miranda (a friend from home who was studying in Sierre, Switzerland) in Milan for she was in Barcelona and flying back that night. I got to Milan from Nice successfully and fine. I liked the idea of being back in Italy, but knew I could not stay for long. I waited and waited for Miranda, and finally she showed up right before the last train we could have gotten on left. We booked it, I almost lost my phone, and we made it. This is the train where she recieved a SIM card from some random Italian kid, and we do not know why he left it with her. My theory is that he was a pimp, but that's just me. We got to the border of Switzerland and Italy near to 12:30 or so in the morning. The next train into Brig, where we needed to go to get to Sierre did not leave until around 4 something in the morning...we had a long time to wait. It was great being with someone I knew again. We could talk about things that did not involve small talk about where we came from or what we're doing in Europe. It was wonderful, that's all I can say. When traveling by yourself, there are things that are great about it, but other things that are not so good, like the fact that you're always by yourself. I mean there are always people in the hostels that are in the same boat as you and need a walking companion, but it's not the same as having a friend that you know from home. I like it but at the same time I don't. It's hard being by yourself for so long. Anyways, we had a good time staying up, eventually fallin asleep in intervals waiting for the train. The train finally came and we got on, attempting to not fall asleep. We got to Brig, and jumped onto the train to Sierre, which was only about 20 minutes away. We finally got in, just as the sun started to come up and as the birds popped out of their cozy nests. This is when we were going to sleep, right when everyone else was going to wake up. All around it was a funny night/morning.


This is the view out Miranda's window. Jealous much?

The next day, or rather, later that day when we woke up, we got some food. Walked around Sierre, which by the way is a wonderful little town. Miranda had a very similar experience as I, she was in a smallish town (Ballyvaughan was much smaller), in a valley (not quite the same as the Burren, seeing as she was in the Swiss Alps), and she felt like it was a big change from UofM. We did a bit of shopping and what-not, then I made us dinner and we just hung out. I was in awe of the huge mountains around us, and extremely excited to see the snow on the tips. It was pretty much the only snow I've seen for a long time. The next day I followed Miranda up to the school after walking around through the streets. I waited for her to get done with her French class just taking it all in. Again, I was relaxing. That night we made yummy dinner, watched a movie and went to sleep. In the morning I unfortunatly had to be off. I wish I could have stayed longer it would have been great, Switzerland was amazing and I regret not staying for longer, but it's one of those places that I need to go back to. The train ride was so beautiful, mountains everywhere, and pristine wonderfulness at every curve. However, sad as I was to leave, I was off to Paris.


Miranda and I walking around Sierre.


I love this town!

*A few things I will miss about Switzerland: The mountains, the snow, the towns, the people, the languages, the currency (swiss francs are amazing, the notes at least) and how cheap everything seemed to be.

Nice, Antibes and Cannes...

From Italy I decided to head to the South of France to take a mini break from all the hustle and bustle of traveling. It was starting to get to me if you couldn't tell from what occured in Rome and Pisa. It was a long train journey, stopping in Genoa for a few hours. I wish I had been able to go somewhere in Northern Italy now that I think about it. It was beautiful up there, all covered in green lush mountains and the architecture was wonderful too. However, alas, I was on my way to France. I had booked a hostel in Nice for I think six or so days. When I arrived in Nice, again, I saw someone I know. She had been in one of my classes in the Fall Semester this past year and it was totally strange. We said hi to each other, talked for a bit in the train station then parted ways. Side-note, when I got back into Ann Arbor, I saw her walking down the street, and I think that this was stranger than seeing her in Nice. I don't know why, maybe it's because I realized how weird it was to see her in Nice. Back to France. I got to the Hostel which was kind of a ways out of the city center and on a huge hill over looking the city and the Mediterranean. It was actually pretty nice. They had dinner every night, really good meals too. There were a lot of people there, the place was huge. It also used to be a monastary so the place where the bar was, of course, used to be the chapel, and it still held that name. I thought it was a bit of an oxymoron. That night I just kind of hung out around, the air was cool, but warm and it was calm. Good place for me to be at the time. The room that I had to sleep in was with 12 other people, but luckily I was so tired it didn't even matter.


View from my room in the hostel.

