Adieu Poland (for now)

I'm sat at my gate at Krakow airport. I should be writing an essay for university (amongst other things) but I don't feel quite ready to go back to the mundane... not right yet. Instead, I'll write this short post as I'm too tired to write coherently. It's also without photos. I didn't take many as my camera hates me and I can't transfer the ones that I did take until I get home.

So, the summer is basically over and it has been truly magical.

When I first started my first programme with Angloville, I was concerned that I might not be able to help the people I met with their English. I mean, who am I to do that? And now...? Well, I have seen over 100 children blossom in terms of their English and their confidence over this summer. I'm not saying that was my doing - far from it - but I am saying that I feel honoured to have been a part of it.

And I have met so many amazing people from coordinator, volunteer and participant alike. I'm still in awe. Thank you. I can't name everyone who's been extra awesome, there are too many of you!

So, instead I shall write a little about Krakow. Firstly, I really like the city. Warsaw was a bit claustrophobic for me with all the tall buildings but Krakow was lovely. There was also a lot to see and do there... I only scratched the surface. I was actually there with my mother a couple of days and we spent so much time just sat in cafés, people watching. It's that kind of city. Today I did my art history nerding (kindly accompanied by Brian from my Budapest and Krakow camp) and saw Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with Ermine and also Veit Stoss' St. Mary's Altar. I have a particular passion for gothic altarpieces and oh my goodness wow. Also, part is being restored so I'll have to come back to see it 😉

After that, it was off to the airport with Ginny (an awesome girl from Krakow camp who is a super trooper!) and, after a fair bit of waiting, here I am! I'm so ready to arrive...I think I will fall asleep on the plane...

I Survived Castlefest

As I write this, I'm sat in my parents' house in England where I'm spending a few days before I jet off back to Poland. Yep, the Castlefest blues have set in quite thoroughly by now! In short, the weekend was quite fantastic, there's no doubt about that, and waiting a year until next time - well that's simply too long.

So, before I get into details, the general good news... I broke the curse! For the past three years I have missed part (or a lot) of Castlefest due to illness but this year I made it from start to finish without a blip. Hurrah! Now, onto the detailed post...

I actually enjoyed camping. There, you have it in writing. I get super cold at night even in a house so camping tends to be tantamount to torture for me. I was lucky this year in that Heleen has a super insulating tent and her brother kindly drove us to the grounds meaning that I could bring enough fluff to create a veritable nest. The atmosphere on the campsite is always delightful so I was pleased that I could enjoy it in all aspects this year. I mean, having people of all ages sat around at all hours chatting, playing instruments etc... it's wonderful.

As for the festival proper, I actually got to look around a bit more than in previous years as I planned to see less in terms of music. It did mean that I had a bit more flexibility with going to extra shows (eg seeing Coppelius twice). It also meant that I managed to look around the traders a bit more. My bank account may not thank me for that! In all fairness, I only bought myself a couple of things and I am very pleased with them. I could, however, have bought a lot more. There are some unique things to be found and if you're into anything fantasy/reenactment/alternative then Castlefest is always a very dangerous place for your wallet!

And now, onto the musical aspects...

Opening Concert

I knew Coppelius' music and knew that they were supposed to have a good live show so I wanted to see them. That was how I went into the opening concert. I didn't realise quite how much I was going to enjoy them. In fact, Heleen (who didn't know them at all before) and I rearranged our plan for the weekend in order to see them again on the Friday. Both shows were absolutely awesome. Seriously, it feels that the band are having so much fun on stage and it is quite simply contagious. I also have a new respect for just how skilled these gentlemen are as musicians. Also cello. This weekend had a lot of cello. I'm a bit sad that they're taking a break now, to the best of my understanding, because I really do want to see them again soon.

We had planned on seeing Metusa and Prima Nocta during the opening concert but that didn't work out quite so well. We sat back a bit for Metusa but did listen. We decided to see Prima Nocta on the Saturday because we wanted a good spot for Saltatio Mortis. Okay, I wanted a good spot for them. They're a band I've listened to for quite some years and wanted to watch their concert from a good spot as it was to be the first time I saw them. Anyway, we ended up missing Prima Nocta on the Saturday too which was kinda sad but it was just too crowded.

I did, however, manage to see Saltatio Mortis and it was a great concert. As I discovered when asked by Heleen's mother, I don't really know how to describe their music if you don't already know them... bagpipe folk rock, I guess. Anyway, their show was great fun with enforced audience participation. That was a little less fun as I felt like my arms were going to fall off from clapping by the end of the evening! Oh, and the fire use was lovely. I mean it was effective, I guess, but it was certainly a good way of warming up before crawling to the tent! For all I'm describing this set in a rather tongue in cheek fashion, it was awesome and well worth the years of waiting. I was also increadibly lucky as I managed to get my scrapbook page signed by the band. I only painted about five pages this year due to time constraints (focusing on favourites I'd not done pages for before) and really didn't expect to get the Saltatio Mortis one signed but it worked out so yay. 

Friday

Friday opened, for me, with Adam Hurst's set. Adam Hurst is a cellist who I've listened to for a little while now and I really like his music. It's quite exceptional and really great to study or paint to. Seriously, he's one of only three artists that I (regularly and successfully) listen to while doing my university reading. So, as you can guess, I was quite excited for this set and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was nice to sit in the shade and just listen. I would have loved to lie back with my eyes closed and just listen (it's that kind of music) but I was so tired that I was afraid I might fall asleep and that simply would not do! Both Heleen and Winnie bought a CD so, as neither of them knew his music before, I think that's a great sign as to his talent and the quality of this performance!

After that we gravitated towards SeeD who Heleen and I have seen together before, a couple of times, in fact. We knew what to expect this time and we got it with a high energy performance. We didn't really expend much energy, truth be told, as the sun was intense and us ghosts had to hide in the shade. That didn't mean that we couldn't appreciate the music, however. The highlights of SeeD's performances will always be the crazy fast whistle passages and the song "Gathering Mushrooms". This set contained both.

Closing of the Friday was Faun's set. I decided not to take photos during the concert as, while they are lovely to photograph, I just wanted to enjoy the music (I actually felt this way quite a bit this weekend, which is odd for me). Anyway, enjoy the music I did. I think that we all know that Faun's shows are consistantly high quality and this one was no exception. They played basically all of the 'fan favourites' as well as treating us to a preview of their new album, coming out on the 19th of this month.... why not in time for Castlefest? I think one of the highlights for my group was the hilarity that ensued as part of the audience participation before Walpurgisnacht. My quote of the weekend comes from Oliver at this point: "Just the look of [Niel's finger] will make you sing like you are a very fertile elk". Of course, the other main highlight for us, as always, was Hymn to Pan which is just so powerful - and emotional - when you get a huge audience singing along. Faun also did a signing after the show and, as always, were charming.

Saturday

Saturday 'morning' started with a bit more energy than the previous morning with Pyrolysis' set. It was actually not in the morning but we'll ignore that fact. I've seen Pyrolysis play a few times now and, each time, they only increase in quality and in energy. I guess I'll write more about them later as I also saw them on the Sunday evening, late. However, it does bear mentioning that they very kindly signed my scrapbook after the show and were thoroughly lovely.

