Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Defining Moments

A few years back, well more than a few quite honestly, I had a teacher tell my parents I would be lucky to graduate high school. Thankfully my mother is still here and not sitting in jail for pummeling the teacher for making that statement about a fifth grader. As I stand on the cusp of finishing another degree, yes I said another, I've thought long and hard about that statement made many years ago.

I've read in a number of different places about defining moments in our lives. Moments that cause us to stop and either change our focus for the better or choosing to remain in the same place. For me knowing this was a defining moment in my life. I decided then as a fifth grader I wouldn't let her be right. I mean after all what did she know? She didn't know me, my family, or the kind of headstrong person I am. Most importantly she didn't know the kind of determination I can have when encouraged. After that I will admit I pretty much blew her off as a teacher. How could you respect someone who was willing to write you off at such a young age? I mean I was no angel in school but she sat me a table full of boys- what was she expecting tea parties and frilly dresses?! Heck no! It was fart jokes, fart noises and plenty of playground shenanigans. 

Her words stuck with me though, kind of like the shoulder angles from Emperors New Groove. There are always shoulder angels, one telling you to do the right thing and the other who pretty much wants you to blow everything off in favor of screwing around and doing nothing. Well I will admit that fun one he won sometimes. I mean you need some fun in your life! But my fun I will say normally involved making up street names for the sidewalks on the base and pretending to build houses from pine needles. (We were poor kids living on a base with two working parents living several hundred miles from home, our imagination was our greatest gift from my parents.) However, most of the time though it did mean working a little bit harder, pushing myself that much more for the grades to prove her wrong. She wouldn't win that battle, I wouldn't let her. 

Ultimately I did graduate high school. And college - twice. For a third time I will walk across the stage and receive my degree, this time for my master's degree. It's been a long and hard fought road. Nothing came easy or was handed to me. I think back over the time I've dedicated to school and even though the wiser shoulder angle won and I spent more time in the books and library. So in the end I didn't let her statement define me, I defined her statement. We're each face those defining moments in our lives. It is our choice though to let someone else define our capability or for us to break out of their box and follow our own path. 

Life lived amongst gold

There has always been one place in France I never really put much stock in seeing. Not that I didn't think Versailles was of importance, but I never really had this huge overwhelming desire to see the chateau. There were others I found much more interesting, like Vaux le Vicomte. You might remember Vaux as being the place that some celebrity had a wedding that lasted a hot minute, but I prefer to think of this place as the testing grounds for the likes of Charles le Brun before being roped into working on Versailles.                        

It's a busy place!

Plans changed though and we ended up on the train to Versailles after discovering getting to Giverny wasn't going to happen. (Think the first Spiderman movie where he said to get to the neighborhood he had to take a train, two buses and a taxi. It's tricky from Paris to Giverny.) I can't say much about the train ride to Versailles as I slept the entire time, both ways. :/ Fail on my part, it was the countryside which according to my dad was beautiful. Fail.


Recently recovered in gold leaf.
 As you can see it was another one of those steely gray days. Nice and overcast with some humidity going on that wasn't great. And the chateau isn't air conditioned so that wasn't so much awesome either. You'd get hot then cold then hot then... you get the drift. You can also see it's a busy place. Even in September when we went it was still busy. The queue to get the tickets wasn't too bad and I will say they had a free public facility so that was nice at least. 


Front courtyard where you entered.
 There are some interesting nooks and crannies of the chateau. I spent much of my time inside wandering through. I figured I was there I might as well enjoy it and see as much as possible. Big mistake. I needed about a month or two to really see everything. I have so many pictures from here. And there are some really surprising details, like an entire chapel being inside. It's massive too. You can barely make out all the detail on the organ in the back. You don't get to go inside the chapel, which was a bummer because the ceiling was beautiful.

Chapel inside Versailles. Yes an entire chapel. 
 There were two courtyards on the backside you can see from some of the windows. They actually opened the windows on the second floor (or maybe the third floor) to allow for some air flow. We were there in September so there were still some flowers blooming.

Gardens from inside the house.
Say what you will but Louis XIV had a healthy ego. No worries about self esteem issues here. His likeness is all over the place. Hard to escape him.

He had a healthy ego.
Everything was dripping in gold. Seriously all the ceilings were like the ones above. And the walls were just as ornate. Obviously you can't really touch them, but to stand so close to them was incredible. The amount of money put into Versailles is astounding and when you see it in person you really know where it all went- gold.

