Highlights

December2010-Feb 2011
- graduated..woo hoo, so, I've got a semester "off" but I'm staying in Oxford, working on lots of art!
-video accepted into Oxford Film Fest!
-preparing Africa photos for the Uganda Project

-preparing grad school applications all X-mas break

-honorable mention at the Oxford Film Fest awards Sat. night!

- accepted in the MCAC- 1photo, 1video, & 1computer image

-best of computer imagery category at MCAC!

-another photo published in Photographer's Forum!

-the Student Art Association award (& $100!)

-got to see some of my Tanzania photos on display in the show!

Lots of good things happening to me all at once... I'm shocked!

*Update*

finished grad apps feb. 1st deadlines.... right now, I'm looking @ schools in Montana, Colorado, Louisiana, Alaska, Florida, and Texas.... will I end up at any of these places? Not sure!

Biggest highlight:The Oxford Film festival. What an AMAZING weekend. This was my first time being IN a film festival. I had my "director" pass for all the events. I arrived to pick up my VIP pass, and the girl at the table asked me which one I had. I rather meekly said "Director" and began to receive a lot of attention-hah! I guess even art students get a little recognition every now and then ;)

I felt like a proud parent when I saw a clipping from my video, "Flutter" was used in the mail trailer of the event. I got my first rush of adrenaline. Flutter screened two days later on Saturday in the experimental category, and it was really a learning experience as much as a good time. I got to do a Q&A afterwards, and of course see tons of great films, and meet some big time filmmakers, in addition to a couple of fellow "experimental" filmmakers!

a taste of tanzania atmosphere

Two years after my 2009 Tanzania trip, I had the opportunity to collaborate on an exhibiton with photographer Brooke White on a department a theatre/ art collaboration!

The Uganda Project: Come & See—Go & Tell

Mississippi: The Dance Company presents a multimedia dance/theater collaboration. Inspired by their humanitarian missions to Uganda, Professor Jennifer Mizenko and Assistant Professor of Art Brooke White are bringing their different experiences of Uganda to the stage in dance, music, and photography. This collaboration between The Department of Theatre Arts and the Department of Art will expose the audience to the heart and soul of Uganda: its beauty, its complexity, its people, and especially its children. Photography by Jaime Johnson and Brooke White

Here's a photo of the show. Images were displayed on the three panels of fabric throughout the production!

Flutter: bfa thesis exhibition

Old times, but new beginnings

It really is all over.
On August 28th, the end physical result of Tanzania will be shown in "The Big Five and the Big Apple," a comprised exibition of works from digital photography in Tanzania and drawings from NYC by the University of Mississippi students in all in one exhibition in Oxford, MS at the FrameUp Gallery.
(Friday, August 28, 2009 at 5:00pm -7pm recption)

I know Africa is a part of the past but I live with it everyday. My experience in Africa has taught me a lot about how I want to live and what's important to me. I see things for what they are. When you see reality, outside of most people's reality here in this country, and you see what and who this planet really consists of, you have a different perspective on things. To say Africa isn't calling me back is a lie, but in order to be happy and successful, I just have to take the things I've learned from Africa and apply them here as best as I can. So, upon leaving Africa, & with summer drawing to a close and the University starting again, I feel the anxiety of all the business that awaits me. It stinks! I don't want to lose what I gained in Africa. A sense of who I am. I have so much new knowledge floating around in my head and I feel like I have many choices and decisions to make that will determine the quality of life that I live. The world is in such a hurry in the United States, and I definitely feel myself resisting when it comes to conforming back into that way of life. I suppose I want to see more of the world now, too.

School starts back Monday. Ole Miss parties in full swing. Quite the blast back into "student life." I miss you Africa.

Montage, tanzania!

For fun, I made this montage of Africa. I'll miss those African Tuskers and agood vitamin/mineral enriched Kilimanjaro (water). The montage is everything from a little bit of nature (flower petals from Rivertrees), to local currency, some notes, and a few things I aquired, along with a postcard I wrote to friend and confidant, and even has a little bit of Uganda in there (beads from Brooke)! And some TZ tea bags.

Dear All,
I had a wonderful time on Safari; Asante sana!
I never thought I'd be going to a place like Africa! And, truthfully, I hope to go back one day. Below, I have two separate postings with my final portfolio. One is my original idea, "Animals in Motion," and the other, "Solitary Figures," which developed as the trip progressed. I knew I wanted to work those images into the final as well. Enjoy! Thanks for being good travel buddies, and thanks Brooke for being superb on safari and watching over all of us!

