How doe triangle communicates impermanence ? It suppose to be the most stable shape, but since I'm hanging it off the ground, the gravity becomes the permanent and everything else would risk falling!
I find beauty in the impermanence: Age, petals falling from the sky, water, dancing. I can't really duplicate nature, but it has its way to use same materials over and over again yet still be able to be unique in its nature's making. The triangular metal plates that I hung off the square net looks like a flock of bird, but it also looked like the shape of a fish. Swimming, flying, how free is that! but yet its tied to a string!
The installation goes from dense to less dense, leading the eyes to move around , and navigating the three-colored yarn with the metal plates that is hung off it.
I have a vision of Brenda's , the chair of department, who's a sculptor's work I saw over summer in the AVA gallery. I like to see how sculpture could work without heavy wood making, but simple strings and metal. Turns out that there are also lots to consider. the straightness of the triangle, the tensity of the string. How the knots are seen , or invisible, or just messy.
Argh, I am challenged but inspired and happy to constantly learning new things.
p.s. forgive this jibberish writing, I swear i will make sense of this later.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Thursday, March 1, 2012
My Senior Show Concert !
Press Release from Hopkins Center Website:
HANOVER, NH—Dartmouth’s and the Northfield Mount Hermon School’s percussion ensembles join forces on Saturday, February 18, for Long Live Spirit and Inspiration: East Asian Music and Rhythms. The concert that celebrates the music of East Asia—and the contributions of two student members of the Dartmouth ensemble.
Under the direction of Hafiz Shabazz, the concert celebrates Dartmouth seniors Christina Chen and Si Jie Loo, both of whom made the college’s World Music Percussion Ensemble their musical home during their time at the college.
Chen, an Economics and History double major who plans to go into journalism after graduating, came to the ensemble with 14 years of training in classical piano and wanted to experience music that was less rigid and more interpretive. Shabazz’s performance during Chen’s freshman orientation pointed her to the percussion ensemble, which became like a second family, as well as a creative outlet. She will play percussion and piano in the concert.
Si Jie Loo, a studio art major from an ethnically Chinese family in Malaysia, studied Chinese drums during high school and transitioned to West African djembe after joining the percussion ensemble her freshman year. She’s played a key support role in the ensemble, organizing performances, recruiting new members; and she’s also led the ensemble into Asian music, selecting repertoire and teaching the music. For this performance, her sister, Si Xuan Loo, who graduated from St. Lawrence College and now lives in Boston, joins the ensemble on erhu, a Chinese violin.
Also joining the Dartmouth group are student musicians from Northfield Mount Hermon School in Gill, MA, bringing traditional Korean samul nori percussion instruments. Student Director Eunjung (Katie) Chang was an award-winning musician in her native Korean.
The Chinese music the concert will sample dates back millennia but many of its modern forms sprang up after the Opium Wars of the mid-nineteenth century, including new genres of narrative singing and Cantonese music that fused the local traditional music with Western jazz elements. The Korean music comes from a 5,000-year-old tradition, especially the reign of King Sejong in the 15th century when the Korean alphabet was created and an advanced form of musical notation developed. The lively folk traditions of nongak farmer’s music, samul nori drumming and ritual shamanistic music go back to agricultural and religious festivities described in the Chinese annals.
The World Music Percussion Ensemble specializes in non-western drumming styles and techniques, from ancient African rhythms to rock, rap, hip-hop, Afro-pop, Salsa, Brazilian Sambas and world jazz. Shabazz is a master drummer and ethnomusicologist, percussionist, performer, and lecturer in Dartmouth’s Music Department who has toured as a professional musician throughout France, the Caribbean and North America, and has taught at the University of California at Berkeley and Duke University, and has lectured in more than 500 schools and universities.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
my first attempt on writing a review
So I m working in the Marketing section of the arts center and I wrote this amateur review for the Merce cunningham show:
This was my first Merce Cunningham show, and wow it blew me away. With Cunningham’s renowned impact on avant-garde, I was almost expecting walking out with question marks. To me, the term avant-garde has always sound intimidating, sophisticated yet abstract, and it would sure be difficult for me to ‘get it’. But to my surprise, I walked out nodding and smiling by how much I can relate to the dancers who portrayed Cunningham’s vision.
Cunningham has broken down the modern contemporary steps into an easier and relatable language of life. An act where every dancer inserted a bouncy ring inside their leotards reminds me of my interaction with the ‘outside’ world -- the uncomfortable first impressions and insecurities that I have to carry inside us despite that flawless confident smile. The bouncy ring in every dancer seems to represent that insecure feeling: awkward and uncomfortable yet we have to pretend that it is never there.
The dancers from the Merce Cunningham Dance Company looked like they have taken part-time acting classes. In “Squaregame”, big fluffy tutu-looking dresses weighed heavily on the female dancers as they circled around a male dancer in the middle, who was sorting out his four-sleeves-sweater. I was amazed how a dance performance can become a witty comical show. Not only were the dancers’ demanding dance moves in sync with the playful music, together with the dancers’ expression they delivered perfect comic timing.
The “Antic Meet”, music by John Cage was my favorite piece. When two female dancers tip toed their perfect lines onto the stage, their elegance was turned completely upside down with the ‘cat fights’ they were having with each other. Each of them either purposefully blocks the other’s way or makes funny face behind the other’s back. The audience and I broke into laughter. The unexpected scene made the extreme talented and skillful artists human, because they have related their act to our everyday life and challenges. No matter what we do, there will always be somebody looking at us, thinking that we are complete idiots; therefore no act would be perfect without some healthy backstage drama! Isn’t that why people watch reality shows these days? The act continued with two men marched in circles and greeted each other with their poker face and straight defensive posture. This time, gender seems to determine how the dancers interact with each other. The culture of machismo was shown here when the two men refuse to show their emotion, possibly weaknesses to each other. The dancers have skillfully interpreted the different human behaviors and left space for some thoughtful reflection.
