~ K
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Week in Review: "The Color Moment" with Arthur Meyerson
Some of my best/favorites from the first week. :)
~ K
~ K
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Workshoppin'
Yes, I am still alive. :)
I've been working & shooting really hard. This week I am in Arthur Meyerson's "The Color Moment" workshop. We've discussed a lot about light, color, composition, and interesting things to try, such as: reflections, movement, silhouettes, shooting through things (i.e. fences, windows, etc.), and looking for gestures in both animate and inanimate objects. Some of this I already knew, some I didn't. To be honest, I can already see an improvement in my work in the past 3 days, which is exciting!
Yesterday we shot in Albuquerque. Tonight I am shooting at a small-town rodeo & carnival - which should be a lot of fun and great for getting in lots of color...since that *is* the focus of the class. Afterwards, our class is going over to Arthur's casita for pizza and a slideshow. Should be lots of fun - we have a good group of students.
~ Katie
I've been working & shooting really hard. This week I am in Arthur Meyerson's "The Color Moment" workshop. We've discussed a lot about light, color, composition, and interesting things to try, such as: reflections, movement, silhouettes, shooting through things (i.e. fences, windows, etc.), and looking for gestures in both animate and inanimate objects. Some of this I already knew, some I didn't. To be honest, I can already see an improvement in my work in the past 3 days, which is exciting!
Yesterday we shot in Albuquerque. Tonight I am shooting at a small-town rodeo & carnival - which should be a lot of fun and great for getting in lots of color...since that *is* the focus of the class. Afterwards, our class is going over to Arthur's casita for pizza and a slideshow. Should be lots of fun - we have a good group of students.
~ Katie
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Language Lesson
Megan and I had the lovely task of painting 6 picnic tables this afternoon, which took much longer than expected. What really made my day was: while painting, a couple of Mexican men doing labor for the IHM retreat center stopped to talk to us.
One asked if we spoke any Spanish. We both spoke some, Megan more than I. He started asking us questions in Spanish - how long we had been painting, how much we get paid an hour (!), etc. I love practicing (my limited) Spanish or Italian whenever I get the chance. The last time I spoke Spanish was in....Spain...and it definitely turned out to be more Italian than Spanish. :P Ohhhh Romance-language similarities.
Between the two of us, I was able to translate his questions for Megan, and Megan answered them when I realized I didn't remember enough Spanish to say what I wanted. Yeah teamwork. :)
Before continuing his work, he came over and introduced himself as Max. Really nice guy. I love it when native speakers are patient with non-fluent speakers - makes speaking the language less stressful.
Health-wise, I have come to the realization that I am just going to be dehydrated ALL summer. I carry a water bottle with me everywhere, I bought Emergen-C to mix in my drink the other day, and have used that the past 2 days. Regardless, I have been incredibly dizzy on several occasions this week - especially on Monday, and then this evening as well. I don't know what more I can do. An IV drip would be awesome so I don't have to keep worrying about getting/drinking enough water. Somehow I don't think that's going to happen, though.
One of the girls said that the dry heat of New Mexico sometimes makes it hard to realize that you're dehydrated because sweat immediately evaporates off your skin. That makes sense, because I feel like all I do is sip on that stupid water bottle and no matter how much I drink, it never ever seems to be enough.
Ultimately one of these two things will occur:
Either my body will learn how to cope with consistently being dehydrated or I'll eventually pass out at some point this summer while on location....because I sure as heck can't drink enough water to stay hydrated. Lo siento.
CPR re-cert tomorrow morning! Lovely...
Katie
One asked if we spoke any Spanish. We both spoke some, Megan more than I. He started asking us questions in Spanish - how long we had been painting, how much we get paid an hour (!), etc. I love practicing (my limited) Spanish or Italian whenever I get the chance. The last time I spoke Spanish was in....Spain...and it definitely turned out to be more Italian than Spanish. :P Ohhhh Romance-language similarities.
Between the two of us, I was able to translate his questions for Megan, and Megan answered them when I realized I didn't remember enough Spanish to say what I wanted. Yeah teamwork. :)
Before continuing his work, he came over and introduced himself as Max. Really nice guy. I love it when native speakers are patient with non-fluent speakers - makes speaking the language less stressful.
