Random Photos

So I have a few random photos to share but there will be more information later. Rebekah and I spent a weekend in Hastings two weeks ago, and did some sightseeing close to home last weekend, and right at the moment I’m visiting my adorable nephews in London! But there WILL be plenty of updates later. 

Click here!

Warwick Castle/Stratford-Upon-Avon

So the week after that excursion/tour filled week, we took an all-day excursion. We started with Warwick Castle, which might have been the most surreal castle I’ve ever been to (and I’ve been to far more than my fair share of them...) due to it’s incredible condition. Most castles in England suffered some damage around the time of Oliver Cromwell, but this particular castle had the good fortune to be on the “right” side of the war, or the side where it would get the least damaged (Parliament). 

I took more than plenty of photos and enjoyed myself greatly. We started by going through an exhibit on “The Kingmaker” which was on one of the Earls, who helped depose and set up kings, and well, it’s very complicated. After that, we climbed the battlements, from which we got the loveliest views! Lots of photos were taken in the process of the climbing. 

At this point (finishing the battlements) our group split up. Everyone but me, and Penelope (program’s administrative director and pretty much the go-to person for everything over here) went to tour the exhibit on “The Dungeon!”. It had been described on the website as being rather ghoulish, gory, and all-around disgusting. Actually, just reading the description out loud while I was on the phone with Mom grossed out both of us, completely. Apparently Penelope doesn’t deal well with the gore either, so she and I decided to tour the State Rooms of the actual Palace section, and to watch the trebuchet exhibition. Because you couldn’t do both the dungeon and the trebuchet, I feel like I came out on the winning side there. 

I also took a walk through the exquisite gardens on the grounds, and was able to snap several pretty photos. After this it was time to climb the Castle Motte (built in 1086!!!), visit the gift shop, and say goodbye to the castle. 

But our day wasn’t over, oh no, still more to come!

From the castle, we went on to Stratford-Upon-Avon, where we started at Anne Hatheway’s Cottage (as in Shakespeare’s wife). After touring her house and gardens (a tree spoke sonnets to me!) we moved on to Holy Trinity Cathedral, where Shakespeare is buried. We unfortunately couldn’t get close to his actual burial site due to church renovation and scaffolding blocking everything, but I did manage a picture through said scaffolding. We then toured “Hall’s Croft” the home of Shakespeare’s son-in-law and daughter Susanna, and then Shakespeare’s birthplace. After a brief respite for some souvenir shopping and supper at a local pub, we attended the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of “The Winter’s Tale” at the Courtyard Theatre. It was an interesting production (I was with them until the bizarre dance from the second act) but we were all exhausted by this point. It was a 16.5 hour day from the time Lora and I walked out the door til the excursion bus dropped us off at our street. Eek!

But all in all, it was a fabulous day, and so wonderful, warm, and sunny (all rarities for England) and I was able to snag some amazing photos of the castle, the gardens, and everything in between!

Photos of the Day!

Musings on being a Celiac/Coeliac

I’m spoiled. I can own up to it. I have an amazing support system at home. I have my mother, who went gluten-free with me (although she thinks she’s seeing an improvement now, no wonder, Coeliac’s/Celiac’s is genetic). I have the rest of my family who are there when I need them, for a phone call, cup of tea, or a weekend brunch. They’re also very serious about making sure I stay healthy. I have my little circle of friends at school, who are not only supportive, but nag to make sure I keep my blood sugar steady, and never choose a restaurant that I can’t eat at, and in general are adorable/a nuisance. :) I also have my friends at church, who pray for me on a daily basis (something I’ll be eternally grateful for), the administrative staff at Jewell who go out of their way to help me, and the list goes on and on. 

I guess what I’m saying is, I didn’t realize how much I would miss that support network. From the casual cups of coffee, to the ranting to Shelly King (you knew you’d get a shout-out eventually) to 2 a.m. Steak ‘N’ Shake runs, I didn’t realize how much of my mental sanity as I’ve dealt with these health problems has been dependent on the people around me and the support they provide.

Now the real thrust of this post, I miss my support network. I miss people who get just as excited as I do because a package came from the UK Coeliac Society, or not feeling awkward at a dinner party because the hostess made sure I have something, or just not feeling like I have to explain everything to everyone all the time. I also hate feeling like I’m boring people by explaining things, but I’m having trouble finding that happy balance. Does such a thing exist?

A few thoughts, on the Spiritual side

I had a rare chance to spend extra time in Bible study and prayer tonight. I often feel that I never have enough time, but tonight was wonderful and abundant.

I had had a terrible day, nothing in particular made it bad, just a series of little things that had me feeling miserable and sorry for myself by the time I got home. After dinner, and a little ice cream therapy with my housemates, I retired to my room, but I didn't feel like studying. I began by writing a letter, and turned on a little music. A couple of the lyrics from particular songs struck me, and I picked up my Bible to begin my reading.
When I was finished I flipped into the Psalms and just randomly stopped. I firmly believe there is no such thing as coincidences, and obviously I needed to see the verses that I saw tonight. In particular there are a few that have struck me.