TZ final portfolio 2

Solitary Figures

Traveling to Tanzania, I was impressed with the myriad of diverse habitats and terrain we encountered. I became astounded by the individual strength of each person and his or her relationship to the land. In these photos, I show both these various environments and landscapes in which man and nature share a space to the fullest. During my time in Tanzania, I derived inspirtation from both; whether it be the emblematic Baobob tree in the horizon, or a small child in the distance, there is strength to be found in each person, each environment, and each condition.


"A Red Rose Blossoms"













"Marlboro Man"















"Sea of Grass"
















"Thirst"















"Stealing a Glance Through the Dust"

Tanzania, random movement pics!

I was going through pictures, and thought it interesting some of the photos I snapped while the vehicle was moving as we passed by so many sights and animals.

Maybe these aren't fantastic photogrpahs, but, I felt they captured movement of the animals which not only shows their active response to the human presence, but is also the key to their own survival.

Babu, the best guide in the entire world, emailed me from TZ the friday we got back--just wanted to say how much I appreciate/owe him for an amazing trip! Jackson and Elisa were wonderful guides!

It's all over now. The remaining members of the class suffered from the sounds of a crying baby on the longest plane ride ever. We landed in Memphis, and I then had a 6 hour drive down South to return to the Blueberry Capital of Mississippi--Poplarville. My parents and I arrived home at 11pm, and I was standing in my house 15 minutes when suddenly, the entire house was swallowed by darkness. Now, I can only say here what my mom did-- that "Africa followed me home." We weren't having bad weather or anything; the electricity spontaneously went out! It was great! I knew exactly where I had that flashlight packed and was able to "rough it" (well, you know what I mean) even back in the US! On a side note, my new plant friend from Plantation Lodge made it safely home and it's definitely my favorite souveneir of the trip.

A day room at Kia Lodge. That's about all we had today, besides our goodbyes. I can say though that the one thing Kia Lodge offered was a beautiful view of Mt. Kilimanjaro! Andrew, Bailey, and I photographed it together. Bailey and I were taking our stuff to the Rovers as the sun went down, and I saw it cast a beautiful light on the white snowy caps of Kilimanjaro. I pulled my camera out again for one last photograph. What luck that on our last day in Tanzania that the sneaky Mountain would appear and let us glimse a little bit of beauty before we went to the airport and departed the country!

PS, took the "karibu" soap as a souveneir. As my dad might say in the US, "no hotel is safe from the Johnson women!" -yeah, we love free stuff. I don't feel bad about this, because we're so close to civilization and the airport and I'll take soap over dinner!

Today we went to the Crater! Nogorongoro Crater that is. I had wild expectations for it, and even though all my assumptions were wrong, I loved it. (ie, I thought animals would literally be charging in front of us, covering every inch of land, etc!) Just my crazy perception of the infamous crater! -I learned the crater is home to up to 25,000 large mammals, mainly grazers - gazelle, buffalo, eland, wildebeest, and warthog, and the densest predator population in Africa.

I started out riding with Christina, Mi'chel, and Andrew, just to change things up and ride with the guide Elisa (maybe for the last time ever!!) The atmosphere of the Crater during early morning created by the clouds of fog was very magical and mysterious, that I wished I could run across the road and venture into the shrubbery for a photo. It was freezing so I didn't keep the window down too long --just long enough I could get a photo that I was seeking. I felt great venturing into literally the "unknown," but I'm afriad our car was full of hangovers that morning because of the Garden House gathering that took place last night so everyone was trying to rest as we progressed through the blankets of fog. Too bad these blankets were freezing cold!

The afternoon was wonderful, arriving to warm land inside the crater with beautiful colors in the sky and on the hills. Hope this doesn't sound bad but I didn't really care if I saw any animals for not, because the land was really nice to cruise through standing up in the Rover! And, I suppose I figured I'm happy with everything I've seen so nothing mattered on this day. And we did see many creatures, just the way to end a trip--with a variety of animals. Kind of grew fond of a buffalo that approached us. Gonna use this word again, and say he was-cute.

