Saturday, December 28, 2013

Catch Up!

Well friends, it has been a while...since Thanksgiving actually. Let's just put it out there, Im a crappy blogger! So sorry about this! I guess often times I just cannot decide what I want to say or that what I have to say should be said...I don't want to be a bragger, but I also don't want to be one of those people throwing an online pity party! This week I will have a few different post though! My first post will be a simple recap of what I have been up to. The next post will be more interesting and about one of my favorite people, my grandmother. The third post will be about my Christmas list and New Years goals!

So lets get started. I honestly haven't had to much happen since I last posted. My roommate from St. Andrews, Becca, and I decorated our dorm for Christmas and started advent calendars to count down to our homecomings!

We also went to the Christmas Market in Edinburgh to pass a little time in Scotland and to take a nice study break.
I was lucky enough to then be headed home on December 4! I cannot even describe how much of a blessing this was, God knew I needed it! He did give me a run for my money in the sanity department on my journey home though. After 25 hours of travel I had just landed in Cincinnati and proceeded to sit in the plane on the runway for a solid half of an hour. Lets just say the poor woman next to me realized I was antsy and couldn't hold my stuff together for much longer! Once we arrived I lugged my 50 pounds of carry-ons to baggage claim...where the fire alarm was going off and everyone was being evacuated. My mom and I tried to move slowly out the door to see if my bag would come through, and it did! About 30 seconds after exiting. Not long after the start of watching my bag circle on the luggage carousel for an hour I had a minor panic attack, banging my head against the glass window which Im sure was a sight in and of itself. That is not the end though, oh no! A nice man waiting like everyone else began to ask me about Scotland as he and his wife are soon traveling there and the poor fella just didn't know what was coming. I was so tired and anxious to get home (and lets be honest, eat some american food) that I began balling and could not answer his questions. Oops; sorry sir!
After that minor debacle that my friends have all commented they would have paid to see, I woke up bright and early to make my way to Lexington for a little surprise! Around 7:45 am I snuck into The Cottage (my roommates house) to surprise them as they had no idea I was home. It made for a lovely day of breakfast, catching up, and simply spending the day with some of my favorite people.
I then headed back to NKY and also surprised my grandma, as she had no idea I was back yet either! Friends, I would just like to mention this was so lovely because of all the things and people to miss, my grandma was hands down in the top three on my list!
After a full day of running around KY my mom and I got a good nights rest then headed off the South Carolina to spend the weekend in Charleston with my dad and family friends. Instead of coming home after, we spent the week at the friends house in SC. The next weekend mom and I headed up the East Coast to spend the weekend in Northern VA to do our annual Christmas trip, one of my favorite traditions!
Soon it was time to head home though to prep for Christmas! Christmas was simple, yet perfect. I decorated the house while mom worked; she then redecorated. We shopped, cooked, baked, babysat good friends and so on. On Christmas Eve we stuck to our annual tradition of taking Grandma to mass, then going to Bonefish with just her and my parents. The next morning we woke up early, the three of us (mom, dad, and I) opened gifts and then headed to my mom's side of the family for breakfast. We then spent the middle of the day beginning a new Christmas tradition, followed by dinner at our house with my dad's family. The night ended with our annual gift exchange that took a new turn this year: every gift was either whiskey or money....I guess you could say Im okay with that!
You all are now pretty close to up to date on my life and the only things coming up are my 21st Birthday and finally seeing my brother and his wife come mid-January!!

So until later this week...

Thursday, November 28, 2013

A Different Kind of Thanksgiving

Friends, this post may be a bit odd on such a day as this, but I am going to write about Thanksgiving from my point of view this year. Here in Scotland the Christmas spirit has been in full swing for quite some time now. I honestly feel as though Thanksgiving has already come and gone this year, or simply that it just didn't come. At first this seemed sad, but now I am looking at it in a different light.
Today is a day I usually spend with family and friend running a 10k then stuffing myself with loads of amazing home cooked food that has been cooked with love and joy. This year though I am heading off to class, followed by a little celebration with sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, and "It's a Wonderful Life" with my roommate and a friend. Then of course, more revision (studying.)
With only this small simple celebration, I think this year I may be more thankful than any other year. Here is why: I am thankful that I have a family that I am missing today as so many people don't, I am thankful that I have a warm cozy house that I usually spend this day in cozied up to a fire, I am thankful that my family is fortunate enough to be able spend this day cooking and eating food made with love and joy, I am also thankful that they get to celebrate this holiday even without me, because guess what, it will come around again next year and I will get to be there!
I am also so very thankful for friends in this land 3000 miles away that found a small way to celebrate with me. I am thankful I get to share in the family traditions of my roommate who always watches "Its a Wonderful Life" on this day. I am thankful that I still have food and shelter over my head. I am thankful for the education I have the privilege of getting on this day.
Most of all though, I am thankful that even though I am missing one of my favorite days of the year with family, life goes on and in a few short weeks I will be gathered around the same table I usually am on this day, with the very same people, celebrating the birth of the One who granted me all of these things to be grateful for in the first place!

