It is the journey that matters: January 2014

Two years ago I started my semester in D.C. (It's actually just a bit over that, but it was on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.) In that time, I have accomplished a lot and have become, mostly, an adult. The past two years have been crazy--from being in D.C. to going back to Augie to graduating to coming to York. I'm not sure what I'm doing after this year, but I am sure that I wouldn't be here now if I hadn't done LCWS (Lutheran College Washington Semester, fyi).

My time with the Navy taught me about archives and how funding issues aren't limited to small, local historical societies. My time with my flatmates taught me how to live with other people, how to cook for myself, and how to, basically, be an adult. My classes showed me the benefit of going to Augie and working hard. The people I met were great and it is to them that I owe a lot.

While in D.C., we were asked why we did LCWS instead of a different study abroad program. One woman said, that LCWS offered an internship and a way to gain experience, when other programs would mostly be about having fun in Europe. Don't get me wrong, I like England and it's fun to be here. But, practical experience is a big part of my choice to do both LCWS and my program here at York.

One of the biggest effects of my time in D.C. was that it showed me I could leave home. Growing up, I wanted to stay at home for college. Eventually, though, I changed my mind and traveled all the way to South Dakota. Not that far, especially with frequent trips home for breaks. Going to D.C. was almost crazy for me, despite the fact I knew I had to get away from the Midwest for at least a little bit. My four months there were amazing. Without that experience, I probably wouldn't have traveled halfway across the world for a year. For the first few weeks, whenever people here would find out I'm not going home till September, they would be impressed. It is moderately impressive, but doesn't everybody leave home eventually? I mean, I was going to have to go at some point, why not make it far away for a long time?

Anyway, back to LCWS and how it changed my life. Other than some disappointment at my cinema class, I truly enjoyed my classes (not a new feeling). The workload was similar to Augie, but some of the other students thought it was hard. That, to me, was the true Augie Advantage; an advantage I am still benefiting from. The workload here is harder than at Augie, but only as much as I'd expected. (I feel like I might be surprised at the workload while I write my dissertation, so, perhaps I won't make a final declaration just yet.) My D.C. classes also ignited a passion of the Supreme Court and its history, and to a greater extent law in general. How the Supreme Court and law affect people, past and present, has become a pastime and a way for me to become involved in current affairs.

A brief York update: spring term is going well. I continue to enjoy my World War I research and my class, most of the time. My big goal is determining my dissertation topic, soon. I am intrigued by exhibit design and presentation, especially when the topic is complex on many levels. We'll see.

Two pictures:

Me with a moon thing at the Air and Space Museum in D.C. two years ago.

Me with Big Ben in London over break.

That's all for now!

So, this is a little late. But, better late than never! Technically term started today, but let's just assume my spring term hasn't started.

My break was really good. I had an essay to finish, which I almost did. At this point I just have editing and such to do. I also had a bit of reading for my class on Wednesday and that will be finished on time, it just isn't yet.

One of my friends came up from Paris to visit me during my 1st/2nd week of break. We were roommates in college so it was nice to see her in person. We did a lot around York, but we also spent a lot of time watching movies. Plus it was a break from both homework (during term) and hanging out, listening to Christmas music, and playing solitaire (first few days of break).

For actual Christmas, I was with one of my friends here in York and her family. I had a truly spectacular time! I got to wear a paper crown from a Christmas cracker (a tradition which the US should adopt post haste). I also received tea and tea related items from my friend and her family (tea, basically my new favorite drink, is always appropriate). In order to wrap their presents, I had to be, in my opinion, truly ingenious. I ended up turning old cardboard boxes inside out and coloring on them (prettily, not just doodles). I also included drawings of Split Rock Lighthouse and the cherry and spoon sculpture from the Walker Art Museum.

After Christmas, I had my first real Boxing Day. According to my sister, I was supposed to go shopping. Instead, I didn't do anything of consequence. Boxing Day itself confuses me. I have had multiple people explain it and it still confuses me. When I was growing up, I thought Boxing Day had to do with the sport, like fisticuffs. One thing I do know about it, there are not fisticuffs involved.

To celebrate my birthday, I got myself a cake from Betty's and did nothing productive.

My parents arrived the day after my birthday. We spent Saturday and Sunday in York. I showed them around town and campus. Monday we went to Edinburgh, which was a lot of fun although it rained almost all day. We walked up to the Castle and took pictures of the city, but didn't tour it because the line (queue) was really long. Instead we went to the National Museum of Scotland. It was one of the best museums I've seen. I also learned a lot about Scottish history, which is fascinating.

We spent New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in York. On New Year's Eve we went to stand in the square by the Minster, because I'd been told that was the place to be. They rang the bells at midnight and all the rest of the people partied. I considered the human condition and our need to celebrate the completion of a year, a unit of time, that, like all time, is a human construction. Obviously I had a good time. Thursday, we went to London.

By chance, we arrived at Buckingham Palace in time to see the changing of the guard. It was cool, but the guards weren't wearing red. Instead they looked like the Winkie guards in Wizard of Oz (the Wicked Witch's guards), which was simultaneously amusing and terrifying. After that we walked around a bit on our way to the Churchill War Rooms. Originally called the Cabinet War Rooms, the Imperial War Museum now operates the site. It was also really cool. Other than the obvious changes for presentation, the rooms were kept as they were during the war. (After the war ended, they were used for storage.) I'm not sure what my favorite part was, but if you're ever in London, I do suggest going. We then had a snack (review to be written later) and walked across the bridge by Big Ben. After a walk past Westminster Abbey, we returned to the train station for our journey back north.

The last day and a half, we spent in Manchester. The first afternoon, we walked around a mall, which further convinced me that all malls everywhere are the same. The second day we went to the Imperial War Museum North. Their main exhibit was on 20th century conflicts. It was, like all museums, interesting. But, in my capacity as a student of public history, I noticed some things that I would change or that signify other considerations than imparting historical knowledge. In the afternoon, we went to the National Football Museum (that's soccer, for all you Americans). It was fun and a completely different vibe than the earlier museums.

Yesterday I caught a train back to York and tried to get myself in the school mindset. I am currently still working on that. And now, in no particular order, pictures!