ThE 3 R's!!

What a trip! So I have to admit that I’ve never ridden a public bus before in my life. Only buses I have ever rode on are school buses and charter buses. Due to the stigma that goes along with the public transportation system, and hearing some of the horror stories from my sister (who had to ride them through New Jersey), I was less than thrilled to say the least. However, joining forces with some of the other girls in class (pictures below ☺) things seemed to look up. After cramming in my jeep and making our rounds to all the dorms, we finally snagged a parking spot in front of subway. We then proceeded to the nearby bus stop, snapped a few pictures (or attempted to), and after getting a bit of a tan saw our big, green bus heading our way! Scrambling to get our money and cards ready, we stepped up into our bus on route 2. People were scattered throughout the front and middle so we all claimed the back seats, which was good anyway because people probably thought we were crazy, or tourists. We had the seats we occupied and quite a few around us empty so it worked out well. Though, there was a man in front of me which showed up in some of my pictures, who probably thought I had a crush on him by all the pictures I was aiming his way. Along our way we laughed, dealt with a speeding, heavy footed (on the break) bus driver, and saw some pretty interesting things. The gum that I almost sat on, on the seat next to me, not being one of them!
Even though I had not been looking forward to riding the bus, it turned out to be quite a funny experience that I’m glad I was a part of. I can now say that I’ve ridden the bus and didn’t get robbed (which I would feel sorry for anyone if they would had tried!) and enjoyed myself along the way. However, I still will not be making a habit of riding the bus, I love driving my jeep too much!
Choosing to read the article second, it was interesting to think how things have changed. Where as in the past buses were segregated and certain groups of people sat in certain places, now people are all mixed up, just sitting where ever they desire. Also, the back of the bus had a reputation of being the worst choice and the most undesirable part of the bus. Opposite to what the back was viewed as in the past, it is now either the “cooler” spot for kids on school buses, or a refuge for a bunch of loud girls that want to sit together without interfering with other people. Although for some it may still be undesirable because they may want to get off early or feel better being closer to the driver. On the other hand, there are still large amounts of people who prefer the back, even if they had the option to sit in the front.
Apart from my actual experience and the correlation to the article, there was yet one more key moment for me. I believe it to be the funniest of all! The next morning as I was watching the local news with my mom, they started to talk about the GTA and the new installation of security cameras all throughout the buses. An image of the bus station appears on screen and in excitement I tell my mom “I was there yesterday!” As my mom somewhat acknowledges me in between sips of her coffee, the next image was a man talking. Then I realized “OMG that was our bus driver!!” Due to the fact they were talking about security cameras, I couldn’t help but laugh to think if they would show a video of us and our bus ride. It was a nice ending to a funny experience.

WhAt a wEeK!!

Back to school! All traces of sleeping in and relaxing have become non existent! The stress ante has been upped and the schedule is booked! However, I cant say that I would have it any other way. Whenever there is an abundance of free time, I tend to add projects or fill up my schedule anyway, so it seems befitting to be extremely busy! I know it may sound silly, but I don't like being lazy (well at least not all the time!). Its almost a habit to be constantly doing something. I could do without the early mornings though!

Although it feels as if we've been in school for at least a month now, I don't feel as overwhelmed as I thought I would. Even with tasks beginning to pile up, work holding its spot on Saturdays, the gym calling my name, doctor appointments galore, and important social obligations (family in town, birthdays); I am feeling somewhat optimistic about it all. I just look at everything and have faith that somehow, someway I will get it all done. At this point, I've concluded that there is no room for failure, which I believe to be a good mindset going into this semester. By not allowing all of my daunting tasks to haunt me, I'll be less focused on how stressed I am and more on what needs to be done. I do have to admit that the long weekend might be the reason behind this newly founded optimism, either way I feel committed to making sure everything on my list is marked off. After proving to myself that I can be dedicated and motivated enough to lose weight I feel as if I can tackle whatever is thrown at me (as long as its not another kidney stone or surgery!!). Unsure of what I want my future career to be and teetering between 2 different paths, I have to admit that I'm glad I decided to stick it out at least for another semester. I still feel unsure about it all but I didn't feel right about just up and leaving Iarc. So far it has turned out to be rather pleasant.

The projects that were issued during the first week, were interesting and enjoyable. My mother and I had quite a time driving to W. Florida St. in the rain, with my mom randomly slowing in the middle of the road so I could capture a picture! Organizing a group of more than 50 people was too much even for someone as OCD as myself! Our new assignment of chair cards in history is quite appealing to me. I am very keen on organizing information and visuals together in a repetitive and timely manner. Also I was really pleased to find out that we were doing a grid drawing in shaded graphite of a photo in drawing class. In highschool, I use to do all my art assignments by gridding them. Therefore, my assignments were of much better quality and I felt very confidant doing them. Overall, week one has had its challenges, but being able to handle them is what stands out to me most about my first week in second year!