Sunday, November 17, 2013

A Great City, Good Food, Better Friends, and the Best of Times

Sorry that it has taken me so long to post, but things are getting quite busy up here now that I squished a five day trip in to London! I am playing catch up while also trying to write papers and prepare for finals.
Anyway, on to the exciting stuff! I will fill you all in on the trip to Londontown! The moment I stepped off the train was pure and utter bliss! I felt like I had just come to life again after being in The Bubble for too long. Once in London we headed straight to Griffin's boyfriend's house to drop off out bags as we were in no shape to lug them around all night considering we both looked like we packed to be away for a month. After dropping our stuff off we went to a wonderful bar in Shepherd's Bush called The Oak. It had the most amazing brick oven pizza and some pretty good cocktails.
On Friday we went to afternoon tea then did some shopping. We went a bit crazy in Selfridges seeing that we have not gone shopping in months...it was also decorated for Christmas which was extremely exciting and fueled my joyous spirit! 





On Saturday afternoon I headed off to the Old Vic to see Much Ado About Nothing. It was a good play, but I was really bummed when I got there and found out that Vanessa Redgrave was not in it for the day. After the show I headed back to the house where we hung out for the night watching movies and Griff and I made breakfast for dinner, a.k.a the best omlette you have ever eaten (see below.)
On to Sunday...Griffin an I got up and into town in time to grab brunch at La Bodega Negra. I honestly can't remember the last time I was so grateful for good mexican food, especially guac! We then spent the rest of the day running around London looking at Christmas lights and shopping. 
...I know, I know, Thanksgiving hasn't even passed yet, but since it is non-existant here, its straight to Christmas for us!

After grabbing the last few essentials we needed for Monday night, we hopped back on the tube to meet up with James. We headed to High Road House in Chiswick to meet up with a couple of friends of Griffin and James. I must say the dinner itself was fabulous, and so was the company. After dinner we went around the corner to a nice little piano bar where we were entertained until closing time. This was one of those amazing nights that I will never forget, but it is also the kind that I would like to cherish for myself, so I really am terribly sorry about not posting more details. 
Unfortunately, Monday morning was an early one as I needed to get my hair done. Let me just say, if you ever have the opportunity to visit Pol Garcia at Metodo Rossano Ferretti in London, you won't regret it! He was so nice, the studio itself was beautiful, the team working there was wonderful, and Pol did a lovely job on my wash and dry that lasted for multiple days, even in the dreary weather!


After finishing up there, Griffin and I grabbed a light sushi lunch at Roka in Fitzrovia, ran by Harrods to get our doughsant breakfast for the 7am train ride home that would greet us the next morning, and finally made it back to get ready for the premiere. 

Upon leaving for the Catching Fire Premiere, we quickly realized that the London traffic was going to get us to Leicester Square extremely late, so we got gutsy and braved the tube in our formal attire. I must say I have never been stared at that much in my life! 
Upon getting to Leicester Square we were sent about five different places to pick up our tickets and after about 25 minutes we got ahold of them! We went through security where the security guard neglected to wand me because, in his words, "Ha, you couldn't be hiding anything anyway!" and then quickly walked the red carpet and headed into the theatre right behind the cast. We talked to a few acquaintances of Griffin's on the way in, then took our seats. The director made his greetings and thanks to everyone, introduced the cast, and the movie began!!
I won't talk about the movie because I don't want to spoil it for anyone, just know it was great and reviews are saying it leaves the first movie in the dust!
Afterward, we had the privilege to go the the after party! The venue, The Royal Courts of Justice, was beautiful. In addition, the food and cocktails were amazing and seemed to be in Capitol inspired! We had a great time and partied the night away! Below are a few pictures of our adventures!



We arrived back at James' well into the morning, slept for less than two hours, and at 5 we headed off to King's Cross for our train back to Scotland. It was a sad goodbye to a city that has stolen my heart, but I'm already looking forward to going back!
Friends, I can honestly say this weekend is one for the books. Not only did I have a wonderful time with great friends, but I learned so much about life, myself, and my career path. What a blessing to have these types of experiences and the conversations with friends and family that follow them! 

I hope to post again soon which should be a lot easier since tomorrow I am writing my last paper and this is my last week of classes...for there on out it is study, study, study for a few weeks!

Friday, November 1, 2013

Let the Holidays Begin!

Yesterday kicked off what is easily my favorite part of every year, The Holiday Season! (of course it deserves all caps!) Although I am missing Thanksgiving, this year the season is even more exciting than most. It began with Halloween yesterday and we went to House of Horror at St. Andrews.


To follow, this weekend just so happens to be Raisin Weekend which is something I have been told only St. Andreans are fully able to appreciate! Raisin weekend revolves around a really old tradition here in which third year students would adopt first years, and on this weekend the first years would take their parents raisins in return for a receipt. Over time this tradition has evolved. I haven been adopted by third year parents who I refer to as my academic mum and academic dad. Evidently I lucked out as far as academic parents go and got really sweet parents. On Raisin Sunday it is tradition to go to your mum's with your siblings and tradition is now to drink and do other fun things which I am not yet aware of! Mum's then send us to or dad's to continue the day of drinking well into the night. In the morning on Monday all children head back to their parents houses to get Raisin receipts. I have been told that receipts can range from large objects to carry around, such as couches, to funny costumes and everything in between. The only thing I am completely aware of for this Raisin weekend currently is the note below that our academic mum gave my siblings and I at a family dinner.

