:: Vela Dare ::

:: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 ::

:: Update: the Three C's ::

Classes, Cathedrals and Colds.

[I had planned an afternoon of errands, but the weather's taken a turn for the worse so I think I'll spend my afternoon inside after all.]

Classes began this week, and if I've learned anything this week it's that you can take the Mawrter out of the Mawr, but you can never take the Mawr out of the Mawrter.
Case in Point:
(Exhibit A)
I had my first class (Medieval Britain and Ireland) on Monday. It seems as though it will prove every bit as fascinating as I hoped. On top of that the Professor seems incredibly knowledgable and also quite cool; he looks a bit like a biker! The prof was so friendly it really took the edge off of going to my first class. However, I noticed something pretty instantly: as a result of the time period covered I have virtual no background for this class whatsoever! I can't answer any of the prof's questions because I have never done anything like this before-- and on top of it, I don't have very much background in British geography. Well, as you might imagine, this does not sit too well with me. I'm not exactly used to not having anything to say, and while I'm not the only one in the class with little/no background (I think) it drives me crazy! So afterwards I went up to the professor and asked what readings/extra readings I should focus on in order to get up to speed. I'm hoping that by the third week or so I should be quite up to speed, and if I do accomplish that it will be apparent that I worked to get to that point and that my lack of background in this particular area will not hinder my overall archaeological background. Which is doubly good, when you go to Bryn Mawr and push yourself a little too hard (with everything) and think a little too much (about everything) for your own good.

(Exhibit B)
Today I had my other two courses, Archaeology and the Sea (so interesting!) and Medieval Religion. As it turns out, the religion course is a combined class for second and third years, the main difference being that second year students have their seminar immediately after the lecture and third year students have their seminar Thursdays at 10am. The other difference is that second year students are assessed primarily by an exam and the only paper (2500 words) for the class is thought of as "formative assessment" which in this case means that it is geared towards helping second year students improve their writing towards higher acacdemic standards. Third year students are assessed using a paper (3000 words) and a seminar presentation, and there is also a formative essay (2500) part way through the term. I am currently registered as a second year student in the course. Now any sane/normal person would not have any sort of dilemma in this situation-- they would very happily go about doing the group seminars, one paper, and once class a week. However, as a Mawrter I am apparently neither sane nor normal. I'm sure those of you who also fall under that classification can relate to this. I sat there and thought to myself-- group seminars? only one paper, and it doesn't really count? I CAN'T DO THAT?! Quick, somebody get me into the third year section so I can write twice as much, have yet another presentation and have an extra day of class!

And you know what? I'm absolutely thrilled I did it. Oh, Academic Masochism my cruel and lovely mistress!

So, for those of you keeping stalkerishly good track of me-- I am currently working on seminar presentations on Goltho (a site i know currently nothing about, woo!) for Medieval Britain & Ireland, and on the H.L. Hunley a sunken Confederate submarine for Maritime Archae. Obviously, the Civil War is not necessarily my thing, but I do find it rather interesting (perhaps its the very distant Longstreet blood in my veins) and what ISN'T interesting about a Civil War era submarine? (The answer to question is "nothing" by the way.)

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Onward and upward... in the spiritual sense at any rate, because we're on to the second C-- Cathedrals!

If you've taken a look at the picture I've posted, you probably noticed that the majority of them were taken in/around Bristol Cathedral. Well as it turns out, what I couldn't capture on film (or uh... i guess micro chip) is what I found most beautiful. As I was touring the Cathedral I was lucky enough to happen upon their choir, which was rehearsing. I was so surprised to hear the music at first that I thought it was a recording, but as I got closer to the doors leading out to the garden I could tell the music was live. I had the lovely experience of spending some time in the lovely garden while listening to the choir practice. The whole thing was unbelieveably picturesque. After a while outside, I ventured back in and started exploring a bit of the Cathedral I hadn't gotten to before. All of a sudden the pipe organ (dating to the 1600s!) started up followed by the choir, whose sound now filled the entire cathedral. Positively breathtaking. As it turned out, I was in time for Evensong (they were doing a bit of last minute rehearsing before the service) so I ended up sticking around for the service. Conveniently for people like myself who are not Anglican (or more accurately in my case, not specifically religious,) the service takes place in the quire so anyone who wants to listen can sit somewhere else in the Cathedral and not feel quite so intrusive. What an experience! I really don't think I'm capable of describing just how beautiful the music was-- or how incredible the acoustics in the Cathedral made everything sound. It was just astounding- almost like being enveloped by sound that rang incredibly thick throughout every cubic inch of the cathedral. It was very much a spiritual experience, regardless of whether or not the religion being practiced was my own. I grabbed a schedule of events for the Cathedral-- there are several concerts going on throughout the next couple of months (including Christmas carols, to which I'm definitely going)-- and I think I'll definitely have to make a point of returning for Evensong next time I just need a break from everything.

And to think.. the Cathedral is literally 10 minutes walk away!

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And finally... my least favorite: Colds.

I started feeling a little sick at the beginning of this week but I was determined not to fall prey to the ever-viscious Freshers' flu! Thus, as soon as I felt something coming on I high tailed it to Culpepper (a homeopathic store that sells many nice supplements/organic teas etc., though some overpriced) and bought some ecchinacea tea, followed by a trip to Co-op (something between a drug store and a grocery) to get some honey, orange juice (they had blood orange juice! mmmmm), cough drops, and of couse, some british candy because getting better has just as much to do with happiness as anything ;)
I bought Fry's Turkish Delight, which is chocolate covered, and (quite amusingly) says "Full of Eastern Promise" and "Edible Paper Confectionery" which does in fact look like paper and tastes just about as odd as you might imagine. Not bad just... a little weird.

Oh, and the o.j. and tea seems to be doing a pretty good job because I've felt steadily better over the past 2 days!


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In other news, I auditioned for the Drama Society's production of Richard III.... and didn't get called back. I was quite disappointed but in the effort of keeping everything in perspective I am trying to be fully appreciative of the fact that they had over 100 people audition... for 12 roles! I also auditioned for another Drama Soc production-- a really arty piece that sounds pretty interesting but I have yet to decide whether or not I want to actually do it (everyone who auditioned was cast, though the casting is not necessarily binding.) I am trying to decide whether or not I want to devote my time to Panto Society or just forgo the performing arts for the semester. It wouldn't be the end of the world, and I do need to get going on Commedia planning etc. Plus, with all the travel I'd like to do, I'll have plenty of other activities to fill my time! Finally, I have sent in an application to Burst Radio the university's radio station-- so hopefully I'll have that to do as well. I really hope I get to broadcast here, so everybody cross their fingers for me!

:: find earth and reap :: 2:49 PM :: [+] :: | ::

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