So in the past 2 weeks I read Peter Pan and Pride and Prejudice, and while I would like to continue on the "P" title trend, I am headed to the library today with my sights on Gone With the Wind as a first choice or, if that's not in the stacks, another Austen.
I enjoyed Pride and Prejudice, mostly for the style of writing. I can't get enough of the language from that period. And since I have never seen the movie Pride and Prejudice either, I was kept in a bit of suspense as to how things would turn out, though it was no real surprise (*spoiler alert*) that the cold indifference of Darcy would melt away and that he, the best looking, most affluent man in the story, would end with Elizabeth, the voice of the novel and the cleverest girl. It had to happen. And I'm glad it did.
"Elizabeth's spirits soon rising to playfulness again, wanted Mr Darcy to account for his having ever fallen in love with her. 'How could you begin?' said she. 'What could set you off in the first place?'
'I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I know that I had begun.'
'My beauty you had early withstood, and as for my manners--my behaviour to you was at least always bordering on uncivil. Now be sincere; did you admire me for my impertinence?'
'For the liveliness of your mind, I did.'"
Oh, if all rich, handsome men fell for smart girls because of their brains..
To finish my thoughts on the book, I will say, I wasn't so infatuated that I can understand why so many girls are so consumed by it. Jane Eyre is much better, but maybe that's because I relate with the heroine more closely. Or maybe it's just because Jane Eyre is da bessssst. I would like to read other works by Austen, because her writing is quite good and these other stories might excite me more.
PS I start classes tomorrow--Woo, Boy!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Day 127: Business Time
So I quit my job at Thistle.
And tomorrow I shall go out to turn in my CV at a couple places around City Centre. So that an income will exist to keep me alive.
But today, I put up a bunch of t-shirt designs online, to spark/gauge interest among my friends. This is something I have wanted to start for a while; if people dig my designs, I can make some money from this venture. Which would be awesome.
Really I just love t-shirts. And I always wish someone would make shirts saying the things I want shirts to say, so I decided at last that I would have to be the one to make them.
Maybe I want this Wonder and Wander thing to become even bigger later on. But for now I'm counting on YOU, my fan base, to give me feedback and to buy my shirts!!!
Here's the link to the online shop: http://www.streetshirts.co.uk/wonderandwander
Spread the word, Please and Thank you! I couldn't do it without you.
Song of the day (now playing here, and I recommend everyone who doesn't know it to look it up and give it a play, and everyone who does know it, revisit it's glory): Why Can't This Be Love-Van Halen.
And tomorrow I shall go out to turn in my CV at a couple places around City Centre. So that an income will exist to keep me alive.
But today, I put up a bunch of t-shirt designs online, to spark/gauge interest among my friends. This is something I have wanted to start for a while; if people dig my designs, I can make some money from this venture. Which would be awesome.
Really I just love t-shirts. And I always wish someone would make shirts saying the things I want shirts to say, so I decided at last that I would have to be the one to make them.
Maybe I want this Wonder and Wander thing to become even bigger later on. But for now I'm counting on YOU, my fan base, to give me feedback and to buy my shirts!!!
Here's the link to the online shop: http://www.streetshirts.co.uk/wonderandwander
Spread the word, Please and Thank you! I couldn't do it without you.
Song of the day (now playing here, and I recommend everyone who doesn't know it to look it up and give it a play, and everyone who does know it, revisit it's glory): Why Can't This Be Love-Van Halen.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Day 121: A New Year?
Crazy.
I usually make unspoken, inconsequential New Year's resolutions. And I know I'm late this year, but I suppose you can make resolutions whenever, it's just that as humans we often need clear lines to operate within, so a new year marks a formal starting point for doing all those things we wanted to start in the old year. Anyways, mine are more like life resolutions, because, as you may have gathered, I've done a lot of thinking in my short time here in Scotland, and I'm taking advantage of using this year away from everyone/thing I knew to clear my head and evaluate my goals.
1. To be healthy and strong--exercise daily. I've done pretty well with running since in Aberdeen, but some days it's a brutal struggle against the lazy, novel-reading, couch monster inside of me. I have struggled with the idea of being strong since I first hurt my knee my freshman year of college. For a while I couldn't do much and all my lasting muscle from years of playing soccer deteriorated; I haven't been able to compete in any contact/team sports since, except a few regrettable forays (like that one time where I played soccer in the mud and rain and it was just so so fun to be doing again, until I twisted my knee and went down and then had to explain to those around that I'm not just a sissy who has to sit out after falling, but that things inside of me were falling apart). This lack of ability to play aggressive, competitive sports has been a cross on my shoulders at many times, because up until my 18th year, that was such a part of my life and identity. However, riding a bike across the country kinda helped me to realize that I can still be strong. So I don't want to lose that feeling now, even if I have already lost a lot of the muscle that I found myself with on the coast of Oregon.