So, like I said the season has an added weekend of shenanigans this year which I am sure will be a blast! To continue the fun, on Thursday of this coming week Griffin and I are leaving the Bubble to head off to London for five days! We have been prepping for this trip for quite some time by compiling lists of places we are going to eat, things we want to do (go see Christmas lights anyone?!), and of course places we want to hit up for some shopping! Before we leave though, we are starting the long weekend with a mani- pedi to get ready for the focus of our trip, The Hunger Games Premiere. The premiere is on the Monday that we are in London, so we will head back to St. Andrews the following morning.
A few essays and two weeks later is Revision week. Revision week is the week before exams begin and many students leave town for a short break away before the two long weeks of finals. For revision week we are hoping make our way to either Amsterdam and Brussels or to Prague. Both of these destinations would have fun things to do, pretty places to see, and my personal favorite, huge Christmas Markets with lots of festive food and handmade crafts!
Then there are the two dreaded weeks of finals and a long journey back to the States. Once home it is lots of food I have missed, my favorite day of the year, Christmas Eve, then Christmas, New Years and to wrap it all up, (drum roll please....) my 21st Birthday! It is gonna be a great couple of months friends!

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

SunDays

This is some sort of record...a post two days in a row!
This post is honestly quite random, so I'll preface it with this: I have been feeling a bit deprived of creativity, passion, and inspiration in my classes up here. They aren't terrible classes, just nothing that peaks my interest and they have handled depressing topics (genocide, trafficking, abuse, weapons, etc.) in a way that have created a me that seems void a feeling. Thus, I have been trying to watch movies, listen to music, and read and write things that make me feel inspired.
Today, while on a library break, the perfect thing happened to cultivate creativity and feeling within me. A couple people and myself posed questions that began as passing time, but turned into deep conversations. It started with, "If you were an item of stationary what would you be?" It moved to kitchen utensil, then menu item, followed by coffee shop, and painting and painting technique, and finally "What would your self-portrait look like?" So, as I found this chat to be one of the more stimulating ones I have had here, I have decided that I will make a weekly blog post of these type of questions.
If you have any specific questions that you would like me to go for, feel free to comment, email, or Facebook me and I will see what I can do! Today to start off: "If you were a coffee shop, what type of coffee shop would you be?"


            If I were a coffee shop I would be on the shore of back waters or a lake on the coast of somewhere like South Carolina. Sunny, tall sea grass, maybe small boats near by with the sounds of water lapping up on the sand and seagulls overhead. It does get hit by a good storm every so often though. It is somewhere quaint and quiet. The coffee shop would be small and cozy, shack like. It would be open air with giant openings/windows that would always be open in good weather. Screen doors, no doubt. The shop would have cathedral ceilings, or the equivalent in a shack, with the long fans extending down to circulate a breeze. There would be tables scattered here and there, some only big enough for two, but one big enough for 6 or more if you squeeze, and all the in between. Perfect spaces for working, or for time with friends. The tables and chairs would all look a bit rugged and probably not match, but have charm; each looking like it has its own story. Some would be painted to liven the place up a bit, but not over done- even sanded a little to still look rustic. There would also be a couple giant comfy couches and chairs perfect for snuggling up to a good book. A bookshelf would be placed near the door to collect favorites to be passed on to a new loving owner, or for guests to be whisked into another world. Decorations would be homey, small town, and have a coastal feel. Anything with color would be soft hues of blue and other soft colors to compliment the blues. Also, there would be a wrap around deck, the same level as the shop, overlooking the water. On the deck would be a few rocking chairs on one side as you walk out the screen door, a table that seats four on the other side of the door. Around the corner on the side would be patio type couches, a few more rocking chairs, a hammock, and just below this side of the shop deck, on the sand, would lie a fire pit for nights spent with friends sipping coffee, watching the stars, and good chats.
            The music in the shop can be changed upon request, but would often consist of my favorite chill playlists of cool, easy flowing tunes not being played too loud, but just loud enough to be noticed. That perfect volume where silence isn’t awkward, but neither is a chat between two friends. The menu would feature fresh, local ingredients, and if not local, all fair trade. A variety of fresh baked muffins made from the fruits in season, but of course some chocolate and cinnamon too, would be featured in the morning and early afternoon. Along with this you can get oatmeal or yogurt with various toppings. Later in the day the menu offers fresh salads and a couple cold cut sandwiches/ wraps. In the evening it would feature a few fresh baked pies, again with seasonal fillings. Then at night, you can purchase a package of goodies for a great s’more (Hershey’s and Reese’s.) Finally, as far as food is concerned, all day everyday the house special would be a giant red velvet cupcake. On to the coffee though, since this is a coffee shop. Seasonal drinks are a must since they happen to be my favorite…but only sold in the proper season or their novelty is ruined. Also, juices made in house, daily will be available. Other than those though, the menu would be a compilation of house specialties of coffee, iced coffee, and tea with unique names all written on a chalkboard type wall hanging. Maybe one day your very own creation could even be added to the menu. Last, but surely not least, this coffee shop would have small bowls of chocolate covered almonds and coffee beans on each table.

            Maybe someday I’ll see you at SunDays

Monday, October 21, 2013

The Bubble

Friends, I am so so sorry about the lack of posts on my part! I have been quite busy trying to catch up on reading and writing papers, unfortunately. Fortunately though, I finished my reading for the night fairly early and have some time to update everyone on my life her in "the bubble."
First off, I'll start with a few pictures of semi-recent life here.
First there was the music festival, Starfields.


This is my academic mom...we had a very, very interesting night.

And below is a picture of a group of Uni Hallers at Kate Kennedy Opening Ball.

