Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Ceilidh
Today I went to Ceilidh, which is some kind of Celtic dance. It's like European square dancing. Lots of fun. My partner was an engineer, and one of about... 4 guys that actually showed up and stayed. He was pretty good. We did have some trouble with a few moves. I'm not good at following, and there was a waltz-like bit at one point. But an excellent workout! I sweated buckets.
Monday, August 29, 2011
First day of school
Well, my first day of school is mostly over. I'm going to a class in about 45 minutes on the aims of the British in WW1. The teacher said that I can audit it if I want, which would mean that instead of doing the homework, I would simply be joining the class period to participate in discussions. I might do that. Today will be a day to check it out and see.
My classes have gone well. British Studies lecture and seminar were interesting (although my stomach was growling right before lunch in seminar). I'm glad I read over the notes I took on pre-semester homework, because I was able to answer some questions in our recap of British history. For homework, I just read a short biography of Alfred the Great written by his friend Asser the archbishop. A group of us have to examine the work to see if it was a piece of propaganda or truth. It's looking a lot like propaganda. I don't think you should write autobiographies while people are still alive. Music history was mainly an introduction today and a discussion of how the class will work, since there are only 4 of us, all from UE. We're planning a field trip to Handel's house.
My adventure today happened before Music History. I went out to the conservatory/greenhouse/garden to read my B.S. homework. It's very nice, but there is a sign on the door telling you to keep it shut. My dorm has a similar sign that indicates the alarm will go off if the door is left open, so I shut the door. However, ten minutes before class when I tried leaving, I was locked out! I nearly missed class because I was having trouble finding a way into the building from the outside in the location I was at. I ran into the principal after class and asked him about it, as well as other doors into the building. He is very nice--he was the president at William Jewell in the 90s. Today I checked my mail for the first time and found he had written me a thank-you note for being in convocation.
Well, I should probably get some work done. Hopefully I'll write in my journal at some point. Today is pretty jammed packed. London briefing in the evening, followed by a group meeting for B.S.
Love to all the folks back home.
My classes have gone well. British Studies lecture and seminar were interesting (although my stomach was growling right before lunch in seminar). I'm glad I read over the notes I took on pre-semester homework, because I was able to answer some questions in our recap of British history. For homework, I just read a short biography of Alfred the Great written by his friend Asser the archbishop. A group of us have to examine the work to see if it was a piece of propaganda or truth. It's looking a lot like propaganda. I don't think you should write autobiographies while people are still alive. Music history was mainly an introduction today and a discussion of how the class will work, since there are only 4 of us, all from UE. We're planning a field trip to Handel's house.
My adventure today happened before Music History. I went out to the conservatory/greenhouse/garden to read my B.S. homework. It's very nice, but there is a sign on the door telling you to keep it shut. My dorm has a similar sign that indicates the alarm will go off if the door is left open, so I shut the door. However, ten minutes before class when I tried leaving, I was locked out! I nearly missed class because I was having trouble finding a way into the building from the outside in the location I was at. I ran into the principal after class and asked him about it, as well as other doors into the building. He is very nice--he was the president at William Jewell in the 90s. Today I checked my mail for the first time and found he had written me a thank-you note for being in convocation.
Well, I should probably get some work done. Hopefully I'll write in my journal at some point. Today is pretty jammed packed. London briefing in the evening, followed by a group meeting for B.S.
Love to all the folks back home.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
I'm really tired...
I had a bit of trouble falling asleep last night, so I'm a bit tired, but I've had no jet lag (because I didn't really sleep for two days).
Anywho, I love it here! I've been extremely busy--almost no time to write in my journal or blog, or to take pictures. But being busy is good!
A quick overview:
Flight: a bit bumpy, my neck hurt, I watched the end of "The Beaver" (not as weird of a movie as I thought).
Airports: not bad. I was rather sick of the conveyor belts by the time I got to immigration in Heathrow. All of that went smoothly. After a rather long coach ride, I arrived in Harlaxton around 1:15 on Friday afternoon.
Accommodations: I'm in the Carriage House, which is about a 2 minute walk from the manor. It's a nice walk, though. I only have 1 roommate, which make me very happy. She's a business major from UE and is rather lovely. I was initially worried about getting a roommate that was too much of a party-er, but we seem to be a very good fit and get along fine. The room is small, but I don't mind. When I have a whole manor, why would I stay in here long?
Orientation: I'm nearly done with orientation. I've sat through many lectures on doing homework and not burning the building down. Convocation was nice. I played guitar with another student, my music history teacher, and a member of the British faculty who is a musicologist. Tonight I'm going to a lecture on the manor itself.
Grantham: I love the English people. They're quite lovely. After a lecture on honors British studies, I went into town to go shopping for shampoo. And... we missed the shuttle back. I wasn't happy, but I suppose I should just go with the flow. A combination of a friendly bus driver, walking, and a friendly local got us back tot he manor around 6:20... leaving me a half hour to shower and get ready for high table dinner. I made it... barely. I wished my hair would have looked better, but I didn't have time. Oops. I went to church in Harlaxton (small small town around the manor) and loved it! It was an Anglican service. Everyone was immensely friendly. The priest was gone because of a knee replacement (like Dad), so we had a "reader" leading the service. Everyone was very friendly and glad to see us. I met an older lady named Marjory and had a nice chat with her, over tea, of course.
