I just typed up a lengthy post that got deleted by accident!
Anyway- this is was my last official week as an intern and I am really sad to go. I have been infused with even more passion than I came here with and made friends and contacts. I am so happy to have some british friends and acquaintances, something that a lot of people don't have a change to form because we are studying at an american school. I really recommend internships for the reason that you meet people- british people in my case! who help you understand the culture.
Chris, the problem solving, Chelsea football loving IT guy I share an office with took me to Jamie Oliver's restaurant Fifteen. (the naked chef). The food was FABULOUS and the restaurant is a not for profit institution that teaches the homeless to be chefs and employs them. Food and helping people are two of my favorite things in the world. I have been reflecting a lot on what I have gotten out of this experience and what I have contributed to the organization. Although a lot of projects I have initiated have been open ended, hence not instantly gratifying, I know that they will be useful in the future. I have just loved everything I have done and explored here. I hope that I was an asset and that I have raised the bar for future Interns.
today louise, my beyond fabulous superviser threw me a little tea and cake party to say goodbye- it was delicious!
What I love so much about this organization is that people here are relaxed and focused at the same time. I know I would not fit in at an uptight institution where you are afraid to call in sick or wear a certain type of clothing. Here everyone has other outlets of expression as well, whether it is being in a rock band, jazz group, rugby team, or starting a dance company. There is even a circus space netball team that people from all ranks of the institution play on (and they are undefeated). It's good to learn what kind of a professional environment you are most content in. From listening to people talk about other internships I know this is the right place for me!
I'm off to do some work now, but I'll be back at The Circus Space next week to train more and just hang out because I feel so at home here now. I can't wait to visit on future travels to London!
peace,
Amy
Friday 27 April 2007
Monday 23 April 2007
hi!
I'm so sorry that I haven't updated lately. The fabulous thing about London is that there is SO much to do, and I have been really happy that I don't have internet in my flat to distract me from going out and seeing the world. But it does mean that I don't get to update my blog as often as I should.
My internship has been going amazingly, I just can't get enough. I have had friends visiting me and brought them to my job to show them where I work. It is always fun to walk into a building and have everyone know your name and be happy to see you. I think I have a really unique internship situation- I don't usually have to do petty work and I am engaged in lots of discussions about how to improve the organization. I actually feel like the listen to me and that I have something to contribute to this already successful organization. They know what I want to get out of the experiance because I am upfront with them and ask lots of questions. It really shows that if you know what you want and you can communicate that you can have a really positive experiance and both parties learn a lot. This is my last week interning here, but I know that every single time I am in London I will come back and spend time. I am allowed to practice as a circus professional and plan to keep on doing that as well.
It is a bit frustrating for me sometimes because I really want to share the circus world with so many people but it is not as accessible as other art forms like dance or theatre. Because of demand and very little space it has been hard for me to get other Ithaca College London center students classes at The Circus Space. However, last Thursday I worked out a way to teach a workshop for about 10 IC students. It was amazing to share skills with them and watch how easily they picked everything up. I hope they had a great time and that it gave them confidence- I love how circus reveals things that you never thought you could do.
I am about to start some internship work so I'll go for now- but I'll update asap!
peace,
Amy
My internship has been going amazingly, I just can't get enough. I have had friends visiting me and brought them to my job to show them where I work. It is always fun to walk into a building and have everyone know your name and be happy to see you. I think I have a really unique internship situation- I don't usually have to do petty work and I am engaged in lots of discussions about how to improve the organization. I actually feel like the listen to me and that I have something to contribute to this already successful organization. They know what I want to get out of the experiance because I am upfront with them and ask lots of questions. It really shows that if you know what you want and you can communicate that you can have a really positive experiance and both parties learn a lot. This is my last week interning here, but I know that every single time I am in London I will come back and spend time. I am allowed to practice as a circus professional and plan to keep on doing that as well.
