aw.

Scarfing

We're in love. With scarves. I remember the days when my family had a cardboard box of warm-weather accoutrements on the top shelf of the coat closet. This box was only tugged down on occasions such as Christmas tree hunting or the even more occasional sledding excursion. It contained a few mismatched pairs of snow gloves, a couple of my dad's knit walking caps (almost wrote "nit"), and one old scarf with 49ers-colored stripes.


Well, here in the Pilgrims Annexe, the collection is a bit more extensive. Scarves in England are beautiful, cheap, and everywhere. So here it is. The long-anticipated Scarf Post.

This is silly.

London is Wicked

I haven't blogged about school, so I thought I would share about this excursion to England. The drama department was invited by the English department to take a tour of the Globe Theatre, and participate in an acting workshop from one of the resident actors.

First off I have to say that the Globe is awesome, and I cannot wait to see a production in that space. I would love to perform in a space like that! Jesse and I were like kids in a candy store! Giggling the whole time. I mean can you imagine creating, and performing here! So inspiring.











Yeah, this is a random mural on the walls of one of the side booths.
Platter of limbs.... anyone?





Jesse and I were pretty annoyed with the immaturity of the rest of the group, so we decided to skip out on the acting workshop, and go see a show instead. On our way to Leicester Square we made a detour to the cafe "Paul" near St. Paul's Cathedral to have their infamous hot chocolate.

Let's just say it lives up to it's hype! Holy cow everyone needs to try it.



So we decided to see "Wicked" at the Apollo theatre. It had been so long since I had seen a good ol' Musical. I was so excited for the safety of it. I have seen enough shock and vulgarity for a lifetime.






We had amazing seats! But right near our armrests there were binoculars that you could get for a pound. We did it just for the experience, not that we necessarily needed them.





The show was beautiful, and so enjoyable. There were a few moments where we giggled because all of the characters were British, so it changed the sound of some of the songs, and some of the words didn't play as well as if it were an American dialect being used. (For instance the song Popular, it didn't quite make the audience laugh as much at the Populer... lar moment.) But all in all it was fantastic, and a wonderful night out at the theatre!

And our evening wouldn't be complete without running at full speed towards our train, and barely making it as the doors closed. And also being held in a tunnel for a half an our because of trouble on another line. I do have to say that I am grateful for the tube, and a good sense of direction.

So to recap our trip to London...
Globe = good
Paul = good
Yo Sushi = good
Wicked = GREAT!
adventure = good
Silly = good

Banking is Silly

I feel horrible starting such a negative post right after Kathleen’s positive light, but this is another “adventure” that has come upon us… well me mostly, but it’s also affected the rest of the pilgrims.

In the beginning of October I started my attempt to open up a UK bank account at HSBC. I went in with all the proper documentation, and thought I had completed all that was necessary. I received an email a few hours later stating that I needed to refill out one of the pages because I put a different address. So I went back and put in the proper address the documentation showed, and they supposedly scanned in, and all should be good to go.

Next I was told that within 5 business days my debit card would come in the mail. Well, my wonderful landlady Emma (and I don’t mean this sarcastically because she truly is amazing, it is just in this one issue that I was annoyed) forgot my surname so she threw away my mail for a few days. So sadly she threw away my debit card. My pin number (that came separately) was safe. I then went to the bank to have them cancel the original card, and then have them send a new card directly to the branch.

When that came 5 working days later I went into the bank to have it activated and to figure out how to transfer money between my UK bank and my US bank. The first bank representative told me I could do all of those transactions online. So I went online and found that I didn't have all the information, so I had to go back and have them give me all of those codes. Finally I thought I had everything set up and could now continue my banking all on my own like an adult.

All was safe until a week ago. I was using my debit card to do a bit of grocery shopping when I was told my card was declined. I was internally freaking out because that has all of my financial aid, I had no idea why it would decline. I then went to the bank and found out my card had been cancelled because I didn't have proof of my address. They were trying to stop this action. Turns out it was too late and they needed to order me a new debit card that would come in 5 business days. I asked if I would need to get a new pin, since I was getting a new card. They assured me that all should be fine.

My card came and I went to activate my card, and then went to ask if there would be any more problems with my account. The bank employee told me that if I couldn't prove my UK address they would cancel my account on Friday.

So it turns out they never scanned a copy of my proof of address from the school. I went in today to have that scanned and can only pray that my account won't be cancelled. But then again maybe that would be better. Maybe NatWest would treat me better.

My parting words of wisdom are: if you ever come to need a UK bank account DO NOT go with HSBC. I will keep you updated to see if any further drama unfolds.

Pre-Thanksgiving Post

With Thanksgiving coming up, I've been feeling like giving some thankses. Especially as we're the only people we know celebrating, it seems especially necessary. Prepare yourself, this is going to be a long list!

• I'm so grateful to be living in this beautiful country. It's just as pretty as I imagined, and really seems like home.
  
• I grateful for Jesse. Wouldn't you be if your husband actually thought you were the most beautiful woman in the world? This guy takes care of not only me, but everyone he can. He's the big brother to most of our friends. He's very passionate about the things he's interested in. He's always there for me (though sometimes unconsciously) to snuggle with after nightmares. He loves chick-flicks and boxing, walks and weightlifting, peach-picking and laser tag. What's not to love?

