Drawing in Rome.

Drawing is difficult for me. There were plenty of days where I got very frustrated. There were days where I would compare my work to others and get depressed. The level of talent in this class was awesome. 

Throughout the month, I learned some techniques I didn't know before. Sitting next to fellow students who really know their stuff helped. 

Like with most things, practice makes perfect. While I don't expect to be perfect in any way, I know practice can't hurt. I'm off to buy a new sketchbook! 



Ciao Roma!


The last few weeks in Europe were probably my favorite. I loved visiting Capri and Cinque Terra. Everything about the beach towns in Italy is wonderful. I saw places that I have always dreamed of seeing. It is funny coincidence I actually have a picture in my room of a coastal town over-looking the sea that I just bought because I thought it was a pretty picture, then when I come home and look at it again I realize that it was the Cinque Terra town of Vernazza. I’ll always treasure the memories of the Blue Grotto and nights filled roaming the streets of Sorrento drinking lemonchello and eating amazing seafood. The last few days in Roma were definitely bittersweet. As a sort of last outing I went for one last late night gelato with my friends and had the best gelato I had yet to try in Rome, it was so sad discovering this place the last night I was there but I was happy I got to try it at least! I spent my last week in Europe in Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini. These places were so beautiful and picturesque, and I won’t lie it was amazing not to be eating Italian food for a week! Each place was so unique and gorgeous, I loved getting to know these towns for the few days I spent in each of them my only regret is that we didn’t stay longer. But, I know someday I will come back to some of the places I traveled to in Europe and that truly makes me happy. Overall I had the most amazing summer with new friends and old, it is an experience I will never forget.






Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura
 
So the last weekend in Italy, I spent in Rome. There was a chip in my blinds that made a camera obscura in my room. I remember learning about them in my History of Photography class. I took a long exposure of it, but this was probably one of the coolest things on my trip besides all the art.
 
I took a long exposure of the camera obscura and this is one of my favorite pictures from the trip. Seeing the same process of how the first ever photo was made ment a lot to me.
 
 

Rome Home
 
Whenever I travel somewhere, I always imagine what my life would be like if I were to stay. Maybe that's because I haven't found the place where I want to live permanently yet... but who says you need to live in one area permanently. But instead of looking at the art, food, and culture of a place that I visit, I look at the people. Are they happy? Is their life a one worth living? I think that's why I like older people so much. They've lived for a long time in usually the same area, and from what I can tell from the older people of Rome, their life is a one worth living, and they are truly happy.
 
Maybe they're happy because they are surrounded by family. Or maybe they achieved the goals they had set out for themselves when they were young. Or maybe they chased their wildest dreams and actually made them happen. I guess I will never know exactly what made them happy, but I do know they are happy.
 
One thing is always true though, you create your own happiness. If you want to be sad, that's your own decision. But everyone has that choice and I believe that the older people have learned this lesson.
 



 

Italy 2014

This was my first time out of the country and looking back, I never realize what a big world this place is. Living in Southern California and frequently visiting the same cities,  sticking to the same routine, and engaging with the same people, the world has become a very small place.  Visiting Rome has truly opened my eyes to truly understand that this world does not revolve around Southern California. I've always know that there were other countries and lifestyles but I never understood it. It was a real taste of "culture shock." 
For the first time, I feel like I've been neglected of life. The sense of being surrounded by beautiful and amazing architecture with lots of history is foreign here in Southern California. Don't we just go the museum for that? Each view in Rome was surreal, like a painting, whether it be the river or the park or the coffee shop. The first building we first visit was dubbed the "Wedding Cake" by our class because it literally looks like a wedding cake. And who could forget that each city was magnificent and unique in their own ways? Even amateur photographers can capture the beauty of the island Capri or the Tivoli Italy man made waterfall because at any given angle, focus, or position, it was just speechless. Life should be this awesome everywhere! Oh, I miss Rome!
















Eating my way through Italy

There is something magical about food. Food brings friends and families together, its the center of parties, we even turn to it for comfort and enjoyment. During this month I have had amazing pizza in Florence, salmon champagne risoto that was to die for in Capri, and the best of pasta that I will miss once I return to California. I think I have spent most of this trip in a food coma. The wine in Italy is delicious and welcomed with each dinner and I even had the fortune of trying an Italian soda so unique, the only way to describe the flavor is simply by tasting it yourself. The only thing that has been better than eating each crepe or fresh bruschetta is the company I savored each bite with. My teachers, classmates and I have shared food and drinks and conversations until we found ourselves cooking together and sharing our food with one another. Our meals were eaten as a family and it has made this large, amazing city feel like home. I will miss my favorite gelato shops and cafes I frequented and sketched at with everyone over the month. Maybe someday I can return and try to find them once more.






Mio Amore Eterno

Italy, my love, you speak to me with the breeze of your warm indigo night.
My love, you speak to me with the embrace of your soft gold sun light.

                      .  .  .

Through the clang and clatter, you whisper to me in subtle tones.
Just following your own perfectly flowing metronome.

                      .  .  .

Even your food is a beautiful site.
I can taste the love in every bite.

                     .  .  .

You call to me, I can feel it in my soul.
You call to me, my heart you stole.

                     .  .  .

Your refreshing blue waters warm to the touch...
I never thought I could love you this much.

                     .  .  .

There are too many words to say.
In fact, I just wish I could stay....

                    .  .  .

So I guess this is going to be my farewell.
But worry not, there will be more stories to tell.

Until we meet again.....

                         Forever yours