All Good Things

"It's easier to resist at the beginning than at the end." Leonardo da Vinci

As they say, all good things must come to an end. After careful consideration (and by “careful consideration” I mean “insomnia overthinking”) I have decided to retire this blog. I briefly changed the layout and even the title, but as I thought more about it, it just didn’t feel right. This blog was a requirement for my multimedia program in London, and even though it started off as just another assignment, it became a real chronicle of my time there and I wanted to preserve that. I am not going to delete this blog, because I am very proud of it, and I love being able to share my trip through it.
 When I started library school two years ago, one thing we were encouraged to do was start blogging. I created a blog and never did anything with it. I think that it is high time I change that. Life is changing a little bit for me, and I’d like to blog about it, but this is not the proper forum.

So without further ado, I bring you Life, Libraries, and the Pursuit of Information.  I hope you like it. Thank you again for reading this blog and taking the trip to London with me.

Fear and Loathing in LIS

"Pick the day. Enjoy it - to the hilt. The day as it comes. People as they come... The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present - and I don't want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future." Audrey Hepburn

I’ve made a decision. I’m going to attempt to keep up this blog. I really enjoyed the process while I was in London. Some of the posts, especially a couple of the more personal ones, were a real source of cathartic release for me. I think that I will need that release as I move forward into the next few months and beyond. You see, I am a bonafide librarian now. Assignments complete, transfer credits received, grades in. All that is left is for me to participate in commencement this weekend, and even that is just a formality. So, how do I feel? I’m relieved, excited, anxious, and scared witless. I am now facing a job market that frankly, is a little scary and saturated. I am also in a situation where my options are limited. Every article and blog I’ve read lately is telling me the same thing: “If you want to get a library job, you have to move. Period.” Well, that just isn’t feasible for me, and that one track thought is making me angry and frustrated. I have a pretty deep-rooted life. Mortgage, two kids in school, and a husband with a really great (read: well-paying) job. There is no way that I would get hired for a position that rivals or exceeds his salary at this point in my professional career. That would be the only time a conversation of moving would even be on the table.

You might be wondering what I’m doing about this. Well, I am doing all I can. I am faithfully scouring the job listings at my local library system, community college, and four year university that are in driving distance. I’m keeping in contact with my professional network for their advice and guidance. I’m even considering positions outside of the profession. It’s amazing what kind of skill set I have acquired during graduate school. A degree that some may think is pigeon holing me, is really opening a door to different opportunities. Ultimately, my heart is in the library, but more than that, I am realizing that my heart is in information. My passion is connecting people and the information they seek. If I have learned anything, it’s that you can connect people and information in a variety of fields, not just in the library. Truth be told, I’m really hoping that things work out for me to stay at my current library. I love it there and I can see a future there.

For now it’s onward and upward. I’m going to keep my chin up, keep writing cover letters and keep my fingers crossed. The road is long and I’ve barely started. I just have to keep moving forward. 

Holiday from Real

“Oh, it’s the picture of perfection
Ah, the postcard’s gonna read…
F*** yeah, we can live like this…
We can live like this.”

Jack’s Mannequin, Holiday from Real

I am home. Home, sweet home. I arrived at SeaTac International Airport Monday evening, and after breezing through customs, I hugged my family for the first time in three weeks. What a great feeling. I think my son got taller and my daughter looks older. I wish I could say my journey ended there, and after a quick car ride I was in my own bed, but that’s not quite how it worked out. SeaTac is approximately 3.5 hours from home, so the car ride was not exactly a quick one. I thought I was doing pretty well until about 9:00pm when I felt like I got hit by a freight train. My body just about gave out on me. I realized it was because at 9:00pm pacific time, it felt like 5:00am to me – also known as 22 straight hours awake. I know I said it a few weeks ago, but jet lag? It’s no joke.

Here I am a couple days later reflecting on my journey. I chose those lyrics from one of my favorite Jack’s Mannequin songs because looking back; it really did feel like a holiday from real. The things I experienced were almost too good to be true. It especially feels that way since I am back to the reality I left behind. There are bills to pay, work to get back to in a few days, and finishing the last couple assignments for my Master’s Degree (graduation is in 17 DAYS!!) After that, a whole new reality will be upon me. I am so thankful for the time I got to spend in London and Paris. I feel like I am a bit better prepared for that new reality somehow.

Along with this new impending reality, I’ve been thinking about this blog. I’ve had a really great time writing it, and I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for reading it. I received some great feedback from readers and it was nice knowing that so many of you took that journey with me. I don’t know what I am going to do with this blog now. Should I keep writing? I’m no longer a “librarian in London,” but I like the idea of looking at things through an “alternate lens.”