Though all three pieces in the show were first performed more than thirty years ago, Cunningham’s works transcend time and spaces. The extravagance of Andy Warhol’s décor combined with sharp retro color (the bright purple leotard, anyone?) still works like magic visually. Even with my little expertise in the modern contemporary dance, I could tell that Cunningham’s works will continue to impact and influence today’s younger dancers and audience.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Fear
I remember the time when I was still an active blogger, can't wait to tell the world how I feel and what I have learn.
Recently, it has all stopped. I fear people bridging my privacy, knowing too much, I fear I have invaded others' privacy for mentioning them or giving TMI about them. In the world of social media where you could just add an '@'sign in front of a person's name to make sure they are notified when you talk about them, I slowly fail to see the very purpose of mentioning.
Are the attention-seeking real? Do I really want to know what people think about me? from a mere picture, one-sentence statement, what I wrote about my life? Fear of judgment has become my biggest hurdle to write, to express myself like I used to be. My experience of living in between cultures have exposed me to the many interpretations of actions and behaviors in life. A free-spirit girl in America can be interpreted as a slut in Morocco; a submissive woman in Malaysia can be seen as lack of woman's right from the west. News reporting became a bias information feeder to the ignorant readers who blindly trust but do not question deeper.
Who are my readers anyway? Are they just family and friends? I refuse to put my blog on private because I believe that my thoughts are interesting and meaningful enough to educate a stranger. My pride told me that I can unconsciously impact a conscious reader. Discussing about my life could eventually inspire others' journey of seeking self, education and purpose in life. However, recently, I think I am muted. I have muted myself.
Oh I have lived. I have lived through the wonderful extreme ends of Moroccan culture, breathed in the dry desert wind and lush spring flowers of the country, crossing lines of black and white to understand reality of human suffering and wandering, peaked through the lives of both elites and struggling hard workers from the deep narrow streets of the old cities, and invaded the exclusive religious but unorthodox ceremonies in the dark. Can I tell? Can I really tell what I have seen, heard and smelled?
Can my stories recuperate my adventurous desire that fails to surface in this purposeful arranged routines in the summer by this prestigious and expensive institution that I pay a peanut (compared to many) to get in?
But I think I have already made my decision. My brain could not hold anymore. It wants to be freed, freed of secrets, freed from hiding. I have a lot to say, and somehow, neither my term paper, nor my facebook and twitter status are enough to contain that. Whether its my superficial self seeking for attention, or my civic self wanting to teach others about my free-spirited life, I think it is time again for me to speak up.
Stay tuned.
Recently, it has all stopped. I fear people bridging my privacy, knowing too much, I fear I have invaded others' privacy for mentioning them or giving TMI about them. In the world of social media where you could just add an '@'sign in front of a person's name to make sure they are notified when you talk about them, I slowly fail to see the very purpose of mentioning.
Are the attention-seeking real? Do I really want to know what people think about me? from a mere picture, one-sentence statement, what I wrote about my life? Fear of judgment has become my biggest hurdle to write, to express myself like I used to be. My experience of living in between cultures have exposed me to the many interpretations of actions and behaviors in life. A free-spirit girl in America can be interpreted as a slut in Morocco; a submissive woman in Malaysia can be seen as lack of woman's right from the west. News reporting became a bias information feeder to the ignorant readers who blindly trust but do not question deeper.
Who are my readers anyway? Are they just family and friends? I refuse to put my blog on private because I believe that my thoughts are interesting and meaningful enough to educate a stranger. My pride told me that I can unconsciously impact a conscious reader. Discussing about my life could eventually inspire others' journey of seeking self, education and purpose in life. However, recently, I think I am muted. I have muted myself.
Oh I have lived. I have lived through the wonderful extreme ends of Moroccan culture, breathed in the dry desert wind and lush spring flowers of the country, crossing lines of black and white to understand reality of human suffering and wandering, peaked through the lives of both elites and struggling hard workers from the deep narrow streets of the old cities, and invaded the exclusive religious but unorthodox ceremonies in the dark. Can I tell? Can I really tell what I have seen, heard and smelled?
Can my stories recuperate my adventurous desire that fails to surface in this purposeful arranged routines in the summer by this prestigious and expensive institution that I pay a peanut (compared to many) to get in?
But I think I have already made my decision. My brain could not hold anymore. It wants to be freed, freed of secrets, freed from hiding. I have a lot to say, and somehow, neither my term paper, nor my facebook and twitter status are enough to contain that. Whether its my superficial self seeking for attention, or my civic self wanting to teach others about my free-spirited life, I think it is time again for me to speak up.
Stay tuned.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Eliana's blog
I tried to write, but never did, so here it is , my experience in Morocco from a 3rd person's perspective:P
http://regardshome.blogspot.com/
http://regardshome.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
open ended possibilities
what are they?
I wanna do a senior project that consists of research and drumming in Cuba, stage production and documentary.
Where do I need to plan that performance, when do I want to go, what application do I need to fill , advisors, recommendation letter. What come first?
Takes months to get all the material ready. You want to realize a dream? do the job of planning and logistics.
Yeap, that's what I have been doing besides class. on top of that, I still need to find art related internship in the summer, after I come back from Morocco foreign study abroad program.
Luckily I got to talk to people who are so supportive regardless of my amateur approach to this project. From recommendation to execution to budget handling, I wish I can synthesis all my resources as soon as possible before I leave.
All rantings do not get my job done. so I have to do more writing. please hope for the best!
I wanna do a senior project that consists of research and drumming in Cuba, stage production and documentary.
