This morning I was afraid to get out of bed. I thought maybe if I stayed in bed I could still dream that somehow McCain could have possibly won. Yes, despite his onery-ness (or perhaps because of it) I was rooting for my neighbor John. So why then, you may ask, when I finally got up and turned on the computer to check, did I find myself so dang excited? So excited in fact that I have been bouncing with love and joy all day long?
Well, first of all, even if I wasn't voting Obama, it doesn't mean that I dislike him. The two candidates appealed to two different parts of me. I think the thing that thrilled me was how squarely and completely he won and how enthusiastically my fellow Americans turned out in droves to vote--mostly for him. I looked at photos of friends and strangers all through out the US waiting with baited breath--and celebrating in the streets. I read about the hope and joy and excitement permeating through everything and I felt it all the way over here, across the pond. I know full well that anything can happen and that politicians are not always able to deliver.
I believe in the power of collective belief (awkward statement, I know) and to have so much of my country actually feeling hope--that is a blessed, blessed thing. Perhaps that is really why I am excited. The power rests with us and we know it. If we can keep aware long enough to remember that than even an inexperienced president can be allowed to do good things. Under Bush people pretend that nothing can be done. I hope that people will remember under Obama that things can.
On my facebook status I wrote: "Corina is in love with her country." I love that the two people who responded were American friends Heather living in Kazakhstan and Britta living in Korea. We are feeling it over here too, we are feeling it everywhere! This amazing awareness that we CAN speak up and we CAN make a difference! A replacement of irony and disillusionment with hope and excitement! I just feel so grateful to be an American, so grateful to be a part of this process. I am proud of my countryfolk for speaking up. And even though I would have liked to be there in New York, celebrating in the streets, I somehow feel that I am doing just that as I go throughout my day today--beaming with native pride. As I've said before, for me it is often being among the other nations of the world that I feel MOST American, as I imagine Heather and Britta would agree. And you better bet your buttons that I am proud of it :).
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Week 3 and All is Well
except for the fact that I haven't gotten to talk to my sis yet. Lyndsay where are you? I was going to call her right now but I got distracted by this blog: thefamilyjones.blogspot.com In case you didn't already know, this family is living my dream. What dream is that, you say? To live in Kazakhstan with my young children and fabulous husband. If you wonder why, look at the pics in their blog. Seems pretty wonderful to me. And of course, by wonderful I mean that all of those things that some of you may look at and cringe your noses at; I look at and say Wow! Adventure! Wow! Beauty! Wow! Kazakhstan! So please, if you know any eligible and wonderful men who won't mind moving to KZ with our dumpling children, please send them my way...
In the meantime I am working away at a method that will get me there. It is called Grad School: MA Social Anthropology. And I LOVE IT!! I have decided on the following courses: Anthropology of Art, Anthropology and Representation and Anthropological Theories and Methods. I am auditing Anthro of Gender, Economic and Political Systems as well as Symbolic Systems.
I have the most interesting teachers. Prof. Brian Morris is in his 70's and likes to remind us all that he never went to Uni, that he worked in an iron foundry. He also has a fascinating and clear mind along with bushy white hair and beard which he tugs at and which flies around his face all throughout the lectures. He's the one that keeps me coming to the class because the theories themselves are rubbish. Its a bunch of social and otherwise theorists who tried to figure out why man invents religion. It can be seriously difficult sitting through a lecture about the philosophies of men, knowing what I know about God and about truth and where to find it!
Anthropology of Art is my favorite class. I wasn't going to take it but I stopped by to listen and was hooked. I arrived late and the room was dark, while images of photographs and sculptures flashed across a screen. Ahhh, my artist soul breathed. I had finally found something that soothed my overworked mind. We are learning fascinating things, but we also get to go on field trips to museums and draw and look at pretty pictures (and the handsome professor.) It is nice to take a class that indulges more parts of myself than just the right brain.
Thirdly is Anthropology and Representation. I was APPALLED by this class when I attended the first lecture. It started late, the professor rambled on and on, he appeared unkempt and quite frankly, stoned. His pants weren't zipped, his brain wasn't zipped and the material he was presenting seemed totally opposite of what I was hoping to get from the course.
