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 26, 2016

Cambridge

Gone are the days of play-by-plays. To be honest, my last few days have been full of finishing up my tutorials, getting my hotel in London all settled for the coming weekend, and building up the homesickness which I've not really felt this whole time. The homesickness isn't really a homesick feeling... more of an I-absolutely-hate-to-leave-Oxford-but-good-God-I-miss-my-mother feeling. I think I only miss her so much now because I missed her birthday. On the 21st of June, she had her birthday and I didn't get to call her but I did get to do one better, I think. I contacted a lady that leaves her son with Mother and she helped me organize a surprise. My mother received some of the most beautiful flowers for her birthday and I'm so thrilled that I could surprise her with such a sweet happy. She told me she loved them and we exchanged many excited texts. I really wish I could show her around Oxford.

The rest of the week was really full of me finishing up my final essay for my tutorial. My third essay, according to my tutor, was my best work. He was super generous with that grade and then on the final essay, we discussed Hemingway's fragile masculinity. It was a great topic to write on but not the most organized. I received As on both of these essays. Overall, I think the tutor experience at Oxford is unlike any other. I crave the one-on-one relationship with a member of faculty, with whom I can discuss all educational topics. I don't think there are really any downfalls to the program; I feel like I've been truly educated and I cannot complain about my tutor as he was amazing.

 

On Thursday night, we attended Pub Quiz Night at the Old Black Horse, which is a pub in Cowley. It's a tiny place, built in the 17th century. I met a local builder, that is a construction man, who called me gorgeous, kissed my hand and was already three sheets to the wind at 8pm. My local friend had to ward him off but overall, I cannot tell you a bad thing about the place. Pubs generally serve food, but this place is majority drinks. My friend works there and he made a really great iced coffee. The girls were pretty good at trivia -- with the group name, Little Women. Quiz night wasn't exactly what we expected but it was laugh all around. We were gifted with a potato peeler and a mixed CD of love songs -- that's cause we had the lowest scores. Quite hilarious. 

On Saturday, we took a group trip to Cambridge, or as Oxford students call it: "The Other Place." Reminds me of another place I know... Oh yeah, TSUN. I've never really understood school rivalries, but there's is just as strong as the one I'm used to. Cambridge is quaint; very relaxed and had the cutest place called Henrietta's Tea Rooms where I had my first English Afternoon Tea. It was so good. Oh my gosh, I could drink tea and eat cucumber sandwiches and scones for the next sixty years and never be tired of it. The scones had sultanas baked in and they're like... heavier and sweeter biscuits -- definitely not the flaky homemade ones I'm used to. And they put clotted cream on it, which is like super super whipped cream, like almost butter but still not. And then a jelly, usually like strawberry. They were so good. I smothered them in the cream and jelly because that's the only way this girl knows how to eat a biscuit. And there were little sandwiches, one was cheese and red onion. Yep, apparently that's a popular combo and then cucumber and maybe cream cheese. That was the best one. I could have had at least seventeen more, let's be honest. And then on top of the three tiered display was a tiny key lime pie. It was good as well. Overall, it was amazing. Definitely something everyone should get to do. 

The school of Cambridge itself is where Isaac Newton studied and apparently where he first began studying the speed of sound. Does that mean anything to you? Me neither -- he totally should have done this at Oxford. Then his research would have really mattered. Just kidding, obviously Newton did cool stuff or something. Anyway, all in all, Cambridge is gorgeous. It's smaller feeling than Oxford, very sweet. I think Oxford still has my heart though.

I think Oxford will probably have my heart forever.
catch you later,

Karleigh

June 20, 2016

Oh my goodness, I cannot believe it's already been five days since I last chatted with you all. Why is my time here at Oxford passing so quickly? I'm so in love with this city. I never want to leave. I know normally I would tell you guys a play by play of all that has happened, but this time I'm going to do a mid-point reflection. As we come to a close, some parents have come to visit a few girls and so only four of us were in the house this weekend. I visited London and shopped around Oxford Circus. I've gone out with a friend that I've made here in Oxford, and it's all been nice. We all had a really lovely weekend, whether we were here or if we were with our families.

We've all grown so much here in Oxford. I never realized how connected I was to my family and my home until I left it behind. I feel so much more independent now; it's like I can do anything. And of course, I could do anything before as well but now I know. I know now that I can honestly move to another country and make it. I can, not only survive, but live in a foreign place. I can call somewhere new home even when I know almost no one. It's a completely new kind of independence. I'm in love with it. I'm so in love with Oxford and, today, I'm so very in love with life. 

