Only 20 days until I come home to Canton Ohio. Now that my England trip is finishing up, I'm motivated to look back over the past ten weeks. The past few days I've been doing lots of that, actually. Haven't been getting too much school work done, and goodness knows I have enough to do.
Although this semester has been somewhat lonely in my little room, if I could do it over again I would definitely come to England again. The curiosity of what I would have encountered and learned would have been too great to stay home. Now I know. I know what it is to be in a new situation with new people and a new milieu. I know what it's like to be disconnected from my life in Canton. I've had so much time to delve into my own mind and my own thoughts, and transform those discoveries into creative ore.
I've encountered so many new things in the worlds of art, philosophy, theology, literature, music, and history, to name a few. I've been getting into Russian classical composers more this semester than ever before. I've also learned how important peace and quiet can be for relaxed study and contemplation. In that respect, I dearly miss the quiet of my own space at home.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
68th day in England
This weekend was wonderful. Went to Bath on Saturday with the BCA group, all the other Americans studying and living in England with me. We saw the Roman Baths and the famous Pump Room from Austen's Northanger Abbey. So cool to see all the Roman structures and artifacts from the area. Although most of the structure of the Roman Baths there was built within the last several hundred years, over a millennia after the Romans packed up and left, much of the original ruins remain, including tombs, skeletons, jewelry, etc. Saw the Bath Abbey, which was pretty incredible. There was also a fantastic band called "The Zen Hussies"playing in the street. Check them out.
Yesterday went to London with my friend Alex. Although most of the most important lines on the London Underground were shut down, we made our way from Victoria to Paddington to retrieve his lost iPod, which failed, so we went over to the East side, up by Old Street, and checked out some pretty awesome art studios in the bohemian-kind-of-colony in that area. We spent a little time in the British Museum, but I'm sure I could spend a week there and not see all there is to see. Saw the Rosetta Stone- I think that was the most notable thing I saw there, other than the Assyrian reliefs of the siege of Lachish in Israel. It was really cool to see those, because I was at Lachish this summer, and I saw the earthen siege ramp the Assyrians built to capture the city, which was one of Israel's strongest fortresses at the time. The relief showed the Assyrians marching up the siege ramp and defeating the Israelites, then enslaving them. Afterwards, we stopped at Trafalgar Square just to check it out. While there, I realized that London really does seem like the capital of the world; don't get me wrong, Washington D.C. is gorgeous, its just not the magnificent city London is. I suppose several thousand more years of development in London accounts for that.
We went to a Shisha place later on called Sara Cafe by Baker Street. Unfortunately we didn't go to the Sherlock Holmes museum. Next time. Sara's was great. Had a mint tea and it reminded me of Israel- only half a year ago I was just getting used to being abroad. That was only a six-week trip, and I've already been in England nearly ten weeks.
Today I went with some friends to Tintern Abbey and Chepstow Castle. Tintern Abbey was obviously wonderful, in its inspiration to Wordsworth to write a poem comparing his current situation in life to five years before he first saw it. The title of the poem suggests he was at a good vantage point to see the River Wye wind through Tintern and past the Abbey, so he was either on the other end of the vale, but more likely, I think, he was at the site of St. Mary's on the hill behind the Abbey. We walked up there, and saw that wonderful view which is described in the title to Wordsworth's poem. The church was built in the 1860's, though a St. Mary's has been there for hundreds of years. This one burnt in the 1970s, so now, like Tintern Abbey, all that remains are the walls, and its really quite Romantic- all overgrown and forgotten, next to a wonderfully creepy graveyard.
Chepstow Castle wasn't very far away- it was one of the first stone fortifications built in Britain and one of the few stone fortifications William the Conqueror commissioned upon his claim to the English throne in 1066- the main section of this castle is still visible, which was built then. However, there have been many additions through the hundreds of years since, mainly in the 13th-15th centuries. During the English Civil War in the mid 17th century, Crowmwell's forces battered the heck out of it with cannons, so it's pretty beat up, but nonetheless fascinating.
