Back to School to Prove to Daddy I'm not a Fool... (#7)

Our class experiences have been very positive this trip. We had the chance to read the longer novels prior to our departure, making our group able to engage in intellectual discussions from the get-go. The course has been structured to take the reader from the Medieval Mindset, through the Gothic(s), through Romanticism, and end with Modernism (Urbanism). With each new period, we were able to discuss what was happening in the real world and intergrate the fields of literature and art into it. It gave it a much more holsitic and complete picture by placing the novels into context. From there, we were able to and another layer by physically viewing the landscapes written in the text. I find the enitre course concept intriguing (lucky, right?)- viewing the landscape's role in the literature as you read the text, then viewing the literature's role in the landscape as you visit it, and finally observing how the two have changed each other.


It has been so interesting to see the random, unplanned times that things from our class have come up- some of which are mentioned in other posts (Byron's quote on the bar window, Byronic moments) or when you suddenly see the Green Man everywhere (seriously.), laugh at the comments people have made about Maid Marian's NECESSARY place in the BBC version because she was such an integral part of the original (or not), or decide if I am having a Jane day or a Blanche day with my appearance (most days are more Jane, hate to say). I have especially enjoyed the freedom that comes with taking a class purely for fun. There are so many deeper layers to the text that comes out by having the chance to talk in depth with a group of intelligent women who are all excited about the literature (or are at least excited about the art that we talk about relating to the literature!).


This class has been different than my other experiences because of our ability to travel to the actual landscapes. With the text in mind, viewing the landscape takes on a whole new meaning. I think that this class and the cultural experiences will continue to change my thinking and improve my ability to be both a teacher and learner.

I'm late, I'm late for a very important date! (#6)

So I am not characteristically the most timely of persons... ever. I would like to say I have tried very hard this trip to be more so (especially because with seven people TOTAL it would be kind of noticeable and I don't want everyone to have to wait for me). However, it has seemed to be that in the more rural setting of Lincolnshire everyone is fairly relaxed about getting places. If a specific time is mentioned then people are fairly reliable about leaving when they say they are going to- especially in public transit situations (Doug is very faithful about driving the Harlaxton shuttle on time and there was only one train that did leave on time- only because of a technical malfunction that caused everyone to detrain). There is not the hustle-bustle, hurry up to wait, rushed feeling you get in the city.


In terms of personal space, my experiences in Europe have led me to believe that Americans put WAY more emphasis and value on personal space than Europeans do. Our hotel rooms are significantly larger- with more empty space and sitting room. Also, our seats are bigger (both the material that you sit on and that with which you use to sit). I have noticed this on the shuttles and trains we have taken, as well as the amount of space for you to go through the kissing gate. Someone told me (Ruth perhaps?) that cars in the United States are now being marketed as "personal transportation vehicles" or something similar. I have not noticed British people bumping into each other without excusing themselves as much as I have observed it in other countries (but keep in mind the rural setting that the majority of the U.K. experiences has occurred in).


I'd say that overall people are very respectful to each other in my observations from this trip. People are very mindful about picking up after themselves. In the rural areas, they have "Tidy Street" contests. All of this promotes a very positive, clean experience. I have tried to be very mindful about not leaving my things behind and tucking in my chair after dinner so that others don't have to pick up after me as much. I have appreciated the punctual, yet relaxed atomosphere of the places we have stayed and appreciated that fact that I am on the smaller side and can be comfortable with the less personal space during travel. That all will inevitably be altered when we head to the "big city" tomorrow!

Como se dice..."How YOU doin'?" (#1)

I have a special place in my heart for accents... some of my favorite books to read my kiddos are those that are specifically written for you to read in a particular accent or dialect (like Petite Rouge is a Cajun version of Little Red Riding Hood that I get out my best southern drawl with a few French phrases) or can be enhanced by reading it with a particular voice (I remember my grandma reading us The Gunniwolf when we were little in her best "guten sweeten song" voice). I have really enjoyed just listening to the people around me on this trip.


