I am so sad right now. Being here on a plane back to California is a bitter-sweet moment, but I am especially really sad to not be apart of TTI anymore. I have had such a great time traveling around the world and learning so much from different cultures. But the bright side is that I am going home. Back to my family (that I haven't seen in 2 years, yeah, I know, a really long time), to my home town, and especially back to reuniting with my friends. It's sad to think about not seeing your friends that you met along the way on this journey, but hopefully in the future we can meet up again. The person that I am especially going to miss is Sr. Volpe, he is retiring from this job to go work with other time travelers in a different school.
Looking out the window, someone taps me on the shoulder. I turn to see who it is, it was a flight attendant asking me if I wanted a pack of trail mix. Now, this has really made me sad. I am now discovering moments from when I started my journey with TTI. My first blog post was on a plane, while eating trail mix. Soon, streams of tears run down my face. All I want to do is be home right now, in my bed, with the comfort of my mom by my side. I feel butterflies in my stomach, I don't know exactly why I'm crying and the reason for that makes me cry more. I soon figure out why. I am homesick. Being gone for so long without my family is just making me grim. But no, I get a feeling that I'm not sad for my family, I'm sad for leaving the family that I have created with the TTI members. The feeling of figuring it out makes me feel a bit better. I hear a ding, from the compartment above me to put my seat belt on. We are about to land.
As the wheels touch the ground, I wipe my tears so nobody would know that I was crying. As the plane doors open to release the passengers, I'm still in my seat. Waiting. Everyone has gone but me. I take all the courage in myself to at least stand up. I remind myself that I am at LAX, not anywhere else. I take my bags and confidently walk off the plane. My first step into the airport hallways makes me excited. I'm not sad anymore, my nerves are going crazy just to see my family. My legs just can't stand anymore, so I run. I run all the way down the hall. I spot my mom. I go full out sprinting now (probably looking like an idiot), as soon as I get close enough I leap into my mothers arms feeling like I am officially home.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
M13: Highlights of Michelangelo
Michelangelo was born on March 6th, 1475 in Caprese near Arezzo, Tuscany. At the time Michelangelo was born, his father, Ludovico di Leonardo di Buonarotto Simoni was the Judicial administrator of the small town Caprese. His mother was Fransesca di Neri del Miniato di Siena. After several months after he was born, the family moved back to Florence, Italy. During the prolonged illness and when his mother died in 1481, he moved in with a stonecutter and his wife and family in the town of Settignano..
In 1499 Michelangelo was in Florence. Over time, Michelangelo started sculpting a very famous sculptor today known as the Statue of David. The colossal statue portrayed David as as a symbol of Florentine freedom. It was placed in Piazza della Signoria, in front of the Palazzo Vecchio. Michelangelo released his masterpiece in 1504. The Statue of David is known for the most renown works of the Renaissance.
Although Michelangelo died hundreds of years ago, he is still known for a great painter, sculptor, engineer, and architect. He was very talented through his early years and until he was old. He made great accomplishments during the Renaissance, that really made people remember and research. On December 7th, 2007, Michelangelo's red chalk sketch of the dome for St Peter's Basilica was found in the Vatican archives. It is extremely rare, since he destroyed all his designs later in life. Michelangelo died on February 18th, 1564.
In 1499 Michelangelo was in Florence. Over time, Michelangelo started sculpting a very famous sculptor today known as the Statue of David. The colossal statue portrayed David as as a symbol of Florentine freedom. It was placed in Piazza della Signoria, in front of the Palazzo Vecchio. Michelangelo released his masterpiece in 1504. The Statue of David is known for the most renown works of the Renaissance.
Although Michelangelo died hundreds of years ago, he is still known for a great painter, sculptor, engineer, and architect. He was very talented through his early years and until he was old. He made great accomplishments during the Renaissance, that really made people remember and research. On December 7th, 2007, Michelangelo's red chalk sketch of the dome for St Peter's Basilica was found in the Vatican archives. It is extremely rare, since he destroyed all his designs later in life. Michelangelo died on February 18th, 1564.
M12: Photo Safari of Art
This is a painting of The School of Athens. It is an Italian fresco made by the brilliant artist Raphael. This could've looked like a rite.
