Swimming

I figure that instead of doing intensive cardio at the Y's treadmill and killing my knees, I've been swimming instead. It's been very enjoyable and after a long day at The Studio, it's so nice just to put on my bathing suit and jump into the water—that is, after the babies+parents swim and kid swim. It's all worth it though because I get to do all my leg press machines and chin-ups before. Deb has been joining me and it's such a bonus to have a swimming partner. She even introduced me to flippers, which make me feel like a real swimmer.

So I was asked whether I wanted to stay on after the summer and I don't know if I want to. It's a hard decision because I don't have any other real offers. I'm currently in the process of applying for several residencies and fellowships that range from October to next year. I'm also going to meet Alex's cousin, who works for a glass company in Massachusetts next week. We will see.

Other than this and that, I'm excited for my days off on Friday and Saturday. I might have very special visitors from Buffalo and if not, Alex will come down anyways and I'm thinking of visiting the gorges at Watkins Glen or in Ithaca. Wee!

Settling In

I'm starting to get the hang of working at The Studio. I think it's mainly because of the awesome people I work with. Besides one particular person, no one talks themselves up or is really annoying. This summer's staff is pretty easy going, which makes the job very stress-less—BUT we can't always feel that about some of our customers! As I told my mom, it's like you get a good sampling of American vacationers and what kind of crazy people are out there. Some people can be SO incredibly particular with their flowers or ornaments that it's almost unbearable at the time, but someone always finds a way to please them.

Other than that, the most unbearable thing at work is when we get a slow day. On these days, we'd be lucky if we get 10 or 20 guests. If we don't have guests, then all we do is side work. Cleaning, shard cutting, paper towel cutting, cleaning, grinding mirrors, bend posts for wind chimes, cleaning, and some more cleaning. The Walk-In-Workshop is immaculate. Some of us even refer to it as "the Cadillac of Hot Shops".

Anyways.

Other Corning/The Studio pluses:

1. Seeing friends at the studio!!

Spencer working on his production line in Hot Shop B with Andrew.

2. Renting time!!

All the Walk-In-Workshop staff get to rent time studio time at the lowest rate. On Wednesday, I rented 4 hours of torch time to make beads. I came out with 70+ beads! Woo!!

Fellow WIW buds, Gary and Andrew renting time in Hot Shop A.

3. Cheap bus service!

It only costs $1 to go to Bath and from there $1.25 to Hornell on the local buses. What a bargain!! I went back to Hornell to visit Alex on Wednesday with Andrew and took the buses back on Thursday. Sure it takes an hour longer because of the bus transfer and local roads, but it's only $2.25!! So forget the Shortline Coach Bus!!

4. NEW FRIENDS!

Since this town gets so boring and most of us are newbies in Corning, making friends is so easy. We try to get together as much as possible so that the boredom doesn't kill us. And joining the YMCA is a MUST. It's just across the street from the museum and summer membership is only $150.

5. Good Eats!

Market Street is full of really nice places to eat, including Aniello's (pizza), Thali of India, and Old Work Cafe and Ice Cream. A bunch of us are going to Garcia's for Mexican food after everyone gets out of work tonight. Wee!!


SO COME AND VISIT ME IN CORNING!! YOU'LL HAVE A PLACE TO STAY!!