It is a bit frustrating for me sometimes because I really want to share the circus world with so many people but it is not as accessible as other art forms like dance or theatre. Because of demand and very little space it has been hard for me to get other Ithaca College London center students classes at The Circus Space. However, last Thursday I worked out a way to teach a workshop for about 10 IC students. It was amazing to share skills with them and watch how easily they picked everything up. I hope they had a great time and that it gave them confidence- I love how circus reveals things that you never thought you could do.
I am about to start some internship work so I'll go for now- but I'll update asap!
peace,
Amy
Friday 16 March 2007
Adventures in Andalucia
This post is going to be devoted to the fabulous spring break I had.
first of all I must give credit to my trusty guide book- Time Out Andalucia
this book (the same company that makes the magazines in new york and london) guided us every step of the way- often through strange areas or narrow unpromising streets only to find the most amazing sights! we sold our souls to time out.
5 Friends and I traveled to Malaga, the southern coast of Spain. It was nice because the group of us had never spent much time together so we enjoed getting to know eachother better. We did a lot of research and used a website called ownersdirect to find a villa to rent for 5 days. It was so economic- and we had a few porches with views of the marina, mountains, and beach! We used the kitchen A LOT- cooking lavish meals every night, trying to perfect our sangria recipie and going to bed early so we could explore during the day. A perfect vacation in my mind! Our villa was in Benalamadena- a really touristy area, so although it was off season and no one was really there, we were excited to escape that and go to some other areas. The town of Nerja to the east was beautiful- we spent time sunbathing there (and also in benalamadena) and while we were in bathing suits the locals were in coats! Nerja is known for it's natural caves, although we didn't explore them. We also visited Antequera to the North- where we arrived during siesta and got to see the whole town liven up around 4:30- a magical thing to witness. There we wondered around and discovered a castle- climbed the hill through the orange trees to the top if it and spend time in the gardens. There was a mountain that was natrually carved to look like a huge monster sleeping- kind of like the old man in the mountain that was in New Hampsire (so sad when that collapsed!) but lying down. I'll put up a picture soon!
The group of us split up after 4 nights in staying in benalamadena- one to go back to london, one to Italy, one to morocco- and three (myself included) to set out to find adventure to the west in Los Canos in the province of Cadiz. We read in the bible (time out) that there was a place there called Casas Karen, a place that used to be a hippie commune and had been converted into little straw huts that you could stay in while enjoying the area. Hippie commune in a strange land- we were sold.
One of my favorite things about the trip was getting to speak spanish constantly. Between my friend Zia and I, we got around- solamente espanol! We used buses to get everywhere, and enjoyed the exchange rate that the euro posessed. I digress
My friends R.B., Samantha, and I set off to catch a 6:45 am bus to los canos. The only problem was we didn't know if there was a bus to los canos, and now I was the only one speaking spanish because Zia had gone to morocco! So we took a bus to one stop where we got off and inquired about a bus to Los Canos. Upon learning that there wasn't one we took a bus to what we thought was the closest stop to it. We arrived in Conil- got off the bus, and looked around. It was like being dropped off at a deserted diner in the middle of upstate New York; just you, the highway, and a bad cup of coffee.
So we go into one of the two buildings in sight, a rent a car place where I effectivly communicated that I needed a bus schedule to get to Los Canos. We were going to rent a car but it turns out by "rent a car" (the sign was in english) they meant that one, they only rent trailors and two, they don't speak english. Strange.
