tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44369683514938672472023-11-16T11:25:27.932-05:00Putting the Puzzle TogetherElizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-82707736105066740162010-08-31T11:10:00.002-04:002010-08-31T11:24:09.725-04:00I Have Returned...<p>After a long, hot summer, hello again! I am back in the US, definitely missing the cool English weather. I am sure you are all desperate for another blog post, so have one on me!</p><p>After getting a flight back to Washington D. C., I started looking for a job and began my internship at <a href="http://www.leehall.org/">Lee Hall Mansion</a>. Eventually I found a job as a receptionist as a retirement community, which has been a source of both side-splitting amusement and watching-paint-dry boredom. At first I just needed a short break from the blog, but eventually that break evolved into a summer hiatus. After pouring my thoughts out not only in my blog but also in my academic writing, I was exhausted, and all the energy I had left went to deciding which Zelda game I would play that day. I decided that, after the incredible (life-changing?) term in Oxford, I needed to keep my thoughts to myself for a little while.</p><p>But no more! I am announcing the start of a series of posts concerning college life, titled The Life of an Almost-Adult. My senior year is a week away and I am absolutely terrified of life outside the Bubble, so why not spend some time remembering the things that make college so incredible? I will post once a week, depending on the degree of crazy my professors require of me (I'm with the conspiracy theorists on this one.). Here is a list of topics in no particular order:</p><p>-college illogicality -college church culture</p><p>-professor hero worship -coming home</p><p>-cafeteria dining -visitation hours</p><p>-GECs -freshman spotting</p><p>-study abroad -senioritis</p><p>-classes (to sleep, or not to sleep?) -off campus adventures</p><p>-Ring by Spring -summer job hunting</p><p>-late night Disney movies -The Bubble (see all other topics) </p><p> (and other stress relievers)</p><p>Now, if we are <em>very</em> good friends and we've spent <em>quite a lot</em> of time together, you might have noticed something. I am a girl. And so, as you might feel, some of my proposed topics may have a little bit of that girly quality as well. If any male readers, or any readers at all really, think I've missed an important aspect of college life (or you just think my ideas are lame), please comment below!</p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-4725582543443304832010-04-15T20:41:00.002-04:002010-04-15T20:58:40.656-04:00The Last DaysWell hello there. I've just finished a term at Oxford.<br /><br />In a strange turn of events, I finished my last essay, my 'long essay,' a full two days before the due date. And almost 600 words above the maximum word count. That's never happened to me before! I didn't procrastinate. And I found I had more to say than they wanted to hear. Of course, I didn't cut anything out. That essay was crafted out of ...something creepy but not cliched. Fortunately, there was neither blood, sweat nor tears. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis' ghosts did drop by to see if they could offer any help.<br /><br />Yesterday I was feeling very reluctant to go home, as you could probably tell by my last post, but well...then Iceland exploded.<br /><br />Really! A volcano erupted, and now the sky over England is full of volcanic ash, making the airspace very dangerous, and all the flights have been cancelled! This could go on for days, depending on the weather, and even if the flights continue tomorrow or the next day, my flight (Monday) could be delayed. So I may not be going home as soon as I planned. And even if I do, all my friends who were leaving days earlier will be keeping me company. Isn't it wonderful?!<br /><br />I've only got one thing between me and a four and 1/2 month summer. My long essay. I turned it in on Wednesday, but I have to edit it down from 16 pages to 10 for a contest I'm entering. If I win (which I probably won't), I get $500 and free registration/room/board for a literature conference at Taylor University in June! I really probably don't have a chance, but I figured someone other than my advisor should get to read this masterpiece.<br /><br />Tomorrow: debriefing for SCIO and Addison's Walk. I'll tell you tomorrow what that is, because now I need to sleep.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-5558954083932958882010-04-11T09:27:00.003-04:002010-04-11T09:44:51.024-04:00Bittersweet momentsHello! It's my last week in England, and work on my long essay has commenced. I will be buried in the library for two days, then writing for hours on Wednesday, and then I will be done! I have <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> mixed feelings about this. Here's something I wrote in my journal a couple weeks ago when my mom and her friend were visiting:<br /><br />I'm on my way to Dover with Mom and Donna. Being with newly arrived Americans really highlights how much I've taken to heart the English culture. Driving past the green fields and rolling hills makes me long to just finda cottage somewhere and stay there, taking pictures and reading. Most people assume that I'm in love with Oxford, and I am really fond of the town, but not really the university. I much prefer the Headington (a small town east of Oxford) part of things, the getting to know people and actually living (rather than researching). I said on the flight over that on this trip I was looking for an old friend I've only met in stories before. I've found my friend, but not where I expected. Instead of in the libraries, England is in the fields and the trees, in the perpetually green grass instead of the crumbling buildings, and instead of a highbrow academic life, the slowness and sweetness of developing friendships.<br /><br />Anyways, that's how I'm feeling right about now. I am looking forward to spending possibly my last summer at home and seeing my friends again. But I am dreading leaving this beautiful country.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-18402040635943114212010-03-20T13:34:00.002-04:002010-03-20T15:19:21.873-04:00Everything in moderation<p>Hello readers!</p><p>I am now a week into post-term Oxford. I've written my last tutorial essay! Spring break has come and gone, and I've now started the SCIO portion of program, British Landscapes. Four days a week we watch segments of Simon Schama's <em>The History of Britain</em> documentary and listen to lecturers. Sounds fun, right? I have three more papers, two case studies which will hopefully count for a course in the romantics, and my long essay, which will be comparing theories of story-writing between C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien.</p><p>Most people left for spring break on Friday, but I stuck around until Sunday night, when I left on an overnight bus for Edinburgh, Scotland! I had a really great time, but before I left on Sunday, I had lunch with my Bible study group and visited C. S. Lewis' grave, which was wonderful. The churchyard is beautiful, and his grave is beneath a tree. Having spent two months getting to know him (through books!), I no longer agree with everything he writes, but he will always be the writer who introduced me to story and fairy tales. Visiting his grave was an emotional experience (not too demonstrative, I promise!), and I may go back by myself (my friend Jen was with me at the time). I still have to tour the Kilns though!</p><p>So Sunday night, I went to Gloucester Green, the main bus station in Oxford, and caught a night bus to Edinburgh. I made one switch around 1 AM, and to be honest, the ride wasn't very fun. I couldn't really do more than doze, and that was in a variety of uncomfortable positions. Upon arriving around 7:30 AM, I found my hostel, changed clothes, had breakfast and planned my day. I really wanted to see a play or something while I was there, but no such luck. Everything was either too far away or on the wrong day. Oh well! </p><p>That morning, I wandered into a couple bookshops, and of course found some wonderful books! I went to the Elephant House for lunch and stayed for tea, reading <em>That Hideous Strength</em>. I'm sure it sounds really lame to go all the way to Edinburgh just to read, but honestly, it was great. I hadn't read for fun in two months (quite a long time for me), and I just needed to relax. I went to the Writer's Museum after tea and explored the Royal Mile, a long street full of tourist shops, pubs etc. The next day entailed more reading, more tea and more museums (including the castle!)</p><p>I loved Edinburgh, but it was really nice to come home to a house full of de-stressed people. I think the next few weeks will let us get to know each other more, and have fun with only a medium level of academic stress :) Plus, my mom gets here in four days and the rest of my family in eleven! I can't wait to show them Oxford!</p><p><br /></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-86326449575569035272010-03-06T13:28:00.003-05:002010-03-06T13:51:38.209-05:00Where am I going exactly?Well, here I am again! Today was a pretty normal Saturday, involving sleeping in, procrastinating, lots of Youtube and some reading. In a little less than an hour I will go to Crick house, where the other half of the students in my program live, to watch a movie and possibly play board games. It's always a relief to get out of the house and see other people, so tonight should be fun, plus I get to take a walk under the stars.<br /><br />Recently I've been feeling a little lonely, I think, although I'm not exactly sure why. Maybe I am more homesick than I've realized - it's a little more than two weeks until my mom gets here! - but I think also I've realized just how little of an impact I am having on Oxford. I certainly didn't expect to storm the University with new, transforming ideas about literature, but now that 8th week is beginning and my last essays for the term are approaching, I am humbled in light of the great work even people I disagree with have accomplished. This week I strongly disagreed with the approach a certain author took in writing about C. S. Lewis, the subject of my primary tutorial, and I felt competent enough to explain why. Nevertheless, this person is a respected academic and has several books published. I think they have me beaten there.<br /><br />Studying something so intensely as I have for the past two months necessarily brings forth new ideas, and I have so many right now that if I could, I would stay in the library reading and writing for days. Ideas for books have even flitted across my mind. I don't want this week to be the last time I study stories; their power in conveying truth makes me ready to talk about them for the rest of my life. And herein lies the problem: I haven't been planning on continuing my education past a master's degree, and possibly not even that far. Now I know that I want to at least study literature past Messiah, but what do I want to do with it?<br /><br />Of course, I should have expected my feelings/my plan to change. Every time I get something set in my mind, it changes, either due to my own uncertainty or God's delight in showing me something new. At this point, I wonder what else can happen in the next few years to change my course, but I also feel very ready for 'life' to start. I know, I know - I'm living right now, and I shouldn't always be looking ahead, for fear that I will miss the life I have now. But I'm so ready to stop wondering and just be there, whether that means New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia or even Oxford. College is a period of preparation and development, but to what end? It would be nice to know which target I'm aiming at.<br /><br />With that said, I do know that part (most) of following God means surrendering control over my life and future and living both with purpose and flexibility. It's a delicate balancing act, this mortal life.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-6315946512887402642010-02-17T04:28:00.005-05:002010-02-17T05:22:55.001-05:00Sometimes Fairy Stories Say Best What Needs to Be SaidI was thinking last night about writing a blog entry, and I thought, "But I just don't feel like being pleasant right now."<br /><br />Imagine that, readers. I didn't know it was possible to have a bad day in Internet-land! Don't you have to always be cheery and funny and gushing about whatever experience you're sharing?<br /><br />Surprise! The answer is no.<br /><br />One really unfortunate but possibly unavoidable* factor of living in a house with 31 adults-who-were-until-very-recently-teenagers is the gossip. Prejudices are formed, rumors get spread and feelings are hurt. Fortunately, being a person who isn't usually in the popular** group, I have managed to stay out of dodge so far. At least, I think I have...you haven't heard anything, have you??<br /><br />Anyways, that's the sort of tone that has pervaded the house for the past few days. Please, don't think, however, that I live with a group of emotionally-stunted people who best function by discrediting other people. There's a simple explanation for the recent behavior. It's 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> week.