The Superstar:

Last night I came home to so many wonderful and adorable pictures of my friends and their children dressed up in their Halloween costumes. It was so heartwarming. I would post pictures of my goddaughter Jada, but I should probably get permission first. So he was a mouse. Oh my God, it was adorable. Amongst all of this though, I just need to brag about my wonderful, wonderful nephew. He is a superstar in every sense of the word and I am so proud of him. But on a day like Halloween (or the day after) and with the pictures that Erika just posted, I want to brag specifically about how gorgeous he is! My nephew is a handsome fella. No jokes folks (hee hee), he is the most beautiful kid I've ever seen. His awesome parents bring it out in him, particularly when he smiles. He's fantastic, and I just thought everyone should know. It is what is truly on my heart this morning. Check him out in his ninja costume (I'd like to point out that his awesomeness is increased drastically by the fact that he is a ninja...the degree to which he is stealthy does not factor into this formula).


I hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween. And I hope that everyone wakes up as happy, proud, and full of love as me.

Love to all,
Elizabeth

Hallowe'en:

Hi ho, Elizabeth here. Sorry I've been a bit MIA the last few weeks. My computer got sick, then I got busy, then I got sick, and now here I am mostly recovered (and without any antibiotics! Go my immune system!). It's turned cold here in the motherland. The upside of this is that there is little rain and that I do honestly feel alive when I'm freezing. I like the whole "see your breath" thing too. Way cool. The downside is that I'm freezing! And it's not that bad. It's just that when you have to be outside walking or biking to a destination then you feel it a little longer and more deep in the bones than you would by hopping in a warm car. I know, I'm whining. Sorry!

Last night the Oriel MCR celebrated the holiday by carving pumpkins. What this really meant is that the Americans and Emma, our very own British pumpkin carving pro, each had their own pumpkin. I haven't carved a pumpkin in years and even then I'm pretty sure Jeffrey did most of the work. I distinctly remember carving a pumpkin with Daddy when we still lived in the house on Post and making its face fall in because my designs were too close together so there was not enough pumpkin to support it. But last night I carved one on my own! I drew the face and Rich drew the bats on the side and I carved the guy. I was really pleased with myself. I'm not sure what that says about me, but I had a great time!

Tonight I'm headed to Tori and David's for a James Bond themed Halloween party. We are going to see the new movie and then celebrate the holiday in costume. I'm going as Bond girl Vesper Lynd from the last Bond film "Casino Royale". British double agent in a black dress. :) I've got to buy some black eyeliner and *gasp* red lipstick. But for the most part I have what I need for the outfit, hench the choice of character. I'm living on a tight budget these days! I will be bringing some of the Halloween candy my wonderful parents sent and I'm sure it will be a great night.

I leave you now with a picture of my pumpkin. Oh and the title of this blog is spelled that way because well, that's actually how the Brits spell it. Weird huh?



Happy Halloween or Hallowe'en to all!
Much love,
Elizabeth

I'm Elizabeth, I Can Make Tea:

Today was the first introduction of we deans to the undergraduate freshers (freshmen). It is a funny thing trying to sum up oneself and one's role as it relates to said freshers in a few words. How do you keep their attention when they have to remember the names and roles of four deans, all women? I'm thrilled that for the first time in Oriel's history the decanal staff is entirely female, but with 3/4 of us also American and 1/2 brunette, I'm afraid ostensibly I don't really stand out that much. And what is it that I really do? I yell at you if you are too loud or I comfort you if you are sad. I take you to the hospital if sick or injured or I punish you if you break a major rule. Um, so at the end of the day, in England, I really think that 'Hi, I'm Elizabeth and I can make tea,' really is the best thing to say. And it's true too. So, heck, that's not a bad way to start a new relationship: with truth and tea.

Love,
Elizabeth

Perspectives from Infection:

So, horror of all horrors, my computer has a virus and 'whoo' I get to wipe the hard-drive because the dag-gone thing is so embedded that my 7 hours spent at Computer Services yesterday produced nothing but dead-ends. Turns out this nasty little bug could be following my every move and reporting it to someone who wants to steal my information or give me advertising tips. As if I need someone telling me what to buy. Ha. I can do that on my own thank you very much. And yes, I'm glossing over the scary 'stealing of information' part because I just don't even want to think about that. I've changed some passwords and think everything is fairly safe, but sheesh, this makes me nervous. Lesson for all you people out there...back up everything on your computer! Like any good graduate student my work is well backed-up, but my music files and photos, um, not so much. I'm fortunate this type of virus didn't crash my computer, because I'm able to back these up after the infection (side note, I'm highly entertained by the medical terminology that is used in these situations, dunno why, but I am) and before I wipe it, but it is a hassle and a half. I'm so thankful this happened before I've really gotten to work; it could have been much worse.

Ah, but life without a computer is shamefully boring. I really am upset about how much I miss the darn thing. It is my tv, my dvd player, my cd player, my radio, my phone, my letter-writer, and so much more. It entertains me, challenges me, and keeps me in touch with my family and friends (obviously I'm currently sitting in the College computer lab because I love you all so much!). And to a certain extent, this is sad. I wish I was not so reliant on a machine. But I need it to do my research, my work, my communicating, and even my vegging out these days.