Until we meet again here in the blogosphere, feel free to check out my final project for this course: my photo book. Thank you again for reading. Also, to my classmates from this program: Thank you. I learned so much from you all and I can’t wait to see what wonderful things you do next!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Turn your favorite photos into a photo book at Shutterfly.com.

These Last Moments

“And we danced, and we cried, and we laughed, and had a really really really good time…” And We Danced, Macklemore

“…Take my hand, let’s have a blast, and remember this moment for the rest of our lives…”

Beautiful London day for Buckingham Palace.

At this time tomorrow I will be on a plane heading home. I cannot believe how quickly these last three weeks have gone. Even though I had a sneaking suspicion they would fly, I could not have imagined just how quickly they would go. This is the last time I’ll be blogging from London. As I type, Crystal is beginning to pack and Lauren is finishing her own blog post. How bizarre.

Lauren, Kristyn, Melissa and Katie used the song “And We Danced” by Macklemore in their Digital Video assignment (check it out here), and it’s all I’ve been hearing in my head. It seems to sum up this experience perfectly.

“And we danced…”
I did not experience much of London’s nightlife while I was here. It was not the focus of this trip. I decided that I should go out at least one night, and since I was caught up on all my schoolwork and blogging, last night was the night. Lauren, Melissa and I took the tube down to Euston where we met up with Lauren’s cousin’s husband and his sister (did you follow that?) We hopped on a bus and headed down to Camden Town. I had been to Camden once before on this trip, and admittedly, it was not my favorite. It was just such a stark contrast to Bloomsbury (which I love). I have to confess though; the activity in Camden at night is pretty amazing. It seems like anything goes. There was no way you could be overdressed or underdressed. We ended up at a hole in the wall place called Barfly where several bands were playing. It was a really fun scene. The people were really great and very welcoming. It was funny, because the three of us were kind of the “token Americans” in a VERY British establishment. It was a blast. We danced and just had a really great time. It kind of reminded me of Portland, Oregon with its “anything goes” attitude. That is one of the things that I love about Portland, and it was interesting to feel so at home when I was so far away from it.

“And we cried, and we laughed…”
Okay, I think I can safely assume we’ve ALL cried at some point during this trip. Whether it was from laughing hysterically or from the pain of homesickness, the tears have been there. I am sad to say that I have cried from homesickness, especially in the last week. I think two weeks is long enough to be away from my family. I can also happily say that I have laughed until I cried more than once. I will fondly remember the “that’s what she said” jokes, and surprisingly with a bunch of librarians, there were many of them. I will remember standing in line for the Catacombs and hearing the girl in front of us say “alright, stop..” and following it up with “collaborate and listen..” and then busting up laughing in the heat of Paris. I will never look at food again and say it looks “tasty” without hearing Lauren’s voice.

“And had a really really really good time…”
I cannot express what a good time I had on this trip. I did things that terrified me. I know that these things changed me a little. Am I coming home a different person? I don’t think so. I’m a little stronger, maybe. I think I am also a little more willing to take risks and less willing to overthink every little thing. I am coming home with new skills, ones that I will continue to develop until I am confident enough to call myself an expert. I navigated new cities in foreign countries. I made some amazing friends. I will definitely remember these moments for the rest of my life.

Lucky #13

“A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.” George A. Moore

Sometime over the course of the last three weeks, I have replaced saying things like, “when I get back to the flat,” with “when I get home.” When I say “home,” I am not referring to my home in the states – though I am ready to be there – I am actually referring to the flat, my home in London. It occurred to me that I have mentioned the flat several times, mostly in reference to it being the “penthouse,” but I’ve never actually shared anything about it. I figure that two days before departure is as good a time as any to give you a little tour of my “home” across the pond.

The Long Hallway

First off, let me tell you a little history about the Study Centre. The buildings that make up the Centre were built sometime between 1685 and 1693. The Centre is in an amazing location in Bloomsbury. The West End, Trafalgar Square, and Piccadilly Circus are only minutes away. I can practically see the British Museum from the front steps of the building, as it’s only one block away.
You might be wondering why I call our flat “the penthouse.” Well, that is because it is. It is the top flat in building 102. We are four flights and 75 steps up from ground level. While I appreciate the multiple daily workouts I receive from hiking those stairs, there is no air conditioning in these 17th century buildings, so the heat wave that accompanied my first two weeks here was almost unbearable. Also, while I appreciate the aesthetic value of the slanted ceilings, I am a 5'9" girl, so I often feel like I need to hunch - or I'm hitting my head.  

