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.