So, what am I doing instead? Well, I still have access to other computers. And then there are the machines of my cell phone and ipod which help. But I've also been walking around a bit more. Meeting new students a bit more than I might have this early in the term. And, of course, I'm reading. Which when you don't have to do it is pretty much the best thing ever. I'm getting to know my bible better (perhaps this was meant to be) and I'm super thankful for my Aunt Kathy and Uncle Steve because, you know, they are my book suppliers. ;) I'm on Geraldine Brooks' 'March' at the moment. Good stuff. Please all, do join me (once you've read blog of course!) in taking some time to read for fun or take a good walk or have a good face to face chat. You'll be surprised how much more connected to the world you feel doing any one of these things than when you spend that same amount of time communing with the computer.

Love to all,
Elizabeth

And So It Begins, Again...

Well folks, I'm back. Back in England, back to the blogging, and hopefully, back to being myself (which has continued to escape me at inopportune moments throughout the last few years). I'll keep you updated on my progress of self-discovery, as I've recently come to realize that it is a lifetime process and I've really only just begun. As for England, I'm here to finish what I started and teach myself how to be a true historian. It will be a challenge, but I feel rested and ready for it, though anxious. I'm learning to accept my anxiety and worries, voice them, and let them go. I fully believe that God is with me on this journey and I can do all things with and through Him.

That's just a taste of what's to come. For now, forgive me as I clean my room, move my things from Sam's attic and try to set myself up for success. Do not worry, I'll keep you posted.

Much, much love to all,
Elizabeth

When in Doubt...Travel:

Hola mi familia y mis amigos,

Lots on at the moment with the conference paper and preparing to come home in four weeks. I'm on a train seeing the country at every opportunity, and I thought I should share a few pictures. I'll start with some promised ones from hiking in Dorset, then Cardiff, the Cotswolds, and Canterbury. I'm off to Warwick and Stratford this weekend, then the conference in Leeds the next, then hopefully Rome the next. After that it's a day in Winchester with Aunt Kathy and Uncle Steve and then my last few days in Oxford and London. Yay travel! Hope you enjoy these images!

We started hiking from the very bottom of that hill on the other side:


It was very windy and cold:


But also very beautiful:


The keep of Cardiff Castle:


On top of the keep:


Looks like KY doesn't it? It's the Cotswolds:


Blurry Canterbury Cathedral:


Beautiful window:


Candle of St. Thomas Becket and Throne of Coronation:


High-fiving Jesus, Awesome:


I've got many more to share, these are just a few. Email if you want some, or wait for the dvd. ;)

Love and happiness to all,
Elizabeth

We Did It!:

Thank you to everyone who donated to my Race for Life run! I ran on Saturday and completed the 5k in 34 min! It's not the fastest of times, but I ran the entire thing and I'm extremely satisfied with it! Philippa is now trying to convince all of us to run a 10k. We shall see.

The best part of the race was the atmosphere. The all-women crowd was fantastic and at every corner there was a race volunteer or family members of the runners cheering us on. I have to say, hearing 'Great job!' 'Keep going!' "Well done!' at every turn is a fantastic motivator. An even better one though was the names of all those lost to or facing cancer which were placed on everyone's backs. I personally thought a lot about my friend Ali who is such a fighter when it comes to his cancer. His enthusiasm for life is so inspirational. I knew I couldn't stop running a tiny 5k when he won't give up his fight to live. It was sad to see so many names of parents, grandparents, children, and friends. But it was great to see so many people running and walking for a cure.

Over two days Oxford raised half a million pounds, or a million dollars, for Cancer Research UK. Your 302 pounds or 604 dollars was a part of that. Take a breath and think about the wonderful thing you've done through your donation. I'm so thankful and I'm in awe of it too.

Thanks a bunch!
Love,
Elizabeth

Catching Up and an Anecdote Not to Miss:

Sorry, sorry, sorry! I've been waiting to update until I had something with which to update. I still don't have the answers to everyone's questions, but I do have a job offer! Oriel College has offered me the position of Junior Dean starting in October. Yay! This is of course dependent on those ever-elusive results which are due to come 'anytime now' as they have been for the last eight weeks. *Sigh learning patience Sigh*

It's been a few big weeks in my family life with Mother's Day, Dad's Bday, Granny's Bday, Grandma's Bday, my cousin Ben's wedding, and my parents' anniversary. Whoa! Needless to say I'm quite happy and thankful for all of these people in my life and I was missing each event very much.

I'm preparing now for a week long trip to Scotland with my friend Oliver and his girlfriend Martha and their friends from Sheffield University. There are seven of us jaunting up north for the week, leaving Saturday, and driving the length of Scotland to a cabin outside of Coldbackie, near the arctic coast. Whoo adventure! I'm excited about this trip and I've been assured I will get along with the other members of our party, particularly because half of them are historians.
:) You see, history connects us all.

Don't forget to sponsor me for whatever you can donate before June 7! I'm going to run the whole darn thing even if it kills me so please offer up your support. You can do it here:
http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/elizabethrussell And apparently they do not accept American Express (ha ha) so, alternative credit cards must be used. Sorry!! And thank you so much in advance for your donations! They mean so much!

Now a little anecdote for you all about my famous family. I was catching up with my friend Matthew in Latin class last week as he had been gone the week before to attend the Medieval Conference in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This is one of two big conferences for medievalists (the other being the Leeds one I am speaking at in July) and is something my Uncle Steve has told me about and involved me in ever since I expressed an interest in all things medieval. I mentioned that my uncle kept me updated on the goings-on in Kalamazoo when Matthew asked who my uncle was and how he was connected with the medieval world. I began the answer to Matthew's question with my uncle's name, "My uncle is Steven Plank" when Matthew interrupted me to say "THE Steven Plank? The musicologist? That's YOUR uncle? Oh my gosh! I'm such a fan! Wow, wow." :) I think Matthew's appreciation of me was raised by association with my famous uncle's name. In any case it made me all warm and fuzzy inside. MY uncle is Steven Plank. :)~ I only know two other girls who can say the same thing. And I'm sure they'd be just as happy and proud to proclaim it as I.