Having started the day with a bit more energy, it only stood to reason that we should have a bit of a chilled moment and this was courtesy of Kaunan. While they do play songs for dancing and the like we decided to sit in the shade and just listen and relax a bit. I have to admit that, as I was listening, I couldn't help but feeling that the music would go a lot better with a cold winter night and a roaring fire... I guess that's just a side effect of all this Nordic music! All joking aside, I do really like Kaunan's music and I'm looking forward to when they release a CD. I'm also hoping to see them again when they come back to the Netherlands in a few months.

Next up was one of my favourite bands, Cesair. I have actually lost count of how many times I've seen them since moving to the Netherlands - seriously, being able to easily access good music is one of my favourite things about studying in Amsterdam - but I always look forward to seeing them and have not been disappointed to date! This show was particularly interesting as, not only was it an enjoyable mixture of newer and older pieces but with quite a few guest musicians  which meant we had some different arrangements too.

After Cesair's set it was time for the burning of the wicker creation which, this year, was a dragon. I actually think this was one of my favourite designs for a few years! As always, it's a powerful moment and something around which the whole weekend centres. During the weekend people can make offerings and/or leave notes with things they want to leave in the past or focus on in the future. On the Saturday evening, the creature is burned and the offerings with it. This year we were closer than I have been since my first Castlefest (I was much too close that year, it was way too hot!!) which meant it was a different experience. I realised as the ash fell down like snow that I was literally being covered by people's unread secrets and wishes for the year ahead. That was actually very profound for me.

In the evening, Heleen and I decided we would go and check out Woodland as Adam Hurst had mentioned them to us the day before. We were joined by Winnie. None of us knew what to expect at all but at the end of the set we were all pretty sold. Quite literally, as CDs were purchased. Their music, inspired by the world of faerie, manages to escape the lyrical clichés that many other groups in that vein fall into while the music is simply lovely. As Winnie said, there is something quite inspiring about the sound and we both feel listening to the CDs may well inspire our own creative processes. It's great when you find music that has that effect. Oh, and I liked the light tech for this set too! We also briefly met the band after the show to get the CDs signed and they were absolutely lovely - you all know how highly I rate manners so it had to get a mention!

Sunday

Getting up early enough for The Moon and the Nightspirit was slightly painful, I have to confess and we might have been a little bit late to their set. It was definitely a good way to wake up though. There's something really quite peaceful about their music that resonates on a deep level. It was even worth standing in the rain to watch.

Next up was Shireen. I don't know quite how to classify Shireen in terms of genre. Their facebook page says Witchpop... whatever it is, there's a certain drama to the sound that is quite enjoyable and also quite different from most of the other Castlefest bands which still being similar in some way. I don't even think I'm making sense right now so if you understand me then you're doing very well! As well as their usual dramatic sound they looked striking on stage this year with large amounts of dark makeup. I finally bought their EP and am looking forward to, hopefully, a full CD some time soon.

After Shireen it was Irfan. Now, Irfan is another part of the Castlefest curse for me as I've wanted to see them the last two years but was ill during their set. Well, this year I finally made it. I started standing up the front but soon moved to sit back in the shade and just listen. I don't think I need to tell you how lovely their music is and the quality was just as high in the live performance as in their recorded CDs. Truly wonderful. I'm so pleased that they lived up to my rather high expectations and I will see them again soon, for sure. Something that is also really worth comment is how lovely the band members are both on stage and off; they are incredibly talented but come across as humble too. They also signed one my scrapbook pages and, to be completely honest, they were so kind about it that I was thoroughly overwhelmed.

The final act of the festival proper was Feuerschwanz. I was looking forward to seeing them too, as I had listened to their music a bit and was aware, like with Coppelius, that they had a good live show. However, I was so tired that I almost went back to the tent. Luckily, my talking about them had made Heleen curious and she wanted to stay for a couple of songs at least. Grateful to her because I soon perked back up and enjoyed their set so much. They are great performers who really get the audience involved. From having audience members on stage to act out the song to coordinating dance moves for the whole audience... it was a lot of fun. I didn't really expect to be on the wall of a mosh pit at a folk festival but it made me realise how long it's been since a real metal gig! Oh, and then there was the crowd surfing fruit (and sailor in a dingy)... 

However, even if Feuerschwanz closed the festival itself, it was Pyrolysis who played the final set, over on the camping. This was seriously an awesome way to finish the weekend as it was quite simply so much fun. Even the little blip whereby the amplification cut out didn't cause an issue. Everyone sat down on the floor for a while as the band played acoustically. It came back on mid song and everyone got straight back up and back to dancing. By this stage, a fair few people were on the tipsy scale but in the good fun, friendly way and that also assisted the evening to have an awesome atmosphere. Even I had a bit of a dance.... and I am aware that there is a video where this can be seen but don't think I'm linking you!



So, this was an exceptionally long post and I'm sure it ended up with a bit of verbal diarrhea but, long story short, Castlefest was awesome. Bring on next year!!



As always, I have some more photos on my facebook page here

I saw, you saw, we saw Warsaw

Yes, the title of this blog post is the name of a nail polish. No, I'm not wearing it right now but I did buy it last week in Budapest... logic, aye? It was written on Monday the 18th but I only just got it to post because of hotel WiFi issues so it's a bit out of date. Apparently, airports have better WiFi 😉

So, as you may have guessed, I'm now on the Warsaw leg of my adventure. Warsaw is a city that I had never really planned on visiting and I actually knew very little about it, beyond reputation, and only booked the minimum time there. Admittedly, my time there was influenced by other factors such as my wanting to spend proper time in Budapest and needing to get back to the Netherlands for Castlefest. Anyway, I didn't really know what to expect of the city.

The flight from Budapest to Warsaw was quite easy once we finally got through check-in. We were there as check-in opened and only just made it to the counter as it closed so that tells you something about the chaos. Seriously, departures at Budapest is my least favourite of all the airports I've encountered thus far.

View from the hotel window... not bad at night!

Coming into Warsaw itself we passed quite a few parks and it all felt quite green. The airport is about 15 minutes from the city so that's super convenient. The city itself? Well, the area I was staying in has an industrial feeling. There are tall tall tower blocks which, after Amsterdam and central Budapest feel quite claustrophobic. It was really overcast too and, while the city can’t be blamed for the weather, it made it all quite grey. I actually stayed on the 25th floor of the Marriott (which I would not  be able to afford elsewhere) and this afforded me quite a good view. That was something that I struggled with... everything is super cheap. I mean, from a selfish standpoint that's good but, from a realistic point it's super sad. I mean, economies are artificial constructs and yet they have such impact on people's lives.

On the Saturday I had a tour round a bit of the old town with my fellow volunteers. We had quite an eccentric tour guide so I feel I have a lot still to discover. The old town is really pretty and I could have easily spent more time there.