<br /><br />The Oxford term (Michaelmas = winter, Hilary = spring, Trinity = summer) has eight weeks. The primary tutorial meets once a week (8 times, 8 papers) and the secondary meets every other week (4 times, 4 papers). If things go well, the research begun in 1st week continues to build until 8<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> week, culminating in a more complex understanding of the subject and readiness to take an exam (which, as a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Visiting</span> Student, I don't have to take). So, this week I had my 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> primary tutorial, and next week I will have my 6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span>, plus my 3rd secondary. This means lots and lots of work. It also means that we are over half-way done with term and all those research skills and writing styles that we were sure would improve over time need to start improving NOW.<br /><br />Thus the recent poor behavior and my reluctance to write a blog in which the sun shines (it doesn't) and the birds sing (they do). Normally I love my primary tutorial, in which I have so far read George MacDonald, Lewis Carroll, C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. Some would say that's not exactly a challenging reading list, but I disagree. I'm not just reading to enjoy the plot; instead, I'm reading with an eye for literary theory (why the authors chose the fairy-tale form to share this particular information) and identifying specific connections between Lewis and the other authors.<br /><br />Unfortunately, this kind of study is not really available at Messiah - the study of prose literature largely starts in the 1920s and goes backwards. Modern fiction, especially fantasy which has a bad, 'escapist'*** reputation by itself, gets overshadowed by the strong poetic movements of the 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">oth</span> century. I don't mean that Messiah is ignoring certain kinds of literature: it's a small college and only so many classes can be offered. Anyways, I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to study something which I wouldn't normally be able to spend time on, but I have at last moved on from the fairy-story aspect of Lewis' writing to more satirical, theological writing. Of course, he is a good writer and I appreciate what he has to say, but fairy stories, the content of the first four weeks, are why I chose this tutorial specifically. Also, Lewis' particular issues, including a ridiculously misogynistic tendency, are much more visible in books like <span style="font-style: italic;">The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Screwtape</span> Letters </span>and the space trilogy.<br /><br />Fortunately, I'll start work on my long essay soon, in which I am comparing <span style="font-style: italic;">The Chronicles of Narnia</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">The Hobbit</span> based on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Tolkien's</span> definition of the fairy story in his essay "On Faerie Stories". Of course, this makes me so happy that I might as well sing "My Favorite Things" for the rest of term.<br /><br />Well, this entry that I thought was going to be very depressed and negative actually turned out to be closer to neutral and vaguely optimistic for the future. So...is it possible to write a truly negative blog post? Maybe the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Internet</span> gods forbid it. I think you readers ought to be thankful for such a lengthy, non-negative post and leave me comments of gratitude to encourage more of the same. What do you think?<br /><br />*I actually don't think it's unavoidable, from a very good experience with my Messiah roommates and friends, but I'm pretty close to sounding self-righteous and holier-than-thou, so lets just say I don't think it's unavoidable and move on.<br /><br />**Popular - 1. regarded with favor, approval, or affection by people in general 2. suited to or intended for the general masses of people - Now there's nothing wrong with being popular, but in the high school sense in which I have experienced popularity (more specifically, the lack thereof. I'm not bitter at all!), it becomes a very dangerous concept to which subscribing potentially stunts individual growth by emphasizing the importance of being 'normal' and accepted. As has been stated by many child psychologists etc., at this point in a person's life, they need to understand who they are before trying to please everyone else.<br /><br />***There is absolutely nothing wrong with escapism in literature. Tolkien said (speaking about fairy-stories, but I think it applies to art in general) that while stories provide entertainment, their primary role is to provide rest and consolation, so that we may return to the real world more able to deal with 'reality.'Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-22644474602413192652010-02-09T13:50:00.002-05:002010-02-09T14:39:31.609-05:00The ReturnI'm back with a brand new power cord!<br /><br />Well, dear readers, Oxford is...so wonderful. It's hard to explain, because it's really not a land of castles and dragons, but going from day to day with one purpose, to broaden the reaches of my mind, changes everything else I do. It's perfectly normal to have a conversation on the validity of Freudian motifs in children's literature, and a few days ago, several people were up until 4:30 in the morning arguing (among many other topics) about the coming together of postmodernism and Christianity. Sunday morning, I woke up before my alarm (a very rare happening) and was pleased because it meant that I could get to the library (not open on Sunday) earlier. I'm training myself, along with everyone else in the SCIO program, for research.<br /><br />Tired is a constant state of being, unfortunately, but everyone else is having the same experience, so it's not so bad. I'm planning three trips between now and the end of term, I think. One to Edinburgh in a few weeks. Just a weekend trip. And another to Hay-on-Wye, on the Welsh border, but I'm not sure when that's happening. I am going to Italy for spring break though! A small group of friends and Dr. Rosenberg, the program director, are going to Florence, Ravenna and Pisa. So I won't get to Rome or Venice, but the places we're going are so incredibly beautiful, and I can't complain :)Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-68883472973772743732010-01-16T17:25:00.008-05:002010-01-17T18:59:06.597-05:00Surprised by JoyFor the last three mornings, I have waked to the sound of English rain on my window. It was saying something to the snow.<br /><br />"Come now, you know you don't belong here! You've got to leave. Yes, that's right, out the door."