Thank heavens for Craig Ferguson!

The first week of classes were as I suspected---intense, exciting and informative. :) As I've mentioned before, the History of Art Department is FANTASTIC at introducing us to the museum and art community, both here in Glasgow and beyond. Our introductions occur via lectures, museum receptions, exhibition openings, field trips, etc. Today, we are journeying to Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfriesshire (see: www.drumlanrig.com ). I will be meeting with the head of my department on Wednesday to discuss my Personal Development Plan (PDP) and my potential dissertation topic...I think I may have changed subject area, but I will let you know after I visit with Liz. 

I worry (after re-reading this blog) that I am yammering on about things you all might find boring. I realize that I have been neglecting the cultural aspects of living in a new country and I sincerely apologize for that...I suppose I was just giving myself some time to digest these differences first before making comments about them (i.e. ice trays). Since I've been here a month (ALREADY) it's high time that I clue you all in on some cultural/societal things...

• I live in the West End of Glasgow =VERY hip, VERY trendy, VERY expensive part of Glasgow to live in. My dorms are surrounded by GORGEOUS and EXPENSIVE apartments that I would give just about anything to live in! 
• No one really wears t-shirts here...so, when I am chilling in the Botanical Gardens on Saturdays and Sundays, I can be found wearing jeans, a sweater (lightweight) and some comfy shoes. I made the mistake of wearing my t-shirt out once and I felt COMPLETELY out of place. Now, I just blend in. :)
• Coffee and tea time is very important socially in this country. I have quite possibly consumed more coffee in the month I've been here than in my ENTIRE life. I suppose I love the 'idea' that coffee and tea embody here: take a breath, catch-up with friends and share a few laughs. This is definitely something I could get accustomed to!
• I journeyed over the weekend to Sir Walter Scott's house a few hours away with 2 classmates. One of my classmates was our fearless driver and we were apparently driving on the German Autobahn...I have NEVER felt carsick in my life and I was completely gray during the entire journey there (we took VERY curvy back roads). The views were amazing, but I did make the mistake of sitting behind the driver (on the right side of the car) and the passing traffic didn't make things any better. Note to self: pick up a sedative before riding again. 
• It is amazing how close you become with people you only met a month ago. I feel like I have known these people FOREVER and I can't believe that it has only been a month. A week here feels like months at home....interesting.
• I seriously love my friends here (and miss my friends in the States like CRAZY). I feel so lucky to have wonderful friends on at least 2 continents. I am close with 2 Americans (Jacquie and Aimee) and several girls from my program (Naomi and Karen) and with the former owners of the Tomato (David and Edward) and the first friend I made here (Jen). I would say this is my core group of friends and although I do hang out with other people, these folks know me the most. 
• I miss college football culture; I miss hearing Gameday; I miss yammering on about the Sooners and the polls in the grocery store, at work, etc. It is really hard for me to miss this fantastic football season...now I know how my best friend Melissa felt when she moved back to Chicago and couldn't attend the games anymore. People look at me BLANKLY when I tell them how excited I am that we are now #1 in the polls...only Americans seem to understand and some Americans (err...Jac) doesn't quite understand the magnitude of being #1. I never considered myself a HUGE college football fan (or even OU fan), but I suppose a time difference of 6 hours and 6,000 miles changed that! 
• Must confess that lately I have been completely ADDICTED to watching snippets from the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on Youtube...I suppose he is helping me to bridge the cultural gap, as he is a Glaswegian living in America and I am an American living in Glasgow. Also, he just makes me laugh out loud and how can that ever be a negative thing? Interestingly, my friend David reminds me of Craig Ferguson---facial expressions, Scottish sense of humor, etc. It is hilarious to listen to David make fun of Americans who came into his coffee shop wanting to know about EdinBURG. A riot! :)

I hope these cultural musings have been informative (or at least interesting) and I plan to continue onward with them. Have a great day! 

-Vanessa

Ticket, please?

Today is officially the first day of classes, although I did technically have a 1st class meeting last week. Nonetheless, I feel like I have reached the first summit on a roller coaster; I can hear the chink-chink of the gears bringing me up to this point and then that eerie moment of calm before the screaming begins. :O

Please allow me to clarify by saying that I do not feel nervous per se (which NEVER happens for me), I am just keenly aware of the power this educational opportunity could exhibit in both my professional and personal life. I am already making valuable connections with museum professionals and my fellow classmates---future museum professionals. Our group of 30 is quickly becoming more cohesive and I also expect that for our smaller sect (12) of History of Collecting and Collections students. This will be an intense experience for all involved and I am eager to see how far I can push myself, how many comfort zones can I break out of, how can I challenge myself in new ways? 

Above all, I want to ultimately be present for this entire experience. 

