Dublin

I arrived in Dublin after very little sleep, a tummy full of what appeared to be a spinach cheese pasta, and an unruly, dysfunctional set of intestines. On the plane I watched the new(er) Amelia Earheart film, and TRIED to sleep, but since the flight from Philadelphia to Dublin was only about 5 1/2 hours, there was little luck.

When I awoke, I saw the clouds rolling underneath the plane as if we were already landing. They were thick, and appeared to be quite like hills, it was only when I looked closer that I realized we were still 30,000 feet up. The stars were still shining, and the red sun began to poke its way through the foggy horizon. Amazing.

We landed in Dublin on time (9:10am), and I made my way into the city with no troubles. I was exhausted, and found myself wandering around for a cup of coffee (which proved to be a mistake later). I met up with Berenice, my 1st Ireland couchsurfing host, and we hopped a bus back to her house. The ride back was a bit challenging, as I found myself growing nauseous, and slow to conversation; the double decker bus was jerky and stopped abruptly. I was fine once we exited and I caught a breath of fresh air. It was nice to relax.

Berenice and I chatted about all sorts of things, (mostly printmaking-litho!!) We ended up making our way back into the city that night for a little thing called Milk and Cookies; a non profit art collaboration that had cookies, tea, and story tellers. Everyone was cramped into this small open space filled with blankets, chairs, and damp carpets. I heard tales of Irish faeries, unruly dogs, and old wizards, all told live and unedited! :) As we were leaving, Berenice and I made plans with her friend Andy, to meet up tomorrow for a pint. And so it was.

After a long 10 hours of much needed sleep, I eventually made my way out into Dublin, grew a bit ill on the bus (again) and wrote some postcards. I had some time when I arrived to sit in a small cafe, and write in my journal which has been quite enjoyable. The city was cold, and I walked around Trinity College, gazing at all the young students, wishing I could be one again. At 6pm I met up with Berenice and Andy, and we enjoyed a pint (Andy a hot whiskey) of real Irish Guinness (it tastes much lighter here, and easier to drink). We spoke of art, how we can work AND enjoy ourselves, and what we do in a world that is so money grubbing, and old (and recent) Catholic Irish repression, traveling. With reassurance from Andy that I would be ok, and taken care of here (despite my frail plans), we left the pub and parted ways. Last night Berenice and I made a delicious lasagna and spoke of love, friendships, and family. Being able to express myself so far has been amazing, and I enjoy every bit of conversation that has come my way. I now make my way to Gort (west Ireland, close to Galway) for two weeks of WWOOFing, and I cannot wait. I find myself a tad nervous, but know that I really will be ok, that I truly am in good hands with Ireland.

Pictures posted soon!

Glory Bound

Minneapolis has proven to be a bit more positive than St. Cloud, and for that I couldn't be happier. Great thanks to my big brother Terrence and his wife, Rochelle for letting me crash their house for 12 days. While I have been lightly keeping up with those still plugging away at UMD, I have also been trying to keep up with the drone of tasks before Ireland on Monday. These tasks include:

1. Doing my taxes
2. Consolidating and deferring my student loans
3. Send my soap and artist statement to Mr. Hodges for the emerging artists exhibition at the Duluth Art Institute in March.
4. Figure out where I want to go after I am done WWOOFing in Ireland.
5. Apply for a job at Visions Service Adventures http://www.visionsserviceadventures.com/about/employment.html



I also sent out a bunch of other requests to WWOOF in Ireland as my first host had to cancel. So, I will be staying at the Loughun Farm, about a half hour from Galway. They are a Dutch and Belgian couple with four children between 4-11 years old, and live on a seven acre farm with a vegetable garden, goats, sheep, chicken and dogs. My tasks will include digging in the garden and helping out with the bread and cheese making. They are six miles from the first market, and their nearest neighbors are two miles away. I can't wait to be in the middle of nowhere, and have some time to myself to reflect on the future.... and dig.

Adventure 1 conclusion

I know its been ages, but I can't seem to find the desire to write in this blog, which frankly, needs a life.... and some spice. I have found more joy writing in my actual journal than at a computer...when I get the chance. I am leaving New York tomorrow (today) at 3pm, and I sort of feel ok about heading back to Minnesota to do my taxes, pack, and think about where to live/ work after Ireland.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed each coast for its special traits.

Things I noticed about San Francisco:
1. The food is amazing (and fairly cheap), and there is SO much variety.
2. The lesbians were a little intimidating as a traveler walking into a bar alone. My new possible endeavor: become a bartender.
3. The views are incredible, and sometimes you meet cool people while hiking.
4. The people in SF all spoke of this "magnetic vibe" the city held. It was beautiful listening to them speak about it, and their passion for their home. Some even said they moved from NY to be in SF.
5. A lot of dogs, which I don't mind, its fun petting a strangers dog.
6. Even though the people were not necessarily as open as Minnesotans, once they opened, it was a good sign you were going to stick around in their lives.
7. The public transit kind of sucks, its useful, but only between the hours of 6am-12: 30am. And good luck getting to the airport before 8am on a Sunday. There is a reason for all the cabs.
8. Walking the entire city in a day is TOTALLY possible, and you will feel it the next day in your shins and butt.
9. Even though it gets chilly, it’s sort of comforting. And you can always walk into a cute used bookstore.
10. Coffee and scones: you can find a coffee shop anywhere and sit for hours watching people, and writing. I wrote more in my journal while in SF than I have in MONTHS. Which I find vital.

