01 Le Marché St. George
02 Minoru Blvd Headquarters
03 The Ridington Room
Without even knowing it, I think I have somehow managed to summarize my past month within this set of photographs. They each tell a remarkably sequential story about my inner conflict: whether I want to continue pursuing academics at The University of British Columbia or pursue my passion of design and photography full-time. The decision is like dark turbulent cloud hanging over my head each and every minute I have any time to think. Put simply, it's utterly daunting.
The first photograph is of my work space at Le Marché St. George. I'm planning to write an open letter of appreciation to the Parsen & Roy family, in the near future, so I'll keep this brief. Working in their home has transformed my life like nothing before it. Every day that I get to share with their family is an absolute delight. The space is incredible, the coffee and food is some of the best in Vancouver, and most importantly, the people who are connected with the shop are unforgettable. I'm completely in love with my place of work.
Looking at the three images as a set, it's the second photograph which is the most interesting to me. Not because of any particular item in the space, but because it seems to be a aesthetic amalgamation between the photos which precede and follow it. I used to make my purchases based on a very Victorian style, which in a way embodies the academic side of my person. Now more and more, I find my interior inspirations rooted in Danish & Japanese design. Less is more has been a personal theme of mine for decent amount of time now, but I am just beginning to comprehend minimalism and how the idea translates in real life.
I feel fortunate to attend an university with a beautiful campus. The Ridington Room is one of the many places of study offered at the university. It features stunning natural light, a well-suited collection of paintings, and handsome furniture. All these aforementioned details make for a very inspiring setting to pursue academic endevours. It is common to find students drinking a healthy mix of coffee, tea, and water (amongst other beverages) whilst rigorously reading textbooks and taking notes on paper notebooks or laptop computers.
Lately, my heart is being pulled towards following my desire to create. I've talked the idea over with close friends and family, but dropping my studies is easier said than done. I haven't been convinced to leave my schooling behind. So like the second picture, I'm torn between two worlds. The funny thing is I thought I made my mind up about two weeks ago, but through chance I saw a gentlemen in complete focus working fervidly on his reading. His obvious passion for learning made me reflect on my situation and has kept me attending my classes. I don't know how long it will last. I think, however, if anything, I am coming to terms with the fact that even if I don't entirely abandon my pursuit of a Political Science B.A., I need to take an academic leave in the not-so-distant future.