Happy days to all,
Love,
Elizabeth
aka The First Niece of THE Steven Plank

Fingers Crossed:

One of the methods I'm examining for staying in Oxford is a job as a Junior Dean. This is a job well suited to me because it mixes the administrative side of university life with the student side. Usually these positions only go to members of the college, but I've applied to five colleges with available positions because I thought it best to give it the best chance. One of Oriel's deans told me not to take it personally if I didn't get an interview with another college because of the tendency to hire from within. And sure enough, I was rejected by one college and I've yet to hear from another two. But Oriel has asked me for an interview, and so has Pembroke College, so I'm feeling really positive about my chances. If anything, the interview with Pembroke on Monday morning should help to prepare me for the interview with Oriel on Thursday afternoon. So fingers crossed!

I really hope everyone at home has a wonderful Derby weekend. I miss home all the time, but this time of year is particularly lonely, because I love all of the Derby hullabaloo. I would LOVE a giant corn-dog right now! Or a funnel cake. Or .... well, this could go on for ages so... I guess anyone who is at the Chow Wagon, please eat something for me! Have a wonderful Derby Kentucky! I love you so!

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend,
Elizabeth

Running for a Cure:

I hinted back in March that I had something up my sleeves similar to Eric's head shaving. Now with about five weeks to go it's time to reveal all and ask for your donations. I'm running (yes running) a 5k for Cancer Research UK on June 7, at 11 am, here in Oxford. Whoo! I've been training for a few weeks now and can run somewhere between 1/3-1/2 of it. I can run five minutes straight without losing my breath! It's amazing how the body adapts to stress placed on it through physical activity. Each time you do it, it's easier than the last. So really, I'm learning, it's all about persistence.

Why a 5k you may ask? Well, I've written about wanting to be a healthier person and running has always been a difficult thing for me, so I thought I would challenge myself and give it a go. Thanks to Erika I can Jazzercise to my hearts content for an hour, or jump up and down for ages without it feeling too difficult. But running, well that's always been beyond me. I can't say that I like running, but I do really like the feeling of making it through my required run. And I like exercising now (I'm doing something for 30 min straight at least 5 times a week). I feel like an altogether more fit and healthier person. And I like that. Plus...I can eat more bad things when I exercise. :)

Honestly though, most of you know how hard my Aunt Kate's death hit me and my family in 2004. Losing Kate made me realize how important it is to be health conscious and to ask questions about your health and to know your body. My aunt was so important to our family and so selfless, and although I admire her so much, I think in terms of health, we have to be selfish. So the money I raise running will be in memory of my wonderful Aunt Kate, and I hope will serve as a reminder to everyone to take care of yourselves to the best of your abilities. The 250 pounds I want to raise ($500) is not much, but it will help to continue to find treatments, cures, and hope for those with cancer.



I could've run for so many people. There are so many I know who have died from this disease and not one of them is more important than the other. But Kate to me is ever-present in my thoughts and I am always conscious of her absence. So please, give what you can and let me know if it's in honor or memory of someone who is important to you because I will keep all of those people in my mind and in my heart when I run. It's just 5k, but it's the most important 5k I've ever crossed, both personally and monetarily. Thank you so much family and friends. If you can't afford to give anything, but want me to add someone to my list of inspirations, please do that as well. At the end of the day, it's more about the people impacted than the financial gain. And don't worry, I'll keep you updated on my progress! :)



http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/elizabethrussell

BIG love and THANKS to all,
Elizabeth

Serenity Through Culinary Experimentation:

These days I'm finding that I really enjoy cooking. So much so that I either stay home, go home, or make my lunch from home and take into town everyday. Yeah, I just don't want to eat a sandwich when I can grill some chicken on my own and stick it on a yummy and nutritious salad. But really, salad is just the beginning. I've made stews, roasted things, baked, and generally thrown together what I've got in the fridge to create a great meal, which is what I really think is a sign of a good cook. But this past weekend I surprised myself and cooked not only fish (which I've always thought to be difficult), but my very first pie! Yup, I rolled out the crust, made the filling, and baked that sucker til it was golden, set, warm, and delicious. And you know what kind of pie I made? A derby pie (little 'd' because I wouldn't want to get into copyright troubles). It was so yummy my friends and I ate it in two days. Ruth even liked it, and she's not a fan of nuts. :)

I'm not sure why, but making this pie and having it turn out so well made me more proud of myself than I have been in a long time. Perhaps it's because I take pride in my cooking. Perhaps it's because I'm proud of the fact that I made something from home and represented it well. Perhaps it's because in cooking well I feel I'm taking on the genetic predisposition to good cooking I've felt from my Mom, Granny, Grandma, and the rest of my family (and Regina too!). I think it's all these things. I think it's also so nice to know that I will be able to take care of my own family when I have one. I will be able to cook yummy food that nurtures and sustains them, and maybe gives them fond memories as well. More than anything though, I find it comforting to cook and to enjoy my food. I like to plan for my meals and make them up on the spot. And I love seeing how my cooking makes me healthier and happier than eating something from a restaurant, or college, or pre-made from the grocery. I guess, cooking for myself nurtures and sustains me too, just as if I were eating at home.

