Wales

Mid November Jess and I went to Wales with my Dad and my Godfather, David. They came to see my school, then we spent one day in London, then headed off to Northern Wales and then came back and rounded off the trip with the last day in London again. While in London we went to the War Rooms, Churchill Museum, Tower of London, Westminster, National Gallery, Hyde Park, Buckingham Palace, Clarence House, and Fortnum and Mason. In Wales we went to Chester, Conwy, Llandudno, and Snowdonia. Now you tell me who is the better tour guide. I have to say one of the highlights in London besides showing off the great city was eating at Nobu. It is Robert De Nero's Restaurant. When we came out there were tons of Paparazzi! I also had the best cocktail ever invented- it had vodka, elderflower, crushed grapes, and apple juice in it. WONDERFUL. It was also interesting to see the War Rooms that ran WWII from underground. It was very similar to the ones in Dover. The Churchill museum was also interesting. I have always found him a colorful historical figure with a knack for war and little else. The museum presents a different side of him one that was into painting and family. But, I commend it for not shying away from the criticism he has gathered. They admitted his shortcomings as a domestic leader and took that opportunity to show how Clement Attlee, leader of the opposition, stepped in, probably securing him the 1945 General Election. I think it is easy to praise historical figures like Churchill that are flamboyant and clever and colorful, but important to remember to look at the whole person and remember history accurately. That being said I learned a lot about his war genius and respect that a lot more than before I went to the museum. I came away with a more accurate summary of who he is (in a better light) and I hope other people do to.

Now to the funny things: In Wales I think the group we were traveling with was priceless, priceless in a terrible way. I kept a quote journal of things that came out of their mouths. One girl said she got all three of the first Harry Potter books before the first one came out. She was pretty sure they were J.K. Rowling's personal manuscripts. I am going to go ahead and say she was lying.

She also said that Dickens, yes Charles, was a good writer and all but Stephenie Meyer, author of Twilight, was much better at description.

Compare how each describe a city:

"Forks the little town on the Olympic Peninsula, isn't quaint, little, or small, it's 'inconsequential'. " -Meyer

"In the country, the rain would have developed a thousand fresh scents, and every drop would have had its bright association with some beautiful form of growth of life. In the city, it developed only foul stale smells, and was sickly, lukewarm, dirt-stained, wretched addition to the gutters." -Dickens

I think we have a clear winner. Yes, Dickens' books are not as commercially "popular" but its hard to find an Oliver to compete with Rpatz.

But once they were drowned out it was a great trip. Wales is a totally separate country from England, still part of the UK, and it is bi-lingual. Everything is written in Welsh and in English and all school children are taught in Welsh, but obviously have to know English as well. We went to one town that hit its peak as a Victorian seaside resort. It was interesting watching in the early morning the ocean lap in on an area that was past its glory, but still retains its charm and beauty from 150 years ago.

My favorite part was of course having Dad and David there. I did not realize that I missed the US (except the Mexican food) until they left. I miss being part of a larger entity whether it be just Family, SKKAACH, Sewanee, or even a bigger picture. Not being here for long its hard to get involved so its hard to find a group of people. Listening to them talk about people in Tuscaloosa that I know reminded me how lucky I have been to grow up in a community that is connected like it is. I also miss the Southern gentleman that takes interest in what you are saying, opens doors, and so on. And of course the humor. Brits aren't big on the sarcasm or the type of ping pong humor where you bounce of each other with seriousness and wit that I love. It was nice to laugh that laugh you all know and probably hate. It is a confined country and I was afraid it was getting to my personality, luckily my laugh is resilient. And of course being with family is always the best treat. That and the fact that Dad and David matched the entire trip. That was pretty great too.

Turning 21

When I started to understand what 21 meant I immediately went and looked up what day of the week my rocking party would be on-Sunday. downer. When I decided to study abroad I realized it would be in my Junior year, first semester. The one I would be turning 21 in. downer. I picked England, where the drinking age is 18. major downer. I turned 21 after a Halloween party ON the tower bridge, in a multi-level multi-bar dance club, in the VIP section, in London, and then had my birthday dinner in Bath. MAJOR UPPER.

The Tower Bridge is connected by two walkways. We had our party IN them. I was Ms. Peacock and carried a candlestick. The whole time on the underground I was afraid I would be accused of brandishing a weapon. One funny thing about Brits and Halloween costumes is that they are normal except dead. They are a cheerleader, a dead one though. A sailor, dead version. Even the terrible slutty version of costumes are worn-just with white painted face and blood dripping down their face.

After the party we went to Fabric nightclub and some how got in the VIP section. Then I turned 21. No details will be included.

The next day we got up and got going and went to Bath for the day. We stayed in a wonderful Bed and Breakfast and I got to talk to my family and Allison. Then we had a wonderful dinner at a fun restaurant and celebrated turning 21 the posh way. We got to tour Bath and see the Roman baths and the costume museum. It was so great.

Also, when I got home my french housemate made me an apple tart that was so delicious and the most beautiful birthday cake I have ever had.

I loved getting all my cards from everyone. Turning 21 abroad was not exactly what I planned for, but it was so much fun and so memorable. I wish my friends from Tuscaloosa and Sewanee could have been here and I could have celebrated it with family as well, but Jess was a perfect substitute and it was such a fun experience!

