Blog Assignment: Haworth

Let me first state that I loved Haworth!!! This city initially was much like Cincinnati (from the standpoint of an new visitor arriving) shopping areas, food and bus stops are quite common and in this way and I wasn't impressed. (Seriously, how foreign or strange is this to a person such as myself who prides herself on being a conqueror of the urban jungle).
Not until I was made aware (by fellow classmates) of the significance of the trip and where we where going I fully began to comprehend where I was and how historically significant this land is.
Walking up old cobbled roads was very painful (due to the poor choice I made in packing comfortable walking shoes) but also interesting because these stones are a part of the history of the Bronte sisters because these stones have survived through the test of time and remain here as a physical testament of the simple living, farming and engineering that was available during the 1800s.
We were all hastened to the museum by Professor Benander's lightning pace (but for good cause) due to an scheduled appointment to receive a personal tour of Bronte sisters home. Sue (our informant and tour guide) provided interesting facts and pictures about their lives (the Bronte's) which helped me understand why these girls in particular became such great literary icons. Charlotte's family is what we would consider "middle class poor" which is interesting because their father (is what I would consider a self made man) was a poor Irishman who, proved to be intelligent and was able to receive an education. His family benefited from this because he was able to educate them (children) sufficiently enough that they were able to master the English language by manipulating words to describe beautiful worlds through writing. The Bronte children had wonderful imaginations and were given a freedom to explore and make up worlds. Their house was small and the rooms inside were very tiny!! But if you put things in perspective Charlotte Bronte was only 4"11 so this home was probably quite suitable for herself and her family. The front yard of the house included a cementary and her fathers church (literally, right in front). Religion and death were a part of their daily routine. Their father was a preacher and of course their lives were to live accordingly to God but they all were introduced to death and in some ways had to accept it as part of living. I see in Charlotte Bronte's writing the influence of the church and how she struggled with the submission Christianity demands. She challenges the readers ( in Jane Eyre) by including Helen and St. John as Christians who are so easily able to accept the world and its maliciousness and to hide behind their religion verses challenging why am I being made to be subdued and who benefits from my submission?(If i was to answer my own question.. I would reply by stating in order for many wealthy men and women to feel at ease with their comfort, money, and possessions the uneducated poor must conform and accept their place. With out this conformity there would be anarchy so religion is a tool to satiate the masses.Religion helps to ease the minds of the poor that they should not be concerned with worldly possession therefore accept the indifference,brutality, poverty and misery in which you live because your will be rewarded in heaven).
The walk on the moors was pivotal in understanding how the landscape of the enviorment influences people differently. Science and Psychology have presented us all with the "Nature vs. Nurture" argument and while I was walking I thought about this but put it to the side while I was trying to imagine the how Charlotte walked in cloth slippers and only wore a knitted shawl and bonnet as weather protection!! The path through the moors is challenging due to the rocks , hills and temperamental weather that I started to feel that I was being challenged by the moors rather than cordially invited!! Its beautiful to look around and realize you are surrounded by green fields and sheep wondering around. I imagined when the Bronte sisters walked they all enjoyed their solitude. Their imagination enabled them to envision handsome strangers riding on their horses falling and needing the aide of female heroine. I believe Emily (in when writing Wuthering Heights)was reflecting back on her childhood and the innocence as well as ignorance of children who could runaround without any cares in the world because they were not wealthy enough for former education or not yet old enough to care about society and all of its constraints.Upon arriving at the Bronte falls I thought about how as children this would have been amusing to play around or in . Its very beautiful and almost hidden so it was just "theirs" when they were present.
Now the walk to top of the moors (to the iconic symbol of Wuthering Heights) was the equivalents of scaling Mt. Kilimanjaro (seriously) way more difficult that I imagined. As the hike progressed I began to feel stronger (mentally and physically) because I was pushing myself and exerted all of my energy to get to the top. When I made it to the top I became an accomplished woman!!I could see Emily pushing herself to began to venture further in to more rugged terain than the peaceful tranquility of the falls and continuing to walk further and further. When she would finish her walk I could see her sitting and realizing that she could be the victor. She was no longer dominated by the landscape but has become victorious heroine. I believe that the landscape challenged the Brontes to see woman as strong and fearless rather than timid and weak creatures.
The gift shop was aimed at seeing the literary text as well as providing a lot of historical background of the Bronte sisters. Many books were biographical accounts of their lives and of her fathers and even the servants. The postcards represented photos of the present as well as the past. I really enjoyed this aspect because I can see the Brontes world in which they saw it.