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsRX46s31fEcldjAgDlX-Ec5ppdexCST13_qNBRJWJrJxErjrAitTX2lMwsF3DQ4eg9hteDPdBZDlJqyit4f4_EBnpNmHk1n9Wjsr2zWXE1z63ogO4uAXn14ADfhBtWEqgKw73o9kupMb/s1600-h/021.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 410px; height: 104px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixsRX46s31fEcldjAgDlX-Ec5ppdexCST13_qNBRJWJrJxErjrAitTX2lMwsF3DQ4eg9hteDPdBZDlJqyit4f4_EBnpNmHk1n9Wjsr2zWXE1z63ogO4uAXn14ADfhBtWEqgKw73o9kupMb/s320/021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427479958486215106" border="0" /></a><br />The snow is gone! *happy dance*<br /><br />Before I get mobbed, I loved the snow while it was here! But not only did my feet turn into prunes, but also, it is <span style="font-style: italic;">extremely </span>hard to walk in snow! I'm not just talking a few hundred yards. MILES. Every day. Which I do enjoy, by the way. But when combined with snow, I get a little whiney. Not good for first impressions.<br /><br />Luckily, Oxford and I have made friends. Three days in the beautiful <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2qZERQNGW_jb4fT_ft9nFveXrMhGFIhW974NgbIgDIabgCbesvdCBweWCHAVIxni5CRyE8Kgsmi60fBPjdwg0VdDVGDDZaZkOWoFJcJt18JeJNsJQXsOgEXOBiFNCKP_smrBDqVUrO-h/s1600-h/009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2qZERQNGW_jb4fT_ft9nFveXrMhGFIhW974NgbIgDIabgCbesvdCBweWCHAVIxni5CRyE8Kgsmi60fBPjdwg0VdDVGDDZaZkOWoFJcJt18JeJNsJQXsOgEXOBiFNCKP_smrBDqVUrO-h/s320/009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427477074199174882" border="0" /></a>Radcliffe Camera have reminded me that I do actually like researching enough to be annoyed that all the libraries close on Sundays. Also, I loved living in Philadelphia. But Oxford is so much better! The green, the history, and the community all combine into a beautiful, enchanting place. Even the fact that England ran out of road salt just adds to the charm.<br /><br />No adventure too grand as of yet, although I am beginning to think that I can't stay away from the Kilns for too much longer. It calls to me. I'm also looking into doing some horseback riding while I'm here, but unfortunately, it seems that the university club is defunct, which means many more pounds must be parted with. My mid-term break comes along in a few months, and I am planning on going to Wales with the SCIO group. I will root out some old Arthurian castles and take pictures. Maybe I'll write my own "Idylls of the King"! *nerd joke*<br /><br />I have had some awkward moments figuring out the coinage here though. Most cash transactions take place with coins, and it's really awful when you're rooting through the fifty coins, knowing that everyone else knows you don't know what you're doing. I think I've got it down, but bus fares need to happen quickly, and I'm not quite up to that speed yet. I was thinking about purchasing a bus pass, but the walking is definitely good for me. I'd like to follow in C. S. Lewis and Tolkien's tradition of walking everywhere, provided the weather cooperates. I don't mind the rain at all, and as long as the snow stays on the western side of the Atlantic, the poor plow and salt-less Oxford roads and I will get on just fine.<br /><br />Tomorrow I'll go to St. Ebbe's Anglican in Headington, which is about a 15 minute walk from my house The Vines. I went last week with some SCIO friends and I really enjoyed both the English company and the tiny service. It reminded me quite a lot of Liberti, the church I attended off and on in Philadelphia, and the people are very welcoming (my accent makes me more interesting, I think). After church, it's back to the house to write up my first Oxford paper, which is due Monday morning.<br /><br />My primary tutorial is C. S. Lewis in Context, and, as much as I love him, I don't want it to turn into a biography. Instead, my first paper is about the power of myth and story, how the Scottish writer George MacDonald connected that with the Christian faith, and how his book (fairy story for adults, really) <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></span></span>Phantastes</span> "baptised [Lewis'] imagination." Story is a powerful thing, the extent of which I haven't yet grasped, and to be studying writers who devoted their lives to it is a privilege.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-55944457383146506362010-01-09T06:50:00.004-05:002010-01-09T18:06:35.788-05:00On the wayHere, for you lucky readers, is what I wrote while on the plane over here. Once the world stops spinning I'll let you know how England is for real.<br /><br />I'm on my way to London.<br /><br />If I wasn't actually here on a huge, uncomfortable plane, I wouldn't believe it. Or else I would think that I should be having a nervous breakdown or vomiting butterflies or something. Strangely, I'm not. I'm so not nervous, in fact, that I almost feel guilty. This is a <span style="font-style: italic;">huge deal</span>. I just changed the time on my iPod to 4:59 (military time!) when really we all know it's 11:59 pm! I can see Reykjavik on the map of our flight, and London is blinking at me in ALL CAPS as we get clsoer.<br /><br />Why am I not nervous? Maybe I'll go crazy after being forced to drink tea, but I hope not. I have a theory, as usual. England has always existed in my head. I read Narnia when I was six and lord of the Rings in middle school.* - 2 hours and 13 minutes to destination - I have spent my whole life imagining England, so it doesn't seem like the unknown to me.<br /><br />Now I'm getting sleepy.<br /><br />England is a person, an old friend who writes letters to me about her life, about the people she meets and the adventures they go on together. And now she's written to ask me if I would come too.<br /><br />So, this flight, despite taking me away from family, friends, my church and most of my books, is also taking me towards one very dear friend, many new ones, more books than I can imagine and a part of the Church I haven't yet met. I'm not nervous.**<br /><br />It appears that I will not be getting any sleep. As soon as I decided I was tired, the crew decided it was time to eat.<br /><br />*I am definitely not bragging about my literary prowess (HA!). When I read those books the first few times, I had <span style="font-style: italic;">no clue</span> what they were about.<br />**I really am, but..."I can't think about that now. I'll think about it tomorrow."Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-30032067615328193762010-01-06T23:43:00.002-05:002010-01-07T00:19:49.742-05:00We're off to see...Well, here I am, going to England...<br /><br />help!!