Ceiling in one of the rooms. I'm thinking of doing this to my apartment.
 There are a few interior courtyards. To think people used to walk to and fro here is kind of mind boggling. I couldn't quite wrap my head around living in a place this big. Although when you're fighting with someone it would be handy because well you don't have to leave to not see them!

One of the several interior courtyards.
I finally made my way outside. We had separated since we all had different interests. You can rent a golf cart to drive around the grounds. I was tempted, but alas I wasn't going to spend the euros on a golf cart and miss something. Hind sight I should had because I missed seeing the gardens.

Backside of the chateau leading to the gardens.
This is the view from the top of the stairs. I was bowled over by the sheer size of this place. You think you understand it when you read about Versailles and when you see some pictures, but it is astounding to stand at the top of the stairs and look out and still not see half of the place. It's amazing. I was only able to cover a small portion. If you walk down towards the first fountain and turn right you go into an entirely different section. It was incredible.

That's all water out there and leads to the more extensive gardens.
After seeing Versailles my opinions changed. I would go back again in a heartbeat to see some of the places I missed. There are so many different facets to the entire place and the town is equally interesting. If you ever find yourself in France it's worth the visit to see Versailles.


Monday, July 30, 2012

Buckingham Palace

I went to Buckingham Palace. I just like to throw that around now. "You know that balcony, well it reminds me of the one at Buckingham Palace." or "Hmm that carpet just reminds me of Buckingham Palace." Or (and this is my favorite one) "Yes Catherine's dress was indeed amazing, but you really don't get to see how amazing until you see it up close. Like I did. When I went to Buckingham Palace." Yeah see they just don't get old!

I have to tell you getting to see Buckingham was quite an issue. I being the intelligent person I am reserved a space for mom, sister and I to visit. I was proactive! It was awesome! I scheduled it for 10 am in the morning and our plane was scheduled to land at 8:30 am at Gatwick, about 30-40 minutes north of London. So much for pro-activity!I did an immediate faceplam when I realized this. Thankfully our flight landed at 8:00 am and we were a little ahead of schedule. Getting there was still difficult in that we had to manuever five people through customs and on the train down to London and then to our hotel. It was touch and go there for a little while.

But we arrived, after some creative driving from our cabby (who was AWESOME!), in one piece to the palace. Then we had to race around the to side where you entered all to find out we could have been a few minutes late and still gotten in. SO I could have changed into real shoes and brushed my teeth rather than showing up looking like some poor slob who had thrown herself off a plane, onto a train, onto the tube, into a taxi and off onto the streets. I also could have used some real shoes instead of flip flops. My feet hurt after that excursion. But it was worth it. It was so worth it. I will say I have not a single interior picture, they don't let you take any. These were some of the first pictures I took of the entire trip.

The back of Buckingham. There is a small restaurant out here.

Tops of the lights. Look closely, it PINK!

Another shot of the back. It was a beautiful day.

Front fence. It doesn't move, found that out later.

Again, more lions. Symbol in England.

Detail on the front gate

More fish with the lamps

The aforementioned balcony. SO. FREAKING. COOL!

Detail work in one of the pediments up front.

Crest on the gates

Gate which leads into the courtyard. 

Trafalgar Square



Our first full day in London was an experience that ended in the famed Tragalgar Square. I love the sky in these pictures. It was shortly after the rain moved through and left us with this beautifully crystal clear blue. You can see a hint of the clouds as they moved out in the background of this one. It was stunning to see in person I must say. I love the sky after rain has moved through. It just looks clean.





 I told you there were lions everywhere. There are four around the base of the monument. I had a sucker of a time getting one with all the people around.





This was a family vacation, the five of us actually were able to coordinate our schedules and jump on a plane! It was awesome to share it with them. We're a close knit group and since none of us are married we tend to still vacation together when we can.


                                                      I just liked this fountain. It was cool.





I can't remember who this is a statue of, but honestly I took it more for the architecture behind him.... I have a problem. But it's okay.




Another shot of the fountains. With the cooler temps and the fountain spray it was quite chilly. My little cardigan was working overtime.





The National Gallery is in the background. We wanted to go, but just ran out of time. I want to go back and see it though.

