Expectations v. Reality

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This photo was taken on the walk back to UCD from The Dark Horse on our first day in Ireland. I feel like this picture represents two identities of Dublin that I have seen so far. On one hand, the bus ride from the airport to UCD gave me a very urban view of the city. There was a fair amount of traffic, plenty of shops and restaurants along the way, and tons of people everywhere. On the other hand, our walk to Blackrock showed me a completely different view of a more urban Dublin. On our walk we encountered beautiful scenery and wildlife as well as quaint houses and shops. Though this picture was taken on the way back to the college, the first half of our journey was much more eventful. As we departed UCD, the weather was fairly decent: somewhat chilly but not raining. About five minutes into our walk, the rain began; drizzling at first, but it quickly escalated to a steady shower. My first thoughts were pretty negative, but as we continued walking I realized that I was no longer in my element and had to adjust my mindset. I expected that it would rain in the first place, so why should I be surprised and disappointed when it does? Thinking about a place and experiencing it first hand are completely different, and I really understood that yesterday as we tread through the rain like real Dubliners.

Natural History Museum : The Definition of a Place

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This morning in class, we study the concept of  “Place” ,  and how this is defined and/or constructed by different  entities.  While visiting the Natural History Museum of Ireland, I couldn’t help to think about what we learned in class. This made my experience even more significant.  In his texted, Cresswell mentioned a scholar (lukermann) who believed that place was integration of nature and culture at an specific location (Cresswell,33). The Natural history museum  happens to be exactly that. We had the opportunity to contemplate a very large zoological collection, and to learned a little more the habitat of these species as well as their role , and interaction  with humans among the years. The Natural History Museum lives up to the definition that Cresswell provides in his text, for it is a place that reflects the understanding of the world in the eyes of humanity. The clearest example of this is the exhibition of the Great Irish dear , which is appears in the photograph below.

The Great Irish Dear  is an animal that lived around 12, 000 years ago, during the last years of Ice Age. Thanks to what society has accomplished, scientist have been able to draw conclusions based on the general understanding of the world to explain this animal’s diet, behavior,habitat , origin, interactions with other species, as well as possible causes of extinction. In addition, this piece in the Natural History Museum served to prove that time can become space, and space a place. When observing this piece many images came into my mind. For a moment I could see this beautiful creature wondering around the ice sheets.  In that sense I was able to identify with the phenomenology approach : I was able to create a place beyond my physical location.

Museums, torts, and books in Dublin (and lots and lots of rain)

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After spending the morning discussing Place by Tim Creswell, I was glad to venture into Dublin to see the sights. At the National Museum of Archaeology, I enjoyed the Clontarf 1014: Brian Boru and the Battle for Dublin exhibit. The replica of Gokstad Faering, the shrine of the ‘Stowe Missal,’ which held an eighth-century prayer book, and the well-preserved clothing of the era were among the most interesting pieces in the exhibit.

In the museum bookstore, I looked through a few books about Vikings. A man asked me if I liked books and upon hearing my accent, which is always to me a non-accent, asked me why I was in Dublin. I explained to him that I’m a PhD student studying Transatlantic Modernism. He told me to avoid analyzing literature too much because analysis kills enjoyment. He proceeded to ask me what I meant by “modernism,” and I explained to him the time period covered by this nomenclature, which resulted in him scoffing and lecturing me. When I explained to him that literary modernism is merely a category to help us sort the literature, he was enraged. I told him to have a nice day and went off in search of friendlier faces. My conversation with him was a good reminder to be knowledgeable about your field and not take offense when people are critical.

The Museum of Natural History was interesting but much smaller than I expected. The moth exhibit in particular was fascinating. The names reminded me of would-be Victorian novels. I took pictures of the names and would love to use one as the title for a short story – The Early Thorn has a nice ring to it.

