Two things I never thought I would say:

Instant coffee is not that bad and I am excited to belong to a gym. On the coffee front, my expectations were low but when I need a little bit of home I like to drink coffee, so I thought I would give it a shot. Also, I am out of tea and Tore had some coffee. Turns out it is not so bad and similar your average drip coffee at a deli. It feels so good and foreign to say/write the word 'deli.'

As for the gym, Shauna and I went for the off-peak membership to the nicer gym (Virgin Active), which was a great move. There are more classes, a cafe with wifi where I can do work, and it is just way nicer. They even have a pool I will probably never swim in. And honestly, when have I worked out after 4pm if not for necessity? I am hoping the showers are hotter than ours, will get back to you, and am now going about making a 'gym bag' which seems like a fun task to me (I know how that sounds). Here are the top three reasons I joined: 1. For my mental health. 2. To have some ritual in my life. 3. So I can eat chips without guilt.

Also, I may need to buy a backpack (UK translation: rucksack). I don't want to but I think it is time. Any suggestions on UK backpacks? I don't even know where to begin. Here is a picture of me tasting Belgian beer, for good measure:

Aside from my camera in the toilet, a great weekend in Brussels.

Mel and I at the Grand Place. The weather was awesome.

I just got back from a great weekend in Brussels (or Bruxelles). My friend from Cornell, Dan Ruff has liven there for a few years and has an annual bash for his birthday. I went down on Friday evening with Melinee, a friend of Dan's who lives in London and I have become friends with. The weekend started off with meeting Dan's lovely girlfriend, Marie-France, and then going out to their favorite Thai place and a local bar were we sampled some fruity Belgian beers. The beers are always in a glass with the name on it:

We spent Saturday doing party errands, had lunch with some other friends, then Melinee and I had tourist hour and walked over to the Grand Place. I had been to Brussels before (8 years ago, to be exact) so was happy to not be 'super-tourist' and enjoy seeing the place through locals eyes, following along blindly and blissfully. The down side was no moulles frites, but I quickly got over that and enjoyed a cone of frites with Mel in the Grand Place.

The party was a black and white theme party and I decided since I skipped halloween to be Uma Thurman from Pulp Fiction (Mia Wallace). It was fun except no one was really dressed up so my wig lasted for about 2 hours. Also, it was giving me a headache! Here are Dan's shoes:

The party lasted until 5am and we woke up around 11, ate, and then Mel and I hopped on the train- security, passport check, and border control in 11 minutes flat- and I was back in London by the afternoon.

My camera is working now, by the way. 36 hours of drying out later and some weirdness behind the screen..yay.

So far, so much better.

I had been hoping that after break things would pick up at school (or just "college" as they say). Looking at the schedule it seemed like a fair assumption, and I am happy to report that I was right! So far. Lectures, a tutorial, and progress reviews (next week). Last week I booked a project space (just a white room you can have for a week and do whatever you want in) and projected my little sound/image piece to get feedback. My tutorial on Tuesday went well. I actually have to start thinking seriously about my thesis soon. In short, I actually feel like a student! A little pressure never hurt anyone (namely, me).

I am not painting for the time being and I took some pictures of my space so you can see how I am working/gathering material at the moment. The first one is stuff from my Paris trip:

Below is research about handwriting and experimenting with representing it. I am actually sending my handwriting and my dad's to a graphologist soon and having it analysed.

I have concluded that art school is hard, harder than any other schooling I have been through on an intellectual level, despite the laid back nature of my program. You are constantly questioning ideas- and not just any ideas- your own, which means doubting yourself, the school, your practice, your sanity. Its exhausting! But also exhilarating and makes me thankful for my friends at school. Speaking of, here are Kayde and Chris (Natalie on the far right) wearing the same shirt, for the second time. Naturally we were in the bar at school. It was the end of the day, honest.

My next post will be about my weekend in Brussels and way more fun that art school talk, I promise!

Some new work: an experiment in sound and image.

This is a piece I have been working on...You may need to listen to it a few times to understand. I debated putting up an explanation and decided against it (for now). The only thing I will say is the images are from google maps, they have the copyright sign on them but since its so small I doubt you can see it.

Ready, Set, GO.

2010 officially started when I got back to London- the first week of the year was grandfathered into 2009, according to me. It was mainly because I was still eating like a champ in NYC and wasn't going to stop until I got back to London. On Sunday the 3rd, Mark and I ate bagels, pizza, and chinese food. See what I mean? Also, and more importantly, my new attitude and lease on life was to begin after winter break.

Most of you know the difficulties I have been facing at school and I decided that after break I would no longer be angry (it's not productive). Instead I am going to be serious, focused, and proactive. So far I am off to a good start. It helps that we have a very busy week ahead- which includes handing in a 500 word summary of our plans for our thesis. AND this is a piece of writing that someone will actually read! Does sarcasm count as angry? Hm. I have, however, done some work the past couple of days while recovering from jet lag and my gluttonous, drunken New York life.

Needless to say, it was so great to be home and see all of you. It gave me a minute to think about my life here - I guess I have to travel 3500 miles to get perspective- and coming to London this time was very different than the first. I am now acclimated in a lot of ways and know what to expect. I have friends and people I am excited to see and catch up with here too. It felt a little like a fresh start. I have even been eating healthier and have big plans to join a gym (more on that later. Stop laughing, I'm serious). My new outlook requires more activity and structure. I will, of course, let you know how it goes.

Here is one of the best things I ate in New York, and one that I drank. Sheep's milk ricotta at Locanda verde- just stop reading and go there now. Sit at the bar and eat it.

Wine at Brook Vin, where I was warmly welcomed back. I need to find a wine bar here!

Last but not least: Chef Jason!!!! We are so proud of you, brother Jason. Now come here and cook dinner for me and my friends. Thanks.