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.

The One Where I Almost Pass Out at the British Library

Warning: Total librarian nerdiness ahead. Continue at your own risk.

This is Newton. He greets you in the
Courtyard of the British Library.
Hi, Newton!

So, I have a British Library Reader’s Pass. That is pretty frickin cool. I was able to pre-register online a few months ago in preparation for this trip, so when we got to the British Library today, I was able to receive my pass. With a Reader’s Pass, you can reserve books online to be brought to you in several reading rooms on a date of your choosing. The British Library also houses the Sir John Ritblat Gallery: Treasures of the British Library. In this room are over 200 items that nearly made my heart stop. Turning to the left as I entered the room, I was stopped dead in my tracks by an 11th century Beowulf manuscript. Yes, you read that right, 11th CENTURY. I was stunned speechless. Further down, I got a glimpse of Jane Austen’s writing desk, and Robert Browning’s “The Ring and the Book.” Browning is one of my favorites, and I love the story of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s romance. Her “Sonnets from the Portuguese” is my favorite collection of poetry. I thought I was literally going to pass out at this point, only to turn around and see original sketches by Leonardo da Vinci. On the other side of that case were works by Shakespeare. Insane. There is even a page from Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales" on display. I remember being tasked with memorizing the prologue during my undergrad. There were other amazing items: a variety of bibles, including a Gutenberg Bible, as well as an early Wycliffite Bible (one of only two In. The. World.) and a later Wycliffite Bible. I was also overwhelmed by the music items in the collection. Items from Mozart (including his wedding contract), Schubert, and Beethoven were really amazing to see. Beethoven’s tuning fork was even on display. One of the most incredible things in the entire collection is the Magna Carta. The library also has a tower of books that if you didn’t know any better, you’d probably think “wow, that’s a lot of old books,” and yes, it’s a lot of old books… that make up Henry VIII’s personal library. My flat mate Lauren and I were told by a very nice and rather knowledgeable Treasure Room security guard that if you can name a title out of the collection, they’ll pull it and bring it the rare books reading room with a pair of white gloves and you can page through it. We are seriously thinking of taking up that challenge. 
 

I majored in English when I did my undergrad, specifically English literature. This room was like Christmas, New Year’s, Fourth of July, and every amazing birthday rolled into one. I was literally walking around with my hand to my chest because I was so overwhelmed. I could feel my heart pounding and my shallow, excited breaths. I am so glad I was able to take the time to explore that amazing collection. I wish so badly that I could’ve taken pictures, even though I understand why it’s not permitted.

I know this post has been super nerdy. Thank you for letting me get it out of my system. Another warning for you: I haven’t visited Stonehenge or the British Museum yet, so there is more nerdiness in store.

Taking Steps and Gaining a New Perspective

“You must take the first step. The first steps will take some effort, maybe pain. But after that, everything that has to be done is real-life movement.” - Ben Stein

Amazing London views. You forget you're 280ft up.



St. Paul's Cathedral. Beautiful.

I took some major steps today. I took steps both figuratively, and literally. First the literal steps. After an amazing tour of St. Paul’s Cathedral given by Janet, our tour guide and Friend of St. Paul’s volunteer, I decided to join seven of my fellow classmates and walk the 500+ steps up to The Golden Gallery, or the highest point of access inside the Cathedral’s dome. The staircases varied from wide, wooden, low steps, to steep, narrow stone, to the final ascent up a series of wrought iron spiral staircases. As I climbed the final leg of the journey up those spirals, they seemed to get tighter and tighter.

I was reminded of a family trip to the Oregon coast town of Astoria several years ago where I climbed the spiral stairs of a lighthouse. On the climb down, I got my first – and definitely the worst - case of vertigo I have ever experienced. This is a very vivid memory for me, so as I climbed the steps at St. Paul’s, I was definitely anxious anticipating the climb down those winding stairs. I kept telling myself I wasn’t going to think about it. I was just going to climb down one step at a time, and I would be absolutely fine. You know what? I was right. I made it down with no problems and was totally proud of myself for making that climb in the first place. Let me tell you, the view? Amazing. All of London was stretched out before me: The Thames with The Millennium Bridge and London Bridge, The Globe Theatre, and even the London Eye in the distance. It was what I had been waiting for. That feeling. I finally felt something about being here. Like it finally hit me somehow. I was staring out history all around the city and it finally hit me how much I really want to be here and have these experiences. Yes, the first steps took effort, but had I not taken it or accepted that there was a possibility of pain or discomfort, I would have missed out on the experience of seeing such a unique view of London, and that was definitely real-life movement.