However, I gave it another chance this week only to find that it may give Anthro of Art a run for its money in terms of which class I enjoy more. The professor is still a little out there, but I think it is because he lives in this theoretical world in his head. We will be talking about systems and symbolics, about words and concepts that create understanding of who we are and the world around us. About culture and society and hierarchies and how such systems and words create representations of human self. Ooh ooh ooh!!!!! So stinking exciting!!!!
On other fronts, I am in love with my ward, in love with my house (stay tuned for the Help Corina Decorate contest coming up soon), in love with London, adore my friends here which sprung up like dandelions and overjoyed that it has been warm and crisp in this lovely city on the Thames!
In the meantime I am working away at a method that will get me there. It is called Grad School: MA Social Anthropology. And I LOVE IT!! I have decided on the following courses: Anthropology of Art, Anthropology and Representation and Anthropological Theories and Methods. I am auditing Anthro of Gender, Economic and Political Systems as well as Symbolic Systems.
I have the most interesting teachers. Prof. Brian Morris is in his 70's and likes to remind us all that he never went to Uni, that he worked in an iron foundry. He also has a fascinating and clear mind along with bushy white hair and beard which he tugs at and which flies around his face all throughout the lectures. He's the one that keeps me coming to the class because the theories themselves are rubbish. Its a bunch of social and otherwise theorists who tried to figure out why man invents religion. It can be seriously difficult sitting through a lecture about the philosophies of men, knowing what I know about God and about truth and where to find it!
Anthropology of Art is my favorite class. I wasn't going to take it but I stopped by to listen and was hooked. I arrived late and the room was dark, while images of photographs and sculptures flashed across a screen. Ahhh, my artist soul breathed. I had finally found something that soothed my overworked mind. We are learning fascinating things, but we also get to go on field trips to museums and draw and look at pretty pictures (and the handsome professor.) It is nice to take a class that indulges more parts of myself than just the right brain.
Thirdly is Anthropology and Representation. I was APPALLED by this class when I attended the first lecture. It started late, the professor rambled on and on, he appeared unkempt and quite frankly, stoned. His pants weren't zipped, his brain wasn't zipped and the material he was presenting seemed totally opposite of what I was hoping to get from the course.
However, I gave it another chance this week only to find that it may give Anthro of Art a run for its money in terms of which class I enjoy more. The professor is still a little out there, but I think it is because he lives in this theoretical world in his head. We will be talking about systems and symbolics, about words and concepts that create understanding of who we are and the world around us. About culture and society and hierarchies and how such systems and words create representations of human self. Ooh ooh ooh!!!!! So stinking exciting!!!!
On other fronts, I am in love with my ward, in love with my house (stay tuned for the Help Corina Decorate contest coming up soon), in love with London, adore my friends here which sprung up like dandelions and overjoyed that it has been warm and crisp in this lovely city on the Thames!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Heaven
OK, here it is, the post you've all been waiting for. My 30th birthday and a perfect weekend in Wales.
I came home late Friday night to roses and balloons and a mysterious package that I figured had to be galoshes, sitting in my messy room.
it was :). The most perfect pair of type 2-1 galoshes from my most wonderful Judith flat mate. The perfect gift I figure for a 30 year old. When I was younger, as in 29 or so, I felt that one couldn't buy galoshes, they were a frivolity. But now that I am an adult (aka:30) I can receive galoshes as a gift and feel so delighted about them that I will spend a good twenty minutes taking still-life photos of them.
Kim woke me up at 5:30; Judith was already up, and we all got ready to leave. Departure time: 6:20 am. We drove across England to the wild country of Wales. I bought anything and everything I thought I might want to eat and ate only a few of said items. Not important, what was important was that I do exactly as I liked on this birthday of birthdays.
We arrived at Park Le Breos (http://www.parc-le-breos.co.uk/)
just after 10. Cantankerous woman and Adorable Olive, the owner, rushed us to get ready with the rest of the group. There was some concern that there might not be a horse for Judith. But of course there was. After all, it was my birthday :).
