The goal of this blog is to have content that is insightful. Essentially, the goal is for the reader to be able to take a thoughtful respite and hopefully - enjoy their time here. Maybe you will learn something new, maybe you will click away from the page with something to think about, and maybe you will click away with an emotion evoked. The subject matter at PinxitLuc varies, but the bulk of substance will involve relationships (i.e. our human interactions); fashion, product and technology reviews, philosophy; politics; global issues; the arts; and some snippets of random writing (either by the author or another source). Think of it as getting a random page of the newspaper, so please - sit back and enjoy.
The author behind PinxitLuc is Jangela S. Much of the content on this blog reflects her experiences, her journeys, her travels, and who she is. So below, you will find a bio.
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Education has always been important to Jangela. Although she started college with a double major (physics and music) she received her BA in Political Science with double minors in International Relations and Art History. She continued with graduate studies in Arabic at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and International Economic Policy at American University’s School of International Service. She will complete her MA in Strategic Security Studies in 2010 (her thesis explores the impact of natural resource management on national security). From a linguistic standpoint, Jangela received certifications in Russian and Spanish and is presently studying French (she has been known to throw people off with conversational phrases in several other languages).
She is keenly interested in sustainable development, which essentially ties the concern over the capacity of natural systems with the social challenges facing humanity. Along these lines, she is a supporter of the Earth Institute at Colombia University and encourages anyone in the NYC area to participate in their seminars. Presently, Jangela serves as a member of Young Professionals in Foreign Policy and will soon get involved in teaching international relations curriculum in inner city high schools.
The realm of science has never lost its grasp on Jangela. She has had many late nights and early mornings over the last few years to witness meteor showers or “chase” lunar eclipses. It has been a long-standing dream of hers to witness a total solar eclipse and she is hoping to be in China for the July 2009 eclipse. In order to incorporate her love of science into her daily life – she volunteers as a docent with the Smithsonian (Museum of Natural History) and has the fortunate ability to gain valuable insight from scientists who have curated exhibits or are working on special research. She is planning on tapping into this knowledge should she be able to make a voyage for a total solar eclipse.
Jangela has been known to take what she refers to as “art pilgrimages” – traveling the globe and the country to experience art. Jangela fundamentally believes in the importance of art. In her words, art has played a crucial role in life throughout the ages. It is universal because it’s everywhere, we experience art on a daily basis - from the houses we live in (architecture) to the movies we see (theatre) to the books that we read (literature) - even the clothing we wear and our furniture (design). Although most art is created for a specific reason or purpose, it has a way of expressing ideas and beliefs, and it can record the experiences of all people – and be interpreted uniquely by each individual.
As far as the photography that appears here and that is the focus of her sister site, PinxitLuc.com, Jangela has been taking pictures for most of her life. Although, she didn’t fully understand the dynamics of the medium until she started modeling in high school and was exposed to true technique. She often says that although she was the subject, that was the time when she really began to learn about the art, the skill, the practice and what she refers to as “the light.” She started shooting on her fathers Mamiya Sekor 1000 DTL. When she studied photography in college, she used this very same camera – and continued for nearly a decade. She converted to digital in 2006, but unfortunately for her – has yet to graduate to the realm of digital SLR. So she refers to herself as the “everyman’s photographer”. She uses a camera that is in the price range that just about anyone can afford (Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9) – but still get some SLR type flexibility. With changes in pricing and technology, she is still hoping to move up to SLR this year – she yearns for that extra inch of clarity. As far as her style, she says she is motivated by light, contrast and wherever she can find it – nature, portraits, landscapes. It isn’t what she does for a living but it’s a realm of her minds sky, another way she can relate her world to others. Jangela often says that she can’t imagine a world without photographs because they allow us to touch life and motivate others to do the same. More on photography HERE.
As far as the more abstract, or “non-reporting”, style of writing that sometimes appears on PinxitLuc, it’s best to simply quote Jangela”s own words: “What I have come to realize is that I write because I am looking for something, waiting for something. Hoping someone sees something beyond the mirror in which they gaze. Writers are strange creatures. We put our hearts on display, waiting for them to be embraced and loved, fearful that someone might scorn or criticize, expecting most to not even notice. But, writers have hope and that's why we continue. We hope to have an affect either on ourselves or on others through our words. In some ways it gives certain dimensions of us their own sense of immortality. Writers are consumed with the world they occupy in their minds, and as writers we feel an innate need to share it...no matter what. While our imaginations are bound by our skulls, our thoughts are allowed to explore and play. There is such a sense of beauty in that. This is why I write, this is why I'm here. This is why I'm not ashamed, embarrassed, or afraid of what I put here. This is why I refuse to censor, refuse to edit, refuse to alter. You cannot change the words of the past, but you can reflect on them and learn from them. Most importantly, you can see how much you have grown. You can see the person you were becoming. Even now, as each word is translated from my mind to the screen, I am creating figments of my past while continuing to move forward and away from every last sentence I have written. “
If you are interested in learning about her favorite things and her bucket list, click here. Jangela has also written a personal entry about herself, available here.
