update on life
Nov. 22nd, 2004 09:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
e_clareThe last 2 and a half weeks have been utterly horrible, in terms of work. Psychologically, I've finally taken a turn for the better (yay!) -- but the workload came out of nowhere and kicked my ass. We've reached that point in the semester where everybody needs a break from independence, and is ready for some parental coddling -- which I was lucky enough to have this weekend, thanks to a visit from "I've only been employed again since October but you're only in England once, and it's a good excuse for me to go there" Mom.
We had high tea at the Pump Room, the premier place to be seen in Bath's social heyday. We went to Oxford, and wandered around in the rain looking at New and University Colleges, and had a drink at the Turf tavern which she frequented on her study-abroad program. We spent a lot of time in Nelson House, where she wrote postcards while I frantically wrote a paper.
The writing of said papers was an experience in itself, as it was the LONGEST week ever. Everyone had papers due Thursday, but my concentration was totally shot and I was having a horrible time getting anything written. I couldn't focus at Nelson House; I needed to use Jeff's computer. Unfortunately, Jeff also needed to use Jeff's computer. We eventually worked it out in shifts, with me crashing on the comfy couch until he couldn't write any more, and then switching places: "Hey Emily, it's 3 -- and I need a break." "Hey Jeff, it's 4:30 -- are you going to get up to finish?" (He didn't get up. But he did finish. Go Jeff!) Good times.
The quick version of the weekend:
Got to run -- about to be kicked out of Nelson House, as usual. More good stories to come, surely.
We had high tea at the Pump Room, the premier place to be seen in Bath's social heyday. We went to Oxford, and wandered around in the rain looking at New and University Colleges, and had a drink at the Turf tavern which she frequented on her study-abroad program. We spent a lot of time in Nelson House, where she wrote postcards while I frantically wrote a paper.
The writing of said papers was an experience in itself, as it was the LONGEST week ever. Everyone had papers due Thursday, but my concentration was totally shot and I was having a horrible time getting anything written. I couldn't focus at Nelson House; I needed to use Jeff's computer. Unfortunately, Jeff also needed to use Jeff's computer. We eventually worked it out in shifts, with me crashing on the comfy couch until he couldn't write any more, and then switching places: "Hey Emily, it's 3 -- and I need a break." "Hey Jeff, it's 4:30 -- are you going to get up to finish?" (He didn't get up. But he did finish. Go Jeff!) Good times.
The quick version of the weekend:
- His Dark Materials (part I) at the National Theatre: so incredible. Must go back for pt. II -- simply must. Yay, magical theatre!
The Lion King: after seven (?) years of waiting, totally worth it. I had a Lilo and Stitch moment during the opening number, but recovered enough to enjoy the show, despite some actors definitely not being up to snuff.
The Tate Britain: Victorian art is awesome. That Sargent painting of Ellen Terry as Lady Macbeth? So much cooler in person. Many postcards were purchased.
Covent Garden: Mom bought my Christmas present, a long purple tweed skirt. I miss my kickass brown boots to go with it, but have a mission to purchase suitable footwear before I come home. We'll see.
Tower of London: Holy crap, that's a lot of armour. Also, holy crap, that's an actual rack and manacles...creepy. Rainy. Big excitement came from a confused pigeon that flew into the gift shop.
Westminster Abbey: Totally awesome. Elizabeth I, Mary Tudor, Mary Queen of Scots, and Geoffrey Chaucer, all buried here. So much history, so exciting, whee.
Got to run -- about to be kicked out of Nelson House, as usual. More good stories to come, surely.