The three of us are pointed to the other building, a bar across the sandy road. We approach the bar with our huge backpacks on- feeling less like tourists and more like adventurers at this point, a feeling I relished in. We entered the bar and it seemed like a version of a Saloon with those swinging doors that you see in western movies. There was trash all over the floor, a bar the legth of the building, and about 7 midlle aged men slouched about the bar stools and booths. "Neccesito el horario por el autobus a los canos" I mumbled uncomfortably. The man behind thye bar pointed directly behind me. I looked but thought there must have been a communication barrier- for there was no beautiful plexiglass schedule display like there had been everywhere else. No electronic board updating the schedules to the milisecond like in the other bus stations. So I asked again, and again, and again and soon all of the men in the bar were awkwardly gesturing towards this spot on the wall where there were a few pieces of what I would venture to call toilet paper pasted to the wall. I saw no schedule as I knew it- but as the three of us walked toward that spot on the wall it came apparant that in fact that "stuck on the bottom of your shoe" piece of toilet paper was the bus schedule, the piece of information that we needed most, our way out of this bar and on to Los Canos. We glanced at it, all three of us, and immediatle broke down in hysterical cries of laughter. There was one bus on the schedule- and it wen't right back the way we had come. After a having a fit and clearly disturbing the peace in the bar, we managed to fit ourselves through the doorway (this is hard with big packs) and start to turn the corner. But somehow the communication gods were with us, and the man behind the bar must have sensed our helplessness (which I was really enjoying) and told me that there was another bus station if we took a right out of the bar. Two miles, one pit stop for directions, a busy highway with no shoulder, a torrential rain storm, and fits of laughter and confusion later we reached Conil de la Frontera, an area that Time Out identified as a substantial town- with people- and buildings! From there we found out that there was a bus to los canos, but learned that a cab ride was also feasible and opted to sit down for a bite and call Casas Karen to see if there was availbility. There's something really wonderful about braving the world and not knowing where you are or what will happen next!
I can't help but think about the author Bill Bryson as I stop to ask directions (in spanish) in some abandoned trailor on the side of the road. He travels, gets lost (physically and mentally) and then writes about it with such perfect humor that you feel like you were there next to him. Read his stuff- I reccomend it.
Anyway,
So we call, and call, and call, and the message tells me there are rooms but we can't get through.
So we said fuck it- and we got in a cab Casas Karen bound.
The cab drivers, and everyone in general in Southern spain are obscenely warm, accomodating, and friendly. They enjoy communicating through gesture and the few english words they know, proudly commenting on the landscape as we drive by. They are so expressive and intuitive that Sam was able to carry out a full on conversation in mime with our favorite cab driver, Ramon, for at least 15 minutes.
Anyway- we arrive at Casas Karen, it didn't look like much but we went to find out about getting a room. The cab driver stayed with us just in case there was no room for us there. I went to talk to Juani (the lovely lady who worked there while Karen who owns it was in madrid). She told me they had a place for three but we could only have it for 2 nights- we just wanted one. However she told us we could take a look at it.
She's a smart cookie that Juani because after one look we were sold. We walked to the straw hut followed by dogs who seemed to live there and run freely on the property. There was also a friendly horse named Topaz. We peered inside the hut and saw a beautifully decorated space with a lot of moroccan influence. (we would learn on our next day's adventure that morrocco was only an hour away!)
There was a loft with a big bed and a mosquito net to sheild you from the bugs. The floors were gravel with rugs to soften the blow on your feet, and there was room for 4 more to sleep under the loft, couches, and a dinner table. The kitchen and bathroom were well equiped and there were incense burners, bongo drums, and a rainbow colored hammock in a big bin just ready for me to lounge in it. I'll post pictures soon, my words don't do it justice.
We took it, obviously, prepared to stay for one night- but ended up staying three because we didn't want to leave. The three of us went exploring- discovering the atlantic ocean to one side, with sand dunes and grasses to lounge on, and a mountain called "magic mountain" to the other. We set out to the tiny market and got some stuff to make stew (that would last us the next three dinners) and relax in our little casa.
To be continued...
actually- I wrote the rest of it up but it somehow got lost in the crazy cyber galexy that is the internet- so I'll just leave it hanging for suspense.
peace for now,
amy
first of all I must give credit to my trusty guide book- Time Out Andalucia
this book (the same company that makes the magazines in new york and london) guided us every step of the way- often through strange areas or narrow unpromising streets only to find the most amazing sights! we sold our souls to time out.
