bring may flowers? Well actually it is essentially summer here when the sun is shiny and then it does the "cold rain thing" and it feels like the end of February. I was headed for the gym but it is so gross out and better yet, no signs of clearing up. So I will continue with the sociology paper and prepare for a "busy" day tomorrow. By that I mean class at 10, lunch with a friend, the gym, a lecture, dinner and a boat party. Yes boat party. Then the paper gets turned in on Thursday afternoon and the rest of the week is all about studying. Lots of review, beginning to sift through the PILES of information I've covered this year. Talk about a reality check.
I have books galore, and well generally life is going to consist of them until the end of time. Aside from that, I've managed to find time to visit with friends and do some other fun things. I hope that I'll have some summer news to share in the next week or so here. Fingers are crossed. Got some pictures as well, less than Italy so they'll be up a little sooner...just London in spring which is absolutely breathtaking.
Cheers
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Caught in the hail
While I left today to go read for the afternoon in the LRoB and of course the sky had been beautiful in the morning and then, well, not so nice as I was leaving and in typical me mindset I didn't double back and get the umbrella. Duh. So I got caught in a downpour and then hail. Yes little chunks of ice, London, and in April. Brilliant.
Had a conversation with the gentlemen who was under the same overhang about the joys of English weather and continued on my way.
I also bought a book for a class, because I want to read the whole 600 pages and I'm only 100 in and it's a 24 hour set text which means I need (every day) to go to the library and check out a new copy so it won't rack up the fines.
What else? Oh the weather turned out to be beautiful. Got out books for an annoying and awful paper I've got to write. Ugggg, this sucks. Hates hates hates. Learning good, homework bad!!!! Sociology paper, empirical data....ewwwww, I cry. Anyway back to it. Still working on Italy, hopefully sometime this year. Sigh*
Had a conversation with the gentlemen who was under the same overhang about the joys of English weather and continued on my way.
I also bought a book for a class, because I want to read the whole 600 pages and I'm only 100 in and it's a 24 hour set text which means I need (every day) to go to the library and check out a new copy so it won't rack up the fines.
What else? Oh the weather turned out to be beautiful. Got out books for an annoying and awful paper I've got to write. Ugggg, this sucks. Hates hates hates. Learning good, homework bad!!!! Sociology paper, empirical data....ewwwww, I cry. Anyway back to it. Still working on Italy, hopefully sometime this year. Sigh*
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Home sweet home
Home is good. Home is where the heart is. This vacation has been really truly quite intense. I've been doing applications, and also of course visiting and catching up with lots of people. Eventually, I will be making my way back across the fish pond to die in the process of exams. Great, just freakin' awesome.
Life at home goes on while you're not there...and the real trick is being at peace with developments you experience and not letting the ones you don't bother you.
I get 2-4 months of so called "me time" and then it's back to the insanity of life here. I swear it is really interesting how hte "workcoholic" America gets to me, England doesn't have it and to be honest that is truly refreshing.
Anyway, last day here, I'm on a plane tomorrow night, England bound :)
Italian pictures are plentiful and I'm having such trouble deciding which ones I want to use on the blog so please do check back in about a week. Maybe by then they will be up.
Life at home goes on while you're not there...and the real trick is being at peace with developments you experience and not letting the ones you don't bother you.
I get 2-4 months of so called "me time" and then it's back to the insanity of life here. I swear it is really interesting how hte "workcoholic" America gets to me, England doesn't have it and to be honest that is truly refreshing.
Anyway, last day here, I'm on a plane tomorrow night, England bound :)
Italian pictures are plentiful and I'm having such trouble deciding which ones I want to use on the blog so please do check back in about a week. Maybe by then they will be up.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Denmark!
Okay so. I arrived best I can remember, back from Paris. Paris was awesome. I got to the Paris Nord station and then of course, missed my train. Got upgraded to first class, on the way back on the next train. Pretty sweet. Then at burger king getting fries, I got a weird look and nice comment "those are euros" from the cashier guy when he saw; I mixed the two currencies. Forty eight hours later I was headed for Stansted airport on my way to Denmark.
After my rushed trip to Germany, I left plenty of time to get to the airport etc. I started the Dark Materials series, and was absorbed in that for a while. Eventually in line to check-in, I was about two people from the front of the line trying to eavesdrop on the Danish speakers behind me (no easy task I tell you) until "Axis of Evil" was said in perfect English. I had been reaching in my pocket for the passport and I took it out again empty handed. Nope, not going to do that now. It was sort of amusing because they were laughing, but I was still not terribly convinced I wanted to identify myself.