New York:
1. The food is good, a bit too fancy, and a bit more expensive than SF. I recommend an authentic oven roasted pizza.
2. Never met any lesbians, because, well, that’s just the way it works sometimes. All of my sister’s friends were rad though...
3. The views seem quite limited, but a peek behind some buildings promise beautiful views of the bridges jutting into the sky.
4. Everyone that I met that is living in NY said they used to live in SF but then moved to NY. Don't ask -don’t know. The people are straightforward and say it like it is, but they are also incredibly helpful when lost.
5. Not too many dogs, but a lot of stray cats. I guess the apartments are smaller here in the big city
6. Living in the city can be tough and overwhelming, but survival is key. Finding a job is important- and don't be afraid to stretch the truth, LEARNING as you go is a large part of making the dough you need. A lot of people won't necessarily question your claimed traits, as long as you work...and show up.
7. The public transit is AMAZING... you can catch a subway virtually every 5-10 minutes, and twice an hour between 11:30-5am. Or something like that. I recommend buying a week pass when visiting, because you will get on a train going in the wrong direction, but will know one stop later because they announce stops and they are visible on the walls upon arrival.
8.Walking the entire city in a day is IMPOSSIBLE. A plan must be had when visiting for any given amount of time, otherwise NOTHING will get accomplished because each district is HUGE. (Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, etc)
9. The chilliness is not too comforting, because it’s wet and pretty stinky.
10. Getting a coffee to go is pretty typical, don't expect to find a place to sit indoors and chill.

Overall I feel pretty good about San Francisco more so than NY. It's a little too anxious for my already anxious soul. But who knows where the world will guide us. Ireland is fast approaching, and I cannot WAIT. I have grown a bit melancholy about how to live life post-graduation; I guess I just thought I would be a little kid forever. All of these worries are just fabricated into my brain, but I can't help them sometimes because they feel so real. I really just want to do everything, and maybe find a cool friend who will realize that its cool to travel and live and eat together... because sometimes, it just gets damn lonely.

My next endeavor: staple down some places in Ireland to FARM (since the woman I was supposed to stay with hasn't returned my e-mail... perhaps another is in store) and couch surf. The one thing I am most looking forward to is the dreamlike views, stories, and maybe a little Irish jig.

My last thought that I will leave with is what my sister just told me: "Leave when things feel soft. Because you can always go back." I don’t know. Maybe?

One Weekend= one week

This weekend has flown by, but at a pace that has made my last three days here feel like seven. My shins burn, and my calves are sore.

I finally arrived at midnight on Thursday after both of my flights were delayed by two hours; I almost had to spend the night in Detroit, but they found a flight into San Francisco in no time. Leaving the airport was easy and I made my way onto the BART (a really expensive public transit). After a few minutes, I exited at Civic Center Station, and bid farewell to my new transit friend, Adam. After stepping onto the escalator and adjusting my backpack, someone behind me said, "you look lost." I had been outed as a tourist within a half hour of my arrival. I then got onto the Muni, the most common transit within the city, and eventually exited at Casto Street. I was greeted by Jeff, a former professor, and now good friend. We stopped into a bar called The Q for a quick drink and catch up. I was greeted by a warm couch on which I slept a bit anxiously.

Friday: Jeff and I sat outside- I sipped a coffee, while he smoked a cigarette. We spoke about life in Minnesota, how it can be claustrophobic, and that being who you truly are is fragmented by the cold and closed minds. He spoke about how everyone owned a dog, and that professional dog walkers were a big deal. Moments later I witnessed a man in a red Jeep pull up next door, and pick up a golden lab. Awesome. We then went to get a scone and coffee down the road, I bid Jeff adieu while he made his way to work while I wandered the city for a few hours, taking some photos (sorry my camera died). I saw the legendary Harvey Milk plaza where a massive rainbow flag commemorates the first openly gay politician in California. I realized that everything is fairly central and usually within a few minutes walking distance. That night I met a few of Jeff's friends and we dined at a tasty Vietnamese restaurant called Tu Lan; a place where Julia Child dined!! I had some spring rolls, and a few sips of my prawn soup before I became FULL. We then went to a few biker bars, which are awesome!! It's interesting being one of only a few females in a joint.... we called it a night around 12:30 and I slept like a baby

Saturday: What a day! I got up and wandered into the Mission District, a hip, highly hispanic area. I ate at Tanque Cancun, a VERY delicious burrito joint, had too much. I wandered around a few thrift stores, and eventually met up with my friend Theo. We took a motorcycle ride to the Golden Gate Bridge, drove across, got off, took a picture, and walked about half way across before calling it a day. The hills around that area are breathtaking, but even more so for the many cyclists who brave the winding vertical path to a picturesque lookout. I always feel incredible sitting on a motorcycle, and know that I want to purchase one sometime in the future. San Francisco is the only state that allows its motorcyclists to weave in between cars on the roads, which caused a bit of anxiety on my part, gripping onto Theo's sides for dear life. I love it. SF would be a great city to have a motorcycle in, because its so easy to get around, and I guess you can park on sidewalks.