5 Friends and I traveled to Malaga, the southern coast of Spain. It was nice because the group of us had never spent much time together so we enjoed getting to know eachother better. We did a lot of research and used a website called ownersdirect to find a villa to rent for 5 days. It was so economic- and we had a few porches with views of the marina, mountains, and beach! We used the kitchen A LOT- cooking lavish meals every night, trying to perfect our sangria recipie and going to bed early so we could explore during the day. A perfect vacation in my mind! Our villa was in Benalamadena- a really touristy area, so although it was off season and no one was really there, we were excited to escape that and go to some other areas. The town of Nerja to the east was beautiful- we spent time sunbathing there (and also in benalamadena) and while we were in bathing suits the locals were in coats! Nerja is known for it's natural caves, although we didn't explore them. We also visited Antequera to the North- where we arrived during siesta and got to see the whole town liven up around 4:30- a magical thing to witness. There we wondered around and discovered a castle- climbed the hill through the orange trees to the top if it and spend time in the gardens. There was a mountain that was natrually carved to look like a huge monster sleeping- kind of like the old man in the mountain that was in New Hampsire (so sad when that collapsed!) but lying down. I'll put up a picture soon!
The group of us split up after 4 nights in staying in benalamadena- one to go back to london, one to Italy, one to morocco- and three (myself included) to set out to find adventure to the west in Los Canos in the province of Cadiz. We read in the bible (time out) that there was a place there called Casas Karen, a place that used to be a hippie commune and had been converted into little straw huts that you could stay in while enjoying the area. Hippie commune in a strange land- we were sold.
One of my favorite things about the trip was getting to speak spanish constantly. Between my friend Zia and I, we got around- solamente espanol! We used buses to get everywhere, and enjoyed the exchange rate that the euro posessed. I digress
My friends R.B., Samantha, and I set off to catch a 6:45 am bus to los canos. The only problem was we didn't know if there was a bus to los canos, and now I was the only one speaking spanish because Zia had gone to morocco! So we took a bus to one stop where we got off and inquired about a bus to Los Canos. Upon learning that there wasn't one we took a bus to what we thought was the closest stop to it. We arrived in Conil- got off the bus, and looked around. It was like being dropped off at a deserted diner in the middle of upstate New York; just you, the highway, and a bad cup of coffee.
So we go into one of the two buildings in sight, a rent a car place where I effectivly communicated that I needed a bus schedule to get to Los Canos. We were going to rent a car but it turns out by "rent a car" (the sign was in english) they meant that one, they only rent trailors and two, they don't speak english. Strange.
The three of us are pointed to the other building, a bar across the sandy road. We approach the bar with our huge backpacks on- feeling less like tourists and more like adventurers at this point, a feeling I relished in. We entered the bar and it seemed like a version of a Saloon with those swinging doors that you see in western movies. There was trash all over the floor, a bar the legth of the building, and about 7 midlle aged men slouched about the bar stools and booths. "Neccesito el horario por el autobus a los canos" I mumbled uncomfortably. The man behind thye bar pointed directly behind me. I looked but thought there must have been a communication barrier- for there was no beautiful plexiglass schedule display like there had been everywhere else. No electronic board updating the schedules to the milisecond like in the other bus stations. So I asked again, and again, and again and soon all of the men in the bar were awkwardly gesturing towards this spot on the wall where there were a few pieces of what I would venture to call toilet paper pasted to the wall. I saw no schedule as I knew it- but as the three of us walked toward that spot on the wall it came apparant that in fact that "stuck on the bottom of your shoe" piece of toilet paper was the bus schedule, the piece of information that we needed most, our way out of this bar and on to Los Canos. We glanced at it, all three of us, and immediatle broke down in hysterical cries of laughter. There was one bus on the schedule- and it wen't right back the way we had come. After a having a fit and clearly disturbing the peace in the bar, we managed to fit ourselves through the doorway (this is hard with big packs) and start to turn the corner. But somehow the communication gods were with us, and the man behind the bar must have sensed our helplessness (which I was really enjoying) and told me that there was another bus station if we took a right out of the bar. Two miles, one pit stop for directions, a busy highway with no shoulder, a torrential rain storm, and fits of laughter and confusion later we reached Conil de la Frontera, an area that Time Out identified as a substantial town- with people- and buildings! From there we found out that there was a bus to los canos, but learned that a cab ride was also feasible and opted to sit down for a bite and call Casas Karen to see if there was availbility. There's something really wonderful about braving the world and not knowing where you are or what will happen next!