Another clamor Michelangelo did was The Statue of Moses. Moses, you can see is another strong powerful figure just like David. The expression of Michelangelo's Moses is a mixture of compassion and anger.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
M11: A Work of Art in Florence
TTI has discover what a great city Florence was with the Renaissance. So today I will be traveling to Western Europe. TTI told us to choose what we get to learn about for our journey here, so of course I am going to pick art. I don't know why I always choose art, I think it just makes me hardy. I am super excited to travel to Florence during 1400ce-1600ce. Florence in modern day is beautiful, so I wonder what it will look like in ancient times...
Well DUH! It is still beautiful! Looking over the horizon it makes me feel cynical. I see the dome of the Duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore. The dome is huge. Now time to focus on art in Florence. The first place that I am heading to is The Palazzo Medici. I've heard lots about this place back in the future. As I'm walking through what I think the heart of the city I see the very famous statue of David, by Michelangelo. Wow, what an amazing statue it is up close. Maybe I will come back to that later..
After I left the statue of David, I thought a brilliant thought. I think that Michelangelo had the legacy to be born, because I don't think Florence, Italy would be as famous in time of the future. It's pretty fascinating. As I got into the building, my heart felt like it stopped. The technique the patrons did was legitimate. I could see that they included a lot of realistic backgrounds to the paintings. I remember in my past learning about the Renaissance that wealthy patrons made Florence a thriving center for art. And now I can see why. The patrons used perspective to create the appearance of depth.
Paintings were on the ceiling, which really made me wonder how they could do so many awesome paintings looking up for so long. The only real artist that is really famous that I know is Leonardo da Vinci. I heard that some artists used science and mathematics to help create their masterpiece. In fact, Leonardo studied anatomy to help his work. Renaissance science also gave painters new materials, such as oil based paints. That type of paint was thicker than most paint. I could see it in their paintings too, it really made it pop.
The history of the Renaissance is really interesting, including art. Their techniques and ways they do their art is spectacular. It was amazing how they did it. I wonder if anyone out there in the future still does techniques like Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Boticelli (well, I don't know, there is a lot of bankrupt people). It was too bad I don't have enough time to go back to the statue of David, hmm maybe next post I will share about him.....
Well DUH! It is still beautiful! Looking over the horizon it makes me feel cynical. I see the dome of the Duomo di Santa Maria del Fiore. The dome is huge. Now time to focus on art in Florence. The first place that I am heading to is The Palazzo Medici. I've heard lots about this place back in the future. As I'm walking through what I think the heart of the city I see the very famous statue of David, by Michelangelo. Wow, what an amazing statue it is up close. Maybe I will come back to that later..
After I left the statue of David, I thought a brilliant thought. I think that Michelangelo had the legacy to be born, because I don't think Florence, Italy would be as famous in time of the future. It's pretty fascinating. As I got into the building, my heart felt like it stopped. The technique the patrons did was legitimate. I could see that they included a lot of realistic backgrounds to the paintings. I remember in my past learning about the Renaissance that wealthy patrons made Florence a thriving center for art. And now I can see why. The patrons used perspective to create the appearance of depth.
Paintings were on the ceiling, which really made me wonder how they could do so many awesome paintings looking up for so long. The only real artist that is really famous that I know is Leonardo da Vinci. I heard that some artists used science and mathematics to help create their masterpiece. In fact, Leonardo studied anatomy to help his work. Renaissance science also gave painters new materials, such as oil based paints. That type of paint was thicker than most paint. I could see it in their paintings too, it really made it pop.
The history of the Renaissance is really interesting, including art. Their techniques and ways they do their art is spectacular. It was amazing how they did it. I wonder if anyone out there in the future still does techniques like Leonardo da Vinci and Sandro Boticelli (well, I don't know, there is a lot of bankrupt people). It was too bad I don't have enough time to go back to the statue of David, hmm maybe next post I will share about him.....
Thursday, April 5, 2012
M10: Boy, I am so happy I wasn't born back in the days in Japan...yikes
Since I just created where the capitol of Japan will be, I'm feeling pretty great. So for today's mission, TTI has told me to go to a Samurai school, to attend. I'm pretty excited. I don't really know what I'm going to be seeing. I didn't learn much about Japan when I was in middle school, or I just don't remember.Sadly. I really like Japan, so I am looking forward to going to this school. But I just hope there isn't anything violent in there...
