Poet's Corner

Yesterday morning as I was scrunching my hair, some poetic lines entered my mind. Why? Well I really do not know why, but I imagine it had something to do with a girl in my dorm reciting Tennyson and the day that lay ahead. You see, yesterday I visited the Globe Theater and Westminster Abbey. The Globe was not overly impressive --neat --interesting, but not awe-inspiring. Westminster Abbey, however, was so very ancient and full of the tombs and memorials of historical and great people that I was half-way between awe and a sickness at the idea of all the dead bodies. My favorite part by far was poet's corner--literary greatness gathered in one area. So to their memory or in spite of their excellent example here are the lines that came to my mind. (Please remember they are very much under revision.)

The very sight of he brought to my heart enmity.
Twas not a young lad fair that I did gaping stare... (to be continued)

Devon and Cornwall

Monday we all gathered to hear about our "trip to the west," but to everyone's disappointment our professors kept our destination as to the west until the evening before. Then we heard the names of the places we were to see, but no real idea of the trip that lay ahead. Now I realize we could never have been prepared for the beauty we saw. We visited Stourhead which is a lovely estate that also happened to been the site for the proposal scene in the latest Pride and Prejudice. The next morning we just relaxed at a fairly secluded beach near Penzance that seemed to of come from a pirate novel. I never knew England could have such beautiful beaches. Then we made our way to St. Michael's Mount which was again beautiful. The next day was spent in Exeter and Lyme Regis. Both cities had their special charms, but I preferred the food and scenery of Lyme, especially since the best fish and chips I've had here were from Lyme. I really don't know if any of our other trips can surpass this one, but it will be fun to try.

South of the Thames Walk (Wild Side)

Titles of Pictures (in order from top to bottom)

1. Modern London City (City Hall)

2. Old and Modern Neighbors

3. Monument of Old London (Tower Bridge)

4. Clean Lines of London (the Eye)

5. Some Things Remain

6. Always Entertaining (Globe Theater)

7. Underneath (skate park)

8. Lawn Chairs

During my walk the one thing I couldn’t help notice was how different the South Thames was from the North Thames. The museums, art galleries, and government buildings had a very modern style. They played with lines while at the same time giving the buildings a clean appearance unlike Gothic and Greco-Roman styles that are sometimes clutters with decorations. I had thought that South Thames was the modern side. However, I was both right and wrong in thinking so. Along with the modern buildings were older buildings like the Southwark Chapel and Globe Theater found on meandering stone paved streets. The South Thames wasn’t modern in the sense that it had all new buildings. I found it to be a hodgepodge of old and new that existed perfectly well together. This coexistence made it modern because it embraced new ideas without forgetting its history.

Hogwarts Express

Recently a comparison of our trip to London and Hogwarts has been suggested. Ever since I read the first Harry Potter, I wanted to go to Hogwarts and it seems I'm getting my wish or at least the closest thing possible. I've had rock cake, visited Platform 9 3/4, and walked around London. But what is most like Hogwarts is my life here in the London Centre. I live on the 3rd floor even though there are 5 landings before it. As a matter of fact there are some days I think it moves like the staircases in Hogwarts. We have wonderful meals that await us each night (though they won't just appear when I'm on Kitchen crew). And finally, I live in a dorm full of other girls who often congregate in our drawing room (or common room). It's a wonderful experience just living here and add all the historic sites and beautiful English gardens and well I'm sure these next few months will be something I fondly remember the rest of my life. I am grateful to be here. Thank you Mom & Dad.

Second Half of a Busy Week

So here are the rest of pictures of Bath and some random pictures from exploring. You'll notice two major London sites (Big Ben and Tower Bridge) and one famous Harry Potter station. My week has been crazy fun, but crazy long. This weekend was much needed. Now time to take a breath and start it all over again.

Bath Water & Rock Cakes

My trip to Bath was beyond enjoyable and stonehenge was equally amazing. I also got a rock cake. If you're not a Harry Potter nerd like me, that's what Hagrid often makes Harry and his friends. Let me tell you it was delicious. I'm afraid I don't have the picture in there yet, but I will soon. These are only some of the pictures I took. I'll get the others up whenever I can.

Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens

Part of London Experience or homework is to take certain walks. Two of these walks were in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, so some of us thought it would be nice to get two of the closest walks done. Sabrina, Jenny, and I spent 2+ hours walking around these parks and it was amazing! I think if I ever find free time it will be spent in both of these gorgeous parks.

Home London Home

These are pictures from our flat and the Palace Court, our street. It is just simply amazing and I'm afraid even the pictures don't do it justice, but it's the best I could do. Oh and apparently a random picture from Hyde Park. The rest of the parks will have to be updated tomorrow because it's late and I still have reading to do.

Exhaustion in London

Well I'm here, in London town. I've had about an hour of sleep in about 28 hours and I can't quite sleep yet without screwing up my sleep cycle. (As if it was normal to begin with). Getting around the airport was a little stressful since I couldn't find my group, but I eventually caught up with them and seriously wanted to weep for joy. From there the trip to palace court was a mixture of fatigue and excitement. My temporary home here in London is nothing short of wonderful. It's a townhouse right out of history. As my friend Sabrina said, "It's like a Jane Austen book with technology" and I might add without boys...well without boys we can date. I'll put up pictures as soon as I can. I have to get an adapter first. (Mom you'd love it!) I live in the Queen Victoria room which is right below the Charlotte Bronte and right above the Jane Austen room. Oh and did I mention I have 12 roommates! Luckily they're not all strangers. I found out that I know 3 of the girls here and recognize the faces of another 3 so it's not a total shock. As for the city London, well it's like U.S. cities on the main streets but the side streets are full of amazingly cute houses. I'm realizing I'll just have to put up pictures. Miss you all tons!