Got home tonight to add a few things up- found out that I have two papers due in two weeks, and then I have five papers due in late January-early February. Pretty bummed about that, as I will be in my next classes by then. I'll see what I can get done during Christmas break, though I'll probably be applying to grad schools then, if I don't give up first.
So this week will be researching for my papers. Probably won't get much creative writing or editing done any time soon.
Yesterday went to London with my friend Alex. Although most of the most important lines on the London Underground were shut down, we made our way from Victoria to Paddington to retrieve his lost iPod, which failed, so we went over to the East side, up by Old Street, and checked out some pretty awesome art studios in the bohemian-kind-of-colony in that area. We spent a little time in the British Museum, but I'm sure I could spend a week there and not see all there is to see. Saw the Rosetta Stone- I think that was the most notable thing I saw there, other than the Assyrian reliefs of the siege of Lachish in Israel. It was really cool to see those, because I was at Lachish this summer, and I saw the earthen siege ramp the Assyrians built to capture the city, which was one of Israel's strongest fortresses at the time. The relief showed the Assyrians marching up the siege ramp and defeating the Israelites, then enslaving them. Afterwards, we stopped at Trafalgar Square just to check it out. While there, I realized that London really does seem like the capital of the world; don't get me wrong, Washington D.C. is gorgeous, its just not the magnificent city London is. I suppose several thousand more years of development in London accounts for that.
We went to a Shisha place later on called Sara Cafe by Baker Street. Unfortunately we didn't go to the Sherlock Holmes museum. Next time. Sara's was great. Had a mint tea and it reminded me of Israel- only half a year ago I was just getting used to being abroad. That was only a six-week trip, and I've already been in England nearly ten weeks.
Today I went with some friends to Tintern Abbey and Chepstow Castle. Tintern Abbey was obviously wonderful, in its inspiration to Wordsworth to write a poem comparing his current situation in life to five years before he first saw it. The title of the poem suggests he was at a good vantage point to see the River Wye wind through Tintern and past the Abbey, so he was either on the other end of the vale, but more likely, I think, he was at the site of St. Mary's on the hill behind the Abbey. We walked up there, and saw that wonderful view which is described in the title to Wordsworth's poem. The church was built in the 1860's, though a St. Mary's has been there for hundreds of years. This one burnt in the 1970s, so now, like Tintern Abbey, all that remains are the walls, and its really quite Romantic- all overgrown and forgotten, next to a wonderfully creepy graveyard.
Chepstow Castle wasn't very far away- it was one of the first stone fortifications built in Britain and one of the few stone fortifications William the Conqueror commissioned upon his claim to the English throne in 1066- the main section of this castle is still visible, which was built then. However, there have been many additions through the hundreds of years since, mainly in the 13th-15th centuries. During the English Civil War in the mid 17th century, Crowmwell's forces battered the heck out of it with cannons, so it's pretty beat up, but nonetheless fascinating.
Got home tonight to add a few things up- found out that I have two papers due in two weeks, and then I have five papers due in late January-early February. Pretty bummed about that, as I will be in my next classes by then. I'll see what I can get done during Christmas break, though I'll probably be applying to grad schools then, if I don't give up first.
So this week will be researching for my papers. Probably won't get much creative writing or editing done any time soon.
Monday, November 8, 2010
E+54
Well, it seems as if the party is officially over. I haven't had to do one assignment this semester, apart from copious amounts of reading. I have a small paper due thursday, about which I really don't know what I'm writing, so I guess I'll just have to see how it goes.
I went to London on Friday with a few friends, and we had a great time. We saw all the tourist attractions we wanted to see (the Tower of London, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the British Library, Buckingham Palace) besides a few that we didn't have time or energy for (St. Paul's Cathedral and the British Museum). I suppose we can always go back, while we're in the country. It was just a little sad how fleeting our moment in London was- we spent the better part of 12 hours doing our thing, but it wasn't nearly enough time to get a real feel for the city. I think I could spend weeks there and not see everything.