Well, when I showed up, there were already people clanging their swords together, fighting. Well this is going to be an interesting journey. I watched them in combat for awhile to see all their techniques. It actually looked like they were trying to kill each other. Pretty scary huh? The most interesting thing about the whole thing is that they were wearing about 10 layers of clothes. "Wouldn't you get hot?" I said aloud. I was really curious, so I needed to figure out a way to find the answer.
I got up and walked toward one of the Samurai that was flinging his sword around, dodging the other Samurai. "Um excuse me. I have a question." I said cautiously. All that I heard back from him was a whole bunch of "UH!" and "EH!" from dodging the swords. I guess practice makes perfect. I browsed to see anyone that looks like a teacher. Yes! I found a man! He was sitting on some kind of woven basket, he looked like he was getting pretty frustrated with his students. I ran through the chaos and emerged him. "Hello sir, I am Ava, I am very curious about these Samurai. Can you teach me?"
"Well of course! You are at a Samurai school. You are suppose to ask questions!"
"Well, cool!" I said excitedly.
"So, to start off, these are Samurais.Life in these days are very harsh. Samurai men have to train themselves to become the best they can by, thinking like they are already dead. They could never relax. An attack could come at any second, so they developed sixth sense." The man said. It really reminded me of The Hunger Games for some reason. It's just with all the battling and killing. Well, this is pretty cool. I never thought of Japan as this.
Before I arrived here, I wasn't expecting to be any fighting. Well I expected wrong. There is a lot of fighting going on. I figured out why they wear so many layers though! It's because they are used for their armour.It was a pretty clever idea. They would wear up to 17 layers, I would think that they would get really hot running around so much. I just can't think of how they would've done it. It amazes me so.
I know TTI wanted me to attend a Samurai school, but I think that is a little too dangerous, or they just want me to get killed. Because I would definitely get killed in the first 30 seconds of training. I just decided to look around, and learn about it instead. They practice like they are already in a war. That's how serious and competitive it is. I don't think I will ever see something like this again. Well probably because I'm in the past, and this stuff doesn't really happen too often.
Well, when I showed up, there were already people clanging their swords together, fighting. Well this is going to be an interesting journey. I watched them in combat for awhile to see all their techniques. It actually looked like they were trying to kill each other. Pretty scary huh? The most interesting thing about the whole thing is that they were wearing about 10 layers of clothes. "Wouldn't you get hot?" I said aloud. I was really curious, so I needed to figure out a way to find the answer.
I got up and walked toward one of the Samurai that was flinging his sword around, dodging the other Samurai. "Um excuse me. I have a question." I said cautiously. All that I heard back from him was a whole bunch of "UH!" and "EH!" from dodging the swords. I guess practice makes perfect. I browsed to see anyone that looks like a teacher. Yes! I found a man! He was sitting on some kind of woven basket, he looked like he was getting pretty frustrated with his students. I ran through the chaos and emerged him. "Hello sir, I am Ava, I am very curious about these Samurai. Can you teach me?"
"Well of course! You are at a Samurai school. You are suppose to ask questions!"
"Well, cool!" I said excitedly.
"So, to start off, these are Samurais.Life in these days are very harsh. Samurai men have to train themselves to become the best they can by, thinking like they are already dead. They could never relax. An attack could come at any second, so they developed sixth sense." The man said. It really reminded me of The Hunger Games for some reason. It's just with all the battling and killing. Well, this is pretty cool. I never thought of Japan as this.
Before I arrived here, I wasn't expecting to be any fighting. Well I expected wrong. There is a lot of fighting going on. I figured out why they wear so many layers though! It's because they are used for their armour.It was a pretty clever idea. They would wear up to 17 layers, I would think that they would get really hot running around so much. I just can't think of how they would've done it. It amazes me so.
I know TTI wanted me to attend a Samurai school, but I think that is a little too dangerous, or they just want me to get killed. Because I would definitely get killed in the first 30 seconds of training. I just decided to look around, and learn about it instead. They practice like they are already in a war. That's how serious and competitive it is. I don't think I will ever see something like this again. Well probably because I'm in the past, and this stuff doesn't really happen too often.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
M9: I like being a leader.
