Spring 2022

Working on this project for the week sparked what this week will look and sound like for me. My boyfriend is Russian and was born and raised in Sunny Isles. My boyfriend’s cousin is getting married, and we are traveling to Sunny Isles, Florida, this weekend.

Sunny Isles is also known as “Little Moscow,” with 7% percent of the population identifying as Russian as their first language. I never knew this before dating him and was so fascinated by the culture and language the more we visited his hometown. If you ever visit Sunny isles, many Russian groceries, restaurants, and stores are available. I love walking along the beach in Sunny Isles and hearing and seeing the culture. I also love hearing and learning the Russian Language; while it is difficult to learn, I know a few words/phrases in the language. This image, “Sunny Isles Beach – 1” is by Leandro’s World Tour and licensed under CC BY 2.0. This image brings peace and happiness as we get to travel to see his family and celebrate a new union. One of my favorite things to do is walk with his family along the beach, relax, and spend time with one another.

In locating audio, I wanted to find audio in the Russian Language and came across this perfect audio of a conversation in Russian at a wedding. While the wedding is mixed, I anticipated many languages spoken, especially the joyous conversations and laughter from the wedding from his family side in Russian. The audio enhances the image for me as this weekend is a beautiful weekend in creating new memories and a beautiful union between the couple. The audio is titled: wedding_guests.flac by Zabuhailo and is licensed under the Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0). I can’t wait for this weekend!

Before you listen to the music in this post, pause and look at the photo. What do yellow roses and tulips make you think of? What feelings and memories rise up? I have always loved tulips and roses. And yellow flowers give me a sense of warmth and joy, like sunlight. When I first saw this photo, I felt uplifted. I thought maybe someone received this bright bouquet for a birthday or anniversary.

Now, add the audio as you look at the photo. “Sad Trio” adds a somber, reflective mood, and offers a different context for the photo. For me, the music changes the meaning of the photo from warm and happy to mournful or melancholic. Traditionally, yellow roses are given in sympathy. I don’t know why, but maybe it is to brighten the spirits. For some people they might bring to mind sad memories or thoughts of someone they have lost. In this context, I wonder what you would see if the photo was pulled back. Maybe a scene from a celebration of life gathering?

 As a symbol of strength and growth, I chose the image of a gladiolus flower in bloom. However, when I first started this assignment, I was looking for photos of people hugging for the last time because I felt like it was a bittersweet moment. In most cases, when you embrace someone, it is either to say goodbye or welcome them back.

Over the past few months, I have had to leave the people I love behind. This includes family and friends. It was difficult to say goodbye to them while moving to the US for school. I miss being around them, and I miss being able to hug them and feel their presence. The same goes for my dogs. I wrote about my recent move to Tallahassee, Florida in my last class blog post. So, getting settled in a new environment on my own has been difficult.

During my first week here, I would cry and reminisce about how much I missed home. And, in the process of adjusting to life here, I’ve learned that this is a chance to rediscover myself. Things won’t always go my way but in those moments, I remember that I am strong, brave, and courageous. I am like a gladiolus in bloom. and I can’t wait to see how my life unfolds from here. 

I would like to add that the Gladiolus undulatus photograph by dogtooth77 is so captivating. Every petal on this flower tells its own story of beauty and strength. I thought it would be perfect to pair the soothing and ambient elements in the song Shimmer by Airtone with the picture. At first, it is not easy to tell where the song is going, but as it progresses, it just creates an immersive experience. This is something I hope you will experience as well!

It was the early 1990’s when I received the opportunity to study in the US., and my options were just three. The first option was Rochester, NY. Unfamiliar with the location at that time, I automatically passed to the next option, Huston, TX. To be honest, I thought my English wouldn’t improve if I chose something closer to Mexico.

So I adventure to my third and ideal selection, Chicago, IL. At that time, all I knew about the city was the “The Blues Brothers” and “The Superbowl Shuffle.” to my surprise, the town was more than just good music and fun.

As a matter of fact, one of many stories during my multiple visits to Millenial Park and strolling to a good Bears game in Soldier Field led me to this discovery in 2004, a sign stating that the clouds will come closer to Chicago. Everyone was puzzled and curious, and after two years of speculation, in 2006, the “Cloud Gate” was open.

The Bean brought a flair to the park and the town, to my surprise and many. I was adding passion and art to my second home for years to come. If you haven’t become one of the millions taking a picture of this marvelous work, don’t wait, it is worth the trip.