We then proceeded to spend the day atop our respective horses in the blusteriest, oneriest weather in the heartiest, most breathtaking scenery. Fern swept hills and craggy beaches, shaking trees and foggy fields. It was much too wet to take many pictures. In another setting one might say that the weather was miserable. But in THIS setting it was perfect. I was pretty sure some melancholy 19th century novel had been written here. At any rate, it made me think of The Secret Garden and the way the wind blowing across the moor made Mary shiver with unease. So terribly romantic.
After lunch
we tromped through a village or two (can it be called a village if it only consists of a church and two farmhouses?) Then we were led to the top of a cliff looking down on a heathered cove area. Words fail. Hmm, I think I'll put in a pic of the site from my walk the next day later on in the blog....for now, content yourself with a photo of Rascal and I.
We finished an amazing day of riding around 4:30 and rushed to clean up and prepare for conference. Oer here the Sat. morning session can be seen at 5 pm on Saturday evening. We planned to watch it on Judith's laptop in our room. However, we failed to take into account that we had come to stay at a remote 19th century hunting lodge miles away from any other houses for the very reason that it was remote. Yes, you guessed it, no signal.
Judith and I realized this as Kim was taking a shower. So as soon as she got out, we hurried her along (not that she takes much time) and then we all jumped in the car and headed for Cardiff, hoping we could figure out where the stake center was. I had the distinct feeling that we wouldn't make any of the session based on this plan. I finally got signal while we were in the car. So we pulled off under a bridge off the freeway and watched what we could before the computer died. What we did get sustained us!
Then we made our way back into Swansea and to the local hang out street for some dinner. Tapas it was, and yummy tapas at that.
Our good intentions to figure out how to watch the next session from 9-11 were done in by our overwhelming exhaustion. So back to the lodge it was for a restful nights sleep!
In the morning Kim and I traipsed up the local hill/mountain. We found wild blackberry bushes and munched on our way. We rejoiced and philosophized and figured out the meaning of life and love and God as we hiked along. You couldn't really help it, you know. In the midst of such beauty one must speak of God.
On top of the mountain we shouted out our life intentions, knowing that the fierce wind would carry them to the ends of the earth and honor each and every one.
We descended, and we left, intending to make it to London in time for the next sessions of Conference. Which we did by the skin of our teeth. The three of us then sat in the living room, listening to prophets of God share His love and guidance with us and glowing with peace, joy and contentment.
It was a perfect, perfect weekend.
I came home late Friday night to roses and balloons and a mysterious package that I figured had to be galoshes, sitting in my messy room.
it was :). The most perfect pair of type 2-1 galoshes from my most wonderful Judith flat mate. The perfect gift I figure for a 30 year old. When I was younger, as in 29 or so, I felt that one couldn't buy galoshes, they were a frivolity. But now that I am an adult (aka:30) I can receive galoshes as a gift and feel so delighted about them that I will spend a good twenty minutes taking still-life photos of them.
Kim woke me up at 5:30; Judith was already up, and we all got ready to leave. Departure time: 6:20 am. We drove across England to the wild country of Wales. I bought anything and everything I thought I might want to eat and ate only a few of said items. Not important, what was important was that I do exactly as I liked on this birthday of birthdays.
We arrived at Park Le Breos (http://www.parc-le-breos.co.uk/)
just after 10. Cantankerous woman and Adorable Olive, the owner, rushed us to get ready with the rest of the group. There was some concern that there might not be a horse for Judith. But of course there was. After all, it was my birthday :).
We then proceeded to spend the day atop our respective horses in the blusteriest, oneriest weather in the heartiest, most breathtaking scenery. Fern swept hills and craggy beaches, shaking trees and foggy fields. It was much too wet to take many pictures. In another setting one might say that the weather was miserable. But in THIS setting it was perfect. I was pretty sure some melancholy 19th century novel had been written here. At any rate, it made me think of The Secret Garden and the way the wind blowing across the moor made Mary shiver with unease. So terribly romantic.
After lunch
we tromped through a village or two (can it be called a village if it only consists of a church and two farmhouses?) Then we were led to the top of a cliff looking down on a heathered cove area. Words fail. Hmm, I think I'll put in a pic of the site from my walk the next day later on in the blog....for now, content yourself with a photo of Rascal and I.
