Peace By Piece

The Tasties at Plough & Stars 1/19/2012

2012-01-20T17:43:00.000-08:00

Had a great show last night at the Plough! Such a good turn out with lots of friends! Thanks all who came to support us, we had soo much fun! This was our second time performing at the Plough and our last show before I leave for Switzerland for 3 months! Once again, the cozy and intimate setting at Plough provided a perfect venue for our soulful set. Peter and Bryan rocked it on drums and guitar and I played keys and sang. Go to the right column to see a video from last night of my song "Plateau" and the John Prine song "Angel from Montgomery". Keep following my blog for updates during my time in Switzerland. Also follow The Tasties and more of my music on reverbnation http://www.reverbnation.com/eleanorkaufmanandthetasties. I'll be adding some more recordings soon! I hope to keep writing while in Switzerland and maybe can find a cheap keyboard at a pawn shop or something. Or maybe I'll just take up a small, transportable instrument like the harmonica. Until next time, Auf Wiedersehen!

In Memory of Kip Weeks

2012-01-03T19:38:00.000-08:00

I would like to send my love to the Weeks family. A good friend of mine, Meg, lost her father, Kip, this past week to a three-year battle with brain cancer. Today I attended the funeral in Keene. It was a beautiful service. A family friend delivered the eulogy, which was so thoughtful, tasteful, and funny ...so Kip. Although Meg and her family are so strong, to lose your father is an incredible loss, and I send my deepest blessing and all of my love to Meg, Sam, Chris and her whole family.

With love,
Eleanor

holiday snapshot

2012-01-03T15:41:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays everyone! And a very happy New Year! I was able to get home this year for Christmas and the last couple nights of Hanukkah. I hope you were all safe and able to spend time with your loved ones. Here are some snapshots of how I spent my holidays this year- snapshots include: Christmas cookies from scratch, Alex and his baby Simon, Roots concert with Isaac, Jameson, Mom's ruggies, cranberry chutney, etc
Love,
El

Deck the Halls!

2011-12-23T16:34:00.000-08:00

This year I decided to try online printing. I used overnightprints.com and uploaded my designs quickly and easily. I spent $30.00 for 200 cards (100 Chanukkah and 100 Christmas)! Definitely the way to go for a fun holiday send-out! Also, made latkes from scratch this year...they were delish! Eric and I enjoyed them while we lit candles and sang Matzor. Latke fact #1: MAKE THEM FLOAT. (and mix the applesauce with sour cream)

Christmas bar crawls invade Charlies

2011-12-21T13:08:00.001-08:00

This is what happens to Charlies at Christmas time. Santas. Everywhere.

runner's hi

2011-12-12T11:12:00.000-08:00

I bumped into a Santa 5K yesterday en route to work.

Santa?

2011-12-11T23:31:00.000-08:00

Its the holiday season and things are in full swing here in Cambridgio. Best part: Mariah is serenading me wherever I go. Plus, all floors of the restaurant are set to the same christmas station--so as I lug PBR from the basement all the way to to top floor, I feel like Im in really cheesy holiday music video.

This is how I know Christmas has arrived:

a. Today it took me 12 minutes to cross Mass ave while hoards of various shaped Santas and Elfs ran past me- all in a race towards the finish of the Cool Running 5K.

b. My local CVS looks like a florescent lit version of Santa's warehouse.

c. Santa has not texted me in weeks.

d. I just finished decorating my wreath with holly and cheer!

To Beau: Bianca's Seed Paper!

2011-12-11T06:51:00.000-08:00

Hey all!

My roomate Bianca http://www.biancapettinicchi.com has been working furiously on producing mass quantities of seed paper, which she is selling today at Mass Market at Mass Art. Stop by 12-6 and you can see all of her seed designs...maybe even buy someone a gift for the holidays! Every day our living room as produced more and more of this stuff--recycled paper mixed with various seeds. She has cards, ornaments, gift tags etc. And when you give the gift of a seed card, the recipient can plant it in the ground and before you know it--flowers will blossom. How lovely. I especially love Bianca's stitched design cards. (MWAH), where she stitched little beaded notes into the paper. The idea is creative and her designs are delicate and beautiful. Check it out!

-El

2011-12-09T16:31:00.000-08:00

Howdy!! These are some sketches of rainy days past. I always find rainy cambridge really entertaining. Its as if the rain is falling bullets or something. Everyone looks really sad and depressed crowding under their $8.00-half-open umbrellas. BUT sometimes I spot some really adorable scenes. Like at bus stops. These are some reflections of people I see.

I hope everyone is starting to bake lots of christmas cookies and sing carols. I know I am.
Till next time, Tata!
Love,
El

Stephen Kronniger-Collage Illustration

2011-11-29T21:06:00.000-08:00

Check out Stephen Kronniger. I noticed one of his illustrations while skimming through the NYtimes. His compositions, using magazine cut-outs and scraps are super fun and whimsical, but simple and sophisticated. To see his website, click on Michael Jackson on the right.

2011-11-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

Some things Ive been thinking about...

Halloween Masks!

2011-10-30T08:47:00.000-07:00

Ive decided this year...as part of my Halloween spirit- to make halloween masks. I stumbled upon the paper mache molds at The Artist Supply Store in central. They are hand-painted with acrylic, designs, characters etc....I am selling them for $10.00 each. After two nights of bringing them to work with me, my co-workers and customers gobbled them up so I only have 3 left! I think I may just keep producing them and start a mask business.

Enjoy!

Maine Marathon, October 2nd

2011-10-01T19:29:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning I will be running my first half marathon at the Maine Marathon in Portland! My friend Eric and I will be driving up at 5am along with our zip lock bags of nuts and chocolate chips. Im deciding whether to eat a bagel for breakfast or a fried egg. Bianca tells me bagel.

This is actually a big deal for me, as I am realizing the closer I get to the race. I have been training for it, and now I feel myself needing to mentally prepare as well. I will blog about the race after. I am excited and nervous and anxious all at the same time. As this new year begins with Rosh Hashanna just having passed and Yom Kippur next week, I feel great that I will start this year off on a good note, by completing the challenge of running my first half marathon.

Wish me luck!
Eleanor

Lupe Fiasco at House of Blues 9/12/11

2011-09-14T20:31:00.000-07:00

On Monday night, my friend Eric and I went to the Lupe Fiasco concert at House of Blues. We began at Jerry Remy's...a classic Boston sports bahh, where the Patriots were heading off their season in Florida against the...Florida....football .....team?
Anyway, I really love being in the Fenway region, especially when Boston teams are playing and energy is high. We skipped on down to the show and found our spots in the back of the hall, behind the sound board. Ive seen a number of shows at House of Blues, and have always opted for the crammed-in-the-middle-and-can barely-move- spots down in front of the stage. We stood way in back this time, where we could see the whole stage and all of the performers, instead of just flailing arms and the huge, sweaty heads of the people in front of us.

Lupe Fiasco is from Chicago, signed with Atlantic records in 2005 and produces/performs hip-hop. At 29, he can put on a great high-energy show,; his stage presence felt more like a 23 year old. The set was really good, and although a lot of the songs sounded the same, they were all performed really well. Sarah Green was Lupe's badass backup singer, who-throughout the whole show remained animated and alive...and super badass. I would have liked to hear her voice better; "Daydream" is one of my favorite Lupe songs because of Jill Scott's crazy female solo in the middle, but I was disappointed when they performed it because I could barely here her. Some highlights in the set were "The Show Goes On, Superstar...in which the whole crowd joined in a monstrous chorus..., Superstar, Kick Push and and a bunch more from his album, "Lasers"

Instead of a DJ, which is what one might expect at a Lupe Fiasco concert, he had a full band- keys, bass, guitar, drums, three backup singers and a violinist. I liked how he involved his band during the show; many times he walked up to the guitar and bass players and danced along side them or mimicked their moves. At one point about halfway through the concert, Lupe made the crowd go silent and introduced the violinist (a Berklee Grad.) He proceeded to jump into the center of the stage and break out into an amazing hip hop solo. I captured some of it on video, but you will have to please excuse my language. It was so beautiful and I got really excited. Gosh, I love strings in hip hop (also Check out Miri Ben Ari, another really awesome hip hop violinist).

As the show went on, you could tell Lupe became more comfortable with his audience, and began joking around...particularly with an older woman in the front row--who just so happened to have been Fiasco's flight attendant on one of his trips. The rest of the show was sprinkled with his remarks to her-reminding her to hook him up with free plane tickets.

All-in-all, Fiasco was Fantastico and being there reminded me that I JUST LOVE hip-hop shows. I went to see Talib Kweli a few months ago at Paradise, which was smaller, but really really good. and before that, the almighty Miss Lauryn Hill in Atlantic City- a show I will never forget (see earlier post).
And so we all left, flooding onto Landsdowne street, me, shaking my ass like Rihanna and contemplating the start of my rapping career.

Cheers!

