July 30, 2016

It's about two months from the time when the fact that I was going to study abroad was sinking in. It's hard to believe that I've been back in America for a few weeks now; adjusting to life in Mississippi

was easy but I am still missing Oxford so much. In my last few days in England, I stayed in London where I visited Hampton Court, the home of Henry VIII and William III (obviously at different times), I shopped on Oxford Street and I saw Les Miserables at the Queen's Theatre.

Hampton Court is a beautiful place, a few train stops outside of London, and it was home to Henry VIII. Inside, Anne Boleyn helped Henry decorate his halls and you can also take a tour of the kitchens to see how they prepared his food and how much wine they drank -- hey, it was a freaking ton. I loved Hampton Court. It was my first day in London alone, and I really just got to wander and enjoy the grounds and rooms alone. I love doing things like that alone or with people but at different paces -- it's much more fun most times to just take these things in by yourself. And Hampton Court was just gorgeous; the grounds were lovely and the decorations of the rooms were breathtaking. In this picture to the right, this a ceiling which follows up the stairs, across the ceiling and onto the other side of the wall. And I'm not joking when I say it honestly took my breath away.

The next day I shopped in a few stores on Oxford Street but the most exciting part was seeing Les Miserables. A few girls in my house decided to go a couple of weeks before but didn't really extend an invite to the rest of us, so after hearing about it, I booked my own ticket. Cause, come heck or high water, I was gonna see my favorite musical. And oh it was worth it. I was terrified to ride the subway by myself at night but I was on a high. The man who played Jean Valjean was phenomenal and had me in tears within the first ten minutes of the show. It was ridiculous. That show was life changing. I was so in love with everything about it.

My flight back to America was easy enough, though it felt like it was years long. And now I've been back here for a good few weeks and I... I don't even know that I've processed going. I know that I feel different, that I've read more Hemingway than I ever thought I would, I know that I could get you around Oxford easily, and I know that I definitely felt like I belonged there throughout my time in Oxford. While there, I bought this vintage camera -- which is kinda my thing. I like to take pictures and I like to look at cameras. Aesthetically, they add something in my opinion. I've added it to my shelf and every now and then, I just stop and think about the things I've done.

Oxford was such a positive experience. I still cannot believe that I've lived there and understood how the people worked, how the traffic moved, how to become part of the society. I've been a bit depressed since coming home just because I had to leave such a marvelous setting for one that I'm so used to. My time in Oxford is something that I couldn't trade for anything else. I wouldn't have chosen to go anywhere else for any other set of time -- unless I could have stayed longer, because I definitely would have done that. It was unlike anything I could have imagined and I thank God every day that I got to live out something that I've wanted to do since I was probably nine years old. I'd go back right now if I could.

catch you later,
Karleigh

July 1, 2016

The Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford, tacked onto the back of the National History Museum, houses an odd collection of objects from surgical equipment to toys. The setup of the Pitt Rivers blatantly seems to reject the ‘traditional’ way to set up a museum – that is following a setup that travels through time periods or that follows the narrative decided upon by the museum. Instead, the Pitt Rivers has chosen to keep like-objects together, combining objects from all over the world based on their similarities. Most times, museums group objects and works of art together by their region and the regions are grouped together based on the time in which they were around. For example, you are likely to find Ancient Rome, Greece, and Egypt in the same area of the museum. These places are using similar types of tools but they are grouped by region to keep the objects organized and make touring the museum more streamlined.

However, the Pitt Rivers has rejected this idea of organization and instead groups the objects by use and not on region or time period. Weaponry, like swords and shields, are grouped together from all over instead of with their region or time period for example. When you first walk down into the Pitt Rivers, it already gives of an eerie vibe as the lights are dimmed and the cases are all very close together. Already, the atmosphere of this portion of the museum gives the visitors the feeling of uneasiness. Straight off the stairs and you’re in front of a case full of dolls modeled to look exactly like humans – here is a hint as I don’t have a picture, they look like creepier versions of people. From the creation of man, the human form has been the subject of many types of art. People have always tried to capture the exact proportion to explicitly show the human form; however, it never really works out. We aren’t as ugly as some of these artistic versions and we are not all as beautiful as Michelangelo’s David. However, these figures do set the tone for the rest of the museum.

The Pitt Rivers’ organization leads you in circles around the room to observe the clothes of different areas, which are separated by their area on the ground floor, but still follow the theme of attire. Upstairs, the floor covers objects from tools for surgery from all over the world. The ones I noticed immediately are from Mukden, Manchuria; with these tools, it must have hurt terribly to have surgery. And in the same breath, you can turn from these tools to see toys found in areas in America. One of the most notable ones to me was the puppet of the cow, which was used to teach children moral lessons. I believe the cow was from the Midwest and it’s noticeably older, as you can see somewhat in the picture I took.