Love,
Elizabeth

A Little Soul Cleansing:

In my time abroad I've learned a lot about myself. Some of the things I've learned I rather like...for example, I'm a good cook, and a good friend, and a friendly person. Some of the things I've learned I really don't like...for example, I don't have enough confidence in my own abilities, I worry far too much, and when things get really tough, I run and hide. This is not always a literal running and hiding. Sometimes I just eliminate things from my life which I don't think I can handle (blogging for example) or find myself sleeping more and eating more to compensate. This is not something I'm proud of, and is something I do think I need to change.

This blogging forum is so personal. My Granny says that she can hear each of my cousins and my voices when we blog. It's as if we are right there speaking; as if our blogs reflect our personalities or our souls. I think she's right. So I guess you can understand that when I'm going through a difficult time, it's also difficult for me to create a blog because the confusion I'm experiencing in life completely impacts the confusion I feel in trying to compose my thoughts in writing for so many to see. All this being said, I think it's time for me to be as honest as possible and to keep my family and friends involved, while explaining to them that I'm making some changes to make sure there are less things about myself that I don't like.

I took a tumble just after my last real blog when I was admitted to the doctoral program here, but denied funding. I've been blessed with always having funding when I've gone to school and I guess I just took it for granted that I'd keep on getting it. I realize now that this was foolish, but I appreciate the fact that in my foolishness there was a big component of hope. Hope is a good thing, and I've let myself stray from having it.

Amidst all this confusion I still haven't found out the results of my master's degree. This is complicated because I need a certain score to be able to stay for the PhD, and for nearly 5 months I've been waiting, without any news, except that the examiners were ignoring my thesis because no one had set them a deadline by which they were to read it. I don't know why, but this particular problem has upset me so much. I just want to know how well I did so that I can know what I'm to do with my life. Is my path here? Or am I meant to be in the US? Where is my destiny?

Perhaps I'm far too introspective about all of this. And I think I've begun to see that the quote below is so important. I cannot sit around in my misery, insecurity, and sadness and let my life pass me by. There is too much going on around me and I've been too blessed and too loved to squander so much away. And this makes me angry too; I've been selfish.

So with some support from wonderful friends, family, and certain heroes of mine I've been working to take advantage of the good things, and to power through the bad. It's a process for me. Two steps forward, one step back. One step forward, two steps back. But I'm moving, and that's an improvement. And here I am, pouring it all out for you my loved ones, because it's important that if you are to love me you know all about me. I'm flawed, I'm insecure, but I love you all and I don't want to disrespect you by keeping you out of my life.

So I should soon here about my results, and about another funding option to stay because I feel deep down that the work I started here must be completed and that I would be disappointed if I didn't do everything I could to make sure that it is. My supervisor pointed out to me this week the point that I've created an entirely new piece of scholarship and that is a scary, but exciting thing. As good as I've been in school I never thought I would find a research project that interested me so much. I know it's just one project and my career will send me down many intellectual paths, but this is the first, and so it's very special to me. But if the score isn't there and I cannot stay, then I will come home to the love of my oldest friends and family. I will take stock, breathe in, and start again. And I will be hopeful in this because I don't want to sit back and merely exist anymore, I want to live.

I know this is a lot for most of you to take in because I haven't been forthcoming with my feelings about what's going on right now, and for that I apologize. I just know that I needed to be honest with you all or else I couldn't start writing about the everyday again. It may be silly, but it's me, and I'm happy with that. I am so thankful for all of you and I hope you know that. I miss everyone back at home very much. And I love you all too. I'm glad to be back, I hope you're glad to have me.

Love,
Elizabeth

Back Soon, I Promise:

"Happiness is to be found along the way,
not at the end of the road,
for then the journey is over and it is too late.
Today, this hour, this minute is the day, the hour,
the minute for each of us to sense the fact that life is good,
with all of its trials and troubles,
and perhaps more interesting because of them."
xxxxxxxxxx~ Robert R. Updegraff

St. Baldrick's:

Hola! I hiked 18k last weekened (approx. 12 miles) up some rather large cliffs. It was amazing and I'll post some pictures when I find my usb cable. The scenery was enough to awaken the most shadowed of souls, but I found the activity to be the most inspiring aspect of the trip. It was the most difficult thing I've ever done (with a possible exception of hiking the Smokey Mountains when I was 11, but I've blocked out that pain) and I am so proud of myself. In the midst of a mountain-ascent panic attack I realized something about myself. I'm far more capable than I've ever thought possible. I think I've been selling myself short, particularly on a physical front. I've already worked out twice this week. It will be twice more before the weekend is through. And you know what? That's just the beginning. I'm excited to see how far I can push myself. I am strong.

With all this in mind, I have something up my sleeve. I will reveal all in a week or so, when I get it together, but I'll be needing help from all of you. I don't want to over-sell this, it's not a big deal for most people, but it will be the start of something for me. A first, if you will. So I'll be needing support.