Pop-up Gymnastics Concert

2011-08-29T09:42:00.001-07:00

Today I was walking down Magazine into central square; I had just come from from a meeting.. my mind was racing all over the place with anxiety about my day when all of a sudden two tiny voices popped over a garden fence. "Do you want to see a gymnastics concert?" I swiveled to my left, where two girls--probably 9 or 10 years old were jumping excitedly in their yard- bare foot and decked in floral summer shorts and pink tanks. "Yeah!" I said excitedly and surprised. They proceeded to hustle to the end of the yard and stood in ballet-like stances, preparing for their stage entrance. They giggled as they tried not to look at each other then with exaggerated and serious faces they nodded and began their routine. All of a sudden they were doing cartwheels, back turns, swivels, pivots and flips in front of my eyes, bending into synchronized bridges and crawling under each other. I couldn't help but laugh out loud at what I had just run into. My very own private gymnastics concert. It got me thinking of when I was younger and would choreograph dances with friends--we would set up the living room with a curtain and lights and perform similar concerts. We had so much fun!

These two friends had obviously spent all day creating and practicing their routine and they were having such careless and innocent fun. I was reminded of the unabashed energy of being young and how, as adults we can-at heart, enjoy being a child again. In fact, I might even say that as adults with more responsibilities- we MUST abandon our adult minds sometimes to once again love life like a child.

At the end of their stellar performance, the two girls bowed and smiled proudly at each other. I clapped and complimented their work. I gave them a dollar each to pursue their gymnastics careers. I was on my way to continue my days activities--only now my mind feels lighter and I have a delighted smile on my face.

Alien Invasion in Boston!

2011-08-06T19:29:00.000-07:00

Did anyone else think we were being invaded by aliens a couple nights ago in Boston? I swear to god, ufo's were descending on our little city. I was walking through the Financial district, back from the waterfront with a friend when all of a sudden, a noise...way too similar to that of the sound effects in a multi-level computer game...encroached upon us from above. At first, I considered some sort of news helicopter. Then it came a second time and I thought it was a really BIG news story. Then it came again. and again. and again. At this point, people were huddled in crowds on street corners looking up at these steel, insect-looking motherships that were verrryyy slowly hovering directly above. What made things more dramatic- was the fact that we were standing ***smack -dab at the ground of Boston's most concentrated center of sky scrapers. So these alien jets appeared to literally be weaving in and out of John Hancock, State Street and the Prudential center.

Eventually by the time we got to Park Street, the aliens had finished their descent. No more noises were heard. The next day, I found out that aliens HAD NOT invaded Boston. It was a boring military test. (loud snore). I was mildly upset, as I was hoping tell my kids at school about my alien adventures. Coincidentally, this week at Build-It-Yourself, Marshall-my co-worker and I are teaching a workshop on how to design animated alien creatures and cartoon characters. Our mission this past week was to "Design digital artifacts that will make aliens want to be friends with our world". I have included a collection of the kids' work. I am really proud of what they came up with. And so after my alien encounter a few nights ago, I am CONVINCED that their artifacts have successfully attracted Aliens from the outside. Good Job kids...A++ for everyone.

***Where the hell did the expression "Smack-Dab" come from??

Thought of You- Ryan Woodward Animated Illustration

2011-07-25T19:22:00.000-07:00

This is an absolutely beautiful animation directed and animated by Ryan Woodward. As a workshop leader at Build It Yourself, I teach kids how to create expressive illustrations, cartoons and animations for computer games and other animated projects. Cedrick, my fellow workshop leader found this animation and I think it is an impressive example of a simple 2D illustration coming to life to tell a story. I literally felt like my body melted when I watched this... Im interested in what you think. Read more about his work here...
http://conteanimated.com/

Pirates of Concord Academy

2011-07-22T20:39:00.000-07:00

I started a new job this week. I am a workshop leader at "Build It Yourself" , a creative engineering program that hosts a series of workshops for kids ages 9-14. Today we completed a week-long Pirate Ship building workshop, in which a classroom full of 10 year old boys--primed with a mission to take back candy from evil hoarders on an island.. learned to construct pirates, sturdy ships, and other piraty objects for their ships. They even made powerpoint lab books documenting their research and refference photos. Being in that classroom every day reminded me of days I visited my mom when she was an elementary school art teacher...and the hilarious stories she told us about her kids. I must say, being with kids does feel good. The way they interact with each other is so sweet. Plus, I get to hear the most hilarious things come out of their mouths.
For instance, today, one of the hottest days so far this summer, I was hunched over a plank of wood, drilling a hole with a can opener. A small army of little boys hovered around me, watching my every move. They smelled so strongly of Banana Boat sunscreen that I thought I would pass out. Just as my hole broke through the wood, one of the boys told me that i 'sweat like his dad after a good run'.
hahaha. I wanted to take a bottle of sunscreen and squirt it in his face...but intstead I just laughed as a river of sweat slowly trickled down my face.
This group was surely a melting pot of talents---the genius kid who didnt like his partner and wanted to make his own boat, they ended up creating one of the better designed boats and even though they may never meet each other again, it was obvious they were proud and excited about what they had finished together. There was a group that didn't say a peep all week and then surprised everyone with this amazing mast head made from giant pipe cleaners and looked like an authentic chinese dragon puppet. I look around and wonder, who will they turn out to be? How much of their 10 year old personalities will stay with them as they grow into adults in the real world of pirates and treasure. Will the be bad pirates or good ones? And what will be their treasure?

So glad to be spending time in the imaginative and creative world with kids these days.
Enjoy the pictures of our pirate ship excursion in the river!

Holiday animation

2011-07-14T12:01:00.000-07:00

Not to burst your warm bubbles of summer fun or anything... but I pulled this holiday animation of my winter treasure chest and finally finished it!

LaTosha Brown- Angels in Heaven done signed my name

2011-07-13T09:02:00.001-07:00

Speaking of hott-ass day..while sitting in my studio, legs sticking to my chair, face dripping...I tripped and fell on this steamy little video of LaTosha Brown...and it cooled me right down...

Fun in my room

2011-07-07T14:05:00.000-07:00

I was in my room when all of a sudden I see this little spider floating in mid-air. It really looked like it was climbing and falling in space...watch as it climbs to the top of the Empire State Building..

Island Time- Martha's Vineyard

2011-07-07T06:26:00.000-07:00

I went to Martha's Vineyard over the weekend, and stayed at Bianca's pond house in Aquinnah. Brian, Bianca and I took the Ferry and then biked a beautiful 15 mile ride up-island to Menemsha, where we hopped on a cute bike ferry- which ended up not being so cute because it cost $5 bucks and we literally rowed 1 minute across the water and he let us off. haha the Ferry Man named his boat "gimme 5". We might have just as well swam across with our bikes on our heads..but nonetheless, "Gimme 5" got us to where we needed to go. We continued on to Bianca's adorable pond house, which sits directly on a lilly pond with lilly pads and white blossoms floating all over it. Bianca has done such a nice job with the house--earlier on in the spring they came to scrub and clean all of the winter shmutz from the walls and ceilings. Now, its all painted freshly white, with blue sheer curtains and golden mirrors everywhere. At night the bullfrogs gulped us to sleep. We showered in the outdoor shower, we peed outdoors, I shared a small space with flying bugs of all sorts...and i couldnt care less. We met a bunch of Bianca's Vineyard friends who are staying at the beachhouse across the road. We spent two days lounging on the beach, watching the nude family frolick a mile down from us. Aquinnah is such a lovely place, not overrun by tourists and very quaint. The "town center" consists of a few trinket shops and The Aquinnah Shop, a restaurant that sits atop the famous cliffs where the legendary Moshup, the Wampanoag Leader once hunted whales from the sea. It is said that the red stain on the cliffs, is the whale blood/ink from when Moshup flung the whales against the cliffs to kill them.
The vacation was a perfect way to spend two gorgeous summer days. Now back in Boston, I find myself still on Island time...not wanting to rush, traces of the vineyard sun still cover my skin. ohhh how I wish I was still sitting on the beach with a beer and soft sand covering my toesies.

Authentic Counterfeit

2011-07-05T20:53:00.000-07:00

Stumbled on this band while biking through Central Square. All walks of life were stopping to watch them--homeless men, rushed business women, school kids...and me. Someone stuffed a flier into my hand and turns out they were scheduled to play at Tommy Doyles in Harvard square later that week. Awesome, solid sound- they got jazz, soul, funk and the personalties to match. And I couldnt agree more with the woman next to me as you will hear... "they bring it up together, they put it right back down together." Hahaha. Introducing Authentic Counterfeit.

Old Man erenading the birds on my last day of school

2011-06-28T17:23:00.000-07:00

My last day of College. Ever. And I come outside to the courtyard. The old man sits, as usual on the black bench. One leg rests on his black aged guitar case, his hands reaching and spreading to find different chords. The sounds of the city are here too, but only as faded background to this old man's Spanish-sounding strumming. He doesnt sing along, but a low, gutteral sound echoes from his throat. Like a chant, almost. He is completely focused on his guitar, unaware of the birds, or the people. I come outside and I feel like Ive entered into a pocket of a foreign land. It is a beautiful evening. And I am done with School tonight.

Chag Sameach

2011-04-28T07:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Passover (late)! This year I was able to go home to New Hampshire and spend the first seder with my family. I took the train from Funkburg and spent a lovely night at home. Jerry and Deborah always lead such a wonderful seder and EVERY YEAR have something new to teach and some new way of understanding the relevance of the holiday and its traditions- as they relate to our current lives. I will now relay a mini history of the Passover holiday so that those who dont know about it...can.