Health-wise, I have come to the realization that I am just going to be dehydrated ALL summer. I carry a water bottle with me everywhere, I bought Emergen-C to mix in my drink the other day, and have used that the past 2 days. Regardless, I have been incredibly dizzy on several occasions this week - especially on Monday, and then this evening as well. I don't know what more I can do. An IV drip would be awesome so I don't have to keep worrying about getting/drinking enough water. Somehow I don't think that's going to happen, though.
One of the girls said that the dry heat of New Mexico sometimes makes it hard to realize that you're dehydrated because sweat immediately evaporates off your skin. That makes sense, because I feel like all I do is sip on that stupid water bottle and no matter how much I drink, it never ever seems to be enough.
Ultimately one of these two things will occur:
Either my body will learn how to cope with consistently being dehydrated or I'll eventually pass out at some point this summer while on location....because I sure as heck can't drink enough water to stay hydrated. Lo siento.
CPR re-cert tomorrow morning! Lovely...
Katie
Workshoppin'
I started my job this past Monday. Both the full-time and seasonal staff at the SFW are absolutely incredible, creative, energetic, wonderful people to be around and work with. I really couldn't ask for a better work environment. :) (Side note: I am the youngest staff member out of all 29 of us)
This is just set-up week. We're setting up the studio, getting classrooms ready, gaining understanding of our daily duties & taking care of everything else that needs to be done before our first workshop participants arrive this coming Sunday. I slightly nervous for my first day on the job....but I think I'm going to be even MORE nervous when the first group of people arrives on Sunday. As work/study, I help check-in and check-out people....meaning that Megan (the other WS) and I are the first and last faces that these people will see. I know everything will be great, I know it will. I just need to get through a full week, with the workshops running, to have a little more confidence in myself and my job performance.
Honestly, if you had to boil this whole job down to one word, that would be : multitasking.
WS takes a workshop for free each week - which is an absolute honor and privilege, in all seriousness. But, we are also in charge of many other tasks on campus, which we can't drop the ball on. This first week will be all about figuring out how to balance both the "work" and "study" part of things. Inevitably the ball has to get dropped somewhere, it just can't be in the "work" aspect.
Dance-wise, I won't be able to dance 4 nights a week like I had originally hoped. The *only* time I have off during the week is Saturday afternoon, through early Sunday afternoon. After already dropping $300 on private ballroom lessons, and knowing that there is no way I can go all summer without dancing, the dance instructor made a special accommodation and will be teaching me on Sunday mornings. So yeah...the only free time I have all week is, uhhhhh,,,.Saturday afternoon/evening?
And, I'm finally starting to take off the 10 pounds that I gained in the last 6 weeks or so (wtf?). This insane schedule is pretty conducive to not-eating/not-eating much......plus we're not allowed to eat in the classrooms anyway. So....losing weight should be no problemo this summer...or so I hope. :)
My work is not done for tomorrow morning, so I guess I should probably get on that, right? :P
Ah, I would do anything for one night of really good rest....
Katie
This is just set-up week. We're setting up the studio, getting classrooms ready, gaining understanding of our daily duties & taking care of everything else that needs to be done before our first workshop participants arrive this coming Sunday. I slightly nervous for my first day on the job....but I think I'm going to be even MORE nervous when the first group of people arrives on Sunday. As work/study, I help check-in and check-out people....meaning that Megan (the other WS) and I are the first and last faces that these people will see. I know everything will be great, I know it will. I just need to get through a full week, with the workshops running, to have a little more confidence in myself and my job performance.
Honestly, if you had to boil this whole job down to one word, that would be : multitasking.
WS takes a workshop for free each week - which is an absolute honor and privilege, in all seriousness. But, we are also in charge of many other tasks on campus, which we can't drop the ball on. This first week will be all about figuring out how to balance both the "work" and "study" part of things. Inevitably the ball has to get dropped somewhere, it just can't be in the "work" aspect.
Dance-wise, I won't be able to dance 4 nights a week like I had originally hoped. The *only* time I have off during the week is Saturday afternoon, through early Sunday afternoon. After already dropping $300 on private ballroom lessons, and knowing that there is no way I can go all summer without dancing, the dance instructor made a special accommodation and will be teaching me on Sunday mornings. So yeah...the only free time I have all week is, uhhhhh,,,.Saturday afternoon/evening?
