Stamford, Peterborough, Sushi, and Bluemoon

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

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

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?!

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Jobs, Castles, Comedy,and Essays

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....

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!

Enjoy!

Jumping out of planes.

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!