In the Old Town

Sunday I finally set off for the next Angloville programme and I'm there as I type. I have free time on the first day when I'm ready to go as opposed to later when I might need it but oh well 😉 This hotel has less to do than the last one but it's still nice. It's out in, basically, the middle of nowhere. Whereas last time I had sparrows for company, this time I have mosquitoes. The group is quite a bit bigger than the last programme and I'm still forgetting everyone's names but it seems like a  lovely group of people so I'm looking forward to the rest of the week!!

Adventures with English in Hungary

So, today is Thursday and that means that I’m nearly through with my first programme on the teaching thing. I’ve not really blogged - heaven knows that I’ve not really replied to messages – but I have a few minutes so, here we go.

I was really nervous when I flew out to Budapest, it being the first time I’ve travelled alone. However, once I actually got to airport, and through security it all felt better. There was some drama as the boarding procedure at Luton airport saw us all squeezed into a tiny stairwell in blazing heat. Of course, muggings here fainted. I was worried they wouldn’t let me on the plane but it was okay and I got there with no further problems. The hotel I stayed in was new to me but also on Jokai tér, my usual haunt. It was nice and I would stay there again.

On the Saturday, I went in search of a hat (and I’ve needed it!) before the city tour, provided by the company I’m volunteering with. I didn’t really need the tour but I wanted to meet some of my fellow volunteers before the thing started. Only four others from the junior programme attended the tour but it set my mind at ease. Everyone was lovely. After, Cherise and I went to Margaret Island with a lovely woman from the adult programme, Angela, and hung out, met some of her friends and meshed around with juggling. Admittedly, I mainly watched! Anyway, the nice thing is, I think that Angela may be on my Warsaw programme!

The next day was the start of the programme. Our meting point was near Hero’s square which is a fair old walk along a straight road from my hotel. You do not know the hell of doing that with a 100litre backpack, in hot weather. I am catching the metro on the way back!!! We got on the bus and I sat next to one of the Hungarian participants and chatted on the journey. It was quite easy to see that many people were nervous as their parents waved us off. Despite that, I hope that we’ve given them a good time and looked after them well!

To start with, it was a bit hard for me. I know that this is supposed to be an intensive English programme so there should be no need for Hungarian but I did feel that I needed it often to help explain, particularly at the start. I worried that I was not good enough for the job and especially because I know that, with the roles reversed, I would be blaming myself for not understanding.  My biggest fear was making the people I worked with more nervous and stressed about their English speaking. It has got easier as I have grown to know the individual characters and abilities of the participants. I’ve also been blessed to meet some amazing people and to share in their lives for a moment.

The hotel has also been a comfortable venue. It’s a sweet place and the staff are very accommodating, especially considering that they have a large group of noisy teens to cater for! The food is perhaps the only thing that I don’t like so much as it is very salty but it’s also in generous portions. I’ve been sharing a room with Cherise and a lovely, high energy girl, Sophie, who is seriously special in her ability to engage with everyone. The other volunteers and the coordinators are, at the very least, nice, and, at best, very special. I’m pretty sure I’ll be on contact with some of them for life.

And now, I’m tired, ready to have a break but also not ready for it to end. I have learned so much, changed so much… Poland has a lot to live up to!

This post was written on  a tablet so there may be some typos. Photos will come later, when I have a better internet connection 😊 

This time tomorrow...

The bag is packed, the tickets printed and I sit here waiting for my nail polish to dry so that I can go to bed. It can only mean one thing... The Big Trip is on the horizon

I'm feeling a lot of things right now. Excited. Sleepy. Nervous. And that's before I move on to the millions of thoughts whizzing around my head!

"What if no-one likes me?" 

"What if I get lost and get stuck at the airport forever?" 

"What if my credit card bounces and I can't pay for my hotel?" 

"Why is it forecast to be forty degrees next week?" 

"Why do I always leave the nail polish until the last minute?"

Okay, now being realistic, I doubt everyone I meet is going to take an instant dislike to me... I'm travelling with a map and have two alternative methods of payment. It's not the first time I've traveled and not the first time I've visited Budapest - far from it - but it is the first time I've traveled alone. I actually couldn't predict how nervous I would be about that. I mean, I know it will be fine and I am excited but seriously... eep! Talk to me tomorrow and I'll seem a bit less of a moaner because, frankly, I'll be left with nothing but excitement (I hope!)

As for the other two questions.... I don't know why it has to be so hot or how I'll manage with it but, y'know, could be worse! Gives an excuse to hold English 'classes' in the swimming pool, right? And, as for the nail polish? Well, I guess I never learn!!

The Closing of Year Two

We might have found the best ice-cream
place in The Hague

Well, if one ignores politics, the last week has been quite lovely. The intensive period came to a close and, I can safely say this now that it's over, I actually enjoyed it this time. Got to say that is completely down to my partners in crime (a.k.a. my class mates) who were both great moral support and great fun. Got to admit that our post-exam lunch was the highlight for me - you know, no work - but they were awesome throughout. And somehow I managed to take no photos... I have let myself down! Anyway, I managed to get an A grade for German which I am so happy with. I actually got an A for the speaking which is amazing considering last year I basically failed that part. Immensely grateful to my class and teacher for their enabling in that regard.

I then had a few days to attempt to catch up with friends and socialise a bit before leaving. I failed to see half the people but I did go to The Hague with Leonoor on Saturday to look at a potential apartment and visit a wonderful paper and bookbinding shop. I'd bought from them online before but oh my goodness, the shop is a treasure chest. We also found an amazing bookshop. I was kinda lucky that the pound had plummeted as it was a good motivation to not buy everything! We were joined by Ryan for a drink in the evening and it was thoroughly delightful.

We did also eat, in my defense!

Sunday was equally lovely as Dania, Leonoor and I headed into the centre of Amsterdam for brunch at one of our favourite places. As it was a celebratory brunch we might have decided that cocktails were in order. We had planned to go shopping afterwards as I had quite a lot to get for the summer trip but, let's put it this way, I didn't manage to get much shopping done afterwards!

And then it was back to England. I'm here for just over a week and I have so much to do before my month (!) on the road. Seriously, I have so much to pack into the next week. Today, for example, I had my trial with contact lenses and the weird lesson of how to put them in and take them out. Really excited that I won't have to choose between seeing the stage and taking photos/protecting my glasses when at events but my eyes are feeling it now! 

So yep, enjoying my not so relaxed time with my parents before the complete insanity of the summer really gets underway. Who am I kidding?I'm so excited... and maybe a bit nervous too ;-)

That whole Brexit referendum thing.

This is most certainly not for facebook because, heavens, I could not put up with the inevitable flame war that would arise. It's also on the topic of something that is upsetting me and it's therefore perhaps not the most coherent and I'm not sure if I get my point across but, having spent ages writing the blasted thing when I should have been studying German... here goes...

_________

So yes, I normally keep my political views to myself or discuss them over dinner with a group of friends because what's more fun than that, right? But every now and then I do make a political post and this is one of them. It's one of them because I actually can't keep silent about it any more. I'm not even in England at the moment (thank goodness) and the campaign is making me want to tear my own hair out!!