London's Streets

After years of false starts I finally made it to London. I have a huge obsession with the city and to say I was in hog heaven really doesn't do my excitement justice. I was in love. I have 1100 pictures from 3 days. Not even kidding. I'm a little bit obsessed with architecture though. Broken pediments and Corinthian columns! Oh my heart swells at the thoughts. So seeing as this sort of started out as a travel blog I figured I would share with you some of my favorite street shots from London. 



I couldn't resist the picture of the Canadian embassy. I had just represented Canada at my last MUN conference as a delegate. Holds a special place in my heart.




Can't remember where this was taken, but I just loved it!




A monument near the Tower of London. The sky was blue when we went into the Tower and a steely gray when we came out. It rained- shocker in London I know!





These were the lamp posts near the London Bridge and by the London Eye. They were AWESOME in person. Loved them.





Lions were all over the city. I cannot remember where this one was located. But it was somewhere in London. Hey I never claimed to be a geographer!



It's the little embellishments that make the difference.



I can't remember where this was taken, but I just liked it.




Random building. But I love the domed roof next to the mansard style roof. LOVE!
 This is a World War II memorial over looking the River Thames near Big Ben. It was really cool and for a family that LOVES history (two of us have a B.A. in History) we couldn't pass up getting some shots of this.

My dear sweet goofy mother couldn't leave London without a picture of herself in one of the phone boxes. And with Big Ben poking out in the distance and the street closed off for a cycling race we stopped here for the shot. She was so excited. I love her.

Dixie, it's not just a brand name





So the other day I started watching that CW (I KNOW! Don't judge me) show Hart of Dixie. I'm a sucker for a TV show set in the south, even though they rarely get things right in how southern towns look. I've lived in the South nearly my entire life, minus the 4 years on Cape Cod and the 4 years in D.C. and honestly I don't see myself living any place else. Sure I love to go visit and quite honestly when the temps get up there and the humidity is nearly 100% I'd enjoy living in say Alaska, but otherwise I'm quite content with living in the south. I know we have our fair share of the issues and sure we're not perfect, but then again who really is perfect? Besides perfect is not something you can define, it differs from person to person. Seriously though, I love being from the South. And on a good day my accent isn't nearly that thick y'all. 












Tuesday, July 24, 2012

The Great Wall of China


I've been thinking about this trip for a few days now, especially considering the heavy rain Beijing is experiencing and remembering the time spent in the city. Looking back on my life I will forever be grateful for this experience of standing on the Great Wall of China. I never imagined I would have the chance. Sure I had thought one day I might stuff myself onto a tiny tin can and fly clear across the world for the chance of seeing such a structure, but come on I'm terrified of flying and that thought quickly left my mind. I'll leave the sordid thought of how long it too and the pains endured leading up to the trip and instead look through my rose colored glasses at the time and think fondly of the history in which I was fortunate enough to partake. 

                                          



















                                                                        


I must say too these are my sister's pictures {she's the one in purple above} because sadly much of mine were ruined by some issue my camera was having that day. Also ruined some pictures for the botanical gardens, which were not in bloom so I wasn't missing much. 

                   
 


I was a history major once upon a time in college. Actually have the degree but through other twists and turns went a different route after graduation that resulted in another undergraduate degree and in a few months my master's degree. But that's a whole other story. We went to a section of the wall that is not the typical tourist section. Thank heavens too because there are sections that are steep and you just don't want to have a whole crowd of people behind you! You can see some of the detail work. It was breathtaking. We were up in the mountain in the cool March weather and there before us stretched the Great Wall. We'd had the chance earlier in the time to see a few other sites I'll blog about later, but this one, this place, made the entire process and journey melt away and seem much more worthwhile. 

                                   

It is quite up there, not too many people moving about as you can see and we're far enough from the highways and roads to really hear much of anything. So it's you and your thought. You, the wall and the trees. And for a few moments you're stunned to silence. For a few minutes you give yourself over to thinking about what the wall represented and how long construction took and you are in utter awe it still stands today. We were in a section that had previously seen some repair work. There are entire sections falling apart and no one is allowed on those parts, but for the majority of the wall much still stands and remains today. The history side of me squeed with a child on Christmas morning. I was so excited. The political science part of me thought towards the countless names and faces who ultimately built the wall and the protection something like this would provide. The public administrator in me marveled they were able to accomplish so much but realized the lengths taken were not always ethical or just. But those are all discussions for later dates and times. For now I'll recall the journey again through rose colored glasses and hug the ground a little more knowing I don't have to climb in that sky bucket again! 