I'll give you a hint though, it's going to require a financial donation. And I'll practice my solicitation skills here by highlighting a similar endeavour which my friend Eric is about to embark upon. On Sunday, March 16, Eric will be shaving his head for the St. Baldrick's Foundation, an organization which supports children who have been diagnosed with cancer. I had a friend from U of L do this several years ago and it's an amazing event. Eric's head will be shaved in front of a crowd at Fourth St. Live! It Eric's deal and he hasn't asked me to mention it at all, but I thought I'd draw your attention to it, because I'm very proud of him. If you do perchance want to donate anything, you can do so here: http://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/shavee_info.html?ParticipantKey=2008-28670
Please don't feel obligated. But do check out the site and the organzation. I've been looking at a lot of similar things lately (hence future post) and this one is truly special. And remember, save your pennies, I'll be asking you for anything you can give in the near future. :)

Love to the greatest friends and family,
Elizabeth

P.S. I hate Pittsburgh. And I no longer believe that the third time is a charm. It's just the third time. Grrrr.

Rugby Shenanigans:

I was present last night in London for my first varsity match in any sport here at Oxford. The Oxford Dark Blue rugby league team defeated Cambridge 38-10! My friend Hugh played in the match and scored a try, and I got to eat a giant cheeseburger. It was all in all a good night. Horrible bus ride back to Oxford with some very drunk fans, but what can you do? Check out the article about the match here: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12196_3251311,00.html

In other news, I'm going hiking tomorrow on the Dorset coast. It's supposed to rain, but oh well! I'm trying alternative exercise techniques to get out of the gym (because I can't ever seem to get into it anyway), so this should be fun. I'll post pictures when I've recovered from the 14 hour day.

Today is my dear friend Ruth's birthday and the Oriel Historians dinner so it should be an enjoyable evening. Wishing everyone a great weekend! And Kentuckians, watch out for that winter storm!

Love to all,
Elizabeth

The Bluegrass From Google:

Ever just google things randomly to see what comes up? I do. And today I google-imaged Kentucky. Amongst the pictures I assumed to see, you know, those of KFC, UK basketball, and Churchill downs, there were some beautiful ones that I felt I needed to share with you. The one above is of Cumberland Falls. I've never been and would love to go. Anybody up for camping when I return?

This is a bend in the Kentucky River. I don't know if I know this bend, but I know the river very well after so many years in Frankfort. The colors in the trees are all you really need to see though. *Sigh*




Finally, what is an entry about the beauty of home without a horse farm? This is Calumet Farm. I'm sure those from home know more than me about it, but it's gorgeous. Certainly makes me want to learn to ride.




Hope you all find these photos as comforting and beautiful as I. As you can tell I'm longing for a bit of Kentucky bluegrass today. Or some Louisville love. Well, both. I'll leave you music lovers a link to a Louisville-based band called The Muckrakers who are very close to my heart. They met at Western Kentucky University and are attempting to take the world by storm. Their music is wonderful and I can attest to a great live show as well.

www.myspace.com/muckrakers

www.themuckrakers.com

Their newest song is called 'Lights of Louisville' and is worth a listen. Right now though it's their song 'Happy In' that is stuck in my head (apparently the Happy In is a chinese restaurant in Bowling Green). I keep humming all of it, but in particular the first verse and chorus which go "Across the Indiana border, down Highway 65, where the cold Kentucky bluegrass meets the gray December sky. And how I long to be there, where my loved ones, they stay. Just to hold you in my arms again, and I waste the day away. But there's always some room at the Happy In, a smile for a lover or a laugh for a friend, wish away the morning, let the day begin, there's always some room at the Happy In."

I bet you can figure out which part of the verse is particularly poignant to me at the moment. Don't worry, I'm not unhappy, just nostalgic. Missing all my loved ones greatly.

Love,
Elizabeth

Leap Year Tag:

The 'A' Team tagged me in a blogging game. I tend to ignore these things, but as it comes from such a wonderful family, I shall comply.

THE RULES:
1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person who tagged you.
2. Post THE RULES on your blog.
3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.
4. Tag 7 people and link to them.
5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.

I think I'm a fairly open person, so this is quite difficult. Most of my readers know most things about me and I've had trouble coming up with 7 things to say, but I'll do my best.

1. I love food. Okay, no surprise really, but I've begun cooking of late and I love that too. I'm getting fairly good at cooking veggie dishes (Tuscan Bean Stew, Vegetable Goulash, etc.) and I find chopping vegetables to be really stress-relieving. I now like to eat fennel and celeriac when cooked of course. Yummy. But onions still make me cry. And I hate that because I like how they taste when cooked.

2. When I was a kid my best friend Emelia and I had our own language. I suspect those around us could figure out what we were saying, it wasn't too clever. But we enjoyed it and still use it from time to time.

3. I can still remember songs I sang as a child in the Louisville Youth Choir. I'm talking notes, words, harmonies, basically everything from when I was about 8 years old. I think I've used up far too much of my brain with song lyrics. Emelia used to hear a song for the first time and look at me to see if I knew it too. Most often, I did.

4. I know far too little American history to be a historian. I'm acutally ashamed of it. My medieval European knowledge is adequate, but I know only the basics about the US. Maybe I should start reading history books of varying topics.

5. I can quote by heart from a part of Shakespeare's Macbeth because we had to memorize it in English class with Bryan at Brown. I can't actually remember which year, but I can remember the quote. I'm sure most Brownies can.
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

6. Continuing with the theme set from Macbeth, I find cemeteries extremely comforting. I'm not a fan of death (who is really?), in fact it scares me sometimes. But I enjoy the peace and history of cemeteries, as well as the importance of family it signifies for me. I am on a quest to know more about my family and hope to continue my cousin Mel's work for the other sides of my family.

