NARNIA July 25, 2011
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we entered Oxford, Oxfordshire (is that its real name? really?)
and it was like entering our own secret world
group 2, being the best, of course
got our own place of sorts
in the “west campus” of Oxford
tucked away from the main parts of campus in the cozy wooded areas,
we have our own entrance and exit from campus
our own laundry corridor and 2-3 kitchens on every hall
its like our secret garden
our narnia.
its fantastical.
AND ON TOP OF THAT, as if there could be any more,
we have all of our own private rooms and bathrooms
its suberb
no airconditioning is needed here as the latitudinal coordinates align with that of northern Canada in America
so its a bit nippy in the later parts of the day
but its beautiful
Worcester is our college
We have a porters lodge, a buttery and a dining hall
which is Harry Potter Style
in which every person has to arrive to each by 530 or 630 or else you will not be served
delicious family styled meals are set up
complete with bread, salad, on trays and desserts for every dinner meal
its unreal
my classes…what classes?
Oh CS
the engineering class that I have to take
as a student of tech
but really, its kinda cool
like doing math papers to write a paper in a different language
is that possible?
DO YOU SPEAK PYTHON?
and my leadership class is the bomb
our teacher is chill and retired and has funny lectures on
how to lead and how to be
successful
My 2011 fourth of july and Harry Potter 7P2 experiences have been here
I cant wait for more, everyday every week and I will hold them dear
as memories
the best Ive ever had. Magic
CREPES in PARIS July 25, 2011
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So PARIS
was an amazing site to see
to romantic and fantastic
i didnt want to leave
…so perhaps i may go again before this summer ends
the light, the energy the french wine and flare
to a 3 miles run to the Eiffel Tower
the fashion and taste was amplified by the sophisticated art and grace
but really
the LOUVRE was insane
one of the most intimidating, fascinating and purely amazing things I have ever seen
we are students of art
and had to look for 11 specific pieces in this whirlwind of creation
it was astounding
awe-inspiring
and tiring
we were practically fighting for our lives in the big display rooms
art requires determination, stability, aggressiveness and tranquility
oxymoronic I know
seeing the Mona Lisa? I barely remember it was so small in the context of it all..
but it was tight
seeing MONETS water lillys was what was truly tranquil
and surreal
and unreal
and FOR REAL the coolest place I have ever been
take a gander
romantically enough, after being sushi stuffed
the boyfriend and I, cheap college students survived
the long
and painful
trek up the Eiffel tower on our 15 month anniversary
It was beautiful. and lit. scary just a bit. but amazing
IWANTTOANDNEEDTOGOBACK
Oxford Journey to DACHAU July 25, 2011
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what kind of sick world do we live in
Dachau
how
can you stand so proud
stable in the ground
safe and sound
when your history chokes the life out of man
see it if you can
is all art beautiful?
emaciation and entanglements
dominating over emancipation and settlement;
life and love?
what the heck is propaganda
and how does it have the power to take over the world
its absurd
the power of encapsulating art
it catalyzed, began and made
this thing start
buried humanity
led by insanity
cremation. degradation. starvation.
what is life
what is man
and why does he think he can
determine who lives and dies
whose race should arise
to supremacy
its disgusting
How is that beautiful and why is that art
what if I was born then
and there
I would never have had the chance to share
My heart my art and my life with world
how cant happiness and tolerance
And interracial love with pure benevolence
not be the art of life?
equality
that was intended for all
and suspended from the deemed small
people who have been victimized by cruelties against humanity
its not fair
natural art
organic love
relations and hope with the One above
is what all men are entitled to
What are you to define it for me
for us for them
and dont even pretend
that “work will set you free” was you real mantra and intent
For the Jews
For the minorities
anyone looked down upon as worthless by the superiority
who are you
we, everyman, has his own art to love
his own mind to make up
individuality and diversity
are beautifully complementary in our world
maybe not you or to your crew
but it’s true
Dachau what did you do
to history
tearing at the memorial
all these thoughts crashed into my reality
Making it hard to breathe
as i realized how blessed our generation is
Judgement isnt incognito
but at least we have the power to veto
blatant racism, discrimination and prejudice.
it still thrives in our world today
tainting human perspectives of one another
but at least its melting away
until its gone forever. one day
Dachau
You have a power over me
making me feel mad angry
But inspired and free
Simoltaneously
As we reflect on painful losses of the innocent
in such a socially cruel era
utter terror washes over us all
In essence
This is how I am
This is my stance
And I never plan on changing
I am history as are we all
So embrace it
Learn from it
But definitely dont retrace it
We all have our own canvases so let’s paint it
However
above all things
Dont let this cruelty ever happen again
TYPICAL TECHIES June 27, 2011
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Going the extra mile
is literally the lifestyle and mentality of a student at tech
there is no blowing off or what the hecks
i mean yea procrastination
tends to create and station
the night before a papers due in the lobby of a Viennese hotel
but thats besides the point
Extra Credit opportunities is like natural selection
the ones who choose to the accept are striving for perfection
and success in the class in the eyes of the teacher.