Where do I need to plan that performance, when do I want to go, what application do I need to fill , advisors, recommendation letter. What come first?
Takes months to get all the material ready. You want to realize a dream? do the job of planning and logistics.
Yeap, that's what I have been doing besides class. on top of that, I still need to find art related internship in the summer, after I come back from Morocco foreign study abroad program.
Luckily I got to talk to people who are so supportive regardless of my amateur approach to this project. From recommendation to execution to budget handling, I wish I can synthesis all my resources as soon as possible before I leave.
All rantings do not get my job done. so I have to do more writing. please hope for the best!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
flights...
I have a friend who's in the soccer team , they travel almost weekly in plane to compete with other universities.
Free plane rides...whoa...
one of the benefit of having a 'good' job is also the free business trips you can get from your company.....
but after my more then 28 hours straight flights, I am not so sure I am up for plane trips anymore. Sleeping in the plane can kill time, but it makes me more tired.
With luck, you might get two seats for yourself because nobody's next to you. But if not....its just pure cramming.
Ahhhhh...two more hours till the FINAL touch down.
Welcome home, myself.
Free plane rides...whoa...
one of the benefit of having a 'good' job is also the free business trips you can get from your company.....
but after my more then 28 hours straight flights, I am not so sure I am up for plane trips anymore. Sleeping in the plane can kill time, but it makes me more tired.
With luck, you might get two seats for yourself because nobody's next to you. But if not....its just pure cramming.
Ahhhhh...two more hours till the FINAL touch down.
Welcome home, myself.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Deaths
I have no time to document my encounter with deaths. Some deaths feel "nearer" to me than others.
A couple of weeks ago, a prof from Art History dept died of breast cancer. She was 40. I saw her death has impacted many people near me: My current art prof burst out in tears infront of her students in class; my research prof ( who's probably around the same age with her) couldn't really focus on work even though she doesn't know her;I might have taken her class at some point, people said she's brilliant, but most of all, I just found out that she's the wife of my art grant advisor. He has never mentioned it to me, the whole time we were speaking, god must know how hard he has been through everyday.
A primary school teacher just died yesterday. She taught me public speaking. She's always approachable during my visits after graduation. She's my sis's classmate's mom. She's my teachers' colleagues. I talked to her a lot when I was 12 years old in school.
Miraculously, I dreamt of my dear friend who died a couple of years ago of cancer. He was still so warm and friendly in my dream.
RIP.
A couple of weeks ago, a prof from Art History dept died of breast cancer. She was 40. I saw her death has impacted many people near me: My current art prof burst out in tears infront of her students in class; my research prof ( who's probably around the same age with her) couldn't really focus on work even though she doesn't know her;I might have taken her class at some point, people said she's brilliant, but most of all, I just found out that she's the wife of my art grant advisor. He has never mentioned it to me, the whole time we were speaking, god must know how hard he has been through everyday.
A primary school teacher just died yesterday. She taught me public speaking. She's always approachable during my visits after graduation. She's my sis's classmate's mom. She's my teachers' colleagues. I talked to her a lot when I was 12 years old in school.
Miraculously, I dreamt of my dear friend who died a couple of years ago of cancer. He was still so warm and friendly in my dream.
RIP.
Mounting pressure from all directions
Like nobody's business..
Have just been hiding trying to keep my pressure cooker from exploding
All subjects have paper due sometime sunday or later but I would not be able to do it on the plane so basically I have to finish it prior.
Am anticipating a reverse culture shock when I go home: language , conversation , culture, food , means of entertainment
Super excited but super worried
Bought tons of valuables and am worried of custom , luggage
Have been rambling about all these to ppl...so I hope ppl don't feel I am too much!
Now back to my papers!
Have just been hiding trying to keep my pressure cooker from exploding
All subjects have paper due sometime sunday or later but I would not be able to do it on the plane so basically I have to finish it prior.
Am anticipating a reverse culture shock when I go home: language , conversation , culture, food , means of entertainment
Super excited but super worried
Bought tons of valuables and am worried of custom , luggage
Have been rambling about all these to ppl...so I hope ppl don't feel I am too much!
Now back to my papers!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
concert tomorrow
The few interesting events that occurred today:
I learned to spell Burkina Faso's capital, i.e. Ouagadougou ( no I lied, I still use the spell check), but yeah, you can never finish learning the capitals of every country in the world. My prof who have been there for her thesis research never stop talking about her experience there. For her, I guess Burkina Faso is Africa.
Came across a friend that I don't usually bump into. He told me he got hired to a very competitive consulting company and is willing to share a tips or two in getting to interviews, getting the job etc. I was happy to hear that he is so low profile and generous to help; you hear a lot about these people getting high prestigious consulting job, but they are usually cocky and not really willing to share their experience. I bet even now, not many know that this friend got into this top ranked consulting company and gets to choose which country he wants to be! Is this a bonus to me ? or should I still stick to looking for my own passion?
I HAVE to talk about SEX infront of my residents next week,yeah part of my job description as an undergrad advisor. So I went to seek advice on how to conduct this potential awkward and chaotic meeting. There comes a time where you really need to confront your inner fear of talking about certain 'sensitive' or personal topic.
Had a long rehearsal from 6- 9 30pm today for my percussion ensemble. I was lost most of the time , cause even I know the beats, I still need to coordinate the beats with the guest performers, which is a 7- people-Cuban band. Using my rusty Spanish, I was able to ask for help, and their music guru, W, was such a nice guy. I have to be frank, I have a musician crush on him. On the other hand, the other band members might have a crush on me too. They came to me and ask for a photo together, and didn't ask the others. good guess? lol.
My voice is still lost, due to me drinking everything but water. But I find my voice kinda sexy, not everyone thinks so though.
ok. adios!