After lunch Nicole and I switched and got in the Rover with Brooke, Ben, and Jackson, also what someone called "The teacher car," which was wonderful. I (obviously) enjoy the relaxed, mellow LandRover over the Party Rover, but both have their pros and cons I suppose! And this last ride through the Crater was a great way to end safari forever, as it was led by the Guide Jackson. :) I was dwelling in thoughts in the beauty of the Crater and thinking about the beautiful blanket of fog from the morning that covered up our descent to the crater. So driving back up it was an incredible first sight! It could have been scary too, as it appeared we could fall off a cliff! I know that although it took me awhile to warm up to traveling with our crazy group, that I'd really miss them and this place. Next time, I'm ready for it all!

Plantation lodge is simply incredible! We arrived to see smoke swirling out of the chimney!This is gonna be my time to show how frivolous I am by writing about our final, grand overnight accomondations here in Africa! (Complete luxury!) I am in awe at the "Garden House." It's huge--we each have our own rooms we share in this house, and it has a deck, our own dining area, and a reading corner. I enjoyed a little bit of something at each of our lodges, especially Eyasi but this one truly lives up to its name and I love the greenery everywhere, particularly this archway, and the overhanging vines and flowers. Lantana, Cecil, Aloevera are just growing everywhere. This afternoon, everyone went to lay by the pool. I was so uplifted and hadn't been swimming at any of the other lodges, so, even though it was slightly chilly I just had to jump in the pool to get in touch with my "inner Water Buck"! -freezing, but still good. Good afternoon, followed by a crazy night! I was lying in bed when suddenly, Christina lunged into it! And, in short, a party began to brew.

I think we all smelled trouble knowing we'd have a house together. With Konyagi floating around and an amazing bar with access to unlimited (well somewhat) Tuskers, the night turned fun. Meryl finally turned in first and eventually things winded down. I had a blast!
Funny thing is, there is a video floating around, so the good fun will only come back to haunt us!

Journal reponses. We were required to switch journals, not once, but twice! Well 3 if you count Brooke. Sadly I'd written very little in the one I was turning in. So, at the time, Mi'chel and Andrew could only read about the plane, and day 1, Arusha. Andrew made me laugh cause he said what was true, that it was less reading to do! haha. Decided to post these--they are as much a part of the journal as my own entries are:

June 20 09 - Mi'chel
So here I am responding to your journal entries as Brooke has asked us to do. I feel as if I have invaded your thoughts and private "property" maybe as you are very quiet and reserved. I am really loving the way you are writing though. Very descriptive and I can see what you are describing-it really takes me there. I find it amazing this is your first time to fly-I feel like you are missing the world and maybe it too is missing out on you! I am so glad you took the oppurtunity and ran with it. My favorite line has to e- "The idea of me being 21 in Tanzania means nothing to me, but being in Tanzania means everything to me." I think this means so much. The fact that your 21st birthday happened in Tanzania or onthe way to Africa speaks volumes. You will remember that for life. The idea that Tanzania and being here means more says a lot about who you are.
It was great that you made friends on the plane rides too-that helps pass the time.
Our first experience with an animal-the giraffe on safari really was amazing. I believe we were all in AWE! He was right there and I too felt so connected with him-his eyelashes.
I hope to hear more about your experience here and with the lions and leopard! and the night game drive. But I will look forward to that on your blog!


6-20-09 - Andrew
Jambo!
I loved reading your journal! It was interesting in a great way to hear what a first time flyer felt likeon a 14 hour plane ride. I think you handled it like a champ! Again Happy 21st birthday. This trip has been amazing and getting to know you has been awesome as well.
I was so relieved to know that someone else besides me had an Olympus Camera! I am glad we can switch lenses. That Macro filter is awesome. I am glad that you loved the firaffes at the beginning of the trip. There were so funny but beautiful. Today was awesome getting to see a kill. Hope you got some great pics. Talk to you later!

What a day!
I loved seeing the Bushmen, and going on a "hunt" with them. When we first arrived, the scene was hardly intimidating as I thought it would be!

The men were huddled in one group smoking what a classmate called, "the good stuff." So I could smell the marijuana and its humorous to know that according to Jackson, authorities don't mess with the bushmen! The women were huddled in another group. They practiced on a target before taking off into the woods.