<br /><br />I feel slightly like the night before my dad and I left to drive up to school for the first time, when I was so nervous that I couldn't stop trembling. I'm pretty emotional right now for several reasons: one, I've dreamt about going to England for a long time. It's always been a sort of mythical place in my mind, because, obviously, that's where Narnia is! I know, I know - if I flounce off the plane with the camera flashing and my eyes sparkling, asking where Mr. Tumnus is, I will get eaten alive. So don't worry, Internet. I'll play it cool.<br /><br />Two, I know that this term a lot of big decisions about post-college life (what???) must be made. Oxford is a great place to do that, but the fact that it's far away from home and school makes me nervous.<br /><br />Along that same idea, with every step forward I take, I can feel myself growing up a little bit more, and it's sad! I'm really excited to see what I get to do in the next few years, but soon, my enjoyment of going home in between semesters will be dampened by the totally lame fact that there are no more semesters! I will be offered the choice of kicking myself out on my own or having it done for me by my (extremely loving) parents. Living for several months in another country (on another continent!) speeds up that process a lot, I think.<br /><br />With that physical separation comes the natural worries for my family. If something horrible were to happen, I would have to drop everything. Not a pleasant idea, certainly, but there's really no choice to make. I already know what I would do.<br /><br />On a totally different note, I am absolutely terrified of the academic work. But in a very good way. Basically, Oxford is going to kick my butt. There's no getting around it - it's going to happen - but frankly, I need it. At this point in my college career, I know what I want to do, which lets me automatically eliminate any effort not aimed at that. Not good! I'm hoping my research skills, which are seriously lacking at the moment, will improve, plus I am especially looking to learn much more about C. S. Lewis, a man I have idolized since I was six but have never studied academically. As a Christian, I almost feel guilty that I haven't read all of his theological books (which of course I will do this term); as a reader, I am utterly ashamed that I haven't read the Perelandra series (that's not the series title, just one of the books, but I'm too lazy to Google the series right now); as a historian, I really really want to connect him to his context: the Great War, World War II, the Lost Generation, the Great Depression, all of that good stuff.<br /><br /><br />My flight leaves at 7 PM tomorrow and I still have a work-study project to finish. Time for sleep.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-30036174262764404522009-10-16T20:59:00.002-04:002009-10-17T00:01:55.678-04:00Nobody knows...Internet, you must rescue me.<br /><br />Seriously, I'm in trouble. I think I'm about to spend the second Friday night in a row not partying with my many friends, not participating in any <a href="http://www.messiah.edu">Centennial Homecoming events</a>, but watching The Office. My roommate Lauren and I watched season 2 (yes, all of it) last Friday, and we are currently on the second disc of season 3, which is my favorite. This does not bode well for me.<br /><br />Anyways, I have a lot of news for you. A lot mostly because, I admit, I have severely neglected you, Internet. Apologies.<br /><br />So, a quick rundown of my life. Junior year now. Doing pretty much everything I possibly can fit into my schedule - history, English, working at the Writing Center, props for Comedy of Errors. A lot. But that's the way I work best, so it's ok!<br /><br />Its a rainy day here in Grantham, and it's as close to snow as possible. Friday tends to be my theatre day, which means I've walked three times in the rain down to Climenhaga. I am officially frozen (still, three hours after I got back). I absolutely refuse to spend another day or another semester with frozen feet and legs. It's time to invest in some Wal-Mart rain boots.<br /><br />A lot of what I'm studying right now has to do with historical methodology (how to be a historian), so I'm sure that you don't want to hear about that, but I think I'm learning some really great things. I have noticed that I am much more conscious of my writing process (I'll explain what that means in a minute, so don't worry), probably because of working at the Writing Center. Before I started working there, I usually just spilled words onto the page and sometimes they combined in good ways, but sometimes they were just absolutely horrible. Now though, I spend 10 hours a week dissecting other people's writing and helping them understand how to improve. Now when I write, I catch myself doing the same things our clients do and I can correct it before (usually the best time) I turn in the paper. Now that discussion was not to illuminate how wonderful a writer I am, because, Internet, I'm sure that is already obvious from what you've read so far. Writing can be a very stressful, scary process, especially if you don't really understand how it works. Since beginning work at the Writing Center, my self-consciousness as a writer has increased tremendously, meaning that writing papers is significantly less scary and that I want to do it more! Yay for more writing!<br /><br />Before you get your hopes up, though, that does not mean that I will return to my frequent-posting-habits of yore. Just to make sure you know, because I definitely haven't complained enough in this post, I am taking 17 hours of credit, plus working around 13 hours a week and doing props for <a href="http://www.messiah.edu/departments/theatre/seasons/07-08/dead_man_walking.html">Comedy of Errors</a>. Let me pass this semester, figure out grad school (How about Loyola? Tell me what you think, Internet), get to Oxford (did I mention that I'm going to Oxford next semester?) and I'll try and keep you updated along the way.<br /><br />I do have just enough time, however, to tell you what I'm doing next. I am going to sleep. See you...Friday? Let's try that. Until then!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-74575819685214287622009-07-28T22:53:00.002-04:002009-07-29T01:33:41.160-04:00Up and Down and Up AgainOk, time for my just-when-you've-forgotten-who-I-am update.<div><br /></div><div>Lately I've been worrying a lot about what happens if I don't get things right. (<--ambiguous confession.) You know? There are so many decisions to make in quick succession. So far in life it's been 1. Make it through elementary. 2. Survive middle school. 3. Repeat for high school. The goal was pretty general for a long time, but now I have to actually choose between goals. Life has some nerve expecting me to know (in advance!) what career I want, where I want to live and who I want to spend my life with*! Plus I have to finance it all (with significant help from parents)!