~wAyFinDinG~

And we're off!!! (this one is my fave!)
Had to have a street sign to jump start our expedition. (my mom drove so i wouldn't crash all over the place trying to take pictures!) :)
The underpass bridge by uncg. the picture blurred as we started to drive away but i thought it gave it some character.
The coliseum digital sign.
Ok, so i had to throw some pink in here!!
The glare from the rain on the windshield caused a neat effect on the picture.
Prized Possesions. Although I thought it was a bit random to see a shopping cart full of blankets behind a library, i have to admit it was also quite heartbreaking.
The GlenWood Public Library. We made it!!! It was actually this cute little building tuck in between some run down shops.
Don't forget to return those books!!
Yet another street signed that marked our journey back home!

~HoUsePlaN~

I have to say, although overall making this model in sketch up was quite simple, there were a few tricky parts. I was having trouble pushing the door through so it would make an opening and not a hallway. However, I finally got it!!

SleEpY??

On a hammock.
In a car.
In a sleeping bag.
At a desk.
In a telephone booth.
On a bench.
There are endless numbers of places where a person could sleep when they aren't in their bed. A couch, a chair, a bus, a plane, a tent, class :), in a pool, on a cot, up a tree in a treehouse, or on the side of a mountain in a tent, and of course there is always the ground! I guess when you get the urge, it doesn't matter where you are (as long as your not driving!).

Baths of the Diocletian

Baths of the diocletian


The Baths of Diocletian are known to be bigger than any other Roman baths. The stature of this structure was quite massive and had a little more than just a sense of grandeur. As several pictures show, the amount of space that filled in between the gigantic walls was vast. The similarity between the large walls that made up the bath and the large amount of space that was housed in it, really added to the “wow factor” of the building.

To cover the outside of the Baths of Diocletion, white stucco was carved to resemble that of marble blocks stacking up the lofty walls. However, the inside walls consisted of richly colored marble and painted stucco. Various statues were also carefully placed around the inside. The use of these materials was repeated throughout the building, although they were just used in different contexts.



The baths consisted of many different elements that worked together to ensure the satisfaction of all the local people. To accommodate them, there were more than just baths housed in the building. There were also changing, reading, lounging, and lecture rooms. You could even find a gymnasia and a theater! Talk about a one-stop shop! Aside from the extras, the Roman baths had several types of baths concentrated in the building. There was a warm-water, hot water, and cold-water bathing halls. Even an unheated swimming pool was present. All of these components were enclosed by gardens containing fountains and an exterior shield of stores and offices.

With a very symmetrical layout, I believe the flow of up to thousands of people was very smooth. With a space as large and frequented as this, if there wasn’t some form of order, the whole place would be a mess. As the plan and section views show, everything was perfectly place in a very symmetrical and neat order. There is also great emphasis on the entrance which helps guide the people in the right direction.


To start with the obvious, at least we know that the Roman people were clean and bathed on a regular basis! Being an important ritual, the Baths of the Diocletian were most likely a very important and frequently visited building in the community. Not only do I think that this was a place to restore everyone’s sanitation, it served as a place for socializing. With the presence of theaters, shops, and lounging rooms many people came here for fun to visit with friends and neighbors. A sense of community and unity at least among the higher status of people was important to the Romans. Although, I do believe in a way it is a bit contradictory if only a specific type of people were welcome into the doors of the Roman baths.
The purpose of the Baths of the Diocletian was similar to the ancient Roman theaters, they were built to bring people together to enjoy themselves. Also like that of many famous buildings in Rome, I believe that the size of the buildings was mainly devoted to that of the male ego, in which each ruler’s theater or bath had to be the most grand. Opposite to it’s low-lying geography the Baths of Diocletion was constructed to reach up towards the sky, making it very prominent in the region. Its construction was very similar to that of the Baths of Caracella.
Seeing that everyone in today’s world has their own bathroom equipped with both a shower and/or a bathtub, I don’t think the Roman baths would be as popular in that sense. However, the public pool, gym, theater, and stores all in one place would go over quite well in present day communities. Most people now a days are normally in a rush and tend to like going one place for everything. I think in today’s culture the building would be compared to that of a grand ballroom or concert hall. Today’s theaters are too commercial and not as detailed in the architectural terms. The functions may be different but the stigma for the two is the same.

*2x4 PrOjeCt*

So right away when I was told we had to make a "self sustaining system" out of one 18 inch 2x4 I was totally confused! Right away my drawings were crazy and weren't really making any sense. However, out of all the craziness, I came up with some kind of stair step system. With the help from a teacher I decided on this. Although I do have to admit that it was a little scary and exciting to use the ban saw.