I was riding the train back from London the other day when the man in front of me said something I could not understand. The English woman next to him asked him to repeat it because she didn't make it out either and then chided him for not using "Proper English" as he was clearly Irish, to which he responded, "well that's just how we speak." I find it very amusing how English is such an umbrella language that can sound so diverse depending on where you are, even within a country or region.


I have noticed that Cheers is a universal catch-all word. It can mean 'enjoy this lovely frothy beverage I have just placed in front of you,' or 'hello, it is lovely to see you again,' or 'I am so glad we had this pleasant chat, I hope we do it again soon,' or 'Thank the Lord you are getting out of my check out line. Have a fabulous life.' It has also seemed common to call people 'love' when you are asking for something (like how much you owe in the check out line) or when you are saying goodbye, although I have had people say that to me in the States before. A lot of the common phrases popular in America are prominent here as well, if you swap "bin" for "throw away," "litter" or "rubbish" for "trash," "lollies" for "popsicles" and "kinder" for "everything that is delicious and amazing in life."


In an earlier blog, I addressed the volume issue I noticed between Americans and Brits... we are a much louder people, on the whole. This did not seem quite as true in Scotland or the more urban area of London; however, both places have a large influx of tourists which make it difficult to ascertain who really lives there. Of the people I have assumed to be native to England, I have noticed less public displays of affection (people that I have noticed holding hands do not appear to be English) with the exception of kissing hello or goodbye at the train stations. There are plenty of Americans who are firmly rooted in the 'no PDA' camp, as well as plenty who are not. I have not shaken anyone's hand since I have been here, but have not observed many formal instances in which (in America) it would be deemed appropriate.


The conclusions I can draw from these observations are to pay attention to those around me and try to fit in as much as I can with my volume level as to not be rude. On the accent front, I don't feel the need to injure the ears around me with my sad interpretation of a British accent and will save it for my kiddos who don't know any better. I will be keeping my hands to myself, both in terms of PDA and hand-shaking, and focus on having a good time.

Blogging for Byron- Bleck.

Sorry Mike, but we as a group have decided that Byron is not our cup of tea. I understand that he had some amazing works of literature and was popular in his day as well as finding a place in the present. Since we have read his poems for this class, we have seen Byron quotes all over- on a pub window in London, "What's drinking? A mere pause from thinking," on the floor stones of Westminster Abbey (he had a white stone in contrast to all those around him because apparently people love him so much they go stroke and lay on the stone!!?!), on magnets at Shakespeare's birthplace house in Stratford Upon Avon, and random references elsewhere. Byron has polluted by brain to the point where if I see something narcissistic I think, 'Oh how Byronic.' Simply awful.


I must say that Newstead Abbey was beautiful. I cannot see how Byron could be so bored that he needed to escape to Spain, Portugal, and Greece. There were so many gardens that were immaculately maintained (although I doubt Byron would have had the Japanese Garden) and picturesque ponds with all sorts of wildlife (including a pushy, pesky peacock). I really enjoyed being on the grounds of Newstead. The house itself was dark and gothic. I could see where the house could be depressing- it would have been very cold and with Byron's diminishing (nonexistant) funds, the majority of it would be unfurnished. I enjoyed looking at the satirical comics of Byron- abandoning his wife and child, "spitting game" with the ladies, etc. The rooms had very dark paneling and could have been very lonely. The most redeeming qualities of the Abbey were seeing a document signed by Henry VIII, listening to the woman talk about the Black Monk (creepy story about how Byron saw it his wedding day and knew he shouldn't get married, but did anyway and ended up having a disastrous marriage- and how people still see it today!), and Top Model: Newstead Edition (a.k.a. playing dress ups in Newstead Abbey! According to one of the museum volunteers, it is a recent acquistion to the Abbey).


The gift shop was similar to the Bronte gift shop in that there was a focus on Byron the poet with many little trinkets to take away the concept of the Abbey with you. However, the gift shop also had a lot of modge-podge, throw in whatever we think people will buy, that included recipe books, Beatrix Potter books and stuffed animals (how that fits into Byron I am unsure), bookmarks of other European and American authors, wax-seal kits, and other items. I daresay that it did not leave a lasting impression though, as not one person from our group felt the need to purchase anything.