Some would say/have said (and probably won't EVER read this) that I should not put too much pressure on myself and this experience because I am merely an exchange student and I am NOT writing the dissertation.  (I will meet all of the requirements to earn the Diploma, but if I wanted to write the dissertation, I would be required to pay Glasgow tuition and fees for the year; about $30,000 USD). Here's my train of thought: 

• I am required to do EVERYTHING leading up to the actual writing of the dissertation. This includes: a 4,000 word Literature Review, a formal presentation of my research and a formal research proposal that will either receive approval or not. 
• My potential dissertation topic could be rolled into a PhD or I may have the opportunity to return to the University of Glasgow to write my dissertation....
• This is an INVESTMENT. I will be receiving an ivy-league caliber education (Glasgow is one of the top 100 universities in the WORLD) by only paying OU tuition and fees. Why not take advantage of that?
• I am building connections that I was not/could not build at home in the U.S. 
• The access that we are provided to Glasgow museums, collections and curators is incredible. We have world-renowned art institutions here and we are encouraged to utilize them to the fullest. 
• I am interested in possibly remaining in the U.K. to pursue work or other educational opportunities, so I really need to make the best of this opportunity! :)

I realize this sounds a bit like a rant, but I just want folks to understand the magnitude of this opportunity and the types of doors it is ALREADY opening for me. I still can't believe that I am here; that I live here and that this is now my life. Every day I awake absolutely thankful for my life. I live in a place that I LOVE, surrounded by so many wonderful people, museums and weather patterns. 

Yes, it has been difficult to leave so many of the people I love in America. The two hardest things for me have been the inability to merely pick up the phone and call people and the idea that I will not see many of the people I love for at least the next year---if not longer if I can gain permission to stay in the U.K. for up to 2 years via the Scotland Scheme (more on that later as I find out additional information, folks). 

It looks like I will be headed to Edinburgh for the Impressionism & Scotland: Taste and Critical Reception Conference at the National Gallery of Scotland October 9-10. Vivien Hamiliton is giving a talk, along with the head of my department and the head of Culture and Sport Glasgow. With my potential dissertation topic in mind, this seems to be a good jumping off point. Will be checking with my fellow students this week to see if anyone else is interested in attending and if they'd like to bus together and possibly share a room somewhere. If not, looks like I'll be heading to Edinburgh on my own.

Many thanks for all the support, encouragement and love from my family, friends and former co-workers. I wouldn't be here without you all and I carry you all with me in my heart. Please know that I love and miss you all and that I will do my very best to keep up with communication while I am here. I still want to know what is happening in YOUR life, so keep me abreast! And, if any of you are interested in visiting Scotland while I am here, let me know and I can brief you on the academic calendar and such. 

"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So....get on your way...." -Dr. Seuss

-Vanessa

Small World Moment

This week has been a marathon. Plain and simple. 

My department (History of Art) has hosted an ENTIRE week of activities, behind-the-scenes tours on campus, at museums, galleries, churches, etc. Couple that with all of the overwhelming academic information and all 30 of us are walking around like a bunch of zombies.

Let me clarify that I am INSANELY grateful for my department's intense introduction to Postgraduate study. No other program on campus does even half of the introduction that the History of Art department provides. I am VERY grateful for the sense of community the introduction has created; our group is already cohesive and we are all looking forward to shouldering the intense work load alongside one another. Also, we are being introduced in the vibrant community of museum professionals. 

Yesterday, we travelled to the Burrell Collection, where we met with Vivien Hamilton, head of the Art Research Division for Culture and Sport Glasgow. Culture and Sport Glasgow is responsible for all of the public museums in Glasgow. Vivien spoke to us about utilizing the collections of Glasgow for our dissertation research. Based on our connection to the University of Glasgow History of Art Department, we are granted FANTASTIC access to basically whatever we want---items, curators, etc.!  

As we met with Vivien, we went around the table, discussing our backgrounds, our future job intentions and what we think we'd like to write for our dissertations. Vivien was quite interested in my job intentions and the Industrial/Organizational approach I could bring to the table in museum management. Although I didn't really have a dissertation topic selected yet, she did recommend that I go straight to the top and speak with Mike O'Neil, the head of Culture and Sport Glasgow. She doesn't typically recommend that people start at the top, but in my case, it is a good recommendation. Thankfully, he will be speaking to my class in late November, so that will be a GREAT time to meet him. Vivien and Liz (the Head of the History of Art Department) will suggest a 'reading list' for me, as Mark is VERY well-read. I think my head was actually spinning at this point. :)

After everyone went through his/her spiel, I was feeling a bit behind...about half of my classmates have VERY focused research/dissertation ideas. I seriously had NOT a clue, as I am trying to be a bit sponge-like; soaking in everything. Found out later in the afternoon that we need to pick a topic by October 21, so there is a bit more time for research. I finally matriculated on Wednesday and received my ID card which FINALLY allows me to enter the library. Headed to the library (AMAZING) after class today and picked up some required reading and a few books on the National Gallery of Scotland and some on the museums and galleries in Glasgow. 