Power Trip

After 11 hours on a plane, I arrived in London yesterday. I would have blogged about my arrival last night, but I felt like I could be an extra on “The Walking Dead,” so coherent thoughts were not happening. A great example of this is as I was being shuttled to the Study Centre, I barely looked around. When I did look around, I couldn’t really process what I was seeing. I mean, I was in LONDON for crying out loud! London is an overwhelming city. The streets are teeming with activity and people. The traffic is crazy! Between mass transportation buses, the buses loaded with tourists, the taxis, and the people on bicycles (motor and otherwise), I don’t know how anybody drives here. It reminded me of the scene in “Sean of the Dead,” when Sean asks David if he has a car in order to get everyone out of the zombie-infested city. David’s response is, “I don’t see the point in owning a car in London.” I’m with you David, I don’t think I could see a point either. Apparently London has one of the nicest and easiest public transportation systems around. I have yet to experience this, but I’m looking forward to it. As a girl who has always driven on her own, on my own time, experiencing public transportation in such a large city will be interesting.

A place I definitely want to get to!!
 

It’s strange… Looking around, the city doesn’t appear that different than any major American city. I have been able to find a favorite grocery store, a couple of pubs that look promising, and some parks. I am reminded very often however, that this is indeed a city in another country. I *think* I have the money figured out somewhat. I have been thinking about it in terms of dollars so I don’t feel so bad about the exchange rate. I find myself thinking, “oh, that’s only $3.00, not bad at all..” when in reality it is £3.00 and that is really $4.45. I will probably just keep living in that comfortable little delusion for a while. I also *think* I have the electricity thing figured out as well. I haven’t fried any appliances, and my devices are charging as we speak.

OF COURSE this is safe!

The one thing I am having trouble doing is disconnecting myself from my life at home. I find myself looking at the clock and thinking about the time difference and what is happening at home at this moment. For example, it’s almost 5:00pm in London, which makes it almost 9:00am in Washington. At 9:00am, I’m usually watching “What Not to Wear” and drinking coffee while my kids finish their breakfast. I know I have to stop doing that. As things continue and activities and assignments keep happening, I’m sure I will think less about that.

The Packing, The Nerves, and All the Rest

“I’ve got my things, I’m good to go… You met me at the terminal… Just one more plane ride and it’s done…” Jack’s Mannequin – “Bruised”

Hello, my name is Bree and I'm
an over packer

It’s just under 24 hours until I leave for London, which means this time tomorrow I will be boarded on a big plane getting ready to take off. It’s interesting that the nerves didn't hit me until about 9:30pm last night when they hit me like a freight train as I wandered through Target. So many emotions are going through me. I’m excited, anxious, and even a little sad that I’ll be leaving my family. As predicted, I have completely over packed. Somehow, this does not surprise me. I’m telling you, it’s the toiletries that are weighing my suitcase down.

I found out that I will essentially not be able to use my phone unless I’m on Wi-Fi. I can make emergency calls/texts (at an increased rate, of course), but I won’t be able to use any apps unless I’ve got Wi-Fi access. It appears this will be a bit of a technology detox for me. I fully admit that I am constantly on my phone. I check twitter multiple times a day, most of my emails are composed on my phone, and any chatting or texting is also done on it. At first, I was kind of P.O.ed about this, but as I’ve thought more about it, not being able to check on all of these “connections” whenever I feel the need (okay fine, the compulsion) will be a good thing. It will force me to look up from my phone and actually take in the world around me, and considering the sites I’ll be visiting, this is a VERY good thing. The only real piece of technology I will have to worry about is my camera, which is the lens I should be looking through, not deciding which Instagram filter is best.

Video Exercise - Life as I Know It

Life as I know it right now involves papers and lists, panic and excitement. To introduce our "home life" to our fellow students, I knew I could go a couple of routes. My dog playing? The cat sleeping? My kids arguing? Me sitting in front of the camera talking (yeah, right)? I decided to go with the place I've been spending most of my free time for the last two years: the bedroom homework cave. Library school has been a test of patience and fortitude as well as a test to family and marriage. I've spent many days feeling overwhelmingly guilty for neglecting my family. Many weekends have been spent sitting right there on that bed surrounded by books and papers for hours on end while I watched my kids playing outside through the bedroom window. Some days it was really hard. Some days I even cried from the frustration and the guilt. I have constantly reminded myself that it will be worth it. My children will understand why I spent so much time on homework, and hopefully, that dedication will rub off on them. They will understand why their mom had to do this for herself and why it was so important.

Audio Exercise - Stumbling through Podcasting

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Podcasting. This is honestly terrifying. First of all, I absolutely hate the sound of my recorded voice. It's definitely something I struggle with whenever I am recorded for anything - videos, webinars, and now podcasts. I always sit and listen to the recording with my face scrunched up thinking, "I sound like THAT?!" This is something I have to learn to get over, however, since many of my projects will involve my voice in some way or another. This podcast is messy, I fully admit that. Saying that I stumbled through it is definitely accurate! I feel that way about a lot of technology. Sometimes you have to break it to understand it. I'm very good at breaking things. Now that I have successfully broken the concept of podcasts, I can now start building it back up and understanding how it really works. I don't expect a perfect podcast by the end of this course, but I do know it will be better than the one you're about to listen to!