Finding Fun

This week has been a lot of cold, hard work time, making the start of my final project count. Part of the reason I am really trying to get this work going is that I went to our first meeting with just an idea in hand. I honestly didn't think I was supposed to be loaded with sketches and pre-work, so I strolled in with my proposal and was ready to talk, and while I guess I convinced them that it would be good, the professors seemed a little worried that I didn't have anything they could look at. Oh well. So here I am, spending some good hours in the studio, but I think it will be worth it. Yesterday I gathered a lot of the rough information I needed and even got to work with the first of my boards (yeah, that probably won't make sense yet). Also, despite the constant blowing of the fuse that works the light in our studio, I actually got the Latin inscriptions carved in (a bit more work than I thought, since I am using found wood and the grain is a little rough). And then again today, spent quite a lot of time working on school stuff (although today was drawing work rather than my project, but still took up most of the day). It just occurred to me earlier today on our drawing/exploratory walk that the way that one makes it through these longer, work-heavy days is by finding those little moments of fun. The time you notice a little treasure (a marble, pen, or dropped money perhaps) on the ground and pick it up, or the joking around you do with friends while catching a quick lunch. It is these little moments that really let you relax and make it through our world of stress. I hope you can find some little treasures in your own life.

A quick outline of my project is this:
I am using a selection of differing sized pieces of wood that will be carved and painted to create a little travel-shrine kind of thing, much like you'd find in small chapels or churches. The big difference is that instead of being religious, my piece is supposed to be a document of scientific enlightenment. I hope it works out well, and will let you guys know as things come together.

Finally, I talked to my parents yesterday and was glad to hear they made it back from their travels alright. They had traveled down to San Diego and then were back for a day before going to Guatemala for a little while! They are finally settling back into the house and I guess my cat is back there now too, so he will no doubt be up to his usual antics. Only a month left before I am home too. I will be sad to leave Rome, but I will definitely be happy to be back in Washington. Alright, thats it for now. Ciao