My corner.

Throughout this program, the two things that have really made it all bearable have been my flat mates: Lauren and Crystal. I knew Lauren before joining this program, as she is part of my MLS cohort back home. Even though we knew one another, I don’t think we really knew each other until we were in London. Crystal has been an amazing friend. Always calm, and always optimistic, I’ve enjoyed swapping “mom” stories with her. I can certainly say that I have made some really great friends during this experience, but these two girls have been the best part of the trip. We’ve kept each other sane, even during the difficult situations like moving flats so that we could be live with four 19 year old girls instead of four 19 year old boys.

Common Area.

Kitchen - it's filthy. Living with
19 year olds isn't fun.

 
 
 
 
 

Flat Mate Picture!!

I can safely say that I am excited that departure is right around the corner, and come Monday night, I will be sleeping in MY bed... but I’m going to miss London, and I’m going to miss these girls.

The Eye and The Globe

“Lord, What Fools these Mortals Be!” Puck, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act III. Scene II.

One thing I have noticed on this trip is that “everybody got their something” (thank you, Nikka Costa, for this song is now in my head and probably in yours). For Kristyn, it was the Harry Potter Studio tour where she was able to get her picture taken in full house robes riding a broomstick in front of a green screen. For Melissa, it was the day of Roald Dahl where she skipped through the museum and story centre with childhood abandon. For Crystal, it was the production of Les Miserables, that not only made her cry but also inspired her to get a beautiful tattoo of Jean Valjean’s 24601 prisoner number here in London. For me? It was attending Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Globe Theatre. Nerd Alert: I am a big Shakespeare geek, so being able to attend a play there was my “something” that I was really looking forward to.

That's one BIG wheel.

Let’s back up a bit, shall we? The evening didn’t start with the Globe. We actually started with a trip on the London Eye. If I’m being completely honest here, the thought of going on the Eye was that “something” I was NOT looking forward to. I wouldn’t say that I am afraid of heights, but certain high spaces give me major anxiety: planes are one, and as silly as it may sound Ferris wheels are another. Of course, the London Eye is hardly a “Ferris wheel” in the carnival sense of the word. It’s a very solid structure with enclosed glass pods. I kept this in mind when I put the Eye in my “stepping outside of my comfort zone/trying new things” column. I knew that even though the thought of it freaked me out, I would do it. I was completely freaked out standing in line below the eye. Every time I looked up at it, the clouds moving past the wheel made it look like it was swaying side to side (it wasn’t, it was just me). The wheel is also continuously moving. You have to step on it as it passes the platform. It doesn’t move fast, but this was also a bit unnerving. Thankfully, our group got a pod by ourselves, and believe it or not, it was actually air conditioned! I am so glad I sucked it up and got on that pod. Any anxiety I felt faded away and I thoroughly enjoyed the 30 minute ride and unique London views.

Parliament and Big Ben from the Eye.

A walk along the lively riverfront led us to the Globe. We got there with about 10 minutes until show time, so there was time to go to the restroom or grab a drink but definitely not both. There was certainly not enough time to check out the shop (which I badly wanted to do). We did not have “groundling” seats, but they were pretty far off to the side, and my seat happened to be right behind a pole. Oh well. Nature of the beast when you are randomly handed a ticket. As for the play itself? Amazing. I really have no other words for it. The actors were emotional and funny. I really loved the traditional telling of the play. The set was minimal, which meant your focus was on the actors. There were a few modern elements – like the moonwalk – thrown in, but they did not take away from the play. One thing that I love about Shakespeare, and especially this play in particular, is the language. He had a way of making the simplest things sound so beautiful. Instead of saying “will you meet me in the forest?” and “yes,” his characters launch into extensive soliloquies to ask and answer uncomplicated questions. Maybe that is where I get my habit of rambling. As I always say, brevity is not my strong suit.

Walking into the Globe. So so cool.

Another thing I find interesting is the enduring nature of Shakespeare. The theatre was packed. All of those people were there to see a play written in the 16th century. I think this is because the themes explored in his most popular plays are still so relevant today. “The course of true love never did run smooth,” a popular line from Midsummer is still very applicable more than 400 years later. Nothing worth having comes easy, especially true love.
 

Mixing it Up - Group Style

Also known as our Digital Video Project.

One of our assignments for this course was to create a digital video. An option for the assignment was to use it as a means of promoting FSU's International Programs, specifically the London Multimedia Design and Production course.

My group had a lot of fun creating the video. I want to give a special shout-out to Jessica for volunteering her Mac (okay, *I* volunteered it.. "who has a Mac?" I said. "I hear iMovie is easy to use.." I said..), and for coming up with the "mixing it up" DJ theme. I'm pretty excited with how it turned out. 

