An American in Nottingham

February = Snow

2012-02-09T10:14:00.000-08:00

Its been nearly a month since my last post :/ Opppps I've been busy the past two weeks getting into the swing of the new semester and doing lots of skydiving. I also got to enjoy my first UK snow fall, a massive 2 INCHES. hahaha it was fun and very pretty. It definitely cured some of the winter home sickness I'd been feeling.

In school news: Monday this week I got back one of the two essays and got a merit on it, which is a great score so I'm pleased with that. There was an issue in the mail room so I have to wait a bit longer for my next mark to come back. I've now had two meetings for my new modules and am loving both! Visualizing the Body and Fascism, Spectacle and Display. I'm also looking and researching the real possibility of me staying on for 3 mores years of school to do a Phd. The shocking total of my student loans make it only possible to do the Phd if I get funding, so we'll see what happens.

In Skydiving news: This past weekend I finally made it past those silly DRP's and did my first free fall. It was a really amazing feeling, even though I did some flips and have to do another DRP and some more practice on my exit. Skydiving over a beautiful snow covered country side was amazing. Gary was kind enough to film my very graceful landing...

In other news: Life is going really well, I had a bit of drama with my loans and repayment dates but all that has been sorted. I've been swimming lots and enjoying Nottingham (particularly the shopping in Nottingham).

Also my friend is doing a project to get an internship over the summer that I've been helping her with. Check out the page for Orlando the Awkward Turtle.

Laters!!

20 twenty Days

2012-01-23T08:18:00.000-08:00

You'd think that after 20 days I'd have something AMAZING to post... that is sadly not the case. Since Monday last week I've done very little during my continued time off. I finished reading the Hunger Games Series on my new Kindle, and started The Book Thief. Classes don't start till next week so I've been trying to fill my time with many varied fun things, like registering at my new doctors office. This past weekend Gary and I went to Lincoln, which is a beautiful little city...

The weather hasn't been great so I'm stuck at 8 skydiving jumps, making verrrry slow progress toward my first free fall jump. Soon classes will start again and I'll be busy reading and writing and volunteering.

(I've been signing up for so many different things!)

P.S. Feel free to send some MN snow my way :)

A Month of Craziness

2012-01-03T06:20:00.000-08:00

This past month has been so much fun, and very very busy which is why I am just now posting... after a months absence. Sorry about that!

A few days after my last post I had a very interesting meeting about a program I'm hoping to volunteer with called Hands-on-History. A group at the university is organizing a box of artifacts, from the university archives, to take into schools to help enhance their history curriculum. Very exciting, I've been really missing being around students. Hopefully it all pans out with my other obligations and commitments.

After that my mom, grandma and step-dad came for a visit and we had a whirl-wind tour of Southern England. I was very sad to see them go, our time together was felt so short

(yet full of British driving excitement!).

Highlights:

Bath

Cotswold's

The Woman in Black

(our seats weren't amazing, but the play was!)

After I had a very nice stay with Gary at a cool country hotel called the Petwood.

Him and I went skydiving on Christmas Eve before I left for Paris. I learned a valuable equation that day:

wind+student canopy = horrendous landing, and mud... lots and lots of mud

Gary surprised me with some VERY nice Christmas gifts, which was very unexpected since he was such a Scrooge about the holiday in general, then he dropped me off at the train station. I made it to the airport just barely in time, thanks to some mysteriously long stops on the underground. (Why are things so slow when you need them to be fast?!) Then my friend Elise and I were off.

We arrived at our very cute little hostel, Opps, and dropped our stuff off before heading to Norte Dame for a Midnight Mass. There were so many people there, including some very affectionate Eruo-trash, we had to wait ages to get in. Eventually we did, and kindly asked our Euro-trash friends to leave... Then we could enjoy the very crowded but beautiful interior and incense.

Christmas day we headed to the Eiffel Tower for some ice skating, and mulled wine at the near by Christmas market. Super fun!

Next we ventured to the Montmartre area for a walk through a beautiful and old cemetery (where Degas is buried), and mourned the great disappointment Moulin Rouge and their lying booking system (which fooled me into thinking I had tickets to the show later that night). Later we walked around the Champs-Élysées and got macaroons from the Laduree, they were AMAZING.

That night we had an underwhelming dinner at La Fregate (nice views, shit food) and I walked Elise back to a station to get her train. I stayed on an extra day and toured Sacre Coeur, The Escape Dali Museum, Montmartre's artist square, and the Centre Pompidou on boxing day.

