Miss her already! (Taken with instagram)
Together again (Taken with instagram)
Cat in a bag (Taken with instagram)
FIGHT ON
“Be the change you wish to see in the world” - Mahatma Gandhi
Women are not equal to men in society, this is especially true in the media. To quote Dr. Stacy Smith “women are shown less often and almost four times more likely to be sexualized than men”. When did this become the norm? and why is nothing being done? I may get tired of entering data into excel day after day and sorting a hundred data files, but knowing that I am contributing to a documentary such as this one makes it 100% worthwhile. No matter what I do after college I will know that I spent my time well while I was here and helped to expose the inequalities for women in film.
“It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities”
Albus Dumbledore has taught me a lot about facing up to big decisions - there is a difference between being dragged into the arena to face a battle and walking into the arena with your head held high. I find that confidence in ones decision can determine whether or not it is a success. Whether it was moving to Spain without a job or taking an unpaid internship in Seattle with gas prices at almost $4, my decisions are representative of my priorities and my ambitions in life.
It may sound silly that a “children’s” story could mean so much to me but Harry Potter has always been more than a book. Throughout my childhood it has provided a sense of magic and imagination to the everyday. The same story that dazzled me when I was eleven brought me even greater joy on Monday when I went to a screening of Part 2 of the Deathly Hallows. It seemed only fitting that the books I read as a young girl would end in a film screening where I worked as a grown person.There must be some sort of poetic explanation such as the end meets the beginning - but in reality I was just excited to be there. The books are closed and the films have wrapped but life continues on and I will hold dear the memories, the magical inspiration and the wise words of Albus Dumbledore - Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
I would like to propose a toast to the past 6 months. To the fascinating and worldly people I have met and to the beautiful and inspiring places I have been. I have found lifelong friends and eaten meals that I will remember forever. Going home has never been so bittersweet.
January 6th: Welcome to London
A new city, new people, new adventures.
January 21st-23rd: Barcelona
Our first adventure outside of London. Our group hit some speed bumps (missing passports, finding Pension Mariluz down a dark and deserted alley, noise complaints because of all of our singing) but we managed to navigate our way through the city and found some great budget places to eat. Somehow we even got into the Sagrada Familia for free. We drank a lot of Sangria and stayed out at Razzmatazz until the metro opened, so overall it was a great success.
January 28th: Stonehenge and Bath
I will always remember how COLD this day was. January winds whipping down in that valley, it was brutal.
February 11th: Windsor Castle and Hampton Court
The State Rooms at Windsor Castle were breathtaking. I loved the plush red interiors with all of the gold leaf trim. It was so elegant and tasteful despite being a bit ostentatious. Hampton Court was also a fascinating place to visit, ghost stories and all.
February 18th-20th: Dublin
Despite overwhelming wind and rain, the trip to Dublin was far from ruined. The weather is of no consequence when people start drinking pints at 11am (sometimes earlier). All the history and controversy with Great Britain was fascinating and the Wicklow Mountains were gorgeous even under gray skies. Throw in a few pub crawls and I’d say we had a fantastic time.
February 25th: Oxford
The original college town.
March 4th-6th: Berlin
Possibly the most interesting city I have ever visited. History meets progression at every corner. Public opinion is splattered across the trains, walls, buildings and political activism is an everyday occurrence. I was surprised at how well we ate in Berlin and for very reasonable prices (pay what you think its worth?).
March 12th-13th: Milan
Duomo meet Lambrusco.
March 14th: Bologna
We ate Ragú for lunch and for dinner. Then got drunk in the park and ate pastries. Delicious.
March 15-17th: Florence
Stayed in a lovely little hotel by the river, ate the most wonderful Veal Osso Bucco and marveled at the wonders of Botticelli in the Uffizi, this is not real life.
March 18th-20th: Rome
Where we met Chazz (a 45 year old man in a love triangle with a beautiful linguist and the best pipe organist in the world), dined at Cacio e Pepe (like Carbonara with more pepper and less bacon) and braved the line at the Vatican Museum to see the breathtaking Sistine Chapel.
March 21st: Casserta/Naples
You see that long path behind me? well that wasn’t even halfway to the waterfall at the end. We couldn’t face walking all the way back so we paid 1 euro for the tram.
Eat. Pray. Pizza.
March 24th-28th: Paris
Post hotel fire Fred and I still rocked the Louvre.
March 31st-April 1st: Paris II
I spent 3 hours reading in the Jardin Luxembourg. At one point a guard with a whistle came through and made everyone get off the grass (luckily I had already scooped up a chair). He even made two ladies with babies leave. They are very serious about their grass.
April 7th-10th: Marrakesh
Want to buy a wedding carpet? I’d rather not spend my wedding night on a carpet on the floor but they are very beautiful, and fire proof!
April 15th-17th: Manchester
Ok so i don’t have any photos of Manchester…I was working the whole time and there isn’t a whole lot to see anyway.
April 18th-April 30th: Farewell London
It was with a heavy heart that I left London, but I have no doubt that I will be back. Every pint of cider I drink for the rest of my life I owe to this city as it is the origin of my obsession. Borough Market I miss you more than words can express.
May 1st-June 17th: Madrid
Just as I am getting to know you I have to say goodbye. But I have to say I am proud of what I have accomplished here. I came here with no job and no friends and managed to build myself a life. Not only has Madrid taught me about cañas and tapas but living in this city has taught me how to be completely independent. I learned how to apply for a abono joven, how to set up a Spanish phone, where to go for intercambios and what bujo to take to Las Tablas when the metro is closed. I will not receive any school credit for the 2 months I spent here but I learned more Spanish than any class could have taught me and made more international friendships than 4 months of study abroad in London. You just can’t put a price on life experience.
June 18th-20th: Lisbon
It’s gonna be 85 degrees all weekend. We’re staying 30 minutes from the beach. That’s all I need.
June 21st: Home
It’s been a long time coming but I have done and seen so much that there is really no going back.
Are you walking that kid or is that kid walking you?
Walking with Luciano is often like walking a dog. He stops constantly, pulls at plants, sticks his fingers in the dirt and is fascinated by all moving things. He often yells after cars and likes to leave his mark on bushes. And like so many dogs in Europe, I can’t put him on a leash. But he has his moments where he is sweet and charming. Usually if I stumble home in the early morning and he’s awake he runs over, gives me a big hug, and tries to convince me to play mario kart. I usually just head straight for bed but I appreciate the offer.
Fortunately he has decided to be good this week. And now that it’s hot I get to sit by the pool every afternoon and watch him swim with his churro (Americans might know it better as a noodle). Its a nice way to end my time here. There are a lot of things I won’t miss about taking care of a 6 year old Spanish boy and this experience has taught me that I am not even close to ready to care of a kid full time but I will miss his smiling little face when I get home from a late night.
Goya - Saturn Devouring His Son
According to the Greek myth Saturn was afraid of being overthrown by his sons so he devoured them.
I saw this painting today at the Museo del Prado. I stood in front of it for about 15 minutes. Something about the eyes, he looks so frightened. Driven to madness by his fear. I kinda wanted to buy the print but where do you put a picture of a man eating his children?