Moving on, now that the novelty of a new home has faded away and many of the big events (above) that hit off the start of the martinmas semester are over, I am beginning to realize how true "the bubble" nickname is. While it is breathtakingly beautiful up here in the north (below are pictures from one of my running routes), St. Andrews itself does not have much to do.


You can walk around the small town, walk up and down East and West Sands, golf, if you are into that,  eat, and pay 12 GBP to see a movie. Other than that you are a bit out of luck. Although there is not much to do, week days aren't too bad as I can usually find small things to fill time. I have also been fortunate enough to have great academic parents who are wonderful cooks and have hosted family dinners for the last three weeks.
I think I am also finally realizing how little there is to do because I have started missing home a bit. This weekend was hard because my whole family, including my brother who is normally in Florida but is temporarily in Kentucky on a job search for a few months, went to Keeneland. Also, everyone has been posting pictures of pumpkin patches, apple orchards, pumpkin carving, yummy american fall foods, football tailgates and so on. All things that make fall my favorite season.
On the up side though, I did get a little taste of home this weekend. Well, it was more a taste of a friend's home. My friend Griffin was graced by the presence of her parents this weekend who were very welcoming to me and were so sweet! They offered me to go to dinner with them and I must say, it was probably the next best thing that could have happened to my very own parents taking me to dinner. Below is Griff and her lovely parents!

Now that the weekend is over though and I am approaching another busy week, I am keeping in mind the next few things that I have to look forward to. This week I should be receiving a care package from my parents. Next week, on Halloween, Uni Hall (my dorm) is transforming our dining hall into Hogwart's dinning hall with their Halloween feast and everything. They are even asking us to wear our traditional red gowns to get the full Harry Potter feel. That weekend is the infamous Raisin Sunday that has been tradition at St. Andrews for what seems like forever (I will post more about it in the coming weeks!) Then on the 7th of November Griff and I are heading to London for a very long weekend, Thursday-Tuesday to be exact. While in London we have big shopping and even bigger eating plans. I am also hoping to go see "Much Ado About Nothing" with James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave. Other than that, and a certain other even that I will post about after it occurs, we have no agenda (you can see where our priorities lie... the food!)
In between London and Christmas break we also have Christmas Ball, which is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory themed; complete with edible decorations. We also have revision week which is the first week in December. Revision week is basically a week off in which we are supposed to study, but a couple of us are considering visiting Rome for the week since I have been told it is stunning at Christmas time.
These are currently the big details of my life, the rest aren't worth posting on the blog or are not proper blog material. So, I will continue to occupy myself with the exciting upcoming fun, and I will be sure to let you all know when something interesting happens!

Monday, September 30, 2013

Spoken Word

Friends!

I have had a lot more happen here in the last week or so, but I likely update you on that in a few days time! Until then, I have been watching a lot of spoken word poetry lately and thought I would give it a shot. I have mentioned her before, but Sarah Kay has some great poems, so if you aren't positive about what spoken word is give her site a look!
As many of you may know, I sometimes write to clear my thoughts, or even to just get things out on the table and into the open. That is basically what I was doing here. It is a bit of both sorting through things spinning around in my brain as of late and then putting them out in the open. So, if you feel like reading it, below is my first poem (don't judge to harshly as it is meant to be performed rather than read on a 1-D page!):
Kentucky’s Home

That moment, in the dead of winter, when I’m taking the most wonderful, beachy nap, dreaming of the palm trees and 5 o’clock somewhere, then BAM the florescent light bulbs giving me “vitamin d,” time out. First world probs.
Starbucks put only two pumps, not three, in my double, tall, non-fat with whip, mocha. First world probs.
I forgot my maid’s last name to write her her check. First world probs.
My iphone charger is all the way downstairs. First world probs.
Auto-correct. First world probs.

The third world, the third world really is living a rough life. No really, stop and think about it. Just for a moment, or maybe a few, fathom the unfathomable.
That same “vitamin d” I am longing for, they can’t escape.
They have no house to take shelter in, or even a job as a maid to allow their skin to soften for a few short hours. That same skin that will one day, hopefully, if they make it that long, feel like leather.
And they have no over-priced store to purchase a drink in. Not even a well with clean water. And they also have no phone to call their mother who left them to make money to send home so that someday, someday maybe her babies can go to a school.

There once was a girl in third grade. Her teacher turned on the TV. It stayed on all day and kept repeating the same images. Those same images continued for a week. Two identical buildings, with steam like that from hot coffee, streaming from them. While coloring a picture for the rest of the school day, she sat and remembered those two buildings from summer vacation a month earlier. She was smart enough to know the buildings would be gone forever. All she cared about though were the chocolate covered strawberries her mother wouldn’t buy for her while they were in the buildings. First world probs….oh wait, those really are first world problems.

Little did this girl know that over the next twelve years she would come to understand what really happened on that day. That coffee steam was really the souls and memories of good people going somewhere better, or so she prays. She would even one day meet people whose lives had spun out of control on that day. Their world stopped, while the rest of it seemed to be spinning, loudly like a vortex around them. Much of this dizziness is still felt today….This girl learned about the uncontrollable spinning also going on in her classmate’s lives. Her friend’s lives. Her family’s lives. Her life.

