April 2017:Paris & Amsterdam

Paris - Depart DC April 8
Nous sommes arrive le 9 avril en CDG

Arriving in Paris: taking public transport into the city from CDG -10€
Photographic step-by-step resources
http://parisbytrain.com/airport-to-paris-terminal-1/
http://parisbytrain.com/paris-airport-terminal-2-train-photo-tour/



Ideas?
http://www.thegratitudeblog.org/blog/2016/1/8/j367hpj4loi3prs24uiq09vo8hpr5d
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/27/travel/what-to-do-in-36-hours-paris-right-bank.html
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/07/15/travel/what-to-do-36-hours-paris-left-bank.html


http://www.amsterdam.info/museums/electric-lady-land/
http://electric-lady-land.com/

http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/visiting/what-to-do/eating-and-drinking/dining-out-amsterdam/traditionally-dutch/10-dutch-foods-to-try-in-amsterdam

Feliz Navidad 2016!

I have lost a lot in this year. It has been a good year. I have also made some gains. Made. Some. Gains.

I have much to catch up on. I have only one week off before the beginning of 2017. 20 - 17. Agh.

There was Montreal. Lyra. Core de Force. BBT. Roda. Work. Energy. I keep busy.

FELIZ NAVIDAD! I think I can consider December 25th to be my saint's day. Natalie. natal. Child born on Christmas. Cool! New perspective on this holiday that I hadn't considered before.

I am looking forward. I am feeling happy. Last year was something else. I had no idea where I was going. I still don't but there are some places I would like to visit. I would like experiences. I want music. I want lights. I want warmth. I want water. I would be happy surrounded by air. I do have a long list and journals filled with dreams.

My friend shared this:The Tail End by Tim Urban.
It is about the time we have and how we choose to spend it.

Here is what I wish for the future... there is much more but I want to share these.

Holidays with family! Loving celebrations!

DC Museum Gallery Trip

Gogol Bordello @ Ram's Head Live! Baltimore, MD. $35

Random Roadtrip

<3 <3 <3

Get to Atlanta at some point. Maybe stop by the Tall Toad to buy the hat that I didn't buy at Renn Faire last fall. Eat tacos at Taqueria del Sol!

Interfusion Festival 2017: Unleash Your Dreams
February 10-13. Alexandria, VA.
Interfusion Website: 
www.interfusionfestival.com

Boudoir Boheme - A Sensual Soiree
Saturday, February 11. 8pm. Washington, DC.
Romaniticism & Bohemians of 19th Century Paris
Event Info & Tickets

2017 NAEA National Convention
March 2-4. New York, NY.
http://naea17.getforge.io/

DEVENDRA BANHART @ Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
Wednesday, March 15. 8pm. Washington, DC.
Tickets $30

AT THE DRIVE IN @ 9:30 Club
Monday, March 20. 8pm. Washington, DC.
Tickets $45

Tabanka Texas Dancefest 2017
May 26-28. Houston, TX.
http://www.ttdancefest.com/


MAKE IT THROUGH THE SCHOOL YEAR TO AN AMAZING SUMMER FULL OF SO MUCH! First I need to complete my Geography & Arts coursework! Then research and plan for 2018. Teacher's Fund, Fulbright & other opportunities. Open those doors!

Tucson, Arizona - November 3 - 8, 2016 - All Souls Procession Weekend

I recently misplaced my journal and lost some of these details before making time to share my journey. I traveled independently to meet up with my friends in Tucson, Arizona. My old coworker moved back home a few years ago and I always wished to see her and spend some time together again being silly and passionate about art.

This year's election coincided with the All Souls Procession celebration in Tucson, Arizona.

We made it happen! I set the dates and booked my flights. Arrive Thursday night 11/3 to relax and sleep after several hours of travel. I flew IAD - LAX - TUS. Friday morning we woke up to get the most amazing brunch ever! We went to Baja Cafe and the craziest stack of Apple Pie Pancakes. I ordered a Construction Burro with everything in it and an additional daily special.
Here is the link to their menu - everything looks good! Baja Cafe Menu.

I really enjoyed spending time with good friends. Between our adventures, we would stop to check in with the puppy. I enjoyed spending time in the dog park in the back yard with Sonora. It was fun to run up and down the street with her trying to wear her out.

