02 December 2008
Day 96: British humour
In an optional extra Honours Seminar class today we watched our professor's favorite comedy, which was very British but also hilarious. Made me realize there aren't too many good comedies from the US, though. I actually cannot think off the top of my head what my favorite comedy is... but I guess I'm not too much of a movie person anyway.
01 December 2008
Day 95: The Holly and the Ivy
Wow. What a concert... we went to St. John's in Smith Square today for a Christmas concert - "The Glory of Christmas" - which was a benefit for the Head & Neck Cancer Research Trust. It was spectacular.
Here's the program:
Here's the program:
Christmas Oratorio | JS Bach
Jauchzet, frohlocket | BWV 248
Winter from "The Seasons" | A Vivaldi
Fantasia on Christmas Carols | Ralph Vaughan Williams
Messiah | Worthy is the Lamb | GF Handel
____
Messiah | Hallelujah Chorus | GF Handel
Choir and audience | The First Nowell
Choir
In Dulci Jubilo | arr Pearsall (Carols for choirs)
The Holly and the Ivy | arr Jacques (Carols for choirs)
Lully Lulla | Kenneth Leighton
Choir and audience | O Little Town of Bethlehem
Choir and audience | See Amid the Winter's Snow
Choir and orchestra
Il est né le divin enfant
Myn Lyking
Masters in this Hall
Choir and audience | Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Organ Voluntary
In Dulce Jubilo | JS Bach
There were readings in between most pieces done by (I think) those who have been treated for neck or head cancer or are somehow involved with the organization. It was really nice and helped to break everything up.
It was performed by the Thames Chamber Orchestra under director Keith Marshall with the Choir of Christ's College, Cambridge under director David Rowland.
Oh, and did I mention that [HRH] Princess Alexandra was there, too? We did the whole stand until she sat down thing, although I never saw her.
The performance was beautiful, and the lead violinist was stunning. I don't know if this is normal at all, but for the Vivaldi piece he stood up and led the orchestra instead of the conductor directing everyone. It was incredible to hear and see it performed from the second row in a beautiful old church; we could even hear the violinist (David Juritz) breathe.
Anyway, time to study some more for an econ test. I can't believe it's December and that I've been to a Christmas concert already! This makes me wish I could go to the Christmas concert at Wooddale this month, but I'm missing it by I think four days, sadly.
Day 94: Blog updating
(This is for today!!)
Wow, finally caught up!
For something fun, watch this video. It will make you happy – or at least, that's my wish.
Wow, finally caught up!
For something fun, watch this video. It will make you happy – or at least, that's my wish.
Day 93: Barn Dance
(This is for Saturday 29 November)
Saturday night I headed to a barn dance up the road as part of my recent folk endeavors. I wasn't really sure what the dance would entail, but I was able to get my name and my friends' names on the concessionary ticket list since we are local, so why not check it out?
It was at the Finsbury Town Hall in a large ball room that was beautiful.
When we arrived, the band hadn't started yet and people were kind of just standing around. I immediately felt underdressed, but soon realized we were also the youngest people there. There were a lot of late 20-somethings, but there was a strong representation of 30-somethings and 50+ people as well.
The first dance, we initially decided to wait it out and just see what things were like, but a friend and I decided we might as well just go for it. There was a lady up front announcing the moves and teaching everyone what the dance was like. We missed the first bit though, so we ended up not really having any idea what was going on. This dance required switching partners each time, which was so much fun. You'd end up with someone else who had no idea what was going on, and you'd both just give each other a shrug saying, "I have no idea what to do, but oh well!" and attempt to follow along with the dance.
This is basically what happened for the rest of the dances... so much fun. Some of them my friends and I actually understood, so we'd spend the dance trying to help other people figure out what was going on while not stepping on anyone's feet. I was definitely laughing most of the time. I love folk music. It really was quite the experience and is one of my favorite things I've done in London that I definitely would not have been able to do on campus.