After Theo dropped me off, I went and checked out a coffee shop my sister recommended called Revolution Cafe. The grungy atmosphere had outdoor seating, wobbly tables, and an amazing young man playing jazz tunes on the Cafe's piano. I sat there for nearly three hours, writing in my journal, and taking in the people, and the music.... until a smelly homeless man sat next to me, and I made my back to the Castro to get ready for dinner. I met Jeff and his friend Nestor, at a fancy Italian restaurant. We had a savory meal, mine of fish and some tasty rice, and an amazing apple turnover for dessert that was soaked in rum and butter. Yum. I think the meal was on Nestors boss... so no penny dropping for me!!

It's now Sunday and I think I am going to make my way out for a cup of coffee and perhaps a small hike. I was thinking about meeting up with Jeff at the thrift store he works at do a little shopping :) until then---

Journey #1: San Francisco

Well, I am all packed and nearly ready to go. I am waiting in Minneapolis for my older sister to pick me up (two small children enclosed)so we can grab a "snack" and coffee before my flight at 1:15.

I hardly slept last night. It took me nearly an hour to fall asleep, and I awoke twice: 12:30, and 5:30. Nerves. I was dreaming of the not so distant future when I would be strolling down eccentric neighborhoods, sipping delicious coffee, and devouring savory burritos in the Mission District. It's been nearly I year since I have flown; last March when I went to LA.

I exit Minnesota with a fresh dusting of snow, to a glorious 53 degrees, short sleeve shits, and an umbrella... heh. To be continued...

Packing

Now what? Is the is the one question burning into my head. The last of my grades were entered about a week ago, and I've passed; no surprise really. BFA diploma to be mailed in February-- or so they say. There has been much contemplation about weather to frame it, or put it in a folder in my closet; these past 5 1/2 years have been a time of great trial and error. What do people really DO with their undergraduate diplomas anyway?

I spent the holidays with my family (as usual) in Minneapolis, and was fortunate enough to tend to my four year old nephew, and 18 month old niece for four days. Their excitement and energy is astounding, and I have no clue how my sister has the patience and motivation with 6-7 hours of sleep each night to keep up with them. I also spent four days in Minneapolis with my brother Terrence and sister in-law, Rochelle. They were fortunate enough to rescue me from the 7:45am pirate (yar) wake-up calls from my nephew. There I was able to meet up with friends, drink some beer, eat some food, went to Big Head Todd at First Ave with some friends, chatted about life, and art. The idea is to keep creating, and putting some sort of creative energy into the universe, but its difficult when reality is about to hit hard and doubts start flooding my mind of, "why didn't I just go into education... be a teacher like I wanted since was eight years old"? No time to look back, I reckon.

I've been at my father's house in St.Cloud, helping take care of his girlfriends puppies who find it amusing to do most of their "duty" in their kennels. Oh well... they've yipped, and now are asleep as I type this. Packing and throwing away the STUFF in my life has been more challenging than I thought; slow and painstaking. A lot of my mornings this week have been spent at the coffee shop down the road from my father's , eating mediocre scones, sipping fairly decent caffeine, and reading up on San Francisco. To be honest, I am more excited to see SF than Brooklyn, only because I think I might find the support and energy I yearn for. Is it true NorCal makes you soft, and NY makes you "hard"?

Thinking thinking thinking, I should stop that, and just realize how amazing my life really is... the friends, the family, the coffee, the Naked Juice... travel plans that never seem to solidify.

The above image is the backpack Terrence and Rochelle recently bought for my birthday AND Christmas gift for the next two years... ;) hehe. Its a green Womens Osprey Waypoint Series 65 (liter). It fits like a dream, and sits on my frame quite naturally. There is "A detachable daypack with a padded front panel and framesheet keep your smaller items safe. The women’s Waypoint packs are sized in small and medium torso lengths with female specific harness and hipbelt." Thanks to the employees at REI in Minneapolis!! I'll be sure to let ya know how it feels with 30lbs in there!

Tada!

Well, I will be an official college graduate in two hours. Crazy.

I've been chatting with many mentors lately, and sold FOUR prints within the past month- most of that money went straight into my "Travel Funds" account... of course. It's strange, selling a piece of your work, I feel almost dirty, like I'm giving a private piece of myself away.

Italy. So soon...