And, I'm finally starting to take off the 10 pounds that I gained in the last 6 weeks or so (wtf?). This insane schedule is pretty conducive to not-eating/not-eating much......plus we're not allowed to eat in the classrooms anyway. So....losing weight should be no problemo this summer...or so I hope. :)
My work is not done for tomorrow morning, so I guess I should probably get on that, right? :P
Ah, I would do anything for one night of really good rest....
Katie
Friday, June 12, 2009
Taos, New Mexico Police Report
I heard what seemed like a constant stream of police sirens yesterday in Taos. Out of curiosity, I checked yesterday's police report. This is what I found (excluding the boring ones):
7:46 a.m., Trespassing, Paseo del Pueblo Sur – Caller reported that there is a hippie with a big stick and a guitar in the outside setting area refusing to leave. I could also see this happening in Ithaca...
11:07 a.m., Harassment, Paseo del pueblo Sur – Caller reported she is not going into the Family Dollar Store because of shoplifting, she is now at Burger King, and the manager came out of the dollar store and is harassing her. What? This makes no sense.
3:45 p.m., Miscellaneous, Weimer Road – Caller advised that a woman skipped out of the hospital and is wearing bright orange pants. Why would you wear bright orange pants to a hospital?
4:15 p.m., Suspicious Person, Paseo del Pueblo – Caller reported that there is a woman walking around in bright orange pants and asking for pants. She is probably asking for pants because she realizes how obnoxious and ugly hers are.
5:37 p.m., Miscellaneous, Paseo del Pueblo Sur – Caller reported that a girl they were dealing with just took off and she is hitting the fence and some cars. Hitting them with what?
8:51 p.m., Harassment, Gusdorf Road – Caller reported that he is walking and someone in a truck threw trash at him. Maybe it was a garbage truck...?
Clearly I have too much time on my hands.
Back down to Santa Fe tomorrow! Thank goodness!
~ Katie
7:46 a.m., Trespassing, Paseo del Pueblo Sur – Caller reported that there is a hippie with a big stick and a guitar in the outside setting area refusing to leave. I could also see this happening in Ithaca...
11:07 a.m., Harassment, Paseo del pueblo Sur – Caller reported she is not going into the Family Dollar Store because of shoplifting, she is now at Burger King, and the manager came out of the dollar store and is harassing her. What? This makes no sense.
3:45 p.m., Miscellaneous, Weimer Road – Caller advised that a woman skipped out of the hospital and is wearing bright orange pants. Why would you wear bright orange pants to a hospital?
4:15 p.m., Suspicious Person, Paseo del Pueblo – Caller reported that there is a woman walking around in bright orange pants and asking for pants. She is probably asking for pants because she realizes how obnoxious and ugly hers are.
5:37 p.m., Miscellaneous, Paseo del Pueblo Sur – Caller reported that a girl they were dealing with just took off and she is hitting the fence and some cars. Hitting them with what?
8:51 p.m., Harassment, Gusdorf Road – Caller reported that he is walking and someone in a truck threw trash at him. Maybe it was a garbage truck...?
Clearly I have too much time on my hands.
Back down to Santa Fe tomorrow! Thank goodness!
~ Katie
Solace in Music
I don't consider myself to be a super-religious person, in fact I never enjoyed church growing up. I would stay in bed longer than usual in hopes Dad wouldn't wake me up and I could avoid sitting through a sermon that I didn't understand/didn't hold my attention.
Now that I'm older, I have my beliefs and I pray when I feel like it/need to. I try to go to church with my parents when I'm home on break from college. Sometimes I wish I was more religious...but I'm not. Too bad I can't just snap my hands and make it happen.
Every once in a while I flip through the radio channels and stop on the Christian station. The music is usually good, and the lyrics carry something deeper and much more wholesome than all the songs that seem to say: "you're hot, let's have sex."
On my drive up to Taos, New Mexico the other day, I stopped on the Christian channel. One song really stuck out to me, probably because I feel like the lyrics relate to exactly how I am feeling right now.