The next day I had decided was a day to myself. I did this a lot when I was at this hostel. I didn't do much when I was there, mostly because it wasn't that interesting to me. That day I read Treasure Island, random I know, but hey, I've always wanted to read it. I took naps, just relaxed, and did what I wanted to do. There were barely any people in the place during the day so it was even more peaceful. It was actually reasonably cheap for how resort-like it was. I hadn't done my laundry since I was in Athens so I had to get that done. This place though, won't actually let you do your own laundry, they do it for you. I didn't complain. However, they did lose one of my sock, but that's kind of cool, my sock's still in France. Over all I had a relaxing day. I met these two girls that night from Ottowa, Ontario (they spoke French, it made it easier for me) and they told me they were planning on going to the beach the next day, and invited me along. So the following day I left with them to Antibes on the train. Now Antibes has a wonderful vibe, it was so great. We walked along the water, past the port, past the mideival part of the city, past the crystal blue water, and onto the beach. This is where I went swimming in the Mediterranean. It was warm and so clear. I haven't really seen water so blue in my life, there was a full spectrum of blue. It was amazing. The beach was wonderfully sandy too. The day was great, but again, I did get a sunburn...the whole time I did not have any sun screen. After this time I decided to get some for myself. Luckily the hostel sold it for cheap comparativly. Everywhere there sun screen is unreasonably expensive. Something that would cost like maybe $3 here, costs about 13 euro there. It's insane. I don't really get it, but at the hostel it was only 5 euro. It was the one thing that I didn't really pack when I was coming to Ireland because, well firstly it was winter, not summer and it was Ireland, not the place you think you need sun screen for.


Beach in Antibes, yes that's where I swam.


You can see the French Alps in the background, really far off, do you see them?

Anyways, I again took a day off and did absoposolutly nothing. The next day I went to Cannes with a girl that had just studied in Spain and her mother. The world famous Cannes Film Festival was going on at the time, and I do admit the only reason I really went was to try and see someone famous. What I discovered was a truly expensive resort town, filled with people that had the same intentions as I and that it wasn't as interesting as I had hoped. I did see some famous people though, so the trip was worth it. I saw Diane Lane, Bai Ling, and Norah Jones. There were others but mostly they were French and I had no idea who they were. Anywho, 'nough said about Cannes, I would suggest going during the film fest just to say you've been there, or if you become a millionaire, then it's the place for you.


Red carpet at the film festival.

Pretty much the rest of my time in Nice was me just hanging out. I didn't do much. Now I wish I had only spent a few days there and gone on to Spain instead, but alas, I was not being smart. This would have been much better in my opinion, but at least I got to relax and regain my senses before heading back into the mindset of traveling. Miranda and Switzerland are where my next adventures took me.

*A few things I will miss about the South of France: The weather, the blue blue water, the buildings, and the relaxing time I had.

Rome and Pisa...

The trek into Rome was really exciting for me. I have always wanted to go there because I find its history so amazing and grand. I found my hostel pretty easily. It was a ways out, in a student neighborhood, but it was quiet and nice. There was a courtyard which was a great place to hang out at night. I decided to stay in for a bit because I had booked the hostel for nearly a week. I hung out in the hostel, met a few people. I went to the grocery store to stock up on food, which was nice. It's always funny shopping in a foreign country. The pasta was fresh and the wine was dirt cheap. I made dinner at the hostel and relaxed. This by the way was the most international hostel I stayed in. There were people there from all over, it was great to all mesh together.

Anywho, the next day I planned out as my tour Bernini day. I started by going to the Galleria Borghese which is where some of the pieces that I had been totally and completely excited to see for the longest time. It was a difficult place to find because it was in a huge park that is in the middle of the city, but once I found it I found out that they were sold out until Sunday on tickets. So, disappointed as I was, I got a ticket for Monday. I had some time to kill because I had intended to be visiting Bernini so I found a zoo in the park that I was in. I think I am probably one of the only people in the world that would go to Rome and proceed to go to the zoo. I don't know. It was fun, and I noticed the difference between American zoos and foreign zoos. I don't claim to be the expert seeing as I've only been to one foreign zoo, but I am allowed to make assumptions. It was getting to be mid-day and It was getting hot. I tried to find shade wherever I went, but eventually I had to just overcome the blasting heat. I walked around the city finding little holes in the wall, and random city squares where Bernini sculptures reside. It was actually pretty awesome and great seeing parts of the city I would not have otherwise. I also went to the Trevi Fountain which is where, I figure out, every tourist is. All at the same time. Or so it seems. There are just people everywhere, and when I say everywhere, I mean it. HUGE crowds, and probably one of the best places to people watch on the planet. It was great sitting there listening to the different languages, watching all of the pictures being taken, and seeing everyone so happy with themselves. It was a good place to end my journey for the day.


The Galleria Borghese.


The elephant says CIAO!


Bernini's Ecstasy of St. Teresa.


Me in front of the Trevi Fountain.