Cultural Observation Blog Post # 5

I believe I have come to adapt very well at Harlaxton. I have learned my way to the my room, shower room, classroom, computer lab, refractory and (after a few more attempts) Professor Benanders room! My Post- England daily ritual included a tight knit routine of waking (waking children), laying out clothes, guiding the children through their routine, eating quickly (oatmeal or two boiled eggs) and finally showering and dressing myself. This has been my life for the last six years and to be honest, I was comfortable with the way interactions between my children and myself transpired. Now, I am living the life of a "traditional college student" (I stay up late, laugh all night and I even went to a bar!!!!!!). I have no worries!
Now as far as the eating and washing habits are concerned I am just not "up to par" with these activities. Let me explain why...In the first place the Showers are located through two doors and at the very end of the hallway. I have only used this facility once since arrival (I know, I'M Nasty)but I'm very conservative and the fact that someone walked in while I was drying my body embarrassed me so much that I have resolved to waking up in the middle of the night and showering when everyone is sleep. If I was to be at home, I typically would shower twice a day and even on a hot day I would possibly fit in a third!
Eating is another challenge (I must overcome)because it I have lost my control. We have to eat at set times and if you miss that set time than you have you can order out or eat snacks. T he food options are limited (I don't eat pork or beef) so I have been eating a salad and vegetables allot. You might think think that I'm actually eating healthy but reader you are mistaken because yesterday I was introduced to the best biscuit (cookie) my mouth has ever had the privilege to devour. So when I miss a meal I load up on "Digestives".
These changes to my bathing and eating have not improved or complicated my life because I am have to accept I am not in control and just get over "The Community Shower".
I can admit I am used to my girls barging in the bath room when I'm showering but I cannot get over the fear that some one will see me naked. I am used to my body and bathing but only in the context of my own apartment. I have to get over this because soon all of my new friends will be forced to shun me for my lack of personal hygiene. I am also so used to eating when ever I want and preparing my own meals that fit in into my funny diet restrictions. On the bright side, I am happy that I don't have to cook everyday. I knew that Harlaxton was to provide us meals but I didn't really think about this concept very much until I arrived to eat out first snack which, included shredded cheese sandwiches and skim milk (lol). I knew then that my version of a snack and theirs was not in sync (although the sandwiches did satisfy my hunger pains).
Overall, I believe that I have adapted well to the rules set forth by the college and actively participated in classroom discussions and assignments but my daily habits are still in a "reorganizing state" which for me will take a little more time to adjust than everyone else. I believe I stand a better chance of bating more often, due to the fact that many students have returned home and I have a better chance of getting in their and out with out much notice.
My entertainment has been getting to know and laugh with all of the young women in my small group. They are all so different but "variety" makes life more interesting! I enjoy hearing them all tell stories about their life's miss-adventures because they are real experiences which are ultimately, more captivating then sitting in front of a television expecting a (t.v.)box to entertain me.

Blog Post (assignment 2)

I can only describe the Harlaxton as "fairy tell like" and "whimsical". Wathcing masterpiece theater on PBS (since I was a child) has projected images of such grand castles passed down through super wealthy families, I never believed that one day I would ever dawn the steps of such a grand architectual monument. This building (Harlaxton) is enourmous in size and as a new arrivial I was very overwhelmed initaily. Throuh the course of the day (Tue. June 16, 2009) I began to explore the surrounding landscape (lawns, view the gardens, walking the long entrance drive way) and now I can imagine this place in the 1800s. The buildings exterior has not changed much but the interior has had to adapt to each landowner and has been manipulated and altered to fit each owners distinct taste. With that being said, I began to appriciate the landscaping on the grounds more because the land changes only with the seasons. I feel that just as I stood outside and gazed down the drive way along with my classmates, this land has seen this day many times (warm sun, beautiful flowers, green lawn, cool breeze, blue sky, white clouds).
I did not know what to expect at our stay in Harlaxton but where we are is amazing! Castles really do exsist and the greed and excisiveness of the rich (in the past and in modern times) is represented in this castle to me because the true mark of wealth and succes is traditionally measured in how much you can aquire. This ultimatley includes constructing huge homes to affirm to world that you are powerful. I have very conflicting feeling about money and wealth. W e all require money to increase our assets but to build such an extravegent home in a time of such great desparity and poverty is/was disguisting.
Harlaxton and it surrounding landscape inclines me to reflect upon a time period (1800s) in which I physically can never be a part of but invokes my imagination to fantisize many..What if(s) I lived during that time? The English culture during the 1800s and the present is foriegn to me but the endurance of social class syestem endures and is just as relevant into todays 21st century as is was in the past. But why....

My First Blog Ever!!!!!

I really don't know who is going to be interested in reading about my study abroad adventures. I am excited about this trip and I hope that all of my friends and family take a peek at what I've been up to!