...and the land will become a part of you: July 2009

It's hard to believe we are wrapping up our last week here in Sydney. The last week we spent some time working in studio and trying to get some work accomplished. I tell you it's hard though because we have been able to do some incredible things while we've been here and we've wanted to sight-see more than do school work. Luckily I think our professors realize this but still, we are in school and so the work must begin sometime. Monday we had our first critique with a local artist at a local ARI. It went well and we got some good feedback from an artist that could potentially be inhabiting this space. Tuesday we met Adrian for a tour of art space in the afternoon so we went to brunch at an incredibly quaint French Bistro and had meat pies. We went to the Library and of New South Wales to attempt to do research for our sustainability papers but the library is incredibly staunchy and you have to request books to look at and you cannot check them out so...needless to say research is a little difficult. Wednesday was Tranby college, which is an indigenous school to help educate indigenous Australians to enter into secondary levels of education. We met with Nick Seeman and a couple architects from his firm and it was really nice to have thoughtful conversations with people who have such a passion for the field of architecture. We went out to celebrate a girl's last night in Australia and had great times at the local pub Kelly's. Thursday we got a personal invitation and tour of Brian Zulaikha's house on the harbor and had lunch with he, and other very prominent architects/artists in Sydney. It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. To be surrounded by these people who completely exude parts of my life that I wish to have in the future. It gives me such hope for what could lie ahead in my future. That afternoon we went back to the Library of New South Wales and I ended up falling asleep while researching so we didn't stay too long there obviously. Friday we went to the Museum of Sydney and saw a Glenn Murcutt exhibit whose work is incredibly inspiring to a young design student just trying to make a difference in the world and create beautiful spaces at the same time. Friday night and Saturday was free and up to exploring. Explored a couple islands and beach spots around Sydney and Saturday night went to the Opera House for Drag! All in all the weekend was amazing because we got to explore the city and the surrounding areas. It made me realize that I would ultimately like my commute into work to be on a ferry because the water just does something amazingly peaceful that nothing else has the capability to do for me. Pictures above from the preceding days.

I realize it's been a while since updating my whereabouts and happenings in Australia so I will try to attempt to catch you up. Studio has been going well, we are fully into design mode and had our first presentation/critique on Monday. We visited some art museums last week and did this amazing walk on Thursday from Bondi Beach to Coogee, stopping along the way for lunch and a discussion with Adrian concerning sustainability. Yes, it's winter here and yes, walking along this beautiful ocean is considered school for me.....I LOVE IT! Friday and the weekend we got out of the city and headed west to the Blue Mountains. Friday we met a member of a local aboriginal tribe who led us on a 7 hour hike through the mountains that included scaling rocks and walking on mossy logs across raging streams. A little out of my comfort zone but amazing and potentially a new found love. Saturday we did some more hiking, went to a book discussion for our professor's book, and made dinner for a group of us, sat around eating, drinking wine, and having great conversation in the mountains. Back to reality here in Sydney though. This week is relatively calm so it gives a good chance to dig into school work.