Waiting for New Years fireworks
(we stood for six hours, but it's worth it.)
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Picture of the Day
What do I do on my first day in London?
Yep, go to a museum - two in fact.
Victoria & Albert Museum (pictured above) and The National Army Museum
I embrace the geek
Friday, December 28, 2012
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
An English Christmas
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’”
From the Holy Bible (Luke 2:8-14)
After three trains,
two buses, and seven hours I made it from Coventry, Warwickshire to Wells, Somerset.
How I miss having a car! By that transport it would have only taken two hours
and thirty minutes. Ah, well, nothing to be done about it!
Wells is a small
cathedral city situated in the southwest(ish) region of England and the home of
my friend Katherine’s mum. Being family-less for the holidays (by choice, I can
thinking of many better ways to spend a thousand dollars than a single round
trip plane ticket) Katherine kindly invited me to spend Christmas with her, her
mum, Vesta, and D’Artagnan (the last two
are cats, don’t worry).
Having been starved
of my usual banquet of Christmas music due to lack of access to my Christmas
CDs (I only had time to download one onto my new computer) and limited accessibility
to Pandora (don’t ask) I was brimming with excitement to listen to and sing
with the choir. Because of this famine I checked out the Cathedral website and
planned my Christmas musical endeavors with zeal. On my first evening we went
to a candlelight concert in the Cathedral. Apparently being in a Cathedral
Choir is a big deal…who knew? Because of this the music exceeded my
expectations and the atmosphere put me even deeper into the Christmas spirit.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Picture of the Day
Katherine's mum's long, narrow house
(So pretty much a traditional British residence)
Friday, December 21, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Two Words: Critical Theory *Shudder*
"'Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there? But am I talking too much? People are always telling me I do. Would you rather I didn't talk? If you say so I'll stop. I can STOP when I make up my mind to it, although it's difficult.'"
From Anne of Green Gables By L.M. Montgomery
There are two words which cause every literature student (well, every normal literature student) to shudder in horror: Critical Theory. We all know that we must critically engage with a text and we know that there are many theories from which to view a text but an entire module with that specific purpose is one of the most horrific experiences any of us must endure. Really crazy literature students voluntarily do an entire MA focusing on theory...we don't talk about them.
Sifting through my module options this summer I settled on "Aesthetics and Modernity I: The Question of Experience" for my Critical Theory course. If you're asking yourself - 'what does that even mean?' - it's okay. I'm still asking myself that question and I had the module for ten weeks.
Picture of the Day
Can't have a tree at home so I'll make due with the big one in University House
However, if I'd been in charge of decorating it, it wouldn't look so sad.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Picture of the Day
My Christmas Package
I'm so blessed to have people back home who care enough to want to include gifts and cards in my Christmas package. Thank you all, it makes me feel so special and loved!
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
Picture of the Day
Is it sad I'm spending more time in the Library over Christmas break than I did during term?
Does that mean I didn't do enough work then, or I'm doing too much work now?
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Book Review: The Knife of Never Letting Go
"'Here's what I think,' I say and my voice is stronger and thoughts are coming, thoughts that trickle into my noise like whispers of truth. 'I think maybe everybody falls,' I say. 'I think maybe we all do. And I don't think that's the asking.'
I pull on her arms gently to make sure she's listening.
'I think the asking is whether we get back up again.'"
From The Knife of Never Letting Go By Patrick Ness
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Course: Writing for Children and Young People
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
A Roman Holiday
“See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories. Ask for no guarantees, ask for no security.”
From Fahrenheit 451 By Ray Bradbury
First, let me apologize to my readers for not writing about my adventures in Rome sooner. It’s been a crazy/busy last week of term and I just haven’t had the time to do my trip justice. Hope it’s worth the wait!
There’s something crazy to an American about going to Rome for the weekend. It’s like a Minnesotan going to Chicago; fun, but no big deal! I was extremely excited to visit my friend Lyssa who was studying in Rome for the fall semester. We’d planned on my visit before we left Minnesota in September.
However, I was worried I’d not make it due to an error with my visa expiration date. Due to that (I really felt that having my visa expire January 2013 instead of 2014 just wouldn't work for my…) I had to send my passport to the Home Office for a new visa. They claimed that it would only take three weeks. Being a government agency I didn't want to bet on that and book a ticket only to waste my money because I couldn't leave the country!