  

Obsession of the week...well my life really


I have what others would construe as a problem, but I'm quite content and happy with my problem. It's a comforting problem, something which when I'm having a bad day perks me right up and makes things just a little more colorful and bright. I'm comforted by the sharp lines, the slight breeze from fanning out the colorful pages, the sounds of a nib scratching against a sheet of acid free paper or little metal bits coated in plastic and stuffed into a cute little see through container with a metal rim. Yes folks my obsession for office supplies is well documented and while others might plan an intervention I can tell you it won't take. One. Bit. I LOVE my office supplies. I'm like a junkie I have to sometimes deliberately tell myself that the store is closed so I don't give into the need for just one more stack of post its or one more sheet of labels. {I love labels. LOVE.} The object of my affection though are pens. And not just any pens. I love and adore teeny tiny pens with metal nibs that scratch against the paper with such  a lovely noise it makes my heart flutter.

Crazy I know this pen obsession. It's really not a shocker though, I've had a love of pens since I was a child. I remember being in grade school and getting some of those RSVP pens in purple. I loved those pens. I had terrible handwriting growing up, but with those pens in hand I had grand images of lovely flowing handwriting in perfectly executed cursive. I would get notes about my handwriting and no one wanted to read the bubbly handwriting of a fifth grader. Enter the journal. In my journal it didn't matter how horrible I wrote. Those pages were a sacrament for my eyes only. I wrote in just about everything growing up. Composition notebooks, spiral {I shudder to think how many spiral notebooks I've used over the years}, actual journals and random notebooks purchased here and there. I still have many of those journals. I look back now and laugh at that horrible handwriting and the petty things in life that have no meaning now but were mountains back in the day.

Today my pen tastes have been slightly sharpened and refined. When we went to China I was a basket case because of the horribly long flight {15 1/2 hours!} and the one thought I clung to was the desire for new pens. It took some searching and eventually I settled on a number of different pens from one of the shops on the PKU campus in Beijing.

Why the hope of purchasing new pens? Why would something a simple as plastic, metal and ink make me so happy? Well I'll be happy to tell you! You see I am obsessed with teeny tiny pens. My current favorite is the Pentel Slicci .25.

Pentel Slicci Gel Ink Pen - 0.25 mm - Midnight Blue Ink - PENTEL BG202-CA
Pentel Slicci .25 a thing of beauty
My slicci's are the best. I love them. I write small and fast {decade in college will do that to you} and these pens keep up. They've taught me a lighter grip on the pen and now my little chubby fingers fly across a page with these beauties in my hand. I sincerely blame a good friend of mine for turning me on to these tiny pens. She had recently returned from a mission to South Korea and had a number of little pens that she so graciously gave to me. I've been hooked ever since on the Korean and Japanese style pens. I am also a fan of the Hi-Tech C as well as the Pilot G-2 in .38, both provide that lovely scratch and don't drag against the paper. There is nothing worse than a pen that skips and drags across the paper leaving clumps of ink behind. Nightmares!

Pilot Hi-Tec-C Gel Ink Pen with Grip - 0.4 mm - Black - PILOT LHG-20C4-B
Hi Tech C .3
Pilot G-2 Gel Ink Pen - 0.38 mm - Blue - PILOT G23--BLU-BC
Pilot G-2 .38
                                                 

To say I love my pens is a understatement. Seriously I've just written an entire blog post about my love of pens. Also note that I'm highly protective of my pens. I only allow certain ones out of my possession. I flat out refused to loan someone a pen I know I will never see again. I have a few I don't even like to use except on special occasions and I have pens for different times and places. Those slicci's are reserved for my scriptures because of their size and smooth writing. I have some that are only for school or work and some that are just for a personal note. I know what you're thinking, I'm off my rocker, and if I were outside looking in I'd think something similar. But alas I'm inside looking out and say hands off my pen! :)

{All of these pens can be found on line at: www.jetpens.com or www.tokyopenshop.com. Both sites are fantastic in their own rights!}

P.S. Here is a shot of my real pen case with all the craziness. This is only one of several as well!

My pens. A a photobommer Mickey!