I'm not going to get into what I'm voting here because, to be honest, I'm not interested in sharing that piece of information broadly. If you know me and we've had a discussion about it then you've probably know what I feel. If you know me at all then you can probably guess. Either way, I've looked at the information and I have made a decision. 

But that is beside the point because this campaign has not been about facts, it's been about emotions. And not a lot of emotions. Only two really: Fear and Hatred. Both sides have used those tactics and, frankly, it's left people even more het up than they were before. Let's be honest, a woman has been killed because of the heightened emotions (combined with the actions a very sick terrorist). Admittedly, and on a more subdued level, we are human. We cannot separate ourselves from our emotions and they will always play a part in our choices... but they should not be the main part of the decision making process. I don't know about you, but I learned that as a child.

There seem to be two main focus points with this whole Brexit thing although there are many other issues. One area of interest is the economy - I don't claim to understand enough about that to make a proper academic comment but have tried to work it out while deciding. The other is immigration and it's this bit that is upsetting me. I'm ashamed of some of the things I have heard politicians say. I'm ashamed of some of the things I have seen friends/acquaintances write on facebook (etc.). It seems to be that the general atmosphere at the moment is allowing people to say things that are quite obscene and be in the majority, therefore fear no repercussions if they even realise that they're saying something cruel. And that's the other thing. I don't think these people really believe what they're saying - and sometime soften when confronted - but are repeating the words of the time. I mean, if you feel that way genuinely then that is your right but I still feel such opinions are toxic. I don't know if there would ever be any justification for saying that you feel the channel tunnel should be opened then blown up with the people who try to get through inside. 

Of course, this fear/hatred thing does come from somewhere and there is a problem within the country. I come from Birmingham. For those of you who don't know the country at all, Birmingham is the city that Fox News said was a no-go area for white people and non-Muslims. Oops. Just to clarify, it is a really multicultural city but it's most certainly not a no-go area! It's a city that has 'taken in' a lot of people from different nationalities and good heavens am I proud of the life that has given the city, and honoured to have grown up there. During my childhood, I went to school with people who spoke no English, people who didn't speak English at home but did in school, people who were immigrants themselves, people who were children of immigrants, people from all over the place. It was wonderful because I met so many people with so many individual and cultural identities. Internationality is a beautiful thing. However, I will also be the first to admit that there are parts of the city that are not safe and (some of) these parts are ghetto type areas where people (read young adult men) of one nationality are the only people on the streets. It's odd. It's really odd. And when you've had fireworks thrown at you when you've passed through that area then you can safely say that it's frightening. It's a problem. I'm not belittling that. But it is not a problem with the EU. It's not even a problem with immigration per se but rather with security. It is a problem that needs solving. Hatred solves nothing.

The other thing that I have seen bandied around, and I'm not even going to bother myself with although it really does make me laugh in a sick way, is the whole "We didn't fight WWII to be ruled by Germany". Erm, yep, you're right. You didn't fight in a world war at all, and if you did please do recommend your anti-aging cream because you look amazing. Secondly, for all we might have been on the opposite side to Germany, we were fighting against Nazism and for peace, liberty and justice. Ask yourself which side of that battle we are, as a country, fighting now. 

"We want our country back"

This is something I've seen bedecking the UKIP posters (UKIP is a right wing party, short for the UK Independence Party, and they seem to have moved from a marginal party to quite mainstream as of late, unsurprisingly). I agree. I want my country back. My country that fought against oppression and hatred as best it could. I'm not saying we've been perfect but I am saying that we have always been better than this. Whatever the results of this referendum may be, we are the only ones who can destroy our own identity and, if we're not careful, we will do it quite thoroughly. 

So, go out and vote. It's your right. It's your civic duty. Vote for what you believe in, whatever that may be. Just make sure you're doing it for the right reasons.

Dancing in the Rain and Fighting with German

This post isn't quite as smushy as it could be in terms of content but it's likely to be pretty smushy in terms of grammar. Seriously, I am so tired/have been speaking so much German, I can't remember how to English right now! 

Keltfest

When I went to Keltfest last weekend, I was pretty determined to write a full post about it. As you can see, I have not managed to stick to that plan but, all the same, here we go! So, this year I went with the wonderful Heleen and we had a thoroughly delightful time. It's always a very early morning start to get there from my flat and, because storms where forecast, I decided to take the bare minimum (i.e. no camera) and just go to enjoy myself. And I think it's pretty fair to say that we really did have a good time. We watched William's solo set which was lovely, no surprise there. It's nice to hear a stripped back set once in a while, actually, and to sit down for it. We also watched Pyrolysis... well, I say watched... it was more "listen from a distance while attempting to keep somewhat dry". While I only discovered them about a year ago, or a little less, I have started to make a point of catching their sets because they are both generally polished and high energy. And finally, we braved the rain for Rapalje because that's basically compulsory. The crowd was, as always, so much fun. Yes, I even ended up dancing for a bit - imagine drowned rat me, with no spatial awareness, carrying a super heavy bag with mead in it, attempting to dance in a crowd.... not elegant but sure fun nevertheless!

Actually, for all Keltfest is only getting a couple of paragraphs, it's one of my favourite festivals. It's always a little quieter than the other major ones and has a really nice atmosphere. There are some wonderful stalls with handmade pieces from jewellery to the compulsory drinking horns. Everyone tends to be friendly. It's generally relaxed and all round wonderful, even if the weather leaves something to be desired! At least I didn't get hellish sunburn this year like I did last!

German

The last week has been one that I've been dreading, quite frankly. It's the (final!!!) German intensive of my degree. For those of you that don't know how my silly university works (if you do then skip this paragraph), we have to do a certain number of language levels (three) in intensive study periods. Effectively, this means you study for a month non stop and are supposed to improve a full level on the European framework, and then you take (approx) half a year out before the next intensive month. I don't know about you, but I need some time to internalise new skill based information before you pack new stuff on top making the speed of learning pretty bad.... and five(+) months is a long time to forget it all.... and I am terrified of speaking foreign languages anyway. The system might work for some people but it doesn't for the vast majority I've spoken to.

So, my German class is a class of five people, including me. We were four for a while but have settled at five now. While there is nowhere to hide, it's actually a nice number. Before starting out, I made a resolution not to care so much what everyone thinks about me and just go for it this time round, and in life in general. I spoke more German in our first class than I think I ever have. I've had my usual brain fogs a fair few times, where I panic so much that I just can't access the bits that I do know. Have I told you about that time I had a conversation with a politician using only lyrics from French songs because that's all I could remember? So yes, there have been some horrible, horrible moments in this class for me already but I do think that I am getting better.

I'm not so sure that the teacher's teaching style and my learning style gels particularly well. She seems to expect us to deduce and get a feel of how things work which is a very natural way of learning, I know, and probably the best way to do it. Indeed, it's the kind of thing I've been suggesting should be used for long term language teaching/learning in schools. However, this is an intensive course and I am not going to be able to get a feel of things overnight - I'm quite slow with skill based learning. I'd prefer it if someone actually explains exactly what's going on and why, in this context. But we all learn differently.

And.... I am a quarter of the way through!!!!

