Finishing Classes
I have finished up my classes and it is a
strange feeling. I had each class only 12 times and looking back on them
already feels kind of like a dream. My final printmaking class was particularly
surreal. All we had to do was turn in our final prints and then we were free to
go. I was the only person who had finished prior to that class so everyone else
was furiously working trying to finish and I simply handed my work in. My
professor looked at my final prints and smiled saying I nailed the colors,
which was something we had discussed earlier. Then in that moment it hit me
that this was my last class. I wouldn’t run into my professor around campus or
be able to swing by his office if I wanted to chat. We both seemed to
simultaneously have this realization. He seemed sad and we both sat there for a
moment not knowing how to say goodbye. I thanked him for all he had taught me
and shared how grateful I was to have been introduced to printmaking. He was
incredibly humble saying all the work came from within me he was just there if
I got stuck. But in my opinion that is a sign of a truly great teacher. I was
guided and learned the skills enough to be able to confidently create my own
works but had an unbelievable safety net if I needed it. He said I could easily
start an etsy or ebay selling my prints and thanked me for my hard work telling
me that the studio was always open to me whenever I would come back. As I left
the very familiar and beautiful bittersweet feeling, that fully encompasses gratitude
for an amazing experience and sadness, which I have grown to love as I take it
to be a strong sign of an experience being important and having value in my
life. And John and printmaking have both been very valuable to me. Thank you
John.
Oriental Bay Fountain (from my journal)
After finishing up all my classes I am left with
a sad, reflective feeling and have a strange amount of free time. I have felt
drawn to go sit down at Oriental Bay and be quiet and reflect on my experiences.
I am sitting watching the Crown Fountain shoot sheets of colorful water
droplets up into the air and then watching them fall in sheets that float
gently through the air. (Photos) Each color shift has my heart sink, not with sadness
but with beauty. The colors are so rich that I easily get lost in them. I feel
as though I will miss the waterfront and living so close the bay. I will miss
the long clouds soaring low across the skies. They are strikingly powerful yet
elegant and graceful, and thin enough to almost always allow the moon to shine
through encompassing it in a rainbow. I will also certainly miss this fountain.
It has such a powerful presence. Watching it puts me in a meditative place that
always allows me to relax and feel what is within me easily and fully. It feels
like a supportive loving friend that silently holds me through gaze alone. Currently
it is supporting me in feeling many strong emotions. But it allows them to just
be with no advice, without trying to change anything or make me feel better. It
is just present with me doing its thing. I am struck be this amazing feeling
that I found a home on the other side of the world and this has me feel more
connected to the world as a whole. I am not just a part of a small place that I
grew up but I am a part of this whole planet and much more. It has me feeling
on even a deeper level that I will always be ok, even on the other side of the
world from “home”. The city lights reflect in the still bay and my friend the
fountain continues doing its thing. I look forward to the next time I get to
spend time with this fountain and feel confident that we will have more time
together down the road. Do you ever feel moments from the future in the
present, kind of like a reverse déjà vu? That is how I feel right now. I feel
myself here in the future. I can feel my body and a sense of returning home and
quietly reconnecting with an old friend. A large cargo ship is now effortlessly
gliding behind the fountain causing soft white reflections and glassy smooth
waves from its wake.
I just moved up to the top of a building that
overlooks the bay and the fountain from above. A few moments after moving the
fountain turned off. And as I watched the final drops softly land on the
surface of the bay. I felt a sadness as thought a friend had left too soon.
Then only moments later a fully tatted guy in a hoodie emerged from the shadows
and walked up to me startling me because I couldn’t hear him with my earbuds
in. I quickly removed them and greeted him asking how he was doing tonight and
he then said, “great man, want a cigarette?” I told him no but thanked him as
cigarettes are very pricey. I was struck by how genuine and caring his tone
was. He then looked at me and said, “Holy shit! This is a sick view eh?” I told
him he should come back when the fountain is on. He said, “I certainly will, have
a great night bro.” He then disappeared just as quickly as he had appeared. It
was a simple encounter but it brightened my spirits considerably and put a huge
smile on my face and into my heart. You never know when you will be gifted with
a connection. I thought I was totally alone and then a guy, who most would
consider to be stereotypically sketchy, comes up to me and offers me a cigarette
and was incredibly present with me for a moment. As soon as one friend left for
the night another immediately arrived just to remind me that anything can
happen. I love this life!
TP Results Are In!
On a completely different note I have been flabbergasted by the
sheer amount of toilet paper my three-person flat seems to use. So this week I
decided to actually do a study to see how much we used in one full week. And
the results are in. In 7 days my 3-person-flat used…. Drumrolll…. Ten and a
half rolls of toilet paper! Meaning each of us uses a half a roll a day! (Which
is definitely not the case for me) I have no idea how this happens but it seems
to be about the pace I have imagined all semester long.
New Coffee Shop!
I walked into the Preservatorium
on a warm sunny windy day in wellington and the man behind the counter said
“from north Carolina right? I remember you came in the other day with another
guy.” I was very impressed as this is only my second time in here. We had a
wonderful little interaction he told me he had a friend that went to a camp
outside of Raleigh. It is amazing how much like home wellington feels at times.
I am sitting here looking over this little coffee shop with a feeling of
belonging, comfort and contentment. I feel joyful with excitement bubbling
through my body. It is also endlessly entertaining to watch people fight
against the wind to open the door and then see their reaction as the wind slams
it behind them. The intense wind adds to the cozy warm feeling within this little
shop.
That is all for now
just a quick little update. I hope everyone is doing well! Thanks for reading.
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