I learned to spell Burkina Faso's capital, i.e. Ouagadougou ( no I lied, I still use the spell check), but yeah, you can never finish learning the capitals of every country in the world. My prof who have been there for her thesis research never stop talking about her experience there. For her, I guess Burkina Faso is Africa.
Came across a friend that I don't usually bump into. He told me he got hired to a very competitive consulting company and is willing to share a tips or two in getting to interviews, getting the job etc. I was happy to hear that he is so low profile and generous to help; you hear a lot about these people getting high prestigious consulting job, but they are usually cocky and not really willing to share their experience. I bet even now, not many know that this friend got into this top ranked consulting company and gets to choose which country he wants to be! Is this a bonus to me ? or should I still stick to looking for my own passion?
I HAVE to talk about SEX infront of my residents next week,yeah part of my job description as an undergrad advisor. So I went to seek advice on how to conduct this potential awkward and chaotic meeting. There comes a time where you really need to confront your inner fear of talking about certain 'sensitive' or personal topic.
Had a long rehearsal from 6- 9 30pm today for my percussion ensemble. I was lost most of the time , cause even I know the beats, I still need to coordinate the beats with the guest performers, which is a 7- people-Cuban band. Using my rusty Spanish, I was able to ask for help, and their music guru, W, was such a nice guy. I have to be frank, I have a musician crush on him. On the other hand, the other band members might have a crush on me too. They came to me and ask for a photo together, and didn't ask the others. good guess? lol.
My voice is still lost, due to me drinking everything but water. But I find my voice kinda sexy, not everyone thinks so though.
ok. adios!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Boston
I was always kinda "forced" to take up some drumming gigs because I belong to the world music percussion ensemble. I call it "forced" because usually these invitation to perform come in really late and without any early notice. Most of the time, I have to readjust my schedule or sacrifice something in order to make those performance happen. Of course, I enjoy every opportunity I have to perform, but when it finally comes to " how can I spend my time for me? " question, I don't think I know how to answer that really well.
So this week, I decided to go with the flow, and just join Kevin and his friends to Boston, and not make it to a concert. We got a free ride ( well in a car, not the $ 50 per person bus ride) to Boston and have a free place to stay ( one of our friends got an interview with a consulting firm, and they gave him a nice big room in a hotel with room service and parking space, food, etc just for the interview) . See if you want to have a good luxury life, see how the companies trying to lure you into the corporate world. It really comes down to the lifestyle you wanna live . $ 300 dollars hotel room for an interview ?? maybe!
I called up Jonathan and Olivia before the trip. Luckily they can both make time to meet up with me. We went around the Boston to search for place eat, and later go out. Me and Olivia got some girl time in a bar , catching up where we left off almost 2 years ago. It feels so nice to have somebody who understand you, and just spill everything without any burden. Sadly, I lost my voice from the day before and it wasn't really pleasant to hear my voice for the two days.
Massachusetts is a really strict state. They are not allow to serve alcohol after 12 30 am and and they don't have trains after 12 30 am. After that its really up to us how we go home. All the taxis were just trying to hike up the price coz this is not New York. High demand, low supply , we have mean taxi drivers. We walked half the city just to catch a bus to go to Olivia's college, Wellesley. Luckily we made it to the bus stop just in time.
So in short, got some real food, real city life, real conversation, real friends, and real time for me!
So this week, I decided to go with the flow, and just join Kevin and his friends to Boston, and not make it to a concert. We got a free ride ( well in a car, not the $ 50 per person bus ride) to Boston and have a free place to stay ( one of our friends got an interview with a consulting firm, and they gave him a nice big room in a hotel with room service and parking space, food, etc just for the interview) . See if you want to have a good luxury life, see how the companies trying to lure you into the corporate world. It really comes down to the lifestyle you wanna live . $ 300 dollars hotel room for an interview ?? maybe!
I called up Jonathan and Olivia before the trip. Luckily they can both make time to meet up with me. We went around the Boston to search for place eat, and later go out. Me and Olivia got some girl time in a bar , catching up where we left off almost 2 years ago. It feels so nice to have somebody who understand you, and just spill everything without any burden. Sadly, I lost my voice from the day before and it wasn't really pleasant to hear my voice for the two days.
Massachusetts is a really strict state. They are not allow to serve alcohol after 12 30 am and and they don't have trains after 12 30 am. After that its really up to us how we go home. All the taxis were just trying to hike up the price coz this is not New York. High demand, low supply , we have mean taxi drivers. We walked half the city just to catch a bus to go to Olivia's college, Wellesley. Luckily we made it to the bus stop just in time.
So in short, got some real food, real city life, real conversation, real friends, and real time for me!
Friday, November 5, 2010
random observation
I decided that instead of not saying anything about my life in detail
i could spat out stuff that I have yet thought through, most of my time in Dartmouth, I am just rushing from place to place, and haven't have enough time to reflect on things :
Art history department dinner- realized that the department which is located next to the Baker library is used to be the Museum ( studio art department used to be there after the museum is moved , then occupied by art history department)
The everchanging of Dartmouth is witnessed by most staff and faculty more than student
Talked to a Safety and Security officer who has been here since 1982. According to her, she knows the nasty details of the parents ( who are Dartmouth alums) of current students!