On the following day I planned on doing one of those cityseeing, hop on/hop off bus tours, the ones with the double deckers. I had never done one in a country that did not speak english, so I was unsure on how they were going to treat the situation, but they did it remarkably well. Everyone gets a set of headphones on the way onto the bus, then you plug it into the jack in front of your seat, and tune to the channel that is of the language you speak. WONDERFUL. I got to see some great places on the tour too. We went past the place where Julius Caesar was murdered, drove by the Colosseum, and under the walls of the ancient city. All around it was amazing. I hopped off at the Colosseum to do a tour of it. I heard from the girl that I stayed with in Venice to do the English tour that sounds sketchy but in fact is not sketchy at all. We got to skip the line and recieved much valuable information on the huge and ancient structure. I can't explain how huge it is once you're inside. Seriously, again, it's just one of those things that you have to see for yourself. I found out through the same tour group that I had a free tour of the Palatine Hill which is the place where the whole city started. It's right next to the Colosseum and it's got some pretty amazing structures for itself. There's a huge palace (all in ruins of course), Mousolini's villa, the foot off of a huge statue (all that's left) and the supposed hut location of Rome's founder, Romulus. All in all it was well worth it. The exit of the hill comes straight out into the Roman Forum which is apparently where every Roman has walked...that's a lot of history. It's mostly just ruins, again with the ruins, but still awe inspiring. The day was hot, and I got very sunburned, so it was time for me to turn in.


This is where Caesar died.


Inside the Colosseum.


The Roman Forum.


Outside the Colosseum.

This new day was going to be a fun day I decided. I was going to take a nice day trip to Pisa where I was going to see the leaning tower. I got to the train station, got my ticket to Pisa and found the train to be delayed. Now, I have not really mentioned it yet, but trains in Italy are, well, hard to get used to...especially when you don't speak Italian. I was standing there, waiting for the train that said 'Pisa' which had a 30 minute delay. I waited and waited, then at the last second realized that the train I needed to get on was in fact the one that said 'Torino' for it would be stopping in Pisa. I ran, but it was too late, my train had departed and I had to hastily speedwalk to the other train platform to see if I could still ride the next train. I was able, but soon realized after I got on the train that it was taking a very very long time. It in fact took me nearly five hours to get from Rome to Pisa which on the other train would have only taken about two. Upset as I was, I just went with the flow, the scenery was nice. I get to Pisa and book my return train just to make sure I have a seat. I had to get one that would put me back in Rome at a decent hour. I wandered around for a bit trying to figure out how to get to the tower, finally found the bus stop, could not figure out where to get the ticket, figured it out, got on the bus, got to the tower, only to find out that I would not be able to go up into the tower because it was sold out until after I had to leave. Livid, upset, angry...I just wanted to leave. I hung around for a while, tried to go into the Cathedral, found out that you had to pay for that as well, that's not right. Whatever, bad day, bad idea. Oh yeah, and the tower's not much to see anyways, it looks like it does in all the pictures, and I don't think it's worth seeing in real life. However, I do know now that if I had not gone to see it I would have kicked myself. I finally left Pisa, fuming from how the day turned out. I got back to Rome just before the sun started to set, got on the bus which was completely packed and i was totally squished in. At my stop I had to push and shove my way through to get out. As the bus pulled away towards the stoplight, I realized that my phone had dropped out of my pocket when I was exiting the bus. I FREAKED out. I ran up to the door of the bus, banging on it, praying that the bus driver would open the door. As I was doing this I was trying to explain that I had lost my phone. Some kindly person then proceeded to hand it to me out the window, saving my sanity and life. My heart was racing, but luckily I was not completely screwed. I got back to the hostel, ate some pizza, calmed down and went to sleep, excited for the next day, glad that this one was over.


The tower that leans exactly the same if you see it in real life or on a post card.

I woke up extra early to get to Vatican City, and again, went through the same tour group that did the Colosseum, which meant again, that we got to bipass the huge line into the museums. Now, here's something else I can't explain for you must go there yourself, but I will attempt to speak of a few things. It is huge and completely confusing. There is so much in there I can't even remember most of it. The pieces that you go to see are all that really stick out, like some of Rafael's work and what not. The Sistine Chapel is great, but completely packed with people, and guards shushing people left and right. There's also the recorded man telling people off every 5 minutes or so for taking pictures and talking, the recording is much longer however because it is read in many languages. St. Peter's Basilica is pretty awe inspiring in itself. It's huge, and again, full of people. The statue of St. Peter is made of bronze and apparently you're supposed to rub his toes for good luck, and after hundreds of years of people rubbing his toes, they have completely worn off. That's amazing in itself. There's a lot of Bernini's work in there too, which was exciting to see. Michaelangelo's Pieta is behind bullet proof glass making it seem more like a diarama than a piece of art. The square outside is not in fact a square, it is an oval, and huge. And the end of the tour is mostly anti-climactic. I wish I could have seen Vatican City's secrets, I think that would have been better. After this I was to go back to the Galleria Borghese to see the sculptures I had waited so long to see. I got there a bit early so walked around for a while, then when I reached the Galleria, I found the doors to be closed and locked with a sign that said it was not going to be open. I FREAKED again. Actually, I started crying. I had my mom call me because I was so upset. I found out that the management of the place decided to sell people tickets for Monday, but then could not follow through with staffing the place for Monday and closed it. I was frustrated and upset, so upset that my feelings about traveling completely changed. I wanted to go home as bad as ever. I did not get to see the one thing in Rome that I had truly been excited about, and I just wanted to go home. I did not get my money back and since I was leaving the next morning, there was no way for me to see it. The worst day so far, even worse than the stupid Pisa thing. However, once I calmed down and got back to my Hostel, I hung around with some people and we just talked, ate and drank the night away. There was this trio from Slovenia, and ps, Slovenian wine is great, if you ever get your hands on some, you will be lucky. I ended the day on a good note. The next day I would be leaving Italy after a long stint, and trudging on to the South of France.