In 1450ish BCE the Jews were enslaved in Egypt. According to the Pharoah Ramses, Egypt was becoming overpopulated with Jewbies (Jew Babies) and so he began to kill them. A little boy named Moses was sent away in a basket down the Nile by his mother in order that he be saved. Moses is snatched up by the Pharoah's daughter who raises him as the Prince of Egypt. Moses watches his own people suffering and dying and decides to go see God. God tells Moses that he has been chosen to free the Jews. "Your kidding.." he says to God. "Damn Straight" says God. "Well shit" , says Moses, "Maybe you can help a brother and send some plagues down on Egypt so that Ramses will be forced to free my people." "Sure" said God. And so a series of 10 plagues were cast upon Egyptian lands. ( at the seder we commemorate the 10 plagues by dipping our pinky into wine and dropping 10 drips onto our plate as we say each plague..by doing this we see the red wine and remember the bloodshed). The big-whopper-icing-on-the- cake- Plague was when God sends the Angel of Death over Egypt to kill the first born boy of each Egyptian family. Finally Ramses had enough and let the Jews go. The Jews then hurry and gather their belongings and flee Egypt. (We didnt even have time to let our bread rise!...Hence the reason we must go bagel-less for 8 days) Just as the get to the Red Sea, Ramses changed his mind and sent soldiers to go get all of the Jews back. The Sea parts and the Jews safely make it accross the ocean and just as the last Jews step onto land, The sea waves crash down and wipe out all of the Egyptian soldiers. The Jews are saved and continue on into the Dessert for 40 years until they reach their homeland. The end.

Not the end. What Passover teaches us is that the Jews Exodus in 1450BCE is our own Exodus; our own freedom from the bondage that we consider ourselves to be slaves of- our minds, our jobs, our worries etc.
This year my dad read an article entitled "Pass-over Hurdles" from a Lubavitch newspaper published in Brooklyn, NY:
"Together we can transform the historic liberation into the celebration of our ultimate redemption", it said.

And throughout the seder, the prayers, the songs, I reflect on the idea of my own Exodus
While not bound by shackles, I must admit to some enslavement of the mind this past year; worry and stress that keeps me from being free. The adjustment from being out of school has been ironically not freeing at all. The lack of structure is hard for me to embrace, let alone- understand. A year has past since graduating and I am looking for the right job that I love. I am just beginning to enjoy my non-hectic, unstructured school life. I am thinking a lot about my career-as a Designer and Artist and just beginning to understand the implications of not having a due date and a professor to "ok" my ideas and work. I realize now that I was afraid of leaving the shackles of school; that I needed them in some way to keep guiding me. But as I involve myself in new and exciting things: a new series of illustrations, singing more music and yes...my part time job at Paper Source that I really love...I can see that this freedom is quite incredible. Scary, yes. But how exhilarating to begin an exciting career and create my life! Like the Haggadah said "We are like the Matzoh, incomplete. There is always something to be found."

I will leave you with a final experpt from my family's seder, one that preceded a ridiculously huge feast of turkey, stuffing, Grandma HIndy's Farfel, potato kugel and a passover-friendly chocolate birthday cake...all cooked and prepared by my lovely mother. A prayer that sums up my feelings about this years Passover and that is especially relevant this year:
I am a jew because the world is not yet completed; we are completing it.

New Work

2011-04-24T07:47:00.000-07:00

Ive been keeping myself busy with new Illustrations! Many of the people in them are from photos that I took while in Spain. Happy Spring to all.

The Free Table

2011-04-08T21:11:00.000-07:00

So I found this amazing pop-up book on the "free table" the other day. "The Pop Up Circus Book" from Random House. The book is beautifully illustrated and contains pages of different circus characters- there are flame-swallowers! cage masters! cannon-ball shooters! and the best part? You simply pull on paper handles and the illustrations move!

Have I introduced you to the "free table" yet? I dont think so. The Free Table is on Pearl street, a mere skip down from my apartment. I pass it every time I walk up and down to central square. Every day there is something new on the table, whether its the family who owns it who lugs stuff out from their home, or residents of the neighborhood who drop off unwanted dreck*. Recently I have been contributing a lot of goods to the free table, as my spring cleaning has begun and I find myself mercilessly ridding myself and my room of unnecessary shlock*.
I find the coolest stuff on the free table! For example, earlier this winter I found a mini hand-crafted Mexican guitar. When I spotted it from a block down, my heart jumped and I snatched it away before any one of my neighbors could take it. Its sitting in my room and I often I pluck its strings and accompany myself while I sing. (I dont know how to play guitar so I just pluck). A while back I also found jumbo playing cards that I have stashed in my growing library of reference materials. They are big, bold and have cool graphic illustrations and symbols. I can't wait to use them in a future project. My roommate, Brian cant wait to play "Giant Poker".

I love children's books! I keep finding great children's books around town and so my collection is growing. I'm appreciating, I think-more than ever- the purity and simplicity of these books; the language is so easy, yet the message is so very deep and meaningful.heartwarming too. And the artwork and illustrations within the books is so beautiful.
I love that every time I read a children's book, I understand the world a little more clearly.
Happily Ever After,
Eleanor

*Dreck: yiddish for useless shit
*Shlock: Also yiddish for useless shit

Maria Guinand speaks at Harvard

2011-04-07T20:51:00.000-07:00

Today I went to hear world-renowned conductor Maria Guinand- speak at Harvard's Paine Hall. Guinand is here in Boston as part of the conductor-in-residence program through the Boston Children's Chorus. The program helps to expose young singers to international influences in music and brings distinguished choral leaders from around the world to teach and conduct. She is here in Boston working with the BCC April 5-9th. She lives in Venezuela, where she has conducted Cantoría Alberto Grau, the Orfeón Universitario Simón Bolívar, and the Schola Cantorum de Venezuela. She has also won numerous awards for her work and has traveled all over the world to speak about South American Choral music and topics alike. On April 28-29 at 8pm she will be conducting the BCC in a performance at Sanders Hall at Harvard.

In her one-hour lecture she gave a brief overview of South American choral music, which she said was born from Catholicism and began as a form of education for Missionaries to teach religious ideas to native populations. She talked us through the time of 16th century latin madrigals all the way to 21st century African-inspired percussive a cappella choral music sung in Spanish. We listened to quick snippets of beautiful pieces that- quickly engulfed the music hall in such a way that I felt like I was being transcended to the sky for 30 seconds at a time then dropped back down to my bench. She spoke of the choral traditions in Cuba, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Chile and Uruguay. She had a thick spanish accent and she took time to find the right words to express what she was thinking. She read from a power-point, but often strayed from the podium, pushed her reading glasses into her silver hair and delved into detail on specific songs or composers.

The lecture ended with questions, and one man asked her about her experience teaching- "is it easier to teach music to children in Venezuela versus teaching music to children here in the U.S.?"- a question that I found particularly interesting. Guinand claims that vocal and choral traditions are so much rooted in the history of the culture and that yes, children who are raised in South American cultures are exposed to those musical traditions and are more familiar with particular aspects such as the sounds, the language, and the way the voice is used to express emotion. "We are not afraid to express with our voice", She said.
While there may be differences in the kids learning threshold, it is evident that Guinand travels and teaches because of exactly this. How powerful to dig up your country's rich musical roots and spread them to singers around the world.

Afterwards, I watched Guinand begin her rehearsal with the BCC and I was reminded of my choral days, sitting in the cold choir room with Mr. Martin banging the soprano notes on the piano. Hearing these kids sing and form such rich harmonies; the sopranos softly hovering over the solid alto section. The baritones laying down the backbone for the whole ensemble...oh the beauty.
And so it was a wonderful lecture, and definitely a wake up call for me to start singing choral music again.
You can watch a video of Maria conducting her choir...just click on her photo on the right panel!
Until later,
El

Atwoods Tavern

2011-03-27T09:01:00.000-07:00

Atwoods Tavern, Inman Square.
Two nights ago I came home after a long and stress-filled day of tracking wedding invitation orders and responding to customer calls about Strawberry A2 envelopes at Paper Source. I came home to my roommate, Brian- who I found plopped in the living room with the facial expression of someone who had also lived a stressful workday. For some reason all I could think of at that moment was how bad I wanted a big, juicy burger. I expressed my desire to Brian and his eyes lit up like a child looking at a huge candy mountain. While I changed out of my stale work clothes, Brain yelped** for the perfect burger joint. I returned to the living room. "Atwoods Tavern" said Brian. We slipped on our boots and winter jackets (yes, it is late March and outside it remains bitter cold. (how rude). We strolled through Cambridgeport and over to Inman Square. It did feel nice in the brisk air, especially knowing we would soon be gobbling burgers and slurping beer. Brian is convinced that its not worth eating anything that you don't work for. I agreed with his sentiment, we strolled through central square, excitedly awaiting our destination. As we got closer, the fattest rat ive ever seen waddled accross the sidewalk in front of us and my body lurched to a stop and I screamed. Rats are so disgusting. Especially that one...he looked like he had just eaten another rat he was so big. Or maybe it was pregnant with quintuplet rats. ugggh. Anyway, we arrived at Atwoods and the second we walked in, my night was complete. The pub is lined on the inside with wood panels. The bar is cozily lit, as well as the tables, scattered through the dining room. A small stage sits at the far end of the place, where more tables stand and the bar wraps around to both ends of the restaurant. They have tons of beers on tap including specialty rotating taps. I saw the BBC Steelrail (one of my favorite beers) and was so happy. Brian and I sat at a little table up front. The whole evening was delicious. I had the burger with blue cheese and fries and Brian had his with Bacon and Cheddar. Our waitress was very pleasant and gave solid service. There are some foods that just make you feel like the happiest person in the world. I must say, a burger and beer is one of those things for me. Brian and I chatted about his time living in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, while doing Habitat for Humanity. I love hearing Brian tell stories because he uses just the right words for everything. He described the culture down South in a way that was so tactile and alive - the music that seems to ooze from the streets, the tables of crawfish, the festivals and concerts...and it made me want to go there. A band had begun to play as we were leaving--a bluesy, rock group. We stepped out the door and I felt so refreshed and satisfied. I trekked home and went right to bed. I slept like a baby.
And so I recommend Atwoods Tavern in Inman Square: a cozy place, a perfect burger, a steelrail and a warm place on a freezing March night for good conversation.