2. To live simply--give more and "need" less. I've already mentioned my desire for simplicity several times, as initially instigated by my traversing from one coast to the next with only what I could carry in two saddle bags. I came to Scotland with three huge suitcases and two large carry-ons. I probably didn't need it all; however, I don't want to do a trip with so much luggage again, so before I leave Scotland, much of what I own will be purged. I set a limit on myself near the beginning of my Scottish stay saying that I would not buy any clothing for myself, and I've stuck to that. I plan on continuing this. But in general, I want to continue to detach myself from the mentality of materialism that pervades our global culture in ways I don't even think about most times. I don't want to covet people's things. I have more than enough, and I have been blessed with a gracious family and great friends, who have provided me with everything I could need. I don't want to be addicted to the way I look, the way I dress, the technologies I own, or anything like that.
3. To eat well and eat happy--choose foods wisely and cook more creatively. I do, beginning in this new year, want to pay more attention to what I eat, so that I can develop a healthier lifestyle, however, I don't ever want to be someone who rules out bread or rules out everything sweet or rules out meat or rules out all those other things different diets tell you to abandon. Because, honestly, food gives me one of the greatest joys, and without the so-called "unnecessary" food groups, so much greatness is lost. Eat in moderation, sure, but what is life if you can't enjoy a cupcake or bowl of ice cream without stressing over guilt? In this light, I want to start to expand my cooking/baking horizons. I've been cooking a lot for myself here, since that's the primary way I will be able to eat, and I've learned a lot, but I want to push myself to experiment and learn more, so that one day I can be as good as the mama who fed me for so many years.
4. To embrace the greatness of Life--pray more, read more, sing more, love more, see more. I want to make my relationship with God the highest priority. I want to start checking off more from my list of Books to Read. I want to learn and experience new things everyday through the stories and people around me. I want to take advantage of the rest of this year I have in Europe and do what I always long to do--travel. And I don't want to stop travelling once I go back to America to live; I want to write it into my lifestyle, even if it can't mean large trips across oceans riding on camel's backs or speaking in foreign tongues every time. Little adventures and journeys can be grand.
2013 is a starting point for me to understand that soon I will be a woman in the world, and I want to greet the world with a strength in body, mind, and soul. Confident in myself, my faith, my God, and His plans. I want to appreciate the things that matter and not worry about those that don't. I want to live fully and understand that I only get a shot at today once.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Day 117: Do You Hear the People Sing?
As many of you know, I saw Les Mis at the movie theatre yesterday. I had been waiting in bated breath, since I first heard there would be a movie and Hugh Jackman was to play Valjean, which was sometime in the first semester of last school year. Of course, it came out later in the UK, so I had to wait a bit longer than some of my friends, but it was all worth it.
Every time I listen to the soundtrack of Les Miserables or watch some sort of production, I get something new out of it. This film viewing was no exception. As I was watching and thinking about the horror of this time of revolution in France and what it would be like to live there and then, I started thinking about the idea of revolution in general.
Even deeper context was added to my musings by the fact that I am in Scotland, part of Great Britain. And since yesterday, I've given some thought to Great Britain's history, and the lack of any people-led revolutions since the mid 17th century. Whereas, America and every other state in Europe have gone through revolution within the 18th and 19th centuries.
My initial thought and opinion was that Great Britain just really doesn't have much of a revolutionary culture. It's maybe lacking that fiery spirit and passion for liberty necessary to lead a revolt against government in order to gain the desired rights and freedoms. Maybe it's because the British government has just been so powerful for so long that it has had an easier time of extinguishing the sparks of radicalism before they've been able to grow into the flames of Revolution. Maybe it's a combination.
Either way, I think this history has a lot to do with the current culture of the country. I think it has affected how the government functions and how the people think. For instance, America formed itself from meager colonies, seemingly dependent on the British government and trade, but as soon as we felt this government was not acting for the people, we rose up and transformed a piece of profitable territory into the most powerful and influential country the world had ever seen. America will more than likely never experience a revolution again, but that fire lies inside us as a People, even today. We, Americans, do not give our government much space without criticism; we don't like to see injustice, and if we feel that our rights are being infringed upon, we get testy immediately. And righteously so, we fought for what we have: the most free country in the world. Take up argument with that title all you'd like, but it is the truth. Our constitution lays it out so beautifully.