<br /><br />So anyways, a general gloom has pervaded my thoughts in recent weeks, particularly since I keep hearing about childhood friends who are now engaged, have high-paying summer jobs or both! Way to encourage me to achieve, universe.<br /><br />But see, there's the rub. My world isn't just a huge universe full of inconceivable (!) coincidence or unalterable destiny. Even though I can get really ridiculously depressed about mistakes I will continue to make, eventually I am reminded that <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wait-And-See/dp/B001E513G0/ref=dm_ap_trk2">I'm not alone in this</a> (<-- cheesy, very obvious observation).<br /><br />This past year has been overflowing with emotion, and I guess once I got away from it all, reality punched me in the face (<-- horrible metaphor??). Now I can say I know that God has great things in the future, even if they're the antipodes** of what I want to happen. And there are A TON of things I'm looking forward to happening soon. An apartment with four awesome girls! A semester when I'm looking forward to all of my classes! Another semester in England! I've got a lot to be thankful for, but sometimes I worry that I will mess it all up by making poor choices or getting hung up on one thing or another.<br /><br />So, there you have my month full of thoughts. I know I'm not alone in fearing mistakes, so do yourself a favor, Internet, and give yourself a break :)<br /><br />Also, please check out <a href="www.youtube.com/starkidpotter">Starkidpotter</a>'s videos. Not only does A Very Potter Musical feed my inner theatre geek and HP nerd at the same time, but Little White Lie is also absolutely fantastic, and I've been listening to the soundtrack for two weeks. Enjoy!<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>*with whom I want to spend my life<br />**you guys have no clue how <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">freakin' happy</span> I am to use that word in a sentence<br /></div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-28813045638740267772009-07-06T23:53:00.000-04:002009-07-06T23:53:53.828-04:00Recent EventsWhole sentences? This is gonna be tough...wait, you want whole paragraphs? That are coherent?? I'm sorry, Internet, but that might be a little much for me right now. Summer is a time for much thinking and pondering, yes, but apparently not for writing things down. I've started at least three entries that have petered out as I got further towards coherency. Even now, all I can offer is a list of incredible things I've happened across recently and an entry written maybe 3 weeks ago with some mental wanderings as I watched Turner Classic Movies late at night.<br /><br />The petered-out entry from just after our Yellowstone trip.<br /><br />Tonight has turned into a classic musical night:<div><br /></div><div>1. On the Town</div><div>2. Royal Wedding (which I have never seen!) (edit: Now in my Top 5)<br /></div><div>3. Singin' in the Rain (ahhh!) (also my Top 5)<br /></div><div>4. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Adam, Benjamin, Caleb, Daniel, Ephraim, Frank(incense) and Gideon!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Our trip to Yellowstone was utterly fantastic. The hills and valleys there are so beautiful that I'm pretty sure if Tolkien had ever seen them, he would have seen Rohan and Gondor, and even the Shire at points.</div><div><br /></div><div>We saw so many wild animals! Bison are old news to me now (please don't bother me with such trivial creatures), and the same with elk, although we only saw one with antlers, plus one moose, one big horn sheep (very dignified), one coyote (!!), and several mountain goats with one kid. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once we arrived at our house and saw a bear preserved, we made it our mission to see a live one. Sadly, we went home unfulfilled in that dream. We had many almost sightings that turned out to be nothing more than far off black stumps<br /><br />And that's where I either became too absorbed in my movie marathon to continue or simply fell asleep. Here's my List of Incredible Things I've Happened Across Lately.<br /><br />1. I love dogs that are cuddly. I love dogs that are not cuddly as well, but our new dog, Jack (aka Clive Staples Lewis), curls up as close as he possibly can to me, and it makes me feel very warm and fuzzy inside. (It is extremely unfortunate that our cat, Kate, does not get this same feeling when Jack tries to make friends with a few menacingly friendly barks.)<br />2. New clothes - they are crisp, clean, animal hair-free (a rare thing in my house) and also yield a warm fuzzy feeling.<br />3. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/starkidpotter">A Very Potter Musical</a> - So goofy, but very sincerely affectionate to Harry & Co. The music is great and at times reminiscent of Les Miserables!<br />4. Jobs - I have one for a whole month, starting tomorrow!<br />5. A familiar book - specifically Harry Potter et al. I am rereading the series in preparation for the movie in...10 days, I think? I'm through approximately 1/3 of Chamber of Secrets, and the pleasure I get every time I open the book again is ridiculous. I can just feel myself sinking back into the universe, suddenly surrounded by old friends. This feeling happens with favorite scenes, chapters, books, and in very special cases, entire series (Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Jane Austen [yes, I know her books are not a series]). I'm desperately trying to finish a book that tries way too hard, and to read a book that was written with such ease and natural feeling is sheer pleasure.<br /></div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-61178139252073544592009-05-30T12:57:00.001-04:002009-10-16T20:59:20.996-04:00New IdeasWhy, hello there!<br /><br />I don't believe we've met; let me introduce myself. My name's Elizabeth, and I am halfway done with college.<div><br /></div><div>And now, I'm back home with the humidity and the tall grass and the bugs and the dog, just sort of hanging out. I've got to get a job soon, but right now I'm just soaking in the sun (not really - I'm as pale as a sheet) and basically detoxing from the most ridiculous semester ever. On my drive home (7 hours, ugh), my mind wandered through the past two years, and I was absolutely amazed at how much has changed, especially in the past year and even the past few weeks.</div><div><br /></div><div>And before you get irritated that this entry will be full of cliche memories instead of wildly entertaining humor and dazzling displays of artistry, please remember that this is my life and my blog and I can write whatever and however I please. Can you hear the latent anger?