I had no issues getting there and it was wonderful to land and be in a car again; on the right side of the road. My aunt (stepmom's sister), and her oldest (of four) met me at the airport. The next day we went up to northwest Denmark to pick up her son at his dad's (and we had lunch with the dad's parents). They were really nice, but it was all Danish, so I studied Danish language in written form assessing how much I could figure out. It wasn't much, but it was fun. We picked up the boyfriend of the 22 year old daughter and brought him back to the area (the two oldest daugthers, Anna and Marlana share apartments with their boyfriends but they live near mom).
I was really tired so I did doze in the car. The next day (Friday), we had brunch at Anna's with all kids and the three boyfriends of the three daughters. Lots of fun. Then we planned a trip out to Copenhagan. However on Saturday, we were snowed out and had a lazy relaxing day in, with a trip to the museum at dinner at Marlana's on Saturday. Sunday was Easter...and we had a nice relaxing meal and chocolate hounding in the morning...followed by a nice walk in the blistering cold wind...and finally a nap and visiting. I left bright and early Monday to head back and prepare to leave on Wedneday for Italy. It was great to just visit family, go to another country and it's going to be kind of amazing if I get to go back and go to Copenhagan this time.
And pictures!!! (Paris ones were posted yesterday fyi).
Beautiful Danish buildings....everywhere...this one is on the way to Northwestern Denmark on Friday.
After my rushed trip to Germany, I left plenty of time to get to the airport etc. I started the Dark Materials series, and was absorbed in that for a while. Eventually in line to check-in, I was about two people from the front of the line trying to eavesdrop on the Danish speakers behind me (no easy task I tell you) until "Axis of Evil" was said in perfect English. I had been reaching in my pocket for the passport and I took it out again empty handed. Nope, not going to do that now. It was sort of amusing because they were laughing, but I was still not terribly convinced I wanted to identify myself.
I had no issues getting there and it was wonderful to land and be in a car again; on the right side of the road. My aunt (stepmom's sister), and her oldest (of four) met me at the airport. The next day we went up to northwest Denmark to pick up her son at his dad's (and we had lunch with the dad's parents). They were really nice, but it was all Danish, so I studied Danish language in written form assessing how much I could figure out. It wasn't much, but it was fun. We picked up the boyfriend of the 22 year old daughter and brought him back to the area (the two oldest daugthers, Anna and Marlana share apartments with their boyfriends but they live near mom).
I was really tired so I did doze in the car. The next day (Friday), we had brunch at Anna's with all kids and the three boyfriends of the three daughters. Lots of fun. Then we planned a trip out to Copenhagan. However on Saturday, we were snowed out and had a lazy relaxing day in, with a trip to the museum at dinner at Marlana's on Saturday. Sunday was Easter...and we had a nice relaxing meal and chocolate hounding in the morning...followed by a nice walk in the blistering cold wind...and finally a nap and visiting. I left bright and early Monday to head back and prepare to leave on Wedneday for Italy. It was great to just visit family, go to another country and it's going to be kind of amazing if I get to go back and go to Copenhagan this time.
And pictures!!! (Paris ones were posted yesterday fyi).
Beautiful Danish buildings....everywhere...this one is on the way to Northwestern Denmark on Friday.
Windmills everywhere....so lovely...
The beautiful landscape was so refreshing after ten weeks in London....even though I do love the city
In the fishing village....very Danish..
And it was snowing, cold as hell!
However the snow made for a lovely countryside.
And even though our trip to Copenhagen was postponed until later (maybe years who knows), we went to an art gallery in Aarhus, very laid back afternoon.
Art gallery.
and cool staircase inside. I was not supposed to take pictures, but oh well. nobody will know...that matters anyway.
Over at Marlana's eating dinner, smile anna :)
Family time....
Easter table setting...
Preparations continue...
Listening to wrap and Lucas who has all words memorized...
A bunny will "die" shortly....
Reaching for the traditional bowls of Easter yummy....
Taking pictures of picture takers....
A blustery walk on Easter Sunday, coooold, but fun..
Kick that snowball!
AWwwwwwwww.........
Nice apartments where some of the family lives...
More walking, note how bundled up we were...I was not quite so much soo...but I did borrow necessary scarves etc.
Being hounded by multiple cameras, three to be exact, save me!
Anna and I having filled up on Easter munchies.
Pernille and myself on the morning I was headed out.
And aunt Barbara, who hosted me so kindly.
Denmark rocked. And I hope to go back....soon to see Copenhagen.
Pictures from Paris Day 2
Alright, yes yes. I have been terrible about posting. Again, I do know that. I am currently at Middlebury taking care of things so to speak. I.E. paperwork, and then of course seeing many friends. However, here's a new realization...this is hard. Being at Middlebury is weird and amazing. Clearly I've missed much, and I totally am having a blast visiting. On the otherhand, I somehow miss England and the simplicity of it.