I learned some valuable lessons in Paris:

I know more Italian than French = unhelpful

The Parisian underground system is better than London's

Paris has a LOT of stairs

French names when pronounced phonetically in English are HIGHLARIOUS

Christmas is a bit sad when you're not with family

Boxing day evening I flew in and got to stay with my friend Lucie and her family (who are amazing, funny and super nice) near London! We had a very relaxing evening, played some games and went to bed excited for the Rugby game the next day. Elise and I were so lucky to be invited to go with Lucie and her family to the national rugby stadium Twickenham. We had amazing seats and had a great time cheering on the Harlequins Rugby team.

Note my superior cheering skills :)

The next few days were more relaxed and full of studying/hanging out with Gary. For New Years Eve we went to a party at Langar (the skydiving dropzone) and had a great time bringing in the New Year with drinks (a few too many drinks for me...) and friends.

This week has and will be full of studying and writing for me. I'm SUPER excited to move into my new apartment in Nottingham this Saturday. I will post pictures of my new pad once I'm in.

Happy New Year Everyone! Until next time!

Stamford, Peterborough, Sushi, and Bluemoon

2011-12-13T05:32:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was super fun! Gary and I went to see Stamford, which is a very beautiful old English town. The architecture and cute antique shops were so much fun. Parts of my favorite movie Pride and Prejudice were filmed there too! We walked a bit on the grounds of the Burghley estate as well.

Gary also showed me around part of Peterborough. There is a very large and beautiful church there. The weather wasn't great for skydiving so we went into Nottingham and had some yummy sushi at Yo Sushi. Then I found the GREATEST discovery yet in England.

Why they have Blue Moon (my FAVORITE beer) in England I don't know... But I was nearly jumping up and down with excitement to find it there AND on TAP. Amazing

This weekend my family comes!! I can't wait to do all the things we've planned! So far we have plans to see:

Bath

Field of Lights by Bruce Munro

And the Bath Fashion Museum

Hereford

Nottingham

The University of Nottingham Campus

And The oldest Bar in England

Grantham

London

The play Woman in Black

Sarastro Restaurant

I'm off to research for my two big 5,000 word essays..... Cheers!

Wind tunnel, Course Work, and The Last Week of Seminars

2011-12-06T11:35:00.001-08:00

This past weekend I went to Manchester with my skydiving friend Giselle to visit my cousin Katie and try out a wind tunnel for the first time. We got into Manchester and had lunch at my favorite little cafe in Manchester Sugar Junction! We did some vintage shopping where I found an AMAZING new coat, and an adorable little purse (photos to follow!). Our gracious hosts made us some yummy pizza before we headed to the AirKix wind tunnel. The tunnel was sooo much fun!! It simulates the feeling of free fall, which Giselle and I haven't gotten to yet.

Everyone should try the tunnel!! It wasn't scary and was great fun!

Yesterday I received my first marks for my first essay. Me understand the grading system is a work in progress however... There are three marks Distinction, Merit, and Pass. The percentages still don't make sense, but basically if you get above a pass you're on the right track. I got a merit, so I'm pleased. Next week I'll have a meeting with one of the lecturers to discuss my other paper and other course work. Wish me luck!!

Today I finished my last bit of required reading for my first semester required readings. I'm now going to be focusing all my academic energy at my last two big essays of the semester. I'm writing about a film artist named Chris Welsby for my Art of the Moving Image class. For my Approaches to Art History class I'll be focusing on Gendered Fashion in history. I've already found some amazing resources and can't wait to get stuck into my writing... which I have over a month to finish. I love the British masters system.

I'm counting down until my mom, stepdad, and grandma come to visit! I can't wait to see them, and all the fabulous places we'll visit.

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Thanksgiving in England... and Paris

2011-11-24T12:18:00.001-08:00

Happy thanksgiving all my American friends and family! I've had a great day skyping with loved ones and being thankful that I am happy and healthy. The big celebration this side of the pond will be a dual celebration this Saturday. Thanksgiving and my cousin Lotty's birthday! Fun cousins are coming down and up for the weekend and it should be a good time had by all. :)

The menu so far is a pretty traditional thanksgiving... turkey, stuffing, mashed and sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, pumpkin ravioli with brown butter sage sauce, rolls, cranberry sauce, fruit jello, and last but not lease pumpkin pie.... I'm helping make it so it should be an adventure.

In other news I've done my 5th sky dive, including my first two with a smaller new parachute (which I love, and its pink) and my first one without a radio :) My friend Giselle and I are currently trying to find a date that works for a groupon we have to use an indoor tunnel. Gary, the fantastic skydiving guy I'm dating, has told me the tunnel will help us with the rest of our RAPS jumps! Soon I'll be a qualified sky diving lady.

