I decided to add this image to my blog because it is something we discussed in my International Politics course--we were discussing world view and perception, and Professor Chong brought this picture up in class. If you look closely in the bottom left corner there is a man's face among the coffee beans. I loved this photo for two reasons: 1) I'm a barista and I LOVE coffee and 2) things are not always what they seem, and once you realize a change in something it alters the way you see it, just like memory--if you know something now that you didn't know then, it alters you perception of the initial occurrence. 

Photobook 1: What's in a name

     The theme for my photo book is stories-- specifically the contrasts I can see in myself and my experiences throughout my life story. A photo is only ever a snapshot, but there is always an entire string of occurrences that happen before a piece of film is ever imprinted with an image.
     I took images that have a strong impact for me, and combined them in contrasting ways on every page. I put these images on a backdrop of newsprint because I liked the idea that we are surrounded by stories everywhere: in news, in people, in books, in plays. On the cover I signed my name because I liked the idea that we are not defined by one single aspect of ourselves-- I may do theatre and relish in the double entendre that is the line "What's in a name?" but it is not what defines me. Just as memory is the sum of its parts of knowledge past and present, so is man.

Photo #1

      I chose this image for two main reasons: it represents my love for the theatre arts and my love and pride in my family. I took this picture in the house seats next to mine at Cirque du Soleil which my Mom surprised me and got me tickets (front row dead center!!!) to for my 19th birthday last year. I remember it was the best gift ever, because at the time I was really struggling with classes, and was homesick, and I also got to see premier theatre take place right in front of me and just escape the world and follow some other story for awhile. I remember sitting in the audience about half way through the show wowed at just how much I had learned in a year-- I knew how the lighting design and effects worked, how the traps worked. For the first time in the whole year I realized I was growing up. And it was a super weird feeling. I think it was one of the only times in my life I was 100% confident in my decisions, and knew why I was doing things, and what impact my experiences would have on my future. I look at this picture and I am just inspired and overjoyed at the memory it stirs. Plus I think it was a pretty artsy pic, by my standards. 


     I realize that we are instructed to give our expectations for this course. I cannot provide you with any expectations-- I have decided to strive to live my life with few expectations, that way I am not let down when people fail to meet them, but can be pleasantly surprised when my usually high standards are met or exceeded (we'll see how long this lasts). I can however provide you with my hopes and desires for this course: I hope to learn more about my own memory and re-examine some of my own thoughts and memories that I hold to be true and an intricate aspect of my life, I also hope to make stronger human connections with not only my classmates, but also the residents of the Mayflower. As for my desires: I desire to be inspired. Thus far I have found the material captivating, testing, and thought provoking. I hope that continues.