today i discovered that one of my friends and peers died in a bike accident yesterday in new york. jasmine valentina was a passionate, witty, strong feminist artist who had so much more to offer than dying at age 23. she was blazingly intelligent and even a little bit intimidating, but i was always impressed by her and wanted to be as brave as she was. i will miss her and am sending prayers and love to my NYSP friends and everyone who knew her. In the words of my much more eloquent good friend Hannah,

"I am devastated and stunned and not sure what to say, we all grew so close to Jasmine in such a short period, and it's horrifying that we won't get to extend that time. I'm going to miss her like crazy. I hope apart from this news you are all well, I am so happy I got to spend that time in New York, I have never had the pleasure of being in the company of so many unique and sensational human beings-- and so sorry to have lost one of them."

A Couch and a Wall

This is an old painting by my dear friend Hannah, who was in New York with me. I miss her dearly. Soon I will make a proper update, when I have time to breathe.

A Couch and a Wall
Originally uploaded by letthemlook

yesterday melissa and jordan had friends over for brunch. jordan made great food, potatoes and vegan pancakes. i brought fruit. it was a wonderful morning!

i don't want it to end :(

a few nights ago me and some of the other kids took some random photos on photobooth messing around and jumping. our director, john, compiled them in to a little stop motion animation. i'm totally going to cherish these memories! thank you, john.

Originally uploaded by thefacelesskid

it's been a long time since i've really posted. now i've only got two weeks yet and once again, i feel myself dragging my heels into the next bout of change. this semester has been... really indescribable.
the chance to be able to experiment wholeheartedly with my work has been a huge gift. the chance to "fail flamboyantly", as dominique nahas told us at the beginning of the semester. i've gotten to know my work so much better, as well as be able to trust the decisions i make. i don't feel like i need to question the things i'm doing as often, at least, not in a negative way. i feel more confident, brave, calm, and happier. i am so grateful for the new amazing friends i've made, for my newfound ability to navigate the new york subways, and the incredible opportunities i've had. i'm thankful for all the support my family has given me even though times are tough, for the friends and family who have visited (and will still be visiting!), and the professors from corcoran who helped me to get here, and the amazing faculty at the new york studio program. i'm appreciative of the more difficult parts of this experience, and how they helped me grow.

i already know i'm going to miss living in new york. i'm already starting to think about moving back, which does seem to be a trend with some nysp students. despite how bittersweet it feels for the semester to be ending, i'm still really excited for upcoming opportunities.

like i said, things are bittersweet, but still really, really good.

my friend took a few photos of my room, i wanted to share them. they seem to fit how i'm feeling lately.

We Off Her Clothes Sure

i am proud to announce the date and times of the NYSP show:

one night only!

thursday, december 17th, 2009

opening reception 4 - 9pm

20 jay st.

suite m10

dumbo-brooklyn, ny

11201

1st stop in brooklyn

F train at york st station or A/C to high st station

hope to see you there!

(link to the facebook page)

break from brooklyn

i haven't posted in a little while, i guess i've been kind of busy. i went to visit dc this weekend. i took the mega bus, which is so cheap and has wireless internet, too. i was able to score a seat where the table is on the first floor, as well, although i'm pretty sure the women next to me were cataloging stolen jewelry on the way to dc. they called me "boo boo" when asking me to trade seats with them. haha.

it was really nice being able to see good friends and catch up. and awesome getting to visit a few of my favorite food places in dc, teasim, madeline's, and amsterdam falafel. it was strange being back in the city, though. i felt really disoriented. i hadn't been back in four months, so it felt weird to know where i was but also second guess myself, if that makes sense. it was weird seeing all my friends in school doing what i'd be doing if i was there. seems like everybody's doing cool stuff though!

i walked around dc a little bit, there's been some changes, like the georgetown library being put in on M st, stores opening and closing, construction, etc. there was a hunger strike going on in front of the white house, day 62 apparently. i don't understand how hunger strikes work. it's impossible to go that long without food, so what do they eat? how often do they eat? since they have to eat how can you call it a hunger strike? and where do they go to the bathroom? i haven't been around that area so i don't really know how it works.

their eyes looked so sad though.

in lighter news, i stayed with my friends this past weekend. my old roommate's place saturday-sunday and then another place monday night. my friend sara has been taking care of my beta fish, snack- he got so fat! he's fat and middle aged now. silly fish.

i also made friends with sara's pet rat while sara and sarah went through the horrible task of organizing their shared bedroom. randi the rat made me want a pet rat. she was very friendly and i fed her a green bean. the end.

then i was walking to catch my bus at H and 10th... and this was going on in the parking lot! i was pretty confused, and when i posted this picture on facebook my friend commented, "oh, i really want to do this." so maybe it's something you can sign up to do? i have no idea. i thought it was people practicing or there was like a fair coming up or something, but the former doesn't really make sense either. no idea!

i've returned to new york feeling refreshed and more prepared. i've set up a good list of things i need/want to get done in the next few weeks, and started working hard on that list. this includes the birdcages, a dress, and a chalkboard animation! all of which i've got a good start on. i'm excited, i feel less doubtful about my work.

also, it's nice to be sleeping in my own bed again!