"Cease from anger
  and forsake wrath:
   Do not fret - it only causes harm"
-Psalms 37:8

"A little that a righteous man has
  Is better than the riches of many wicked"
-Psalms 37:16

"But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord;
  He is their strength in the time of trouble.
  And the Lord shall help them and deliver them;
  He shall deliver them from the wicked,
  And save them,
  Because they trust in Him."
-Psalms 37:39-40

After, I had turned on a particular set of songs I find help me to think through things, and this lyric in particular touched me;

"O Gaze of a Love
 So melt my pride
  That I may in Your house
 but kneel
  and in my Brokenness to cry:
Spring Worship unto Thee"
-Hymn, Jars of Clay

I just wanted to share the peace that had entered my heart tonight because of these words from God, and even these words of worship from men. Sometimes I struggle with my faith, because I feel I am alone in what I am pursuing, but I need to be reminded that as long as I have God, I am never alone.

Excursion Week

Okay, I admit it. I’m behind. It’s crazy and surprising, but I’m a little busy over here. Anyone who knows me well is now laughing. Hysterically. 

As part of our program we take a few excursions, tours, and other such fun things. I’ve posted the photos from all of our excursions to a site where you can flip through them without having to backlog the post.

 So all of this is from three weeks ago!

1st: Shakespeare Tour

What’s the connection between Shakespeare and Oxford? If you’re thinking “none” you’re wrong. You might be the same as many “Oxfordians” but there’s a connection. Apparently, Oxford is exactly halfway between London and Stratford-Upon-Avon. So Shakespeare used to stay here when going back and forth. He was friends with the innkeeper and his wife, and it’s said that he had an affair with the wife of the innkeeper. It’s even claimed that he’s not just the godfather of the son of the innkeeper, but maybe the actual father. 

That’s neither here nor there however.

Our lecturer and guide for the tour, was none other than one brilliant Dr. Barry Webb. The man could make dirt seem exciting and interesting. And his passion for Shakespeare is incredible. He lectured four or five times in our classroom about various subjects, and each time I was literally on the edge of my seat. The only other person capable of that, is Francis Warner. 

Dr. Webb took us around town, and showed us things of varying interest, like Shakepeare’s bedroom, the courtyard a few of his plays were performed, and the pub where he used to enjoy his supper. A few members of our group promptly ordered a pint there, because that’s where the tour ended. Lora and I left. Like always. 

Shakespeare Tour!

2nd: London and The Globe

The very next evening (busy week) we went into London to see a performance of As You Like It at The Globe theatre. We arrived in London early, since traffic is unpredictable, and Penelope wished for us to have time to explore a little. So Lora and I did explore. We also found a cute little pub and had some supper. Amongst the things seen/experienced: Sir Francis Drake’s ship (much smaller than I expected...), Southwark Cathedral, where all the theatre greats have worshipped, and the Millennium Bridge. I also dragged Lora and Adam (both housemates) up and down the Thames trying desperately to get the right angle for a photo of St. Paul’s Cathedral. I was trying to recreate the shot from the painting of Handel’s Water Music, but I don’t think I succeeded. *overly dramatic sigh*

London Photos!

3rd: Tour of Pre-Raphaelite Oxford

The Pre-Raphaelites were a group in Oxford during the Victorian Era. They have close ties to the Oxford Movement, which was about when the Anglican church split in half, the Oxford Movement half being the Anglo-Catholic side of the Anglican church. The Pre-Raphaelites were heavy on extreme detail, and were obsessed with the Medieval Period, which means a lot of the architecture and symbolism in their paintings has to do with that Era. It’s fascinating to see some of the detail that is put into the paintings, and to look at the architecture, which looks like it could have been from the Medieval Period, but it’s only as old as the Victorian Era. Francis taught us how to tell the difference between the two types of buildings. Cool stuff! 

Now, I didn’t actually take any of these photos. I was too busy talking to Francis Warner. But Lora had forgotten her camera, so she took mine for the tour! I benefited, I get to have the photos, AND I got to talk one on one for a long time with Francis. :-)

Photos of the tour!

That about sums up that week in our lives. It was a busy one for sure. That weekend my sister, Rebekah, came up to see me, and I took her around Oxford and showed her a few things that I had learned, and told her about some of the places we hang out. That was fun for both of us! 

More coming soon!

Good Bread. Distinction: AMAZING bread.

Well, I had planned to post updates in order, including photos and information on some of the excursions and trips I’ve taken. 