It’s interesting to look in the Pitt Rivers Museum; I wish I could have devoted more time than I had at the time I visited, which was twice, to really explore all of the floors and to read more about the objects. The organization of the museum leaves you in awe of the adaptations of people around the world, just in a different manner than you would normally find in a more traditionally set up museum. 

catch you later,

Karleigh

On June 28, we visited Blenheim Palace, which is in Woodstock. You might not know the name right off the top of your head, which is fine. I didn’t either. Here are some facts, which I googled/learned during my tour for you: it’s where Winston Churchill was born, it was used as a temporary hospital for wounded soldiers during WWI, and it holds a 134 ft. tall column, known as the Column of Victory. “Cool, Karleigh” you say but let’s get to the good stuff. What did it look like? How did it make you feel? Where are your pictures? Calm down, guys. I got the goods you’re looking for. The best way to describe Blenheim Palace is like going back in time. It has a huge amount of grounds and smackdab in the middle is this beautiful palace, built in an 18^th century Baroque architecture style. It’s breathtaking; the walk up to the palace is crazy long and the whole time you struggle to breathe because it’s so beautiful. Suddenly I wasn’t wearing Nike tennis shoes and yoga pants but a huge gown and probably a wig… I’m a little iffy about their style back in the day.

Blenheim Palace is a huge amount of grounds with this tiny – ahem, not so tiny – palace siting in it and, because this is England, we explore the grounds first because rain was in the forecast and you just don’t want to be caught in that mess. So the walk around the grounds starts with crossing this huge bridge to get to the Column of Victory. It’s this huge statue with a guy standing on the top but the cutest part is the sheep – who absolutely do not want you to touch them, thank you very much. The grounds, even as we took many pictures out there and ate lunch outside, are not what take you back to another time and place. They’re breathtaking, no doubt; however, it is the magnitude and gorgeous beauty of Blenheim itself that sends you back.

When you walk out to the gardens, the statues are of ancient figures preparing for battle or tiny cherubic statues beside the fountain. Those made me think of my mom and her own tiny cherub statue in our garden. Yes, I know it’s weird. The gardens are gorgeous, so striking and so so green. Growing up around so much lush grass, I didn’t know I could be in awe at shrubbery. And yet, there I was. However, the Pleasure Gardens, which do give a ton of visual pleasure – are again, not what send you back in time. In fact, it is when you go in and have to wait to climb the stairs. Why, you ask? Because if there are more than 15 people on the staircase at the time, then it will collapse. Yes, collapse.

We did the historic tour first, which consisted of traveling from room to room as the story of the palace is told by a servant of the first mistress as she travels through time to the modern version of the palace – that is the palace during WWII. Not so modern, but you get the picture. As she carries the visitors throughout the history of the museum, it’s as if we – the visitors – become an accessory to her. We travel with her as she explores the building of the palace, the installation of electricity, and the death and rebirth of the last name, Churchill. We become the handmaiden’s object as she travels and, along with her, we experience the glories of Blenheim as they have unfolded over time. It makes the second part of the tour, the self-guided bit, a little staggering. We walked through the palace, through the room in which Winston Churchill was born, and yet it did not affect me as the automated tour did. I was part of the history, an active member but on the self-guided tour, I was just a passerby. 

catch you later,

Karleigh

June 15, 2016

Recently, I visited the Museum of the History of Science as a part of my class experience in Oxford. While I did go in with the intention of looking through the entire museum with no distractions, I got caught up in the lowest floor checking out the older cameras. I've had my own collection of older cameras for a few years now; I always find the structure of old cameras so aesthetically pleasing. There is more to a camera though, than its exterior. The camera was officially invented in 1839 in France and in England, according to the marker on the display. People have always loved cameras; we've always wanted to document our lives, the lives of those around us. Photography allows us to remember moments that otherwise might be lost. These cameras have all seen birthday parties, family portraits, Christmas mornings. They've visited all over the world, taken pictures of the Grand Canyon, the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben. Cameras are portals to the past in their own way and they help us create collections of memories, physical representations that serve as a way to prompt an "oh yeah, I remember the second this was taken."

I've always been obsessed with old photographs and history. I think it's fascinating. I love everything that comes from the past, even the bad parts. A few weeks ago I found these photographs in an antique shop in the Covered Market in Oxford. They were full of various scenes of people's lives in England, and it was amazing because I found the photos very similar to pictures of my own family members -- they're from the South. It's a pretty different background and yet the pictures are the same. We're capturing the same moments.