I tried to prepare myself mentally for animal killings and once we actually saw the bushmen in action, I was excited for them when they finally brought the Bushbaby to justice. And the monkey that pulled the arrow out? Cunning! I thought it was funny how into the whole thing Mi'chel was. Thought of my friend Kurt again, he'd love this! I really enjoyed just being nearby and thus having lots of free room to photograph. I guess safari is kind of stifling in that sense. (That everyone is right next to each other taking the same photographs). So, truly and honestly, today was the first day I really let loose and actually photographed people and did so at my leisure. It was nice! And the monkey, well, I'm going to admit was a bit harder a sight because he was still wheezing and all, just laying on the ground before he was thrown onto the fire. It was quite the experience, and not to be frivolous, but now I can say I ate monkey!

Afterwards, we went to see a blacksmith. I enjoyed this as well. Who knew what you could do with old master locks. Why don't we do that type stuff in the US? Where has all our ingenuity gone? These people use all their resources and truly, truly, each and every one of them is an artist!

*note* Today after seeing the Hadzabe tribe hunt for their food, I really can't ignore that I felt bothered, and I think that's a part of this trip too. For me, breakfast, lunch, and dinner parts of the day are killer. So much food and so much guilt. Though as I'm trying to keep everything optimistic, there are a few topics that I seem to dwell on in my mind. So, needless to say when riding with Jackson (Babu) and having him tell me I'm so quiet and give me the life advice, "Don't think so much...it causes trouble!" I can only say he's truly a babu! I have never known either of my grandfathers, so, I imagine Babu really is my grandpa now!

Ngedga tented camp is a tropical paradise. I wonder if this is how Emerson felt in the Lake District? Felt like today has the most freedom out of any place we've been, and it's super nice. Since being here I was able to catch 2 skinks running around on the porch. I walked around a lot near the deck, in generally just insect-watching, and had a little encounter with a Nile Monitor Lizard! Made me think of our Water Buck friend that pool-hopped at Rivertrees. The owner told me that if I wanted to wait, they'd come out and sun themselves on the deck again, should I stay, but, I headed back to the tent to do some journal writing, and clean up a cut I got from climbing up some concrete to see if I could spot where the Monitor Lizard ran off too. Bailey took a nap (and surprisingly I didn't, though I could have!) and Mi'chel, Andrew, Christina, and Meryl and I all walked towards the dried up lake bed through African dust storms that stung as they hit our skin! We all go great pictures of a boy herding goats. For Tanzanians, goats are easier and cheaper to herd so it's common to see. We proceeded to walk towards this 'nonexistent water' but it turned out to be much further away than we thought, so, we headed back. We all walked back and got ready to go up the cliff behind the lodge for a sunset view. Some workers delivered beers (and sodas) up there. I really enjoyed the view, and the beer, (Tusker and Kilimanjaro) and this is when I also thought of people I wished I could share this with. At the horizon, it was like watching earth and sky reach a truce. The sun just down, there was a warm afterglow on everything as the hill began to darken we began to head down. I didn't say much, but I had such a great time. Everyone was happily chatting away, and it (all) was so beautiful. Tomorrow we are going to see a tribe and I've been mentally preparing myself for that. I am also going to make myself not over think anything, but I'm not looking forward to this as much.

The boy we saw.

The wind never stops moving through the palm trees, with a calm rustling noise that feels like a tropical beach. It took a heck of a lot of navigation to get here via our expert guides that know their way across non existent roads.

From Lake Manyara:
Today was a refreshing "people day" on the schedule. I kind of separate the days in my head by: people/animals. I know I've been disappointed that we're seeing less animals from here on out, but actually every day surprises me and I enjoy the days spent around people more. (As long as we're not on the streets with those obnoxious street sellers!) I simply despise being crowded like that and having those same necklaces thrust in my face!

Anyway, I guess by spending time with people, one just gets more of a feel for the country. And also, I'm finally getting used to being around people. I supposed I needed to be broken out of my uneasiness, and by going to the animal parks first, that never really happened. So, it's taken me awhile, but Im always so slow with everything that this only makes sense that I'm finally feeling splendidly (despite still feeling sad about some stuff still) to actually be able to walk out on the land and share it with these people, rather than being in a car all day.

