Lovely times with lovely people

Yesterday I planned to go into town because I had errands to run. Sonja planned to go across town because she had to buy a bike. We decided to smush our plans together and drag Dania and Leonoor along to make a day of it.

And then the best thing happened... we woke up to snow! I have so been hoping for snow recently as I seem to keep being in the wrong country when it does snow and therefore keep missing it. Yes, I know, I'm very much a child when it comes to things like this. Annoyingly, the weather did mean that Leonoor decided to stay behind as she wasn't feeling top form and didn't want to be out in the cold and wet. We missed her but she was definitely wise as today I've been feeling absolutely awful but there we go. It was worth it ;-)

A bit worn down as this photo was taken late in the morning.
The view from my window was truly stunning at dawn.

I can't say that I managed to do what I wanted to do in town but had a great day, nevertheless. We messed around in the shops a little and spent a bit too much money for a student budget, or I did anyway. Because we've not got classes together at the moment we're having to put in a bit more effort to socialise so those times when we do manage to meet up are extra special.

Custom made magnum icecreams might not have been
100% appropriate for the weather but they were worth it!

And, as if it wasn't enough to spend the day with that wonderful duo, I finally managed to pin down The Best Friend and skype with her. I've been here for all but six months now and this is the first time I've managed to catch her on skype. Impressive.

It was a combination of madness and of chilledness. Both in our dressing gowns, we managed to call for three hours. Admittedly, that call involved me watching her make dinner but, for the most part, it was just chatting, catching up and messing around. 

The fact we're not in the same physical space will not stop my
photo taking obsession. You're never safe mwahaha.

And then I missed the Aimee. 

Oops.

A brief update

Firstly, I feel that I should apologise for being so silent for the past two weeks. Yes, it's been exactly a fortnight since I wrote a blog post although it's not been for the want of trying. Life has been busy and I've also been ill a fair bit which hasn't been so much fun but has narrowed down the amount of time available! That said there have been multiple occasions where I have sat down, meaning to type, and found myself unable. 

It's not been for want of something to write about as life has been a whirl of social and academic madness. There's been such a speed to things because of the intensive period at university and this means that life has taken on an immediacy that is daunting - indeed I have my final exam in today, a mere two and a half weeks after starting the course - but also beautiful. The moments that have been stolen away from study have been startling in the freedom they have offered. Silly things like cooking for Robbert with Dania to pay him back for teaching us to ride months ago and listening to them both sing as they attempted to give me the confidence to join in have made me, once again appreciate how lucky I am in my friends here. Slightly reckless things like going for a walk in the park late at night with Leonoor, Sonja and Dania have been wonderful moments of freedom from the never ending barreling forwardness of life and, it seems, from the rush of this city. Walking to class each morning, a little earlier than most people, having the path to myself gives me a slowness and a while for reflection where I can take in the colours of the morning sky, the crispness of the dawn, the magnificence of frost as adorns grass areas. It's little moments such as these that have given the past few weeks meaning.

However, I have also really drawn something from the course itself. In my last post, I confessed that I didn't really know what to expect from the pompously titled Global Identity Experience. Now, going into my final exam, I must admit that I'm not really sure what this course hoped to achieve. Nevertheless, it has facilitated some human connection on a profound level. As part of this course we have to undertake a group research project on a minority grouping in the Amsterdam area. My group (full of people I did not know for the most part but who have turned out to be great) decided to focus on Schiphol airport and, after some initial observations, the homeless people living at the airport. it was a great surprise to us to learn that there were any, let alone so many, homeless people living at the airport as it's not someone we naturally expect. Airports are a place you pass through, scrambling to get somewhere and you do not expect or notice those people who are outside of the rush. 