These pictures tell the stories of our lives and these cameras are what act as the middle man, in a way. They capture moments that are enjoyable in that second and carry them forward for us so that we may revisit them at any moment. I've always loved to collect cameras and when I saw these, I thought of my own collection. I thought about how connected I am to my own cameras. Now, of course, we don't carry around our cameras because our phones double but the same principle applies. The camera serves as a way for us to remember every moment. I know I've been trying to capture every second of my trip to Oxford and, once upon a time, someone else was carrying around one of these cameras trying to capture their time as Oxford just as well. Cameras not only connect us to our memories; they encourage us to embrace our surrounding and the fleeting moments of enjoyment that constantly accompany travel.

catch you later,
Karleigh

May 27, 2016

Hello, again!

a panorama I took after our tour of Christ Church

So, today I was inducted into Christ Church college. The colleges here, unlike the College of Arts and Science at MSU, is not specialized. People apply to individual colleges and then are later accepted into the University of Oxford itself. It's a completely different process than in America. We have these library cards that we have to show to the guards around campus; these distinguish us from the French tour groups. Christ Church is home to the steps where Harry Potter first met Professor McGonagall and to the inspiration for the Great Hall in Harry Potter. It's honestly astounding. We have to wear robes to the formal dinners, which all begin with a Latin prayer. We have to have fob cards to get in the campus after it closes at night. And Christ Church is the only Oxford college which has a cathedral -- in fact, it used to be called Cathedral Christ Church College. Quite a long name, but when you're established in 1546, I guess you can do whatever you like.

This morning we ate at a little cafe called Off the Hoof where the construction workers -- here, the builders -- frequent. It was run by two women, one British and the other foreign and the coffees were free. When the jetlag is this crazy, free coffee is a must. I had a sausage, egg and mushroom bap (basically a British sandwich). It was so tasty. Really though, everything here is tasty. Except curry. I had curry tonight, and it was not my thing. We had Wagamamas; it's Asian or Oriental food. I don't really know. It wasn't amazing. The bolognese that I had at Jamie Oliver's restaurant the night before was much more satisfying. Today was a rather long day but things just took up more time. Tomorrow is a free day and I'm hoping to explore the part of town called Summery. A girl at the WISC office said that the atmosphere was phenomenal, unlike anything else. Everything is so new and exciting. I honestly cannot even believe I'm here. It's such a blessing. 

So, today -- which is Friday -- was our first free day in the city, which means that we got to sleep in. Just kidding. I got up bright and early because the sun was out and shining happily into our window. The day before I searched up some random cafe for our breakfast, so I did the same today. A few girls from my group and I went to a cafe called St. Giles, which is on St. Giles Road in Oxford. I went with the intent to get a fry-up which is the traditional English breakfast with mushroom, tomatoes, sausage, black pudding, eggs and more. It's a serious meal. However, when the rest of the girls ordered smaller

breakfasts I settled with the eggs royale, which was a poached egg on an English muffin and salmon with hollandaise poured over it. It was very good but fishier than I thought so I stole a girl's sausage and ate it with the other stuff. The latte I had was honestly amazing, probably the best I've had so far.

Two of the other girls in our group from Mississippi State are in New College and they wanted to show us the parts of their college where Harry Potter was filmed. It's got the tree in its courtyard where Mad-Eye turns Draco Malfoy into a ferret. It also holds one of the oldest walls in Oxford. But before we got there, we decided to climb the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin's tower. It's around five American dollars (3 pounds) to climb the tower and it lets you look all over Oxford. The stairs were so tiny; our feet did not even fit on them and it was a never-ending concrete spiral staircase. It was an insane climb but the view was worth it. This church has been open from 1400, and probably before, and has been renovated naturally with the times throughout history. Actually, the regular members of the parish are buried beneath the tile so we were essentially also at a graveyard today. It was so beautiful inside though; we all had a sit down to just soak in the beauty.

At New College, we stopped in the church part, where we could hear the boy's choir practicing. It was honestly gorgeous. The evensong at New College is apparently world renown so I look forward to going. The courtyard at New College also has the halls that Harry Potter walks through -- obviously I got a picture. We also went about the Summer Eights today, which is the rowing sport show down here. It was interesting but quite confusing. We weren't seated close enough to the action, which was at front but it was neat to see so many people get so into a boating competition that they couldn't actually see happening in front of them. Soon after we left that, we had to do some little admin things to be able to access our college and eat in the dining halls. And then we picked up little dinners from the shops and watched bad British television.

Tomorrow we are headed to Windsor Castle, and I'm super excited!

catch you later,
Karleigh