Mid February Update
Very obvious big changes recently, as an example I’m currently typing this on the train to Antwerp for a 3 day solo trip. A first out of many firsts. My first exchange, my first time in Europe, my first time living alone, my first time surrounded by so many different people. All exciting, but in a very typical “first time” way that I’m not sure I can elaborate on for very long lol.
Another first: snow!!!
First Impressions of Rotterdam and Wdka
This semester’s project is concentrated on material exploration, so we’ve mainly been exploring the different material workshops that are in the building. Very natural feelings of “it’s so big” and “they have separate workshops for metal and wood?” and “They’ve got a specific workshop just for dyeing!”
A section of the wall above my desk
It’s a small instance of awe out of many that I’ve felt since coming here, it’s a little dizzying my first time exploring the sea since jumping out of my small pond, but I’m glad I did. The new cultural attitudes and even the sight of dog shit and cigarette butts on the ground is refreshing. The skin on my hands are dry and cracked because I used floor cleaner without wearing gloves, and the cold isn’t helping, but I love the feeling regardless.
Speaking of cleaning, I haven’t done much exploring other than nearby areas before this because I’ve been preoccupied cleaning my dirty ass house. Really, years of neglect. But I’m lucky to be able to get student housing at all. I’m lucky to have a nice roommate, I’m lucky everyone here is friendly and outgoing, I’m lucky that no one here is afraid to be alone either. I’ve never really believed in fate but I also can’t help but see everything that happens to me as a bead in a string of luck. When will this chain break?
Other miscellaneous things that are new to me:
Dogs are just allowed everywhere? And there’s a lot of them? I understand why though, they don’t stink all the time from humidity.
So many birds! I’m pretty sure this is my first time seeing ducks!
Food portions here are too much, I always have to share. Also why does eating out always cost me 20 euros.
Museum Hopping part 1
Main places I have been exploring is museums. Also another thing, coming from a country with 2 main art galleries and then arriving in a place where I can’t finish a museum in a day. I’ve now developed a goal to see as many art museums in Europe as possible while I’m here, and so far I’ve ticked off the Kunstmuseum in Rotterdam, as well as the Moco Museum and Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Just today I have spent the afternoon at KMSKA in Antwerp. It’s a little overwhelming again how huge these places are, as well as facing these artworks that I’ve only experienced from wikimedia commons in real life. And the fact that there are tons of events always happening here as well! It’s dizzying, it’z dissying.
X-ray in progress of a Rubens painting at KMSKA
The Kunstmuseum was a particular highlight with the Louis Dodd and London Calling exhibition. Looking at these paintings makes me want to draw as well (I’ve got a real craving for oil pastels), though I haven’t had the energy to since coming here. Living here has somehow fixed my internal clock. With how short the days are I can wake up at 8 and have a lazy morning and also peacefully come back home by 7. Maybe it’s not so much that the days here are short but that the days back at home are too long lol.
Media Wrap Up
First finished book this month was Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg. It’s ok? Maybe it was just underwhelming because I’m reading this after Eva Baltasar and Ursula K. Le Guin. It was never to the point of being a drag, though. Its strength is obviously in its frankness, I especially liked the part of the book during the main character’s transition. Feinberg shows her life as it was with no set dressing, it’s something I appreciate.
Afterwards we have Men in the Sun and Other Stories by Ghassan Kanafani, which was my airplane book. I would read a full length novel by this man! Much to chew on how connects his broader themes of masculinity with the specific Palestinian context, all in such an engaging and evocative manner. As opposed to January’s books where I let the words flow through me peacefully, Kanafani’s works make me want to break them down like I’m a fungus.
The last book was Butter by Asako Yuzuki. The dry translation made me feel like I’m reading a book for literature class lol. It specifically gave me The Vegetarian flashbacks. Thematically though it goes a loooot a lot deeper, using the subject of food to more diversely interrogate this complex of women roles as something condemned yet desirable. This was another ohh my god stares at the ceiling kind of book, the part about Rika feeling somewhat guilty for her father's death really got me. Out of the books I’ve read this year so far this is probably the one I can most easily recommend. Wrapped up a little too neatly for my tastes but it’s an exciting read!
Going back to JJBA… I finished the last 2 episodes of part 4 and I’m waiting for my sister to finish them too because it feels weird to start the next season without her. I like Kira not because I think he’s cool in any way but because he’s funny, Tom from Tom and Jerry ass character. On the other hand I think his thing with the Mona Lisa is actually the only acceptable reaction to a painting anyone should have.
No links this time because I haven't found any! I haven't been online at all! Seeya!