 

The Magic Happens

“You can’t deny that going to Hogwarts wouldn’t be life changing!” Dylan Harper, as played by Justin Timberlake, Friends with Benefits

 

I remember when Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was first published and the hysteria that climbed with each addition to the series. I also remember SWEARING I would never read them. You see, I have an aversion to all things “fad” and I thought that Harry was just that. I figured it was a craze that would soon pass. I think it is safe to say I was wrong… Very, very wrong. Another thing I remember is that in the fall of 2001, I gave in and checked out the first installment from the library where I was working. This “fad” that I dismissed so easily completely enchanted me. I steamrolled through the next three books, even spending a whole day in my (then) boyfriend’s dorm room reading The Goblet of Fire cover to cover. After that I had to anxiously await The Order of the Phoenix with the rest of the world.

 

Another thing I remember about Harry was the controversy that surrounded him. Allegations of promoting witchcraft were common. I was just excited that kids were reading! As far as content is concerned, I have no room to talk. I was reading Dean Koontz and Stephen King when I was 11 – as approved by my parents, of course. To me, the series allowed kids to delve into their own imaginations while exploring Harry’s world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the films started being produced, imagination was brought to life. I got to experience some of that magic today as I toured the Harry Potter Studio in Leavesden. What an amazing tour. I was completely fascinated with all of the props! My favorite part of the tour however, had nothing to do with the props or sets. My favorite part was the display of concept art from various artists. I have a vivid imagination when I read, so seeing how others’ interpretation of key scenes was really intriguing. The artwork was simply amazing. Vibrant and dramatic, the paintings were like seeing emotions on canvas.

 


Concept Art

 


Concept Art 2

 


Yeah, yeah.. more concept art

 


And... concept art

 


Last one. This one is my fave. What can I say? I like the creepy ones.

 
 It’s been two years since the last Harry Potter movie was released, but Harry’s impact still endures. The studio was packed today and there were a lot of young children running around, mouths gaped open in wonder. I couldn’t help but think that these kids had grown up with Harry, Hermione and Ron. Watching their experience as they ran from set to set or perfecting their wand skills was really fun for me. I also couldn’t help but think of my own kids. They are seven and four years old and I cannot wait to share Harry’s world with them.
 

The Things I Want to Show You

“There’s a great joy in my giving. It’s thrilling. It’s exhilarating. It’s important to be a part of sharing. It is my love. It is my joy.”

W. Clement Stone

After the weekend in Paris, I think I truly fell in love with London. When you love something, you naturally want to shout it from the rooftop and share it with everyone. Lucky for me, I’m in the penthouse flat, so the rooftop is awfully accessible. Even though I had a great time in Paris, there is nothing there I am aching to show you. On the other hand, there are many beautiful things in London I want to share.

Great Russell Street and the Rest of Bloomsbury
I want to show you where I sleep, four flights up, in this hot room. Yes, I am sick of sweating, but the slanted ceiling, unique windows, and a view of the life on the street below is beautiful. There is a great grocery store down the street that sells fresh sandwiches (try the red onion and cheese, I swear you’ll love it), and a café with a charming man serving you English breakfast.

The Regent’s Park
I want to show you The Regent’s Park. I want to stroll through the beautifully manicured gardens with you and see every flower. I want to bring you to Queen Mary’s rose garden and show you my favorites. I have a bench picked out for us, to sit and read or just relax and enjoy each other’s company.












Oxford
You will love Oxford. The buildings are amazing and radiating with history and knowledge. I know you would enjoy lazily strolling through the streets and seeing all of the shops. I know you will love the campus of the University as much as I do.
Views from the River Thames
Oh how I want to take you on the River Thames in a kayak! What a great experience! I want to show you the unique view of Big Ben on the left and the London Eye on the right. I want to yell at you to paddle faster and sing songs with you so that the paddling doesn’t seem so hard.
 
 
 
Plays, pubs, shops, parks… I want to share them all with you. I can’t wait to bring you here and step inside the stone circle together. You know who you are.

Stone Reflections

"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." Pericles

There were many things I had hoped to do on this trip. One of my "can't miss" experiences was a visit to Stonehenge. Before I ever left the states, I researched tour companies, checked Trip Advisor reviews, and compared prices and excursions. I ended up booking a tour through Evan Evans Tours for a trip to Stonehenge, Oxford, and Windsor. The real draw of this tour was that it was a special access tour of Stonehenge, which meant I would be able to step inside the stone circle. It was an amazing experience, one that I think I'm still processing. One of our assignments for this course is to create a digital story. I knew that Stonehenge was a great topic for me. It also allowed me to reflect on my tour by talking through the experience. I am happy that I have so many great photos from that day - there are more of them that I didn't use for this project - but I am also happy that I can watch this short video and relive my emotions. I hope you enjoy it too!