7. I have a secret desire to be a proper athlete. I was a dancer as a child and very good at it. But after one season on the bench in middle school not playing basketball, I gave up on my desire to compete and became an uber-fan (as you all clearly know). I've dabbled here in various activities and found myself running about 2 miles yesterday. Today, I cannot walk. I'm serious. Muscles I never knew I had are angry that I didn't know they existed. Though I'm in a lot of pain, it has occurred to me that it cannot hurt this badly again if I keep at it. So if I can move tomorrow, I'm gonna run. If I can't compete in a team I can surely compete with myself. And frankly, myself is my biggest competition in most things in my life. I'm always the only one holding me back. So bring it on self. Bring it on.

So I don't know enough other bloggers to ask anyone to do this, and I won't even tag them properly, but Erika, Aidan, Joe, Mars, Clare...feel free!

Love to all, and owww,
Elizabeth

P.S. 8. I actually hate email and much prefer real letters and cards. So send 'em people! I will happily send you something back. :)

Lest You've Forgotten it is Important to Me:

Here's a Cardinal blog. :) I just want to say briefly that I'm super proud of my basketball team at the moment and leave it at that. I've noticed when I say too much they don't play particularly well. I have taken on my father's superstitions about my roll in the Cards' victories, so no more words. Only a picture from yesterday's victory against Syracuse. Please look carefully at the man by David Padgett's hip. Yup, that's my Daddy! The link is below if the picture doesn't show...it is being tempermental this morning.

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=B2&Date=20080218&Category=MULTIMEDIA04&ArtNo=802180813&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=9

In other news, I'm addicted to 'Lost'. I have yet to decide whether or not this is a good thing. I'll take votes in the comment section if you have an opinion on the matter.



Love,
Elizabeth

You Can Find Me in the Index:

Tee hee. I'm so giddy. I just had an awesome tutorial with one of my students, we performed the Messiah on Friday night to a packed house and standing ovation, and my International Medieval Congress programme arrived on Friday with me in it! :) Life is good.

So, I love the Oxford tutorial system because one on one or two on one instruction enables you to cater to the strengths and weaknesses of your students and allows for engaging discussion rather than lectured factoids which are inevitably lost or not heard and forgotten. (Wow that was a long sentence) Basically, I have an objective in my lesson, but how I arrive at it is entirely dependent on the needs of my students, so they are engaged and so am I. I'm not repeating myself over and over, I'm focusing on what help they need and most often, I'm the one asking the questions. If there were an ideal way to learn this is it. There are short-comings of course (for instance that the students here learn only what they study and not anything else for three years), but the system produces students adept at their subject, which ultimately is a good thing. But really, I think, it engages students with their professors to be comfortable, curious, and cared for. These kids are all very smart, but they are also nutured. (There are some baddies of the teaching business, but not currently any at Oriel in History) I love teaching here.

The Messiah went very well (ok I wasn't too keen on the bass soloist and I gotta say counter-tenors make me a little nervous when they are singing parts I can hear my mom singing, but otherwise...) and was extremely well received. I had loads of fun doing it and I hope to stay in the choir. I just loved singing and being apart of a choir again. When you grow up in choirs, you feel as if something is missing when you are no longer in one. And I think it's difficult to pinpoint until you are in one again. Or maybe that's just me, but...

The really cool thing about this weekend was the arrival of the programme for the conference at which I am speaking this summer. It's a really big deal and super exciting and when I received the programme and saw myself in it, I was all smiles. But the most amazing thing was that I was in the Index. I know this seems ridiculous, but knowing you could go to the end, look up my last name, and then find the page on which my seminar is located was too much. I've never been in an index before. I am so humbled by this. I can't begin to comprehend how I've gotten to a place where I'm in an index. Wow.

Sorry this is all over the place, but it's been an exciting few days. Now if I could only get college to stop trying to make me pay them money I don't think I owe...oh well, there's always something. :)

Love,
Elizabeth

Movin' On Up:

Guess what????? I've been asked to teach! Yay!!!! Yup, little ole me is going to tutor a few undergraduates in essay writing. I am very excited and honored. Thrilled too. It won't be much teaching, but should be good fun and it speaks to what my college advisors think of me that they've asked me to teach. (Couldn't also be because I'm the only graduate student with loads of free time on my hands, could it? Surely not.) It pays very well (roughly $45 USD an hour), so hopefully I can get more than a few hours a week, but I'll take whatever I'm offered. There are very few teaching opportunities for graduate students in Oxford, so this really is a blessing. If nothing else, I can always say that I taught at Oxford University. :)

Love,
Elizabeth

All We Like Sheep:

And I'm back. That's right...I'm singing in a choir (Lincoln College Choir to be exact)! I could not be more excited. And in a week Friday (15 Feb) we are performing Handel's Messiah in Exeter College Chapel! Ahhhhh!!!!! Anybody want a ticket? I'm sure it's worth flying here to hear it. :) I was very nervous attending rehearsal last night. I had forgotten how to read the alto part and the last time I did any of the Messiah I was a soprano, so.... It was great though. I'm rediscovering my skills and realizing just how much I missed being in a choir. It was wonderful. So for now I'm humming Handel to myself fairly constantly and enjoying being a part of a musical group again. *Sigh* 'For unto us a child is born....'