We've spoken to some people living in the airport and, in particular, one interview last Friday touched me on such a deep level. I phoned my mother when I got in and spent a few hours just talking about it and crying. To have so swiftly gained access to a person's inner life, to see the things they have survived through yet be helpless to assist - not that they would want your assistance... or pity - it was hard for me. But also what an honour. I obviously cannot write a lot about this project because I have to respect anonymity and perhaps that is something that has held me back from writing at all as it has had a noticeable impact on my life both in scheduling and emotional terms. It is something that I feel I am gaining from, however, if not as a student then as a human being.

So, this has been a very good way for me to avoid revising and, no doubt, when I get into my exam in exactly one hour I will regret it! I am so looking forward to this exam being over though so I can be ill in peace, tidy my flat, have friends round tomorrow evening, paint all weekend, finish the research project, and greet a February that is full of wonderful social and musical events. Just one exam to go!

This post is not for facebook as it's a bit of a feeling smush and is also really boring, not having pictures and all that jazz.I should probably write a proper facebook posting update soon too. Heh. Does anyone even read this bit?? 

Getting back in the swing of things!

It's been like starting again. The scary leaving home feeling, the nerves about being in the right place, not knowing in advance who's in my class etc etc. It's weird.

Luckily for me, my dad decided mother should book flights over with me; if she hadn't, my luggage wouldn't have fitted within allowance... and I probably wouldn't have been emotionally strong enough to get on the plane. It's not that I didn't want to come back here but rather that I didn't want to leave there. It's hard for me not being around my family.

Anyway, for the next four weeks I'm taking just one course 'The Global Identity Experience' which is basically all day, every day. If the course title sounds vague then I apologise (although it's not my fault) and welcome you to the world of AUC! It's a course that's a mixture of research and anthropological/sociological theory and looks at social identity and minority groupings, particularly in this age of accelerated globalisation. The course itself looks rather interesting, if the work load is a little heavy, and the teacher won me over when he suggested we may like to take our shoes off in class. For someone who regularly wears flip-flops and enjoys going barefoot... well, he's got my vote!

All joking aside, it has been great to be back and to hang out with, and catch up with, friends. Mind you, there was one scary moment last night when, mid conversation, we heard someone scratching on the door... which we also realised was unlocked. Eventually we plucked up the courage went out to see what was going on and found this message on the door:

Can you tell that I've hastily and badly edited out my room number? hehe

Sadly, it wasn't just us who were scared half to death but my next door neighbour as see was looking out the door  and Laura realised (after the event) that she was still holding a rather large knife from cutting up apple pie when she went out to explore.... oops! Mind you, as I got no sleep last night due to extremely loud music coming from that side, I don't feel too bad about it.

So yeah, thank you Robbert for the sweet message <3

Yep, I feel good to be back now :-D

Happy New Year!

Well, it's suddenly 2015 and oh my, time is going so fast. New Year's Eve was markedly better for my family than last year... we spent it at a Greek restaurant and danced into the early hours. Really good fun and a great way to spend any night, in all honesty!

Of course, I've woken up and it seems that the cold that has been threatening to attack me for the last couple of weeks has finally arrived. That's my excuse for not writing a longer blog post, anyway ;-)

Anyway, that aside:

Wishing everyone all the best for 2015. I hope that your New Year is filled with good health, joy, love and light.

Christmas Time!

As I type this my father is upstairs watching The Great Escape, which seems to be on every single year at around this time,  and my mother is in bed as she's feeling ill again this year, bless her. She was ill last year which meant that we ended up having a second Christmas day on the 26th and I keep telling her that I really don't mind doing that again this year but she feels really guilty all the same. So, tomorrow, not only do I get to see the wonderful Kim but I also get Christmas dinner with the family. Really not complaining on that account!

Other than the little blip with regard to my poor mother, I've been having a wonderful time back in England. The flight on Sunday was really easy and turbulence free, I got the really friendly gentleman at UK border control, my case arrived pretty early on the conveyor... I came out of the airport grinning like a manic ready to be met by my parents. 

In fact, on impulse, we went straight to an Indian restaurant we've been going to since I was about five years old and it really did feel like a home coming! 