I know that was a short trip to the Americas, but that's okay, because I didn't get to share all my fun times I had there. I only got to share about Tenochtitlan, that was really the only fun part though. Well now I will tell you where my next destination is....JAPAN! Gosh, I am just so excited! I've heard a lot about Japan from my cousin Joanna. She lives there in Tokyo, Japan, but that's in the future.She tells me a lot about it, so I know a little about Japan. I am in my flying car now, with all my bags packed, ready to kick on over to Japan.
I finally landed, that was a pretty long flying distance from Americas to here. So, TTI has assigned me to meet with some Japanese leaders to debate on where the capital city should be. This could be interesting. I have been walking for a while, I double checked on my sheet of paper TTI sent me so I can meet up with the leaders. It said to meet by the 1st Cherry Blossom Tree you see. I kept walking forward, and in the distance I see some pink. Maybe that could be it, I kept walking towards to see if it was it.
Yep, that was it, it was beautiful. The tree busheled with blossoming pink flowers. And under it, sat 3 old men meditating.I walked up to them and said, "Hello! I am the woman that will help you find your capital city!"
One of the men opened their eyes slowly like they just woke up from a cat nap and said, "Yes, we have been waiting for you Ava."
"Awesome, so lets get started, shall we?"
The 3 men all gestured to sit down. I sat.
"We need to find a great place for all the people in Japan to have a capital city. We have picked you because you are from the future, and you know about where good places are." The other old man said.
"Yes." I said in honor. "I know you do not want to live on an island, because a lot of natural disasters happen. I think you want a place directly in the middle of Japan."
"Yes, it is very important that we choose a good place."
"You can trust me."
"Okay, so since I live in the future, I know what has happened, and where great places to live are. There is a place in the future called Honshu. That is directly in the middle of whole Japan."
"Okay Ava, we will go anywhere you say."
"Really? I mean, i'm not really that smart, are you sure?"
"Yes, I don't have any uncertainty about this. There is something in my mind that is telling me to say yes to your decision."
"Okay, well, I feel honored sir. Thank you so much." I felt so awesome that I got to pick where the capital of Japan is. Wow. That is all I could think.
"I am son happy I could help, thanks for inviting me out here."
"Oh, you're so very welcome. We needed you." The man said. They all got up and walked peacefully to their destination. I decided to just sit here and look at how pretty the tree is. Japan is surly the prettiest place I've been. It's cool I get to see a quick preview of it. I am just so happy.
I finally landed, that was a pretty long flying distance from Americas to here. So, TTI has assigned me to meet with some Japanese leaders to debate on where the capital city should be. This could be interesting. I have been walking for a while, I double checked on my sheet of paper TTI sent me so I can meet up with the leaders. It said to meet by the 1st Cherry Blossom Tree you see. I kept walking forward, and in the distance I see some pink. Maybe that could be it, I kept walking towards to see if it was it.
Yep, that was it, it was beautiful. The tree busheled with blossoming pink flowers. And under it, sat 3 old men meditating.I walked up to them and said, "Hello! I am the woman that will help you find your capital city!"
One of the men opened their eyes slowly like they just woke up from a cat nap and said, "Yes, we have been waiting for you Ava."
"Awesome, so lets get started, shall we?"
The 3 men all gestured to sit down. I sat.
"We need to find a great place for all the people in Japan to have a capital city. We have picked you because you are from the future, and you know about where good places are." The other old man said.
"Yes." I said in honor. "I know you do not want to live on an island, because a lot of natural disasters happen. I think you want a place directly in the middle of Japan."
"Yes, it is very important that we choose a good place."
"You can trust me."
"Okay, so since I live in the future, I know what has happened, and where great places to live are. There is a place in the future called Honshu. That is directly in the middle of whole Japan."
"Okay Ava, we will go anywhere you say."
"Really? I mean, i'm not really that smart, are you sure?"
"Yes, I don't have any uncertainty about this. There is something in my mind that is telling me to say yes to your decision."
"Okay, well, I feel honored sir. Thank you so much." I felt so awesome that I got to pick where the capital of Japan is. Wow. That is all I could think.
"I am son happy I could help, thanks for inviting me out here."
"Oh, you're so very welcome. We needed you." The man said. They all got up and walked peacefully to their destination. I decided to just sit here and look at how pretty the tree is. Japan is surly the prettiest place I've been. It's cool I get to see a quick preview of it. I am just so happy.