As people know, the legacy is really strong here, most dartmouth alum want to send their children back to Dartmouth
CEO of Ebay (who is a dartmouth alum) gave a talk:
his son is a 2009 Graduate of Dartmouth too, he married his wife who is one year older than him in Dartmouth, and ever since then coordinated with his wife for 25 years of how both their careers could fit with each other to start family, advance in corporate ladder etc. All networking starts with curiosity and authenticity of character
The first women editor of the Dartmouth newspaper is now the chief editor of International Herald Tribune , she came back to talk about international journalism, says that her main motivation to go after her career is the lifestyle that she wants ( being abroad) , rather than merely journalism ( cause its very low pay)
Network yourself into a job!!! that's what everybody advices, have curiosity with people !!
i could spat out stuff that I have yet thought through, most of my time in Dartmouth, I am just rushing from place to place, and haven't have enough time to reflect on things :
Art history department dinner- realized that the department which is located next to the Baker library is used to be the Museum ( studio art department used to be there after the museum is moved , then occupied by art history department)
The everchanging of Dartmouth is witnessed by most staff and faculty more than student
Talked to a Safety and Security officer who has been here since 1982. According to her, she knows the nasty details of the parents ( who are Dartmouth alums) of current students!
As people know, the legacy is really strong here, most dartmouth alum want to send their children back to Dartmouth
CEO of Ebay (who is a dartmouth alum) gave a talk:
his son is a 2009 Graduate of Dartmouth too, he married his wife who is one year older than him in Dartmouth, and ever since then coordinated with his wife for 25 years of how both their careers could fit with each other to start family, advance in corporate ladder etc. All networking starts with curiosity and authenticity of character
The first women editor of the Dartmouth newspaper is now the chief editor of International Herald Tribune , she came back to talk about international journalism, says that her main motivation to go after her career is the lifestyle that she wants ( being abroad) , rather than merely journalism ( cause its very low pay)
Network yourself into a job!!! that's what everybody advices, have curiosity with people !!
Monday, July 26, 2010
My Egg Obsession
I am an addict! An Egg addict! I need a cure!!
I eat egg tarts everyday even though I know the crust of the egg tarts I bought from this particular shop is too flaky. I would order chicken burgers and take eggies from Kevin's plate as additional level.
Eggies I consume:
Egg tarts- one a day
Scramble eggs - one every two days
French Toast -- once a week
Fried Eggs -- if i m not eating any of the above
I thought I just hear my mom's warning of high cholesterol and potential of stroke ..haha
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Am I the fish in this tank?
People have told me many times that our Major doesn't necessarily have to do with what we are going to be doing in the future. However,whenever you are asked" what do you study in college? " people wants to, in their head, do the equation and to link your answer to your prospective career.
"Geography" I said. " Oh you like maps? "
"Geography and Studio Arts" as if trying to justify myself " Oh, you like drawing maps?"
"Geography, but I like the human geography part, you know the development and cultural issues? " I thought linking myself to social goals is always a good answer. " Wow, didn't know geography covers that, so what will you be doing then? " So they still can't do the math, cause there is no job that people can immediately relate to a Geography major. In superficial settings, when people initially trying to get to know you, that's dangerous. Cause you can be shoved aside and listed in their head as the " I-can't-relate-to-her" lady.
Yes, we live in the world where people try to simplify things all the time. Simplification allows them to use less to understand more and make judgment. All the ads, the marketing plans, all the business models are simplified so that people could "fall in love" to the products easily without asking too many questions. Thus all the powerpoint work for interns. haha.
What happen to career exploration? ask more questions? question everything?
That's precisely how I ended up in New York City. Testing what I know and what I don't. Testing the tank full of fish, and see whether I belong here.
Turns out I still have to go back to the internet to make future plans. Not that I do not like socializing and exploration. But the city can be mean if you do not know anyone. I can't possibly go anywhere without friends by myself, and its so hard to make plans with friends who do not seem to know how to follow up.
Ideally, I would like to look up random alums with big money and works with big company and just chat with them. But that requires a lot of research and asking the right questions. Better yet, keep a communication log and record all the conversation that has happened. Well, I really like to know how people achieve their career goals!But that takes so much time!
I had a rough start in NYC, maybe I was not careful enough,but it teaches me that unpaid internship can be really sketchy. When there's no pay involve, people could just use you as cheap labors. That's how I feel the only few days at my first internship. They made me make a bunch of phone calls to random restaurants to ask for random donations. Who does that? Why would people help a random stranger ? That is in fact, the key to my discovery in New York.
"Who would help a random stranger?" The answer is of course: NOBODY.How do we solve that problem? By NETWORKING. Over the month, I understand that the core difference between Bribery and Networking. Both involves knowing the right people, but the former requires you to give lots and lots of "present" to make them happy to return any favor, while the later requires a good sense of humor, the right personality to keep those "helpful" people in your loop without letting them know you are actually "networking". It is a paradox, because when networking seems more noble, bribery is more honest, because the objective is clear at the very beginning.
I networked to find my second internship. Yes, I quit, and I was panicked for about two weeks. But thank Buddha that I wasn't alone. I have the best bf and a groups of close friends from Dartmouth. I talked to alums, talked to my mentor, talked to friends and many many more people. Doug, my percussion teacher, was kind enough to point me to a great direction, his best friend, Tim, who is the deputy director for an Arts Management Company. I went straight to their office and got the position the next day I returned from exile in Dartmouth.
Being an intern in this company makes me think even more. Arts industry is a tough world without good business management. This company,working as non-profit, strives to provide different services for the arts community such as software design, insurance, space rentals, fund-raising and more. Most colleagues in the company are smart people with interest in arts and usually have a graduate degree. ( Q1: is master degree a must?) Working in a non-profit sector doesn't mean you don't earn money, is just that you are not entitled to own shares, and become a millionaire over-night because you do well. A common misconception is that a non-profit consists of poor management who always ask for donations to keep a company running. But this company's business model is to get funding to develop new projects so that when the project is successful, they can generate their own revenue and run continuously without more funding.