Night life: Friday night was very exciting: I looked for bookends and tried to iron. Got about 9 hours of sleep. Last night I went to the Bistro (pub in the basement) and talked to people for awhile. Afterwards, I went back to the Carriage House and... talked to more people. Many students have already ventured into bars and clubs in town. I'll get there eventually. I'm kinda glad I haven't gone yet. If I wait a bit, everyone will have the "we're old enough to drink--let's get crazy!" out of their systems.
People: I'm quickly making new friends. I mainly befriended people I have been with on buses or in town, or people my friends know. I'm excited to meet more new people.
Today, I asked my friend Kayla if she would move here with me. There are some empty houses in Grantham, but unfortunately, the shuttle driver said one just sold for 400,000 pounds (~$700,000). I don't think I can afford that just yet.
Anywho, I love it here! I've been extremely busy--almost no time to write in my journal or blog, or to take pictures. But being busy is good!
A quick overview:
Flight: a bit bumpy, my neck hurt, I watched the end of "The Beaver" (not as weird of a movie as I thought).
Airports: not bad. I was rather sick of the conveyor belts by the time I got to immigration in Heathrow. All of that went smoothly. After a rather long coach ride, I arrived in Harlaxton around 1:15 on Friday afternoon.
Accommodations: I'm in the Carriage House, which is about a 2 minute walk from the manor. It's a nice walk, though. I only have 1 roommate, which make me very happy. She's a business major from UE and is rather lovely. I was initially worried about getting a roommate that was too much of a party-er, but we seem to be a very good fit and get along fine. The room is small, but I don't mind. When I have a whole manor, why would I stay in here long?
Orientation: I'm nearly done with orientation. I've sat through many lectures on doing homework and not burning the building down. Convocation was nice. I played guitar with another student, my music history teacher, and a member of the British faculty who is a musicologist. Tonight I'm going to a lecture on the manor itself.
Grantham: I love the English people. They're quite lovely. After a lecture on honors British studies, I went into town to go shopping for shampoo. And... we missed the shuttle back. I wasn't happy, but I suppose I should just go with the flow. A combination of a friendly bus driver, walking, and a friendly local got us back tot he manor around 6:20... leaving me a half hour to shower and get ready for high table dinner. I made it... barely. I wished my hair would have looked better, but I didn't have time. Oops. I went to church in Harlaxton (small small town around the manor) and loved it! It was an Anglican service. Everyone was immensely friendly. The priest was gone because of a knee replacement (like Dad), so we had a "reader" leading the service. Everyone was very friendly and glad to see us. I met an older lady named Marjory and had a nice chat with her, over tea, of course.
Night life: Friday night was very exciting: I looked for bookends and tried to iron. Got about 9 hours of sleep. Last night I went to the Bistro (pub in the basement) and talked to people for awhile. Afterwards, I went back to the Carriage House and... talked to more people. Many students have already ventured into bars and clubs in town. I'll get there eventually. I'm kinda glad I haven't gone yet. If I wait a bit, everyone will have the "we're old enough to drink--let's get crazy!" out of their systems.
People: I'm quickly making new friends. I mainly befriended people I have been with on buses or in town, or people my friends know. I'm excited to meet more new people.
Today, I asked my friend Kayla if she would move here with me. There are some empty houses in Grantham, but unfortunately, the shuttle driver said one just sold for 400,000 pounds (~$700,000). I don't think I can afford that just yet.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
The Wonders of the Blogosphere
In response to my original comment about stalkers, I suppose that is something you have to accept about the so-called "blogosphere": that it's public. So my amendment to my original statement is this:
I can't prevent people from reading this, but I now realize I can take away comments. Not to offend anyone, but I think I'll do that. I'm not really a blogger; I just want my friends and family to hear about my study abroad experience. So, those that know me know how to contact me if they want to tell me things. For those that don't: feel free to read (since I can't stop you), but you probably won't be able to comment.
Everybody still happy? I hope so. Sorry, Mr. Payn. Nothing personal.
I can't prevent people from reading this, but I now realize I can take away comments. Not to offend anyone, but I think I'll do that. I'm not really a blogger; I just want my friends and family to hear about my study abroad experience. So, those that know me know how to contact me if they want to tell me things. For those that don't: feel free to read (since I can't stop you), but you probably won't be able to comment.
Everybody still happy? I hope so. Sorry, Mr. Payn. Nothing personal.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
The Wonders of Technology
Well, I'm not one for fancy technology, but I managed to create an e-mail account and a blog, so I suppose I can't be completely backwards. Hopefully, this will be an easy way to chronicle my study-abroad experience for those I know back home.
HEY YOU. YES, YOU, THE MAN WHO CREEPS ON INNOCENTS VIA THE INTERNET. THIS BLOG ISN'T FOR YOUR EYES. UNLESS YOU'RE REALLY CURIOUS ABOUT EUROPE AND DON'T TRY TO STALK OR CONTACT ME. EVER. I'LL BE VERY, VERY ANGRY.
I had to get that out of my system. The internet is a scary place.
HEY YOU. YES, YOU, THE MAN WHO CREEPS ON INNOCENTS VIA THE INTERNET. THIS BLOG ISN'T FOR YOUR EYES. UNLESS YOU'RE REALLY CURIOUS ABOUT EUROPE AND DON'T TRY TO STALK OR CONTACT ME. EVER. I'LL BE VERY, VERY ANGRY.
I had to get that out of my system. The internet is a scary place.
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