**Yelp: Verb. (Etymological Origin: Yelp.com) The act of searching on the website yelp.com for restaurants or businesses, often reviewed by either really angry and pissed of customers, or those who love a place so much-they want to rave about it all over the internet..hence "yelp!"

Teeny Tiny Show, Three Graces Gallery

2011-02-08T13:31:00.000-08:00

I recently went to the opening of the Teeny Tiny Show at the Three Graces Gallery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Im proud to say, this was my first time showing my work in a show! I had eight illustrations of my characters in the show. The gallery looked great- a small space with old wooden floors and windows in the back that look out over the water. There were thirty artists displaying their work and all pieces had to be 10"x10" or smaller. There were illustrations, paintings, encaustic prints, photography, mini sculptures, jewelry etc. A few of my favorites were a photograph of tiny plastic people hiking through the greenery of a potted plant, also Ernie and Cassandra Valasco's clay sculpted characters. The tiny dolls- with faces filled with personality, had names like Thelma and Talbert and looked like they walked out of a childrens book. Amanda Atkins series of illustrated women are beautiful and seductive. Each woman, poised and primmed has a slogan written above their head, a lyric, if you will- that acts as a title for the piece, but also gives a little glimpse into the complex personality of each piece. The night was swell, with a walk around Market street. We ended at The Friendly Toast for a vintage-styled dinner, where I enjoyed the Caribbean Waffle with caramelized bananas....and then we wrestled our way up an icy sidewalk to the Mainly Gourmet Chocolate Factory, where we were greeted by a cute young woman who told us she was drunk off of one cocktail. She was jumping all around the shop, dropping boxes and making lively conversation. She then mistakenly charged Amanda 50.00 for a tiny box of truffles. All in all, we had a sweet little trip to New Hampshire- I had never been to Portsmouth, and loved it! I'll have to go back and explore in the daytime.

Open Mic Lizard Lounge!

2011-02-05T07:16:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone!

I am proud to report that I recently just performed my first OPEN MIC!! I sang at the Lizard Lounge Open Mic, which happens every Monday, with Tom Bianchi as the host. It was also my first time performing my original songs! The set went great, and I had so much fun playing on ther real piano! I performed "In My Head" and "Stone", two songs that I wrote this year.
Once I figure out how to post my tunes, I'll post some on this thang

Meanwhile, I am feeling jazzed about continuing to write!
Cheers,
Eleanor

LAURYN HILL 1/29/11

2011-02-02T19:03:00.000-08:00

Wow,
So I report to you now after a long weekend in Philadelphia where I killed two major birds with one huge stone
a. I got to see the love of my life, Alex and stay with his family in Philadelphia
b. I went to see Lauryn Hill at the House of Blues in Atlantic City!!!

My lovely roommate, Bianca bought us tickets for Christmaka to see Ms. Hill and I nearly had a heart attack when she told me.

After a 6 hour ride on Megabus to Philly, we arrived in the City of Brotherly Love. I really love Philadelphia- theres something antique and quite quaint about it- even though its bigger than Boston. I love the pubs and restaurants- each one seems to have its very own personality and unique style. Boston is overrun with sports bars and things alike.
So we spent some time in the city, eating Ham Hock sandwiches (whatever that is) and drinking Bloody Marys. Back to the Nechemias house on Penhurst Lane, where Lucy the poodle and Dana-Alex's mom greeted us with yelps and growls. Wait..Lucy with yelps and growls, and Dana with hugs and kisses.
We relaxed and watched Egypt yell and protest on the tv and ate chocolate kisses. Then off to the show!
The show was set start at 9:00. UNFORTUNATELY, Ms Apparently-Im-too-awesome-for-all-of-my-fans-LaurynHill- Didnt come on stage until 12:00am!! What the helll???!! Me, being her biggest fan in the world didnt have a problem waiting, but many people did. Rightfully so. I couldnt believe it and I thought the wait was completely absurd.

I started to think she wasnt going to come out- and that this was all a dream. Ive always thought of Lauryn Hill as some sort of angel or legend that doesnt really exist-- I mean shes spent so much time away from the public, her voice wailing away on Miseducation seems to be the only remaining trace of her. But alas! 12:00 sharp she slid on to the stage- appearing very much like a female James Brown. Her hair was in a mini fro, and she wore gray bell-bottoms, a pair of pointy heels stuck out from the bottoms as she swayed and stepped across the stage. She also wore this huge black and white Louis Vuitton poncho-drapy thing that I wish she wouldve just taken off; She looked old in it, like she was hiding her body. It also was wayy too hot for that thing-throughout the whole show, she held a small face towel that she kept wiping and dabbing her face with. Lauryn, just take off the poncho and you and I will both be so happy.

She greeted us with quite a pretentious attitude and didnt even apologize for being three hours late. She kept raising her head to us then dropping it down with her microphone and thanked us. "You Look Good New Jersey" she kept saying. Her first two songs were brand new and no one was into them. We were already pissed about the wait, and on top of it shes playing songs that we dont know?? Well, I think she picked up on our displeasure. After her second song she left stage briefly, came back a minute later and from then on played only her old stuff; a wonderful compilation of Fugees faves and hits from her Miseducation Album.

The songs were amazing the hear live. It was refreshing to hear a contemporary spin on her songs-these are songs that Ive only heard album versions of. It was exciting and relieving to see she still has power and game in her. Her backup singers were right on point and so was her band of drums, two keyboards, an oober-sexy bass player with long swaying dreds and a guitar player. As the show went on, she really warmed up to crowd and even brought her kids (5 of them...I think she has twenty) on stage to join in singing Turn Your Lights Down Low....sooo cute. I saw Zion!! (her song To Zion).

Being so close to her was surreal- I could see her facial expressions change as she interacted with her band and with us. I could pick up on those little moments between songs that were not staged and not practiced. It was real, and I was watching my favorite singer of all time, Lauryn Hill (who was my first cassette tape)- sing her heart out right in front of me. She and her hauntingly beautiful voice- will forever amaze me.
So heres to Ms. Lauryn Hill and her music-- who- no matter how tardy, old or racist, she is my very favorite voice of all time.
ENJOY THE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS!!

Johnny ate my phone

2011-01-27T19:36:00.001-08:00

Ugh. About three hours ago, I dropped my phone in the toilet. I had neglected to take it out of my back pants pocket, and out it slipped into the watery depths of my john. Damnit. I realize I probably kept it in there a smidgeon too long as I decided whether or not to sink my hand into my toilet bowl. But, dear god! What was I thinking?! Each second that I waited, 5 of my contacts were being washed away into oblivion! So I snatched it out, yelping and screaming. (who knew this was so scary?) And now, it sits on the top of my refrigerator- like an old man lounging by the side of a pool after a midday swim. Each time I try to turn it on, the screen turns white and the battery symbol gyrates and blinks. So now I have no phone because it inappropriately decided to take a dip. Water damage is the worst. Sprint Insurance doesnt cover it and theres absolutely no way to fix a water-damaged device. And now my toilet looks like a giant happy face, satisfied after a filling dinner of Phone. Keep smiling johnny, I know who'll be smiling next time.