We began our day seeing a hospital (and I have dubious notes on it but figure there's no need to type them here), and hoenstly loved this part of the day. When Brooke described the day and said we'd see more of a "modern Tanzania," it sounded exactly like everything I wanted to see. I was enamored by the system at the hospital, and also, this was my first time to see "US involvement" in Africa in a straightforward way, so that was meaningful. My mom is a neo natal nurse so she cares for sick babies, and I guess I took it all to heart to see this field before my eyes in Africa.
Today we continued our walking tour through the town and market (Mosquito River, TZ name Mtowambu in Swahili). I loved the walking tour and being out of the vehicle and walking around! Makes me think of Thoroeau's Waldon, or "Life in the woods" from literature. The message I got from it is, when when you walk to land and live on it, you really know it. That's the kind of thing I like--and sorta how I thought all of Africa would be! But, our trip is a mixture of both.

Something else I've been feeling bad about was cleared up by Brooke today as well. I haven't been giving any of the children anything, and Brooke told us it's okay and also that it's really our decision. If we do, we're essentially "training them" to beg-- changing the way they live and possibly to expect this again and again. We continued on to have a traditional Tanzanian lunch prepared by a women in the village. I guess the safari companies have an agreement with these places we've visited. We didn't really see much of the lady that prepared the meal either. What a surprise, everything was like Southern food -Brooke's words- very true. Chicken, potatoes, lots of vegetables in general... there was an indian bread thing I liked best. Crazy what a small world this is!

I did enjoy the savory tastes. I doubt I will want to touch another US chicken again though; they really are tasteless pieces of rubber in comparison to the fresh guys we dined on today (kinda sad that they were just running around in front of us). Still, nothing is worse than the truckloads of disturbed chickens I've seen being carted to the slaughter house in the "good ole USA." We also had a chance to taste some Banana Beer prior on our walking tour, but needless to say my head began aching, resulting in my stomach feeling unsettled; I was just waiting for the meds I took to kick in. Soon it passed, and my physical health back to normal. I didnt feel great because for whatever reason, I did not sleep well. Anyway, we ended up back at the wonderful paradise lodge later, just had to survive horribly bumpy roads. My mind really wonders a whole lot, and things, all of lifes experiences, seem to connect in someway, and I thought of sailing rocky waves on the MS gulf coast.


Local market

Just thinking about the beautiful porcupine from the night game drive.
*note* I'm in love with those porcupine! I can't believe we saw them! I was going to try and not use the term "cute," but, when the one that stopped in his tracks tried to pretend he wasn't there, it was adorable. That trickster! His quills are gorgeous! I guess this just turned into a rambling session about the porcupine. It was really quite a sight to see a whole family of them! The night game drive was DEFINITELY one of my favorite days thus far. 4 cups of coffee really works wonders!
Anyway, dear Porcupine, I think your quills looked finely sharp, and I liked the way you walked! I believe Andrew, Brooke, and I each got a fine view of him.

Mr. Quills on the left, and a fine bird on the right-can't remember his species.

Tarangire (2nd day)

Firstly, I'd like to say I love Jackson (Babu). We saw new sights in tarangire today, starting with a group of sleeping lions under a large Baobab tree. Also, a leopard! I think I witnessed though the truth of the statement regarding "safari colors," because that leapard took off as soon as he saw the flash of white of a shirt! It was a shame, but I still enjoyed seeing the big cat! I actually love the photo of him, regardless of whether its more a landscape shot. He is barring his teeth and underneath a piece of wood that looks like a dinasaur skeleton! Very cool to have been just across the road from him!

Wanted to mention this yesterday, as we traveled to Tarangire the first afternoon. Looking out the car window as we travel from one place to another lends each sight as the perfect photograph. There was a school children rally once we passed through a city area that peaked my interest. And also just the people walking down the road. I saw a woman in a business suit, and then a different woman, carrying a bucket on her head. I looked for 2 seconds longer than I should have so I missed a grand photo of this combination of "old and new ways". But, still enjoying just seeing the people, their livestock, and of course, these very different scenes. The "ordinary" always interests me. They are my favorite photograhs thus far despite all the animals we've been seeing-- though I kind of fell in love with this quirky "smiling" zebra.

Actually, I'm really loving the zebra. They make wonderful photographs. My favorites seem to be ones of zebra. Their black and whites are so pretty.

This lodge is so wonderful, because there are animals in the horizon. And it thrills me to no end that zebra approached the tents at night and could be heard chewing!