Love,
Elizabeth

PSA:

Just a quick note to my family and friends living in the Super Tuesday states to encourage you to head out to your local polling stations and vote today! I'm jealous! I've picked my candidate, but with the penultimate primary date I'm not sure it much matters. I won't plug said candidate, because I think it's important for people to choose the person whose platform best represents your own beliefs, but I will say that I hope a historic event occurs today (not difficult considering either Democratic candidate would make history with their victory). So there you have at least my party of choice. :)

Happy voting,
Elizabeth

In a 'super' haze:

Hello beloved ones. I'm sorry for not posting as I should, but I've had little inspiration to write, though I've been fairly busy for one leading a life of leisure. Last Monday was Prof. Nicholas Orme, who spoke to the Medieval History seminar about chapels in late medieval England. I had a wonderful time listening to him speak, but was discouraged when his work on medieval childhood was ignored from the customary list of the speaker's work and accomplishments. The historical world seems to have little respect for historians of childhood, and as such I'm quite content with my decision to focus my future work on parents.

Tuesday I went with my friend Oliver to watch the Oxford v. RAF (Royal Air Force) rugby match in which my dear friend Hugh played and scored two tries (for those of you who don't know about rugby let's just call it a touchdown that's worth 5 points instead of 6). It was good fun and I was lucky to have Oliver there to explain to me what I didn't understand. I think I'm starting to get the hang of it! And I'm super proud of Hugh, who made his debut for the Oxford team after two years off. Congratulations!

On Wednesday the Oriel darts team defeated Lincoln and I picked up a small side job from one of the Oriel Fellows of History proofreading an article she's sending to an American history journal. I was honored and excited to have some work to do.

Friday was a debacle as the History Faculty emailed to say that one of my letters of recommendation for the DPhil had 'gone astray'. Hmm. I was immensely stressed, but held it together far better than I expected and as of this morning the letter has mysteriously reappeared! Thank goodness. I also had dinner with folks from Clare College, Cambridge, our sister college, though I was rotten at socializing as I had to jet to the pub to see my medievalist mates.

Saturday was the first day of Six Nations Rugby in which England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Italy all compete against one another over about six weeks. This week was England v. Wales, a biggie, and I had the joy of watching Rich's happy face as Wales came from behind by 13 to beat England 26-19. Needless to say my English mates were not thrilled. I also went out for a girl's night with Ruth. Good times were had by all.

Last night, to top off my sports week, I went with Hugh to the University College MCR(Bill Clinton's old haunts) for their Super Bowl bash. Hot dogs, wings, Doritos, and a big tv = awesomeness. Yes, I did not get home until 3:30am because of the time difference, but cheering the Giants to victory and gloating to the fans of the Patriots was good fun. I am truly my father's daughter. :)

This week promises to be another good one as I'm going back to the library and back to work. I feel ready! It's also Pancake day tomorrow (Fat Tuesday) and then good ole Lent. I'm not sure as to what I will give up just yet, but I'm thinking of taking something on instead of giving something up. Any suggestions? I'm also holding out for a spot in a choir because my ache for all things music related is growing every day. I am truly my mother's daughter. :)

I'm missing everyone at home very much, but feeling very confident in my life here at the moment and I'm extremely thankful for that.

I'll leave you with a request that everyone check out my cousin Aidan's picture blog at www.not-always-so.blogspot.com to see his amazing pictures. I am very proud of him and his ever-increasing talents in so many artistic fields.

Love and peace to all,
Elizabeth


P.S. Go Cards! Beat Marquette!

Honest Abe:

I had the pleasure to hear Professor Richard Carwardine, the Rhodes Professor of American History, speak about Abraham Lincoln on Thursday evening. How wonderful! I'm still shaking from the joy of it, and the excitement at hearing American History from the mouth and mind of a Brit. It was informed, balanced, and fair, leaving out any motivations to prove or disprove other historians of Lincoln except to portray historical fact. Refreshing indeed. It was also nice to hear work that interested me, but could not in any way be related to my own. I could just enjoy what was being said and not worry about what I was or was not missing from my own studies. I remembered surprisingly much about Lincoln and the Civil War era, though coming from Kentucky that shouldn't be too shocking. And I truly enjoyed dining with the speaker after the lecture and speaking to him about Kentucky, where he had been several times. If you are interested I would recommend his book, simply entitled Lincoln (though it may actually have a longer American title now that I think about it), which came out in 2004. Finally, I leave you with an image of 'gay' Lincoln. I don't of course believe this, but it's a humorous picture that Prof. Carwardine showed us and I felt you all had to see it as well. It does in fact come from a book in which the author argues that Lincoln was gay. Apparently he has some decent circumstantial evidence, but nothing solid. It cannot be proven.

Notice the earring:


I'm off to London this afternoon to see 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' on the West End. Yay!!!! Will let you know how it is!

Love to all, especially KY's Abe,
Elizabeth

Rediscovering the Written and Spoken Word:

There's something both wonderful and confining about having free time. For the first time since my arrival at Oxford I have no essays waiting for composition, no immediate research to focus upon (though I have a conference paper to prepare for July and am determined to start my PhD research to get ahead whether I remain here or not), and very few classes that desire my attention and work. So I fiddle with my Latin, and I try to read some French, but mostly I read.

Now reading is something a graduate student in history does all the time. It's primarily how I work. But this, this reading without stress, it's different. It is better, but not as immensely better as I assumed it would be. I miss that feeling of working towards the achievement of a goal. And quite honestly, I miss knowing when I will next see my supervisor, and thus the stress of making sure my work will be good enough. But wait, that's not quite right, because I don't really miss the stress of it. Maybe I just miss the work.