It's a Boy!!

“What are little boys, made of? Frogs and snails, and puppy dog tails, that's what little boys, are made of.” Anonymous

I am sitting in my flat on Great Russell Street in the Bloomsbury area of London watching BBC News with my flat mates witnessing history happen. I’ve talked about the history in London before, but up until this point, it’s been history that has already happened. I am watching history unfold as I type: Prince William and Duchess Catherine – or Kate, affectionately, have had their baby. At 4:24pm London time today, a baby boy weighing 8lbs, 6oz was born at St. Mary’s Hospital. What an amazing time for England! I am more excited than I expected to be hearing the news. Just being in London as this is happening is really exciting. I am really looking forward to the coming days as the fervor continues as everyone all over the world await announcements of the name and statements from the parents. What a great time to be in London! Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their son, the Prince of Cambridge, a baby that the royal doctor called “a wonderful baby, a beautiful baby.”

First Date with Paris

“We did talk about cheese on our first date.” Jane Kaczmarek

No caption needed on this one either.

No caption needed.

Somebody described Paris as a first date you regretted going on. A date that starts out awkward and makes you question why you agreed to go on the date in the first place. Halfway through the salad course, things start to turn around and you start thinking that it’s not that bad. You even think, hey, your date is actually kind of cute. You get ready to order dessert and find out that you are actually having a really great time and you might even order a second glass of wine. This is a very good description of Paris. It definitely started off like a blind date I wish I hadn't agreed to go on. Upon arrival at the Paris train station, I was greeted with signs EVERYWHERE warning me of pickpockets. Apparently that is a big problem in Paris. There were also guards (military? Police? I still haven't figured out which yet) strolling through the station in fatigues holding large automatic rifles. Needless to say that was *slightly* off putting. We ventured down to the Paris subway, or Metro, to catch our train to the Louvre. I am pretty sure that hell is a Paris subway and purgatory is the Louvre on a Friday (and probably every other day of the week). The Louvre is an amazing place that somehow manages to be both overwhelming and underwhelming at the same time. There are some impressive pieces, and I especially loved the Greek and Roman sculptures. The detail is incredible. We were not able to spend a lot of time at the Louvre and I'm sure one could spend whole days there. After the museum, it was time to see the iconic landmark of Paris, the Eiffel Tower (where more of my friends with the large guns were strolling around. Yikes.) It is definitely worth going up the lift to take in the view. Paris is a HUGE city, much larger than expected. We then ventured to Notre Dame. What a beautiful building. The architecture is unlike anything I've ever seen. We were able to take a boat cruise on the Seine, which was relaxing, though hot, as Paris is also experiencing a heat wave. The evening was capped off at a hole in the wall French restaurant that served the most amazing beef burgundy and featured a guitar and accordion player as entertainment. I have a few videos featuring a few of my classmates singing. Miguel, Lauren, and Melissa: I don’t know what I’m going to do with them, but I’m willing to be bribed.

Notre Dame. Beautiful.

Diana the Huntress.

This was a really nice ending to a fast paced, overwhelming, and honestly pretty stressful day. By this point, I was really on the fence as to whether or not I wanted to stay in Paris for the weekend. Knowing that it would be close to $200 to change my train ticket was a good motivator to stay. I have also been trying to step outside of my comfort zone during this trip, and Paris certainly qualified. I am actually glad I stayed. I met a group of my classmates at a wonderful little café Saturday morning before heading off to visit a museum and do some shopping. On Sunday morning, we waited for close to 2.5 hours (mostly in the sun where I received yet another sun burn. Sigh.) for a tour of the Catacombs. Even though the wait was long and I think we were all sun-drunk by the time we got down the stairs, it was well worth it. What a chilling and awe-inspiring place. I’ve seen documentaries on the catacombs and seen pictures, but it just doesn’t compare to walking through those tunnels and seeing skulls and femurs lining the walls on both sides. Photography was allowed, but somehow it just didn’t seem right to take pictures down there. It felt disrespectful somehow. I did feel privileged that I was able to have that experience.