/r
Alex Palma

Some of the best memories growing up were beach days. When looking for a stunning or impressive image my mind went right to those days standing in the sun looking out over the ocean. As kids we would beg our parents to go on weekends during the summer. I saw this photo while searching for the ocean and thought this one was beautiful. I then started searching for energetic and upbeat music for summer! The song “summer mood” I believe changes the way we look at this photo. I think the song I chose turns this cloudy beach day into one that everyone would enjoy!

Nature, fantasy and adventure. Combine those words and you have what I most appreciate about life and the creative process.

Enter nature: a “White White-tailed Deer – fawn – nature – wildlife – animal – autumn” by blmiers2. The image alone stands as a wonderful representation of wildlife. It is not just a simple photo of a deer out in the woods, though. It is a colorful representation that shows that not everything is black and white. Or even brown in this case. When most people look up an image of a deer, they come across one with just brown hair, maybe the occasional white dot or two on their coat. But this fawn shows that not all deer are the same. With its white tail and almost equally white coat, it gives off an appearance of a mythical creature running through those dense weeds and tall grass.

And in my mind, mythical-like creatures can always be found in fantasy adventures. The image even shows that this young fawn is out for a run, its legs moving in a forward direction. And correct me if I am wrong, but is that not a smile on its face? Thus, when searching for the sounds of adventure, humanoide9000‘s “Uplifting adventure music” added to the mythical element I was feeling upon seeing this image. It also adds the adventure vibe as well, making this image feel as though it is on the move, and that young fawn is making its way to new horizons.

Happily, too!

The image Vienna – Rathus Christmas Market by charley1965 reminds me of how Christmas time feels like the most happiest time of year. I believe the best memories come from window shopping at Christmas Markets. Looking at all the different booths that are selling cute little trinkets and trying to eat all the different food stalls. The first time I attended a Christmas Market was in New York City in 2011. There were many colorful Christmas ornaments and souvenirs as far as the eye can see. Looking at this image made me think how I missed out on Germany’s Christmas Market last December.

When pairing the music Memories of Better Times by gurdonark with the image, it makes it seem like I want to slow down and relax. Enjoying the moment. Usually, around the holidays, it feels very rushed, fast paced, and busy. The calm piano playing is a nice touch to make it seem like I am actually at a real Christmas Market and this music is playing in the background while window shopping. Even though the image looks like a lot is going on and so many things to look at, I feel like the calm music helps balance it out. Also, it is a coincidence the song title Memories of Better Times fits perfectly with what I want to feel when I am listening to this music and while looking at the picture. Remembering the happier times in life.

This whimsical picture reminded me why I loved reading  “Love in the Night”, a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, earlier this week.  The story completely ferried me to the southern coast of France in the spring of 1916, a year before the Russian Revolution. With Fitzgerald’s vivid imagery, it is hard not to be transported into another world.  “Love in the Night” basks in all the romantic heart-string pulling and discovery of “First Love.”  I would describe it as “Young Love” where everything feels perfect for one brief moment, resulting the desire to recapture that feeling again and again. 

I read reviews calling Fitzgerald’s love story “cheesy” and “unrealistic”.  Admittedly, I am a romantic, but I don’t devour Harlem Romance novels or “live” for the next Hallmark movie.  So, why did this love story touch me?  It is as the whimsical song represented above says, “I hope for the best”.  I chose to see the world through rose-colored glasses.  As children, we are born believing in the rosy view of life.  Little kids see the wonder all around, waking up each day to happily embrace new possibilities.  But over time, we start to remove our rose-colored glasses for periods of time.  And eventually some of us begin forgetting to pick them up from the nightstand in the morning.  Some might argue that “society is broken” and putting on those glasses blinds you to happenings in the real world.  But, rose-colored glasses aren’t blindfolds.   They don’t prevent you from seeing sadness or pain.  Choosing to wear the glasses isn’t an act of denial, but a deep belief in hope. 

In Fitzgerald’s story, a moment of true happiness was created by the couple’s love.  And reflecting that they once knew happiness, inspired them to want to feel that love again.  It was hope that crossed their paths again several years later.  Perhaps ironically,  Fitzgerald’s life was darkened by alcoholism, money problems, and the mental illness of his wife.  But I think that when Fitzgerald wrote this story, he willingly slipped on colored glasses.   Like me, he chose to see the world through rose-colored glasses deciding to hope for the best.

By Tiffany Walters (@thelaststoryguard)