Regardless, I do not miss reading under a time constraint and thus for the last two weeks I've been reading fiction, mostly gifts from my aunt and uncle, the act of which has given me immense pleasure, if not angered my body because of my lack of movement. My brain though, is so very active. So much so I have trouble sleeping. I'm covered in fictional dreams of the plague, romantic adventures, and fairy tale endings. Well, not fairy tale, but certainly contented, and that seems to be a very vital emotion these days.

I've found contentment in lectures as well. Without the burdens of an impending deadline I have the time to go to every seminar the History Faculty has to offer. And this has meant a wealth of scholarship and for this term, some learning from some very big names. So far in my time here I've heard the likes of Maurice Keen, Peter Brown, Robert Bartlett, Christine Carpenter, Michael Clanchy, John Watts, and Chris Wickham, among others. Later this year come Nicholas Orme, Barbara Newman, and Caroline Walker Bynum. It is a medievalists dream line-up, like seeing your very favorite artists (I won't attempt my own version in modern culture) in concert. The benefit of this, besides meeting these wonderful scholars, is accessing history from different angles and different voices. I suppose it keeps me a part of the scholarly world, while I enjoy my fiction-filled hiatus.

In all of this, I feel antsy and excited because I'm rediscovering my own personal love for all things written and spoken and I can't get enough. I wish I could; I think my muscles aching from lack of use would appreciate it, and so too, would my body, angry that it cannot rest as a result of the workings of my mind. But there is something so wonderful about delving into the very basis of humanity and culture, and the word, written, spoken, or sung, is just that.

Love,
Elizabeth

On A Pilgrimage:

How fitting that I, a student of all things old and Christian, should be told that my thesis proposal places me on the path of a pilgrim. Indeed, this was what my college supervisor stated upon our discussion of my desire to continue my work at the doctoral level. He followed that statement with this one, "I will support you very highly in this." Something strange occurred for me following that statement. And it's difficult for me to put it into words. Perhaps it's better to place it in the historical context of a real pilgrimage, because then it may make better sense.

For whatever reason, medieval pilgrimage was an important and vital element to Christian interaction with God. I say whatever reason in reference to the specific reason a pilgrim would choose to go on pilgrimage, not in regard to why it was an important part of Christianity. Because there, on the most basic of levels, it makes complete and perfect sense to me. Isn't pilgrimage something we all take on in our lives? Whatever that form is in the modern world, the medieval Christian pilgrimage served a purpose which I still find myself dealing with day after day. The search, the need, the desire to be closer to God, to feel touched and helped, and seen. Not to place oneself above any others, but to find comfort in the notion that you, like they, are a child of God, and as such, are not forgotten.

To embark on a pilgrimage, no matter how far, is a frightening prospect. To leave one's zone of comfort, to admit to yourself that your search may be a last resort, or that you may not find the help you need is disconcerting to be sure. To embark on a pilgrimage in which you are blazing a trail is of another matter and equally worrisome. In both instances, it seems to me, the difference between success and failure (and in this I realize that in the world of God, sometimes failure is the right answer) is support. Having the support of others (God, family, friends, scholars, etc.) is integral to success because it means when you no longer have the strength to go on, that system of support is there to pick you up, and inspire you to continue, no matter the result.

My pilgrimage is twofold. And in some ways, the first part has already been completed. I became a pilgrim when I first stepped onto the plane that brought me here, seeking a life that I felt I was meant to pursue. I've encountered all manner of joys and difficulties here and at times practically laid myself prostrate to the 'god' that is Oxford University. I do not, under any circumstances, regret the decision or opportunity to come here. I've grown leaps and bounds in my abilities as a historian and, hopefully, as a human in the last year and a half. And now, it's time to attempt that second pilgrimage, where I attempt to forge a new avenue of historical research somewhere in between what others have already done. This is difficult, and I'm sure past the doctoral level (if I reach this level) there will be many skeptics and many unwilling to listen to my ideas and my approaches (many historians place little value in hagiographical sources, I'm afraid). But I've realized that it does not matter. Because I'm lucky enough to have support.

I've sat around the last week in a strange mix of emotions. Relieved that I've finished my Master's thesis, terrified that I've messed up somewhere along the way and am now unable to fix it. Exhausted because I've worked so hard, and energized to do more work, to expand my research the way I want to, learning more skills and taking more advantage of the opportunities provided to me at this university. Lonely because I am missing the comforts and people of home much moreso than I have in a long time and excited to be able to travel more without the burden of the thesis hanging over my head. Sometimes I feel very out of place, only to find that I haven't been back long enough to establish my place again. Mostly, I feel my head and my heart and my body don't seem to align at the same time or place, when I need them to. But I'm beginning to think this is okay. To be lead by heart or head won't hurt too much, because I believe I've been blessed with a decent head and heart, mostly cultivated by that wonderful support system I've always had around me.

To be able to say that this support system is expanding is a wonderful thing. To know that there are those who think my work and my passions are worthwhile is beyond what I ever imagined for myself. And to be on this pilgrimage, in any format, is quite possibly the very best thing that has ever happened to me. These mixed emotions, the stress, the worry, the exhaustion, and then the serenity, the luck, the love, all of it....the pilgrimage itself, reminds me, everyday, that I'm really, truly, alive. And that really is so beautiful.

All my love to the most wonderful family and friends in the world,
Elizabeth

All Done and Submitted:

I'm FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to my wonderful, supportive, fantastic family and friends.

I love you so so so so much.

Now I'm going to sleep. For several days. And then I'm reading for pleasure. That's right, I said it. Fiction, here I come.

Love, kisses, and thanks,
Elizabeth