I experienced a kind of epiphany when I stepped off the train in London. It had become familiar to me, and it had become comfortable. Even the smell in the Tube station was familiar. I can’t believe that after only two weeks I have come to feel at home in London. As happy as I was to be back, I do not regret for a second staying in Paris. I was able to spend quality time with some of my classmates that I haven’t really had a chance to talk to very much and I learned a lot from them. I also laughed a lot with them. It was nice to have that down time to enjoy each other’s company. Paris was an experience that I will never forget, not for the city, but for the people who made it such a great time.



To Shake the Family Tree

“People are trapped in history and history is trapped in them.”

James A. Baldwin

My favorite thing about England has been the history all around me. Even the 17th century building that I’m staying in has serious history in its walls. There just seems to be stories in every corner of London and I am doing my best to absorb them all. Today was definitely a day for soaking in the past as I visited the Tower of London. What an amazing place. The tower has many famous monarchs associated with it from 1066 through 1603. People like William the Conqueror, Edward I, Henry the VIII, and Queen Elizabeth I, just to name a few. It is also home to the Crown Jewels. One thing that really struck me as I ventured through that particular exhibit is the craftsmanship of each of the items. The crowns were one thing, but the ceremonial dishes used for coronations were incredible. I always find myself saying the same thing when I am going through exhibits like that: “They just don’t make stuff like that anymore.”



I got chills walking through the Tower of London grounds. This was not because London’s heat wave had suddenly broken (it hasn’t), but because I was imagining what life would be like in the 12th century on through the 17th century. I imagined people going about their business in the courtyard, trying to make ends meet. I can’t even fathom the challenges that came with medieval life.

 

Something that I also thought about while exploring the grounds was family trees. My mother’s uncle had the genealogy done on my maternal grandfather’s side a few years ago. It was an interesting read, to say the least. They were able to trace it back well into the 16th century. Those are my favorite pages to read. The first time I read through them, a name popped out at me: “Boleyn.” As it turns out, Sir William Carey, who married Anne Boleyn’s older sister Mary in 1520, is in my family tree. William’s story is rather tragic and includes enduring questions on the paternity of his children (spoiler alert, they might belong to Henry VIII). I still love reading the history though, and love even more that a piece of that history lives on in me. Knowing that has made me feel more connected to England somehow.

Dragon made of various armor.
His name is "Keeper."
Awesome name for a dragon.

Site of Anne Boleyn's Beheading

"The Queen's House," built by Henry VIII for Ann Boleyn.
Beefeaters in residence live there now.

The Importance of Being Childlike

“You can be childlike without being childish. A child always wants to have fun. Ask yourself, ‘Am I having fun?’” Christopher Meloni

OH: "These doors smell like
chocolate!" They totally did.

I loved the quotes that were
displayed everywhere!

Sometimes we get caught up in the stress that comes with being an adult. I know for me, I will be graduating soon with a new batch of student loan debt that has me completely freaked out. There are other things on my mind, but I won’t get into them as that is really not the point of this post. The point is that it’s okay to let some of those worries go sometimes and enjoy a little childlike wonder. We visited the Roald Dahl Museum and Study Centre today in the quaint English village of Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire. This museum has two galleries and an interactive Story Centre. The museum advertises that it is aimed at children ages 6-12, and as I looked into the excited faces of the kids exploring, I couldn’t help but think how much fun my own kids would have had running through the exhibits and trying on the costumes. Even though the museum was aimed at children just a little bit younger than me, I still had a really great time. There is something timeless about Dahl’s stories, and that feeling really radiates throughout the museum. After exploring the galleries, I found myself in the Interactive Story Centre sitting at a small table piled with colored pencils, glue sticks, feathers, scraps of paper, and sequins. I grabbed a coloring sheet featuring the Glow-Worm from James and the Giant Peach and started coloring. I had so much fun sitting with Lauren, Melissa and Kristyn that I forgot about student loans, the London heat, and all the rest of it.



Melissa, Kristyn and Lauren letting their
inner child out.

We are attending the stage production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory this evening and I’m really excited. I am looking forward to seeing how one of my favorite stories translates to the stage.

It's Your Multimedia Choice

If you have been following this blog, there is a good chance that you think I am just running around London taking pictures. Well, this is true, but I also have a variety of assignments to complete while I'm here as requirements for this program. One of those assignments is a multimedia choice project. We were asked to choose a multimedia tool of our choice to create an additional project. I chose to do a project with Glogster because I have never used it before. Have to challenge myself, right? I decided to do a Glog on the Regent's Park, specifically Queen Mary's Gardens. I was able to capture some great photos there and doing a Glog seemed to be the best way to share them. It is my first Glog, so be kind! I'm still figuring it out.

Take Me to the River

London Eye view.