No, this is not a representative British Christmas tree but it will do nicely!

On Monday, we came down to Somerset where we're staying in a little rented cottage for the Christmas period as the house up in Birmingham is still nowhere near finished. We're actually staying about four miles out of Glastonbury and, as you can imagine, I'm quite happy about that. The cottage itself is on a cider farm and we were given some bottles of their cider as part of a welcome package... as you can imagine, my dad's quite happy about that.

On Christmas Eve we always set out a load of food (that, quite frankly lasts us through most of January), and have a buffet dinner. This year was no exception so we all snuggled upstairs in a little sofa/TV nook with really nice food and Rapalje's DVD on as that kind of music is something my whole family really enjoys, albeit in different ways. It was lovely to be able to chill together, that being the best bit about Christmas.

There is no risk of us running out of cheese for a long, long while.
Some of it's even Dutch ;-)

This morning was obviously not so great because Mum wasn't feeling great but we attempted to start the day as we normally do with everyone getting dressed up and then gathering upstairs to open gifts and so on. We'd normally have a breakfast first and also take the opening of presents really slowly with mince pies on tap but that wasn't really the case this year which is a bit of a shame but more than understandable. I don't mind as long as we get to have a nice 'Christmas' dinner together at some point which everyone is well enough to enjoy.

Talking about presents, I now appear to be the proud owner of a violin. There's a jokey thing in my family, started when I got my 'cello, that I get a new musical instrument every year for Christmas or my birthday - usually something considerably less pricey, mind you. Can't say I was expecting a violin but guessing it came from a combination of my moaning about not being able to transport the 'cello and my mother's love for fiddle music. And before you ask, nope, I can't play. I do apologise to my neighbours back in Amsterdam... they're going to love me ;-)

Apparently I am learning to play whether I want to or not!
(Incidentally, I do!)

Also got given a bike puncture repair kit... I think my dad was trying to make a point there! So yeah, if you're one of my Dutch friends reading this and I get a puncture... you'll have to make good use of this kit as heaven only knows I wouldn't have an idea as to what to do!!

So that's my England-time so far. Feels so good to be back in the land of hills and with people I've known for years even if I am missing everyone else like mad. So, until my next post, whether you are celebrating, have celebrated, or are soon to celebrate any festival I wish you a wonderful time, surrounded by those you love.

Book review - 'The City and the City' by China Miéville

Rating: 2.75/5 stars

Plot:

"When the body of a murdered woman is found in the extraordinary, decaying city of Beszel, somewhere at the edge of Europe, it looks like a routine case for Inspector Tyador Borlú of the Extreme Crime Squad. But as he probes, the evidence begins to point to conspiracies far stranger, and more deadly, than anything he could have imagined. Soon his work puts him and those he cares for in danger. Borlú must travel to the only metropolis on Earth as strange as his own, across a border like no other."

-from the novel's blurb

Review:

For an inhabitant of Besźel there is one main rule, do not notice your neighbouring city of Ul Qona. The problem? The neighbouring city is not neighbouring at all but physically in the same space, differentiated by cultural aspects such as architecture, clothing, gait. If you live in Besźel, you quickly learn not to see the other city because to do so would be to invoke the mysterious powers of Breach... and to disappear.

A body left in Besźel. Tyador Borlú is given the job of investigating the crime. However, this leads to him getting caught up in an investigation which seems increasingly tangled in a web of politics, cover-ups, and even mythology, by the moment. With the amount at stake growing by the moment, and Tyador becoming more and more personally involved in the case, he is forced to travel to the Other city to attempt to solve the mystery. However, there are forces at work above and beyond the police and solving this case may not be as easy as it seems.