Regresando al Espanol

2011-01-24T20:42:00.000-08:00

Hola-
Hace mucho tiempo hasta que he escrito en espanol. Y DIGO- echo de menos!! pero mas- echo de menos hablando en espanol! Un amigo de yo-Antonio, que conoci en Granada-el estuvo en Boston trabajando por algunos meses. Durante este tiempo nosotros salimos y practicamos el espanol. El me corregio, el me forzo de explicar cosas complicadas, el fue mi profesor Granadin en Boston. y todo fue fantastico! Pero ahora que no tengo mi profesor Antonio, es dificil encontrar personas con quien puedo practicar el Espanol...y mejor, el Espanol de Espana. Lo que quiero de verdad- es para vivir otra vez en Espana. Especialmente en estas dias- estas dias FRRIIIAAS (como negativo 20 grados!) yo pienso en el sol de Granada, las noches calientes de que camine por las calles y vi la Alhambra subiendo en la distancia. Estas dias frias pienso en la ciudad Magica, en las dias de belleza pura. Y yo se que regesare algun dia. Yo se que la belleza de Espana regresara a mi pronto. Y va a calentarme otra vez.
Pues, No hay nada que hacer -parece que necesito hacer amigos con el frio. Quizas es un amigo en que nunca pensaba. Entonces, aunque cuando camino afuera, me siento que mis ojos se van a caer de mi cara, y que mi pelo mira como hiel- colgando de mi cabeza--esta bien porque me acuerdo las cosas buenas, pienso en la primavera...que viene pronto y que vive anxiosa abajo del monton de nieve.
Salud,
El

Hola!
Its been so much time since I have written in Spanish...not to mention spoken Spanish and I tell you--I miss it so so much! My friend, Antonio, who I met when I was studying in Granada- he was living in Cambridge for a few months last year. During that time, he and I would meet for coffee and have wonderful Spanish conversations together- I was able to practice my Spanish with him and he would correct me as well as force me to explain complicated things to him. He was my Granadian Professor here at home and now that he has gone, I miss those sessions. I also miss hearing the Spanish accent that warms my heart and reminds me of being in Spain. What I really want to do is to live again in Spain and to speak lovely Spanish all of the time. Especially during these cold cold days of January, when mornings fall to negative 20 degrees, I find myself often missing the warmth and beauty of Spain and of Granada. I think about the hot nights walking through the streets and peering up at the Alhambra, towering above me. These cold days I find myself thinking of the magic of the city Granada and the pure beauty and freedom of the things I saw and felt. I know I will return soon.
Until then, theres nothing I can do, except to make friends with the cold and to embrace this Winter. So, although I walk out of my apartment every day and feel as if my eyes are going to fall off my face, and although my hair looks like ice sticks protruding from my head-- It is ok because I remember good things-warm things. I think of Spring, which lives right below the piles of snow and is ready to return and warm the earth.

Salud,
El

Happy New Year

2011-01-23T13:48:00.000-08:00

Happy New Years!! I know Im late, but my new year has gotten off to a slow start. My New Years 2011 was spent at Cambridge Common in Porter Square. Eight of us squeezed into a cozy little booth next the window, from which we watched scantily dressed girls throw up their liquor in piles of dirty snow outside. And then at 12:00 we all joined with the rest of the room to ring in the new year while balls dropped and so did our arms- as we kissed and hugged everyone. Amidst the dropping balls and the sequined dresses...i realized one important thing: We all have new years resolutions and goals. Each one of us- whether we think consciously about it or not- have things that we want and need to do next. Tomorrow? NExt week? Next year? Perhaps right now. And so I took advantage of this monumental holiday and I traveled around to all of the tables in the room, collecting everyone's goals and resolutions. Enjoy- and may they inspire you to think about what your next important step is.

Happy New Year
-El

2011-01-08T21:17:00.000-08:00

Home for the holidays. This year I didnt get to be home for Christmas Eve for our annual lobster extravaganza because I was working at Paper Source, selling last minute xmas gifts to lazy uncles, wives and children. But its ok, because I went to a Christmas Eve service at Emmanuel Church on Newbury street instead. Ever since i watched Home Alone for the first time when I was a wee tot, Ive wanted to go to a church on christmas eve to hear choirs sing christmas music, and see all of the families gathering for this special evening. While my family sat at dinner with friends, cracking lobsters and reciting full scenes from Seinfeld, I sat by myself at a thai restaurant called Pupu-thai...or something like that. With a glass of wine and huge plate of noodles in front of me, I sighed from a pang of loneliness. But In some ways, it felt refreshing to break my Christmas Eve tradition for once. I sat and ate, as couples and families gathered at tables around me. I had never been out on Christmas Eve! I was always with the lobsters! And so I arrived at Emmanuel Church, where I- for some reason felt the need to explain to the host that I was Jewish. He welcomed me and told me to find a seat in the pews. So I did and I watched families trickle into this vast space, with high vaulted ceilings and grand archways. Candles were being lit in front of me and the room was filling with people dressed in their best attire. Greetings. Kisses. Nods. Handshakes. Silence. Song. Suddenly a beautiful sound came rushing from behind me. A choir had begun to sing and were slowly making their way through the isle. It was as if someone had grabbed my heart and shook it a bit. The music was so chillingly beautiful and echoed so perfectly in the space. So I sat and closed my eyes to let this angelic and magical sound settle in my mind. What a wonderful change of pace this Christmas Eve. Sometimes its so worth it to shake things up a bit.

Stocking Stuffer

2010-12-26T18:38:00.000-08:00

A pleasant Christmas this year. I worked Christmas Eve at Paper Source in Boston, and I watched all of the last minute shoppers gather their goods. Plastic christmas trees. pooping penguin candies. cheesy christmas cards. beautiful christmas cards. paper wreath making kits. Chartreuse placecards for holiday dinners. And as I observed these shoppers behavior intently and critically, like I often find myself doing, I imaged what types of celebrations they would be going home to, and the characters they would be dining with. But many times I dont even have to imagine them. They show up in my store.
I watched a family of what seemed like only children- come sprinting into the store like a gang of hyenas. A boy- atleast I think it was a boy.with long red hair .and his hoard of troublemaker friends literally ran in skidding circles through the store. Why does everyone at that age think they are so cool? He came running up to the counter, panting and out of breath. "wrapping paper" he wrestled to say through weezes of short, exhausted breath. I started at his little face and told him he had passed it three times. He turned without a "thank you" and ran due north to the paper. Jeez. As he left my sight, I turned to my co-worker "these little shits are so out of control". I looked to my left and his mother was right beside the counter testing pens from he display table, slowly looking up at me.

Insert Stocking In Mouth.

Brooklyn

2010-12-16T10:29:00.000-08:00

I just met the most precious little girl. Her name is Brooklyn and she is 1 month old. I am at Starbucks in Central square, grabbing a small coffee. I was headed to the cream counter to lighten my drink...when a bright beam of light shone through the window. It was as if my heart was pulled in that direction and I looked through the light to see this little head peep out from a huge crib-like stroller . Pink blankets were piled high and a tiny head shifted around. so so tiny. But her eyes were those of someone much older. Faded and glassy blue. Her head was the size of my coffee cup. She looked solemnly and but peacefully down at her haven of pink blankets. No smile. Just completely concentrated. Her blinks were slow and they corresponded to the slow groove of her passifier that moved in and out. "Her name is Brooklyn" her father said to me. I bent down, trying to catch her eyes with mine. But she kept looking down at her father's hand which touched the blankets around her. "Welcome" I said.

2010-10-20T21:47:00.000-07:00

This is General Eggplant...and his wonkin shnoz. He sits in our window and stares at the passerby. Poor guy.

Goodbye Charlie

2010-10-03T17:05:00.000-07:00

I have left Charlie's Kitchen- my workplace for three years. I waitressed and tended bar in this establishment, which has been around since the 50's. Its strange, as this joint became kind of like another home for me. I LOVE the people I worked with. They were all genuinely great people and it is sad to be leaving such a family. Not only were my co-workers great, but customers too. Charlies has quite unique bunch of Regulars. Hilarious and quirky men and women who I would see every day. I came to appreciate their habits, their quirks, and I have sealed all of these things into my mental diary of fond(led) memories:

I tended bar with Evan; together we giggled and impersonated customers, conversed with them in English, Spanish, drunken English, and drunken spanish. We overserved them, and then had to throw many of them out. I took away fake id's from scared boys that looked like they were 10. I served tables with Josh and when it was slow, he practiced his new rap songs for me and I beat boxed...tried to beat box. the words "burger" and "frappe",became a permanent set of vocab, Ive never had to wear so much black. Ive never seen bathrooms get so nasty. I have seen first dates, marriage proposals, fights, famous people, men trying to pick up women, women trying to pick up women, men trying to pick up bartenders, bartenders trying to pick up broken wine glasses. Ive formed friendships with two twin brothers that I like to refer to as the Kings of Charlies. Greg and George. Tall and with a sense of importance, they put me at ease when I saw them at the end of the bar in the same seats. I once gave a credit card receipt to a man to sign and instead of a pen, I accidentally gave him my eyeliner pencil. His girlfriend looked at me with such disgust as I fumbled to find a real pen. Another time, a customer found a shirt tag in his burger. Ive made music and business connections with people, tested beers with construction workers on their lunch breaks, talked about love with English professors, come up with theories about outer space with stubborn hispanic men, and given advice to troubled loners at my bar. So many people to even begin explaining, but that created such a memorable experience. I am so happy to have been there for them and I'm so glad they were there for me too.

I am happy to be moving on..It was time. I look forward to getting my design career underway.

So goodbye to Charlies and hello to a future of many more special experiences. I will surely miss the Charlies comeradere, the bizarre encounters and all of the people, sounds, food and many things that makes this place so special.

My FIrst Crush by Julia Pott

2010-09-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

Julia Pott illustrates a wonderfull and hilarious mini film about first crushes...Enjoy!