I say that knowing that I've been homesick...but no offense to Midd kids, they've got lots of shit going on; I am not always a fan. Just sayin' I'm tired.
So, I love, and I hate. Love hate relationship, there is a reason that is an expression. Anyway, random vague ramblings, essentially it has been rainy up here, lots. Yesterday was visiting, seeing people everywhere!! I saw my advisor, she agreed to supervise independent work next year, horray! I went to an amazing talk today, public diplomacy and challenges to European power. I felt so smart, all the topics were ones that I am intimately familiar with and I chatted with the speaker afterwards and I think he thinks I"m smart and know my shit, that's right bitch! I know my shitttt....oh yes I do. I feel relaxed, confident, assured and completely brilliant (until I write LSE papers and then I feel stupid again). Later today I went and chatted with more people, and then pho in Burlington which was amazing and I"m soooo full and I had so much coffee I will be up until the end of time. Now I am clearly updating...and I'm tired. Tomorrow, more friends, some studying and then of course some more applications.
Sunday, some more Middlebury stuff, extra visiting and wow. I think I'll be so tired of seeing people and yet it's so familiar here. I talked to my former dean today on the phone...he's such a wise soul and I can't wait until he's back on campus as a professor next year because visiting with him will make me so happy.
Now that I've rambled on and on about nothing...pictures from Paris. Hopefully Denmark ones will go up this weekend as well. Italy will take FOREVER!!!!!!! and EVER!!! and EVER!!!!!!!
Note about Paris photos...first ones are from the first night and the first day (that go with the ones posted before). Just realized that, mosque and gardens.
Girls clowning around.....
I say that knowing that I've been homesick...but no offense to Midd kids, they've got lots of shit going on; I am not always a fan. Just sayin' I'm tired.
So, I love, and I hate. Love hate relationship, there is a reason that is an expression. Anyway, random vague ramblings, essentially it has been rainy up here, lots. Yesterday was visiting, seeing people everywhere!! I saw my advisor, she agreed to supervise independent work next year, horray! I went to an amazing talk today, public diplomacy and challenges to European power. I felt so smart, all the topics were ones that I am intimately familiar with and I chatted with the speaker afterwards and I think he thinks I"m smart and know my shit, that's right bitch! I know my shitttt....oh yes I do. I feel relaxed, confident, assured and completely brilliant (until I write LSE papers and then I feel stupid again). Later today I went and chatted with more people, and then pho in Burlington which was amazing and I"m soooo full and I had so much coffee I will be up until the end of time. Now I am clearly updating...and I'm tired. Tomorrow, more friends, some studying and then of course some more applications.
Sunday, some more Middlebury stuff, extra visiting and wow. I think I'll be so tired of seeing people and yet it's so familiar here. I talked to my former dean today on the phone...he's such a wise soul and I can't wait until he's back on campus as a professor next year because visiting with him will make me so happy.
Now that I've rambled on and on about nothing...pictures from Paris. Hopefully Denmark ones will go up this weekend as well. Italy will take FOREVER!!!!!!! and EVER!!! and EVER!!!!!!!
Note about Paris photos...first ones are from the first night and the first day (that go with the ones posted before). Just realized that, mosque and gardens.
Girls clowning around.....
Model in the making...
Oh please....
View from Tessa's...
Okay, now day 2: The smaller pictures were taken by Tessa (PS).
The random beautiful sights in Paris...
and Sam and I got through this in English together, kind of
The book, childhood favorite, and I find this in Paris...about Paris....
Restaurant-like...delicious crepes
The streets of Paris...
cuteness...
Love the stairs....
At the bottom of the steps...held hostage by Paris
and poses!
And I honestly....don't remember what was so important for the dual shot. I think it was a mini-theatre on someone's balcony actually. Sam?
The view just got better, as we went up and up
The Paris native....:)
The bending streets of Paris...
And on to the Sacre Cour...
Tessa caught me in a pensive moment...
The ultimate facebook profile picture....or Paris one....I bought the hat there, but now the English give me funny looks. Essentially I don't wear French Hat in Britain. Fashion goof like whoa.
Peek-a-boo!
Okay, finally a semi serious picture
sky line from the sacre cour....
Fiddler....totally atmospheric...
Tessa, pensive...
The girls at the Sacre Cour...
Still heading down....love the benches...
Ready pose!
Sam....always up for pictures
Paris....the place to be. Midd kids rock!!
Admiring the bike system
and finally, a trip down the um...red lights street towards the famous Moulin Rouge :)
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