I've also finished my second small essay, a critical review on Andrew McClellan's Art and It's Public. Currently I'm trying to pick topics for my big essays... so many options I'm feeling a bit stuck....

Maybe my Christmas trip to Paris with my friend Elise will help!!

So far on our itinerary includes:

Christmas Market

Ice skating under the Eiffel Tower

The light display on Champs-Elysees

Christmas Mass at Norte Dame

And hopefully a delightful Christmas Dinner

My wonderful friend Lucie and her family are helping me celebrate Boxing Day on my return to London the 26 of December. Can you believe its already December next weekend?!

Jobs, Castles, Comedy,and Essays

2011-11-14T14:45:00.001-08:00

The past week and a half has been very very busy. On November 3rd I had an interview with the Think Tank: Flash Journal Project. I had a great interview, and was super pleased when I got a call back later that same day! :) The position is a very part time one, but its paid! I'll be working with a committee of people from a variety of different universities in combination with the Nottingham Contemporary Museum. I have my first meeting this coming wednesday, where I'll get more info and really get stuck in :)

Click for more details!

This past weekend I went to Nottingham Castle to tour around and see some super cheesy Robin Hood exhibitions. The main gallery space is being redone, so I wasn't able to see it all. BUT I did finally see a small section of Historical Fashion... so exciting! The views of the city where pretty great as well, since the Castle sits on a massive hill. Later that night I went to see my first british comedy show. Although there is not a true language barrier, I have discovered that at times there is a giant accent barrier. Unfortunately in addition to the comedians being just alright, I could barely understand 2 or the 3. :( I'm sure eventually I'll get better a better ear for them... but right now its a struggle.

On less interesting and more academic news I've finished my first small essay. I researched a film-maker named Malcolm Le Grice and his piece Berlin Horse...

The essay only took 2 hours to write, but involved many more hours of research. It felt good to have a deadline, and something more concrete to be working on. All the theory, and learning how to be critical art historians has been more mentally exhausting than I'd have thought. I can't go into an exhibition now without critiquing the curators every choice. No one ever talks about the side effects of a masters. :p

Battles, Studios, Studying....

2011-11-02T14:28:00.000-07:00

The past weekend was great! I went down to London for an event at the Royal College of Art in the Kensington area.

I went to some amazing sessions about being an artist, and creativity. There were loads of interesting presenters and lots of intense debate between audience members. I was able to visit the Victoria and Albert Museum and wander for a few hours (which you need, the place is MASSIVE). Sunday there was a great film about Sylvia Pankhurst, and some semi-interesting debates about Urban Decay and Internships as modern day slavery. Friday night I also got to see my cousin Jamie DJ. Before I left on Monday I did a very quick walk around the Tate Modern before my train back to Nottingham. All in all a great weekend!

Yesterday I met up with my friend Giselle for some vintage shopping in Nottingham. Very good times! It's been so nice to connect with people and explore. Giselle is a fellow skydiver and a very lovely friend. :)

Today I attended a free workshop with the resident artist at the Lakeside Arts Centre on campus.

Nadim Chaudry

We learned some really interesting Japanese fabric manipulation/sculptural techniques, as well as some smocking techniques. I'm still finishing mine up so pictures will come soon.

Studying... ahhh I have two papers due in 13 days. I've picked subjects but not really started to get "stuck in" to my research and writing. We have a "reading week" next week with no official class meetings so I should have loads of time right?! I'm feeling very relaxed about school in general, perhaps I need to amp it up... We'll see. :p

Cheers!

Skydiving video!

2011-10-24T11:13:00.000-07:00

Enjoy!

Jumping out of planes.

2011-10-20T03:45:00.000-07:00

The past week has been wonderful! I had a short presentation in my Art of the Moving Image class on some of Man Ray's early films. I've been really getting into a routine during the week of reading and watching tv :p Using the cross-trainer and swimming, but mostly sitting around reading assignments. School thus far has been really stress-free and relaxing... I'm enjoying it while that stage lasts.

This past weekend I learned how to skydive! I signed up for the Nottingham Skydiving Society and attended my first event. A big group of us went to Langar Airfield and did our RAPS course and first two jumps. I was so excited! I met some amazing people, and had a ton of fun. I got top marks on my static line jumps (when you jump out with a line connected to the plane that automatically deploys your parachute). Next I get to work on dummy pulls, then my first free fall! I'm a little surprised by how much I liked it, such an adrenaline rush. Then it's so peaceful up there, and pretty. I'm heading down again this weekend if the weather holds up!

