Summer in the Smithsonian

Hello there?

Are you still there?

I hope so.

I've completely neglected my blog!  I think it's because most of the people who even see this, see me on my Facebook, so I haven't bothered to keep this blog in check!

But now, I have the perfect adventure to fill it with.

This summer I will be working as an Archival Intern at the Smithsonian.  I am working in the Smithsonian's American Garden's Archives. 

I am sooooo grateful to have this opportunity.  I filled out tons of applications and wanted the Smithsonian one, crossing my fingers and toes it would happen. 

As part of my Intern program I will be digitizing, cataloging and transferring things to the online format for the archive.  Also - I recently learned that I will have time set aside every week to do research for the Smithsonian.  I am thrilled about this added bonus.  Researching will be that much more fun, having the resources that are available around me - ie: National Archives, Library of Congress and the archives I will be working in. At the end of my internship, I am expected to present my findings and project.  EEEEE!!!! :)  Still don't know what the research topic is, will keep you posted.

Besides the work involved, it seems the Smithsonian has lots of intern tours and "field trips" one can sign up for.  I am soooo all over those and hope to see some juicy behind the scenes spectacles of this huge institution and the surrounding area.  Washington DC seems endless in the cultural, historical and scholarly places of academic idolatry.

Have you ever been to DC?  If so - PLEASE RECOMMEND places to see and things to do below in the comment section.  When I am not working, I plan to venture all over the place see and eating and reading and standing in awe every chance I get.  What are your favorite places to go to when you are in DC?

Besides my Smithsonian adventure, I have a summer goal of making the perfect macaron.  I realize this will take all summer. So the many attempts will be recorded and pictured in this blog as well.  And the not so perfect ones can be eaten by my fellow housemates. :)

Embrace the Joie de Vivre and please drop me a line!!!

xoxoxoxo

Savvy

BEER.

It's 81 and BRILLIANT outside today.  I am digitizing some oral history and music in the Sound Lab. This sounds soooo good right about now: http://www.esquire.com/features/drinking/best-canned-beers-062510

Some Favorite Web Articles i wanted to share ...

Here are some articles i NEVER posted on this blog but always wanted to.  They are all from this past year and they are all fabulous in their own distinct way.  Enjoy.

http://thehairpin.com/2011/01/short-lived-70s-groupie-magazine-star-now-online/:
Star magazine was a teen magazine, but it was essentially a magazine for groupies. Published by Petersen Publishing, it lasted a mere five issues in 1973 due to an influx of complaints from the public. Those five issues are now going online with the help of one Ryan Richardson, who's uploaded digital issues here. So what was the public so upset about? Oh, how about the first feature story in the very first issue: "Your Very Own Superfox: How You'll Know It's Him."

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2010/06/a-girl/: the power of one girl.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2010/07/20/128651136/why-the-next-big-pop-culture-wave-after-cupcakes-might-be-libraries?sc=fb&cc=fp: an article that makes me hopeful for society and its librarians.

http://www.saveur.com/article/Kitchen/Dinners-with-Jamie: an article about love and food that made me cry happy & sad tears - and laugh.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/09/fashion/09iht-rintro.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss: a DREAM of a future job. fascinating as well as possible. two good words in one sentence.

Viva Espana! and my Evil Twin

I am going to the Alamo Drafthouse tonight to see this!

Couldn't be happier.  Javier, Wine, Cheese and good friends....That's all one needs in life to be happy!

On a more sinister note - I have been informed three times in the past month that there is a Goth Doppelganger of me running around the city of Austin.  My friend Sadie spotted her on the bus this morning, but alas, the ride was too bouncy for her to get a mug shot.  This is super odd that three people on three separate occasions have told me about seeing this girl. Another person texted me and said "hey are you at the bar, i think i see you here" when i was out of town.  All three people said they did a double take and thought it was me.  Crazzzzyyy!!!
I'm keeping my eye out now for this mad woman. I'll keep you updated if i get any more updates. 

animals live in the LOC....

HAWKS IN THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS?!

A Poem For You.

Went to Yoga this morning.  Before we began our class, the teacher read this poem.  I found it absolutely beautiful & had to share.

In a Tree House

Light

Will someday split you open

Even if your life is now a cage,

For a divine seed, the crown of destiny,

Is hidden and sown on an ancient, fertile plain

You hold the title to.

Love will surely bust you wide open

Into an unfettered, blooming new galaxy

Even if your mind is now

A spoiled mule.

A life-giving radiance will come,

The Friend's gratuity will come -

O look again within yourself,

For I know you were once the elegant host

To all the marvels in creation.

From a sacred crevice in your body

A bow rises each night

And shoots your soul into God.

Behold the Beautiful Drunk Singing One

From the lunar vantage point of love.

He is conducting the affairs

of the whole universe

While throwing wild parties

In a tree house - on a limb

In your heart.

~ Hafiz

from The Subject Tonight Is Love:

60 Wild and Sweet Poems of Hafiz

You're Gonna Be What? Old and Dusty stuff?!

Over the holidays, some family and friends asked me what I am DOING?

I realize we all ask ourselves this a lot.  And this question is the same as "what is the meaning of life?"  It is an endless search for Ahab's white whale, a continuous riddle for our hearts to ponder, laugh and cry about.  Let's hope mostly laugh about. Frowns kill!

"So you're gonna be an Archivist?"
"Yes."
"So you're going to preserve paper?"
"You're going to sit in a room with old stuff all day?!"
"You're going to look at old stuff? In a basement? With no sunlight or human contact?"
Yes and no.
I've struggled at times with what an Archivist does myself.  Mainly b/c you wear many hats as an Archivist: Researcher, Conservator, Lecturer, Teacher, Student, Shut-In [j/k ;) ], Records Manager, and Collection Curator. 
I saw this video today on YouTube and it really helped me with answering some of the questions asked of me from family and friends over break. 

Click here to see how Archives changes lives and history for the better!!! and - Ken Burns - he's so sweet on the eyes.......