My De Young Museum Adventure

When I arrived at the De Young Museum in San Francisco, I fell in love with the landscape that the museum was on. I also loved the walls as you walk into the entrance with the names of all of the supporters who made donations. Upon entering the De Young, I made my way up stairs and my attention was immediately directed to all of the old furniture. I thought all that furniture was really cool. I am infatuated with antique items used by prior generations. Although I thought all of the furniture was really cool, one piece of art in that hallway really caught my attention. This piece depicting George Washington is extremely cool because the portrait comes together with sewn United States currency. How cool is that? This piece was sewn together by Ray Beldner and given to the De Young Museum as a gift. I really loved this piece.


After deciding NOT to run off with the 'Dollar Portrait', I walked into a room to the left of the hallway with all of the furniture and noticed this giant portrait called the Caius Marius Amid the Ruins of Carthage. The portrait was painted in 1807 and later given to the De Young as a Gift. The first thing I thought of when I saw this portrait was victory and power. The portrait made me feel like I was in Carthage amid all those ruins. The portrait looked incredibly realistic (to me). I wish I could be able to create such a piece. The De Young had a lot of art from many different artists and times. I had a blast at the De Young Museum and it raised the bar for me. I would like to explore many other museums like it!

Undirected Blog #3

This is the Tropaeum Traiani is a monument located in Adamclisi, Romania. Adamclisi was conquered by Emperor Trajan after defeating the Dacians in AD 102. The monument has 54 carvings depicting Roman armies against enemies and Roman soldiers bravery in combat. The Tropaeum Traiani was then dedicated to the Roman warrior god, Mars.

I find it extremely interesting that Romans built monuments to comemorate their fallen soldiers and heros. Today, the United States and many other nations across the world have many monuments with names of brave soldiers who have died in most major wars.

Undirected Blog #2

This is the The Great Temple of Ramses II. Carved from the local stone, this temple was carved as a monument to King Ramses II and his queen Nefertari to commemorate his victory at the battle of Kadesh. The temple stand as a testament to the architecture of the time.








This is Mt. Rushmore. Mt. Rushmore was also carved of the local stone into a mountain side. The mountain depicts George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Rosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The mountain is built as a memorial to these presidents who were very influential in their time; just like King Ramses II.

About Me

ME:

The images I have selected display important aspects of my life. Each image tells a story of who I am, where I am going and where I have been.


Pico, Azores. This is the island where both my parents were born. These Portuguese Islands located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is where I find my roots. My grandfather was a winemaker and fisherman, my grandmother was a knitter and life was simple. I hope to return to these islands soon, return to my roots.

Although life in the United States is not as simple, it is here that I find my many hobbies. What I enjoy most is the outdoors. The United States has some of the most breathtaking scenery around. There is nothing I enjoy better than packing up my Jeep and heading to “The Lost Coast”.

There is nothing better than sitting on my couch and enjoying football season. I love to watch and attend college and professional football games. Sometimes, I even make it back to my high school football games! My favorite professional football team would have to be the 49ers! Go Niners!

If I am not camping, working or watching football, I am either working on my Jeep or out on a Jeep trail with my Jeep. Ever since my dad first took me on the Rubicon trail, in our family Cherokee, I have been convinced and amazed at what these little vehicles can do. My Jeep is also my ‘getaway from life’ vehicle. If I had a stressful week, I am out with the Jeep somewhere and nowhere.

You know that guy on the corner of Highway 101 and Mathilda Ave. in Sunnyvale? You know how he is holding a cardboard sign? Well, every time I come home, I hand him either a few dollars or some food. He is always very thankful and every once in a while, I see a smile. I believe that I am a very giving person. Maybe it is because of my past, or maybe not, but I do believe that the more you give, the better this world becomes.

Undirected Blog #1

This is the plan for the Village of Skara Brae. I came across this image while reading Chapter 1. Skara Brae is located in the Orkney Islands off northern Scotland. The entire village was built with stone. This village is a great example of what housing would have been like in the Neolithic time period. Archeologists have found beds, shelves, stone cooking pots, and even pottery for decoration. Each individual dwelling is built with "Post-and-Lintel and Corbel Construction" method, which was used during the Egyptian era through modern times. What I found interesting is that each dwelling within the village is linked by covered passageways. The first thing I think of is a modern Apartment Complex.


This would be an example of a modern day "Village of Skara Brae". Each dwelling is connected via covered passageways and each room has beds, shelves, and might even have pottery for decoration. Each room inside modern "Villages", has built in appliances and cabinets to save space. This is identical to the Neolithic "build in furniture" style used to maximize space within each dwelling.

The difference between most modern dwellings, such as apartment complexes, are not that different than Neolithic villages.