So, since I have been home, I've been researching this paper on the 'Captain Swing' riots in Southern England from late 1830 to earlyish 1831. Unfortunately, I am still confused about the referencing system, the paper format itself, the online journal finding system, and the turning-in-your-paper system. Literally, nothing is the same as researching is at Malone. So that's frustrating. Fortunately, by the time it's due Thursday morning, two BCA girls and I will go to a conference in Northern Ireland, in Derry. We won't be back till Sunday, so that should be a lovely little holiday, though we will be in seminars and discussions the whole weekend.
I'm still frustrated with my savage building-mates, who like to raise a hellish cacophony most nights in the courtyard outside my window, and blast their crap-pop music at all times of the day or night. Fortunately, the rules that they are supposed to follow concerning the respect of other people in this building are more like guidelines, as no one feels like enforcing them. Another example: people weren't supposed to park outside out building on the small drive that leads to our building's entrance. It took one fire drill and at least another two real fire alarms to make someone post a sign telling the idiots not to park there. And the fire brigade had to tell them that how many times before anything was done?
So, life in Cheltenham has it's ups and downs. Starbucks being closed at 6:30pm everynight certainly constitutes another 'down', for the record.
I need to eat and study. Bye.
P.S. I remember when I was in elementary school, I got in an argument with the pre-teen workaholic in my class that the spelling of the word you say to someone when ending communication with them was "b-y" instead of her goofy "b-y-e". In due time I figured out she had been right. I don't think I've talked to her since.
I went to London on Friday with a few friends, and we had a great time. We saw all the tourist attractions we wanted to see (the Tower of London, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, the British Library, Buckingham Palace) besides a few that we didn't have time or energy for (St. Paul's Cathedral and the British Museum). I suppose we can always go back, while we're in the country. It was just a little sad how fleeting our moment in London was- we spent the better part of 12 hours doing our thing, but it wasn't nearly enough time to get a real feel for the city. I think I could spend weeks there and not see everything.
So, since I have been home, I've been researching this paper on the 'Captain Swing' riots in Southern England from late 1830 to earlyish 1831. Unfortunately, I am still confused about the referencing system, the paper format itself, the online journal finding system, and the turning-in-your-paper system. Literally, nothing is the same as researching is at Malone. So that's frustrating. Fortunately, by the time it's due Thursday morning, two BCA girls and I will go to a conference in Northern Ireland, in Derry. We won't be back till Sunday, so that should be a lovely little holiday, though we will be in seminars and discussions the whole weekend.
I'm still frustrated with my savage building-mates, who like to raise a hellish cacophony most nights in the courtyard outside my window, and blast their crap-pop music at all times of the day or night. Fortunately, the rules that they are supposed to follow concerning the respect of other people in this building are more like guidelines, as no one feels like enforcing them. Another example: people weren't supposed to park outside out building on the small drive that leads to our building's entrance. It took one fire drill and at least another two real fire alarms to make someone post a sign telling the idiots not to park there. And the fire brigade had to tell them that how many times before anything was done?
So, life in Cheltenham has it's ups and downs. Starbucks being closed at 6:30pm everynight certainly constitutes another 'down', for the record.
I need to eat and study. Bye.
P.S. I remember when I was in elementary school, I got in an argument with the pre-teen workaholic in my class that the spelling of the word you say to someone when ending communication with them was "b-y" instead of her goofy "b-y-e". In due time I figured out she had been right. I don't think I've talked to her since.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
E+43
Today is the six-week mark in England, six weeks from the day we arrived. As my trip this summer was six weeks and two days, I've almost been in England as long as I was abroad this summer. This feels very different, though. The whole time I was abroad this summer all I wanted was a place to store my socks and underwear in a place that wasn't my suitcase. I naturally have had the pleasure of storing all my clothes away since the first day, so I guess thats one of the most obvious differences.