KNOWING THIS, professors layout bait
to see who hates
not being in the teachers good graces
The muzik man Ulrich, our professor of sorts
said “if you go to the Magic Flute Opera and write a report
you’ll be able to get extra CREDIT
getting a good grade without having to BET IT
will be phenomenal
Well little did we know about the night that laid ahead
We got on the subway and as a huge group of American students we were obviously
a target for profit
a random man whipped out an ID and started checking for our subway passes
casually
two of our extra credit crew was knocked out of the bus
with a 70 EURO fine to fuss about
HOW AWFUL
since exchange rates are like $1.5 to 1 EURO
that ID man was far from a hero. that blows
after that crazy mishap we somehow met up with the lost
and made it to the opera house
where we stood,stood, and stood in line for 4 EURO
STANDING SEATS which
is the BIGGEST oxymoron i have ever heard of
beacause after grabbing a quick HUGE hot dog that was the 2x the size of my puppy
we entered the opera in the standing section where we packed
and stacked and shacked like sardines.
sweating.sweating sweat. profusely. atrocity.
2.5 hours of standing tests ones physical and inner strenghth
is some extra points on a grade really worth this amount of stress and pain?
YES was of course our answers since Georgia Tech is what we affiliate
it was just great.
the show was though. for real. from what I saw on my tip toes in the far
back corner of the opera house.
THAT was an experience that proved that despite my dislike for maths and sciences that I truly
can be
TECHY
EUROPEAN REST STOPS June 27, 2011
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REST stops are like havens of grease
everywhere we go we have the pleasure of meeting
MCDONALDS or BK
I mean yea they are cool and better than at home
but come on I didnt come here to eat greasy food thats not authentic
WHO DO THEY THINK WE ARE?
AND on top of this greasy HELL
they put you in a spell
where you have to go to the bathroom. always.
those like money munchers they are.
they sit at the base of the stairs with a jar
open collecting pay
YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR KETCHUP AND FOR TOILETS HERE?
IS THERE ANYTHING NEAR AND DEAR AND SINCERE?
im baffled.
but wait. you think thats all
as you walk to the stall
BUT NO
its like airport security
customs check fury
hits you
WHY IS THIS SO INTENSE?
people get turned away because they cant PAY the steep 70 cents for the toiletten
its about survival.
and the arrival into the bathrooms of germany.
CUZ when you flush the
seat cushion
rotates and spins and rotates
its wierd but captivating
simple but complicating
and then you realize, that is what i paid for
who would have thunk…
What did the ITALIAN DOG say to the AMERICAN DOG? June 13, 2011
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BUT REALLY
there are so many dogs around this place its crazy. some with leashes some without. they have a mind and an agenda of their own.
they are all so well behaved.walking down the streets with zooming cars in the area.
there are no sidewalks either. so dogs roam
on their own. total independence, calmness. a level of sophistication that MOST american dogs I KNOW would not be able to handle.
and even the ones on leashes or carried in bags are at times set free. i guess this feeling of trust and liberation in the friendly pups inspires them to be well behaved.
ITALIAN DECORUM. even the dogs are sophisticated. fascinating.
VENICE WIFI June 11, 2011
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INTERNETS A WRECK hereeee
Which makes blogging and talking and communicating
issues that arent werent worth waiting
out in the streets of Italy, walking around in search of wi fi
Oh Wi Fi. how we take you for granted in the Great USA
where we can ALWAYS sign on to facebook just to say hey
or stalk our friends pictures. The American Life.
Americans In Italy from Georgia Tech-you wouldnt really expect
us to be studying art and music.
Arent we left brained nerds?
Surprising for some, releiving for most,
we are students that get to boast
about our fabulous adventures of Europe through which we expanded our artistic pallete
and appreciation.
In Florence-our phenomenal, intelligent, and humorously entertaining art professor
Dr. Pearsall
taught us the evolution of how the Judeo-Christian church came, saw, and conquered the world of western art.and expression.
Its interesting.
