Museum Work...

So, now that I am back at school and am learning all sorts of grown up things, I'm excited that I get to employ some of the things I am learning. First stop on the grown up express:

USU MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY

My first Saturday working in the USU MA was spent teaching Boy Scouts different techniques that archaeologists use to date archaeological finds. I stayed up Friday night and studied my guts out so that I could properly explain Optical Stimulated Luminescence to a bunch of young boy scouts. After searching the US Geological Service's website so much that I was frustrated that the US has a geologic service, Andrea helped me out by reccommending wikipedia. okay, I normally hate using wikipedia as a source of anything, but I was frustrated and tired of dedicating my beloved Friday night to OSL dating...so I gave in. First line, "Optical dating is a method of determining how long ago minerals were last exposed to daylight. It is useful to geologists and archaeologists who want to know when such an event occurred." Why?! Why couldnt the USGS have just said THAT? Wikipedia now has converted a long time enemy.
Anyway, come Saturday morning I woke up extra early (0700) and spent a good amount of my getting ready time looking for my jeep keys...only to realize that they were in my backpack, because I drove her to campus friday night, and parked her in one hour parking, and then walked home...and then spent a good few minutes deciding that I would temporarily steal Taisa's car (THANKS T!) and still get to the museum on time. By 0830 I was nervous but awake and at the USU MA ready for the day. I did well enough and had a good time with the boys too. I was really grateful for Holly, the "director" of the saturday programs, for helping me with the scouts when I was drawing blanks. She was an amazing help to me.

Second Stop:

USU Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art Gallery Opening Reception

Tonight I worked (held a box of pencils and showed people where to put their bags and ate as many chocolate covered strawberries as i could sneak) a gallery opening reception at the Art Museum on campus. Yes, USU has not only one museum, but two and I do work at both. So like most people, when something gives one an excuse for a party Museum people take it. In attending the reception tonight I was cavorting with the museum director, educator, curator, the art department head, the Provost of the University, Craig Jessop, and a few other notables. It was awesome! And because I was supposed to basically stand there and look pretty I got to eavesdrop on their conversations and not be rebuked for it! Craig Jessop is one of the nicest guys. I was impressed by him. He was one of the few higher ups that acknowledged and talked to me. I also noticed, and he is included here, that at USU power lies in the hands of short men. just an interesting note. Our Provost is short, Craig Jessop is short... just interesting. I also realized that I neglected to actually go see the exhibit that was opening. oops...

Anyway, growing up Aggie style is sure fun for me lately. I'm LOVING it!

Houston Museum of Natural Science

I just returned home from a trip to Houston Texas. While I was there I made it a point to take my family to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, a decision that alone would have made the whole trip worthwhile for me! I enjoyed it so much!

The exhibit we went to was "Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor". I was overwhelmed by the things I was witnessing. Steve looked at me at one point and remarked that I was "a four year old in a candy store"; he was right!

The exhibit was set up so that the visitors first learn about a few of the life ways of the ancient Chinese people, the unification of the ancient Chinese emperors, the religious and superstitious beliefs, and about Emperor Qin Shi Huang and his rule specifically. It was interesting to me to read the labels; I thought of my own measly attempt to articulate some last semester and I really appreciated these. As I listened to the people around me and my own family, I finally understood why museums "dumb down" the material. Most visitors had probably never studied Ancient China. These labels were written so that they could think beyond them if wanted but, if not, the words would be enough to lead one's thoughts in a naturally enlightening way.

The exhibit lead perfectly from smaller artifacts like coins and bells and iron works, to the pieces of armor and weaponry, and finally culminating in the line up of the actual statues. I was so impressed with everything logistically, only being outdone by the actual artifacts themselves which were astounding to view and consider.

I was so grateful I had taken a museum class so that I could understand the way things were being done and the work going on for my benefit. I was so curious as to the agreements made with the Chinese gov't to put this exhibit on. I don't think, if I were the director or curator in Houston, I would get a peaceful nights rest. It must be so much work and equal part worry. And even knowing that, it must also be so thrilling to put something like that on! To work so hard getting the go ahead, getting it to the museum, setting it all up, publicizing, securing the pieces... after all that....to see the people loving and enjoying it all! Wow! I can only dream of what it must be like!

I am so excited to go back to school and eventually graduate! Life sure is good!

Spring is in the air!

I don't want to jinx anything, but, we Loganites have now had two CONSECUTIVE days of this thing called spring. Anyone remember what that means? I am happy to say I am living it again! I found myself with a few hours of extra time today and headed right to first dam. As I lay on my blanket soaking in the warmth of the sun as it bore down on my legs and feet, I thought about the many things I love about spring and have missed these past six months. I love the softness of the grass. I love the seagulls on the water. I love appreciating a breeze instead of cursing the wind. I love closing my eyes and letting my eyelids bake. I love the feel of not wearing a jacket! I can feel that this is going to be a good spring! Three cheers for Logan in the Spring!

we Powwow-ed

My first year at USU I walked by a sign that read "POW WOW" and I immediately thought, "Prisoner of War and Women Ordinance Worker" and wondered where I might attend this lecture. When I thought about it later and realized what I P-O-W-W-O-W actually meant I was so mad that I had missed an opportunity to watch Native American dances. So utterly bummed. I swore then and there that I would go to the next Powwow I knew of. So the next year, down at the U's powwow, I missed it again. :( So bummed! But alas! I went to my first pow wow. I had a wonderful time! The regalia was amazing and the whole event was beyond impressive. One little girl got to celebrate her birthday by dancing with others her age and then choosing the three winners. I have no idea how she chose or what criteria she had but I must admit that the young girls looked fantastic and danced very well.
I was particularly impressed by the senior men dances. They looked, to me, the modern reflection of Edward S. Curtis' works. And so vivid! They danced in full feathered regalia and it seemed that their years mattered not the least. I almost felt as if it would be natural for Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, or Geronimo to walk in and begin the dance too.
And if the dancing, costume and other general sights aren't enough to distinguish the event, the drums certainly set it apart. Each tribe had six or seven men surrounding an enormous drum and they pounded! When they pounded lightly I felt it in my feet. When they really pounded and sang I could feel it in my chest so strongly. To watch them as they drummed, each tribe taking its turn, left me marveling at their culture. Such an amazing thing to see displayed. The singing and chanting of the men as they drummed brought an ethereal feeling and had it not been for the USU Hiking Club poster on the wall I might likely have forgotten where I was.
I am so glad i finally took the chance to see this.

Sorry about the video, I don't know how to make it upright.

i'm getting cookies out of this...so can you!

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