2010-06-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

My Travel journal. Even when I am not abroad I am traveling. Everyday a new experience, everyday- a new set of characters- a new piece of life to have. Welcome Ben to 177 Erie Street, my new roommate! The drawings are some of my new illustrations

Indian Home-cooking

2010-03-15T18:18:00.000-07:00

Words cannot explain how excited I am about the meal I just made. Indian!
Today was a gross day and besides working at my desk all day- I decided to brave the disgusting weather and venture into the dark unknown of central square. I've been craving Indian food for the past week, so I went to Shalimar Spice store down the street and got some items to cook up. I called mom to let her know I was cooking Indian...thinking I would ask a few questions and be on my way, she got really stressed out that I was cooking something so complicated and I could hear it in her voice--she wanted to jump through the phone and do everything for me. That would have been nice- but I told her that no, I refuse to use a recipe, and that things are just fine( I can be stubborn when it comes to recipes. I think I can do everything on my own). (Is lamb really that hard to cook? Ive never done it before)I just sat down and ate my feast. IT WAS SOOO GOOD! Lamb, peas, tomato, coriander and cumin, mustard seed with a nice broth and some potatoes...partnered perfectly with dipable garlic nan which I crisped in the oven a bit beforehand. A glass of red wine completed the meal and now I feel so fufilled. Back to do work-senior invite, conference brochure etc etc--wonderfully satisfied by my own home-cooking.
-El

Spring semester news

2010-02-10T14:20:00.001-08:00

Hello!
This semester I will complete my graphic design internship. It seems surreal to be experiencing this already, and also nerveracking showing up alone at a professional firm, where I will test my abilities in the field. This will be such a change! Graphic Design to me has meant NESAD for four years. I have spent my life in the same classrooms and computer labs with the same group of students and professors. I have friends whose advice and support I trust and love. I have professors that challenge my thinking, and who stand by my every decision- shaping and directing me to be a virtuous designer and artist. I have a community at NESAD, in which I have been raised; The first place I studied design and the first taste of my professional future. And in less than a year I will graduate and be a professional Graphic Designer--not a student. Leaving NESAD, more specifically, not being a student in a classroom anymore, will force me to look at myself in a brand new way- as a talented professional, and confident designer. Recently I have started to trust my ideas and my work more and believe in my sollutions. This is so important because in the real world, I will be EXPECTED to trust my visions and work. And I guess when it comes down to it, I am ready to be expected to great things. I am ready to be defined by my title as a Graphic Designer and Artist.
And now that I am in my last semester, I am doing an internship- which will give me a big bite of that real world.

Today I started my internship at Hamilton Hughes Design firm in Dorchester, MA! Robert and Kristen are the art directors and owners and they will be overseeing me. They are so nice and comfortable to be with. Today was a short day because of the impending blizzard. Monday will be my next day with them, and I look forward to it. I will be working on projects, observing their work, gaining practice doing a lot of the business related work, and learning about all of those details that simply cannot be taught in school. Yay. I will continue to post my progress.
Check Hamilton Hughes Design on the right!
Cheers,
Eleanor

2009-11-23T08:28:00.000-08:00

Hello!
It has been sooo long! I have not been blogually active these past months because of school, and feeling unable to record my hectic life. BUT...I have just made an online portfolio where I am showcasing some of my work! CHECK IT OUT!!
http://eleanorkaufman.carbonmade.com/

The fall semester is coming to a quick end and I have been kind of going out of my mind with projects and homework etc.Not kind of---really out of my mind. More deets later. Thanksgiving is next week! A week ago I couldn't even think about taking the time away from my work for thanksgiving- which is a ridiculous thought. However, I have finally calmed down a bit and have found it in myself to really look forward to the holiday with my family..as it should be.
I had a gathering last night at the apartment with some school peeps. I made homemade pizzas (chicken pesto onion tomato, basil, brocoli and olive,broc, onion, tomato) with a walnut mixed greens and gorgonzola salad. Fun was had by all and it was a small but delightful palooza.
Alex went home for Thanksgiving already. I already miss him
OK, off to journalism class! DONT FORGET MY PORTFOLIO! :)

2009-08-30T07:59:00.000-07:00

Moving back to Boston today. I am excited to settle in the apartment again. Last night I went to the bars in Keene...it was pretty much a high school reunion. Hilarious who you start talking to- people who you saw everyday in school and never said a word to, now you seem to have everything in common with..
As I am sitting here in my empty room, every car that drives by, beeps. and I hear these little beeps all day. My dad has quite the reputation here on Westmoreland road as he has been outside all summer painting and working on the house. I'm sure he has talked to every one of our neighbors at some point, explaining the work he is doing, describing his next handy feat. And these people- these "beepers" have watched his progress-the transformations from a gray, chipped- porch house to a beautiful and lovely creamy yellow house with a sea blue porch. From the unfinished barn-to a beautiful newly painted barn with Gropius gray windows. And now, they all beep when they drive by. haha I find it very amusing. I haven't met half these people, but I love that they beep for my dad...and for my house.

Market time in Aix

2009-08-23T16:09:00.000-07:00

Mount St. Victoire

2009-08-23T07:57:00.001-07:00

One day in Aix, I hopped on a bus that went up to The mountain St. Victoire, a beautiful, majestic-looking peak, where Cezanne did his famous paintings of the mountain. These paintings, in which he worked to merge nature- what he saw with his eye, with an "order". He believed that nature had more of a durable structure, that much impressionism did not recognize. I sat up on the mountain and did a little of my own sketching. It was a beautiful day and there was no one around. Very relaxing. On the way back, I met a man from Poland who was traveling with his orchestra-based out of Warsaw. He plays the viola in the orchestra- Sinfonia Varsovia (check out the website on the right). We talked the whole bumpy, curvy ride down and when we returned to town I told him that I hope to see his orchestra in Boston some day. I think that would be such an amazing way to travel--moving from one city to the next, playing music in amazing venues all around the world.

Aix

2009-08-23T07:54:00.004-07:00

2009-08-23T07:54:00.003-07:00

2009-08-23T07:54:00.001-07:00

2009-08-23T07:47:00.000-07:00

Najim from Paris, who was visiting his family in Aix--needed to relax in the country.

2009-08-23T07:46:00.000-07:00

Orange, mint and pistachio sherbet

and the adventure continues...

2009-08-23T07:25:00.001-07:00

Hello all!
I am back in the United States, sitting at home in New Hampshire. I returned from my trip about 5 days ago. It is strange being home, and I often get nostalgic thinking of my adventures in Europe. However, I had such a positive experience, with so many awesome memories to take home with me--that it almost feels like I am still traveling. I LOVED greeting my parents at Logan airport! When I came walking out of my gate, they were there amongst all of the other anxious parents and loved ones. I ran up to them with all of my sacks and luggage and it felt soooo good to be with them again. After a while traveling on my own, I started to become more and more aware of the families around me. At times, I got sensitive to seeing families and friends together- a mother cleaning ice cream off of her messy daughter, a french family riding the train-the children singing and matching their tone to the sound of the train on the tracks, and both parents cracking up. Or a group of friends on the beach, eating and sharing familiar jokes. These things, I noticed while traveling alone, and they made me so happy to see and at the same time they made me long for those contacts again.
So I have returned home and am getting back into my routine here. Soon I will head back to Boston and begin school. I am excited for this school year and I cannot wait to see what types of ways my experiences traveling will come through in my art and my work. I have seen so much beauty and these places. I have seen so many things that have inspired me. Lets see where they take me.
I think I will continue to post about my trip, and revisit my adventures. I hope you all will continue to follow my blog, I want to keep sharing this with you.
Chao
-Eleanor

Back in San Sebastian

2009-08-14T11:44:00.000-07:00

Hello! Back in San Sebastian...a familiar place- finally. I was in Nice for a couple of days and wasn't too fond. Very big and too spread out. I like the smaller towns better, where I feel I can become part of the town instead of feeling like an outsider. It feels good to be back. Spent the day lying on "Concha" beach with the rest of the topless peeps soakin the rest of the rays and then did some shopping that I probably should'nt have...but I had fun. Staying again at Roger's House for the next two nights. Just cooked dinner and tonight there is an amazing fireworks show on the beach...I have come at the perfect time. It is the last two nights of "La Semana Grande", a week -long festival here in San Sebastian with music events, fireworks, etc etc. I am glad to be back here and relaxing in a familiar place after spending so much time in unfamiliar- and at times...uncomfortable places. Sunday I head back to Madrid and my flight is Monday!
PS..I keep saying "merci" and "oui"...my mind is still in France.
PPS..I can't wait to hug mom and dad
PMS..I am listening to Lauryn Hill in the kitchen
PPP: Thanks to a boy named Matthias from Marseille, I was able to get back to San Sebastian in an unstressful manner. He was so helpful at the train station and missed his train just so he could help me get on the train I needed. I am so thankful.
PMM: Maybe this is a generalization...but maybe it is true as well...I found a lot of the French people to be pretty cold and unfriendly. I feel a difference being back in Spain.they seem to me more open to others.
NPR: There are 4 more guys here from Italy...and they are cool i guess...but i miss my other Italian roommates....seguro
Ok chao
-El

Aix-En Provence

2009-08-10T02:22:00.000-07:00

Here in Aix-En Provence!I am staying in a hotel in a tiny little room who's door opens up into the lobby and whos' toilet is in the same room as the bed. Its perfect.
Once I was settled last night I went out to get something to eat and explored a bit. This is such a beautiful place! The weather is not too hot and at night it cools down to a very comfortable temp. It is different, and wierd being in a place where I cannot communicate very well at all. For the most part people speak ok English and I am able to communicate with them using flying hands and basic words. Last night I was able to practice the little French that I do know with a friend that I met. There are many similarities between Spanish and French and after speaking with him for a while, French was already becoming a bit familiar to me and I was able to speak at a basic level...very basic. I really like the French language...I like the sound of the words and how they all clink together with a certain elegant cadence. I would like to learn at some point.
Right now I am sitting in a little cafe with french techno music having a cafe. This is a precious place and I love getting to know the French way here in Aix-En Provence.
For now, Au Revoir!
-Eleanor
PS- Mazel Tov Em Katz on getting a job in Bostonia...and an apt! Can't wait to be in Boston with you!