After the Museum of Natural History, our group ate at Foley’s, picked up torts from Carluccio’s, and visited Hodges and Figgis bookstore. An author was there with her book about gardening, and a representative from the bookstore was giving a talk about it. People were gathered with wine and copies they wanted signed. As the man talked about the book, he mentioned the importance of gardens, the social spaces they are and can be, and that people come from around the world to visit Irish gardens. It reminded me of the previous day’s garden detour. In class this morning, we talked about much of what he mentioned as he introduced the book, so it was an unexpectedly poignant way to end the day. Only it didn’t end there — we were caught in some sort of monsoon that left us all drenched and cowered together, somehow better (and wetter) for the experience.

Dublin Bay

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This is Dublin Bay at low tide. It is possible to go out and walk into the bay when it is like this. We saw this on our first day in Dublin when we went to the train station. The bay seems like it is a very defining( not sure if that is the word I want to use) location in Dublin. It is something you can see from various points and is most likely the location/scene for many a book and film. In fact, one part of the bay across from where we were standing is the film location for the last scene in Sing Street. In the scene, the two main character get in a boat and try to sail to England.

I took this picture on my first day in Dublin. I was just starting to take in the environment and enjoy everything that I was seeing. I had just gotten settled in at the school and we had a very informative tour of the school.

On that first day, we took a train to Blackrock and had our first group meal at a pub there. During our meal, we got to know one another a little better since we were in an informal non-classroom setting.

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Museums And Heavy Showers

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My favorite place today was the National Archeology Museum. Oddly enough, museums aren’t my cup of tea simply because of the visual overload- there is just too much to look at but not enough time. This one was different, I immediately became interested and curiosity led me to read close to every single fact posted next to the item being displayed which in turn caused me to be the last group member to leave the museum (oops). I felt as if I belonged there, I didn’t feel awkward or out of place among the other visitors which really appealed to me.

This place today stood out to me because unlike what I have experienced with other museums, I was actually drawn in, and eager to venture to the next rooms to see what other surprises waited there for me. Even though there where many other people visiting, it felt very intimate to me and I really liked that. I was able to go at my own pace, and view what I found interesting rather than being dragged around by a group- like how high school field trips felt.

Also, today I truly got a taste of the real Dublin- getting soaked in random heavy down pours. Even though I was completely unprepared for the rain, I still found myself smiling and laughing along with our group. Just as quickly as the mini hurricane started, it had ended, leaving us all cold, wet, and grinning ear to ear as we waited for the UCD bus which seemed to take an eternity to arrive.

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I wish I could remember which student said this, but I heard today that the Irish find it humorous how excited Americans get when they see sheep. Today, I was one of those Americas—(points for me for filling yet another American stereotype while abroad!).

Upon first walking into the Archeology Museum, I did not think I would enjoy it. The amazing aspects of the taxidermy animals made me uneasy. However, the more I interacted with the pieces, I began to appreciate the work done to preserve and showcase the beautiful creatures. Most of these animals we have encountered, whether that be through the internet, a zoo or the wild. Something is different when they are no longer living, however. For me, the preserved bodies provide a sense of the past, whether that be immediate or distant. These creatures existed at one point or another, and while most were not native to Dublin, their (as does all existences) left an impression upon the places they inhabited.
Afterwards, we found ourselves in an ornate, corky pub with neon chairs and rainbow wallpaper that somehow managed to not be overdone. While in the pub, interacting with the classmates that we are all still coming to know, I realized how we were establishing “places” within Dublin, even though we are foreigners. Immediately, we all took out our phones and cameras to take pictures in this abstract setting to preserve it in our memories—to make the place continuously tangible for us after we leave Dublin.

Museum Day (with a chance of downpour)

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Today was an absolute blast for me because I absolutely love museums. No matter where I go I try and go into at least two, so I’ve accomplished that for this trip! The National Archaeology Museum and the National History Museum were both smaller than I’m used to but that made no difference on the quality of material. At the Archaeology Museum, I was particularly fascinated with the perfectly preserved seals and stamps – I have become increasingly interested in wax seals and it was a treat to see some fully intact. Also of note would have to be the beautiful pottery pieces and some of the clothing we looked at. In reference to the bog bodies – I wish I would have seen them in person! The preservation is absolutely incredible, especially the bright red hair! Seeing it in person might have creeped me out a bit, but it would have absolutely been worth it; I might swing back during our free day.