When you see the rushing wind
Feel the pouring rain
Hear the thunder now, as the clouds roll in
When you're blinded by the lightening
Do you also hear that still, small voice saying:
It's okay, you're not alone
You may be scared to death
But I won't let you go
You may think the sky above is falling
But can you hear Jesus calling?
33 Miles - "Jesus Calling"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzyLk11bXNc&feature=related
Tomorrow I am moving into my summer housing...which is at a religious retreat center. I'll be without internet, unless I have access at my job - but I'm not counting on it.
It's okay though; I'm online way more than I should be anyway. I'd rather be out photographing and dancing. :)
I'll update when I can, but no promises.
Always,
Katie
Now that I'm older, I have my beliefs and I pray when I feel like it/need to. I try to go to church with my parents when I'm home on break from college. Sometimes I wish I was more religious...but I'm not. Too bad I can't just snap my hands and make it happen.
Every once in a while I flip through the radio channels and stop on the Christian station. The music is usually good, and the lyrics carry something deeper and much more wholesome than all the songs that seem to say: "you're hot, let's have sex."
On my drive up to Taos, New Mexico the other day, I stopped on the Christian channel. One song really stuck out to me, probably because I feel like the lyrics relate to exactly how I am feeling right now.
When you see the rushing wind
Feel the pouring rain
Hear the thunder now, as the clouds roll in
When you're blinded by the lightening
Do you also hear that still, small voice saying:
It's okay, you're not alone
You may be scared to death
But I won't let you go
You may think the sky above is falling
But can you hear Jesus calling?
33 Miles - "Jesus Calling"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzyLk11bXNc&feature=related
Tomorrow I am moving into my summer housing...which is at a religious retreat center. I'll be without internet, unless I have access at my job - but I'm not counting on it.
It's okay though; I'm online way more than I should be anyway. I'd rather be out photographing and dancing. :)
I'll update when I can, but no promises.
Always,
Katie
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Meeting the Vets
I'm sick. Nauseous. Headache. Stomachache. Weak. Dizzy.
I feel like absolute crap right now. :( I can already feel the stress building up in my shoulders.
This evening, despite the stomachache that could only be partially-remedied by laying down, I went out to a bar and met three other girls I will be working with this summer. They are all super nice. Two have worked at The Santa Fe Workshops previous summers and were able to clue me in on what to expect.
Here's what they told me to expect:
1. I will be putting in 14+ hour days. Sleep? I'll be real lucky if I get any of that.
2. Work/study is the hardest job.
3. Dropping $300 on dance lessons wasn't a good decision. They told me I won't have time. I'm gonna fight this one though, I'm not going a whole summer without dancing. I will go sleepless before that happens.
4. The only real evening off I have will actually be spent doing laundry, grocery shopping, and taking care of other personal things.
5. If I make friends with the right photographers, they will pay for all our drinks, including $250 bottles of wine.
6. Doing a good job working this summer almost guarantees me a job out here again next year.
7. I will feel exhaustion like I have never felt before.
8. This will be the best summer of my life.
I don't know whether I should be excited, nervous, scared, worried, or thinking "What have I just gotten myself into?!"
I know everything will be fine - I just need to get into a rhythm and routine. And, now that I think about it, I was only getting 4-7 hours of sleep while in Italy anyway.
Needless to say, I will make sure I get lots of sleep these next few days, since I probably won't be getting much of any the next 2 months.
~ Katie
I feel like absolute crap right now. :( I can already feel the stress building up in my shoulders.
This evening, despite the stomachache that could only be partially-remedied by laying down, I went out to a bar and met three other girls I will be working with this summer. They are all super nice. Two have worked at The Santa Fe Workshops previous summers and were able to clue me in on what to expect.
Here's what they told me to expect:
1. I will be putting in 14+ hour days. Sleep? I'll be real lucky if I get any of that.
2. Work/study is the hardest job.
3. Dropping $300 on dance lessons wasn't a good decision. They told me I won't have time. I'm gonna fight this one though, I'm not going a whole summer without dancing. I will go sleepless before that happens.
4. The only real evening off I have will actually be spent doing laundry, grocery shopping, and taking care of other personal things.