Saturday night I headed to a barn dance up the road as part of my recent folk endeavors. I wasn't really sure what the dance would entail, but I was able to get my name and my friends' names on the concessionary ticket list since we are local, so why not check it out?
It was at the Finsbury Town Hall in a large ball room that was beautiful.
When we arrived, the band hadn't started yet and people were kind of just standing around. I immediately felt underdressed, but soon realized we were also the youngest people there. There were a lot of late 20-somethings, but there was a strong representation of 30-somethings and 50+ people as well.
The first dance, we initially decided to wait it out and just see what things were like, but a friend and I decided we might as well just go for it. There was a lady up front announcing the moves and teaching everyone what the dance was like. We missed the first bit though, so we ended up not really having any idea what was going on. This dance required switching partners each time, which was so much fun. You'd end up with someone else who had no idea what was going on, and you'd both just give each other a shrug saying, "I have no idea what to do, but oh well!" and attempt to follow along with the dance.
This is basically what happened for the rest of the dances... so much fun. Some of them my friends and I actually understood, so we'd spend the dance trying to help other people figure out what was going on while not stepping on anyone's feet. I was definitely laughing most of the time. I love folk music. It really was quite the experience and is one of my favorite things I've done in London that I definitely would not have been able to do on campus.
Day 92: Cambridge
(This is for Friday 28 November)
Friday after class most of the Honours Seminar headed out to Cambridge for class. Our professor went to Cambridge, so he was the perfect tour guide for our day there. We stopped for a pub lunch overlooking the river and then walked around a lot of the colleges. It was absolutely beautiful, and I'm glad we were able to see Cambridge at night. One word that really comes to mind is 'romantic'.
I'll hopefully get some pictures up soon, but I'm trying to find my card reader right now... it's got to be around the flat somewhere.
I think I liked Cambridge better than Oxford, but that's probably mainly because I learned so much about the University I wouldn't have learned if I'd gone on my own. I also feel like I have a much better understanding of what students are like there and what college life means. I think I would really like that style of learning, where intellectual and personal are so much more intertwined. The learning process isn't something confined as much to the classroom as it is in America.
After walking around, we headed to a historical pub where there were (I think) 12th century vernacular paintings on some of the walls. Also, the US Air Force was stationed near there during WWII, and before going out on their flight missions, they would stand on the tables and use candles to write on the ceiling messages to loved ones, their names, or short notes. You could still see the messages on the ceiling, though they were fading. Our professor said that as a student, it wasn't unusual for him to be sitting reading in the pub and then to see older men come in and just weep.
This was probably the best day trip I've made since being here, and it was a great experience to go as a class. It definitely helped me to learn more about the history of Cambridge and about my own intellectual pursuits and growth.
Friday after class most of the Honours Seminar headed out to Cambridge for class. Our professor went to Cambridge, so he was the perfect tour guide for our day there. We stopped for a pub lunch overlooking the river and then walked around a lot of the colleges. It was absolutely beautiful, and I'm glad we were able to see Cambridge at night. One word that really comes to mind is 'romantic'.
I'll hopefully get some pictures up soon, but I'm trying to find my card reader right now... it's got to be around the flat somewhere.
I think I liked Cambridge better than Oxford, but that's probably mainly because I learned so much about the University I wouldn't have learned if I'd gone on my own. I also feel like I have a much better understanding of what students are like there and what college life means. I think I would really like that style of learning, where intellectual and personal are so much more intertwined. The learning process isn't something confined as much to the classroom as it is in America.
After walking around, we headed to a historical pub where there were (I think) 12th century vernacular paintings on some of the walls. Also, the US Air Force was stationed near there during WWII, and before going out on their flight missions, they would stand on the tables and use candles to write on the ceiling messages to loved ones, their names, or short notes. You could still see the messages on the ceiling, though they were fading. Our professor said that as a student, it wasn't unusual for him to be sitting reading in the pub and then to see older men come in and just weep.
This was probably the best day trip I've made since being here, and it was a great experience to go as a class. It definitely helped me to learn more about the history of Cambridge and about my own intellectual pursuits and growth.
