Saturday 20 September 2014

Precious things





I’m delighted and really exited to have been asked by Sarah at Mitenska to become part of this blogging collaboration. Sarah asked what are our precious things? What would we save from a burning building? It’s really made me think about the things I have and what I would miss. Perhaps things I see and use every day and yet don’t always register.

This small postcard sized ink drawing in its dusty (and cheap) frame is my first item. It sits amongst the toys on our living room fireplace. It was one of many pictures that sat on the hearth, initially to cover the horrendous fireplace (we changed that) but we’re now down to two. It’s an ink drawing street in Monmartre at night with the Sacre Coeur in the background. I bought this in 1998 when I went to a conference in Paris.
This was a significant trip for me, although at the time it didn’t feel like it. It was the first time I’d travelled alone. It was the first time I explored a city alone and entirely able to do as I pleased. It was the first time I’d had to present and defend my work to a (pretty big – eek) audience. I walked and walked and walked and walked. Along the Seine. Through Monmartre. Around La Defense. I went to the Louvre and the Musee D’Orsay. I ate steak and chips alone in a restaurant served by a surly Parisian waiter. It wasn’t the romantic trip lots of people have to Paris. It was an international conference on obesity and my head was full of genetics and the work presented there was a chapter in my thesis. It was when I felt like a real academic. When I felt that I was contributing to the world and I wanted to remember this. I looked at the pictures the artists had on display on the streets, thinking I’d like to take a little piece of this with me. It took me ages to decide which to have. Something about this one, drawn and coloured on a piece of brown paper, spoke to me. Now it reminds me of a time when my work was most important, when the Rs weren’t even considered and when I was building up to be who I am now.

Joining in with
Sarah at Mitenska
Leanne at Today’s Stuff

You’ll find their Precious Things there.




11 comments:

  1. What a lovely story, and such a pretty card to remember that moment by. I've really enjoyed reading this post, and I'll look forward to following the series. CJ xx

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  2. It is funny the things that are most precious aren't necessarily the ones that have the most monetary value, but the most memories attached to them isn't it. This picture obviously brings back such special memories for you, not wonder it is so special for you. xx

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  3. I love this post. All those memories wrapped up in that little picture. Fantastic!
    Leanne xx

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  4. Love your little picture and its story (why didn't I get to go to Paris when I was an academic?). Such a great blogging project to be involved in.

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  5. That made me laugh a little, the thought of Parisian romance as opposed to the decidedly unromantic realities of public speaking (my nemesis) and obesity...
    Thank you for contributing to my little collaboration. I really enjoyed this post - although it did have me fantasising about the sheer luxury of discovering a city all by myself. As you say, unlikely now we have little ones. But I can still dream... and I adore (j'adore?) Paris :)
    S x

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  6. What a wonderful post. I loved reading about your trip to Paris, on your own, doing new and potentially scary things. What a great trip to look back on. The ink drawing is beautiful, just my kind of art. xxx

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  7. What a lovely post. A perfect memento of your trip! Paris is wonderful. Looking forward to future posts. Bee xx

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  8. How wonderful. I love how you've all chosen things that provoke such strong memories and feelings, as while being items that are very beautiful in their own right. It gave a nice glimpse into your personality too. :-)

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  9. I've never been to Paris, but I hope to go someday. The drawing is beautiful, I can see why it is so precious to you. Thanks for sharing.

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  10. I've enjoyed reading about your little picture and all the wonderful memories it holds for you. I've never been to Paris and I'd love to go someday too. x

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  11. The memories that are most precious attach to the most precious memory keepers ... a lovely thought and a great post :)

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