5. If I make friends with the right photographers, they will pay for all our drinks, including $250 bottles of wine.
6. Doing a good job working this summer almost guarantees me a job out here again next year.
7. I will feel exhaustion like I have never felt before.
8. This will be the best summer of my life.
I don't know whether I should be excited, nervous, scared, worried, or thinking "What have I just gotten myself into?!"
I know everything will be fine - I just need to get into a rhythm and routine. And, now that I think about it, I was only getting 4-7 hours of sleep while in Italy anyway.
Needless to say, I will make sure I get lots of sleep these next few days, since I probably won't be getting much of any the next 2 months.
~ Katie
Monday, June 8, 2009
Rediscovering Santa Fe
The three of us spent today wandering around downtown Santa Fe - checking out the Plaza, St. Francis of Assisi church (I've been the THE original St. Francis church in Assisi, Italy...interesting to see others), and down Canyon Road, which is known for its vibrantly painted buildings, and dozens upon dozens of art galleries.
This evening, I went to Dance Station to sign up for private ballroom lessons. I signed up for privates, and became a member of the studio. Depending on how my work schedule shakes out, I will be ballroom dancing 4 times a week - 3 member/group lessons & 1 private/week. They also have some workshops at the end of the month - I may sign up for the Latin Movement & Styling workshop and/or Paso Doble. :) Can't wait!
On another note....I've been feeling slightly off lately. I don't exactly know how to explain it. It's like: I know what is going on around me, I know what I'm doing, but sometimes I just don't feel like I'm "there." It's not that I'm daydreaming or just tired, it just....I don't know. Like I said, I can't really explain it....wish I could. I wonder if I am just mentally, physically and emotionally drained. But, to be honest, I have felt this way (to a point) since returning from Italy. At this point, I no longer think it's reverse-culture shock. Who knows....I guess all I can do is focusing on staying in the here-and-now, and enjoying and embracing every opportunity that comes my way.
Here's to a better night's sleep...
Katie
This evening, I went to Dance Station to sign up for private ballroom lessons. I signed up for privates, and became a member of the studio. Depending on how my work schedule shakes out, I will be ballroom dancing 4 times a week - 3 member/group lessons & 1 private/week. They also have some workshops at the end of the month - I may sign up for the Latin Movement & Styling workshop and/or Paso Doble. :) Can't wait!
On another note....I've been feeling slightly off lately. I don't exactly know how to explain it. It's like: I know what is going on around me, I know what I'm doing, but sometimes I just don't feel like I'm "there." It's not that I'm daydreaming or just tired, it just....I don't know. Like I said, I can't really explain it....wish I could. I wonder if I am just mentally, physically and emotionally drained. But, to be honest, I have felt this way (to a point) since returning from Italy. At this point, I no longer think it's reverse-culture shock. Who knows....I guess all I can do is focusing on staying in the here-and-now, and enjoying and embracing every opportunity that comes my way.
Here's to a better night's sleep...
Katie
Sunday, June 7, 2009
2,029 Miles
Amarillo, Texas
Along Historic Route 66
We've spent the last 6 days cramped in my little Honda Accord, but we finally pulled into the Inn of the Governor's parking lot in Santa Fe about 4:00 p.m. local time this afternoon.
It's been 3 years since I was last here. I can't express how incredibly excited I am to return for a summer focused solely on photographing and dancing. :) I don't think I could ask for much more.
There's not much else to say other than: we made it all the way out here without a fight, a speeding ticket, or a broken Honda. :P
Still dancing & smiling in Santa Fe,
Katie
Friday, June 5, 2009
OOOOKLAHOMA
I can't even remember which day of the week it is. All these hotels are starting to look the same.
We're in Oklahoma City tonight...that's all I know right now. Oh. AND...we had AMAZING Italian food tonight - and it was authentic. After 4 months in Italy, my tastebuds know when it's not really Italian, but this was genuine, authentic Italian food. :)
Just by luck, the Red Earth Festival started today in the Oklahoma City convention center. Over 100 Native American tribes from all over the continent gathered to participate in dance festivals and craft/handiwork competitions. It was a very colorful event, but poor for photographing. The lighting was horrendous, and with all the dancing and movement, I had the option of getting either slightly dark, horribly noisy pictures, or properly exposed, blurry, and still noisy pictures. Needless to say, all I got was pretty much crap. Or maybe it's not the equipment, maybe it's the operator....hmm....