Every time she watches the news, reads a first world hashtag, or hears more grape vines being cultivated, she fathoms the unfathomable, or what might seem more fathomable than my own circumstances. I always spring back into my own shoes though because no matter what ditch I may be digging in my Hunters, what beach I may be walking in my Rainbows, or what problems I may be sprinting from in my Frees, I know I couldn’t walk a day in someone else’s shoes. They say, the sun is always shining bright somewhere in my old Kentucky home…well life’s brightness will always be alight somewhere in my old Kentucky bones.

Monday, September 23, 2013

3,000 Miles Northeast

Hello Friends!
Sorry it has been a while since I last posted. Honestly, its because I haven't been sure what to write about. Im still not sure exactly where this is going, but I'll give it a shot anyway since Ive been in bed sick all day and have nothing else to do.
I have now set into the year here. I am beginning to get a daily routine going now that I have settled my class schedule that only consists of four hours of class per week. Being completely serious, this class schedule is somewhat hard to adapt to because there is a lot of reading to be done and its very easy to just try to push it off for another day...then another...and well, you get the picture. Other than my class schedule I have been trying to get involved in various things around campus, but nothing has really stuck yet. Some of you may know about the beginning of my Freshman year at UK, and it is feeling a little bit like that again, but hey, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?!
Anyway, we are also in that awkward stage that many people run into when they are somewhere new; you have acquaintances but not necessarily a group of friends that you feel comfortable texting to tag along with them for the night...the normal new kid stuff. In all honesty though, I knew this was coming and it is also the part about studying abroad that I dreaded. Im sure it will pass with time though, just as most things do.
With all of this being said, I spent the last week or so wondering why it is that I am in this remote location of this crazy world for a year. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love it here, I think it is beautiful, and the people are wonderful, but I can't help but ask what it is I'm doing here. I am fairly certain I'm not here to advance myself in huge ways in my IR major because a) I don't really want to do anything with my major and b) some of the people in my classes make me feel a bit inadequate, but they are also the type that answer the professor's questions before they have even finished asking them. I am also not having too much luck getting involved in theatre here so far, for a number of reasons, one being why take an American who must use a british accent when there are 50 British people who also auditioned. So I guess we could say that Im still searching for my niche.
Some of you at this point might ask why I haven't tried to get involved in the Christian community here. I have looked into the Christian Union and while they seem like great people there is just something about it that feels weird to me, probably just that its different than what I am used to. I have found a church that I really enjoy though and it reminds me a lot of TCPC in Lexington.
So here is my theory (this may sound a bit cowardly and feel free to tell me as I would love some help on this.) My theory is that I am in this tiny town 3,000 miles from home so that I can learn the ins and outs of life, while maintaining a daily relationship with God. It sounds bizarre, I know, but from the time Freshman year that I fully understood what this relationship meant, up until a few short weeks ago, I had been surrounded with a community of solid Christians that I also have the privilege to call loving friends. Now I don't have daily, or even weekly contact with these friends, I don't have anyone guiding my along the right path, I just have myself and God up here. I feel that this year without those influences might be the proof that this relationship can stand the test of time, no matter where I am on this crazy planet.
I may just sound like a babbling idiot; who knows. Feel free to send any thoughts my way though! I'll post again soon when I have actual fun things to talk about!

Sunday, September 8, 2013

St. Andrews!


Wow! Okay, so I am completely amazed at what is going on in my life here in St. Andrews! First, lets start with the fact that this was the view from my hotel room in Edinburgh...



After being there for a few days of orientation the handful of us that are with Arcadia that are attending St. Andrews were given a coach to bring us up north. The ride through Scotland was beautiful. We also got the chance to see the RAF air show taking place in Leuchars as we drove by.
Last night was my first night here and it was all a bit of a whirlwind. I moved into Uni Hall, was given a quick tour and met my roommate. We have a pretty large room with a great location, and below is the view from the window behind my bed.


Im already in love with all of the green here and supposedly it is dry season. Lets not mention that it's definitely late fall weather here...well Kentucky's equivalent to it. It has been highs of around 58 F; one day in Edinburgh it was even so cold and damp that I already had to break out my Barbour, and its only September!
Now on to my roomie, Rebecca! I am not sure if St. Andrews actually took into consideration my residence application, but my Rebecca is really sweet and she seems a lot like me. She is a Christian really wanting to get involved in the CU (Christian Union) here, she played soccer in high school, and we seem to be on the same page with quite a few things. I feel happy to get to spend the year with her!
After getting somewhat unpacked yesterday a friend I met through Arcadia, Rachel, and I headed into town to go to Argos and a few other stores to pick up some last minute dorm necessities- I forgot how much goes into living in a dorm!
We had our first hall meal, then a bit later went on a pub crawl which I must say was a blast, although I didn't stay out very late. This morning Rebecca and I headed to breakfast (you cannot wear pajamas or sweats to the dining hall, which Im completely okay with, its just the complete opposite of the States!) After breakfast we met up with other Uni Hallers and the CU to go to church. We went to a baptist church and I felt right at home when they were singing a song I knew very well from fellowship in Lexington. Afterward, we were invited by a really sweet fifth year to head to a friend's house with herself and other CU people for a homemade meal. It was absolutely delicious and the company was great. We also got to talk to people about the possibility of joining some different Christian groups and a bible study...clearly God has plans for me here!
Another girl I met doing a Junior Semester Abroad (JSA, and Junior Year Abroad is JYA), Mollie, and I went on a walking tour of St. Andrews to better orient ourselves to town. Once the tour was over we headed back to Uni Hall for the first time the whole day! We met up with Rachel and another new friend, Isabelle, for dinner. We went to a small deli type place called Cherries. We had some time to kill before we had a Wardens Welcome at our hall so we wandered down The Scores which is the road along the sea and golf course; pictures are below. After the Warden's Welcome we headed over the the Union for After Dark which is a small event the CU put on which was really great because everyone was so welcoming and we got to sit and chat with other students who are already involved in or would like to get involved in the CU.