So, all in all, I think the next three weeks are going to be tough on me academically and emotionally as I am constantly out of my comfort zone. I also think I am, and will, gain a lot generally from this. I will, hopefully, learn to go for it when speaking a foreign language and that is a transferable skill that I have struggled with for many years now. I'll be pretty pleased when it's all over though ;-)

Not for facebook

I brought back the lurgy from Venice and other stories

Featuring tales of holidays, kind people, museums, and deadlines.... why are there are always deadlines?

It's been almost a month since I posted here which is kinda weird considering how often I used to write but also to be expected considering the chaos that was last month. To give a very brief summary, and as you may be able to guess from the title, I managed to get ill quite literally the evening I got back from Venice and am only just about recovered. Did I mention that it's the last week of semester this week? Finals with flu. Yeah, that's been fun. So, as opposed to multiple detailed posts we're doing another of my favourite style smush posts but, this time, with pictures (yay!) and subheadings because I recon it's going to be a long 'un!

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So, we should probably start with Venice. It was an amazing trip. Truly.

Compulsory tourist shot.

I actually traded the week long Dutch summer for an overcast Italy so this was a major sacrifice, although it did warm up for the last couple of days, and still that city is quite magnificent. There are mazes of streets, so many bridges, beautiful churches. The other thing is - and it reminded me of Amsterdam in this sense - it's painfully busy in the touristy areas but you can go just a couple of streets along and be alone. It's a magical, magical place and you can kinda see why, if a film is set in Venice, it's either a romance or a horror.

The majority of my time was spent wondering these streets getting between different churches and the odd museum which is why I actually didn't take as many photos as one might have expected. Seriously, the museums I wasn't too impressed by,  generally, but the churches... we all know I'm a religious art nerd and I was so very much in my element. We, naturally, went into the St. Mark's Basilica and, when we went in, the doors to the basilica proper were closed so, instead of opening them, we, like sheep, followed each other up this uneven mountain of stairs. Anywho, this led up into the basilica's museum, something I hadn't really been too bothered with going round. After climbing those hellish stairs we were going round that museum whether we wanted to or not!! And, frankly, I would recommend it heartily, if only because you get to see the amazing mosaics up close. The song books were also a highlight for me. The other church that made a huge impression was Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. It's a bit more out of the way but it's worth making an effort to see. I wanted to go because the altarpiece is one of Titian's and, to be honest, I was unaware of just how much art is in this building. It's exquisite. There are also some rather impressive monuments that are quite striking, the most well known being a monument to the sculptor Canova.

Came out the church to be greeted by this - sat and watched for a while.
Couldn't have planned it but what a perfect moment.

Other than churches, it's got to be said, I ate quite a lot and also spent quite a lot of time sat outside restaurants having a drink and people watching. Both my mother and I really enjoy sitting down and watching the world go by. You learn so much that way.

I also ended up meeting up with quite a few people out there. Seriously, I had more of a social life in Venice than I do back home - what is this madness? It seems that half of my university had taken a trip to the city at the same time and also, against the odds, we bumped into each other on Murano one day. I was also lucky enough to meet up with the lovely Fietje for dinner which was delightful... although the food wasn't the best and the waiter was, quite seriously, the most miserable soul I've ever come across. I tried so hard to make him smile but I failed in my attempts!

And the other person I met up with was Jacopo who quite literally turned up in the city on the first evening I arrived even though he couldn't be sure I'd know he was there because I didn't have internet. Luckily, I did pick up his message and, unluckily for him, he had to socialise with an extremely tired from traveling me! He was also so kind and saw us off at the airport. Highlight of meeting up with him, other than the fact he's a lovely chap for sure, has to be that moment where he led us over a bridge that led to a block end accidentally and, in his annoyance/embarrassment/I don't know, threw sat himself down on said bridge. And this is where the stereotypes about those southern Europeans come from, you know! Yep, I know he'll read this and I am actively teasing him right now... should probably stop! But it's so much fun!! Anyway, you can read his version of events over on his blog here, scroll down for English.... he's probably been mean about me in the Italian part knowing I can't read that ;-)

With Jacopo on the first evening in the city, featuring tourists walking in sync

I am certainly going back to Venice in the not so distant future as there is so much I want to see there. I also want to go to a few of the other cities in the vicinity so it would be nice to book out a longer trip. Trying to talk Dania and Leonoor into going with me next year and, frankly, I don't think they need much convincing. If only it wasn't so expensive!

As a bit of an aside, I ended up having a paper on Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice due just after my return so I did bits on it while I was out in Venice. I was writing, mainly, about the significance of rings in the text. I left my own ring in my hotel room. You have no idea how much struggle it was to get that ring back but seriously, I had to laugh about it!

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So, as you may recall, upon my return, I was supposed to go to see the Bosch exhibition. Well, I got struck down with the flu and that was not going to happen so I missed out. I am seriously disappointed. However, there was some bright side in that the hotel I had booked for the night before due to having such an early slot at the museum cancelled the room without charging me despite my only being able to let them know on the day of arrival and them having a 'no free cancellation policy'. And, actually, kindness was the theme of this fluey time. Thijs went and got me food and juice because I had literally nothing. Fatiya dropped me round readings I'd missed and was a complete gem as we were supposed to be preparing to lead a class together and I was messing her around so much. Other people sent me through notes without my asking them. People sent me messages asking how I was. I felt so loved. And physically a wreck but, y'know, like a loved wreck. So thank you people for looking after me <3

I also had exams and papers due during that time and somehow managed to get them all in before the deadline. More surprisingly, those that have been graded actually have high marks - higher than usual despite the fact I was writing with a candyfloss brain. I genuinely would have expected to get lower grades considering I couldn't study or think straight. What is this backwardness? Anyway, I now only have three roundtables (one of which is a paper defense - eep!) and then this semester is done and onto German. The less said about that the better. I'm so nervous I cannot put it into words.

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However, the lightening of the work load has meant that I can socialise a bit more and that means my favourite thing: Museum exploration with Dania!

Sunday, we went to the Rijksmuseum to see their Catwalk exhibition which was closing that day. As the name may suggest, this was a fashion exhibition and we'd wanted to go for some time. I have to say, it was well worth getting up early for. There was a really nice range of pieces on display and, importantly, the curation was exceptional. My particular favourite was a room with a conveyor belt (think airport baggage collection just prettier) on which manikins wearing different costumes slowly rotated in a catwalk type fashion. There were chairs where you could sit and watch the 'show' and a book attached to each chair explaining the significance of each piece. There was a seriously snazzy pair of pyjamas made to look like an evening dress too... I might have got some ideas! The highlight of the exhibition was the widest mantua in the Netherlands (over two metres wide) and there was a cardboard cut out in the lobby so, you know.... Dania forced me ;-)

I seem to be missing a neck....