Dover

A very short bus ride from my campus is the city of Dover. It is were the infamous white cliffs are. It is also where an enormous castle was built-high up on one of those cliffs. Also, were tunnels built in the Middle Ages that were then re-used during World War II. They were the center for Operation Dynamo, or the Dunkirk evacuation. Under the ground was a whole interconnected world of intelligence. There were also facilities to use as sleeping quarters because the area was the most heavily bombed during the war. The purpose was to evacuate soldiers from France back to Britain since France had fallen to the Germans. It is what is featured in Atonement as well as Mrs. Miniver. Throughout many of the museums I have been to these tunnels have been featured. It was interesting to see the intelligence of the era right under a castle and ruins from the Roman period. Also, they had a large map that they used to pin point boats in the Harbour and women would place the pins in it. It is the only job during WWII that allowed women to wear pants.

France

I got to go to Paris for Scott's birthday. I went on the Euro Star. That is also how tons of British children get to Euro Disney. Don't schedule your train 30 minutes after their's. But, besides the hyped up children THAT is the way to travel. When I got to Paris we went out to Versailles were Scott is going to school and met his host mother and looked at wedding photos and drank peach vinegar alcohol. YUM. We then went to Paris to experience the night life and rolled in on the first train home the next morning. For those of you that know my sleeping habits you can imagine my mental state.

The "next" day we went to Notre Dame and walked down the Champs-Elysees. We went to the outside of the Louvre to see the glass pyramid. Then we went to Scott's birthday party. It was dramatic to say the least. Put 6 men, one of which has hair that stands literally on end like as in all 7 inches of it, in a room no bigger than a walk in closet with a yapping dog and drama is sure to unfold. But, it was fun and he turned 21 and we could see the Arc de Triompe from the party.

The next day we went to the Muse d'Orsay and saw all the beautiful Degas dancer paintings. Then we walked over to the Eiffel Tower and did photo shoots there. That night we hung out at this cafe we had been going to that was fun by an American and talked to him.

The next day Scott had to go to class, but I went to the Pompidou, the modern art museum. I'm still impressed I found it.

It was such a wonderful trip and so cool to see Scott in Europe and all happy. It was fun to celebrate a 21st as well. I loved Paris and France. I am amazed how different it was from England. The people are less reserved and less concerned with the norm. They have a more casual atmosphere as well. Still, my heart goes with England.

Sewanee Homecoming Engy Style

So the weekend that Sewanee was getting flooded with alums England was simply flooding. But, what made the rain better? Katherine and Liz came! We went clubbing and sightseeing and the theme was Sewanee Homecoming. We started out by going up to Hyde Park-bigger than Manigold but just as random. England is very into roller blade-ing. I can't really judge because I don't know how, but the hot pants and elbow pads are not necessary. We then hit up Parliament/Big Ben/Westminster Abbey area. All important buildings all close together-familiar. The National Gallery has the same couches the Sewanee library does. On the way to the palace area (obvi Frat area) we passed the Highlander memorial. In Kensington Palace there was a rotunda we all danced around in sight of CCTV. We decided to eat at the Texas Embassy-weirdly not as good as Mi Casa. But, we did run into some Auburn and Tuscaloosa people. It was a wonderful weekend with great people.

Things Engy has that Sewanee should: Krispy Kreme-our breakfast two mornings in a row. Roller blade-ing gang. In Trafalgar's square there was a whole area of cones set up with asian people twirling about. Every school would benefit from a roller blade-ing gang.

Future Job

Well I think its clear I have no chance as an internet blogging sensation. If I was a gossip columnist we would have all missed Kstew's and Rpatz vampy hookup. If I was political blogger my followers would have all missed Health Care. Both, equally important-thank God study abroad is lower on the scale of national interest. So the next few blogs (all done today) are going to be about 1. Sewanee Homecoming in England 2. Trip to France 3. Trip to Dover 4. My Birthday Weekend 5. Wales 6. Thanksgiving in England.

It is going to be a long day.

Cupcakes

Did you know that Europe doesn't have cupcakes? Well, I'm sure somewhere out there they do and everyone has some story about cupcakes on the continent, but if you used my European Housemates as an example-no cupcakes for the EU.

One of my French housemates Irene got a cupcake book for her birthday and had never made or eaten one. They had tons of designs from Valentine's to creme brulee. Each recipe had a picture next to it to show you what it is supposed to look like and compare how much yours does not well compare. We decided to make an Oreo one. The first obstacle was the book was American and the measuring cups I have are English. Ahhh the distinction between the two is now clear. They say Mum we say Mom and they went metric. Also, England doesn't really do vanilla or baking soda. They are pretty important to the whole cake baking thing. We also attempted to use a blender for a mixer. Oh college-what it does to your sense of normalcy and hygiene.

The turned out...interesting. Most instead of rising kinda dipped down in the middle maybe half an inch. It kind of looked like the movie moment when the new daughter in law is supposed to bring the cake to the Thanksgiving dinner of her new husband's family and it coincidentally is the most important and favorite item on the table. Then right as she is about to take it out it just falls. Why they entrusted the new kid with the best item and who puts that much emphasis on desert is beyond me, but point being it wasn't pretty. The icing was supposed to be kind of like the filling of an Oreo, so its fluffiness did little to cover up the crater in each cupcake.

However, they were tasty and since the French people had no other cupcakes to compare it to they LOVED them. Who knew-what's more American that hot dogs and cupcakes?