Showing posts with label English. Show all posts
Showing posts with label English. Show all posts

2.11.2013

Feeling British

My obsession for all things British is obvious.
And probably annoying for people.

But I'm just in love with it all.

And then I feel bad because I'm living the dream in America. So many people sacrificed to live here and here I am choosing to watch Downton Abbey instead of the Superbowl.

But that's just my taste and I really do love the US of A . I am full of gratitude for all of my ancestors who sacrificed to be over here. 

So here's to my last British post for at least eighteen months.

I was introduced to Downton Abbey while I was in England and after Fall semester, I started to watch all the  episodes like a madwoman, dragging Mummsie and Dad along as well.

We finally finished the last episode this last weekend and I squealed with delight 
when I saw this castle pop up:


Why? 
Because I've been there!!!



So as the Dowager Countess of Grantham once said,
"Put that it your pipe and smoke it."


12.16.2012

Happiest of Birthdays

It is a very special birthday today.
It is that of Miss Jane Austen.

She is one of my absolute favorite authors.
Think of all the amazing characters and plots that were created on this little desk:


This is why I believe Jane and I would get along smashingly:

“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.” 

“A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.” 

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” 

“The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!” 

“but for my own part, if a book is well written, I always find it too short.” 

11.02.2012

ESA- Authors

WB Yeats: Poet: Ireland

"Cloths of Heaven" written outside the graveyard


Modern art portrayal of Yeats. I thought he might be offended by this, but as I learned more about him I realized, this actually suits him quite nicely

William Wordsworth: Poet: England

Beautiful house (and gardens which I showed in another post) and his grave below

What you don't hear about is his sister Dorothy and how he received much of his inspiration from her personal journal.

Bronte Parsonage: Charlotte, Emily, and Anne: England


I love their stories so it was fascinating to learn about their lives. I even saw the sofa where Emily died. 


Just had to throw in some Sherlock Holmes



Jane Austen: Author (and one of the best in my opinion): England



Once again, I loved learning about Jane and her family. The house was full of their clothes and trinkets.


This is Jane's writing desk. So many characters such as Mr. Darcy and Mr. Knightley came to life on that small desk. She would write every day after breakfast and whenever inspiration struck.


The graves of her mother and sister. She was incredibly close to her sister which is why you see so many sisterly bonds in her novels. 


My favorite part: her piano!

They only allowed us to play songs from that time period so I opened the book and there was the song I slaved over during my senior year of high school. My performance definitely wasn't the best, but since the piano was old, you couldn't tell as much. Also the piano had only one pedal. 
You can listen to a professional recording of the song I played here unless you're my family. Then you would have heard that song one too many times.

Stratford-upon-Avon: William Shakespeare's hometown: England

His "courting chair" at Anne Hathway's cottage


The Hash home where his daughter and her family lived


Actors outside the location of Shakespeare's birthplace.
They would do scenes from any requested Shakespeare plays. 



Cool fact: I have ancestors from this town. What if they were Shakespeare's friends?


Probably not. 

9.13.2012

Austen in the Gym



This was my creative project for my English 332 class.
After seeing this, my teacher will probably never say "the sky is the limit" ever, ever again.

9.07.2012

Happy Search

Happiness is:
-Ice cream after every meal
-Nieces and nephews
-No tuition because you work hard for your good GPA
-Utah plans tomorrow
-Pasta
-Using good smelling Bath and Body Works soap
-Writing a ten page paper in one day
-The sight of this:

One is for one week in Rexburg and the other is for 4 weeks in England.
If you said the one on the left is for Rexburg, you're wrong.

Be Happy!

9.02.2012

Just a Little Excited...

Guess what month it is?
Going-on-the-best-field-trip-EVER-month!
I've been waiting for September to come around ever since I signed up for the trip clear back in November. That's a long time for an avid Harry Potter/Jane Austen/ Mr. Beans/ Boden/ Queen's Corgi/ Duchess Kate/ Wimbledon/ Bronte Sisters/ Spice Girls/ Beatles/ Everything about England  fan to wait.
This past week it's begun to really hit me. 
Hit me as in I let out an excited squeal every time.
And then my mom asks if something is wrong because I sound like a dying animal.
Also I got a little bit emotional when I received hotel information.

Starting to plan my wardrobe for the trip:

The luggage we are allowed consist of a carry-on and backpack. 
I apologize in advance for my lack of hygiene.

Mini curling iron:

It reminds me of the scene in Despicable Me.

Travel size beauty supplies:

Don't worry I remembered to get some motion sickness pills.

The first time I went to Europe, I got a little bit sick and left a nice surprise for the janitors at the Salt Lake airport. Surprisingly I can still eat strawberry ice cream and licorice without getting queasy.

I'm composing a bucket list for my study abroad in England, Scotland, and Ireland. 
What should be on there?

8.25.2012

A Shakespeare Play a Day, Keeps Your Sanity Away

One of my courses for my England Study Abroad is a Shakespeare class so I've been reading my share of Elizabethean English.

Just so you don't miss out on the fun, this comedian does "The Three Little Pigs" in Shakespeare style.



This video is of an impressionist combining celebrities with some of Will's lines.