Also, I somewhat expected England to be some grand adventure; lots of traveling and epic events, things of that nature. What I have mostly done is stay in my room and read and write. I suppose I haven't made quite the solid friendships so far as I had hoped for, but things are looking up.
The good thing is that I have made a lot of progress on my writing. Last week I wrote a short story, 'Swirling Leaves in Autumn,' and I'm hoping it isn't terrible. I guess we'll see where that goes. Started brainstorming on another one, but I'm having a rough time piecing the plot together. Nothing really happens.
Among that jazz, I have doing most of my homework reading. I haven't had to submit any assignments or take any tests or quizzes, which in some ways rocks. I'm just having a hard time keeping myself accountable with reading for school and not what I want to read.
It's been getting colder. We're supposed to have decent weather this weekend: upper 60s with moderate precipitation. Not unusual for here, but we have had several really beautiful days. On most of those days I walk down to Pittville Park a few blocks away and read and think and hang out with my duck friends.
So, as I am just a few days short of being halfway through this trip, I suppose this is a good time to sum up my sentiments concerning the first half of this trip. I do miss home, especially all the fun fall things I am missing out on. I am somewhat bummed that by the time I get home there will be 2-3 months of solid winter ahead. Being here has really increased my appreciation for home; not only Canton itself, but what makes Canton home to me: the ability to go to Starbucks past 6pm (that's right, they close right after dinner- what a rip-off), my room, where I can run away from stupid people and their obnoxious gangster rap thumping through the walls, my wonderful family, good friends, all good things and people of that sort.
I don't mean to demean the quality of my stay here. It's just been very different. It has been a great learning experience, and it's great to reflect on my time here to better understand myself.
It also, obviously, has been the ideal setting for me to learn about everything British. I've learned so much already, and I know I will take my experience and knowledge gained in Cheltenham with me wherever I go in my life.
On the traveling subject, I did go to Stratford-Upon-Avon last weekend with three other BCA (American) students and a host of other international students. We saw Shakespeare's birthplace/adult home and his church where he was baptized, married, and buried, which contains his and his immediate family's graves. We had lunch twice (my favorite) in Stratford and saw lots of other nifty little things, including an original First Folio printing.
Two other Americans and I just planned a trip to London, so I'm glad I'll finally be able to go check out all the good tourist sites.
That's about all I have this morning. I have to read about the decline of the Liberal Party in 1900-1939 for class. Fun.
Also, I somewhat expected England to be some grand adventure; lots of traveling and epic events, things of that nature. What I have mostly done is stay in my room and read and write. I suppose I haven't made quite the solid friendships so far as I had hoped for, but things are looking up.
The good thing is that I have made a lot of progress on my writing. Last week I wrote a short story, 'Swirling Leaves in Autumn,' and I'm hoping it isn't terrible. I guess we'll see where that goes. Started brainstorming on another one, but I'm having a rough time piecing the plot together. Nothing really happens.
Among that jazz, I have doing most of my homework reading. I haven't had to submit any assignments or take any tests or quizzes, which in some ways rocks. I'm just having a hard time keeping myself accountable with reading for school and not what I want to read.
It's been getting colder. We're supposed to have decent weather this weekend: upper 60s with moderate precipitation. Not unusual for here, but we have had several really beautiful days. On most of those days I walk down to Pittville Park a few blocks away and read and think and hang out with my duck friends.
So, as I am just a few days short of being halfway through this trip, I suppose this is a good time to sum up my sentiments concerning the first half of this trip. I do miss home, especially all the fun fall things I am missing out on. I am somewhat bummed that by the time I get home there will be 2-3 months of solid winter ahead. Being here has really increased my appreciation for home; not only Canton itself, but what makes Canton home to me: the ability to go to Starbucks past 6pm (that's right, they close right after dinner- what a rip-off), my room, where I can run away from stupid people and their obnoxious gangster rap thumping through the walls, my wonderful family, good friends, all good things and people of that sort.