Friday, February 17, 2012
M8: Tenochtitlan Rocks!
Sadly TTI has assigned me to leave Africa and go to the Americas. I have really enjoyed Africa, it was one of my favorite places to go. But I am always excited to go to new and different places. I'm already in my car now, flying to the Americas, but as my hands are steady on the steering wheel, I notice that my arms are really tan. I thought it was kind of funny. Then I started bursting out laughing for no real reason. I think I might need to visit home soon because I think I'm loosing my mind...
When I got outside of Tenochtitlan (the city I was assigned to explore in), I was literally out of breath from laughing so far all the way here. I got out of my flying car and walked in to the wonderful city of Tenochtitlan. It felt like I was blinded by the sun in front of my face, but no, it was the beautiful radiant palaces. They were gleaming with beauty.The place that looked most interesting was the Great Temple. I walked closer and closer to it. It had great big stained windows, that had paintings painted on it. It was truly amazing to be seeing it, but only if I could go in it. The Great Temple is used for the priests to preform sacrifices,and also used where nobles play a game called tlachtli. This is pretty awesome. But now to discover some more.
I ended up in a market place. I noticed it was really busy. There was a person every couple steps. There was kids tampering with other stands and funny people yelling at them.I looked at all the stands set up, there were things being sold such as, food, utensils, warrior costumes, quetzals feathers, and slaves. Also what I noticed was that they didn't use money, they used their barter system. I thought that would be pretty cool, not really having to buy anything. I kind of wish I lived here.
I guess that they have those big markets everyday.On my way out of the market, I wanted to stop and get something to eat, well first of all because I'm hungry and I'm interested about seeing what they eat. I knew that Tenochtitlan barters a lot of tortillas, so I went up to the nearest tortilla stand and waited for my turn. I was watching these 2 old ladies turning maize kernels in a big boiling pot. They would then ground them into flour. It kind of looked like pizza dough. It was cool to see how they made them. I kept on waiting until one was "right out of the oven."
Ahhhh, finally they were done. It was toasty.Things are always better when they are fresh. I don't actually think I've ever had anything fresh before I ate it. I guess that's just how it is in Florida. The ladies that were making the tortillas(I learned from them) have to make fresh tortillas everyday, because it is their daily task they have to do. I walked out of the market place and just decided to sit down on a piece of grass and gaze in the sun, watching all the beautiful sites I have seen in Tenochtitlan.
When I got outside of Tenochtitlan (the city I was assigned to explore in), I was literally out of breath from laughing so far all the way here. I got out of my flying car and walked in to the wonderful city of Tenochtitlan. It felt like I was blinded by the sun in front of my face, but no, it was the beautiful radiant palaces. They were gleaming with beauty.The place that looked most interesting was the Great Temple. I walked closer and closer to it. It had great big stained windows, that had paintings painted on it. It was truly amazing to be seeing it, but only if I could go in it. The Great Temple is used for the priests to preform sacrifices,and also used where nobles play a game called tlachtli. This is pretty awesome. But now to discover some more.
I ended up in a market place. I noticed it was really busy. There was a person every couple steps. There was kids tampering with other stands and funny people yelling at them.I looked at all the stands set up, there were things being sold such as, food, utensils, warrior costumes, quetzals feathers, and slaves. Also what I noticed was that they didn't use money, they used their barter system. I thought that would be pretty cool, not really having to buy anything. I kind of wish I lived here.
I guess that they have those big markets everyday.On my way out of the market, I wanted to stop and get something to eat, well first of all because I'm hungry and I'm interested about seeing what they eat. I knew that Tenochtitlan barters a lot of tortillas, so I went up to the nearest tortilla stand and waited for my turn. I was watching these 2 old ladies turning maize kernels in a big boiling pot. They would then ground them into flour. It kind of looked like pizza dough. It was cool to see how they made them. I kept on waiting until one was "right out of the oven."
Ahhhh, finally they were done. It was toasty.Things are always better when they are fresh. I don't actually think I've ever had anything fresh before I ate it. I guess that's just how it is in Florida. The ladies that were making the tortillas(I learned from them) have to make fresh tortillas everyday, because it is their daily task they have to do. I walked out of the market place and just decided to sit down on a piece of grass and gaze in the sun, watching all the beautiful sites I have seen in Tenochtitlan.
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