And then today we caught the Spanish Master's exhibition at The Hermitage. Again, we'd planned to see this one since before it opened and, again, we caught it just as it was closing (although it's there until Sunday so if you get a moment then it's worth popping to). I wasn't so interested in this one because I've never really go that into a lot of the Spanish artists. That said, I'm really pleased I went. I actually saw a few paintings, and a few styles, that really did catch my eye and my imagination. Perhaps I need to do a bit more research into the area's art history. The other thing that I really liked about this exhibition is the fact that it was set to music. As opposed to having information given over the audioguide you had a different song/tune play that was supposed to evoke the feelings of the pieces in that area. It made it a very special experience and I kinda want the CD (while I don't think there is a CD you can listen to the music here)

Post exhibition selfie, as always!

While I've had a great time at both museums, I don't think I'm going to go to any more for a while. I fell down stairs in the Rijksmuseum and broke the exit gate at the Hermitage. Am I clumsy, cursed, or is someone trying to tell me something? ;-)

Okay, okay, procrastination over. I will get back to working on my stuff for the next two days. On the bright side, I'm definitely going to Keltfest - there's a light at the end of the tunnel!

Oh look, another smush post!

Featuring: University blegh (as always), a bit about Venice and a touch of Bosch.

As you may well have garnered from the title, this is going to be one of those all over the place, rambling posts whereby I say vaguely what's been going on without the use of (m)any pictures... and we all know that's the interesting bit! Anyway, I'll try to keep it short!

The last few weeks have been completely and utterly insane in terms of workload. I've struggled quite a bit to keep on top of things and, so far, have managed. I'm also trying to get ahead - and managing thus far - because next week I'm going away and I refuse to do any work during that time! I submitted three essays in two days over the weekend and have another three to submit before the end of the week. It's a self imposed deadline but one I really want to stick to. Of course, I'm sat here typing instead of being all academic and stuff! Then, after spring break I have a few exam icks to get through but, other than that, I will just have to focus on reading the set texts for classes. Hopefully, this will give me a few weeks where I can obsessively study for the German intensive in June because, frankly, I am terrified about it. Emphasis there to show that I am in no way exaggerating my genuine feelings.

That said, before I go on to face the terrors that late May and June may hold I have the wonders of next week which is spring break. So excited.

So, for my vaguely significant birthday last year my mother decided to impulse book me a trip to Venice. Seriously. Anyway, almost a year after booking, the trip has finally rolled around and I'm going to be off there next week (with the mother, of course). I actually visited Venice a few years ago - okay, when I was about 12 so more than a few years ago - but, since starting to study art history, I've really wanted to return and see it all again 'knowing' what I'm seeing. And yes, I may well dig a few old photos out over the next couple of blog posts. My camera was really poor then so the photos are grainy but it's amazing how much of a "Muuuuuuum... do I really have to pose on this bridge/by this piece of architecture/with this food?" feeling I give off even at that tender age!! You also start to realise where I got my "You will pose for this photo" outlook from ;-)

Prizes to anyone who realises that I still own and wear that roll neck top!

Anyway, the past aside, I'm not going to upload photos to Facebook/write blog posts until I get back and, even then, I would expect some delay because of general life chaos. I'll try to upload a couple of decent shots to my Instagram while I'm out there and keep Snapchat updated with silly/food photos WiFi permitting. I'm aware that I'm going somewhere a few of my friends wanted to go so I have to rub it in keep them in the loop  ;-)

And then, when I get back to the Netherlands I am going to catch the amazing Bosch exhibition. Super excited because he is seriously one of my favourite artists and I really had to fight to get tickets - they kept selling out. Going to be exhausted by the end of the week but I am going to have so many amazing new memories so no complaints... and a lot of scrapbooking to do, no doubt!

So, until then!



If you are wanting to stalk me in Venice or just socialise generally through the visual medium then my username on both Snapchat and Instagram is oiahavanah

I didn't want a relaxing summer anyway!!

It's all getting a little too real now! The other night I finally sat down and booked all the flights for my teaching thing in the summer.

Other than insurance they're the only part of the course that I have to fund but trust me, they were still quite the investment. But investment is the right word because, not only am I getting to learn new skills, but I'm getting to travel.

Actually, I'm going to be joined by my mother for a fair bit of this summer's travels. I managed to talk her into coming to Budapest for a few days after my placement there ends. She's wanted to revisit but various factors have meant she couldn't so this time I worked extra hard at convincing her. I also managed to talk her into coming to Castlefest again - something she enjoys but was thinking about not doing. And then she wanted to visit Krakow, where I have my final placement, so we're going to do a bit of touristing beforehand. And that's without mentioning our trip to Venice in about a month which is my belated birthday celebration.

I am super pleased that I get to travel with my mother again because it's been way too long. However, to be honest, I'm also pleased for another reason. I was absolutely terrified about traveling alone. I've traveled since before I can remember but the idea of going to a brand new place all alone and exploring solo... I don't think I'm quite ready for that yet. 

So, the long and short of it is, this summer is going to be quite the adventure!

Also, if you're wanting to meet up with me when I'm in England you should probably write to me sooner rather than later because I'm only there for a couple of weeks this time.

Who says university holidays are for relaxing? ;-)

Not for facebook

Easter in England

It's been a while so, as you can imagine, this post is likely to be a bit of a mixed bundle. In short, I've been super busy with deadlines and, therefore, have been avoiding anything unrelated. I've actually been in England for the last week too so every moment that isn't university related has been spent with family or friends. Or sleeping. Or in the bath. I really hate showers. Anyway, that aside!

The other day I managed to go to another gig. I'd wanted to catch Tracer when they played in the Netherlands but, sadly, the venue was really tricky to get back from (and Thijs was boring and wouldn't go with me!) so I figured I'd have to give them a miss. Then I saw they were playing Exeter - the area I grew up in - on Good Friday when I would just so happen to be in the country. I somehow bullied my best friend into coming with me despite not knowing them.

I had planned on meeting up with Aimee a fair bit before hand and we had both planned individually (although we never discussed it!) to get cocktails before the show. Annoyingly, I spent the entire day stuck in traffic and was super, super late. Seriously, you fly over from Amsterdam and it's the journey through Bristol that causes issues! That aside, I think we had an awesome evening!

So, my usual ramblings about the music...

The first warm up was actually a band that I'd stumbled across a couple of weeks ago (max) and been pretty much chain listening to since, Everyday Circus. They're quite a new band from Germany and their music has a really beautiful rock sound. It's got that edge that makes it stand out. I found out that they were supporting Tracer early on Thursday morning - coincidences do happen! They didn't let down with their live performance either and I will certainly be keeping an eye on further concerts. I will talk more about them in a moment.

#Exeter! You guys were awesome ❤️now #offto #aufnach #southampton #talkingheads #wftdtour it's gonna be the last show of...
Posted by Everyday Circus on Saturday, 26 March 2016

The second warm up - the band that I thought was the only warm up until a couple of days before - was Federal Charm. I'd had a quick listen to their music before seeing them, as I always try to, and I'd liked it well enough but I was generally underwhelmed. There was nothing that really caught my attention. However, live... oh my goodness what a show! There was a great energy, the music was great the musicians super talented and it was generally good fun... I've yet to try re-listening to the CDs - maybe I just wasn't in the right mindset when I tried before. Either way, I loved their set and would see them again without a moment's doubt.