In comparison to other field sites we have visited, Newstead Abbey had far more "civilized" formal gardens than the wild of Sherwood Forest or the Moors. It is interesting that our whole group liked the wild grounds (Sherwood, Bronteland) signifcantly more than Newstead Abbey and Nottingham castle. There was definitely a submile quality to the formal gardens, but they did not instill visions of wonder and adventure that you could imagine walking through Sherwood Forest. I don't think the lackluster opinion we had on Byron's works helped make the experience any better. I'm sure everyone will be much more excited to visit Baker Street (even though it is in a different kind of wild: London!).

Roguely Going Where Robin Hood Has Gone Before...

It was simply sublime.

Sherwood Forest was AMAZING. Robin Hood was one of my favorite stories as a child, though I did not read Pyle's work until recently. However, I am well acquainted with the tales surrounding him through the movies and reading children's versions of the book. My experience visiting Sherwood Forest did not disappoint. Every part of the woods reminded me of the sublime (something uplifting or with a spiritual element that raises you out of yourself). I had a long walk, mostly by myself, through the woods. The majority of the woods were open to wherever you chose to walk. Only a few sections had fences up to protect the herds of English Longhorn Cattle that they were hoping would have better luck in a preserved area (although I must say, I was VERY disappointed I didn't see any!!!)- this struck me as a very odd choice for a forest creature. Deer, yes. Foxes, yes. Bears, yes. But... cows? What ever you say, England. The freedom of walking amongst the trees and getting "lost" in the woods (on a circular path) was wonderful. It was surreal to be in a place where hundreds of people visit daily and spend the majority of your time with no one else in sight. It gave the forest such a big personality and made it easy to see how the characters in the novel could have found such refuge there.

It was very Romantic.

The forest had many examples of Romanticism (something that is beautiful, but melancholy, transient but lovely in passing, and excites emotion). Nature provides a wonderful view on Romanticism because in walking through it, it evokes strong emotions of how beautiful the colors, shapes, and lighting are; yet in every angle there is an element of death and transience. The forest is rarely depicted as a melancholy place in Robin Hood but is instead the life of the party, continually has new growth and Spring, and provides a safe haven for those who have been unjustly wronged by society. The Romantic nature of the setting provides a contrast to the story itself; a story that takes place in the woods that has survived hundreds of years, and is most likely to remain a fixture in literature.

It was Modern.

Even though some of the trees in the woods are hundreds of years old (800 if you ask some people about the Major Oak), there is still a Modern element present (something that makes you think or contains ideas or images that contrast with each other in a way that causes you to see both in a new light). Sherwood Forest was very well kept- there was very little litter/rubbish on the path or in the wooded areas and the natural benches were not carved into with graffiti. While I was walking, a jet flew by overhead and reminded me that, yes, there was still 'civilization' out there, even though I was peacefully captured into the quietness of the wood. It is interesting to see the modern interpretations of the story Robin Hood- there have been so many film versions, books, spoofs and spin-offs because the character types of the novel are still found in today's society.

It was Picturesque.

After wandering in the woods for about an hour and a half, we stopped for lunch near the entrance and ate amongst statues of Robin Hood and The Green Man (well placed). When I finished eating, I went through the museum and gift shop...and it felt like my Early Childhood Ed Mecca. I LOVED the way they walked you through the story. The tablets were very informational, should you chose to read with words. But as any one of my kiddos could tell you, you can read with pictures. Should you choose that route, the museum has done a BEAUTIFUL job making you feel as if you are in the story. There are trees hanging from the ceiling, wooden castles, figurines, interactive kid-friendly informational sound boards, and largely printed headings above each scene that give the walker the sense of story. It was interesting to note that the two lasting images the walker is left with is a large replica of Robin Hood being pardoned by King Richard (which must mean that it is ok that we liked him all along because he is no longer an outlaw) and then a quote, "By tradition, Robin and Marian were married at Edwinstowe Church," then reaffirming the viewer that "The spirit of Robin Hood lives on in Sherwood Forest and in the hearts of those who seek him." We love the addition of Marian to Robin's story, even though she wasn't in the original stories (sorry viewers). The museum also implies that the story must live on through the landscape and in the viewer's heart, which naturally translates to the viewer's pocketbook (ask any woman... if you don't buy it for her, you must not really love her *SARCASM*).


