Beast Mode

So today marks the end of my second work week at the Norton Simon. I have been so fortunate to have landed this internship at the Norton Simon Museum, considering only two interns were selected this summer out of the X number of applicants who applied.

Today I worked on my own project, which I get to develop from start to finish, entirely on my own! I have decided to create a self guide for the Asian art collection. So far I've been researching other museums like the Rubin Museum of Art in NYC, the Getty, etc. for examples of self guide activities. It has been quite a challenge trying to think of ways to best convey the information that pertains to the Norton Simon's vast Asian art collection. This will definitely be a challenge, but I have gladly accepted it.

I know the 10-week internship with fly by faster than I know it, but hopefully writing in this blog will help me document the progression, successes, and failures that I will encounter along the way. So far I've learned so much about the Buddha and Hindu gods and deities. Like for example- Ganesh, whom I will keep in mind if any obstacle-large or small-arises. I will trample anything that gets in my way!



Not to mention, one of my favorite Lil Wayne lyrics is: "OK, you want me up in the cage, then I’ll come out in beast mode". I don't know exactly how I ended up connecting Ganesh and Lil Wayne together in this blog entry, but regardless, my take away message for the day is to stay hungry and always remain in BEAST MODE!

Today is a new day.

Quite some time has passed since the last time I made an entry here. I've made it a personal goal of mine to contiue to write down my thoughts (daily, if possible). This goal came to me while attending a Yoga session yesterday at the loocal 24 Hour Fitness Club that my boyfriend and I belong to. I remember going in to the session and thinking about how I could rid myself of the negative thoughts I had about myself and other people.

Larry, the yoga instructor always does such an amazing job calming everyone in the room. He has such a great aura and presence that you just can not be calm. So, after a few poses and sequences I thought about this poor little blog that I had forgotten about. And here I am, sitting in the Norton Simon Education office during my lunch break, reminding myself of how I have neglected this blog for so long.

I really want to make an effort to write down my thoughts becuase I have so many but not enough ears of friends to share them with. Hopefully I can look back and reflect on how much I've learned or grown with every entry. So here's to a new day!

Salmon Cakes!

I've been staring at these cans of salmon in my pantry for what seems like forever, so I decided to look up "canned salmon recipes."

To my pleasant surprise I came across an "Easy Salmon Cakes" recipe and a "Potato Salmon Patties" recipe, which I had most of the ingredients for! I couldn't decide which of the two I wanted to make so I just kind of combined the two recipes and winged it!

I was so excited to try these today and they actually turned out to be fantastic. I wish I had a working digital camera to remember the patties, but take my word for it, they were yummy!

Being unemployed has given me lots of free time to learn new things and try new recipes. I can't wait to try a Vegan Tofu recipe my friend gave me!!!

End of Week 2 @ the Getty

Wow, I've been meaning to blog more often about my experience at the Getty, but I didn't expect the time to go by so fast.

I've been quite busy shadowing school tours and planning events for the interns. I've also been able to attend staff talks and meetings which has really helped me better transition and feel a part of the Getty.

I still can't get over how rich and resourceful this place is. It's really breath taking and everyday on the shuttle ride up the hill, I still can't get over the fact that, "This is where I work"!

Today, was a department off day, but I opted to go to the Museum Educators of Southern California (MESC) conference at the Skirball Center. I'm glad I went because I attended a couple of sessions that made me think of issues that surround Museum Education, like successes and challenges of having Teen Programs at a Museum and ideas for low-cost, effective Professional Development. In addition, I also got to see some familiar faces, my previous supervisors-Jennni and Dorothy from the Orange County Museum of Art. It was a good experience and I'm glad I went instead of sleeping in.

Speaking of professional development, this Monday is Arts Summit, an all-day informational conference for the 2010 MUI Getty Interns! I'm really excited for this because there is definitely a lot to be learned during the sessions offered, such as behind the scenes looks at the Conservation Center at the Getty and meeting the designers who help design the exhibitions and various projects at the Getty. I am really looking forward to Arts Summit!