We finished an amazing day of riding around 4:30 and rushed to clean up and prepare for conference. Oer here the Sat. morning session can be seen at 5 pm on Saturday evening. We planned to watch it on Judith's laptop in our room. However, we failed to take into account that we had come to stay at a remote 19th century hunting lodge miles away from any other houses for the very reason that it was remote. Yes, you guessed it, no signal.
Judith and I realized this as Kim was taking a shower. So as soon as she got out, we hurried her along (not that she takes much time) and then we all jumped in the car and headed for Cardiff, hoping we could figure out where the stake center was. I had the distinct feeling that we wouldn't make any of the session based on this plan. I finally got signal while we were in the car. So we pulled off under a bridge off the freeway and watched what we could before the computer died. What we did get sustained us!
Then we made our way back into Swansea and to the local hang out street for some dinner. Tapas it was, and yummy tapas at that.
Our good intentions to figure out how to watch the next session from 9-11 were done in by our overwhelming exhaustion. So back to the lodge it was for a restful nights sleep!
In the morning Kim and I traipsed up the local hill/mountain. We found wild blackberry bushes and munched on our way. We rejoiced and philosophized and figured out the meaning of life and love and God as we hiked along. You couldn't really help it, you know. In the midst of such beauty one must speak of God.
On top of the mountain we shouted out our life intentions, knowing that the fierce wind would carry them to the ends of the earth and honor each and every one.
We descended, and we left, intending to make it to London in time for the next sessions of Conference. Which we did by the skin of our teeth. The three of us then sat in the living room, listening to prophets of God share His love and guidance with us and glowing with peace, joy and contentment.
It was a perfect, perfect weekend.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Week 2
OK, I am recovering from a Skype scare wherein I got online to await a call from my Katie friend and changed my status on skype from the little green on sign to one that had a smiley face on it to reflect my happy feelings over the fact that I would be hearing from one of my dearest. Apparently the smiley face doesn't mean "I'm Happy" it means "crazy men all over the world or perhaps just from Italy please call and chat with me right now" because the phone started ringing. I couldn't figure out why Katie had given herself the skype name "mateo" so I chatted her first. I didn't freak out until Katie-Mateo asked how old I was and then I yelled at the imposter in BLOCK LETTERS and hung up the chat. Then Fernando rang. And two or three other mediterranean sounding names. ACK! And Katie still hasn't called! At least I figured out how to turn off the "chat me" happy face. heebie jeebies.
In other news, I got a calling, went to the temple, registered for school, was unearthed as an "oldie" for the first time in my life (this was a classic moment. why don't you call me on skype and ask me about it :) ), ate treacle pudding (yum), rearranged the house (into a home), felt joy and frustration, excitement and exhaustion.
I think I was expecting everything to be as easy as it was the last time I lived here. Well, let's be honest, the last time I lived here was very BYU-ified and everything was done for me, all I had to do was the adventuring. I have never had to figure out a bank account and a phone and internet and utilities and where to buy hangers and how to use the washer etc in another country. Not that its all that hard, but it is different. Besides that, every so often I have to pause to try to understand the language, which I really wasn't expecting!
For example, George who runs the local chippie where I bought this:
He has a real, bonafide cockney accent. I think we became friends because I hung out in his shop for so long just trying to decipher what he was saying! Its trippy when you feel like you should know or understand what is going on but you absolutely don't :).
I can't wait for my money to go through this week so I can get the things I want to make my room really put together. Poor Judith--she keeps hearing my frustration in wanting everything to be put together yesterday. I want my room done and my classes settled and my money available and my love life thriving and an academy award. Ok, maybe not the last one. But as with everything else, little by little.
Aren't you excited to see how everything is going to unfold? I sure am!
(ps--stay tuned as next weekend Judith and Rachelle and I will take a weekend jaunt up to the Lake District for my 30TH BIRTHDAY!!!! I promise lots of pictures from that!!)
(she's not really a midget...)
In other news, I got a calling, went to the temple, registered for school, was unearthed as an "oldie" for the first time in my life (this was a classic moment. why don't you call me on skype and ask me about it :) ), ate treacle pudding (yum), rearranged the house (into a home), felt joy and frustration, excitement and exhaustion.