I started to brainstorm earlier in the day that I would really like to focus on Impressionist art...after all, I do LOVE Impressionist art and how often will I actually be granted the access, permission and assistance to better understand some aspect of Impressionist art? 

So, I stumbled upon this book: Millet to Matisse: Nineteenth-and Twentieth-Century French Painting from the Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Glasgow. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is located on our campus, so I thought that was a good sign. Checked-out the book and headed to my favorite haunt---The Tomato---a great little sandwich/juice/coffee shop ran by two really nice guys whom I've befriended. After hulking ALL of my books down to the Tomato, I open up the battered copy of the book thumbed through it and found exactly what I was looking for...a very good start for a potential dissertation topic. Continued reading and then wondered if any more books might exist about French painting in the Kelvingrove; made a note to research the author.....guess who wrote the book?

Yep, you've guessed it. Vivien Hamilton

Talk about being EXACTLY where I need to be. ;) 

Papa was an excellent gardener

Today is a bittersweet day; today would have been Papa's 77th Birthday. 

I remember joking with him during what would turn out to be his last summer that we should have a HUGE party to celebrate the 77th Birthday. He laughed it off and we went back to shooting the breeze. I miss his laughter, his hugs, his funny jokes, phone calls prodding me to return calls; the list could go on for miles. Above all, I just miss him. I miss being able to tell him things, ask for advice and let him know just how much I love him. 

In recent days I have felt increasingly guilty for all of the times that I didn't return phone calls, went home from my grandparent's house a bit earlier so I could take care of some menial task. I feel guilty that during my last summer with him, I was so devastated with my own personal situation, that I felt paralyzed. Papa gave me the most comfort during that trying time when he randomly called me up (and when I wasn't really in the mood to talk to ANYONE about my issues---except my therapist) and said the following: "I don't know how to help you not hurt anymore by this, Vanessa. Just please know that I hurt for you."

Today, I am hurting for him; longing for him. In my head, I know that Papa is in a better place and is no longer suffering here on Earth. I hope he knew how much I loved him and how much I appreciated everything he ever did for me. 

I will end this with a quote that I find particularly comforting:

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." -Marcel Proust

Papa was an excellent gardener. 

Part 2: The Journey Explained

Quickly realized that I was not merely dreaming. Ventured down to the Residential Services Desk where I was given directions on how to get to the Main Campus. I set out about 3 and apparently confused the directions and ended up walking about 2 miles out of the way! However, I am a firm believer in "happy accidents" and I did meet a wonderful 30 something woman (Kristen) who walked along with me, chatted about school and invited me to her upcoming housewarming party. 

From the start, I was greeted by friendly, kind and helpful people. I am forever grateful for the kindness of strangers and the patience of new-found friends. Perused the older campus area and then went to the Visitor's Centre Gift Shop where I purchased a few things on the sale table to spruce up my room. Chatted up the ladies at the cash register and they recommended a GREAT tea shop and used book store. Once again (although NO fault of my own this time) it took much longer than necessary for me to reach my desired destination. The tea shop is off a side street, down an alley-like dead-end and around the corner of a building. The shop is quaint and cozy; old-lady couches, chairs, various paintings adorn the walls, friends surround the fireplace and a young couple on a date were playing some game that I did not recognize. Ordered green tea to relax a little and a bowl of vegetarian carrot and lentil soup---DELICIOUS and a bargain at 4.50 quid for the entire thing. Must go back with friends and hang out. Must.

The following day I once again ventured out around 3:00 (hey, a girl has to be proactive about overcoming jet lag) and once again went to the Residential Services Desk. As I was relaying my previous day's adventures, the Receptionist (Jen) who checked me in the day before was off duty and offered to show me to city centre so that I could buy useful things (like pots and pans, groceries, etc.). Jen proved particularly useful in helping me secure waterproof shoes, pots and pans, groceries, etc. Jen is a native of Banff, Scotland and is in her 3rd year at Uni (what the locals call university), studying Scottish literature. 

I spent the next several days shopping for more supplies, redecorating my room (quite creatively, if you ask me), reading and enjoying the Botanical Gardens. The Botanical Gardens are a shortcut to campus from my hall of residence. Although there are many LARGE hills in the Gardens (and everywhere else in Glasgow), it is definitely worth the extra leg muscle. At least my calves will be enviable in no time at all. :) 

On Sunday (August 30), Jen and I ran into her swimming group at a local coffee shop and I was introduced to some lovely folks. Also met Jen's friend from Dundee, so enjoyed far too much conversation and coffee for one day!