While walking around the exhibits, I came across the Oklahoma Blood Association booth. Random place to ask people to donate blood, but then again, I was completely game. After making sure I didn't have to be a state citizen, I went through the whole rig-a-ma-roll and helped save a life (or three). :) They seemed extremely happy that I was donating. It's so sad that places always seem to be short on blood supply. Mom said she wonders why artificial blood hasn't been invented yet so that we don't have to worry about shortages.
I'm absolutely exhausted, and getting cranky. :( We will be in Amarillo, Texas tomorrow. Sunday we will be in Santa Fe. I can't believe we're almost there....and my job starts in a little over a week. Eek! I am definitely going to need some time to decompress after Mom & Granny leave me in Santa Fe. Actually, I will have 3 days in Taos, NM by myself, before I move into my housing next Saturday. So when Mom & Granny leave town, I will be driving 1 hour North for my own mini-vacation (and own hotel room!) for 3 days before returning to Santa Fe and cracking down for a summer at The Santa Fe Workshops.
I know it's going to be great - but right now I feel like a complete mess. I'm just glad I'll have plenty of time to myself to collect and organize my thoughts before starting work June 15.
Deep breaths....
Katie
P.S. Mom stalled my car in the middle of traffic today! "I forgot I was driving a standard!" AWESOME. She's fired. :P
We're in Oklahoma City tonight...that's all I know right now. Oh. AND...we had AMAZING Italian food tonight - and it was authentic. After 4 months in Italy, my tastebuds know when it's not really Italian, but this was genuine, authentic Italian food. :)
Just by luck, the Red Earth Festival started today in the Oklahoma City convention center. Over 100 Native American tribes from all over the continent gathered to participate in dance festivals and craft/handiwork competitions. It was a very colorful event, but poor for photographing. The lighting was horrendous, and with all the dancing and movement, I had the option of getting either slightly dark, horribly noisy pictures, or properly exposed, blurry, and still noisy pictures. Needless to say, all I got was pretty much crap. Or maybe it's not the equipment, maybe it's the operator....hmm....
While walking around the exhibits, I came across the Oklahoma Blood Association booth. Random place to ask people to donate blood, but then again, I was completely game. After making sure I didn't have to be a state citizen, I went through the whole rig-a-ma-roll and helped save a life (or three). :) They seemed extremely happy that I was donating. It's so sad that places always seem to be short on blood supply. Mom said she wonders why artificial blood hasn't been invented yet so that we don't have to worry about shortages.
I'm absolutely exhausted, and getting cranky. :( We will be in Amarillo, Texas tomorrow. Sunday we will be in Santa Fe. I can't believe we're almost there....and my job starts in a little over a week. Eek! I am definitely going to need some time to decompress after Mom & Granny leave me in Santa Fe. Actually, I will have 3 days in Taos, NM by myself, before I move into my housing next Saturday. So when Mom & Granny leave town, I will be driving 1 hour North for my own mini-vacation (and own hotel room!) for 3 days before returning to Santa Fe and cracking down for a summer at The Santa Fe Workshops.
I know it's going to be great - but right now I feel like a complete mess. I'm just glad I'll have plenty of time to myself to collect and organize my thoughts before starting work June 15.
Deep breaths....
Katie
P.S. Mom stalled my car in the middle of traffic today! "I forgot I was driving a standard!" AWESOME. She's fired. :P
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Thoughts from the Day
* All these hotels are starting to look the same...
* Egrets are beautiful birds. Too bad they are skittish and don't like their picture taken. :(
* Arkansas has A LOT of truck traffic. I would argue that it might even have more than Pennsylvania.
* Why on earth would anyone live in Arkansas?
* If I had to live in Arkansas, it would be the northwestern quadrant of the state.
* There is actually a decent amount of poverty in the south.
* I would LOVE to come back through the south, when not in a rush, and photograph the people and places...and maybe write a story to go with it. Photojournalism. :)
* Mom and Granny really don't believe that I can dance on a wall and not fall backwards, down an incredibly steep hill to my death? Too bad. Did it anyway. Still alive. :)
* Armadillos are pretty cool. Too bad the only one I saw today was roadkill.