The premise is strange but profound. Although the murder and the surrounding details make up the plot line, it is the concept of the overlapping cities, and the rarely seen but always present Breach, that truly dominates this piece. From that point of view, it was fascinating. Miéville has constructed a world that obeys these strange rules out of fear but also without mental questioning as to why. There's sense that things must be this way but no explanation. In this way, and from the context from which I read this novel, it highlights the futility and stupidness of our own racism and social structures. The novel takes to the extreme the way in which we as humans will attempt to 'not see' groups that are different... just because.

However, it is also this location which makes the book difficult. The hundred pages or so, for me, were a whirl of fighting with place names, people names, concepts. While the instability with regard to names was probably intentional, it made the piece a lot harder to get into.

The plot itself, and the murder case, was twisting and winding. You felt the frustration of police on both sides as they were offered tiny leads yet hit walls at every turn, both in their own city and because of the other city. However, it was also hard to follow some of the link ups. Towards the end it rather felt like Tyador had some Sherlock Holmes-esque epiphanies that us mere mortals could never achieve. In the background of this otherwise gritty and realistic-ish book, that really stood out to me.

I did, however, struggle with this book more generally. The style wasn't my cup of tea. The pacing didn't work for me. The characters and the plot - fascinating. Sadly, I just never fell into the tale and so the amazing work that was obviously contained in this novel had much less effect than I had hoped it would.



The City and the City is available in both Kindle and Paperback format from Amazon... and hardback if you want to pay a tonne!




I read this book for my Cities and Cultures class and therefore scheduled this review to post after the course finished so there was no risk of self plagiarising should I have been called to write on it!

Musings on the film 'Synecdoche, New York'

Synecdoche, New York is the kind of film I would not normally choose to watch but, as it was part of my Cities and Cultures class, I simply had no choice. Actually, the premise itself sounds really interesting as it's about a theatre directer who, in his desire to create a piece of art that is essentially true, creates a replica of New York in a warehouse. He populates his city with doubles of people he has seen around, people he knows, and even himself. As such, the reality of life is revealed... or that's kinda the idea.

If I was watching this film as a casual thing, I would not have got beyond the first few minutes. The scenes are shot and jumpy, deliberately disorientating. It almost impossible to become attached to characters who are either fundamentally flawed or shown from such a skewed angle. Scenes are excruciatingly mundane or absurdly disturbing and there's no real middle ground. It would be very easy to just stop watching.

So, from that viewpoint, I would not recommend this film at all. What I would recommend, however, is watching the last 15 minutes or so of the film. Without including spoilers it's hard to explain the context or contents but the ending of the film is profound. I didn't enjoy the thing but the ending had me in tears. I showed it to my mother who hadn't watched the rest of the film. It had her in tears. There's something vulnerable and human shown in these last few minutes, something that is lacking from the rest of the film. It's not fun watching but if you fancy a few minutes of depression then this bit'll do the trick!

However, as I said, this was a film that was included in one of my courses which meant that I looked at it from an academic view point as well as a casual view point. While, as a casual watcher I was totally turned off, the film provides so many interesting features that can be expanded to give deeper meaning, to explain why it feels disorientating, to do so many things. It might not be to my taste but this film is certainly a masterpiece in its own way.

If you're interested then it's probably worth googling some of the trivia around it but of particular interest to me:

• The book/plays mentioned within the film - what do the themes of those texts add to the themes of the film? 
• The use of time references within the film. Although you may not notice a progression of time, try and work out when each thing takes place and be aware it's not so simple! The first scene has a different time/date referenced every few lines. The time in the final scene of the film is one minute on from the time of the opening scene. It's really playing with this concept and it's an interesting device!
• People's names also may give extra insight into aspects of the film.

There are loads of other things but those were aspects that I particularly enjoyed spotting, and also used in my writing on the subject!

So, while Synecdoche, New York may not have been my favourite film ever - quite the opposite - it was an interesting piece of art. And anyway, I got a really good grade writing about it so I guess I can't complain ;-)

This piece was written about a week after watching the film. I scheduled it to post after finishing the course so that I was not in a position of accidentally plagiarising myself if called upon to write around the piece!