But hang on, we’ll be right back after this message from our sponsor:

Mrs. Crimble’s. I love you. You make the best gluten-free white bread ever. Can you maybe distribute in the USA? No? Okay, I’ll settle for my local Sainsbury’s please... 

I’m visiting my sister right now, always an interesting adventure to explore her town. I’ve finally gotten the route from the station to her apartment. Today I proposed an adventure: grocery shopping in a new city. I took my time choosing a grocery store. I went in Marks & Spencer first just to see if they had anything. They didn’t, just like the one in Oxford. But Sainsbury’s was next door, and they’re fairly dependable. Even the Sainsbury’s Locals have a small section where you can get bread and cookies (and custard...). After finally locating the gluten-free section in the Reading Sainsbury’s, I began trying to decide between three breads. There was a Dietary Specials Brown Bread, Mrs. Crimble’s White Loaf, and some interesting looking pita bread from Sainsbury’s. In the interest of utilitarianistic bread (as in, bread that is useful for all meals... thank you Jewell for adding that idea) I immediately narrowed it to the Mrs. Crimble’s and Dietary Specials. Now the problem: I’ve heard good things about both brands. I’ve even had the Dietary Specials continental sweet rolls. They’re pretty much to die for. Or they would be if I was going to die for a food item. Well, it’s either that or Glutino’s wafer cookies. 

But I digress.

Normally I’m a pre-sliced loaf kind of gal, but I decided to be racy today and buy the plain loaf style from Mrs. Crimble’s. I’ve finally located Dietary Specials products in Oxford, so I guess I could always find their brown bread at a later point. I have no idea who if anyone in Oxford sells Mrs. Crimble’s.

So I pulled the loaf out, it’s dusted with flour on top, which reminded me of the bread a family friend, Rosemary, and I used to make when she was teaching me how to bake. It also smelled like that bread. In fact, this bread smelled like someone had pulled it out of the oven about an hour ago, a definite point in it’s favor. Then I began slicing. Now here’s the thing, most gluten-free breads crumble instantly when stick a knife in them, which is a big reason I prefer pre-sliced loaves. And I don’t mean crumbling like the odd crust falls off here and there, I mean entire hunks of bread disintegrate. It’s not a pretty sight. 

But Mrs. Crimble, you had an ace up your sleeve. Your bread didn’t crumble like that. In fact, the consistency while slicing was rather like that of one of those loaves I used to make back in the days of eating gluten. The excitement was beginning to bubble over. 

And then it happened, I stuck a bit of a crust in my mouth. My mother, I’m sure will laugh at this next part, because I used to HATE the crust when I ate regular bread. Unless it was from homemade bread that we made.  I cut my crusts off until I was 17. That was about the point I started making our bread, which meant I didn’t have to put up with gross crust anymore. The crust off this loaf today melted in my mouth. Literally. It didn’t have that super dry feeling that most gluten-free breads have, it was simply “bread”. When it’s squeezed, you can actually make an impression on the bread, that’s how moist this bread is. 

Well, at this point, I was beyond excited. So I quickly made lunch. The actual act of eating this bread as part of a sandwich made me feel like I wasn’t gluten-free anymore. It was incredible. I’m reluctant to get up and brush my teeth after having finished lunch, because that bread was THAT good.

For those of you who can’t relate to what I’m talking about, pretend someone has given you styrofoam to eat for your bread for the last ten months. Then imagine someone gave you real bread again. Yeah, it’s kinda like that, but even more extreme. 

So I reiterate, Mrs. Crimble’s: you make the best gluten-free bread I’ve had to date, and this is my tenth brand, and my fifteenth loaf that’s commercial. And this is both American and English brands. You win Mrs. Crimble’s, I am your devotee for the next nine months while I live in England...

Musings

After five days of almost non-stop work, it’s finally finished. The paper that is, and with it, the introductory course.

The introductory course was pretty amazing, Francis and Penelope Warner will forever reign as two of the neatest people in my mind. Their humor, generosity, humility, and genuineness are something I am extremely grateful for. Eventually I’ll finish processing all the information that they gave us in our two courses, Great Britain in the Elizabethan Era, and Great Britain in the Victorian Era. What we learned was fascinating, but I’m not sure it’s all soaked in. 

I’ve been writing a paper non-stop for almost two weeks, and I finally submitted it tonight. I feel highly inadequate, but we’ll see what the people grading my work think about said work. 

Now that I finally have my tutorials scheduled, I’m hoping to be able to start posting with a bit more regularity. I’ve finally settled in, and I have my tutorials scheduled. Maybe I can actually work out a schedule from now on. Maybe. No guarantees.

This term I am taking Music History: Medieval to Baroque, and Celtic Studies. Both tutors seem wonderful, and I am very honored to be able to have the opportunity to study with them. I met with both tutors this week to receive the syllabi and first paper assignments. So after finishing one paper, it’s time to start the next. Uh-oh...