* Speaking of roadkill, there are A LOT of dead turtles in Arkansas. The roadkill count is still alive and well...(ask if you want further explanation on this....this probably highlights the craziness of my family...)
* I don't particularly like Mexican food. Why am I living in New Mexico for the summer? If you can't beat 'em, join 'em...?
* I like Hot Springs, Arkansas. I mean, REALLY like it. So much so that I would seriously consider coming back for a vacation there & in the surrounding area.
~ K
* Egrets are beautiful birds. Too bad they are skittish and don't like their picture taken. :(
* Arkansas has A LOT of truck traffic. I would argue that it might even have more than Pennsylvania.
* Why on earth would anyone live in Arkansas?
* If I had to live in Arkansas, it would be the northwestern quadrant of the state.
* There is actually a decent amount of poverty in the south.
* I would LOVE to come back through the south, when not in a rush, and photograph the people and places...and maybe write a story to go with it. Photojournalism. :)
* Mom and Granny really don't believe that I can dance on a wall and not fall backwards, down an incredibly steep hill to my death? Too bad. Did it anyway. Still alive. :)
* Armadillos are pretty cool. Too bad the only one I saw today was roadkill.
* Speaking of roadkill, there are A LOT of dead turtles in Arkansas. The roadkill count is still alive and well...(ask if you want further explanation on this....this probably highlights the craziness of my family...)
* I don't particularly like Mexican food. Why am I living in New Mexico for the summer? If you can't beat 'em, join 'em...?
* I like Hot Springs, Arkansas. I mean, REALLY like it. So much so that I would seriously consider coming back for a vacation there & in the surrounding area.
~ K
Just for the Record...
Recently I've felt kind of disgusting. And by disgusting, I mean fat. I know I have gained some weight since coming back to the States, which reeeeeeally annoys me (everyone else gained weight in Italy, I gained it coming home). Sitting in the car for hours upon hours actually only makes me more conscious of well, not being 10 pounds lighter.
When I get to Santa Fe, I don't care how I do it, but I am going to come up with a workout regime and eating plan to fix this.
When I get to Santa Fe, I don't care how I do it, but I am going to come up with a workout regime and eating plan to fix this.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Dancing in Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee
West Virginia-Virginia state line
New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia
Sideling Hill, Maryland
Sideling Hill, Maryland
I need to get better about spellchecking my posts - haven't done too well with that recently. I suppose after an extended period of time in the car, my brain does not actually function correctly...which is sad, because spelling errors are one of my personal pet-peeves. Lame, I know.
Extended periods of time in the car also led to this comment 10 seconds ago:
"You're acting retarded!"
....thanks Mom. It's actually called hyper and sleep-deprived for future reference. :P
On a more serious note...
We left Cookeville, TN this morning around 9:00 a.m. and drove on to Murfreesboro, TN to the Stones River National Historic Battlefield. One of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War was fought there. In fact, my great-great-great grandfather, Samuel Holmes, fought in that battle and survived. He died a few years later from an unrelated injury. We were able to visit his grave in the cemetery adjacent to the battlefield. Mom had been there before, but wanted to stop so she could show me this little bit of family history. Mom is obsessed with genealogy...but I have to say it's more of her interest, less of mine.
We drove and drove and drove some more....slowly making our way to Memphis (we only passed by Nashville, didn't actually go downtown). Had we gotten up and out earlier (oh c'mon, it's vacation...who does that?) we would have been able to enter Graceland, where Elvis Presley lived. Instead, we arrived at the gates of Graceland 30 minutes too late for entry. C'est la vie.
We still did not miss the chance to take pictures in front of the "Graceland" sign. I quickly laced up my pointe shoes, after Mom complained that it takes me forever to put them on (hyperbole? maybe, maybe not) and danced in front of the sign. I could tell Mom was a little embarrassed about me putting on ballet shoes and dancing in front of a sign beside a busy Memphis main street. My response was one that I acquired while in Italy. We don't know anyone and we're never going to see them again. I don't care what people think. Sadly that does not hold true to my hometown or Ithaca, although I am working on incorporating the "Why-should-I-always-care-what-other-people-think?" attitude into my everyday life.
