(She's) a ramblin' (wo)man

It's been far too long! Just what has happened since August?
Many, MANY things.

Among them:

We're back in school for my last semester (more on this to come).
I've filled my portfolio with newwwwww work.
and I am working for a second semester as Book Conservation Intern at the Ryerson Library, in the AIC.
I've moved for the 8th time in 5 years


It's been a transitional year, but I'm coming to believe that all years are formative. Recently I've been considering graduate school just as many pre-graduate undergrads scramble and panic to do, however my desires are leaning backward.

Prior to life at SAIC, I had many options and interests.

So, if we were on a date this is how I would explain it:

You: Mary, how did you decide on Art school? You must have known from the start that it would be a good choice. (you are naturally in support of the Arts).

Me: (polite chuckle). Oh, no. Not at all. You see, (fiddle with necklace) I had many options...quite a few diverse interests.

You: Oh? Go on. I'm intrigued. (of course you are).

Me: Well, first you should understand my passion for history. My original goal was to become an Egyptologist. I thought myself to read and write in hieroglyphs by the 4th grade, and from there linguistics became interesting. I'm also a talented chef, so considered attending The Culinary Institute of America in New York...but after being a sus-chef I realized that that environment was not for me.

You: Ooooh, so that must be it! It takes a lot of creativity to be a chef, I see where you're going from here...

Me: ....yes, but then I committed to a Trappist Order on the Mississippi.

You: Wow! Nun?

Me: mm, yup. But I decided that my life could always hold enough room for that in the future. So, looking at the things I wanted to learn in my life I prioritized which skills needed personal instruction and which could be learned on my own. This is where my choice became difficult and easy at once. During this time I was also an accomplished musician, and could easily have pursued it as a career.

You: Which instrument...?

Me: Clarinet. I was burned out from competing, and playing. The music didn't excite me as much as playing in an ensemble did. So I took a break...which has lasted five years.

You: So, you chose art school because you were tired of being a musician?

Me: Yes, and because everything I enjoy about life has to do with making. Especially finding out how things work, or are made; and I found that art school could lend itself well to that interest.

You: are asleep from this long explanation, but I order more cake anyway.