I don't mean to demean the quality of my stay here. It's just been very different. It has been a great learning experience, and it's great to reflect on my time here to better understand myself.
It also, obviously, has been the ideal setting for me to learn about everything British. I've learned so much already, and I know I will take my experience and knowledge gained in Cheltenham with me wherever I go in my life.
On the traveling subject, I did go to Stratford-Upon-Avon last weekend with three other BCA (American) students and a host of other international students. We saw Shakespeare's birthplace/adult home and his church where he was baptized, married, and buried, which contains his and his immediate family's graves. We had lunch twice (my favorite) in Stratford and saw lots of other nifty little things, including an original First Folio printing.
Two other Americans and I just planned a trip to London, so I'm glad I'll finally be able to go check out all the good tourist sites.
That's about all I have this morning. I have to read about the decline of the Liberal Party in 1900-1939 for class. Fun.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Welcome, October. E+16
Well, just woke up to find that it is raining outside, and is really quite windy. Shortly after, I had a brilliant thought: as I don't have class today, or really anything better to do, I think I'll stay home today! I think it sounds brilliant anyways...
So I may as well try to relate the events of the past week as best I can. It's my fault for not writing for so long, I know. This past weekend the entire BCA group (all of the Americans that came here together, about 30, including myself) went on a trip to Cornwall, which was organized by Denise and Sandy, our wonderful program director and assistant program director, respectively.
We left last Friday morning, and rode on a bus first to Lanhydrock Hotel, which was rather pish-posh, was the site of our exquisite lunch, and was where we saw a man with purple golfing pants. Then we rode to Lanhydrock, a late Victorian Country House, which included some fantastic gardens as well.
Also, there was a plaque to the right of the flagpole above that explained how the lost fabled land of Lyonesse existed (in legend) between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, barely visible from Land's End. It was supposedly swalled in the sea around six hundred years ago, and fishermen still say they can see the houses' rooftops under the waves on calm days, and that they get doors and windows in their nets every so often. So I am trying to figure out what interesting way I can incorporate that legend in my book.
Then went to St. Ives, a picturesque tourist town which was on the way back to our hostel. There I ate a famous Cornish pasty, and at a different shop the famous Cornish tea and clotted cream. Needless to say, I have excellent taste in taste, built up from years of experience in the field, and I have no qualms with praising both delicious treats for their tastiness, originality, and tastiness.
Then we went to our hostel at Newquay for the night. Max, Alex and I then proceeded to climb the cliffs by the sea. I got yelled at by a security guard so I stopped climbing one large, slippery cliff. The three of us then decided to hop in; its possible that I have never been as cold as I was then, swimming in the sea there. Its like I always say: If you're going to do something really stupid and somewhat dangerous, you may as well do it with your friends.
The next morning, Sunday, we visited the Eden Project, which was a china-clay mine for the majority of the past century. Some people bought it and transformed it from a hideous pit to an amazing display of ecological conservation and progress.
Then we went home. I had my first classes this week. All of my "tutors" seem pretty good, and the classmates I have met seem pretty cool as well.
Alright, I've just spent over an hour on this post, and I am absolutely starving. I'm realllllly hoping this post will format right, because I am not doing this all over.
So I may as well try to relate the events of the past week as best I can. It's my fault for not writing for so long, I know. This past weekend the entire BCA group (all of the Americans that came here together, about 30, including myself) went on a trip to Cornwall, which was organized by Denise and Sandy, our wonderful program director and assistant program director, respectively.
We left last Friday morning, and rode on a bus first to Lanhydrock Hotel, which was rather pish-posh, was the site of our exquisite lunch, and was where we saw a man with purple golfing pants. Then we rode to Lanhydrock, a late Victorian Country House, which included some fantastic gardens as well.