Tennessee was beautiful. I was sweetly surprised. :) We're now just over the border into Arkansas. I think we're going to go hit Hot Springs tomorrow - Mom and Granny mentioned something about me needing to dance in/near the water. Not sure I care to prance around in my bikini in front of them....little too embarrassing.
My patience is starting to wear thin, but thankfully each morning I wake up with a renewed source of it. Sleep solves most everything. :)
~ Katie
West Virginia-Virginia state line
New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia
Sideling Hill, Maryland
Sideling Hill, Maryland
I need to get better about spellchecking my posts - haven't done too well with that recently. I suppose after an extended period of time in the car, my brain does not actually function correctly...which is sad, because spelling errors are one of my personal pet-peeves. Lame, I know.
Extended periods of time in the car also led to this comment 10 seconds ago:
"You're acting retarded!"
....thanks Mom. It's actually called hyper and sleep-deprived for future reference. :P
On a more serious note...
We left Cookeville, TN this morning around 9:00 a.m. and drove on to Murfreesboro, TN to the Stones River National Historic Battlefield. One of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War was fought there. In fact, my great-great-great grandfather, Samuel Holmes, fought in that battle and survived. He died a few years later from an unrelated injury. We were able to visit his grave in the cemetery adjacent to the battlefield. Mom had been there before, but wanted to stop so she could show me this little bit of family history. Mom is obsessed with genealogy...but I have to say it's more of her interest, less of mine.
We drove and drove and drove some more....slowly making our way to Memphis (we only passed by Nashville, didn't actually go downtown). Had we gotten up and out earlier (oh c'mon, it's vacation...who does that?) we would have been able to enter Graceland, where Elvis Presley lived. Instead, we arrived at the gates of Graceland 30 minutes too late for entry. C'est la vie.
We still did not miss the chance to take pictures in front of the "Graceland" sign. I quickly laced up my pointe shoes, after Mom complained that it takes me forever to put them on (hyperbole? maybe, maybe not) and danced in front of the sign. I could tell Mom was a little embarrassed about me putting on ballet shoes and dancing in front of a sign beside a busy Memphis main street. My response was one that I acquired while in Italy. We don't know anyone and we're never going to see them again. I don't care what people think. Sadly that does not hold true to my hometown or Ithaca, although I am working on incorporating the "Why-should-I-always-care-what-other-people-think?" attitude into my everyday life.
Tennessee was beautiful. I was sweetly surprised. :) We're now just over the border into Arkansas. I think we're going to go hit Hot Springs tomorrow - Mom and Granny mentioned something about me needing to dance in/near the water. Not sure I care to prance around in my bikini in front of them....little too embarrassing.
My patience is starting to wear thin, but thankfully each morning I wake up with a renewed source of it. Sleep solves most everything. :)
~ Katie
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
SANTA FE...or Bust!
The road trip has officially begun. :)
Mom & I drove 11 hours to Burnsville, West Virginia yesterday.
This morning we left Burnsville, including Granny in our journeys. We are now stopped in Cookeville, Tennessee for the night. If you look at the map it is the center point between Knoxville and Nashville.
On another note...
I've been working on my "Dancing Around the World" photo series. Today I danced at an overlook and on the WV-VA state line. Nothing horribly exciting, but I'm working on it. Yesterday I danced on a bridge, some stairs and a sidewalk. I am still looking for a really epic place to dance. haha. We have some ideas in mind...more in the Texas area, but I'll see what else we can work with along the way. ;) P.S. Dancing in jeans is NOT the easiest thing!!!
I will post some photos when I get the chance...
Smiles,
Katie
Mom & I drove 11 hours to Burnsville, West Virginia yesterday.
This morning we left Burnsville, including Granny in our journeys. We are now stopped in Cookeville, Tennessee for the night. If you look at the map it is the center point between Knoxville and Nashville.
On another note...
I've been working on my "Dancing Around the World" photo series. Today I danced at an overlook and on the WV-VA state line. Nothing horribly exciting, but I'm working on it. Yesterday I danced on a bridge, some stairs and a sidewalk. I am still looking for a really epic place to dance. haha. We have some ideas in mind...more in the Texas area, but I'll see what else we can work with along the way. ;) P.S. Dancing in jeans is NOT the easiest thing!!!
I will post some photos when I get the chance...
Smiles,
Katie
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