The End is Near

Well, this week has proven to be a slower week for me. So far, I have mainly worked in the search room transcribing oral histories. The few that I've worked on this week have been more solemn than last week and they have gotten harder to transcribe. Whereas last week's interviewees tended to speak at a slower pace, this week I have a lot of fast talkers who add in unnecessary words. I can say one thing for sure, I am hyper aware of the way I am talking. I will hear myself start running every thought together with the word 'and' or notice myself cutting a thought short to move on to another.

Slowly but surely, though, the oral histories are starting to be transcribed and will prove very helpful for future research into the social history of New Lanark. In addition, I have found that my typing skills are improving a bit.

On Monday, the Brick City exhibition was installed, so now I begin working with the volunteers. Wednesday, I spent the afternoon in the exhibition space and was amazed at some of the pieces. The largest piece, a model of Saint Pancras Station in London, is absolutely incredible. I thought it was quite funny, though, that there were a number of landmarks and scenes from the United States. For example, the Lincoln Memorial, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Marilyn Monroe's iconic grate scene.

Working in the exhibition was both fun and heart stopping. Since the largest piece is too large for a case, it is in the open and must be monitored at all times. Over the course of 3 hours, I had one boy knock a train off the rail and a little girl grab a figurine off of the platform. Children were also very quick to ignore the ropes and climb over and under. For a volunteer, this is terrifying because of the massive effort that the artist put into the piece.

Anyway, I will be spending a great deal of time in the exhibition over the course of the next 4 days. Today, though, I am heading off early to get in some last minute walking around Lanark. Just 6 more days of work and then I will be boarding a plane, heading back to the states! I am both elated and saddened by this fact, but I can't wait to see what experiences I have in my last days at New Lanark!