In France!

2009-08-08T16:18:00.001-07:00

I am in France! I traveled through the night and arrived in Paris at 7:10 this morning. I spent the day walking along the Siene River, stumbling upon pretty amazing things like first- the Notre Dame then the Louvre, and then I found the Eiffel Tower. By then my feet had just about fallen off. Paris is a nice city, very big but not a bad big... Standing at one point on the river you can see everything around you and your sight follows down the river, uninterrupted by huge skyscrapers, it is very pleasant to walk around there. It was kind of an overcast day which cast this really cool, erie glow over the whole city..I think I captured it best in the golden statue against the gray sky. Later, I trekked back to the train station and was on my way to Southern France. Now I am sitting in some motel in Aix-en Provence with a badly dubbed French film playing in the background-where obviouslyAmerican actors' lips are moving in the wrong ways with the sleezy-sounding French voice-overs.
My train came in late tonight and I wasnt able to find a hostel. I met a really nice girl on the train who had helped me translate the conductor's announcements and she helped me find a place to stay. This wasn't what I was expecting (a super-8-like motel in the middle of a nothing-street), but I am glad to have a shower and get a chance to rest after my super long day. Tomorrow I will take the bus into town and see what I can see. I will try and find a hostel in the center of the town. My train mate suggested some things too see around here as well as told me that I should spend less time in Aix and instead travel to a few different towns in this general area. Well I am excited that I am here, and I hope I can find what I am looking for tomorrow!
PS- the language things is quite frustrating. I am so used to being able to communicate...even in Spanish. But here in France, I am completely at a loss for words... (literally) and I so wish I knew even some basic French. I would like to learn. For now, I have my tiny little French phrase book which is helpful, but It is hard to memorize things especially because I am not used to the pronunciation. We'll see! For now, Au Revoir e Bonsoir!
A a three-man band from Sweden camped out in front of the Eiffel Tower...so good! (keep watching, the video will flip the right way)

A Culinary Shmorgisbord!

2009-08-07T05:35:00.000-07:00

(r-l: My roomates!Lorenzo, Simone, Andrea, some other Italian we played volleyball with probably named Lorenzo, and Alexander..

Hola!
Today is my last day here in San Sebastian. Tonight I will take a train to Paris and travel through the night on the sleeping car. Tomorrow I will arrive and then take another train to Avignon in the south. Last night was so fun! A bunch of the people from the hostel gathered in the tiny kitchen and cooked up a storm! Every night the group of Portuguese cook some culinary masterpiece and we are all so impressed. Last night it was shrimp stirfry with rice and vegetables. My Italian roomates yelled and gesticulated as they threw their pasta into the pot and strategized for their tomato and cheese sauce. And I ended up joining forces with these two Canadian girls. We made pasta with a delcious meat sauce. They threw in some chorizo and I made some bangin meatballs with onion, garlic and herbs. I opened my bottle of red wine and we all sat and enjoyed. I must say, we girls ate sooo well.Even my Italian roomates were impressed with our spread. By the time we had all eaten, the kitchen was a mess and there were drunken conversations happening in so many different languages that I think none of us actually knew what was being said. We all went out dancing and stayed out quite late. Today I had to leave the hostel so I am hanging around town until my train tonight. San Sebastian has been wonderful, and I will surely miss the shananigans at Roger´s House...
For now, adios
PS, This woman singing was simply standing beside the band holding their cd for advertisement. Then out of no where she emerged from the side with her a powerhouse-of-a voice and awed me..and the crowd.

SAN SEBASTIAN!!

2009-08-05T12:39:00.000-07:00

Hello! Greetings from San Sebastian in the North of Spain! Its so great here! I arrived yesterday after a long train ride from Madrid. When I stepped off the train all of a sudden the smell of the ocean filled my lungs and it was such a good feeling. I am staying in a Hostel called "Roger's House" and am sharing a small room with Roger. Just kidding. With four Italian guys from Genoa, Italy. haha.They are great. Right now they are in some heated conversation....of which I have no idea. But one of them, Simone knows the best English and he translates for me. I spent the whole day on the beach with them. The waves are HUGE! A few times the wave literally spat me onto the shore...like it picked me up and threw me onto the sand. It was great but then after the second time I started to get offended...like mother nature had something personal against me. I really like this hostel. Its right down town in the middle of everything..stores, markets, heladerias (ice cream shops), and bars...and the ocean. There is a kitchen that is open for us to use and last night I went grocery shopping in a market, came back and made dinner for myself. Its cool because while cooking, people come in and out and you get to know all of their stories. Last night there was a hostel terrace party, where two hostels converged on a terrace and schmoozed. Then we all went to a bar nearby. Tonight the Italians made dinner for all of us...delicious pasta with gorgonzola and brie. So good. It is sooo cool being in this hostel. There are people from everywhere. While we were eating our Italian dinner, a group of three Portuguese guys started cooking some delicious smelling meet and vegetable dish.we sat and talked with them, each of us trying to mend our language barriers, finding words in common, hobbies etc. My room has a terrace that looks out onto a bustling plaza with restaurants and screaming children. Its kind of weird sharing a room with four guys..it takes some getting used to, like I wasnt sure if it was totally wierd if I just started clipping my toenails. I felt a little awkward, but then I realized I didn't care. Its definitely a different experience. They are really nice though and Simone speaks Spanish as well so I practice with him. I've met a lot of Australians here too. And there is a ton of surfers. Since we are in Basque Country, the people speak Vasco...but not really. I haven't heard much of it, mostly with the older people. San Sebastian is a great city and I think I will stay a day later and then continue on to France. This video I took from my bed, looking out to the Plaza below. I never actually found the singers...I could only hear their distant singing.

Leaving Granada

2009-08-03T02:10:00.000-07:00

Today I leave Granada. I took my last walk down Reyes Catolicos and Gran Via. I said goodbye to friends, and I am off to San Sebastian in Northern Spain. It has been quite amazing here. I look forward to remembering Granada through my many pictures, but there are some memories that simply are in the mind and no where else...these I like best.
Goodbye Granada.

2009-08-01T13:15:00.000-07:00

This street in Plaza Carmen is filled every night with people. There are millions of tapas bars and every once in a while a flamenco duo comes along and plays for you....and Blanca at the top dances her Flamenco for us...

Intercambio

2009-08-01T13:09:00.001-07:00

This is Antonio..my intercambio. He is wonderful. and hilarious. He and his friend Pablo are inseperable and I think they would have a hilarious talk show together. He speaks English to me and I speak Spanish back. It has been a really fun experience getting to know him and I am going to miss him much...

2009-08-01T12:23:00.000-07:00

Real Alcazares y other Sevilla

2009-08-01T12:20:00.000-07:00

Caitlin y yo on the Giralda

2009-08-01T12:13:00.000-07:00

2009-08-01T12:11:00.000-07:00

Chris Columbus

Sevilla

2009-07-31T06:53:00.000-07:00

I am remembering Sevilla now, which was short but enjoyable. The Cathedral was really incredible, especially because I had been learning about it in my Spanish Art History class. It is the third largest Cathedral in the world and was built on the site of a mosque so the architecture has influence "Musulman"-Muslim- such as "El Patio de los naranjos" and the "torre" or "Giraldo" which is the tall stone bell tower which back in the day was used so that voices of the could be heard throughout the city. We climbed 34 ramps (designed for the horses to climb up) to the top and watched the city of Sevilla down below. The construction of the Giralda was started by a Muslim architect and was finished later on by Christians. Even though the tower was first constructed by Muslims, there is a human figure at the top which follows the direction of the wind. This is because the construction of the tower was taken over and finished by Christains-who were permited to use figures in their art. The Cathedral was grand with gothic-style architecture, beautiful stained glass windows...AND Christopher Columbus's tomb...(or atleast some of his remains. Maybe a foot or something.) Anyway, I thought that was really cool. The decoration inside was amazing with gothic style arcs that reached so high and the the Gothic Retablo- which is the altarpiece carved in wood and covered with gold with religious scenes. We could see the 15th century choro stalls and I could just imagine how amazing it would be to hear the sound of a choir singing or chanting in that space. We also went to "Reales Alcazares", which is one of the many homes of the royal family today. Another beautiful space with wandering gardens and a fusion of Muslim and Renaissance inspired architecture. We only spent one night in Sevilla...which was wayyy to short. I would have loved to spend a week there and keep exploring.

Granada...tierra sonada por mi

2009-07-24T02:47:00.000-07:00

Flamenco in Sacramonte!

2009-07-17T13:08:00.000-07:00

First of all...Look at that face. Second of all, a couple of nights ago we went to the Sacramonte district in the Albaicin for a Flamenco 'espectaculo'. Amazing views of Alhambra. The "Zapateado" or percussion done with the feet-blew me away, as did the singing and emotion in their facial expressions.The show was in this small, narrow cave with framed pictures of Flamenco performers who have performed there and golden pots and bowls hanging on the walls. The music and ambience was beautiful. This weekend off to Sevilla!

