Review of Influences

1.Based on all of the activities that occured this semester, asking me to briefly summerize topics that are relevant to me makes me stare blankly at the computer screen. So many issues seem not only of utmost importance, but also as of equal importance to each other. Finding a way for Louisiana to continue as a culturally rich state that might be improving its interest in urban areas and education, not only for the poor ( basically public education, b/c in BR if one can afford to send there kids to private school, they will) but also for the arts (Shaw Center for the arts, new State Museum, LASM, The River Center, ect.) has become one of the most critical problems I would like to be a part of solving. Funding in LA has been cut by millions, we are in debt in the billions.How are we to continue to improve our state when 1/6 of it has been wiped out, our number one money making city is losing its appeal to many, our oil industry has been hit. There is no money. Why would we spend money on education and the arts and new public facilities, when we can't even house everyone, and there is so much to replace? I would like to answer this and figure out what would be the best way to educate while making money and help to turn Baton Rouge into the capitol city it has never been. I LSU can be such a powerhouse in the BR community, why can't other facilities of learning and public gathering be just as influental on the new face of Baton Rouge.

One problem though, what about New Orleans. My only hope is that enough people love the big easy, that it will come back. If Baton Rouge improves itself, along with each other, and trasportation between the two continues to improve, they could be twin cities, feeding off of each other. A true symbiotic relationship.

2.experiences that have influenced the way my mind works and the ideals that i think i believe in this year

- life-long interest in art/design ( all types, painting, sculpture,architecture, engineering, dance, theater, graphic design and communication, illustration,textiles, especially quilting, video, music,even though 1/2 of these fall under each other) and a strong belief that without these things we might as only have our sense of taste ( and as long as there is still fried chicken, that might be ok)and i guess i would still want to be able to see all of the tremendous beauty that surrounds me everyday, but would i find it as beautiful if i had not experienced it through others words and images, i hope so, but probably not

- growing up in Baton Rouge while also spending 1/3 of my time each year on a farm where my family is from, having that balance between attending 2 of the most expensive private schools in BR and and all of the people and Catholic religion that comes along with it and visting my farm town of Mangham, LA ( population= 2000 and declining, almost everybody lives 5 acre x 200 acres apart, baptist, still have a black and a white homecoming king and queen, infuriatingly ignorant) has put quite a spin on things. I have experienced second/ first hand what a better education can do for someone. I am very lucky that my parents where not only intelligent enough to get the best education that they could have for themselves, but also sacrificed everything so that I could also aquire one (if only I could spell). People can be extremely happy only knowing their family and working with the land their entire lives, but without cities, not much would have changed since the beginning of mankind. The ability to live in close proximity with each other, having completely different backgrounds, and not rage into battle all the time is quite an achievement. We should celebrate that.

-attending design school has definitely influenced the way i view the world and my purpose in it.
It gives me a place. i still feel like an ant, but atleast i feel like i have a mission.

-working for a design firm that actually listens to what i have to say, even if it is just to disagree and teach me, and does not know the word apathy, has made me much more confident in speaking about what i feel or have questions about. also, figure things out for yourself.

one those clear realizations about yourself ( well myself, i am lazy and would rather ask somebody than investigate) One day I inquired to one of my bosses about the mechanics of a drawer. he silently and briskly walked over to a cabinet ( with a hint of aggrevation) and pulled the entire drawer out and handed it to me. I couldn't even be embarrassed. it is ok to ask questions once you have researched and need to know about experiences. standing on the shoulders of giants is not easy.