Such as the artistic movement of mannerism, which is my niche
capitalizes against the socio-political and scientific turmoil of the 1520s against the classical principles and NORMATIVE proportions of its predecessor, the High Renassiance
Now, that may sound like a bunch of mush at first. but listen. absorb. wonder
Thats what Pontormo did, the creator of one of the most renowned Florentine paintings: Deposition
which exudes a deeper understanding of anxiety by means of incredible distortion where the bodies of the people flow, and become the essence of one another
And then theres this other man Bologna who sculpted this awe inspiring Florentine sculpture known as the Abduction of the Sabine Women.
Linearity’s thrown out of the window and the work is dominated by a central, organic spiral and intertanglement and dependence.
Howdotheydoit?
THEN, of course, we studied the one and only master of distortion and perfection and amazement-MICHELANGELO
He sculpted these wierd figurines that may seem unfinished at first glance
but in reality, portray his theory of sculptures being born from the stone and it not being by chance
Genius.
He didnt stop there, and designed the 1524 Tomb for the one and only Giuliano de Medici
and mannerism is seen through the figurines
the distortion of the necks,and their focus on space and time
the Left base sculpture represents that of Night and death while the right is Day, you see
he knew exactly what he wanted to do.
Perseus and Madonna with the Long neck are more immense and intense works of the fabulous type of mannerist art
Then we went to ROME and low and behold
WE STUDIED AND VISTED elements of the Roman Empire.
It was more than inspiring
to see where and how and through what means concrete was made and utilized
WE SAW the Colesseum, the Vatican, and the Pantheon-WOW
triple threat of hugely Roman Influence.
WE STUDIED, central parts of Roman history such as the Arch of Titus and the Column of Trajen.
they represented pure and raw power. the work was unmatched.
By train, by bus, by BOAT we made our way to VENICE, our central hub for the time being-it is more than amazing here. to hear the sound of the local gondolas on the canals.
Its so tranquil and peaceful.
THOUGH the water in the canal is radioactive probably
turning you into some kind of a swamp monster you see. its scary.
totally polluted. not to mention that the city is currently on the brink
of sinking. into the water and vanishing forever.
But it is archaic and beautiful.
Today and yesterday were probably the longest days of the entire trip.
from 8am until 4pm with constant walking. and walking. and walking.
Hitting the highlights of the High art of the High Renaissance. Its amazing.
Isnt it intriguing? Captivating, moving and inspirating?
It makes me want to create and more and move the world now as a designer.
Just you wait..
dogs here are precious. they have an agenda of their own..lesuirely,casually.
they go in and out of stores like they are people. i love it and miss storm. and spice.
PUPPIESSS
I know this aint short and sweet. but I miss you peeps. keep it real in the A and hopefully ill be able to get on the internet more okkaykayykayyy!
FIRENZE June 3, 2011
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sooooo day 3 in FLORENCE and life is fabulous. the weather is superb which is awesome because it was suppose to rain ALL this week! im rooming with my girl lexi, and we have the BOMB room! it has a fridge and everything which is AWESOME because breakfasts here are huge and i can stock up on my MEAT! I love meat here yummm 
Since we are studying music and art, we have been to several museums in the past few days. no but really, we have been SERIOUSLY walking. like almost sprinting! Yesterday we walked a total of 10 miles! BUT ITS BEAUTIFUL and I LOVE IT HERE! AND of course I have already gotten my beautiful florentine scarves…now on to some nice leather SHOPPING DAY TOMORROW and we are seeing SWAN LAKE! I am beyond exicted
MISS YOU GUYS!
NO DAY BUT TODAY May 31, 2011
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TODAYTODAYTODAY
is the day that we finally depart
The fabulous city of FLORENCE is where we will start
And I plan to buy scarves and jewlry galore; perhaps some leather shoes, though i dont need anymore
Living for the moment. for the now. soaking up all that life has to offer.
Cultural tolerance. love. and art appreciations.and I CAN HARDLY WAIT
4:30 is check in THEN it will all begin; IS THIS THE REAL LIFE?
Yup, Ive been weighing my lugguage all day hoping that it doesnt weigh
More than 50 pounds. YIKES. packing was rough.
I cant wait to live simply. Hand washing clothes daily. is there a dryer?
Theres a clothes line wire.
Cutting out superfluous aspects of my life to see what its really like to be a nomad, to assimilate into cultures, and to be on my own without fabrications.ornamentations. decorations of my usual life.
The bare essentials. Im ready to grow. Im ready to learn. Im ready to embark on the most exciting 10 weeks of my life.
I starts here and now. Ill miss mi familia so much, no doubt.
but its time metamorphasize in the culturally differing eyes of Europe.
