My First English "Blizzard"
Friday, January 18, 2013
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Book Review: Sold
“In the evening, the brilliant yellow pumpkin blossoms will close, drunk on sunshine, while the milky white jasmine will open their slender throats and sip the chill Himalayan air.
At night, low hearths will send up wispy curls of smoke fragrant with a dozen dinners, and darkness will clothe the land.
Except on nights when the moon is full. On those nights, the hillside and the valley below are bathed in a magical white light, the glow of the perpetual snows that blanket the mountaintops. On those nights I lie restless in the sleeping loft, wondering what the world is like beyond my mountain home.”
From Sold By Patricia McCormick
Sold by Patricia McCormick
Course: Writing for Children and Young People
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Picture of the Day
Post Critical Theory Essay Submission Celebration
Perfectly timed with the first snowfall of the winter!
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Getting a Little Creative
"'Ten good lines out of four hundred, Emily—comparatively good, that is—and all the rest balderdash—balderdash, Emily.'
'I—suppose so,' said Emily faintly.
Her eyes brimmed with tears—her lips quivered. She could not help it. Pride was hopelessly submerged in the bitterness of her disappointment. She felt exactly like a candle that somebody had blown out.
'What are you crying for?' demanded Mr. Carpenter.
Emily blinked away tears and tried to laugh.
'I—I'm sorry—you think it's no good—' she said.
Mr. Carpenter gave the desk a mighty thump.
'No good! Didn't I tell you there were ten good lines? Jade, for ten righteous men Sodom had been spared.'
'Do you mean—that—after all—' The candle was being relighted again.
'Of course, I mean. If at thirteen you can write ten good lines, at twenty you'll write ten times ten—if the gods are kind. Stop messing over months, though—and don't imagine you're a genius, either, if you have written ten decent lines. I think there's something trying to speak through you—but you'll have to make yourself a fit instrument for it. You've got to work hard and sacrifice—by gad, girl, you've chosen a jealous goddess. And she never lets her votaries go—not even when she shuts her ears forever to their plea.'"
From Emily of New Moon By L.M. Montgomery
It's been a while since I've posted because I've been overwhelmed with my academic writing (the reason I'm in the UK in the first place, so I figure I should spend at least a little time on it.) I figured - might as well share some of this writing with my blog peeps. Now, don't get frightened. I'm not going to post my 5,600 word Critical Theory essay. While the title - "The Seductive Exchange Between the Subject and the Object in the Modern Self" - might sound risque, to be honest it's a lot of philosophy and most people don't find that sexy.
Instead I'm going to share a little piece I whipped up today for my Spring semester course - Seven Basic Plots. It's rough, of course (I mean, I started it today, finished it today, and haven't had any of my writing friends give me feedback) but I kinda like it, and I hope you do too!
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Picture of the Day
My reward for finishing my Critical Theory Essay
This reminds me of going to the Seven-Eleven at Alma in the middle of the night for a snack!
It also goes against my renewed attempt to eat healthier - but seriously, I deserve it after nearly killing myself writing the essay
Friday, January 11, 2013
Picture of the Day
I'm trying to eat more healthy
Doesn't it look lovely and colorful?
Grandma Bleed would be so proud with having at least 3 colors on my plate!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Picture of the Day
New Library Cafe
If the last few pictures aren't enough of a clue, I'm currently spending all my time in the library!
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Monday, January 7, 2013
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Picture of the Day
Dinner
I know, it looks weird, I'm just so excited to have good peanut butter from America that I had to have my two favorite PB snack.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Friday, January 4, 2013
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Fireworks!
A snippet of my New Year's Eve!
(Don't put it in full screen, the quality is better when small!)
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Firsts in my First Term
"'After all,' Anne had said to Marilla once, 'I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.'"
From Anne of Avonlea By L.M. Montgomery
Top 10
(in no particular order)
- Watching New Years Eve fireworks over the Themes in London
- Mulled Wine (yummy)
- Reading (and Potentially Understanding) German Philosophy
- Christmas in a Medieval Gothic Cathedral
- Mince Pie (yucky)
- Ordering a Cab
- Christmas without my Family
- Conversation with Someone on Their First Day out of Jail
- Weekend Trip to a Foreign Country
- Pulling a Christmas Cracker
Can't wait to see what the New Year brings!
Happy 2013
P.S. My mother was upset to see #7 because she thought I was happy to not be with them for Christmas. However, this list is of first - not always good - from this term. I don't want anyone thinking that I stayed in the UK over break because I didn't want to see the fam!
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)