Exeter thanks for making our 3rd visit to your kind city amazing. You were unbelievable tonight. We hope to see all you...
Posted by Federal Charm on Friday, 25 March 2016

And then on to Tracer - the reason I went to the show. Unsurprisingly, they were quite wonderful. You know a band is high energy when the front row moves several feet back from the front of the stage during the first song in order to ensure they don't get hit over the head with a bass guitar neck! I'm pretty sure I've already commented on the fact that Tracer is made up of very talented musicians who also happen to be lovely people, from the little I've spoken to them, so I won't go into that here. It was, as I've mentioned, Aimee's first time seeing the band and she was singing along by the end so I think that went pretty well. 

http://www.bjwok.com

Posted by Tracer on Saturday, 26 March 2016

As you can probably tell from the above, I didn't take photos myself but if you go onto the band facebooks (links below) there are photos... I look bored in most of them which I assure you was not the case!!

Meeting Tracer after the Show

After the show I went to get my scrapbook paintings signed. To start with, as usual, I only did one for the band I had booked to see (i.e. Tracer) but, after finding out that they were doing warm up, I had stayed up late to do one for Everyday Circus. Lucky I realised they were playing before turning up really! Anyway, it was so worth it because they were so sweet about the painting and, aside from that, they were lovely to talk with, polite as well as great musicians. It was a bit overwhelming for me though because, as I seem to say quite a lot nowadays, my scrapbook paintings are just little things I do for myself and when they get attention it's bizarre (in a lovely way).

Meeting Everyday Circus after the show

Yesterday, I was supposed to be at the Glastonbury Medieval Fayre but, with the weather being blooming miserable, I gave it a miss. It's a shame because I go each year but oh well. Instead I went out for a super meal. If you happen to be in the Exeter area then try The Blue Ball Inn - their food is so good, locally sourced and fresh. It's also a very reasonably priced for the quality.

After that it was the long drive back to Birmingham (where my parents live). We decided to do a bit of a scenic route through Cheddar Gorge. Seriously, that place amazes me no matter how often I see it. It's a shame how commercial it is around there though. Burrington Combe is just a bit further along and seems a little less touristy, although it is still popular.

And today I'm at my parent's house in Birmingham. I've booked flights for my next trip - this time to Venice - and I've drunk a fair amount of mead. The latter will account for any strangeness in this post! I'm now waiting for what promises to be a glorious meal to cook! Sadly, tomorrow it's back to The Netherlands and back to work.... that is, if Storm Katie doesn't cause my flight to be canceled!

And before someone comments on the above: I do really like The Netherlands, I just like my family, friends, not having to work/cook etc too ;-)


Oh and, before I forget, Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate it! And to those who don't, happy Sunday anyway <3



Information on the bands:
Everyday Circus: Website, Facebook, YouTube
Federal Charm: Website, Facebook, YouTube
Tracer: Website, Facebook, YouTube

A Very, Very Happy Havanah

featuring daytime drinking, talk of deadlines, and good news!

As I type I am curled up in my fluffiest dressing gown nursing a cup of tea. Yes, I have multiple dressing gowns and I save this one, as the newest and the cuddliest, for the specialist of occasions. Okay, now I've hyped things up a bit too much but there we go, I couldn't resist.

In town today: Dania chooses to take selfies the
second I put a spoon of ice-cream in my mouth

So, over the last few months I've been trying to find a volunteer project/internship that I can work on in order to fulfill one of my graduation requirements. It's been really difficult because, ideally, it should link with my major and finding a placement that is English and relates to literature in the Netherlands is tricky. Finding a placement in the UK that will take you for just a month but full time, even harder. Volunteer work is more flexible because it doesn't have to fit in with your major but rather benefit the local and global community. The problem is, I didn't want to do something that I wasn't passionate about. I don't want to volunteer for a cause I don't agree, more likely, with or with a charity that I feel doesn't really prioritise the needs of its target group.

Anyway, you might recall me saying that I thought I had something up my sleeve in the last few posts and, I'll be quite honest with you right away, it came to nothing. The placement would have been great and would have fitted my degree perfectly. The organisation, however, was awful. Having asked me to fill in loads of different application forms (because they asked for the wrong ones to start with), spoken with me on the phone, collected references from me etc, and after weeks of waiting on a reply... they told me the role wasn't actually a real role - the website was wrong. They wanted me to go back to square one so they could "start to process my application". We're talking about two months on from when they should have started. Anyway, I gave up on that. It's not worth the stress.

A little disheartened, I trawled the internet for something else and, while I didn't really find anything promising, I did find something.

Visits to Hard Rock Café's are more
than justified in these situations.

To cut a very long story short, I applied for a teacher training program and for a scholarship too and, much to my surprise, I actually got offered it the other day. So, as of a couple of days ago, alongside my degree, I have been starting the process of language teacher training. I will also spend a lot of the summer in various observed placements in central Europe where I will teach children between the age of 12 and 19. I have to fund my own travel to the placements (so there are a few flights to book) but other than that all training and accommodation/board is funded. I'm completely overwhelmed and completely over the moon too. I feel like this is a real opportunity to get some practical qualification alongside my, lets face it, academic to the useless degree but fascinating nevertheless degree. I'm terrified but so excited.

The only person, other than my parents, who knew that I was applying for this was Dania. Each time I mentioned it to her she kept saying: "You should do this!" Even when I was in the process of applying and had no control over whether I was going to be accepted or not, she acted like it was my indecisiveness that was stopping it from being a certainty!! Her faith in me made me feel so confident and valued though <3

Naturally, Dania and I decided that we had to go out and celebrate today so, for the second time in my life it was gin cocktails for lunch. In all fairness, it was also a rather large meal and, several hours later, I am still completely full. The ice-cream on the way back was probably not so sensible either!

Anyway, I have already rambled on long enough and I have a delightful (note sarcasm) deadline for my academic writing course tonight so I should probably go and attack it! I'm actually done but that final proof read has to be thorough!

Celtic Woman: Destiny World Tour

To say that I was looking forward to this evening is a bit of an understatement.  I've listened to Celtic Woman for some time now and have tried to see them live a few times. However, as you may be aware, I seem to be jinxed with regard to certain bands and never get to see them. One day I will manage to see Dikanda live but I digress! The point is, it's not all that surprising that my string of bad luck continued as I woke up this morning with the cold that had been pretty annoying all weekend much worse... seriously, how are sinuses capable of causing so much pain?

But nothing was going to stop Wendy and me from getting to the centre of town to see Celtic Woman perform in the rather stunning Carré!

Celtic Woman is an Irish music group who play a kind of fusion folk music. Their style really seems to change from album to album, the latest album Destiny, seems rather poppy compared to some of the earlier recordings and this transferred to the stage. They also have a rotating line up of vocalists who, despite being all female, don't really have anything in common with each other vocally meaning that you get quite a different sound depending on the current line up.

At the moment, the group consists of vocalists Máiréad Carlin, Susan McFadden and Éabha McMahon as well as fiddle player Máiréad Nesbitt who is the only one who has, I think, been with the group since it formed. They are, of course, joined on stage by a group of wonderful musicians, who I am unable to name, as well as, for this tour, a four voice male choir.