Thus far, the weather has been MUGGY and damp with intermittent rain showers...thankfully, Monday (Sept. 1) signifies the arrival of Autumn, as the sun appears, the clouds disperse and the air is a bit crisper! YEAH! :)

On Monday, I met up with the American (Jacquie) from the plane to Glasgow to register with the police and look into purchasing pay-as-you-go cell phones with local numbers. We weren't able to register with the police just yet, as Jacquie is waiting on a letter from the Accommodations Office. We had success finding phones (yeah!) and with a bit of shopping at Charity Shops (thrift stores that benefit charities), lunch at Tennants (a pub that opened in 1884) and a nice leisurely stroll through the Botanical Gardens. All in all, a pretty fantastic week, minus the jet lag! 

Part 1: The Journey Explained

I know, I know...I haven't posted in some time. As many of you may have guessed (based upon my Facebook and Myspace updates and e-mails), I have arrived in Scotland. In fact, yesterday was the 2 week mark. 

Let me back up and discuss the entire experience thus far (let's hope this makes up for me being lazy):

My last day of work was on Friday, August 22 and it was a bittersweet day. I really loved the people I worked with and they felt like a second family (albeit dysfunctional). Even though it was INCREDIBLY difficult to leave, I knew in my heart of hearts that I need to do this for myself. I journeyed to Hobart to stay with my Mom before leaving on Monday, August 25. Watched plenty of movies, ate yummy food (thanks, Gram) and spent time hanging out with the fam and Adonis. I managed to clean out my car (no small feat) and turned it over to a willing buyer (Tim). I spent a good chunk of the weekend staring into my pre-packed luggage making sure that I had everything I thought I needed and could fit it all in. I am quickly turning into a master packer extraordinaire. 

Monday morning brought a mix of emotions and exhaustion, as we awoke at 4:00 a.m. to drive me to OKC in time for my first flight to Dallas. Much to my Grandma's dismay, I was granted once last driving expedition before my departure. The ride was mostly quite all the way to OKC, minus my endless chatter and singing and my Mom getting riled up over farmer's and their benefits from the government. Good morning conversation, I tell you.

Once we arrived at the airport, I had to shuffle some things from bag to bag and a few things (books), I sent home with my sister to send me later. Leaving my family at the security check point was intense. I was doing fine until my Mom started crying...I have always hated to see her cry and I sincerely hoped that her tears were tears of happiness and not tears of sadness. August 25 was to be a hard day for my Mom anyway, as it was the date that her own mother passed away when I was 2. As my Mom said it best earlier that weekend, "One journey ended on this day and yours is just beginning. Some things come full circle." 

I was on standby for my flight from OKC to Dallas, thanks to my friend Alexis and her mother's American Airlines Buddy Pass they so graciously bestowed upon me. :) I arrived in Dallas and quickly learned that I would need to pick up my luggage at baggage claim, check in with U.S. Airways and go through airport security all over again. Unfortunately, I was dropped off at the wrong end of the terminal and I had to drag all 110 lbs. of luggage with me in the heat. By the time I reached the check-in counter I was drenched in sweat. Proceeded onto security where I was "selected" for a more intense security screening. This involved taking EVERYTHING out of my carry-on and having it swiped for chemicals. Thankfully, I left the chemicals at home. 

I was put on standby for an earlier flight to Philly, as the ticket person wanted to make sure I arrived in Philly in plenty of time. Thankfully, I was able to make the earlier flight and I sat by a really nice 20 something guy from Texas. A good start to a long journey. Landed in Philly and called family, friends, surfed the internet and prepared for the flight to Glasgow. A 20 something girl sat down near me and was also making calls to friends and relatives, explaining that she was moving to Glasgow and would be out of commission for some time. We struck up a conversation with one another and realized that we were both headed for the University of Glasgow for postgraduate work. She to study Victorian Literature and me for the History of Collecting. We exchanged e-mail addresses and agreed to try and meet up once we arrived and got settled in Glasgow.

The flight to Glasgow was long and surreal. The moment the plane lifted off the ground, it felt anti-climatic. I wanted to cry, yell, laugh and do a little dance. I had that cliche feeling that the rest of my life was really about to begin. Sat by a REALLY nice 82 year old, exchanged e-mail information at the end of the flight, and was blocked into my seat for the entire flight!!!!!! :( Arrived in Glasgow and spent some time with the Immigration Official...lots of questions about my "sponsor" and why he would want to sponsor me. Eventually stamped my passport and I was officially in Glasgow! Finding my luggage and a taxi was QUITE easy and everyone was so lovely and helpful. Arrived at my accommodations and was slightly disappointed with the sterile nature of my room, but at least it was a room. Proceeded to unpack my bags and sleep for the next 5 hours or so. Woke up and thought I had dreamt it all....hmmm...