Guadalajara!

Hello friends! I recently returned from a trip to Guadalajara, Mexico. I visited this city (mexico's 2nd city with a population in excess of 6 million!) for business, but luckily there was time for a bit of leisure as well. Our kind business associates took us to the city center we we visited the "Hospicio Cabanas," home to some amazing murals painted by Jose Clemente Orozco between 1936-1939. Along with Siqueiros and Diego Rivera, Orozco was one of 'the big three' of the Mexican Mural Renaissance. Orozco had communist tendencies and the influence of the Russian revolution can be seen in his murals here. They are massive, foreboding, and savage.

Here I am in business mode in front of the Hospicio building. It was originally built as an orphanage. Thats an impressive looking orphanage no? The fountain in the foreground gave a dancing water display nearly as impressive as the one in front of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg...nearly.

Now, observing frescoed rotundas can be a recipe for a neckache. However, the Mexicans were thoughtful enough to place a highly polished copper plate beneath the main rotunda. In this manner you can look down at your feet to see the detail painted 100 feet above. Ingenious! I've never seen the like in any other country!

Enjoy the following photos of Orozco's magnificent work! If you have the opportunity I would highly recommend visiting them yourself. Though intimidatingly large, I found the city of Guadalajara hospitable and its inhabitants, 'los tapatios' extremely open and friendly. Make the trip!

And with that, I wish you all a happy holiday season. Enjoy your rest, and most of all enjoy your time with loved ones and friends.

I Return!

Whew! Well, after nearly a year hiatus I have returned to blog again! Lets see. Quick update. I returned from Russia in May, spent the summer in Austin dividing my time between Micro/Marcoeconomics courses at ACC, a defense policy course at the LBJ school at UT, and as much work as I could get at the Texas Association of Counties (shout out to my HEBPeople!). I am now living in San Antonio working as a sales rep in the depths of old Mexico. This isn't my ideal job, but its a great opportunity to refresh my Spanish after over a year focusing solely on Russian, and it never hurts to get some international business experience. My overall goal though, is to attend grad school with a focus on international affairs in Washington D.C. That being said, I recently took a trip up to investigate potential masters programs and have thanksgiving with the lovely Star Silva.

Speaking of the lady Silva, there she is now. She was a most gracious host, and we had a wonderful time as winter began to settle onto our nations capitol. Here we are overlooking the national mall, and the many smithsonian buildings it contains.

After visiting the (relatively) new WWII memorial (in the background just at the base of the Washington monument) I walked up the reflecting pool and was able to catch a nice shot of the pool from the steps of the Lincoln memorial.

Luckily, while I was in D.C. the Major League Soccer championship match was held at RFK stadium just a few metro stops from Star's apartment! I've been following the season intently this year and was extremely excited to catch the match. The Houston Dynamo defended their title, beating the New England Revolution (for the second time!) in the MLS cup final. It was a great match and a fun time. Here are you champion Houston Dynamo!

Everyday struggle.

I felt the art in this room at the Hirschorn Museum of Contemporary Art was bland enough that it needed outside element to liven it up. Here i am an outside element. Lines on a canvas? How much did he make on this piece? Hmmm...how much can i sell the photo for?

Mark Hanson, Minnesotan, and onetime roomate in St. Petersburg, Russia. Mark is a current resident of Samara, Russia, and is returning soon to attend university there. He just so happened to be in town and we shared a happy if unexpected reunion.

The National Cathedral. I had no idea D.C. contained a church as majestic as this. I suppose i've seen it's interior for state funerals, but i'm not sure i've ever seen the full exterior. I was able to catch a Sunday evening choral prayer service and the voices ricocheted about the chamber, creating a immensely soothing environment.

I won't make any promises like 'the next post will come much sooner!' But I'll do my best to be put something up at intervals more regular than a year. Until then, be well! and enjoy December.