During the walka and throughout the short amount of time that I have been here I am realizing how lucky I am to be experiencing all of this. St. Andrews is a gorgeous little town with so much going on yet it is all at a pace that makes me feel like it's always Sunday. Its not sleepy, but it has a very warm, friendly, relaxed yet playful atmosphere. Im already in love. Not to mention that fact that living so close to the sea in such a remote little area of the world is simply gorgeous. The sights I have shown, the sounds of seagulls outside my window, the smells of local fare as I walk the town streets, and the warm welcome I have received from everyone in this town make it very clear that I am incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to live here for nine months.
Finally, I am starting to feel more calm and at ease, but I think it will take a few weeks for me to feel completely settled here. All summer long I have been wondering why it is that it's in the plans for me to be here. I know that there must be something God can use me for based on the interactions I had today; I cannot wait to find out what it is. I am excited to continue meeting people and I am looking forward to the end of this week when we get to start looking into societies to join. Also, in all honesty I'm fairly excited for classes to start too so that I can meet some students closer to my age and who have more insight into how things work here and what places to go and all of that jazz! Along with this I would love to figure out what a normal day is going to look like for me. Until then I will just keep feeling blessed to be here!

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Anxious-Nervous or Anxious-Excited?

Eight days friends! I embark on my big journey in a mere eight days and I am nowhere near prepared! I caught myself thinking "It would have been a lot easier to just stay at UK for all of my college career." I feel like the fact that I just don't know what to do about a lot of things is what is making me feel so crazy right now. There are about 15 different papers and documents that I need to print, half of which I'm not exactly sure where to find; I need to figure out my international phone deal; I also need to figure out what I need to know about opening a Scottish bank account; there is the whole I can only pack two suitcases (of winter clothes and shoes!) yet I also need linens and such or to purchase them when I get there...the list of things I did not think about until now just goes on and on and on!
Up until about four days ago I was nothing but excited, but now the nerves are really kicking in! To be honest I feel really nervous about making new friends, but even more nervous about finding my niche at St. Andrews considering it was a lot harder than expected as a Freshmen at UK; I just don't want to experience that again. I am also quite nervous about my modules (classes) as I have no idea what to expect and how difficult they will be, again I feel that I may be under prepared.
I am hoping that if I keep praying and trust that God has me going to St. Andrews for a reason, all will turn out fine and I will have a blast. Im sure I will have my good days and my bad ones, but I am just praying it won't be all of the bad situations that keep playing out in my head! If you think about it, feel free to send a prayer my way!
So, even though staying at UK may have been easier, I tend to be one that goes more for the road less travelled and I'm continuing that tradition. Hopefully I will have a few minutes to update everyone again before I head out! I will definitely post within my first few days at St. Andrews though! I will move into my hall there on September 9th.

P.S. I am hoping to keep in touch with people via email and part of the emails can be prayer requests. If you would like to keep in touch and get updates, but also send me your prayer requests and I'll send you mine feel free to contact me via cestone93@gmail.com. If I don't personally know you, the invite is still open as I always love to have new friends!

Thursday, August 8, 2013

All Good Things Must Come to an End...

As I sit writing this post it is only 11:44 here, but I am trying my hardest to pass a few more hours before hitting the hay so that I can sleep most of my 8 hours plane ride home tomorrow. The end is bitter sweet! I am at a point of mental exhaustion that I am not sure I knew existed. This exhaustion has come from investing myself so thoroughly in the 13 plays I have seen in my time here and then critically thinking and talking about each of them. As you might imagine, this also come with a bit of emotional exhaustion too having put so much into the stories we are being carried away in on stage. 
I have now posted about all of the shows we saw except for the last four. On Monday we went to the Bush theatre for a one woman show entitled Josephine and I. It was written and acted by the stunning  Cush Jumbo (great name!). It was an intimate theatre with cabaret style seating, perfect for how often the fourth wall was broken. Miss Jumbo gave a captivating performance and did just as she hoped, "told a story so well that the audience travelled thorough time, to the moon, and places not on earth." with her. Tuesday we then went to the Young Vic for A Season in the Congo directed by the iconic Joe Wright. (credits: Pride and Prejudice, Atonement, Anna Karenina, act.) It was quite obvious that he directed this show by the colors of the set, the way he plays with light, the use of puppets, and he cannot seem to resist a good dance number with slow motion effects. Due to the credits to his name, it was not a surprise that I happened to run into Keira Knightly in the bathroom as she is clearly acquaintances with him. I can proudly say I did not freak out and and stuck to the british mantra, "Keep calm and carry on." I know that I would want to be able to enjoy a normal night out if I were her, so I just acted like I would have if she were anyone else. Anyway, moving on...yesterday was our last day of shows. Our class as a whole headed back to the Globe for a final show, The Tempest. To be honest, I was a bit disappointed because it was nowhere close to the quality of a majority of our other shows, especially the Shakespeare, but I can't grumble because we have been so fortunate with everything else. After the show a few of us grabbed some indian food at a little place we love near the West End in Soho called Gopols. Then it was time for our final show, War Horse. It was just four of us who went to War Horse because we found 12 pound tickets that couldn't be passed up. It was unlike anything I have ever seen with the way they utilized the puppets as horses. The amount of control and focus that is required of the puppeteers is incredible. They walk in sync, create sound effects in sync, and even breathe in sync to create the horses breath. Lets just say it was a spectacle!
Today was out last class together and we made it fun by doing our own little awards. We each voted on various categories based on the shows we have seen. Here my choices (the class' choice in ()):