</div><div><br />This past year, I met some of my best friends in the world (amazing, amazing people), I added a major (English) and a minor (Theatre) (and a concentration, but that's another story), discovered a love of parentheses, and now at the end, I know decidedly what I do not want to do - this might shock some of you - write.<br /><br />Yeah, when that thought first occurred to me, I thought it was blasphemy, but it's sadly true. I cannot spend my life writing for the sake of writing. I'm not motivated enough, and also, I'm not good enough. I doubt that anyone will ever pick up a book solely based on seeing my name on the cover, especially not anything creative. All three of my English classes this semester focused on the power and beauty of language, definitely something everyone, not just majors, needs to understand, but instead of scribbling out volumes of inspiration, I was bored and struggling - occasionally apathetic. Why?<br /><br />My high school memories are a little fuzzy at this point (at least academically), but I think the fact that I took primarily history classes my first year of college has forever altered the way I read and write. Basically, whenever I read anything (with the exception of select fictional series), I'm asking, "What's the point? What does that mean? What does the author mean by that?"<br /><br />Now you non-Humanities people might not understand the significance of that, but apparently in English - primarily poetry - those questions are huge no-no's. At least that's the impression I got from the classes I took. Historians investigate and make assumptions, but literary scholars sort of soak in the language - they sit and wait for meaning to appear to them, which I so hate to do! It makes me want to scratch my eyes out!</div><div><br />Hem, wow, but it's totally true. At points this semester, I felt like I was going crazy. I really struggled with my writing ability this semester, and it really confused me, because I know I'm a good writer, yet I struggled to even mildly appreciate most writing I did, much less enjoy doing it. The only class where I am satisfied with my performance is, of course, my urban history class. Every piece I wrote in that class had a really distinct and aggressive search for meaning, interpretation, what happened (etc.) behind it.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So those are my very interesting thoughts on English philosophy. I hope you all enjoyed it. I leave tomorrow (in 3 hours, actually) for Yellowstone (Montana!) and I can't wait! One wonderful week riding horses, climbing rocks, panning for gold (yeah, you can do that!) and running away from bears. Rest assured I have packed several (several) books to read including <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">The Book Thief </span>by Markus Zusak, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Frost/Nixon </span>by Peter Morgan, and of course <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Pride and Prejudice</span> by dear Miss Austen. I'm not sure what kind of electronic communication we will have out there, but honestly, I'm not too bothered by the thought of temporary isolation. So goodbye until Sunday week!</div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-43960030345601727432009-05-12T19:36:00.000-04:002010-05-13T19:55:37.196-04:00Trials and TribulationsWell, it's been quite a while since I tried to articulate my thoughts, simply because there are <i>so many</i> of them and it's <b>so hard</b> to think them! <div><br /></div><div>Despite getting delayed by an unnamed (because I can't spell it) volcano, I made it back to the States, luggage intact. I'm really missing Oxford, and my friends there, but I am enjoying being home too. It's so hard to explain what it feels like to stay in one place for a short time like three months, but develop a real life there, and then return to something so normal as home. It's wonderful to be home, but it feels almost like going backwards.</div><div><br /></div><div>I started my internship at Lee Hall Mansion on Monday, and soon I will be giving tours on my own! I know I will enjoy this - just hearing about organizing the archives and polishing 19th century silver gets me excited! Plus I am helping with the middle school youth group this summer. I have to admit, the first night, I was terrified. Middle school for me was...awkward, to say the least, and going back there something I plan never to do. So, you can understand why willingly walking into a room full of people just barely (and sometimes not) shorter than me would be nerve wracking. But turns out they're normal people too! </div><div><br /></div><div>I wanted to talk more about the last few days in Oxford, but that will keep until next time!</div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-8896696565854418722009-04-27T23:24:00.002-04:002009-04-27T23:31:52.779-04:00Out of my SystemSore throat, cough, sneezing <-- definitely the swine flu.<br /><br />Yeah, not really. Although I am going to NYC on Saturday, so who knows?<br /><br />I was actually going to write something, but am now too tired. I really am sick. Poor me!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-82141216426606415922009-04-21T23:31:00.003-04:002009-04-21T23:41:10.074-04:00Someone Stop Me NowI used to make such shockingly long posts - what happened?*<br /><br />Anyways, I was reading an entry from near the end of the spring semester last year in which I had just completed my last paper of the semester. The thought makes me drool. O_0<br /><br />So, I present accordingly:<br /><br />4/22 - 2 3-4 page papers, 1 1 page (single-spaced) due<br />4/24 - 1 1 page (single-spaced) due<br />4/27 - 1 1 page (single-spaced) due<br />4/28 - 1 1 page (single-spaced), 1 5-6 page due<br />4/29 - 1 7-8 page (rough draft), maybe 1 1 page (single-spaced) due<br />4/30 - 1 1 page (single-spaced) due<br />05/4 - 1 7-8 page (final) due<br />05/5 - 1 1 page (single-spaced) due<br />5/12 - 1 portfolio (~15 pages -most of it's already written) due<br /><br />So, 11-12 papers due in the 2 1/2 weeks of class left. That is absolutely amazing/ridiculous.<br /><br />*According to Dr. Downing's class, my dash usage there was punctuationally (<--not a word) incorrect, but I say personality and style trump punctuation in some cases.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-17408133381826932902009-04-19T00:00:00.002-04:002009-04-21T23:47:18.759-04:00Long long agoAlso, I was just looking back on <a href="http://puttingthepuzzletogether.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-is-this-possible.html">this entry</a> when I was reading Northanger Abbey. Those good old days when I had free time.