The National History Museum was small and quaint, but wonderful! I loved the Victorian feel (of course) and Shana, Nicole, and I particularly enjoyed the inventive names of the moths in that section of the museum. Especially after today’s class, I found myself thinking about the animals’ places and where they came from, what their life might have been like, since they were from all over the world. I thought the same thing at the National Archaeology Museum – what history do these pieces on exhibition have? We know what the jewelry is made out of – who were they on? What is their story? What were their “places” and “spaces”? I wish we could know – I’d never get out of a museum if we had all that information to learn.

Afterwards, the dinner at Foyle’s and some shopping was fabulous… until the absolute downpour! (Shana, thank you for saving my delicious tart!) We certainly had a typical Irish experience with that rain!

 

Museum of Natural History

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Today we visited the National Archeology Museum.  There were hundreds of taxidermy pieces from various categories of the animal kingdom. Relating back to class this morning, each animal has a place and occupies a space. Some animals are more meaningful to someone based on how it has interacted/been apart of one’s own environment. For example, Chelsea and I saw some insects that are normally around the football field of the high school we went to. We were able to connect those insects to our personal lives where as seeing some of those other insects was a totally new experience for us.

It was a bit sad seeing those animals in the museum. Especially, knowing that a lot of them were killed just to be exhibited. There were also plenty of baby animals too. Many scenarios went through my mind as to how these animals were obtained. In one of our classes, we even spoke about animal rights and this was brought up in the conversation.

One thing I also thought about was, how do these taxidermies represent Ireland and how is place significant when it comes to these things? The animals represent where they come from and also how they shape the people who view them. They shape the hunter, the taxidermist, the museum curator, and the viewer. The both belong and do not belong in the museum. I think it is up to the viewer to decide its place and how it affects the viewer as an individual. However, that does not diminish the animal rights and its natural place being its habitat.

 

Gresham Park, GA

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This photo is of my passport just days before I leave in front of my home in Gresham Park, GA. This place is special to me because it is the place where I have figured out more and more about who I am. I’m from a small town which is Dahlonega, GA. When I was growing up I often found myself in environments in which I felt like I did not belong, and when high school came around I realized that the small town vibe was not for me. I applied to GSU because I loved the city vibe, and during my senior year of high school my parents moved to Wisconsin. Once I graduated I upped and moved here to Gresham Park, Atlanta by myself and started school. This was the place I found the most out about myself because I felt like I was in an environment I belonged in. It helped me find my passion for teaching, reading, journalism, band, and strengthened many family relationships that were once weak. Moving here on my own taught me valuable life and adult skills that I use every day now, and it helped me transition better into college. I thank all the successes in my life to this house that I moved into when I was 18.

Dahlberg Hall, Georgia State University

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This is the front courtyard of Dahlberg Hall on campus. Specifically this is the front of the hall during the Summer Leadership Institute put on by the GSU School of Music. This place is special to me because I am in the GSU panther band, and more specifically I am in leadership as a section leader. The Summer Leadership Institute is something that we put on for high school band students who are in leadership at their own bands. It’s a place where kids grow in their leadership and teaching capabilities. As leadership in the school of music I am a staff member in this event. I lead kids in discussions about things their bands do, and ways they could be better at teaching. This is important to me because leadership abilities and teaching is something I love. Teaching other kids and talking to them about something I am also passionate about brings me an unfathomable amount of joy. In this particular picture this is the very first day of camp, where we all are together and take a group photo in the courtyard of Dahlberg. This is one of my favorite parts of the camp because it shows how much these kids have grown into leaders. It shows by the way they talk to you, talk to the other staff, and the way they handle trying to get all 500 kids in the camp to try to take one picture together. Dahlberg Hall is my fondest memory of the Summer Leadership Institute because of its ability to bring everyone together and to have them shine.