After a visit to the dog parks, we went to visit Ted DeGrazia's Gallery in the Sun  and spent some time in the chapel. Late after, we decided to visit the Frida Khalo: Art, Garden, Life Exhibit in the Tucson Botanical Gardens. We arrived at sunset and freaked out when we first saw Frida's art supplies. This exhibit was different from the original New York show. I was looking for her paintings. We saw the installation and experienced the pyramid but It was dark and I did not know where the gallery space would be. We wandered along the safety of the dark paths knowing we were on a secured property. I would not have wandered in the dark in the wild. We eventually came across a collection of intimate portraits of Frida taken by Nickolas Muray!

We ended our night at Boca Tacos & Tequila. Their sauces were hot! So good and delicious!

On Saturday, we decided to go visit Mission San Xavier del Bac. We started our morning with frybread! We had frybread with honey and powdered sugar and frybread with red chili. We explored the mission. I decide to climb the small hill next to the mission afterwards.

We rewarded ourselves with lunch at Ermanos Bar. The Grilled Cheese was super yummy. I tried avocado fries for the very first time! We wandered down 4th Avenue to check out their weird shops. A lot of really great costumes were for sale in the thrift store. I picked up a few things at Antigone book store and picked up artifacts from Olytata Art & Gift mexican store.

We rested before we went out to the Night of the Living Fest to see King Khan & BBQ Show and Big Freedia perform. For dinner that night, I tried a Sonoran Dog from a really great taco bar.

Sunday was the day of the procession. We would need energy. We had brunch with mama and completed a small mural walk near the Mercado San Agustin. We were in search of the new Frida  & Diego Day of the Dead Mural that Rock had just painted. The site was getting prepared for the All Souls Procession. We asked a photographer who did not know but advised that we ask the artist who had just past by us in that moment. We had a small exchange, my friend offered her services towards helping with future murals in their community. It was very exciting, happy moment.

After playing with my hoop and jumping in air a few times, we returned to the house to get ready for the procession. I had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. I over packed and brought a lot of fun things to share. Most importantly was my led hula hoop to use as a totem in the dark and in the crowds. The experience was amazing. Many people had their faces painted. I am afraid of masks so it was a bit of a welcome relief to see painted faces instead. Some people were dressed up. Some people made totems and altars to carry through the processions. There were musicians and artists and mostly people in remembrance. We walked from one side of the city through to the performance space by the Mercado San Agustin. It took a long time. We were in the midst of the procession. I carried my hoop up above as a marker to keep our group together if we got separated for what ever reason.

Eventually we arrived at the performance space. It felt very much like a festival. There were food trucks around and interactive installations of art. A large stage was in the corner of a fields. There were a few temples constructed around. Once the sun set, the stage came alive with performers dressed as wild animals. This year's theme was hunter and hunted. SORNE performed on stage and blew our minds. It was spectacular. Flam Chen acrobats were hanging up above the stage.

We stood through the entire event. They burned the urn filled with prayers and wishes. It was special. It was amazing. After the performance was over we made our way to Welcome Diner. I had a really delicious Big Jim Biscuit sandwich with Fried Chicken, country gravy, cheddar and bacon. I saved part of it for breakfast the next day. We got back home pretty late.

We were exhausted the next day. We had a late lazy day. We met at Pionic Pizza for lunch with mama. You choose your toppings and they put in the oven for you. I was able to get half hawaiian - half veggie supreme! It was the best of both worlds. I love it! Oh! and they give out free temporary tattoos! After lunch we settled to rest and relax before attempting to watch the sunset on A Mountain. We arrived when the sky was getting dark. There is something magical about the quality off light as it hits the mountains late in the day with its warm tones. The desert is beautiful! I actually became homesick for the Andes in Chile after spending a few days in the valley basin that Tucson is in. we ended our night at La Botana Mexican Grill & Bar .  They were sweet. I tried their Tortilla Soup.

I left early in the morning for a trip TUS - IAH - DCA. It was a really great trip.

2016.23.10 - Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Today was a good day. This weekend was amazing. I am thankful. Beware of the signs that you read on the road. I am thankful for my experiences. I am thankful for the people in my life.

I want to become stronger. I want to be more daring. I want to be courageous.

 https://www.aerialessentials.com/index.php?route=common/home

http://www.flyinghammock.com/

October 8, 2016 Artist Residencies Resources

Research.

I have yet to complete my summer course that I registered for in late May. I have 9 months since registration to complete this course. It will happen. I have all the pieces. I have to complete Geography through art.