There are many unique viewpoints in London. Climbing the steps at St. Paul’s Cathedral showed me a view that I thought couldn’t be topped. I was wrong. Surprisingly, I topped that view from a much lower vantage point, a vantage point from a boat to be exact. Melissa, one of my classmates, found a company that does kayaking tours on the River Thames and asked if any of us would be interested. I have never kayaked before. There are many areas at home that are perfect for kayaking, but for some reason being on the water has always kind of scared me. I don’t have a problem with boats in general, and I really love being on the water, but being in a small kayak, with a paddle, being completely responsible for where I go was terrifying. This opportunity to kayak on the Thames was one of those once in a lifetime things that I knew I would be kicking myself for if I missed it. I am so SO happy I decided to put my fears aside and take the plunge so to speak. I don’t know that I have ever had so much fun in my life. It was challenging, as Lauren and I were in a kayak together – and neither of us have ever kayaked – but we had a blast. The payoff of our trip was the amazing views of Westminster, the Tower of London, and Big Ben. It was a perspective that you could not get anywhere else. Our guide Harry at Kayaking London was fantastic. He was hilarious, knowledgeable, and encouraging.

Lauren is badass.

The biggest lesson I learned from this experience is that even when you are scared, sometimes you can benefit from letting yourself go and getting out of your comfort zone. I also learned that I love kayaking. I really want to go again. Harry took a ton of pictures of us on the water, and Lauren kept saying I had a big stupid grin on my face in all of them. She’s absolutely right.

Beautiful views of London.

These Hot Days

“I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire.
The day is hot; the Capulets, abroad;
And if we meet we shall not ’scape a brawl,
For now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.”
William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act 3, Scene 1

Close up of an exterior angel. The detail is incredible.

Oxford skyline.

I’ve said it before and I’m sure you’re sick of it, but London is hot right now. Hot weather tends to make people uncomfortable and cranky, and I am no exception. Today was one of those days where I think everyone was at the end of their ropes and just fed up with the weather. Couple that with a stuffy early morning train ride and a sweaty walk around Oxford and it adds up to not everyone being on the top of their game. There are bright sides to this post, lest I get too ranty. Oxford is beautiful. I love walking around college campuses in general, and I tend to seek them out when I travel. There is just something about being on a college campus that makes me feel at home. There is a sense of wonder and knowledge that seems to radiate throughout the buildings and all over the grounds. Oxford is no exception to this. There is also a unique magic to Oxford because of the history that accompanies it. We spent a lot of time on the Oxford campus today and even had a chance to tour the amazing Bodleian Library. There is something about being in the same room with all of those aged books that gives me chills. The amount of history on the pages is just staggering to me. I always feel honored to be seeing them.


Antique printing presses. Super cool.

After our tour of the library, we were treated to a tour of the Story Museum. This is a really amazing project. This non-profit company was founded in 2005 and it exists to celebrate children’s stories and to share enjoyable ways for young people to learn through stories as they grow. Any children’s librarians out there should check them out. Even if you’re not a children’s librarian, you should check them out anyway. I’m really looking forward to seeing how they grow in the future. They also had a collection of antique printing presses which I found incredibly interesting.

"Toy Camera Affect," one of my camera's unique features.

I couldn’t end this post without talking a little bit about the photography focus today. We were challenged to explore our camera’s unique features. I took a lot of photos today, but I think my favorite was of this old cemetery. I know nothing about it, but I thought it was beautiful. I’m sorry if that sounds creepy, but I love old cemeteries. My mom has always told me that there is nothing to fear in cemeteries and I completely agree with her. There is a real peace there. This cemetery in particular was in the middle of a convergence of roads with tour buses whizzing by, but there in the middle of the chaos was a peace. This particular photography affect was called “toy camera affect.” I don’t know what “toy camera” really refers to, but I love the vividness of the colors. It really seems to add a spark to the peace of this shot, and really reiterates that cemeteries are not creepy or something that should be feared.

I have to say that this hot day could not have ended better. I was able to bond with a handful of my classmates over pints at a pub close to the rail station. It was a perfect way to cool down and avoid any brawls.

