Growing & Changing
September 25, 2009 | Filed Under Architecture, Family | Leave a Comment
A bit of an update. Our family is getting more comfortable here in Nebraska. It feels like Fall now, and we’re glad about that. It is our favorite time of year here. It means pumpkin hunting and corn mazes are just around the corner. I like it best when our little family is trekking out to some obscure town surrounded by corn fields, eating at local diners and exploring oddities. In my view, Autumn and Spring are the best seasons in the midwest.
Well, Kuei is acting as chauffeur now as she drives around town, dropping everyone off for school and juggling all of the most important things on the homefront. She has helped me so much this semester, simply by being so flexible and supportive. I’m busy in studio most days (and nights) studying for a mechanical engineering class or working on my latest project. It is a challenge and I hope I can keep up with it all. Architecture is becoming so immersive in the way I think and rethink everything around me now. It can be distracting at times, though. For instance, simply glancing at a building used to be a random thing. But now everything has punctuated my thinking, to the point where I find myself immediately drifting into thoughts on structure or form or historical context. It really is a way of life that permeates everything. Becoming an architect is insane though. It’s pushing me mentally and physically. It’s taken its toll, but I’m still hanging in there. Imagine taking the classes Engineers have to take. Then you’re expected to learn everything you need to be a good artist. And everything necessary in construction. That’s an architect. A crazy hybrid of all these analytical and creative specialities. My last project fell pretty short because I just couldn’t get it all done in time. I hoping I can still come out strong with my finals though.
We are celebrating Brighton’s birthday this weekend, because midweek birthdays are tough to work with now. He started cub scouts and is fast becoming a young man. Keane is as talkative as ever, completely unreasonable as a two-year-old, and is a constant test of the art of negotiation. They are really great though. Things are progressing on every front.
“Architecture School” show
December 1, 2008 | Filed Under Sheldon, Architecture | 2 Comments
I have been following some of these episodes online, the new reality TV show, “Architecture School,” and just from my limited experience thus far in school…it is pretty interesting (and kinda disturbing) in how close it compares with my day-to-day activities. I haven’t seen too much of it yet, but am curious how it will unfold. Anyone else seen this? I’m also looking into getting some good newbie books. This one looks good (hint hint wink wink at Kuei).
Off and Running
December 1, 2008 | Filed Under Sheldon, Architecture | 1 Comment
I will be able to breath a bit easier in a few weeks. The semester is almost done. It seems the horror stories are at least partly true. I knew going in that it would not be easy. My introduction to architecture school thus far has been full of long hours, a slew of extra and consistent expenses, model-making-madness (complete with Exacto-knife cuts), dozens of abstract and borderline mind-numbing crits, exhausting CAD and rendering classes, frustrating school policies, and not enough time with family.
But on the flip side, (and there definitely is one) it has been really, really refreshing. For one, I am out of my comfort zone (which is always a good thing) and thrust into a highly hands-on building process. Imagine “This Old House” and all that. Picture me in a shop, cutting wood and thinking about my fingers and how much I value them. Then up in studio, I’m gluing stuff, thinking about basswood and foam core, what bends well, and googling the closest Hobby Lobby and Home Depot locations. I’m toting sketch books, where I doodle every inspiration. Scribbling joints and angles for my latest project. I’m learning software to render buildings in 3D, using CAD and Revit, Rhino, and Studio Max. I’m literally seeing things in new ways. I can actually start thinking creatively again. Thing is, I haven’t really stopped. It’s just encouraged now.
So it is, for the most part, an “out-with-theory,” approach. This is the biggest plus for me. There’s no more reading the so-called “works” of godless critical theorists, who create their own french and latin words to puff themselves up, who write a book on something that could be said in three words. And one of the best perks? No more research papers. You see, I’d take an Exacto-knife cut over writing a 30 page paper of propaganda any day. At least with the cut, the blood is genuine. No more enduring indoctrination from the ivory tower. No more from the likes of Marx, Zedong, Althusser, Fish, Lacan, Derrida, and the rest). No more ethnic, gender, socioeconomic-responsive, perversity requirements. Just ARCHITECTURE, that intricate marriage of art and engineering. No social constructions, just architecture.
I’ve been inspired by building methods and structures, amazed by traditional and modern approaches, and encouraged by my small attempts to enter this field and make a contribution. And I recently started working PT for UNL. Now that’s kinda like a doctor trying to do a PT job after working in the hospital all day long. But I am grateful for a few hours here and there to help out financially. Also, I take an Institute class that is nearby too. That has been awesome.
Lots going on. I’ll keep you posted.
PS - (I know I make some loaded statements from time to time. It is what it is. I don’t belong to the “I’m always right, you’re always wrong,” camp. But I do have strong opinions and am convinced about them. We can still be pals if you’re coming from another perspective though. Anyway, thanks for the read).
I’m In!
May 1, 2008 | Filed Under Architecture, Family | 13 Comments
Guess who scored a spot in the M. Arch program? Woohoo! 
Near the end of March, I got the dreaded thin envelope in the mailbox (the kind you don’t want to see when applying for schools). It wasn’t an outright rejection mind you, but quite possibly a slow and prolonged one, as it stated I had essentially been wait-listed. The letter explained I’d know my official admission status in April. So then April came and went. I had pretty much accepted the notion that I’d likely be trying another round of applications for next year (and maybe scoring residency too, by then).
But then today, I got an email, attached with an official acceptance letter and program requirements. It’s a go after all. How cool is that? I’m pretty excited.
Click the linked picture above for more pictures of Lincoln, including UNLs’ massive football stadium - (copyright urban-photos.com)
Waiting
February 9, 2008 | Filed Under Architecture | Leave a Comment
x - 3 references
x - transcripts and GRE scores
x - application fee
x - M.ARCH application
x - education goals / statement
x - portfolio (36 pages)
x - EXHALE
The graduate application process isn’t something one likes to do over. For one thing, there is the process of trying to get references again. Then there are the application fees, including sending your scores. My portfolio didn’t cost too much to print and bind and ship. But hopefully I get in. There’s always that inner questioning going on,
….maybe I should have made this part of my statement of portfolio stronger, or omitted this or that….
Oh well, it’s out of my hands now. We’ll see.