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Unusual “Creative” Places

January 26, 2012August 25, 2015 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 2 comments

At the beginning of the year I transferred to a different position within my company. My new position requires knowledge of a computer program that I had never used before. I’ve been able to get by, but today I had my first round of classes for this program. I was able to get out of the office and head to one of my places in St. Paul–the Science Museum of Minnesota. It may surprise some people that a Science Museum is one of my favorite places, but I have fond memories of visiting the museum with my family and friends throughout the years. The Science Museum also has two attractions that I absolutely love: the Omnitheater and the mummy.

The Omnitheater is an impressive domed theater that allows viewers to be transported into the movie that’s playing. Shortly after I returned home from Sénégal, my dad and I went to see an Omni film that showcased the Nile River. While the camera panned the massive river, I felt like I was flying over it and it brought tears to my eyes. One of the most impressive Omni films that I have seen took its viewers on a climb up Mt. Everest. I also went to see that movie with my dad… and with my nephew who was pretty little at the time. My dad and I were absolutely swept away by the film, so much so that we completely missed my nephews tears of fear until the movie had finished. We felt bad about that one. The museum was also gifted with a mummy in the early 1900’s. Ever since I was young I have had a fascination with ancient civilizations, including ancient Egypt. Being able to see a real mummy for the first time was a huge thing for me. It helped me feel more connected with a history and with stories that I had studied.

Aside from my two favorite attractions, I think of the Science Museum as a creativity retreat. When I was younger, I used to take a notebook and a pen and sit by the mummy to write. I think I hoped that through the close proximity to the mummy I would suddenly be hit with inspiration for a novel that takes place in Ancient Egypt. Sadly, it never happened. (My mom said that she thinks I was waiting for the mummy to rise up. To be perfectly honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if that were somewhere in the back of mind. Maybe I watched The Mummy too much…) One year, my dad and I decided to spend the day at the Omnitheater during Omnifest. I was taking a drawing class at the time and I spent the breaks between films with my sketchbook on my lap.

The Science Museum wasn’t the only place that I viewed as a “creative” place for me (there was a partly fallen tree in the wooded area behind my house that I would climb up with a notebook before the mosquitoes were out in full force), but it was definitely the most unusual!

What about you? Do you or have you had any unusual creative places?

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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2 comments

  1. *tarazza says:
    January 26, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    I love science museums as well! They are one of my favorite things to go do.

    I have two other favorite museums that I find creatively inspiring– the art museum in Chicago (so much to see!) and the Nautical Museum in Marquette– I love me my ships and seas. šŸ™‚

    Reply
  2. Julia, the Thanksgiving Girl says:
    January 28, 2012 at 10:26 pm

    Any museum that has at least one mummy on display is my favorite museum!!!

    Reply

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! šŸ‘‹šŸ¼ Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. ā€œThe water looks cold,ā€ I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. šŸ˜‚)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. šŸ˜ PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 1. We went on a rather unvent Iceland, Day 2, Part 1. We went on a rather unventful Northern Lights tour the night before and slipped in a few hours of sleep before meeting our bus for the Golden Circle tour. Our tour guide was @busdriver_annie and she was amazing! Pictured: Faxi (the small waterfall) Gullfoss (the big waterfall), a wool market where we also saw some animals, and Geysir (the hot springs area). Geysir is actually the most famous geyser in the world but it doesn’t erupt anymore. However, Strokkur erupts every 5 - 10 minutes. I’ll share more photos from the tour soon!
Iceland, Day 1. We landed bright and early at 6:30 Iceland, Day 1. We landed bright and early at 6:30 am, dropped off our bags at the hotel, and went exploring. We saw HallgrĆ­mskirkja, the amazing view from the bell tower, the rainbow street, and walked down Laugavegur. Swipe to the end to see the view from our apartment!
Scenes from November, which were mostly at the dam Scenes from November, which were mostly at the dam apparently.
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