internet, AT LAST!

greetings, dear friends and family...

i feel as though every blog is going to start off with this apology: sorry for not updating; and this excuse: i have no internet access.

i had briefly had a skypephone which allowed me quick access to facebook (lame, i know) and i could skype call my friends and family. however, this recently broke. this, along with a hole in my only pair of jeans, has left me slightly irritated. nonetheless, i am in the lake district and surrounded with incredible beauty... so my irritation ought not be justified by petty disturbances such as a broken phone and hole-y jeans. whatever, i'll get over it.

as aforementioned, i am in the glory of the lake district. before coming here, we made brief stops at lindisfarne (aka the "holy island") and durham. both sites are integral in the beginnings and development of celtic christianity. if you know anything about celtic christianity, these would be interesting visits for you. if you don't, they are still relatively interesting... but not worth blogging about.

most imperative is where i am at now: the lake district. we are staying in keswick (pronounced kessick). it reminds me of a colorado ski town, and is full of outdoors shops, cafes, boutiques, etc. however, most beautiful here is the scenery. we are surrounding by fells (hills) that are lush, populated with sheep and cattle, and decorated with flowing waters (called ghylls). this area is made famous by romantic poets such as wordsworth and coleridge, as well as the famous children's author beatrix potter. as could be expected, we've visited the touristy sites established in honor of these literary figures. without getting into great detail, the sites were interesting and deepened by appreciation for english literature.

before i continue about the lake district, i forgot one important detail: RAIN. unfortunately, we have been walking in and through water this last week. however, it adds to the english experience (right!?...). in the POURING rain, we had a day of "outdoor activities" which included intense canoeing on lake derwentwater, orienteering, and archery (the competition of which i won! a proud moment, indeed). our whole stay here has included a lot of time in nature and a lot of physical activity, the pair of which seems to bring my soul completely alive. the beauty of this place is inspiring, invigorating, and surprisingly spiritual. i wish i could dig roots here and stay forever. but alas, we are leaving tuesday for a day in liverpool and then a week in wales. and then... LONDON! i can't wait.

this "trip" (a term i cringe to use) has been an interesting experience. i keep finding myself wanting to stay in one place and really invest in the people and the culture there. it's hard to be moving from place to place, knowing that what i am seeing is simply a caricature. however, i am alternatively learning how to travel, how to exist amidst a group of people who are very different from myself, and how to exist independent of the people i find comfort in.

alright, i think i've covered all that i need to in a nutshell. although i can't communicate very well, i am thinking of people at home constantly which (in my hopeful heart) helps to retain some connection.

eat a cheeseburger, shop at wal*mart, and listen to country music in my honor. i'll drink a cup of tea, eat a biscuit, shop at boots and listen to the beatles in yours.

love,

anna x

land of the scots

i am possibly the worst blogger in the world. i am sorry for the lack of updates; moreover, i am sorry that the updates to follow will be unfiltered, unplanned, and unorganized. blogging is a bit of the last thing on mind, especially when i am enjoying such a beautiful and fun place! so although this will be scattered, it is at least an update...



i woke up sunday with a nasty fever and a self-diagnosed case of tonsilitis, with perhaps a bit of the flu thrown in for good measure. unfortunately, my good attitude did not heal my miserable body, and i left monday night from minneapolis feverish, confused, and funky. luckily i was able to sleep on the plane with the help of a bright pink fuzzy neck pillow and a heavy dosage of Equate sleep aid. unfortunately, i woke up sweaty from the fever and (more than likely) rather smelly. after arriving in amsterdam we left for edinburgh. in edinburgh we were delivered to university flats, where we've been staying for the last few days.



the first full day here a friend, annie, and i walked at least 25 miles exploring the city. we went to the Elephant House, where J.K. Rowling wrote a lot of Harry Potter and where there is a fantastic view of what could be imagined as Hogwarts, a Quidditch pitch, and Hogsmeade. we also ate at the Hogshead. really, a Harry Potter fan's fantasy. we also went to the edinburgh castle, calton hill, the grassmarket, st. giles cathedral, and enjoyed street shows that are part of the fringe festival.



i feel like it might be boring to recount all of the exact places i've been-- but suffice it to say, everywhere has been beautiful. we've been to some castles which are surrounded with lakes, beautiful green grass, gardens... and we've been to fringe shows and international festival shows that have been good (and some not as good...). we went to a ballet that was part of the international festival called "the return of ulysses" that was absolutely phenomenal. it was contemporary, and it was not only the most beautiful ballet i've ever seen, it was also incredibly accessible and profound. a quite memorable experience.



the atmosphere here is buzzing, people are incredibly friendly, and it is so energizing being here. and after recovering from my horrible, disorienting fever, i've enjoyed every minute of it-- even though i still look like a fool every time i pay for something (i'm so confused by british coins... just like mr. weasley and muggle money).



i hope to get a uk mobile phone soon... in which case i will send out my number. if you've got skype, then you can give me a ring (for only 2 cents a minute...)



as always, i hope you are all keeping well. if you feel so inclined, send an email. though this limited-internet access prohibits quick reply, i hope i'll get back to you eventually (and if i don't, i promise it's nothing personal.)


love,

anna x


currently listening to: Andrew Bird
currently reading: Robert Burns

with summer nearly gone...

with T-two weeks before departure, i've realized how miserably i've maintained this blog. though i meant to record the thrills of minneapolis in the summertime, i've been distracted by evil enemies, fantasitic adventures, wizadry school, and my new friends: harry, hermione and ron. i am unashamedly and completely overtaken by harry potter, and i have no hesitation performing the cruciatus curse on anyone who dare make fun of me.... ok, i think i took that too far.

besides harry potter, my summer has been filled with work in career services as well as a research project; but most imporantly, it has been filled with the company of good friends and good room mates. and though this summer was not spent sailing and drinking champagne on lake ghidigici, i made sure to have my sun-quotia by enjoying the beach at lake calhoun and at lake carlos (and if i'm really desperate for sun, lake johanna). i've treasured precious moments that have been spent with family, especially before enduring a tearful goodbye to katie as she left for beijing. unfortunately, i am anticipating a couple more of those teary goodbyes in a matter of weeks.

all for now.


anna x


currently reading: HARRY POTTER (of course) :: J.K. Rowling
currently listening: Cymbals Eat Guitars :: Why There Are Mountains