Anyways, Britain doesn't have that. Their government has pretty much always been there to guide, to provide order, to subdue riots, to tax. Even the Glorious Revolution was Parliamentary action, and all it did was put a new, more just, monarch into power. Heck, there's still a monarch today. Even if the Queen is mostly just a figurehead, she's still there. This lack of the "revolutionary culture" seems evident to me in an already discussed matter, too, that of CCTV. The UK has more video surveillance throughout it's country than any other in the world, and the citizens are fine with this; they have been historically nurtured to deal with a government which is ready and willing to keep watch and "deal with" any suspicious or threatening acts. In earlier times, this consisted of quelling steps to revolution; now, maybe it's just to prevent crime. But I can't really see such an extent of surveillance being put up purely for the "public good." Where the government can see, the government can intervene. And where the government can intervene, the government has power over the people. And here, that's pretty much everywhere.
I've had many a conversation with people here, Brits and other foreigners alike, that make claims to the mediated, British personality. They say that people here aren't so willing to speak out or stick their head on the line. People are more reserved. People censor their emotion and their passions, especially when in groups, or with people whom they aren't familiar. I am beginning to attest this personality trait to a Revolution-less culture. The passion, the zeal, the willingness to speak boldly about your views and ideas is not so strong; there must be a deeper reason for this. And I don't mean this only in reference to issues of politics or government or things of this nature. It permeates into everyday life.
I believe the cultures formed by a history of revolution, of struggle to create something better from something worse, or maybe something non-existent, instills a certain, je ne sais quoi, within the people. A realness, a sorrowful beauty. And this mark within a people eventually creates a richer, fuller view of life. It affects the ideas on how we should live, how we should hold on to what we have, how we should love. It gives deeper meaning to existence when you know it has been suffered for. Laugh when you can laugh, cry when you must cry, fight when you should fight, for times are always changing, but you must maintain purity, goodness, and truth within yourself, your family, your community, and it must be understood that a government, an individual, or anyone or anything, can not be allowed to lessen who we are, who we were created to be. Like the students at the barricade who were willing to fight and die even in a moment of imminent failure, sometimes we must fight for our principles no matter the foreseen results.
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums,
There is a life about to start when tomorrow comes!
Take that, swish it around, and either swallow it or spit it back out.
Just my inner philosophies.
Every time I listen to the soundtrack of Les Miserables or watch some sort of production, I get something new out of it. This film viewing was no exception. As I was watching and thinking about the horror of this time of revolution in France and what it would be like to live there and then, I started thinking about the idea of revolution in general.
Even deeper context was added to my musings by the fact that I am in Scotland, part of Great Britain. And since yesterday, I've given some thought to Great Britain's history, and the lack of any people-led revolutions since the mid 17th century. Whereas, America and every other state in Europe have gone through revolution within the 18th and 19th centuries.
My initial thought and opinion was that Great Britain just really doesn't have much of a revolutionary culture. It's maybe lacking that fiery spirit and passion for liberty necessary to lead a revolt against government in order to gain the desired rights and freedoms. Maybe it's because the British government has just been so powerful for so long that it has had an easier time of extinguishing the sparks of radicalism before they've been able to grow into the flames of Revolution. Maybe it's a combination.
Either way, I think this history has a lot to do with the current culture of the country. I think it has affected how the government functions and how the people think. For instance, America formed itself from meager colonies, seemingly dependent on the British government and trade, but as soon as we felt this government was not acting for the people, we rose up and transformed a piece of profitable territory into the most powerful and influential country the world had ever seen. America will more than likely never experience a revolution again, but that fire lies inside us as a People, even today. We, Americans, do not give our government much space without criticism; we don't like to see injustice, and if we feel that our rights are being infringed upon, we get testy immediately. And righteously so, we fought for what we have: the most free country in the world. Take up argument with that title all you'd like, but it is the truth. Our constitution lays it out so beautifully.