There are so many questions that I wanted to ask all these smart people around me, but sadly, I am not a vampire. Nobody likes to be asked " what's your life challenge and key to success " everyday. My dear friend Faaez from Pakistan shared with me, " Americans separate their time for serious conversation and non-serious ones, don't ever bring up world poverty during lunch, expect people to discuss with you, they will think that you are an idiot". So guys' lunch conversations are " chick talk, trash talk, and ball talk, lebron james will be a good topic too". Girls, " boyfriends, sex, boys, flirting, sex, boys, sex boys". Welcome to America. (Q2: Then when is the best time to network?).
Day 1-- I absolutely enjoy most of the conversations with my colleagues, cause we talked about majors , studies, and work application.
Day 2-- the whole office was all excited about " the guy in the rainbow" high on drugs You tube clip. ( if you want to know the extend of the interest of this topic which I fail to relate to , watch it, also check out the number of clicks it receives.)
Day 3-- I am swamped with work and I feared I cannot finish my assignments in time. I was to research and compare any software in the internet and market that provides good features for small scale arts organization and arts school. Though having no time to talk to my new acquaintance, I did managed to learn a hell lot about writing a consultation report. Seeing my colleagues have all the time to chat with one another and making jokes, I understand a beginner like me will take more time to finish a task than them, so I do not have the luxury to talk.
Off days (like today)-- I would continue to work for my professor, who is hiring me, despite my lack of attention to the work I was paid to do in the Spring. But since I live in the city and have to get paid, I might as well be a good assistant. Again, the countless " geography major" conversation stuck in my head, and I had to do something about it. One of the summer tasks is to continue to find courses that interest me and keep me pursuing my million interests ( such as Marketing, Art History, Women and Gender Studies) on top of the Geography Major requirements and Modification with Studio Arts course. Moreover, I was suppose to volunteer ( I clearly haven't learn my lesson about unpaid internship) for a Jazz promotional non-profit started by non other than Jude Law ( will never meet him). I had the chance to learn about the principles of PR job , I was suppose to find writers and press who could help the organization promote their latest "gig tool" online. I am even invited to their salon event, which entails cocktail dress, drinks, and jazz musicians!
But I am about to call everything off to go to Motema's b'day in Dartmouth. Reasons?
Yes I could be networking with tonnes of new contacts, but ultimately , I will only receive enough name cards for god knows when to use. A pure superficial event, fun to go if I am with a bunch of girl friends.But I do not even know the organizers ( only thing I know is that they date within the organization, or , they volunteer together), and have only met with my supervisor once.
Based on my experience in Bangkok, it takes more than a month to let people feel comfortable to be around you, to accept you as a friend, and willing to tell you the 'truth' about their world, their lifestyle. That's why I am very much an intruder ( I know that because everybody has each others' skype account in the office and chat except me, everybody could track each other's calendar except for me, I am pretty much out of their intercom network). Which leads to another crucial question ( Q3: How much can you know about a culture and place in 4 weeks? if so, do I really need to go to another study abroad which I am accepted, or should I just focus on career/soul searching for my remaining terms in Dartmouth? )
There are still so much to think about. My life as an intern is not done yet. But I hope I will learn along the way and would one day declare what I really wanna do in the future.
"Geography" I said. " Oh you like maps? "
"Geography and Studio Arts" as if trying to justify myself " Oh, you like drawing maps?"
"Geography, but I like the human geography part, you know the development and cultural issues? " I thought linking myself to social goals is always a good answer. " Wow, didn't know geography covers that, so what will you be doing then? " So they still can't do the math, cause there is no job that people can immediately relate to a Geography major. In superficial settings, when people initially trying to get to know you, that's dangerous. Cause you can be shoved aside and listed in their head as the " I-can't-relate-to-her" lady.
Yes, we live in the world where people try to simplify things all the time. Simplification allows them to use less to understand more and make judgment. All the ads, the marketing plans, all the business models are simplified so that people could "fall in love" to the products easily without asking too many questions. Thus all the powerpoint work for interns. haha.
What happen to career exploration? ask more questions? question everything?
That's precisely how I ended up in New York City. Testing what I know and what I don't. Testing the tank full of fish, and see whether I belong here.
Turns out I still have to go back to the internet to make future plans. Not that I do not like socializing and exploration. But the city can be mean if you do not know anyone. I can't possibly go anywhere without friends by myself, and its so hard to make plans with friends who do not seem to know how to follow up.
Ideally, I would like to look up random alums with big money and works with big company and just chat with them. But that requires a lot of research and asking the right questions. Better yet, keep a communication log and record all the conversation that has happened. Well, I really like to know how people achieve their career goals!But that takes so much time!
I had a rough start in NYC, maybe I was not careful enough,but it teaches me that unpaid internship can be really sketchy. When there's no pay involve, people could just use you as cheap labors. That's how I feel the only few days at my first internship. They made me make a bunch of phone calls to random restaurants to ask for random donations. Who does that? Why would people help a random stranger ? That is in fact, the key to my discovery in New York.
"Who would help a random stranger?" The answer is of course: NOBODY.How do we solve that problem? By NETWORKING. Over the month, I understand that the core difference between Bribery and Networking. Both involves knowing the right people, but the former requires you to give lots and lots of "present" to make them happy to return any favor, while the later requires a good sense of humor, the right personality to keep those "helpful" people in your loop without letting them know you are actually "networking". It is a paradox, because when networking seems more noble, bribery is more honest, because the objective is clear at the very beginning.
I networked to find my second internship. Yes, I quit, and I was panicked for about two weeks. But thank Buddha that I wasn't alone. I have the best bf and a groups of close friends from Dartmouth. I talked to alums, talked to my mentor, talked to friends and many many more people. Doug, my percussion teacher, was kind enough to point me to a great direction, his best friend, Tim, who is the deputy director for an Arts Management Company. I went straight to their office and got the position the next day I returned from exile in Dartmouth.