Best Script: Strange Interlude (Strange Interlude and Cripple of Inishmann)
Best Costume Design: War Horse (Strange Interlude and Midsummer)
Best Set Design: Othello (Strange Interlude)
Female Performance: Anne Marie Duff- Strange Interlude (Cush Jumbo- Josephine and I)
Male Performance: Bottom- Midsummer (Rory Kinnear- Othello)
Best Director: Nicholas Hytner- Othello (same)
Best Overall Show: Strange Interlude (class indecision)

We finished up on a final question from our professor and my answers will end this post and my time here in London. What are the biggest things that changed for you during this program?
  • I knew coming in that theatre in England, especially London is a huge part of the culture, just look at the fact that there is a National Theatre here, meaning it is government funded. What I had not yet experienced was that theatre is a culture here. There are your ethnicities of people- Indian, French, Eastern Caribbean, and so on, but just like these, there is a culture of theatre people that encompasses everyone from designers, to actors, to tech, and critics. They are like this giant interconnected family within London that all seem to know, appreciate, and work with each other. It is really quite beautiful. 
  • Another big thing I learned in my time here was how to asses a show. Matt Wolfe, while speaking to our class, said that there is not specific way to enter a show to critique it, rather each individual needs to figure that out for themselves. Seeing a show almost every night allowed me this opportunity and I now know how to actively process and think about a show and the choices made during and after viewing. First thing is first though, I must answer the question, "What did I just see?"
  • Also, during these three weeks I have grown a much deeper appreciation for plays. When I would tell people that I was coming here for a theatre program they generally assumed it was to see big musicals. I don't blame them though because musicals are generally the most well know type of theatre in the US because it is what is most readily offered to us other than film. Here in London, that is not so much the case; only one of the 13 shows we saw happened to be a musical. I now really enjoy sitting and watching a play and can honestly say I would never have guessed that I would sit, or stand, and watch multiple 3 hours plays and thoroughly enjoy every minute of them. There is something indescribable about how they made me feel. Maybe it is so indescribable because I genuinely felt as if I were in these different fiction worlds with the actors in front of me.
  • Lastly, and probably most importantly, I tapped into an appreciation that I had felt inside of me before, but was not sure how to form with words. It has to do with actors. I have had so many people ask me if I have seen anyone famous on stage since I have been here. I hate this question. To me acting is not about the fame. Sure it is cool to see someone that is also on TV, but what is even better is that I saw actors like Anne Marie Duff and Cush Jumbo that are of the highest quality and talent level there is. I am not sure that I will be so fortunate as to see actors live on stage that are of this caliber in a long long time. They are better than most famous people that I could have seen. Anne Marie Duff said in an interview about playing Saint Joan that one night before going on stage she felt so immersed in her character that she could feel the French soil beneath her bare feet and in that moment she remembered why she was a storyteller and it is what she was meant to do. All of the bullshit of show business (the fame, money, glamour, beauty, etc.) was stripped away and she is there to create a world for people and to really, really tell someone's story. This is acting, not the beauty and money. I wish this is something I didn't have to explain every time I tell someone I want to pursue an MFA in acting.
Oh, I can't forget to mention that my professor, Christina, was really sweet and took us to high tea at the Wallace Collection today and whilst we were there she gave each of us a personal gift based on what she learned about us from our journals and spending time with us here. I got the four pictures of things I love: Lady Di, Winston Churchill, the Lyttleton Theatre at the National, and the chapel at Hampton Court Palace; my favorite English candy bar; and some other small things all of which can be seen below! Christina is such a caring, passionate, and dedicated person. It has been such a blessing to learn from her!
So friends, this is it for my time here in London. I will try to post again soon! Also, I will definitely be back with new on St. Andrews which becomes my home in three short weeks!