London Contrasts

“Contrast is what makes photography interesting.” Conrad Hall

Let’s talk a little bit about contrast, shall we? Contrast can come in a variety of forms: hot/cold, tall/short, dark/light, good/evil, hard/soft, and so on. While I thought about today’s photography focus challenge on contrasts, I had no idea I was about to step inside of one. I have spent most of my first week in London in the Bloomsbury area around my flat, or just a little outside of that vicinity. I went to Camden today, and to the Camden Lock. Camden Lock has a variety of shops, a market, food vendors, and music. It was a bit of sensory overload. It is definitely a contrast to Bloomsbury. While Bloomsbury is sensory overload in its own way, the busy sidewalks and crazy traffic, Camden is crowded, kind of dark, and just a different kind of culture. It is definitely more “punkish” than Bloomsbury. This is going to sound bizarre, but Camden kind of reminded me of Las Vegas. The volume of people and the market vendors who are competing for your business make it feel very Vegas-like. As Lauren said, “less lights, but I can see it.” I wouldn’t mind going back down to Camden because they definitely have some unique gift offerings. I have to admit, though, I like my little slice of London I’ve carved out this past week. I am proud of myself that it is becoming more normal and familiar to me, when just one week ago, London was the ultimate contrast to home.

I chose this photograph to represent “contrast” to me. If you look at the picture, you will see that there are tree branches and flowers growing directly out of the brick. I thought that the contradiction between the life of the trees and flowers to the stone, that is not alive at all, was very representative of “contrast.” Even through the brick, life is finding a way.

Shades of Silver and Grey

“There are infinite shades of grey. Writing often appears so black and white.” Rebecca Solnit

Over the last two days in London I have managed to receive what I would classify as one of my worst sunburns. Ever. The irony of this is not lost on me. When I was packing for this trip, I included very little of my warm weather attire. I know what you’re thinking: “Bree, did you even CHECK the weather forecast before you went?” Why yes, yes I did. Even though I knew the first week I was here was forecasted to be on the warm end, I did not expect for it to manifest into a near record breaking heat wave in London.

When I visited the British Museum this morning, this warm weather was still on my mind, since it was only 10am and it was already warm. We were challenged to focus on one color for this photography focus, and since I am not getting the grey, dreary London I expected, I decided to focus on greys and silvers. I really like the color grey. Grey is very subjective. It can be shiny, like silver, or have undertones of brown or blue. I think everyone has a different idea of what grey is, and that is what makes it such a fantastic color. I really enjoyed the different shades of grey (at least fifty of them, I’m sure..) and the different textures in the objects I photographed. There is a lot of history in the British Museum, bathed in every color of the rainbow. I hope I can steal a few minutes to go back before this trip is up.

Eye on London

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 "You can observe a lot by just watching." Yogi Berra

The amount of activity in London is staggering. Just when I think I am starting to get used to it, we go and do something like go to the theatre where all of London wants to see the same play on the same night. Well, not really, but it feels that way. The drawback of all of this activity is that it is not something I am used to, because I would definitely consider myself a "small town girl." The upside of this activity is the people watching is fantastic. I've definitely made some observations about what I've been seeing this first week. I'm excited to see what the next two have in store!

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Making Mary Lennox Smile

All you need is the key.

"If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.”
― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

 One of my favorite books as a child (and probably of all time) is The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. At the entrance to The Regent’s Park today, I was greeted by an iron gate with an old-looking lock, and I couldn’t help but think back on the story. The gardens were beautiful with an explosion of color and texture and an array of flowers. The park seemed to stretch on forever with several fountains guiding the way. There was a variety of wildlife in the gardens as well. The pigeons that seem to be everywhere in London also take up residence in the park, as well as some very social squirrels. I knelt down to take a picture of one and to my surprise, he scampered right up to me. Lauren broke out a granola bar and we took turns feeding him. I’m sure it was a perfectly safe thing to do.

See? Perfectly Safe. I love his little paws grabbing my fingers.

Flowers through the water.















My favorite part of the park is definitely Queen Mary’s Gardens. All of the times I’ve thought about the quintessential “English Garden” (and I’ve thought about it a lot, don’t judge me), this is the image I’ve always had in my head. Roses! Oh the roses! Queen Mary’s Garden has 85 single variety beds on display with approximately 12,000 roses. Surrounding the rose beds were wooden benches under trellises. These trellises were all connected by ropes that had long grown with moss and climbing flowers. Did I mention it smelled amazing? Roses are my favorite flower, and I love the way they smell. I’ve smelled a lot of “rose scented” items, but nothing, I mean NOTHING compares to walking through these gardens and smelling the real thing.

ROSES!!!

Who WOULDN'T want to read here!?

Walking through these gardens felt like stepping inside the pages of The Secret Garden. It really was a nostalgic experience. I knew I loved that book, even though it’s been ages since I read it. I wasn’t expecting that kind of reaction, but that’s what a good book does to you, it sticks with you even when you don’t realize it. Being in the gardens today, all I want to do is find the nearest bookstore, buy a new copy, and take it to the park to read on one of those wooden benches. I may try to do that if I can squeeze it in. I think Mary, Dickon and Colin would approve.