Other than that, this week has been going by pretty fast. I made my first post on Museum-Ed.org! That was pretty exciting! I am also get a sense that my project is really unfolding as I go on school tours and am able to see how the tour topics are being implemented.

I need new clothes, so I am anxiously awaiting my first paycheck! Tomorrow, I plan on going to my apartment in Irvine to finish cleaning up a few things. I am not looking forward to that...

Day 2 @ the Getty

Today was my second day at the Getty. The first half of the day, we spent in the ITS (Information Technology Services) Room doing various forms of training. This training included getting familiar with the Getty's software, phone system, Risk Management, Emergency Preparedness/Evacuation plans and Worker's Compensation. That dragged on...

After lunch, we got a tour of the Getty Research Institute's Library & Special collections. The best part of the tour was when we went into the GRI's Conservatory. We learned how some of the items that come through the Getty are conserved, repaired and restored. It was really cool! After that, we then went on a tour of the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition. This exhibition contained lots of his drawings and sculptural work. It was interesting, but I feel like I have to go through it a second time to better understand it.

The tour was pretty short and we were done by 4. I hung around and spent some time people watching near the fountains. Ryan didn't get off until 6 anyway, so I had to kill some time. I walked around and took some pictures of the Getty. It was nice being able to walk around and take it all in. I decided to ride the tram down instead of the employee shuttle. I got to see the amazing view of L.A. again. It was so clear out! Then I saw the 405 traffic, which I then dreaded. When I got to my car and exited the parking garage, I saw the Getty Center sign and decided to take my camera out and take a picture.

But then something horrible happened...the screen on my camera was all messed up!!! A majority of it was white with a weird black football shape in the top right corner. My camera was on its last legs, but I didn't know it would die right after I had used it minutes ago! I wanted to take a photo of the Getty everyday before I left, but I guess I wont be able to.

I'm still getting used to the L.A. traffic and waking up extra early. I'm just so scared of being late. I don't want to make a bad impression. So far, I'm in love with everything at the Getty. The food is yummy and the discount and perks we get with our badges aren't too shabby! Now, I have to rest to get up for tomorrow's meeting. Off I go!

The Getty! Obama! Oh my!

What a crazy weekend! I recently graduated from the University of California, Irvine on Friday June 11th! On Saturday, my family gave me a Graduation Party and on Sunday I sort of moved into my apt with my boyfriend Ryan.

Today, I started my internship at the Getty. It was certainly an eventful first day! There was some sad news delivered to us in the morning, when our Intern Coordinator told us that the President/CEO of the Getty passed away unexpectedly this past Friday. From what I heard he was a healthy man and only 69 years old. His death came as a shock.

On a lighter note, the Museum had 3 very special V.I.P. visitors! The first lady, Michelle Obama and her daughters Malia and Sasha came to visit! The museum is normally closed on Mondays, but today there was security throughout the premises that accommodated for the Obamas! Although we (the interns) didn't get to meet them, I definitely got to see them from a distance!

It's so weird knowing that I was that close to them! Or in the same area as them! I'm very excited to intern at the Getty this Summer. I can't wait to visit other art museums with my pass! Aaahhh! I love the perks!

Final Numer Uno

Uhhh, I'm heading over to my Art History 140A Final, Art Outside the Museum. I feel like I'm prepared, but we'll see. I guess I'll try to remember all the names of the artists and works that I'll be talking about right now:

Essay #1
James Luna, History of the Luiseno People, La Jolla Reservation, Christmas 1990, 1993 document of a performance at Williams Art College, MA in 1990
Rirkrit Tiravanija, Pad Thai, galleries and museums around the world, 1990-2007
Elahi Hasa, Tracking Transience, surveilance/ GPS website tracking his every moment, 2002-ongoing

Essay #2
Krystof Wodiczko, Homeless Proposal: A Proposal to the City of New York, 1986
Wochenklauser, Intervention to Aid Drug-Addicted Women, Zurich, Switzerland, 1994-95