I am going to Paris and Amsterdam in April. I am very excited. I want to get lost in the art and the history. I want to alk through the streets. I need to be strategic with my time. What can I do? What will I have time for? Where do I want find myself? Ou? Quand?

http://www.worldteach.org/ - http://www.worldteach.org/apply/
Global Fellowships http://www.worldteach.org/programs/global-education-fellowship/


http://www.artistcommunities.org/residencies/directory

http://www.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/763138/a-guide-to-20-top-artist-residencies-and-retreats-across-the

http://www.transartists.org/map
http://www.transartists.org/air-checklist-hosts

http://www.resartis.org/en/residencies/upcoming_deadlines/?id_content=3829

http://www.resartis.org/en/residencies/upcoming_deadlines/?id_content=2867

http://www.resartis.org/en/residencies/upcoming_deadlines/?id_content=3865



http://creativemoco.com/education/arts-integration

Today's research distraction... I have so much work to do. I am barely making it through my e-mails. 

STA Travel - Five Must Dos in Southern Thailand

NYT 36 Hours in Montreal

http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/MontrealTV

http://toeuropeandbeyond.com/15-things-to-do-in-montreal/

http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/30036755/travel-safety-tips-you-probably-ignore-but-shouldn/?source=45568&value=2016-08-28+00%3A00%3A00&nltv=143263_a&nl_cs=30087959%3A%3A%3A%3A30042681%3A%3A143263_a

27.28

I traveled. I worked. I rested. I will travel.

Over the past couple of months, I have worked really hard. I find it difficult to stay focused and move in one direction. I often find myself moving in all directions which prevents me from getting very far in the present. Movement happens and without noticing time carries me further and past all the goals I had laid ahead of myself.

I had an amazing opportunity to collaborate with architects and community members in creating public art work for the neighborhood community center. Our ideas revolved around environmental conservation, literacy, and social health. The youth created art that would positively impact their space outside of their homes.

It was challenging but it was fun. I didn't give myself much of a break between work and work and work. In fact my break was more work at Firefly Music Festival in Dover, Delaware. I volunteered and was able to experience performances by great artists but I think I was too exhausted to really enjoy it. The following weekend I committed myself to the DC Zouk and Kizomba festival. I had bought a 2 for 1 ticket deal when I was in a different place in my life early in the year ... I didn't lose much but I spent a lot of time hiding behind the refreshment table, resting and staying out of the way. I didn't really want to be there. It is a fabulous festival and I had the opportunity to learn from Enah & Carolina privately. In the third weekend of the summer, I volunteered at the Sawa Sawa Kizomba Festival. I gave back to my dance community and loved every moment of it. I totally embraced new sleep patterns and felt no guilt in not being there when I wasn't there.

I enjoyed any free time I got this summer. I would lose myself in music, dance, and art. I took opportunities to run away from reality and touch the ocean or play in the waterfalls and climb a mountain and scramble on  rocks. As soon as my work commitment ended, I began celebrating my birthday month with the start of my real vacation.

I spent 9 days with my childhood friend and joined him on his family vacation to Fortaleza, Brazil. I chaperoned his girlfriend who is an anxious traveler and we became great room mates. I love them all. I was so thankful. It was an experience to live that I dreamed of as a child. It was strange. Another realization of "I am here. I got here. I imagined this as a kid. This is weird, this reality is different. This is great!" We were confined to the safety of our rented airbnb condo and vehicular transport between the apartment, beach, malls, and venues filled with live music. There was music everywhere. I had nothing to do and nowhere to be but just be happy. I am so thankful.

I returned on August 11th and only had time to take care of a few errands before disappearing again. I rented a car to drive north to Maine. We stopped by my cousin's house in Brooklyn to get a headstart on the drive and rest. On the way out of New York, we stopped by Mac Demarco's house by the water in an attempt to get a cup of coffee from the man ... but he wasn't home.

Getting out of NYC was a nightmare - we survived.We drove on and after many hours arrived at our host's home late at night.  We found a room in a Permaculture Inn  in Orono, Maine. Our hostess welcomed us into her beautiful home. I can't forget the delicious burgers we enjoyed at Bramhall in Portland, Maine on the way.

The next morning we began our Stephen King adventures in Maine. We went to Mount Hope Cemetery to see the site where they filmed Pet Sematary. We then drove to Stephen King's house in Bangor Maine. We got hungry and decided to make our first trek to Bar Harbor for lobster. We went to Thurston's Lobster Pound on Bass Harbor on Mount Desert Island. I couldn't order a lobster once I saw it move so I opted for the Lobster Roll filled with anonymous lobster meat instead. Definitely an experience worth having. Afterwards we ended up wandering around the shops at Southwest Harbor and found dessert at the Quietside Cafe & Ice Cream Shop. We learned that in addition to lobstahs, blueberries were also a Maine thing. As we ordered blueberry pie a la mode, I saw a sign for fried cheesecake... so we had to order that too. SO GOOD!