From what I've seen, admittedly only on DVD, Celtic Woman concerts are always a bit theatrical. In this case we had a projection screen which was used quite nicely with images of countryside or subtle effects. The staging was quite simple with multiple levels which was also quite nice. That said, I do have to question some of the choreography and there were moments, quite a few moment, when the dancing reminded me of a cheesy boy band or when the movements seemed completely random, without purpose or effect.

But the important bit was the music, of course. As I said, the album Destiny breaks from some of the more folk led albums and this did translate into the show. That's not a bad thing at all but was quite interesting. While there were a few songs off of different albums (Amazing Grace, Danny Boy etc.) these were the minority.

The three female vocalists have lovely voices and, they have been really carefully balanced so that each voice brings something different to the group (*). This leads to a great balance as well as a diversity of interesting tone. That said, I could write quite the tome about Éabha's voice, in particular. At times it was aspirate and gentle, certainly full of character. However, especially when she was singing solo pieces, we were treated to what may well be one of the most beautiful voices... I cannot find a way to describe it without using such clichés as "molten" and "haunting" but you know something's special when the cliché's are true!

And I really cannot forget the musicians who are not included in the "Celtic Woman" name... I always find it a bit strange that the name refers to the vocalists and Máiréad but not the others but anyway! The band in general are pretty awesome. Ray Fean deserves a special mention as a wonderful percussionist and a skilled showman as does Anthony Byrne for his bagpipe playing. Okay, I might be a bit partial to the sound of bagpipes!

So, after several years of attempting to see them I finally managed and, I think it's fair to say that it was worth the wait. Now hopefully I won't have as long a wait until next time!


(*) The male vocalists also had great voices and they sounded wonderful but as a backing choir they did get less chance to shine!

Welcome to your semesterly "this is what I'm doing" post!

Yes, yes, it's that time again. The second semester of my second year at university has just begun and I have had a week of my courses... time for me to write down what they are so that when I casually reference them later it doesn't cause such confusion.

First off is my compulsory course Advanced Research Writing or, as it used to be known and therefore how it's still called by basically everyone, Academic English II. Advanced Research Writing continues from my first semester course of Academic English I (now called Intro to Research Writing or something) and in this course we prepare to write our capstone (Bachelor's Thesis). Basically, in practice, we spend the next few months writing an article and, in groups, creating a journal in which to 'publish' the articles. Okay, it doesn't sound as soul-destroying as Academic English I and, you know, it might actually be useful this time.

I'll be honest, I felt that Academic English I was a complete waste of space so my hopes were really not high for Academic English II. I signed up for the teacher I thought would be best at teaching it and, turning up on the day, it turned out that the class was being taken by someone else. I resigned myself to months of frustration. And then I kicked myself for being so judgmental. I actually really like the teacher, probably aided by the fact that she's not simply teaching the dry course but giving it a personal spin and therefore making it feel interesting and worthwhile.

My second course is Literature and Science. As the title may well suggest, this course looks at the interaction between literature and science throughout history. Well, it starts in the early modern period but, you know, that's still a fair chunk. So far, we've mainly focused on the disciplinary conflict between the academic subjects but we should move on to look at how the two fields intermingled and inspired each other... perhaps limited too, who knows.

This course is taught by three of my favourite teachers and, as they said, with a class of around 15 (give or take as people join or drop out) what other university course would ever offer that kind of teacher student ratio! Each specialises in a different time period of literature, and I believe a different area within literary studies too, so there's a real breadth and depth of knowledge being offered. I think the reading load may be quite intense for this subject but I suppose that's one of the drawbacks of majoring in literature!

Then we have my accidental course History and Heritage of the Dutch Golden Age. I think the title of the course sums this one up. It's a study of the Dutch Golden Age (17th century) and the different things that were going on and related to it. The course covers aspects from the economy to literature, art to religion and, quite frankly, it looks fascinating. I love taking a period of time and a place and then attempting to learn about 'everything' - it's an exciting approach to history, I find.

However, I did not initially sign up for this course. One of my courses was cancelled due, I believe, to the teacher being ill and this was what replaced my art history course. So far, I feel it was a very happy mistake. The teacher of History and Heritage of the Dutch Golden Age - I really need to find a shorter title for that one - seems absolutely lovely. He's got a great sense of humour, is engaging, and seems to be genuinely interested in, and know, his stuff. He's also open to changing the course around in order to fit the desires and interests of the students and, I think, open to learning from his students. It's a wonderful attribute for a teacher to have. Oh, and another funny thing, at the moment I am the only non-exchange student in the class... not quite sure how that happened!

Finally, I am taking Political Shakespeare, something that won't be surprising to a lot of you. Again, this title is exceptionally self explanatory. The course mainly focuses on reading Shakespeare's works within the (political) context of their society. There is also an aspect of looking at how they have been used in later societies and the meanings that the works have been given or picked up and that should be interesting. It's taught by the wonderful Rebecca and, considering how much I have sung her praises in the past, I won't go into how awesome she is at teaching here but it's still the case.

Actually, I'm also taking three external modules through a distance learning program this semester. They are not counted towards my degree and I'm trying to keep it a bit quiet from the university but I'm really excited about them. Two of those are Shakespeare based and one is history based but I'll say more about those when they start, perhaps. Seriously, if I get through the next semester without wanting to chuck my Shakespeare books out of the window then I can be pretty sure I'm applying for the right courses post BA ;-)

I think including a picture of my nail art of this
week is pretty fitting at this point.

Add to this mix the fact that I've still not heard anything about my internship and this next semester is going to be a pivotal one, I think! Very, very excited!!

Holding on until this week is over

This is just an exceptionally quick post, written in panic, as my German exams approach. I'll start by saying that I'm pretty sure that I will pass... but as you know, I need to do a bit better than that and, to be honest, I'm feeling the pressure.

Tomorrow I'm presenting, in German and in front of my class, and that's something that terrifies me. Add to that the fact that it's examined. Urgh.

And then Friday we have the Final Exam of Final Examness. I managed to scrape an A- (quite literally by 0.2 %) in the last exam so I'm not too hopeful about this one. The only thing that's keeping me slightly positive about it all is the fact that, apparently, my grade was the third highest in the class. Considering I'm mentally rating myself as one of the worst in the class... it seems that I am being too harsh on myself. That said, I still need to get a good tangible mark... Oh grades how I hate thee!

Other than that, I've been attempting to arrange a community project/internship for university (we have to do a full time, four week placement to graduate) and I might have found something. Nothing is confirmed at the moment so I'm really not counting chickens but I am currently filling in my second application form and both people I've spoken to sound quite hopeful. Seriously though, this placement is super exciting so I do hope that I get it...! If not, I'm going to be panic looking, I can tell you that!

Anywho, there will be more posts soon and they will be a lot more interesting and a lot more optimistic than this one! Oh, and I will also reconnect my blog to facebook because apparently it's decided to disconnect itself... but until then

Tschüss!