Anyways, Britain doesn't have that. Their government has pretty much always been there to guide, to provide order, to subdue riots, to tax. Even the Glorious Revolution was Parliamentary action, and all it did was put a new, more just, monarch into power. Heck, there's still a monarch today. Even if the Queen is mostly just a figurehead, she's still there. This lack of the "revolutionary culture" seems evident to me in an already discussed matter, too, that of CCTV. The UK has more video surveillance throughout it's country than any other in the world, and the citizens are fine with this; they have been historically nurtured to deal with a government which is ready and willing to keep watch and "deal with" any suspicious or threatening acts. In earlier times, this consisted of quelling steps to revolution; now, maybe it's just to prevent crime. But I can't really see such an extent of surveillance being put up purely for the "public good." Where the government can see, the government can intervene. And where the government can intervene, the government has power over the people. And here, that's pretty much everywhere.
I've had many a conversation with people here, Brits and other foreigners alike, that make claims to the mediated, British personality. They say that people here aren't so willing to speak out or stick their head on the line. People are more reserved. People censor their emotion and their passions, especially when in groups, or with people whom they aren't familiar. I am beginning to attest this personality trait to a Revolution-less culture. The passion, the zeal, the willingness to speak boldly about your views and ideas is not so strong; there must be a deeper reason for this. And I don't mean this only in reference to issues of politics or government or things of this nature. It permeates into everyday life.
I believe the cultures formed by a history of revolution, of struggle to create something better from something worse, or maybe something non-existent, instills a certain, je ne sais quoi, within the people. A realness, a sorrowful beauty. And this mark within a people eventually creates a richer, fuller view of life. It affects the ideas on how we should live, how we should hold on to what we have, how we should love. It gives deeper meaning to existence when you know it has been suffered for. Laugh when you can laugh, cry when you must cry, fight when you should fight, for times are always changing, but you must maintain purity, goodness, and truth within yourself, your family, your community, and it must be understood that a government, an individual, or anyone or anything, can not be allowed to lessen who we are, who we were created to be. Like the students at the barricade who were willing to fight and die even in a moment of imminent failure, sometimes we must fight for our principles no matter the foreseen results.
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums,
There is a life about to start when tomorrow comes!
Take that, swish it around, and either swallow it or spit it back out.
Just my inner philosophies.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Day 112: Things I Miss
 |
| A panorama of the Venice coast. My phone was changing its focus as the different light levels changed as I panned. The life of an iPhone photographer. |
Ehem,
Things I miss:
Willing, late-night study buddies
My best friends
Long summer nights where it's warm even in the darkness
Swimming in the ocean
My tan
My Knockarounds (Haswell, Colorado may still be the new wearer of those beauts)
Riding my bike
Having a dog
Art History classes
The time of no responsibility, as I wait for my turn to jump into the world of even greater responsibility.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Day 109: Sights and Siblings
So, 20 days from my last post, where I was procrastinating on doing the work I needed to get done before my amazing trip, I am back at my computer attempting to do that very same work. It's due Monday, NBD.
The trip was awesome, but how could galavanting through Rome, Assisi, Florence, Venice, Salzburg, and southern Germany and Bavaria with some awesome sibs not be awesome? It was a recipe for success, and, yes, because we are family, there were times when we got on each other's nerves or had little spats, but those moments pale in comparison to the food, wine, jokes, and unforgettable memories shared.
Beginning in Rome, it kind of felt like I was living a dream. A dream that I had conjured so many years ago and had kindled through the years with the viewing of the Lizzie McGuire movie and with my art history courses at Mary Washington. There was so much to see in Rome that it would be impossible to see it all in a 5.5 day trip, but we did see A LOT. We were running around like the craziest of Catholic pilgrims, in the most reverent way possible. To top it off, the weather and the vibes I was getting from Rome were just tops. I was walking around in short sleeves for a couple of the days, and just breathing in the sunny air like it was scented with fresh-baked Christmas cookies.
Everywhere we stopped had it's own charms and delights. Assisi-natural beauty and awesome countryside, and the city transported you back to a peaceful day in the Middle Ages. Florence- art. so much ART, it was crazy and overwhelming and great. Venice- unlike anything else, super fun and full of energy, just walking around and getting lost was enough entertainment in itself. Ulm- a nice step away from Italian culture, change of pace for the trip; pretty sights and then to go to Christine's village and getting to see great farmland and spend New Year's Eve with her family and see what a real German NYE looks like. Salzburg- cute and clean and full of good stories and histories. Munich and Fussen- castles and beer.
