Maybe the time of night I most dread--the point past my bedtime and the time I try to write an entry. Nonetheless...
A) London Part II (my original handwritten transcript):
Friday has been the big day. Today I went to my first Starbucks (Yeah, sad, I know. But in my defense, I never drink coffee!) Then we toured the rest of London. We went to Buckingham Palace (the Queen was home), went to Westminster Abby, saw Parliament and Big Ben, and went to the British Library. Inside the library, we saw the original, 1,000 year old manuscript of Beofwulf, learned about how it was Tolkien that made the effort in the past century to bring it to the front of serious literary discussion, and saw an original copy of Sir Gawain the Green Knight beside of it. Laura directed my attention to the Beatles exhibit right across from it, and it displayed the original lyrics to songs like "Yesterday" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand". The tour guide talked about one being pulled out of a litter bin and another written on the back of a letter, lending an almost insignificance to their scripting. I wanted to show off, so I proceeded to sing to Laura "Komm Gib Mir Deine Hand". We then saw the Hertford map, and the last exhibit we saw was the Magna Carta.
London Excursion to be continued...
B) Today
Today was another good day. We discussed As You Like It and I happily completed what I think my first triumphant essay for this trip. I love class. I'm participating and arguing more than I ever legitimately have in class and feel so good about it. Dr. Conner told me he was happy about what I brought up today about how the space of the Forest of Arden works in the play. One of my constant goals is to win the love of my professors.
Tomorrow (actually in about six hours) we are going to go on yet another excursion to Stratford and watch As You Like It performed. That makes the third play we have watched this trip, the second of which will be in part of three of my London tale.
C) Friends: Part I (for Anna)
I want to dedicate a segment of this entry to introduce my friends I have made on this trip. Or maybe at least start a discussion. I can't do it justice tonight, sadly. But I'm having a great time with everyone on the trip. I have spent a lot of my time with (alphabetically) Ahna, Cristine, Gary, Laura, Shannon, and, of course, Dr. Stewart, Dr. Conner, and Dr. Lamb. Now that you know them, I will try to include them in future stories.
D) Just a little more...
Okay, I'm out of steam. I feel like I'm having a lot of trouble cramming a lot of stuff into one entry. I have so much more to say, but tomorrow, hopefully.
Yep. Done. Cheers.
Yay Kevin!!
ReplyDeleteThe original copy of Beowulf!?
ReplyDeleteThat's magnificent.
Also, I am jealous of your literary discussions with British professors.
I want to hear about your getting lost in London, which was foreshadowed in your last entry.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Anna! Sorry I'm getting behind. I'll try to keep more coming to keep you busy at work.
ReplyDeleteYou know, Gina, it's the most original one we have, if not. It is definitely the oldest and sole surviving. Here's a link if you get bored:
http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/englit/beowulf/
I wish you could meet our professors. They are from WVU, but I hope that doesn't take away from it. Dr. Stewart is British and graduated from here in Oxford, and Dr. Conner and Dr. Lamb are both brilliant.
I will write a little more about that night, too.
Actually, Gina, I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how to describe what happened that night. Unless I find out a way to write about it, I'll tell you when I get back.
ReplyDeleteOkay, Kevin. It's a deal.
ReplyDelete