Being an intern in this company makes me think even more. Arts industry is a tough world without good business management. This company,working as non-profit, strives to provide different services for the arts community such as software design, insurance, space rentals, fund-raising and more. Most colleagues in the company are smart people with interest in arts and usually have a graduate degree. ( Q1: is master degree a must?) Working in a non-profit sector doesn't mean you don't earn money, is just that you are not entitled to own shares, and become a millionaire over-night because you do well. A common misconception is that a non-profit consists of poor management who always ask for donations to keep a company running. But this company's business model is to get funding to develop new projects so that when the project is successful, they can generate their own revenue and run continuously without more funding.
There are so many questions that I wanted to ask all these smart people around me, but sadly, I am not a vampire. Nobody likes to be asked " what's your life challenge and key to success " everyday. My dear friend Faaez from Pakistan shared with me, " Americans separate their time for serious conversation and non-serious ones, don't ever bring up world poverty during lunch, expect people to discuss with you, they will think that you are an idiot". So guys' lunch conversations are " chick talk, trash talk, and ball talk, lebron james will be a good topic too". Girls, " boyfriends, sex, boys, flirting, sex, boys, sex boys". Welcome to America. (Q2: Then when is the best time to network?).
Day 1-- I absolutely enjoy most of the conversations with my colleagues, cause we talked about majors , studies, and work application.
Day 2-- the whole office was all excited about " the guy in the rainbow" high on drugs You tube clip. ( if you want to know the extend of the interest of this topic which I fail to relate to
Day 3-- I am swamped with work and I feared I cannot finish my assignments in time. I was to research and compare any software in the internet and market that provides good features for small scale arts organization and arts school. Though having no time to talk to my new acquaintance, I did managed to learn a hell lot about writing a consultation report. Seeing my colleagues have all the time to chat with one another and making jokes, I understand a beginner like me will take more time to finish a task than them, so I do not have the luxury to talk.
Off days (like today)-- I would continue to work for my professor, who is hiring me, despite my lack of attention to the work I was paid to do in the Spring. But since I live in the city and have to get paid, I might as well be a good assistant. Again, the countless " geography major" conversation stuck in my head, and I had to do something about it. One of the summer tasks is to continue to find courses that interest me and keep me pursuing my million interests ( such as Marketing, Art History, Women and Gender Studies) on top of the Geography Major requirements and Modification with Studio Arts course. Moreover, I was suppose to volunteer ( I clearly haven't learn my lesson about unpaid internship) for a Jazz promotional non-profit started by non other than Jude Law ( will never meet him). I had the chance to learn about the principles of PR job , I was suppose to find writers and press who could help the organization promote their latest "gig tool" online. I am even invited to their salon event, which entails cocktail dress, drinks, and jazz musicians!
But I am about to call everything off to go to Motema's b'day in Dartmouth. Reasons?
Yes I could be networking with tonnes of new contacts, but ultimately , I will only receive enough name cards for god knows when to use. A pure superficial event, fun to go if I am with a bunch of girl friends.But I do not even know the organizers ( only thing I know is that they date within the organization, or , they volunteer together), and have only met with my supervisor once.
Based on my experience in Bangkok, it takes more than a month to let people feel comfortable to be around you, to accept you as a friend, and willing to tell you the 'truth' about their world, their lifestyle. That's why I am very much an intruder ( I know that because everybody has each others' skype account in the office and chat except me, everybody could track each other's calendar except for me, I am pretty much out of their intercom network). Which leads to another crucial question ( Q3: How much can you know about a culture and place in 4 weeks? if so, do I really need to go to another study abroad which I am accepted, or should I just focus on career/soul searching for my remaining terms in Dartmouth? )
There are still so much to think about. My life as an intern is not done yet. But I hope I will learn along the way and would one day declare what I really wanna do in the future.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
What I did on Monday 8 am to 10 pm (click for photos)
We literally move 6 boats from main road to the lake, built 3 platforms on 6 boats, move all the instruments onto the platform, moved other instruments to three other spots facing the lake, Assisted the performance by playing the thunder sheets, took the boats to the shore, took of the platform, load the boats to the truck and load all the instruments back. Unforgettable group effort and spirits to make music happen.
Check out this video of the performance from 4 45pm to 6 15 pm. ( less than 2 hours is the actual performance!!) and New York Times' review...look out for me among the bushes when u click on 'slideshow' lol....
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/23/arts/music/23xenakis.html
Check out this video of the performance from 4 45pm to 6 15 pm. ( less than 2 hours is the actual performance!!) and New York Times' review...look out for me among the bushes when u click on 'slideshow' lol....
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/23/arts/music/23xenakis.html
persephassa on the lake from liubo on Vimeo.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Liquid....
literally flowed out from my eyes, ears, nose in various color.
I am not trying to disgust you, but its true, I don' t know what is wrong with me.
I am experiencing so-throat, bleeding both my nose and ear, and red eyes.
I guess its the stress-- well, I don't really stress about work.
I guess I don't drink enough water-- maybe, because there isn't enough warm water and I don't feel like drinking cold water all the time.
Well that's my physical condition.
Not too serious to be worrying yet.
Then again, do I really wanna tell you what's in my head, in my heart?
A term's ending is another beginning. There are so many unknown in front of me. I couldn't think beyond June. All I know is , I am going to be in New York, with a friend who's willing to host me, with a job, which I am yet to know what is it about.
I wanted to explore my artistic instinct, whether I am fit for the artsy world, whether I am choosing the right thing on campus, whether I am spending my time wisely. Whether I am learning, and making myself happy and useful everyday.
At the same time, I will be missing a good company. Someone whom I have spent most of my Dartmouth with. I don't want to think about it yet, but its coming. Oh life, why can't it be any easier?
I am not trying to disgust you, but its true, I don' t know what is wrong with me.
I am experiencing so-throat, bleeding both my nose and ear, and red eyes.