I can't help but think about the author Bill Bryson as I stop to ask directions (in spanish) in some abandoned trailor on the side of the road. He travels, gets lost (physically and mentally) and then writes about it with such perfect humor that you feel like you were there next to him. Read his stuff- I reccomend it.
Anyway,
So we call, and call, and call, and the message tells me there are rooms but we can't get through.
So we said fuck it- and we got in a cab Casas Karen bound.
The cab drivers, and everyone in general in Southern spain are obscenely warm, accomodating, and friendly. They enjoy communicating through gesture and the few english words they know, proudly commenting on the landscape as we drive by. They are so expressive and intuitive that Sam was able to carry out a full on conversation in mime with our favorite cab driver, Ramon, for at least 15 minutes.
Anyway- we arrive at Casas Karen, it didn't look like much but we went to find out about getting a room. The cab driver stayed with us just in case there was no room for us there. I went to talk to Juani (the lovely lady who worked there while Karen who owns it was in madrid). She told me they had a place for three but we could only have it for 2 nights- we just wanted one. However she told us we could take a look at it.
She's a smart cookie that Juani because after one look we were sold. We walked to the straw hut followed by dogs who seemed to live there and run freely on the property. There was also a friendly horse named Topaz. We peered inside the hut and saw a beautifully decorated space with a lot of moroccan influence. (we would learn on our next day's adventure that morrocco was only an hour away!)
There was a loft with a big bed and a mosquito net to sheild you from the bugs. The floors were gravel with rugs to soften the blow on your feet, and there was room for 4 more to sleep under the loft, couches, and a dinner table. The kitchen and bathroom were well equiped and there were incense burners, bongo drums, and a rainbow colored hammock in a big bin just ready for me to lounge in it. I'll post pictures soon, my words don't do it justice.
We took it, obviously, prepared to stay for one night- but ended up staying three because we didn't want to leave. The three of us went exploring- discovering the atlantic ocean to one side, with sand dunes and grasses to lounge on, and a mountain called "magic mountain" to the other. We set out to the tiny market and got some stuff to make stew (that would last us the next three dinners) and relax in our little casa.
To be continued...
actually- I wrote the rest of it up but it somehow got lost in the crazy cyber galexy that is the internet- so I'll just leave it hanging for suspense.
peace for now,
amy
Thursday 15 March 2007
Tuesday 20 February 2007
Hobnobs are magical cookie/biscuit type things that we have a coffee talks here at the IC London center. What is a coffee talk you ask- well basically whoever wants to gathers in Bill's office (our fearless leader) and chat and munch on hobnobs and, tea, hot chocolate, and coffee. Which brings me to something that has been a large presence in my time in London so far: HOT CHOCOLATE.
I am a supreme fan of the drink and this country possesses hot chocolate of the most amazing quality. Every place is different, but I often find myself drinking what could be mistaken for a mug of pure melted chocolate, which makes me really really happy.
My internship is going well and I am really excited to be surrounded by passionate, driven, and creative people. The professional development centre at The Circus Space that I intern for provides practice space and resources for professionals in the field of circus. Because I have a background in Circus my supervisor arranged for me to audition for the program and I got in! I am now allowed to practice aerial tissu, trampoline, acrobatics, and handstands on my own. It is really awesome to work behind the scenes as an intern and then actually benefit from the work by being a part of the professional development centre.