• I'm thankful for those weirdy roommates of mine. Annie is my tree-lovin' apple-pickin' strong-jawed dog connoisseur and salad chomper. She makes me want to be healthy, have a tree party, be a better writer, and cook all day long. It's so wonderful to have someone to share dinner cooking and kitchen cleaning duty. It's been a while since I've felt this taken care of.
  
• Then there's Sarey. I'm grateful for this kid-in-a-can. I can be in the most foul mood, and Sarah's stupid infectious laugh always makes me feel better. Seriously, the girl could make anyone giggle. I'm grateful to have someone around to be a kid with. Sarah has been sort of a constant for the past 5 years or so, and she's someone I can always rely on.


• I'm grateful to have my parents. I can say without a doubt I have been raised by goodly ones. My dad is so funny and good. He throws his head back when he laughs. He works like a madman. He taught me to work hard, too. I've never heard him talk badly about anyone but politicians and contractors. Mom taught me how to love people. She taught me how to recognise truth. She made me love fruit and growing things and cooking. She taught me to be classy.


• I'm thankful for fall!


• I'm thankful for cozy chairs and blankets and hot water bottles.


• I'm thankful for electric tea kettles. If you don't have one, go get one. Faster than a microwave! We use it for everything. I had forgotten about these great gadgets after Scotland, but I'm re-in love.


• I'm grateful for my health.


• I'm thankful for my Heavenly Father and all the beautiful things he makes. Who else could think up eyelids, parents, coral reefs, electricity, heart valves, oak trees, bird migrations, or chocolate cake? (ok, ok, I know Annie invented that one) I'm grateful that I know he answers ever prayer. I've been keeping a prayer journal lately and logging the things I pray for at night. I've been amazed at all the little things I've been missing that he does just because I asked.


• I'm thankful for school


• I'm grateful for Frasier. We've been watching it steadily, and it's so nice to settle down all together with a cup of chamomile and some biscuits and laugh and laugh.


• I'm thankful for our house.


• and for my sister


• and my grandparents


• and Skype


• I'm thankful for people who care about the things I don't, like math, science, medicine, engineering, accounting, manufacturing, etc.
  
• I'm thankful for food.


• I'm especially thankful for our ward right now. We've been housed, fed, called, taught, hugged, rescued, driven, bonfired, loved, and befriended by the members of our ward. I'm grateful for Esther and John, Jamie and Emma, Craig and Naomi, Jeffrey, Kasia, and the rest.
  

There are many more things, but I'm probably boring everyone. Needless to say, I have a lot to be grateful for. I've been very blessed in my life.

Chilham is Awesome

This post is a bit late in the making. Sunday, October 24th Jesse, Kathleen, and I stumbled upon a WWII event at the antique shop right next to the train station. Jesse was like a kid in the candy store.

Chilham really is a magical place!

Look at all the cool shots!






















Also... this post was for Neil, for him to see all the cool stuff.

(I was really hoping that it would be a re-enactment so that I could participate.)

Education Is Not Silly

Canterbury Cathedral, where our graduation ceremony will take place this summer.

This term, Kathleen and I are taking the same two academic modules: Poetry One and Revisioning: Translation in the 21st Century. Both are creative writing classes. We particularly enjoy our translation class; there are only six students (three of whom are proper grown-ups), we sit around a big round conference table in a nice windowy room, and the two professors (a reserved Englishman who translates Catullus and an exuberant American woman who favors Chinese poetry) offer a nice balance of perspective and experience. Translation theory itself has a long history of complex, fascinating debates over the proper juggling of accuracy, artistry, mechanics, and ethical concerns.

For my term project, I have chosen to translate some of the poems of Elvia Ardelani. Here's the poem that got me hooked (it's untitled, as far as I can tell; her book, hasn't arrived yet so I'm relying on random internet sources):

compañero
amor
multiplica los panes del deseo en la penumbra
y pártelos
con tus dedos lavados en la blanda herida
del migajón multiplicado en el milagro

_

y como al mar ve abriéndome a tu paso
ve escindiendo las aguas          ve dividiendo peces
y ese fondo implacable que sólo tú conoces
ese mundo de origen que guardo imperturbable

_

hasta que tú me encuentres
hasta que tú te inclines a este calor de mesa
a esta oscuridad habitada del vientre
y comerás del pan sentado junto al fuego
y vencerás las sombras con la hogaza que tiembla
y habrás cerrado el mar
compañero
amor

And here's my translation-in-progress of it:

The Spanish word for bread is pan

companion

love

multiply the loaves of desire in the dim light

and cut them

with your fingers washed in the tender gash

of bread loam to be miracle-multiplied

_

and like the sea see me opening up to your step

see splitting waters                  see dividing fish

and that implacable source that only you know

that original world that I keep imperturbable

_

until you find me

until you incline to the heat of this table

to the darkness lodged in this belly

and you will eat of the bread sitting by the fire

and withstand the shadows with a big round bread that trembles

until you have closed the sea

companion

love

Silly Moment of the Week

Just a warning... what you are about to see is silly.

Kathleen, Annie, and I were going to dinner at friends on Wednesday night. (Jesse was invited but wasn't feeling very well, so he didn't join us.)

After getting off the bus and walking to John and Esthers as we were entering the house Annie noticed something... and promptly told Kathleen.

"Kathleen do you know that you have on two different shoes?"



She was unaware. She put her shoes on in the dark, so she didn't disturb a sleeping Jesse.



This moment made my day! I had been stressed all day since I had a paper due that day. This got me to laugh and enjoy myself. It was a great moment.

At least they were the same shoes, only in a different color. That could have been a fashion choice.