In an effort to develop my style, I am taking portraits.
Before now I have been too scared to take photos of strangers. Something about asking someone I did not know if I could take their photo frightened me. I now realize that if they say "no," I can just move on and take the next person's photo. It's still a little scary, but I'm getting over it. One of my goals for this trip is to capture Japan through its people. Today at the park I took some fantastic portraits of the people. There whole park was filled with Japanese people. There were lots of races and marathons being run at the stadium, but many people were just there to enjoy their day. It made me realize how much personality and warmth the Japanese have. Everyone I talked to was friendly towards me.
I took photos of people buying plants, street musicians, children, parents, old men, old women, and anyone else I could find. It was a good day. It taught me quite a bit about the Japanese. They are some of the nicest and most genuine people I have ever met.
Osaka is amazing. This city is the largest most chaotic metropolis I have ever seen. Yet with all the chaos, there is a peacefulness about it. The streets are small and the tiny cars are very quiet. It's so quiet, I feel like I am in the suburbs.
It is impossible to understand Osaka. The sprawling unnamed streets are teeming with little stores and restaurants. I spent half a day in just a four block area of Osaka. Just within that area there were enough little streets and stores to keep one busy for weeks. Then I find a random staircase and realize there is an entire underground world. This underworld is like a giant mall beneath the city. I just cannot get over how large Osaka is! The program is going really well. I am really thinking about my concepts and what sort of work I want to produce. The other people on the trip are very passionate and are great to discuss ideas with. I am having so much fun!
In just 5 days 5 hours 42 minutes and 36 seconds I will be getting on a plane eventually headed to Osaka, Japan. I am going to Osaka to study photography with the Japan Institute of Photography and Film. I am going with about 15 other people from IU. The classes are in studio, but there will be lectures about the culture and language as well. The program starts of May 24th and ends on June 27th.
I've been getting prepared for the trip and it is getting me very excited. I just purchased a hard drive to backup all my photos before I leave. I've purchased books on Japan and have subscribed to a few Japanese related podcasts. Unfortunately I don't know any Japanese, and either does most people going on the program. It should be very interesting.
Knowing what to bring for a trip like this is very difficult. Bring lots of clothes or buy clothes there? Get a new tripod or hope I won't need one? Film or digital or both? So many questions! I just hope I can get it all worked out before I leave.
Along with excitement, I also feel very nervous. The feeling not only comes from the fact that I don't know any Japanese, it's also because I am taking a different flight from everyone else. Every single other person on the trip is going through a group flight, so they will be all together the whole way. I saved a bunch of money by booking my flight out of Chicago. I made sure that we were taking most of the same flights, so I shouldn't be apart from them for too long, but, there is still a large chance for error. Hope it all goes well.
I'm listening fellow IU student Esther Kim play Bazzini's "La Ronde des lutins." I actually heard it for the first time at a recital she performed at IU.
Today was everything I expected and more. Bush is no longer president!
Unfortunately, I came to age politically with one of the worst presidents. My position on issues was idealistic and never seemed attainable with the Bush administration. Day after day the news would inform me of another failure from the president. It will be difficult to get used to Obama in the White House.
As I explore the new White House website I see many opinions I never imagined coming from the government. Obama's plan for civil rights practically brings tears to my eyes. Finally, GLBT civil rights are recognized as a critical issue for the country. With Bush, the GLBT community always seemed to be a burden to even be mentioned, but with Obama they are finally treated as equals.
The coming years will be better. Better than I can possibly imagine after growing up in the age of Bush.
I am currently listening to and relistening to the Liszt Piano Sonata in B Minor which I first heard last night at an amazing recital:
When people say that you can do anything you put your mind to, I believe them. At this point in my life, I think I have the choice to go into any field I want. The only problem is I don't know what I want to do.
My friend Esther (above) is very confident in her life plan. She is working at her chemistry lab while she gets a degree in biochemistry and math. Then she is getting her MD and Phd to do research in cancer. If only I could be so confident in my majors.
Business is practical. My major in marketing is established and reliable. There is also a lot of room for creativity. My major in technology management is mentally stimulating. It involves problem solving and challenging critical thinking, a necessity in my future career path. I am fairly content with my current route, but nervous there are better options.
I have plenty of interests and I wouldn't mind pursuing them in school. With my math minor, I get to enjoy my interest in math and logical thinking. With my music minor, I learn new instruments and develop a deeper understanding for music. But there are other areas I want to get more involved in.
Photography is part of my daily life. I use the camera as a tool for living. A big occurrence must be recorded. Heading the Photography Society allows me to work on that interest and meet other like minded people. Not only does photography interest me, all of the arts do. I love to paint, write, sculpt, compose, design, and simply be creative.
Maybe my best option in life is to develop my creative side. But I have to balance enjoyment with practicality. As much as I don't like to admit it, both are very important.
I like to think my path with come in time, but I will miss many opportunities without a plan. These are my last summers without work. This may be my last chance at getting a BA or BS. This is my last chance to get a degree in violin making. The decisions I make today do have consequences for tomorrow. Now is the time to discover who I am and where I will take my life.
The campus is beautiful in the fall. Though I take a bus when I can, I love walking through campus. I have classes all over the place, so I am able to see all the different parts of campus. From the Gothic Revival buildings of the Old Crescent to the international style of the Art Museum, there are all sorts of architecture to see. But, my favorite part of my walks isn't always the architecture.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I have a jazz class in the music building. When I walk out of class, I have the best walk home. First I walk past the music practice building. After leaving the music school, I can hear the sounds of tons of musicians practicing coming out of the windows and through the walls.
As I move closer, I can make out individual performers. On the first floor of the practice building there is always a jazz combo practicing. As I keep going, I walk along the side of Merill Hall. The first person I hear is always practicing their flute. Sometimes they are alone, and sometimes they are with a pianist. They are usually playing Classical. Immediately after I hear a violinist, my favorite. She (or he) always has the richest tone and makes me want to stop and listen some more.
The last two musicians I hear are on the front side of the building. There is a clarinetist on the top floor who will practice just one or two measures over and over. Usually they are big intervals, or at least something that sounds difficult to play. I also walk past a piano student and their teacher practicing. I found out the other day that the teacher is Andre Watts.
These are my favorite walks of the week. I only get to hear these musicians for a few seconds, but it it's enough to put a smile on my face.
Every so often my family takes a field trip downtown. Yesterday my grandma, mom, and I went to the Art Institute of Chicago. As usual it was a great little visit.
One of the collections the Art Institute is known for is the Thorne Miniature Rooms. While we are there, there is a tour of the collection. They rarely have tours of the Miniatures so we make sure to take the tour.
We decide to take the elevator up to where the tour is meeting. The elevator is in a small stone alcove, almost hidden from the rest of the museum. As we wait, the pay phone rings.
We all look at the phone and then look at each other. I say "Should we answer it?"
My grandma takes the initiative and slowly walks up to the phone.
In my head I am running through all the different greetings she could say.
She picks up the phone and in a very casual manner says "This is the museum." For some reason I never expected her to say this. No "hello," no "Who's this," or other typical greeting.
This time specifying the museum she says "This is the Art Institute."
At this point she turns towards the phone and hangs it back up.
I'm just your typical college student. Currently a junior, I major in marketing and technology management and minor in mathematics and music. I am spending my summer in Osaka, Japan studying photography.