I live in a spacious flat with 5 wonderful roommates, but I was feeling that the living room needed a little boost so I made some flowers out of the pages of an old fashion magazine. See the photo!
For Spring break some friends and I are going to Costa Del Sol on the cost of Spain. I'm excited to explore somewhere new. I haven't been traveling much on weekends because there is so much to absorb in London! I do plan to travel after the spring term is over though- I can't wait. I have opportunities to work with the youth programme at The Circus Space on weekends too, an incentive to stay in the area.
Today is international pancake day- a day that is not justly advertised in the states but they LOVE advertising here (although I don't really think they eat pancakes) BUT anyway- I'm going to make some for dinner!
Peace,
Amy
I am a supreme fan of the drink and this country possesses hot chocolate of the most amazing quality. Every place is different, but I often find myself drinking what could be mistaken for a mug of pure melted chocolate, which makes me really really happy.
My internship is going well and I am really excited to be surrounded by passionate, driven, and creative people. The professional development centre at The Circus Space that I intern for provides practice space and resources for professionals in the field of circus. Because I have a background in Circus my supervisor arranged for me to audition for the program and I got in! I am now allowed to practice aerial tissu, trampoline, acrobatics, and handstands on my own. It is really awesome to work behind the scenes as an intern and then actually benefit from the work by being a part of the professional development centre.
I live in a spacious flat with 5 wonderful roommates, but I was feeling that the living room needed a little boost so I made some flowers out of the pages of an old fashion magazine. See the photo!
For Spring break some friends and I are going to Costa Del Sol on the cost of Spain. I'm excited to explore somewhere new. I haven't been traveling much on weekends because there is so much to absorb in London! I do plan to travel after the spring term is over though- I can't wait. I have opportunities to work with the youth programme at The Circus Space on weekends too, an incentive to stay in the area.
Today is international pancake day- a day that is not justly advertised in the states but they LOVE advertising here (although I don't really think they eat pancakes) BUT anyway- I'm going to make some for dinner!
Peace,
Amy
Monday 12 February 2007
hi!
Cheers!
Welcome to my Blog. I've never thought of myself as the Blogging type, but I'm really excited to share my London experiences with the wonderful people reading this.
I'm a theatre arts management major who is completely absorbed in the circus world. I teach and perform circus in the U.S. and started ICircus at IC. Right now I am at my internship at The Circus Space, an incredible organization in London that has the UK's only circus arts degree program as well as youth, corporate, professional, and adult programs.
I look out the window of my office and see people flying around on trapezes, throwing juggling balls, and flipping on trampolines. For me it's heaven. I am working for the artist and company development center here - it aims to provide circus professionals with resources for practicing, networking, performance, etc! I am also training a bit (I do aerial work- trapezes and ropes and things like that), teaching with the youth program, and helping out with the corporate workshops. I will probably update this from work mostly because I don't have Internet in my flat.
I am off to Ballet class now- they treat me so well here, I even get to take ballet!
check out the circus space at www.thecircusspace.co.uk
peace,
Amy
Welcome to my Blog. I've never thought of myself as the Blogging type, but I'm really excited to share my London experiences with the wonderful people reading this.
I'm a theatre arts management major who is completely absorbed in the circus world. I teach and perform circus in the U.S. and started ICircus at IC. Right now I am at my internship at The Circus Space, an incredible organization in London that has the UK's only circus arts degree program as well as youth, corporate, professional, and adult programs.
I look out the window of my office and see people flying around on trapezes, throwing juggling balls, and flipping on trampolines. For me it's heaven. I am working for the artist and company development center here - it aims to provide circus professionals with resources for practicing, networking, performance, etc! I am also training a bit (I do aerial work- trapezes and ropes and things like that), teaching with the youth program, and helping out with the corporate workshops. I will probably update this from work mostly because I don't have Internet in my flat.
I am off to Ballet class now- they treat me so well here, I even get to take ballet!
check out the circus space at www.thecircusspace.co.uk
peace,
Amy
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