Also, there was a plaque to the right of the flagpole above that explained how the lost fabled land of Lyonesse existed (in legend) between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, barely visible from Land's End. It was supposedly swalled in the sea around six hundred years ago, and fishermen still say they can see the houses' rooftops under the waves on calm days, and that they get doors and windows in their nets every so often. So I am trying to figure out what interesting way I can incorporate that legend in my book.
Then went to St. Ives, a picturesque tourist town which was on the way back to our hostel. There I ate a famous Cornish pasty, and at a different shop the famous Cornish tea and clotted cream. Needless to say, I have excellent taste in taste, built up from years of experience in the field, and I have no qualms with praising both delicious treats for their tastiness, originality, and tastiness.
Then we went to our hostel at Newquay for the night. Max, Alex and I then proceeded to climb the cliffs by the sea. I got yelled at by a security guard so I stopped climbing one large, slippery cliff. The three of us then decided to hop in; its possible that I have never been as cold as I was then, swimming in the sea there. Its like I always say: If you're going to do something really stupid and somewhat dangerous, you may as well do it with your friends.
The next morning, Sunday, we visited the Eden Project, which was a china-clay mine for the majority of the past century. Some people bought it and transformed it from a hideous pit to an amazing display of ecological conservation and progress.
Then we went home. I had my first classes this week. All of my "tutors" seem pretty good, and the classmates I have met seem pretty cool as well.
Alright, I've just spent over an hour on this post, and I am absolutely starving. I'm realllllly hoping this post will format right, because I am not doing this all over.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
E+8
If I've ever made a mistake over and over again in this life, it has been allowing my preconceived notions of the world to shape my thoughts and behavior. I came to England expecting some highly Romanticized world to unfold before me, and now that I have been here a full week I have found that such a world does not, in fact, exist, and though I thought I had destroyed that Romanticized imaginary Cheltenham when I initially decided to stay home several weeks ago, the world lives on, and continues to take precedent over my reality.
So, as my reality has been increasingly poignant in the past several days, I feel myself jolted out of that preconceived notion of my future, and rather in a very foreign milieu, one that could take weeks getting used to. The secularism of this country is partially to credit for a sense of apprehension I have been feeling lately, and not on a small scale, but something I think can be attributed to the collective conscience of the masses. I don't feel at home, yet. I hope that soon, probably coinciding with the beginning of my classes on Tuesday, that I can get in the groove and become more comfortable in my time and place.
Wondering what would happen in the United States abandons religion like Europe did. I'll think about that more and probably write about it later.
Monday, September 20, 2010
E+5
Fifth day in England. Already past the shock and awe of being in England. Everyone is getting settled in quite nicely. Freshers (Freshmen) moved in to our building yesterday, so that certainly adds much more to the cultural landscape of Regency Hall. There are 30 of us Americans in Regency and 69 British students all told, and we are really only getting started to know them. However, we've met lots more of the locals throughout town in our various escapades the past five days. Everything is seeming more realistic now; the Romantic notion of this semester seems to be slowly filtering out of my brain at least, and as I can see, most other American brains in the BCA program anyways.
The culture I am experiencing is truly amazing. Not that I agree with everything (like I ever would anywhere, even in the States) in English culture, but it is just so great to be able to experience everything here. Also, within our BCA group and on my flat there are people from elsewhere in Europe and Africa, and that is creating a stimulating many-sided cultural shape in my daily thoughts and conversations. At any time, I can talk to someone from any range of heritages. It's wonderful.
The culture I am experiencing is truly amazing. Not that I agree with everything (like I ever would anywhere, even in the States) in English culture, but it is just so great to be able to experience everything here. Also, within our BCA group and on my flat there are people from elsewhere in Europe and Africa, and that is creating a stimulating many-sided cultural shape in my daily thoughts and conversations. At any time, I can talk to someone from any range of heritages. It's wonderful.
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