I guess its the stress-- well, I don't really stress about work.
I guess I don't drink enough water-- maybe, because there isn't enough warm water and I don't feel like drinking cold water all the time.
Well that's my physical condition.
Not too serious to be worrying yet.
Then again, do I really wanna tell you what's in my head, in my heart?
A term's ending is another beginning. There are so many unknown in front of me. I couldn't think beyond June. All I know is , I am going to be in New York, with a friend who's willing to host me, with a job, which I am yet to know what is it about.
I wanted to explore my artistic instinct, whether I am fit for the artsy world, whether I am choosing the right thing on campus, whether I am spending my time wisely. Whether I am learning, and making myself happy and useful everyday.
At the same time, I will be missing a good company. Someone whom I have spent most of my Dartmouth with. I don't want to think about it yet, but its coming. Oh life, why can't it be any easier?
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Green Key Weekend
This is a weekend where its perfectly fine to drink the night away and party as hard as you want!
For me, I have been working the whole term for this week, and finally I got to perform in this big event of the year-- Step show ( see video in previous post) !
Memorable moments this weekend:
-When Motema, Sabrina and I coincidentally wore Purple and laugh to a scene under a tree!
-When the dance floor was cleared up and Kevin, the DJ cum BF played specially picked songs for only Motema, Sabrina and Me!
-When the boys and I spent an hour in FOCO and then building 'Eifel' Towers in the room. lol
-When people do not know whether I am hyper or typsy .
- Frat hopping.
Now that the week has ended, I have to study for finals on Monday!
For me, I have been working the whole term for this week, and finally I got to perform in this big event of the year-- Step show ( see video in previous post) !
Memorable moments this weekend:
-When Motema, Sabrina and I coincidentally wore Purple and laugh to a scene under a tree!
-When the dance floor was cleared up and Kevin, the DJ cum BF played specially picked songs for only Motema, Sabrina and Me!
-When the boys and I spent an hour in FOCO and then building 'Eifel' Towers in the room. lol
-When people do not know whether I am hyper or typsy .
- Frat hopping.
Now that the week has ended, I have to study for finals on Monday!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Another blog
Hi Readers,
I am keeping another blog for my writing class this term. The posts are more intellectual motivated and less personal, however, its another way of learning what I am doing on campus and what I am learning!
Enjoy.
Si Jie
I am keeping another blog for my writing class this term. The posts are more intellectual motivated and less personal, however, its another way of learning what I am doing on campus and what I am learning!
Enjoy.
Si Jie
Monday, March 29, 2010
Have I lose....(click)
my habit of blogging?
Time never seems to be enough for me when classes are on.
But when I have them, over the spring break (the past 2 weeks) essentially,instead of blogging, here's what I did:
1) Overslept till 2 pm due to watching late night movies from iTunes rental store
2) Spent the first few hours upon waking up cooking, shopping for food, and eating
3) Watched more movies
4) Repeated step (2) for dinner, sometimes cooking for a big group of friends
5) Okok I did meaningful stuff too: phone interviews for summer internship (positive:P)
6) Organized late night hang out, dancing the night away with African music
7) Drove 2 hours to Boston to shop for shoes, belts, bags, jackets, and Chinatown food supplies
8) When not shopping in Boston, ate African food in Ethiopian restaurant and Chinese dim sum the next morning
9) Moved into a new dorm where I am hired to be a UGA
10) (since am on the R boat)Talked about future plans involving big words such as "coordination" and "commitment" which is yet to be determined of course
So enough of reflection, what's popping for Spring term (starting tomorrow)?
1) Newly hired as a UGA, basically am assigned to take care of a floor of residents
2) Applying for grants to work in New York for the summer
3) To help envision better network/organization for international students
4) Perfect my dance moves for Ujima ( a dance group i just joined)
5) Continuing to get paid working different jobs on campus
6) Taking exciting classes such as Painting, Writing with Media, and my first LAB CLASS with my bf as the TA (lol, very tricky:P)
7) Embracing Raggae, Bob Marley for the upcoming WMPE concert
8) More future planning...
9) Keeping up with friends...
Ah..the list can go on...But if you don't see me blogging anymore...refer to the list and you'll know why...
Time never seems to be enough for me when classes are on.
But when I have them, over the spring break (the past 2 weeks) essentially,instead of blogging, here's what I did:
1) Overslept till 2 pm due to watching late night movies from iTunes rental store
2) Spent the first few hours upon waking up cooking, shopping for food, and eating
3) Watched more movies
4) Repeated step (2) for dinner, sometimes cooking for a big group of friends
5) Okok I did meaningful stuff too: phone interviews for summer internship (positive:P)
6) Organized late night hang out, dancing the night away with African music
7) Drove 2 hours to Boston to shop for shoes, belts, bags, jackets, and Chinatown food supplies
8) When not shopping in Boston, ate African food in Ethiopian restaurant and Chinese dim sum the next morning
9) Moved into a new dorm where I am hired to be a UGA
10) (since am on the R boat)Talked about future plans involving big words such as "coordination" and "commitment" which is yet to be determined of course
So enough of reflection, what's popping for Spring term (starting tomorrow)?
1) Newly hired as a UGA, basically am assigned to take care of a floor of residents
2) Applying for grants to work in New York for the summer
3) To help envision better network/organization for international students
4) Perfect my dance moves for Ujima ( a dance group i just joined)
5) Continuing to get paid working different jobs on campus
6) Taking exciting classes such as Painting, Writing with Media, and my first LAB CLASS with my bf as the TA (lol, very tricky:P)
7) Embracing Raggae, Bob Marley for the upcoming WMPE concert
8) More future planning...
9) Keeping up with friends...
Ah..the list can go on...But if you don't see me blogging anymore...refer to the list and you'll know why...
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