― Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within
I to remember this with all of my might, especially as I start to really draft my thesis and submit it by April. This is exciting! I've been in school for so long, I never took a break after getting my BA and instead I went straight to a Master's program. I intend to take a long break after I graduate--I'll probably work/travel for a year or so and then apply to PhD programs around 2014-2015.
During the semesters I get incredibly busy, and blogging has always been at the bottom of my list...until now. I think I've found a space where I can document the experiences I seek, and while it's not directly related to my academic goals, I find that many of my hobbies and academic interests somehow intersect and offer so much insight into my life. For instance, today in my art class we watched a great Ted Talk by artist Sue Austin, who uses her art to challenge our assumptions of differently-abled people. Sue also discusses the concept of spectacle, and how creating spectacles can disrupt our current assumptions of say, people with disabilities, and instead of viewing her wheelchair as a limitation she shows the world how she can experience the ocean in ways divers cannot. My thesis focuses on how creating spectacle may disrupt or challenge preconceived notions about violence against women. I was struck by Sue Austin's discussion of spectacle, as this was a great example of how spectacles offer a new lens, a new way of thinking about disability.
I highly recommend you watch it--in addition to her art, she also goes deep sea diving in her wheelchair, which affords her an incredible experience drifting through reefs with 360 degree movement. I was in awe as I watched her talk, especially when she talks about internalizing other people's reaction to her illness--and how that deeply affects our own identity. Her resiliency really resonates with me and once you watch this, I'm pretty sure you will be mesmerized.
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