I think I was expecting everything to be as easy as it was the last time I lived here. Well, let's be honest, the last time I lived here was very BYU-ified and everything was done for me, all I had to do was the adventuring. I have never had to figure out a bank account and a phone and internet and utilities and where to buy hangers and how to use the washer etc in another country. Not that its all that hard, but it is different. Besides that, every so often I have to pause to try to understand the language, which I really wasn't expecting!
For example, George who runs the local chippie where I bought this:
He has a real, bonafide cockney accent. I think we became friends because I hung out in his shop for so long just trying to decipher what he was saying! Its trippy when you feel like you should know or understand what is going on but you absolutely don't :).
I can't wait for my money to go through this week so I can get the things I want to make my room really put together. Poor Judith--she keeps hearing my frustration in wanting everything to be put together yesterday. I want my room done and my classes settled and my money available and my love life thriving and an academy award. Ok, maybe not the last one. But as with everything else, little by little.
Aren't you excited to see how everything is going to unfold? I sure am!
(ps--stay tuned as next weekend Judith and Rachelle and I will take a weekend jaunt up to the Lake District for my 30TH BIRTHDAY!!!! I promise lots of pictures from that!!)
(she's not really a midget...)
Monday, September 22, 2008
Day One
So, thus far it seems that London is a lot like New York, only everything is just a little bit better (wait, everything? Did I say everything? Except for the people that I LOVE AND ADORE who are reading this right now).
I have a bedroom about the same size as my last. Except that it has a WALK IN CLOSET.
I have a wonderful roommate and a wonderful place to live. Except it’s a HOUSE.
WITH A CONSERVATORY.
I am still a Money Magnet, finding coins everywhere I go. Except the first one I found here was a 20p coin (worth abt 35 cents).
Men still appreciate me when I walk down the street. Except here they are white with fabulous accents. (No, of COURSE I did not turn around and take a picture of the cute men who were hitting on me.)
I got to meet with the Bishop on my first day in the ward. This invitation was extended to me by the ward dreamboat. During the meeting I informed the Bishop I would do all that I could to help the single adults in the ward to get married off.
I practically got to teach Relief Society as I raised my hand repeatedly to correct various pieces of false doctrine which were being taught.
I also got to meet with the Stake President who happened to be in the ward today and who was informed by my roommate that I should be given a stake calling. Stake or ward, it looks like they will be putting me to good use soon! (nursery, nursery, oh pleeeeeese!!!)
Other attractive men came to dinner including one who is going to come and walk me to FHE tomorrow. He’d better, we’ve already gotten physical. (ok, ok, he’s a osteopath and he popped my back. With relish though, I am certain ☺. )
And I found a kindred spirit already, a German gal who just moved into the ward and with whom I am going to put together a single adult conference on dating and male/female relationships.
All in the first day!
So, thus begins a very illustrious and exciting year!
I have a bedroom about the same size as my last. Except that it has a WALK IN CLOSET.
I have a wonderful roommate and a wonderful place to live. Except it’s a HOUSE.
WITH A CONSERVATORY.
I am still a Money Magnet, finding coins everywhere I go. Except the first one I found here was a 20p coin (worth abt 35 cents).
Men still appreciate me when I walk down the street. Except here they are white with fabulous accents. (No, of COURSE I did not turn around and take a picture of the cute men who were hitting on me.)
I got to meet with the Bishop on my first day in the ward. This invitation was extended to me by the ward dreamboat. During the meeting I informed the Bishop I would do all that I could to help the single adults in the ward to get married off.
I practically got to teach Relief Society as I raised my hand repeatedly to correct various pieces of false doctrine which were being taught.
I also got to meet with the Stake President who happened to be in the ward today and who was informed by my roommate that I should be given a stake calling. Stake or ward, it looks like they will be putting me to good use soon! (nursery, nursery, oh pleeeeeese!!!)
Other attractive men came to dinner including one who is going to come and walk me to FHE tomorrow. He’d better, we’ve already gotten physical. (ok, ok, he’s a osteopath and he popped my back. With relish though, I am certain ☺. )
And I found a kindred spirit already, a German gal who just moved into the ward and with whom I am going to put together a single adult conference on dating and male/female relationships.
All in the first day!
So, thus begins a very illustrious and exciting year!
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