2009-07-13T06:36:00.000-07:00

This whole month of July Granada hosts The "Festival Internacional de Musica y Danza". It is quite famous and a lot of well known musicians and dancers travel from around the world to perform here. There are music events happening every night in different parts of the city. The other night I was walking around and stumbled upon an open-air concert; there were four men on a stage that was illuminated with spotlights and behind the stage the cathedral stood as their backdrop-massive and majestic. They played what sounded like french gypsy music. It was so beautiful and there were so many people gathered in the plaza to listen. The Festival is also host to very famous orchestras and bands that come to perform at the Alhambra. Last night when I was feeling a bit of apartment-fever, I decided to walk up to the Alhambra to see if I could buy a ticket to go see the "Staatskapelle Berlin Orquestra" directed by Israeli-Argentine conductor Daniel Barenboim. Little did I know that you have to buy tickets for these types of concerts months in advance. So I decided to sit outside and hear what I could of the concert from the outskirts of the palace (I really couldn't hear anything). I got to talking to one woman who was waiting for her friend who was at the concert. She was so nice, and I tried soo hard to follow what she was saying. After the concert she introduced me to her friend who is a Russian ballet professor and the three of us went to the reception that was directly outside the Palace. It overlooked the whole city and was so spectacular. The Alhambra is really a magical place and being there at night was even more special. I have included a photo of the Palacio de Charles V, where the concert was held. The Palace was built in 1527 for Roman Emperor Charles V, after the "Reconquista"; this explains the Roman-style architecture. I can imagine that coming to see a musical performance here would be quite moving. Maybe if I buy a ticket today I can secure a seat for next summer....

Abaco Te

2009-07-12T10:17:00.001-07:00

Went out with our neighbors last night. Very nice guys- one of them will be coming to Boston in August to study Astronomy at Harvard! He wanted to know what to expect and I told him: cold, screaming men with beards in Red Sox garb, and the hilarious accent. He was so proud of himself when he finally mastered "Yah Dude"...he sounded perfect. I think he will be just fine in Bostonia. I am excited to show him around in the fall! Yesterday Caitlin and I want to the Albaizin, which is the neighborhood around the Alhambra. I had read about a "teteria"- a tea house- in that area that looked and sounded really great. We trekked through these amazing tiny cobblestone streets. Although they were not streets, but merely paths that sloped down and up and curved in ridiculous directions. We kept stumbling upon incredible old buildings and once in a while I would peak through the cracks between two houses and find ridiculously wonderful views of the city. We followed the sounds of people to guide us to civilization and right as we were admitting to how lost we were, I heard people laughing and looked to my right. In the middle of no where-sitting on the edge of a tiny little road was "Abaco Te", the teteria that I had wanted to go to! We creaked open the door and inside was soo nice! A woman greeted us and we went upstairs to where there were little tables and stools, amazing murals on the walls and big windows with brilliant sunlight. There was another staircase that led to a third floor where there as an outside terrace looking over Granada. WOW. There were only a few people there. We sat on the second floor and ordered Peach and Melon "Granizadas"- a fruit smoothie type drink with milk and we shared a banana and chocolate crepe. Our stay was so pleasant and I couldn't believe we actually had found this place. There was this beautiful completely-white cat that was wondering around and kept moving from place to place, finding rays of sun to sleep under. We stayed for quite some time, then unfortunately had leave to make it home for dinner. I can't wait to go back there.
I have posted some of the drawings I've been doing. I have also added the link to Abacote's website (up on the right)...not only is the place really great, but their website is awesome.

Vamos a comer?

2009-07-10T07:02:00.000-07:00

Right now I am sitting in bed enjoying a relaxing Siesta. I love how Siesta is a legit part of the culture here and people are expected to simply come home and take a couple hours from their day to unwind--taking a siesta reminds me to enjoy my day in a new way...it is a precious time to think that does not exist in the US. In the US the pace is hurried and there is simply no time to think. Anyway,
I am sitting here and my belly is completely full with Maria's delicious food. (A cous-cous type dish with cut up apples and sausage.) And I mean completely full. My first night here, it became quite clear to me that my meal plan would change drastically. Being used to eating a small portion, I was overwhelmed when Maria set my plate in front of me. There was so much food on my plate that I wasn't even sure there was a plate underneath. I ate what I could and set my fork down and sighed-feeling content. I looked up and Maria was glaring at me. "Tienes que comer toda" she said. Translation: "You have to eat all of it". I looked over at Caitlin nervously and her mouth was pursed shut trying not to smile. I slowly picked up my fork and began eating again...until I had finished all of it. At the time I resented this a little bit and I did not like the fact that she was literally forcing me to eat when I really felt I could not put one more thing in my mouth. Now, after having been here for a while I understand the food culture better. There are three meals- Spaniards do not really snack throughout the day, and neither do I anymore because each meal is so fulfilling. Every time we eat, the three of us sit down together at the table. It is a time to relax and enjoy the food that Maria has prepared for us. Each meal is a treasured and respected part of the day. Now I have grown more comfortable with Maria and I find myself looking forward to coming home and the three of us sitting down to eat together. However, one thing I find particularly amusing and hilarious is the way she sneaks up on us to tell us that the food is ready. She has this ability to shuffle around the apartment making no sound at all and then all of a sudden her head pops out of no where "Vamos a comer?", she says. It scares us every time. And at meals still I will look over at Maria, and her eyes are slowly glazing our plates to see how much we have eaten. If you can imagine...a table of three people, the only the sound is our forks and knives clinking and the muffled voice of a Spanish weather woman on tv... and three sets of eyes darting nervously from plate to plate. Sometimes I pick up my fork and move it around from place to place just to watch her follow it with her eyes. Is that wrong?

Charades

2009-07-06T07:11:00.000-07:00

Today I started classes! My school-the Centro del Lenguas Modernas and it is nestled into the back streets of Granada and I love walking up there. I am taking Historia del Arte de Espana, and Civilizacion y Cultura Espanola as well as an Intensive spanish grammar class. There are a lot of students from different summer programs in my classes and not so many Spanish kids. My Historia del Arte professor walked into class and began belting "Granada" a Mexican standard written by Augustin Lara. His voice was actually really operatic and beautiful. He continued with a slideshow of pictures of him as a boy, on which he had drawn and doodled in order to illustrate his interests and hobbies. I think I am going to enjoy him. Spent the weekend on the beach in San Jose, Almeria Spain...amazing little beach town. Unfortunately, now my body looks like a red tie dyed shirt gone wrong because I didn't rub my spf 5000 in evenly. awesome. I am finding my own ways to break through these language barriers like forcing myself to ask questions, spending time meandering around clothing stores just listen to the day-to-day language of the shoppers, watching the news with Maria (my Senora) aka watching Michael Jackson on the news with Maria- and reading my spanish book. But sometimes there is no breaking through at all...times when I have to pull objects out of my purse one by one, as if it were charades-in order to communicate with someone. I like it though. And everyday I feel myself learning. My ability to understand has already gotten so much better and playing charades is becoming less and less frequent.

GRANADA-Los Primeros Dias

2009-06-30T05:29:00.000-07:00

In Granada now! I like it here, and I am slowly getting to know the city. My host mother lives 20 minutes walking from the center of the city and from the school, which I like- even though it is getting really really hot. I love people watching here--there is an abundance of old short nuns, confused tourists, young students, stray dogs....and really cool graffiti.

TOLEDO

2009-06-27T10:08:00.001-07:00

Toledo yesterday on our way to Granada. Precious city that winds upward and is surrounded by Tajo River. For many years was a hub for Jews and known for its religious tolerance. There still exist beautiful old synagogues, cathedrals and churches. Very quaint city and I wish we had more time there.

MADRID

2009-06-27T09:15:00.000-07:00

I have spent the last few days in Madrid for the orientation to my program. Our hotel was smack-dab in the center of the city on Calle Mayor. Madrid was really cool-reminds me of New York, but with more beautiful architecture. It really didn't feel like much of a culture shock to be there. We did some site seeing things such as visited El Museo Prado, La Reina Sofia to see Picasso's Guernica, El Palacio Real- with its amazing decorated rooms of Spanish Kings and Queens; Artists from all over the world were commissioned by these Kings and Queens to decorate pieces and contribute their own "spice" if you will- to these royal rooms...walking through was incredible. We also visited El Escorial which houses amazing artwork, a monastery and school, as well as the tombs of all of the Bourbon Kings and Queens of Spain....it was so cool to stand down in that room with the green coffins surrounding me on the wall with golden plaques of King Fillipe II and King Carlos V. We walked through the old library and peered out of old worn windows with incredible views--the same ones that Kings and Queens once looked out of hundreds of years ago. I love being in these places amongst such rich history!! Madrid was really great. Now off to Toledo and then Granada!

LONDON LAYOVER

2009-06-27T09:11:00.001-07:00

My flight went well and I enjoyed my overnight at the London Heathrow Airport, although I didn't get much sleep. I found ways to entertain myself..like people watching and exploring the terminals. A driver brought me through many tunnels and at first I freaked out when he started driving on the wrong side of the road...I almost said something, and then I realized I was in London. I loved that the women's bathroom signs have hoop skirts...