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-60806258558299164632009-04-18T22:15:00.003-04:002009-04-18T23:51:30.691-04:00i can haz sleep plz? kthxI'm tiiiiireeeeed. You know exactly the tone in which that was meant to be said.<br /><br />Spending the day in Philly is great, but it makes for total and complete exhaustion.<br /><br />I'm pretty ready for this semester to be over. (But not really because some very dear friends are graduating) This semester has been pretty crazy in multiple ways - academically, emotionally, work-fully...??<br /><br />Currently I am not allowed to go to bed because my roommate's boyfriend is over...he's watching her play minesweeper...such wonderful relationship-developing activities...totally worth less sleep...<br /><br />Dear blog/internet, I feel guilty for not writing coherent entries in a while. But all my coherency (is that a word?it is now.) is needed elsewhere right now - and sometimes there's not enough to go around.<br /><br />I'm so brain dead. But I just keep writing because I can't sleeeep! It's not fair!<br /><br />Just know that right now I really don't realize how whiny this will look once posted - it seems perfectly legitimate to me. 12 minutes until he has to leave...<br /><br />Ok, just in case either of them read this, I don't hate them. Really. And I made my protest known before he got here and as soon as he walked in. So I'm not just complaining here. Trust me, they know how grouchy I am right now.<br /><br />aghhhhhElizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-82011127107856161902009-04-11T21:45:00.003-04:002009-04-11T22:19:04.158-04:00Read it.<a href="http://www.marginalia.org/dfw_kenyon_commencement.html">This</a> is a great speech.<br /><br />I forgot to mention that today I taught my brother how to drive stick shift. Woohoo!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-85363847228402603862009-04-11T01:22:00.002-04:002009-04-11T01:25:18.472-04:00Hallo the House!I'm still alive. Also I'm at home for Easter. Also, I have possibly 10 papers due between now and the end of the semester - totally not an exaggearation.*<br /><br /><br />*originally a typo, but left intact, because I enjoy saying it that way. pronounce the vowels individually, not together like 'ear'Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-7524282941018534422009-04-03T17:10:00.002-04:002009-04-03T17:27:41.363-04:00Just have to get this down before I forget it...I think I know why the elusive connection between history and literature fascinates me. I wrote a paper last semester on the development of Nathaniel Hawthorne's conception of romanticism and the role of the author/narrator in the novel and in that genre in particular. It was part psychology, part literary analysis, part history, part knowing what to look for in the many, many wonderful pages of text I read. It's almost like my own brand of archaeology: I read letters he wrote, letters written about him, researched historical developments of the time and then read three novels he published over three years, back to back, and tried to see where all those pieces fit together.<br /><br />I must say it is extremely presumptuous to say that I have my <span style="font-style: italic;">own</span> brand of archaeology - that no one in the world has thought of it before and that I have really invented anything new. On the contrary, I'm sure one day in the future I will crack open a book of literary criticism or history, read a few lines and shout, "That's it! My idea! They <span style="font-style: italic;">stole</span> it!" Of course no one will listen to me, the short girl who tries to write a few lines every once in a while. But I will know. Deep down in the part of me that I will never discover maybe ever, even in eternity, only I will know what it feels like to make the connection between history and story, between thought and page and between author and reader.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-91191668949590049672009-04-03T00:05:00.002-04:002009-04-03T00:43:59.957-04:00Hello ThereBoy, do I have some complaining/talking/reacquainting to do!<br /><br />See, here's the thing - the longer I go without blogging, the harder it is to start again (that is unless it's a really, really long time; then I can just start over). Everytime I come up with an idea for an entry, I think, "No that's way too long ago. Try again." In the meantime, the date on my last post is growing farther and farther away! It's a vicious cycle!<br /><br />It is my fault entirely that I have not spoken in a while, and I beg you to forgive me. If, however, you desperately need someone to blame, I can quite easily provide you with the names and addresses of the culprits.<br /><br />Big-time criminal #1: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/vlogbrothers">The Vlogbrothers</a><br /> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy1M5VHF3no&feature=channel_page"> ...especially this one</a><br /><br />Big-time criminal #2: Messiah College. That's right, the entire institution. Or at least the School of Humanities. I would name professors, but who knows who reads this thing? But please, never EVER let me be involved in three departments at once. It's insanity, so hold me back, Internet!<br /><br />Big-time criminal #3: Daylight Savings Time. You all know what I mean.<br /><br />So yes, I have more to write about, but my roommate just pointed out that I have an 8AM class tomorrow and I am online right now...Good night!Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-8621264885516298152009-03-17T19:08:00.002-04:002009-03-17T19:35:26.292-04:00PhiladelphiaHere's the thing. I miss Philly tons. I miss the noise, I miss the streets, I miss the vastness and I miss the people. I belonged there*, and already it feels like last semester was a lifetime ago. The living situation provided a balance between public and private that cannot be replicated. We were just in a great community there, and I miss it.<br /><br />Surprise sort of grabbed me when Ryan (the RD) emailed me about a job during May-term. The family's got a vacation planned almost exactly during that timeframe, so I obviously can't go, but I am sooo tempted. Seriously, my parents are taking me to Yosemite (!) and I would rather go to the city and work. I still may get to spend the summer in the city (work-study please?), but just the opportunity to go do my old job with friends made me realize exactly how much I miss the place.<br /><br />*Not that I feel I <span style="font-style: italic;">don't</span> belong in Grantham - Messiah's awesome :)Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4436968351493867247.post-78856820409766843912009-03-10T12:10:00.000-04:002009-03-10T12:11:25.604-04:00Illness sucksThat's all.Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11727497784990783134noreply@blogger.com0