If you're on facebook look for a video on my wall!

British Advert Awards

2011-10-08T09:15:00.000-07:00

My next nomination for the awards:

Why British healthcare is better than American healthcare...

2011-10-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

There has been much debate surrounding the healthcare debate. Here is my personal experience:

I've been in the UK for a month. My wrists have been killing me for 12 years. Both my Grandmother and Mother have had carpal tunnel surgery. I've been uninsured for the past 3 years and haven't been able to have a doctor look at them. The past 6 months I was lucky enough to qualify for a family planning program funded by the MN state system. If it hadn't been for that I would be paying $90 a month for my birth control while in the US.

Within the first few days of being in the UK I went to the local doctors office and registered for a NHS card. I received my official card in a few weeks and was insured from then on. Yesterday I decided to put a call in for an appointment to get prescriptions for my medications and check my wrists out. I was able to get in the next day (today). I went in, nervous I'd have to pay a copay with no money in my account as my US loan hasn't gone through, waited for a few mins then was seen. The doctor I saw was amazing. I have a free prescription for my birth control, because it just is free here, and a referral to be seen by an expert for my wrists. The doctor told me it may take a few weeks to get in to be seen with the referral. But I don't mind, because its free and I'm here for over a year to get it all sorted.

FREE No copays, no sliding scale, no mean receptionist scheduling appointments. Can you imagine if the US had a system like this.... I can't. Because people have tried to create it, and for some reason people were outraged at a loss of their privacy and freedom. Because watching your struggling neighbors die without insurance, or bankrupt themselves trying to be seen by a doctor is truly what freedom means. That is the largest load of ridiculous bullshit I've ever heard. The British people I've spoken with about healthcare can't fathom how a country like the US, a "superpower", doesn't care about the people that live there. And I couldn't agree more.

Updates to come!!

Learning the Ropes

2011-10-05T06:54:00.000-07:00

Last week was registration and induction to the Grad School, Library, IT folks, Arts Centre, Humanities Building. I finally got my student Id card - YEAH!! However I'm still waiting for my loan to sort out my student rail pass, and the student deal for the buses in Nottingham. I signed up for a lot of societies: Sky Diving, Swimming, Lacrosse, Food, Wine tasting, Snowboarding, Art History. I haven't been great at attending events for these as of yet. The last bus from Nottingham to Grantham, where I'm living, is at 8:51pm. Early :( So all I've done thus far is plan a sky diving trip for next weekend, and I can't wait!! The practice schedule for Lacrosse and Swimming doesn't work out with my train schedule, so we'll see what ends up happening.

I did go swimming on Monday this week... and it felt amazing. First swim in over a year. I also had my first official class: Critical Approaches to Art History and Visual Culture which has an interesting set up for each week. Each Professor in the department takes a turn to teach within their expertise with a doctoral student. I don't have my next class until Friday which is Art of the Moving Image. I'm feeling really confident on campus now. The colors are changing, and I haven't been missing the MN fall to much. There are some really nice people in my program and I've been having fun getting to know them.

I've also been keeping an eye out for great adverts that might appear in the annual Walker Art Center British Television Awards....

My votes for the British Advertising Awards

- Stella Artois Train Triple Filter

- Audi Hummingbird

More to come :)

Cheers!

I ♥ Nottingham

2011-09-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

This week I made a second attempt at visiting Nottingham, the first trip failed in epic proportions. This time I made it to campus on the a city bus, and found the office I needed. I still wasn't able to get the signature I need for a student rail card. Apparently I'm not a "real" student until I register for classes next week. Afterword I made a new friend on a yellow uni double-decker bus! Shelia is from Kenya, and it was her birthday. We had an adventure getting to the shopping area in Nottingham and then my wonderful cousin Charlie met up with us. He gave me a very nice tour of all sorts of amazing things in Nottingham.

Highlights:

A bar in a beautiful old church Pitcher and Piano
A small free art museum Nottingham Contemporary
A cool dinner and art house theater The Broadway

I finally felt comfortable and much less lost after he helped me. I was also called "duckie", apparently its a term of endearment. Charlie had to explain that one to me! ha Next week is the official semester kick off. Lots of meetings, fairs, and presentations to attend. No official classes until the first week in October.

Officially over a week!

2011-09-13T06:22:00.000-07:00

It's been over a week since I came to Grantham, and I am LOVING England. I got back yesterday from visiting my cousin Katie in Manchester. We had a crazy good time at some very fun bars... three nights worth of fun. Her boyfriend Chris's birthday was on sat and I met some really cool people.