Monday, December 10, 2012
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
Picture of the Day
Apparently the Brits associate Christmas with Carousals, they are everywhere right now!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Picture of the Day
Allison & I took a little trip up to Birmingham's German Christmas Market
She bought presents, I bought yummy treats, we both had a good time.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Picture of the Day
The place for end of term celebrations!
I don't know why we go here, the foods not good and the drinks are expensive...
Monday, December 3, 2012
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Picture of the Day
Ostia Antica
I couldn't capture the place in my photos. It's amazing.
On top of being an entire excavated Roman town - we could climb on everything
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Picture of the Day
I'm not only becoming a more complex thinker, I'm becoming a more complex knitter!
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Picture of the Day
This Week's Goal:
Make it Through Thanksgiving Leftovers Before They Go Bad.
Chances of Success: Doubtful
Attitude: Hopeful
Monday, November 26, 2012
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Picture of the Day
Cutting the Turkey
(I finally figured it out after making the first bits look like meat cubes)
Thanksgiving
"'Why did you do all this for me?' he asked. 'I don't deserve it. I've never done anything for you.'
'You have been my friend,' replied Charlotte. 'That in itself is a tremendous thing.'"
From Charlotte's Web By E.B. White
Thanksgiving. Only in America (well, North America, you gotta count Canada) would we have a holiday which we give thanks for the ability to overeat. Yet unlike so many American holidays Thanksgiving has retained most of its original intent: coming together and giving thanks for the bounty God has given us.
I have spend several Thanksgivings away from home. This year was my second Thanksgiving in the UK. Last time I only celebrated with my flatmates. This time I wanted to do it up right. With that thought in mind I went all out in an attempt to create a true American Thanksgiving.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Friday, November 23, 2012
Thursday, November 22, 2012
A Day Trip? To London?
"'I am well in body although considerably rumpled up in spirit, thank you, ma'am,' said Anne gravely. Then aside to Marilla in an audible whisper, 'There wasn't anything startling in that, was there, Marilla?'"
From Anne of Green Gables By L.M. Montgomery
Overall I've been amazed this year with the number of people from home who are study or visiting Europe while I'm over here - completely unrelated to my presence in the UK. Some I'll see, other I won't. When given the chance I plan on seeing as many of them as I can.
This week I got the opportunity to see a friend from home. Katie, a student who graduated from the school I worked at in Minnesota, is studying in Jerusalem and decided to come to the UK as part of her study break. She was one of my favorite students and I was excited to get an opportunity to see her. To do so, however, I needed to travel down to London for a day. After frantic Facebook messaging, with a sporadic internet connection on her end, we finally set a place and time for our meeting. I booked a bus ticket. People looked at me like I was crazy. They couldn't believe I would take a three hour bus ride to go to London for a day. It didn't seem like a bad idea at the time. If I wanted to see Katie I could either take the train or the bus. Considering that round trip the bus cost £14 and the train cost £75 - I was taking the bus!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
Picture of the Day
Lunch with some of my Writing for YA peeps before class!
(Lorna, Jenny, Shadia, Amelia, Katherine, Emily, & Victor)
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Picture of the Day
Grilled Cheese Sandwich - Grown-up Style
I found an amazing recipe that called for brie and cranberry sauce - delicious!
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Picture of the Day
My philosophical thought of the week: I'm living in a Platonic Cave...
(bonus points if you figure out what mumbo-jumbo I'm spouting)
Friday, November 16, 2012
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Doors
“Have you ever heard the wonderful silence just before the dawn? Or the quiet and calm just as a storm ends? Or perhaps you know the silence when you haven't the answer to a question you've been asked, or the hush of a country road at night, or the expectant pause of a room full of people when someone is just about to speak, or, most beautiful of all, the moment after the door closes and you're alone in the whole house? Each one is different, you know, and all very beautiful if you listen carefully.”
From The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
My housing situation is better than I expected. I don't have any partying flatmates and everyone is extremely considerate of each other and our shared space. Some of us have even gone out and done things together. Overall, I'm very blessed. We are all so busy. There are days when I don't see a soul.
Yet, I know they are there because of the doors.
Picture of the Day
First Sporting Event Attended this Year
I'm official a Uni student
One of Anni's flatmates was on the team (not pictured)
Warwick lost :-(
Book Review: Stoneheart
“Everything is funny from some angle, I assure you it is. It's just a matter of where you're standing.”
From Stoneheart By Charlie Fletcher
Stoneheart by Charlie Fletcher
Course: Writing for Children and Young People
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