Friday, August 2, 2013

Speechless

My time here in London is going way too fast! I only have a week left and it makes me so sad to know that in a week's time I will probably not see the friends I have made for over a year and that this journey is coming to an end. While I definitely saw more sites in London last summer, I have had a much richer theatre experience this summer due to the style of my class. A show literally everyday is such a weird concept. At first it seems exciting, then it starts to get a little overwhelming, then it flips again and all of the sudden I realized how intensive this experience is and how much I am really taking in because of it. There honestly aren't words to describe how I am feeling and what I am experiencing right now. All I know is that I wish is could feed my passion like this all the time!
Since my last post, I have had the opportunity to sit through a Q and A with Sam West who is a talented actor and very eloquent speaker. His answers to our questions were so well thought out and strung together that they seemed as if he had been thinking them through for months and wrote them down ahead of time. (I started writing down some of his one liners they were so good!) He knows this business inside and out and it was a once in a lifetime thing to hear from an insider like Sam who's family has been part of British theatre history.
Other than Sam, I mention that on Tuesday night our class was heading back to the National (my new favorite place in London) for Othello. It was an amazing production that was extremely well directed, of course, by the National Theatre's Artistic Director, Nicholas Hytner. Everything from the set and cast  were well thought out down to the sound and intermission. There was only one thing in question for me, but it cleared itself up at the end! I also appreciated that this was a modern take on Othello and due to this is emphasized certain themes. Shakespeare is truly timeless. On Wednesday we did somewhat of a marathon. We had class outside of the globe. We then got in line about four hours before Midsummer Night's Dream started since we were groundlings and wanted the best standing spots. We got right up on the stage and were able to lean on it the whole time. This particular version of Midsummer is the funniest that anyone in our class has ever seen, including our professor. There were so many great decisions that were clearly not in the script, but brought to the show through the actors' ingenuity. These things included the mechanics being clog dancers, amazing body language from Bottom and Hippolyta that conjured loads of laughs, to simply great acting that clearly established characters unlike any others in the show. The cast was also very interactive with the audience and we were in the perfect spot for it as they talked to us and gave us multiple props. What a fun experience. I honestly felt like I was in a fairytale movie. On Thursday was our last show of the week. We went back to the National, sadly for the last time, to see Liola. It was a decent show, not my favorite, but I likes the stylistic choices made with dancing and perfectly imperfect music.
I have learned so much in the last two weeks about the reality of my future in theatre, but also about everything involved in a production. Most importantly I have had the opportunity to day after day focus on actors, their choices, and their development throughout a show, in a wide variety of shows. I am sad, and bitter, that I am not able to go back and see my favorite show, Strange Interlude, because with the way the National works it is Liola's turn in the rotation to be on stage until the day I leave. Strange Interlude ends two days before I return to the UK. I don't think I would be so bitter if I knew that I could see the show again, but it is a show that is rarely performed and I also don't think anyone could do it justice quite like Anne-Marie Duff. Hopefully I get over it in time; my professor had something similar happen once, but she said she is still bitter...uh-oh! Anyway, I already know I am coming back down to London sometime this fall to see a show. Much Ado About Nothing is being directed by Mark Rylance and is starring James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave, so basically it is a must see! My professor kindly asked for a review of it too.
All in all, so far I have learned to really love Shakespeare now that I have seen it done right three times this summer and once last summer. I have learned loads about my future career. I have come to have hope for theatre as an art in the states. I have built up confidence about what life could be like as an actor. And last, but surly not least, I have come to have my life changed in this city by some once-in-a-lifetime experiences, shows, friends and the sweetest, most passionate, and caring professor ever!

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

London Theatre Intensive!

Hi Friends!

So this post has been a long time comin'! My first week in London has officially come and gone! In that week I have learned more than I could possibly have imagined about theatre and myself from this city and the people surrounding me on this program; such a blessing!
I will just give a little recap of my first week here and I'll try to keep it short (breakfast is calling my name!) As far as sights go, I have done a ton of walking in parks which is one of my favorite things here!

I have stopped by the various touristy sights and taken a few pictures. I headed down to Buckingham Palace the day Prince George was born to get a glimpse of the birth announcement, and the day after I went to the gun salute at the Tower of London to see what that was like. I must say it was pretty cool and worth the trip over there. After the gun salute Hannah, a girl in my class, and I went to the cutest Starbucks I have seen to date! It is pictured below and sits back in a little enclave at St. Katherine's docks near cute little old boats and stores!

Last night I also ventured over to the Royal Albert Hall to got to Proms, a classical musical concert that lasts for what looks like a few weeks. The hall is absolutely beautiful!


I have also done my fair share of eating since we have arrived! We have ventured into Harrod's food halls where I got a delicious little cupcake! I have had the best mexican food of my life from a little street vendor. I have also had loads of gelato and croissants. Oh, and lets not forget nitrogen ice cream from Chin Chin Labs

Last, but definitely not least is all of the theatre business we have been up to! The first night we were here we went to The Cripple of Inishmaan starring Daniel Radcliffe. It was pretty good; the comedy it contained was definitely the highlight. The second night we saw The Book of Mormon with Gavin Creel as Elder Price. I like to say that I hate that I loved this show. It was pretty crude humor and I found myself not knowing whether to laugh or be offended, but in the end I did subject myself to it so I cant get mad. Afterward, we went to the stage door because the professor we are here with has been friends with Gavin since high school. He came out, gathered our class, then took us up to his dressing room and gave us a backstage tour! It was like heaven for a theatre class! The next afternoon we saw Strange Interlude at the National. This is easily my favorite show even though it was 3 1/2 hours long, and I can honestly say it changed my life. I still can't get over how much I loved it. Plus, Anne Marie Duff had a brilliant performance of Nina Leeds. I am super bummed that it won't be back on until the day that I leave because I would have paid to see it again. By this point it was Thursday and we saw Night Alive at the Donmar which was a fantastic depiction of realism. On Friday we went to Macbeth at the Globe which was fun. Watching Shakespeare in a fairly natural state of Victorian dress at the Globe is a neat experience. On Saturday we headed back to the National for an experimental show called The Hush. Lets just say it was interesting. I'm glad I went, but I wouldn't go back. We then had a few nights off from shows and tonight we are heading back to the National for Othello in the Olivier! 
Sorry about the delay of this post, but I have been going non-stop! I'll try to post mid-week this week, but we will see how that goes!



Passionately Obsessed


 
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