Chris and beer! Fun new people!

I've been living it up awaiting my program to start. I did some great shopping in Manchester! I finally purchased some adorable Hunter boots, and a very velvety 80's dress for a themed party on the 24th.

Bad News, Good News

2011-09-07T15:09:00.000-07:00

The bad news....... Netflix, Pandora, Project Runway (via lifetime), and the Daily Show hate England. None of their video options on their websites work here because "The video you are trying to watch can not be viewed from your current country/location." Why these wonderful brands and companies hate the UK I'm not sure. What a downer.

The good news... I've been a pirate for a while and can find them online for free.

As my brother would say

May the flying spaghetti monster wrap you in his noodley embrace, shower you with his holy marinara, and grant you peace, Ramen.

You know you're in England when....

2011-09-06T03:54:00.000-07:00

So far I've struggled opening a bank account, and getting a student rail pass. They need more documentation, they need a stamp from the University.... blah blah blahhhhh!

The only thing that has been easy is getting my NHS registration completed. And that's how I know I'm not in the US... because the easiest thing about being here is that I'm already insured. :)

Sad Camera.... Happy Christine

2011-09-04T15:21:00.000-07:00

I have safely arrived in England and properly celebrated with my British family! It was a nice flight from Minneapolis to Iceland. By nice I mean long and sleepless, but comfortable. Iceland is really interesting and I would have loved to post pictures of my trip to the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. BUT I forgot to pack my camera card reader :( So photos will have to wait until I can track down a reader. The pool was amazing! It was all foggy when we arrived at 10, parts are warmer than others as you walk around. There was very cool silica mud to put on your face and body as a mask. I couldn't get in for a massage but had a great time floating around and getting a drink at the bar in the pool. I met a very nice new friend from Australia who is moving to London for a few years. Hopefully I can visit her once I am settled. It was a very relaxing 4 hours before I had to head to the airport for my flight from Reykjavik to London. That flight went by very fast, sleeping on and off. Once we landed and I finished waiting for customs to stamp my passport I met up with Malcolm, Trisha and Katie and drove to my new home in Grantham.

Tomorrow is all about setting up my new life - bank account, cell phone, shampoo and conditioner and other toiletries - all the essentials.

More later!

Diet Coke I love you...

2011-09-02T15:45:00.000-07:00

You have served me well Diet Coke.... We've had years of codependency, I don't know what I'll do without you. I'm sure the most immediate pangs of sadness will be the massive migraine I have from not drinking you. We had a good month though... 36+ in the last two weeks, not bad. How I will miss your sweet bubbly presence in my life. I promise not to tell you when I find a British replacement, nor will I blame you when my British dentist finds the cavity you caused.

Love always
Christine

Leaving on a jet plane...

2011-09-02T07:18:00.000-07:00

Today is the day... In 10 hours I'll be in the air flying towards England. I can't wait. This summer has been such a long one. I'm so excited for my journey. :)

Practice Packing

2011-08-25T20:03:00.000-07:00

Practice Packing, because I'm unemployed and wanting to leave yesterday. It all fits. Well it all almost fits. A little standing might be in order for the real deal :)

Ohhhh Minnesnowta

2011-08-24T13:53:00.000-07:00

Click on Picture

City Pages has an awesome list of things to LOVE about Minnesota... It made me think of the things I will miss in the next year.

1. My friends and family living close by

2. The feet and feet of snow to play in

3. Cross country skiing

4. Biking on our wonderful green-way

5. The Birchwood, Loring Pasta Bar, French Meadow Bakery, GiGi's, and Pizza Luce

6. Diet Coke that tastes like Diet Coke

7. Sunning at the lakes

8. Big storms late in the night

9. Sunny days, when it's not over 80

10. Teaching art, hopefully learning about art with compensate

11. The Renaissance festival, I will get to practice my accent out of costume

I'm trading all these things and more for a huge adventure into the unknown. I can't wait to see what my new favorites in England will be!

My Visa

2011-08-17T07:57:00.001-07:00

Just got an email stating that my Student Visa was issued and that my passport is on its way back to me.... Such a giant stress relief! Today I am going to get a mani-pedi in celebration.

Counting Down

2011-08-16T16:57:00.001-07:00

Welcome to my blog! I am super excited and getting ready to leave... my countdown is about 2 weeks too long. I wish I was leaving within the week! Continue to send happy thoughts as I plan, pack unpack and pack again, and wait for my visa and passport to make their way to my mailbox. Any day now right?!