The next day began late as we were trying to figure out our accomodations for the rest of the trip. Our original couchsurfing host canceled on us at the last moment and we weren't having much luck. We eventually found another airbnb with a pair of super comfy couches in a community house. Once we knew where we were going to sleep, we went in search of whoopie pies. We discovered the Whoopie Pie Cafe in Bangor, Maine. I got a chocolate rasberry filled creation. The blueberry cheescake whoopie pie was really great. Both were too sweet so we took a bite and decided to save them for later when we would need a sugar boost. We ordered a really delicious Dazzlin' Daph grilled cheese sandwich to share. We were warned that their bread slices are really big. Totally worth it. So good.

In the afternoon, we returned to Mount Desert Island and took advice from our original host. We parked our car in Village Green and rode the free shuttle to Sand Beach in Acadia National Park. The water was frigid. I did not take a swim this time. From Sand Beach we took the Ocean Path down towards Thunder Hole. We  found a little beach off trail that had rock stacks. We took time to add our own contribution of balancing stones before continuing on to the next destination. It was not too far. We climbed around the rocks at Thunder Hole. Some teenagers had really great viewing spots. We found some by the metal bars on the walkway. It was nice - apparently it is best at low tide. We left to catch the second to last shuttle back into Village Green.

We walked around and completed our souvenir shopping while forgetting the car keys in a store. Very successful night. We retraced our steps and were able to find the keys in a closed store. They let me in after hours to check and success! Found! We were too tired and decided to get dinner nearby at Thirsty Whale, another recommendation from our original host. We successfully returned to Orono, Maine to rest on the couches.

We failed to wake up early enough for dawn. We did wake up enough to find an untimed parking spot at the Village Green in Bar Harbor again. On the way we stopped by Sylvia's Cafe in Ellsworth, Maine. We had the best breakfast there! It was perfect! We had a filling meal to prepare us for the day. We got distracted by a really cool building that used to be a Moto-car Sales Parlor for antique cars.We parked in Bar Harbor, and took the free shuttle back to Sand Beach and took the trail to the Beehive. It was what I was most looking forward to. It was not too difficult. It was a relatively short hike. I LOVED IT! We ate wild blueberries on the summit. We climbed rocks around the top. We took the Bowl trail back down. It was pretty but we were fearful of the lake leeches so we did not swim in it. We continued back to Sand Beach and I finally had the courage to jump into the Atlantic Ocean on the coast of Maine. I didn't stay out in the water for too long. The surface of the water was the worst. I could handle being in the water but it felt like ice chips near the surface by the wind. We rested on the beach for a while. I wanted to sun to warm me up and dry me off before we headed back. We slept the entire shuttle ride back to Village Green.

We made our final Maine culinary trek to the Eagles Nest in Brewer, Maine. Our hostess at the Permaculture Inn said they had the best chowder in the area. It was good. It tasted homemade. On our way out of the area we managed to fulfill a couple stops we thought would be interesting. We stopped at Blue Moose to buy albums to listen on the drive back south. We even got a $5 Misery DVD. That was the only book I read by Stephen King prior to this trip. It seemed fitting to watch it once we were back. We were thankful for a friend of a friend willing to host us in Boston on our way back.

We got lost in the Boston streets at night and did not really want to return to explore the city the next morning BUT I really wanted to see Frank Gehry's Building 39 at MIT. We got a recommendations for breakfast at Veggie Galaxy. Neither of us were vegan or vegetarian so it barely even compared to Sylvia's Cafe. The decor was cool and retro. I ordered a blueberry short stack and my friend ordered a Pearl Street Redhead omelette with seitan sausage. We found metered parking by Graffiti Alley at a really cheap rate that resulted in $2 for 2 hours. After breakfast, we walked 15 minutes to the building. I had fun taking pictures to share. It felt like a trip where we were on quests to find architecture we deemed significant. I had fun. I completed that mission. We spent the day driving and I fell asleep while attempting to watch Misery on DVD when we finally got back home.

More adventures to come. I woke up really early on my birthday to book flights to Tuscon, Arizona and Montreal, Canada in November. I will travel. Until then I will work and try to rest as much as possible while making gains.

I saw Prophets of Rage in celebration of my birthday. It is going to be a good year.