I will not deny that this trip was great. A taste of Europe. Showed me places I know I want to go back to and gave me an idea of some other European cultures besides the UK which I've been surrounded by for a few months, now. I will say that I enjoy the German, Italian, and Austrian cultures (what I saw of them) better than the UK's culture. But I am happy to be back in my home away from home where I have my own lufa, conditioner, razor, bed, towels, and refrigerator (even if it's currently empty). It was also crazy to fly into Aberdeen for the second time, this time knowing the city. My perspective upon initial arrival is so different now, and it's crazy to think I've been here for so long, when it feels like no time at all.
I spent all my money. But that's good. That's what I'm supposed to be doing, right? Experiencing and enjoying Europe while I can.
It's also true that when the last days of the trip were approaching and Zach, Ash, John and I were reflecting on our experiences, it was hard not to feel like I was flying back to America, too. I wasn't. Not for quite some time. Bittersweet. While November was a time where I was realizing what I had gotten into, I think January and the New Year has brought some new, conflicted feelings. I know these next 9 months will fly by, and as we all know, I'm not one to be homesick, but, with one semester of my program done (besides these last assignments to turn in) it's starting to feel real, and it's making me think about the future a lot again, kind of like last year when my second to last semester of college was wrapping up and I was applying to grad schools. I have no idea what the future holds, and as much as I thought by this time I might be more assured, I still don't even know what I want the future to hold, except happiness.
PS a BIG thank you to all of my friends who have striven to stay in touch with me, whether through the beautiful format of hand-written letters, or simple emails or messages, or skyping. Having people who care and are proud of me is a great encouragement in this time. I love you all.
The trip was awesome, but how could galavanting through Rome, Assisi, Florence, Venice, Salzburg, and southern Germany and Bavaria with some awesome sibs not be awesome? It was a recipe for success, and, yes, because we are family, there were times when we got on each other's nerves or had little spats, but those moments pale in comparison to the food, wine, jokes, and unforgettable memories shared.
Beginning in Rome, it kind of felt like I was living a dream. A dream that I had conjured so many years ago and had kindled through the years with the viewing of the Lizzie McGuire movie and with my art history courses at Mary Washington. There was so much to see in Rome that it would be impossible to see it all in a 5.5 day trip, but we did see A LOT. We were running around like the craziest of Catholic pilgrims, in the most reverent way possible. To top it off, the weather and the vibes I was getting from Rome were just tops. I was walking around in short sleeves for a couple of the days, and just breathing in the sunny air like it was scented with fresh-baked Christmas cookies.
Everywhere we stopped had it's own charms and delights. Assisi-natural beauty and awesome countryside, and the city transported you back to a peaceful day in the Middle Ages. Florence- art. so much ART, it was crazy and overwhelming and great. Venice- unlike anything else, super fun and full of energy, just walking around and getting lost was enough entertainment in itself. Ulm- a nice step away from Italian culture, change of pace for the trip; pretty sights and then to go to Christine's village and getting to see great farmland and spend New Year's Eve with her family and see what a real German NYE looks like. Salzburg- cute and clean and full of good stories and histories. Munich and Fussen- castles and beer.
I will not deny that this trip was great. A taste of Europe. Showed me places I know I want to go back to and gave me an idea of some other European cultures besides the UK which I've been surrounded by for a few months, now. I will say that I enjoy the German, Italian, and Austrian cultures (what I saw of them) better than the UK's culture. But I am happy to be back in my home away from home where I have my own lufa, conditioner, razor, bed, towels, and refrigerator (even if it's currently empty). It was also crazy to fly into Aberdeen for the second time, this time knowing the city. My perspective upon initial arrival is so different now, and it's crazy to think I've been here for so long, when it feels like no time at all.
I spent all my money. But that's good. That's what I'm supposed to be doing, right? Experiencing and enjoying Europe while I can.
It's also true that when the last days of the trip were approaching and Zach, Ash, John and I were reflecting on our experiences, it was hard not to feel like I was flying back to America, too. I wasn't. Not for quite some time. Bittersweet. While November was a time where I was realizing what I had gotten into, I think January and the New Year has brought some new, conflicted feelings. I know these next 9 months will fly by, and as we all know, I'm not one to be homesick, but, with one semester of my program done (besides these last assignments to turn in) it's starting to feel real, and it's making me think about the future a lot again, kind of like last year when my second to last semester of college was wrapping up and I was applying to grad schools. I have no idea what the future holds, and as much as I thought by this time I might be more assured, I still don't even know what I want the future to hold, except happiness.
PS a BIG thank you to all of my friends who have striven to stay in touch with me, whether through the beautiful format of hand-written letters, or simple emails or messages, or skyping. Having people who care and are proud of me is a great encouragement in this time. I love you all.
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