Day 91: Thanksgiving
(This is for Thursday 27 November, obviously!)
Thursday at work the departments where there are interns decided to have a potluck-style Thanksgiving lunch for the interns since Thanksgiving isn't celebrated here in the UK. It was so cute; no one really knew what was Thanksgiving-y, so we had everything from empanadas to quiche, and a great selection of desserts. It was really sweet of them to do this for us in an attempt to help us feel more at home. I was already stuffed by 2:00 on Thanksgiving day, so I guess you could say this was pretty normal.
Thursday night the rectors had organized buying food for flats that wanted to participate in floor dinners, so we went next door for Thanksgiving dinner, complete with a turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. It was really fun, and we even went around the table saying what we were thankful for.
After pie we watched some football (soccer) since there wasn't American football on, but other than that it felt like your regular American Thanksgiving.
A very thanking-filled Thanksgiving spent in London, even though I missed being with family. Sounds like you all had a great time :)
Thursday at work the departments where there are interns decided to have a potluck-style Thanksgiving lunch for the interns since Thanksgiving isn't celebrated here in the UK. It was so cute; no one really knew what was Thanksgiving-y, so we had everything from empanadas to quiche, and a great selection of desserts. It was really sweet of them to do this for us in an attempt to help us feel more at home. I was already stuffed by 2:00 on Thanksgiving day, so I guess you could say this was pretty normal.
Thursday night the rectors had organized buying food for flats that wanted to participate in floor dinners, so we went next door for Thanksgiving dinner, complete with a turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. It was really fun, and we even went around the table saying what we were thankful for.
After pie we watched some football (soccer) since there wasn't American football on, but other than that it felt like your regular American Thanksgiving.
A very thanking-filled Thanksgiving spent in London, even though I missed being with family. Sounds like you all had a great time :)
30 November 2008
Day 90: British Museum and The Jayhawks
(This is for Wednesday 26 November)
On Wednesday I went to the British Museum, which was just incredible. I'd really like to go back because there is so much to see. Here are a few highlights:
The Rosetta Stone
A mummified fish (Grandpa, do you think you'd do this sometime?)
Some watches for Adam
Also, Adam's favorite
Amazing museum with so many important pieces. And it's free! And probably only a 15 minute walk from the flats. For more photos, click here.
When I arrived home, I was welcomed to my flat by a very large box with my name on it with this inside:
On Wednesday I went to the British Museum, which was just incredible. I'd really like to go back because there is so much to see. Here are a few highlights:
The Rosetta Stone
A mummified fish (Grandpa, do you think you'd do this sometime?)
Some watches for Adam
Also, Adam's favorite
Amazing museum with so many important pieces. And it's free! And probably only a 15 minute walk from the flats. For more photos, click here.
When I arrived home, I was welcomed to my flat by a very large box with my name on it with this inside:
Thanks so much again for the fruit basket, you guys!
Later on Wednesday night, I headed over to Brick Lane for a free in-store performance by Gary Louris and Mark Olson of The Jayhawks, a classic alt-country band from Minneapolis.
There weren't too many people there, which worked well for a quick 20 minute set before the two headed off to the real (read: expensive) show afterwards.
Later on Wednesday night, I headed over to Brick Lane for a free in-store performance by Gary Louris and Mark Olson of The Jayhawks, a classic alt-country band from Minneapolis.
There weren't too many people there, which worked well for a quick 20 minute set before the two headed off to the real (read: expensive) show afterwards.
Louris and Olson:
Olson:
Louris:
It was a bummer how short the set was, but so nice that the guys came out to do a free gig. I talked to both of them afterward and mentioned how it was funny that I live in Minneapolis, but am finally seeing them in London. They were really nice guys, and it was a bummer they had to run off so quickly to their show.
After getting home, I watched the new bridge episode of 24, "Redemption." And wow. I didn't think I'd be so excited for the next season, but I'm going to be on the edge of my seat for a while now.
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