I started my new job on March 16th. I worked two weeks, mostly trying to get my feet under me, figure out my role and how to do things. At the end of my second week, the president of the university announced that the whole campus would be closed for spring break. My coworker and I were surprised. We had thought we would work spring break and were planning on doing some projects over that week. While I would never complain about getting a paid week off, it felt strangely disappointing. I’m new to this town and hardly know anyone; what would I do with myself for a week?
I decided to do some touristy things. I went to the National Museum of the Air Force. Driving up to it felt impressive; massive planes sat on the grounds outside, dwarfing the people and cars that were nearby. The museum was free, but it had one of the heaviest security I had ever seen in a museum. I had to step through a metal detector and have my picture taken before I could even get inside. The place was massive; I was there for two hours or more and didn’t even see all the exhibits. By the time I got past the World War One and World War Two exhibits I felt tired out, and there was still so much more to see. My favorite parts weren’t the planes, but the artifacts from pilots who had fought with the Air Force in wars; their clothing, their lighters carved with their names and the names of their friends, the insignias they designed and painted on the planes. Often when thinking about war, people think in terms of armies, of things happening on the large scale. But seeing all the things left behind by soldiers reminded me of the men and women who fight and die on the battlefield. And even in war, art can be made, such as the insignias designed by soldiers and painted on the planes. It was very personal and human to see those things.
Speaking of art, I also went to the Cincinnati Museum of Art. Art museums are definitely more of my interest; I’ve been to the Nelson Atkins in Kansas City more times than I can probably count, and Crystal Bridges in Bentonville is really nice too. Those are two of the only art museums I’ve been to for many years, so I was really excited to see someplace new. And the Cincinnati Art Museum did not disappoint. They had a lot of religious art there; massive altarpieces and carvings of Jesus rising from the dead. I did a lesson last year on art of Christ’s resurrection for my youth group, and saw a piece that looked nearly the same as a piece I had highlighted in my lesson. It wasn’t the exact same one, but it was really close. Very cool to see something I had studied and taught on in real life.
The museum also had some Cincinnati specific exhibits. The Rookwood Ceramics company is based there, and there was a large exhibit about their history in the museum. Rookwood was founded by a woman, Maria Storer, and she apparently had a rivalry with another woman who was also a ceramicist. The two of them made larger and larger vases, trying to outdo one another. Imagine something beautiful coming out of something so bitter! Really makes you think.
They also had a Chihuly in the museum. I love blow glass and glass art, and his work is so unique and recognizable. It feels almost alive with its twists and turns and vibrant colors.
Doing things solo is fun. People may often feel afraid about doing things alone, that they’ll look weird doing it or that it won’t be as fun without others. But doing things solo can be freeing. You can pick where you want to go and do it at your own pace, with no one pressuring you to hurry up or to slow down. You can eat where and when you want, without having to worry about other people’s tastes and diets.
But I think I would have more fun solo if I had friends to come back to. Doing things solo without knowing anyone around my new town feels heavy somehow. I do my activities alone and then come back to my family’s house where I’m staying. They aren’t as much of “let’s do things and go places” people as I am, so I end up sitting around alone there. Trying to build new friendships is so hard. I’m hoping it gets easier as time passes. I really appreciate my coworker. It’s good to do things together and work on making the library better. Spring break was fun, but it’s nice to be back in the routine of work and have somewhere consistent to go each day.
P.S. I’m writing these blogs almost like a letter to my friend, who is also writing letters to me on her blog. Please check her writing out if you are interested! https://inalluncertainterms.com/
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