as promised
So, I went with a bunch of my classmates from my First Year Sem. to the local Hindu temple for a feast a couple fridays ago. It was amazing. I got blisters on my toes from rug-burns I got dancing for 1.5 - 2 hours.
It was so obvious that we had no idea what we were doing, it was almost painful. Each time, as a group of us got up to try and join in and dance, some kind indian woman would take pity and try to teach us. We were our own little herd, sticking close together for support and comfort in a scene that was both socially and culturally unfamiliar. In retrospect, it would have made more sense to place one or two of us within a coordinated and synchronized group. In any case it was still WONDERFUL! The music and the saris were amazing. Some of the saris were rather simple, but others had amazingly intricate stitching and mirror work. It was so much fun, and our professor himself got quite carried away I think. We weren't going to stay for the whole thing because he had to drive home to Pennsylvania and get up early the next morning to attend his son's family weekend in New Jersey, but we ultimately did. I think it was worth it.
next:
Two fridays ago I toured the Walter's art conservation lab with my professor for Chinese Art History (Dr. Scott, who graciously drove) and three other students. That also was FANTASTIC!!! IT WAS SOOO COOL. The tour was only supposed to be 30-45 minutes, but we were there for almost 2 hours. I was the youngest one there and didn't say much. I just wandered along stupidly trying to remember all the while to keep my mouth shut (heh) and tone down the ogling. The others had such good questions so I just listened to what was going on. It really gave us a good idea of what we might be getting into and how best to prepare. I am totally going to have to go back to the Walters, the look like they have an amazing collection.
Not too much is going on right now. I'm at the end of fall break. Thought I was going to spend it in D.C. but my friend's family was visiting him, Tyler's out of town with his family (not that I could request to stay with him in all properness), My old creative writing teacher's daughter and daughter's roommate are visiting her, and I could hardly call Sindbad and say "Hey, you met me once, I'm Grace's cousin. Mind putting me up and showing me about?" So I was one of the few who stayed on campus, which was fine. But now everyone is getting back and I'm back with my nose to the grindstone. I also don't mind that too much, it's nice to have structure back in my life (and an open library), I'm just tired of the trite and tepid drama which comes back with people. I am hitting right now a new emotional low. The whole situation has placed me in a dashed awkward situation and I feel slightly off balance making me homesick and feel like crying (which I am hardly about to do)....blaargh.....
It was so obvious that we had no idea what we were doing, it was almost painful. Each time, as a group of us got up to try and join in and dance, some kind indian woman would take pity and try to teach us. We were our own little herd, sticking close together for support and comfort in a scene that was both socially and culturally unfamiliar. In retrospect, it would have made more sense to place one or two of us within a coordinated and synchronized group. In any case it was still WONDERFUL! The music and the saris were amazing. Some of the saris were rather simple, but others had amazingly intricate stitching and mirror work. It was so much fun, and our professor himself got quite carried away I think. We weren't going to stay for the whole thing because he had to drive home to Pennsylvania and get up early the next morning to attend his son's family weekend in New Jersey, but we ultimately did. I think it was worth it.
next:
Two fridays ago I toured the Walter's art conservation lab with my professor for Chinese Art History (Dr. Scott, who graciously drove) and three other students. That also was FANTASTIC!!! IT WAS SOOO COOL. The tour was only supposed to be 30-45 minutes, but we were there for almost 2 hours. I was the youngest one there and didn't say much. I just wandered along stupidly trying to remember all the while to keep my mouth shut (heh) and tone down the ogling. The others had such good questions so I just listened to what was going on. It really gave us a good idea of what we might be getting into and how best to prepare. I am totally going to have to go back to the Walters, the look like they have an amazing collection.
Not too much is going on right now. I'm at the end of fall break. Thought I was going to spend it in D.C. but my friend's family was visiting him, Tyler's out of town with his family (not that I could request to stay with him in all properness), My old creative writing teacher's daughter and daughter's roommate are visiting her, and I could hardly call Sindbad and say "Hey, you met me once, I'm Grace's cousin. Mind putting me up and showing me about?" So I was one of the few who stayed on campus, which was fine. But now everyone is getting back and I'm back with my nose to the grindstone. I also don't mind that too much, it's nice to have structure back in my life (and an open library), I'm just tired of the trite and tepid drama which comes back with people. I am hitting right now a new emotional low. The whole situation has placed me in a dashed awkward situation and I feel slightly off balance making me homesick and feel like crying (which I am hardly about to do)....blaargh.....