To aid in the quest for Robin, via your pocketbook, the gift shop will offer you a myriad of choices geared at all ages and stages. There are play swords, bow and arrows, felt hats and collars (which I TOTALLY bought), kids versions of Robin Hood (which I may have also purchased, just trying to do my part to aid Robin's longevity), postcards, pens, keychains, etc. for the younger crowd (or at least the young at heart) and tea cups, tea pots, glass figurines, books, and clothing for the more mature of the group. The love story that Hollywood has pushed has been scooped up by the gift shop, with more Maid Marian costumes/tiaras than you can shake a stick at. The story has been played up for the materialistic value much more than the story itself; whereas the Bronte museum was more for the lit crowd so much that you couldn't even buy at Bronte doll (sorry Katie).


All in all, I was overwhelmingly pleased with my trip to Sherwood Forest. After all, what American doesn't love buying in to such a classic hero (and trickster) tale.

Bin Your Rubbish, Your Mother Doesn't Live Here (#5)

In the course of the trip thus far, I have realized I take several things for granted at home, namely: my cell phone, my car, a personal shower, a grandma who makes my coffee in the morning, food whenever I would like to eat it, a grandma who makes tasty cookies, easy access to friends and family, conveniently placed stores, and a closet full of clothes... among other things! I have not had very much trouble adapting... although the shower situation is a little bit like being in college again. I have not missed wearing a bathrobe and shower shoes to tromp down the hallway to a shower where inevitably I will not be the only one and it has great potential to be awkward! My daily routine has not changed that much. The days we have morning classes I wake up early- other days... not so much. Even overseas I am not a breakfast person. I think I have made it to breakfast twice (and I made myself an Uptown Cafe "Breakfast Bagel." Thank you college, for the realization of the truly delectable toasted bagel with peanut butter and green apple slices. Only thing I'm missing is the granola, but muesli just doesn't cut it).


It takes A LOT more planning to be away from the conveniences to which I have grown accustomed. When we were in Scotland the group divided into two different hostels. We planned to meet up in roughly an hour (or at least so my group thought) outside our hostel. We ended up waiting a decent bit for the other group and had actually given in to our stomachs and started walking to find food by the time they came (sorry... my loyalty lies to my stomach- no offense). Without cell phones, you really have to plan ahead and BE SPECIFIC (how did I live before I had mine???). We had planned to meet the following morning at Starbucks, but LUCKILY upon further discussion, found that the locales we were describing did not match up. There were TWO STARBUCKS on Royal Mile! Who knew?! On the contrary, now that I have gotten use to not having my cell phone with me at every possible moment, it is a freeing feeling (although I must confess I still hear phantom phone rings occasionally).


I still have delusions of grandeur about all of the runs I am going to take. It would be a GORGEOUS area to go for a run... but for some reason, it just doesn't happen. This is exactly how I am at home- I love to run; life just gets in the way. Not having control of a lot of my schedule means that whatever plan I had in my head ends up going out the window because I take too long to do something or someone asks me to join them and I ditch my athletic thoughts. I haven't minded the millions of steps in the building or the hike we took in the moors. Somehow chasing my runts around all year prepared me for moving around a lot and it is the times when I am supposed to be sitting (particularly in class- oops) or waiting for something that I randomly start stretching, dancing, or wandering. I am enjoying all of the free space the Manor offers to move about!


Traveling anywhere is about being flexible and adapting as best you can. People deal with new situations very differently and I hope I am being patient and easy going to make other people feel as comfortable as possible with being out of their daily routines. I will have to remember to thank Grandma for being flexible with all of my random habits next time I speak to her!