Michaelangelo's Pieta.


St. Peter's Basillica.

*A few things I will miss about Rome: The history that's at every turn, the architecture, the smell of the metro (I know that's a weird one but hey), the flowers along the street leadig to my hostel, the people I met while in the hostel.

*A few things I will miss about Pisa: NOTHING!

*A few things I will miss about Italy: The food, the people, the gelato, the atmosphere, the fields and fields of poppies, the art, the language, and the history.

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Florence...

The next morning I headed out pretty early to get to Florence. Looking back I wish I could have spent a bit more time in Venice, but hey, that's in the past. Anyway, on to Florence I went, the train ride was beautiful. I completely understand why Italian painters paint what they do, it's because that's what they see.

Once I got to Florence, I wandered around for about an hour or so because I could not for the life of me find the hostel. I was starting to get really frustrated because people kept telling me to go the wrong way, but I finally got there. Also, I must mention that the people of Florence are rude in my standards, but I understand it's a cultural difference. If you walk down the street, which are already very tight, they will not move over, they'd rather run into you than move to let you by. This made me more frustrated. By the time I found my hostel I was not in a good mood, so I decided to stay there for the night. I met this English girl in the hostel and we went out to dinner where we ate how the Italians do. First they start out with a pasta dish, then move onto the meat and vegitable course, then dessert, and to top it all off you have a shot of this lemony pineapple thing. It was an interesting meal. After this I went back to the hostel to sleep.

The next day, I had decided that I was going to go to the Academia where Michaelangelo's David stands. I had to wait in line for about an hour. The line is squished down one of the streets along this amazing wall. Everyone for many years past have written all over it, graffiti really, but great graffiti. Most said either where they were from or how long they had been in line. Lots were in languages and characters I could not read. There was also a lot of gum stuck all over the walls, which I tried my hardest to avoid. When I was near the front of the line I saw one of my professors from back at Michigan, who I had happened to think about earlier because we had discussed Michaelangelo's David in his class. I went over to say hello, and we were both utterly surprised to see the other. Anyways, when I got into the museum I tried to look at everything in there and not just focus on getting to David. Too bad that's what ended up happening when I stepped into the room with the sculpture. I have been told many times before that the statue is huge, much bigger than you expect, and that it's exquiset, but I was getting slightly bored with seeing marble sculptures. I walked into the room, and saw the sculpture and my stomach quite literally dropped to the floor. It is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen before. I was totally mesmorized with it. I can't explain it but just think that everyone should go see it in their lifetimes if they have a chance. I didn't want to leave. But alas I had to.


This is a just part of the wall that I talked about.


This is the replica because you're not allowed to photograph the real one. I just want you to notice the people standing around it, as a scale of how large it is.

I then ventured out into the city, which I must say I was not very fond of. There were people everywhere and I have already discussed how rude most of them were. Florence has nice things to offer, but once you're in the buildings, not really outside, in my opinion. I decided to go to the Palazzo Vecchio to go on this secret rooms tour which was great. We got to see the interworkings of secret passages, rooms behind paintings, stairs that go nowhere, and rooms that seem to have no doors at all. I am glad that I chose to go here, it made me appreciate Florence more. This is also the place where the David originally stood guarding the doorway, but was moved and a replica replaced it. I decided to stop in a cathedral just because on my way back to the hostel. It was actually pretty amazing. It's directly across from the huge doors called the Gates of Paradise. That night I went to dinner again with the same English girl from the night before, it was great, then we decided to go out to a pub/bar somewhere, and where did we go? Of course, the only Irish Pub in town...HAH! It was funny, I was probably the most Irish person in there. Relaxing way to end it. I also found a wonderful bicycle bell on the ground and fully intend to equip my bike with the find. The next day I packed up and moved on to Rome.


This is from my secret rooms tour. There was a huge room filled with all these old maps, so I found Ireland of course.

*A few things I will miss about Florence: Michaelangelo's David, and the people that ran the hostel, they were probably the most friendly people I have every met.