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

June 15, 2016

Oh no... I got carried away and forgot to blog for five days. Will you ever forgive me? Hopefully you will, because only one of those days was really exciting. On Saturday, which would have been June 11th, we traveled about two hours to Bath. Bath is a beautiful city with some of the most beautiful architecture I've ever seen. However, we were shoulder to shoulder with tourists ha! It's sorta hard to embrace the idea of being a temporary resident which is not really a tourist while here. It's like... I live here technically -- I know my way better than any tourist ever would, that's for sure. Anyway, Bath is home to the Roman Baths which were built when the Romans lived in this area a looooong time ago and was rediscovered by the English some time later and built back up to its previous glory. The Roman Baths are probably one of the most beautiful sights in England. There are huge statues of people like Julius Caesar and these ancient ruins which used to be areas to give religious offerings. Sulis Minerva serves as the deity for the baths and people would bring her offerings so that they may be healed by the waters -- though most of them would drink the water in the baths which actually poisoned them because the water is full of lead. Interesting, right? I thought so. The baths were super fun and I really loved having a look at them. 

While we were in Bath, my friend and I just walked around Bath. We got out of the square full of pigeons, the hugest seagulls you've ever seen, and street performers and walked out to the residential areas. We explored the beautiful Henrietta Park and visited the Victoria Art Gallery. We accidentally snuck into the Bath Abbey -- trust me, rule-following me had a little emotional turmoil when I found out. Anyway, Bath was a fun, but too short day out. I love the city of Bath. It's one of the nicest places I've been so far --- and it's obviously the place for me because a guy was singing Simon and Garfunkel and I love Simon and Garfunkel. 

After the day in Bath, I really spent Sunday, Monday and Tuesday finishing up my paper on For Whom the Bell Tolls. I made my second A here at Oxford, but "only just." The tutors are super harsh but I'm loving the experience. There really is no place like Oxford... However, I am missing the heat of Mississippi. Wearing a jacket in June is a weird experience. But that heat will be there when I get back, along with all of my favorite people. 

I did go to evensong on Monday and saw the men's choir, which was truly gorgeous. There is no beauty like hearing people singing of the glory of Jesus and singing it beautifully in Latin. It was awesome. Anyway, I promise not to wait so long before the next post. 

Also, while I am physically in Oxford, my heart is most definitely with the people of Orlando as they deal with the tragic loss of so many beautiful people. Lord, I pray You bring them comfort in their time of mourning and that You heal them in only the way that You can.

catch you later,

Karleigh

June 10, 2016

On the eighth of June, I had my class from Mississippi State on Objects of Travel, which you will maybe see more about as I'll be blogging bits and pieces for that class on here as well very soon. Since I had already finished my first tutorial, one of my flatmates and I decided to head out for some celebratory shopping. I bought a really cute top at Primark for only six pounds... It's so cute too. For lunch, we ate at the open market where people sell stuff from flowers, to fish, to clothes, to gyros. Obviously, I got a gyro. It had pork sausage and grilled veggies in it. We had them when we first came into Oxford, and it was so good. Later in the day, I had ice cream, which was also amazing. Can you see a theme on Wednesday? I'll just tell you then; it was food -- particularly, good food.

On the ninth of June, things got ca-razy! Okay, not really because I'm a Southern Baptist but! We had class that morning and I did a little more shopping on Thursday instead of giving into my need to read For Whom the Bell Tolls. My roommate and I shopped for ages, just trying on and having a good time. Our flat doesn't have a full-length mirror so it was finally nice to see all of me again. Hello to the rest of Karleigh, I missed seeing you! Anyway, when we got back, our other flatmates asked if we wanted to try out the Purple Turtle, which is a bar and dance club. It's pretty interesting; the most exciting dancing I've ever seen/been a part of was at prom and BETA convention. How cool, right? Well, British dancing is pretty much the same except you get to have a ton of fun dancing badly because you don't know anyone. And for someone who loves dancing, but is very bad at it... this place was gold. I actually really had a fun time and dancing until late at night is a lot of fun and also a great workout. I recommend it ha!

The tenth of June was a crazy day. It started off normal enough. I started reading my next novel and had a really relaxed morning. In the afternoon, we all decided to head out and I took back some of my library books. Then I was going to get money out of the ATM because I was running lower than I liked on cash. Imagine my reaction when the ATM told me I was already overdrawn for the day. Yep. Someone jacked my card number and had already charged over 1200+ bucks on it. Horrified, I did the dreaded thing (foreign calls are super expensive, y'all) and actually rang my mom, the bank, my mom again, the bank again. Now, thankfully, everything should be okay soon. I have a new card on the way thanks to my marvelous mother and the nicest banker I've ever chatted with. Then I had Chinese food and had the longest bath ever to recover. It was a crazy day. Tomorrow, we are off to Bath which I'm super excited about. I'm so pumped to see the Roman baths. I pray it's a calm day... at least, calmer than today.

catch you later,
Karleigh