Tilbage til København for Vinterferie

With my plane touching down in Copenhagen on the 14th of December, I had a feeling of relief that I really did get to return, and only cozy or hyggeligt thoughts about my trip. I was coming back to Copenhagen for the purpose of thesis research on Danish politics, but I also knew I was coming back because I wanted to. I simply couldn’t pass up the opportunity to return, and so I had purchased a return ticket.

The thing I had been most excited for about my trip is getting to spend time with my host parents. Having lived with my host family from August 2010 to May 2011, Ole and Birgitte are truly family to me. As such I had really missed them when I was back in the States.

The first full day back in Copenhagen I managed to fit in going to some of my favorite sites like King’s Garden, Amalienborg, Nyhavn as well as a stroll along Strøget absorbing some Christmas cheer. One of the things I love about Copenhagen in the wintertime are the decorations; the lights, stars, hearts, and greenery. The whole city looks extremely festive and with no one being overly cautious, one constantly hears Glaedelig Jul (Merry Christmas).

That evening, the 15th of December, we went to Tivoli in order to see the Crazy Christmas Cabaret. If you remember my post from last year, this is a yearly comedy show done in English with bits of Danish thrown in. The show was quite good this year, and I felt that I was almost constantly smiling. After such a busy, and stressful semester back in Virginia this was a perfect start to my winter break.

Tivoli, the charming amusement park which hosts the Cabaret, was, as per usual, quite pretty with Christmas decorations. Complete with a Santa Claus, and some live reindeer, Tivoli ensures that one will not forget what time of the year it is.

 Glaedelig Jul !

Vi Ses!

This fall is my last fall in Richmond (at least as a University student). Therefore I made sure not to miss the annual Richmond Folk Festival which occurred in October. On the 15th of October, I headed out with two great friends to immerse myself in one of the uniquely Richmond experiences. From wandering the rows of the craft fair, to hearing the warm beats of folk, and indulging in the infamous American Funnel cake, we had a great time.

The unique setting of the Folk Festival lends an air of Richmond's rich history to the Festival.

Here we are with our infamous Funnel cake with blueberry topping!

Whether due to the company or the festival, it was a great evening spent off campus, in the city of Richmond.

Until next time!

Proclamation & A Letter From My 17 Year Old Self

I have talked before about some of the traditions at the University of Richmond. Being a University with a coordinate college system, Richmond College for men and Westhampton College for women, we are able to maintain some traditions unique to our separate colleges. For Westhampton College, one of the traditions is that of Proclamation. Technically a closed off ceremony involving only those women in their first and fourth year, Proclamation is a well known event on our campus. With 350 women wearing white dresses and 350 women wearing black graduation robes, it would be hard for the entire campus not to know about Proclamation.

In this candlelight ceremony which takes place in our Chapel, the new students are accepted into the college and pledge to a code of honor, as befitting a Westhampton student. Yet the most memorable part of the ceremony, which inevitably brings out a myriad of emotions for the fourth years, is a letter. The first year women write a letter to themselves, talking about dreams, expectations, hopes, and their initial reflections upon the new chapter in their lives, which is University. These letters are sealed and gathered up, until the year comes where it is that first year woman in white's turn to done the black robes of a senior and participate once more in the ceremony of Proclamation.

That leads us to this year, particularly the date of September 18th, when it was my turn to done the black robes, and proceed with my dearest friends into the chapel to accept the new class, and ... read my letter.

Not only were we anxious about knowing the contents of our letters, but we were all reminded of the fact that we will soon graduate and leave this University. Some may view Proclamation as the beginning of the end for our time at University of Richmond, but I refuse to frame it as such. It is, in my interpretation, a sign that a new beginning - our lives beyond Richmond - will soon commence. There are so many possibilities out there, that I see it as impossible not to be optimistic about the future.

Funny enough, it is with a similar attitude that I wrote to myself during my first year at University, 9 days before my 18th birthday. After reading my letter I felt happy. The words written on that page were from a girl who truly did not know all that her University experience had in store for her, yet knew that in many ways her life was going to change. The words I had written were oddly (since it is from myself) motivating, reminding me of things that I knew I did not want to forget. To live and to love were the messages in my letter, and to no matter what, follow my heart. As I decide upon the path that my life will follow after my time at University of Richmond I will hold this at the forefront of my thoughts, for a happy heart is a happy soul, and what else does one want from life.

First Football Game of the Year!

When one comes back to one native country after so long away, one notices "the culture", the unique traditions and things that one never noted as significant before. Such has been the case for me, particularly since returning to University of Richmond.

One of the things I now identify as definitely being symbolic of the U.S. is the hype around a football game(By football game, I mean American Football). I had never before put much thought into the concept of a "tailgate" or saying the pledge of allegiance before the beginning of the game. This time around, my perception is different, and I realize the significance.

On the 10th of September University of Richmond played its first home football game against Wagner. Wanting the whole "American" experience a mixed group of domestic and international students got together for a "Tailgate" consisting of hot dogs, cheese burgers, chips, and good company.

This was a great way to get everyone in their full Richmond spirit before heading to the game. By the time of kick off we were all excited to cheer on the Spiders!

University of Richmond Spiders (our Football team) won the game, so it was a triumphant start to the new football season.

Until Next Time!!

The President at University of Richmond

On September 9th, the University of Richmond was honored with the presence of the President of the United States. No matter what your political affiliation, to have the President of the U.S. speak at your University it is a Big Deal.

The news broke on Wednesday the 7th, when the White House officially announced the visit. What is hilarious is that I, being extremely busy with all my classes and jobs, walked into class that day having no idea that anything was different than the day before. When the person sitting next to me said that Obama was going to grace us with his presence within two days time, I simply didn't heed the comment, thinking of it as some sort of bizarre sarcasm. Why would Obama come to University of Richmond? Needless to say when I received the email notification of the visit, I cleared my schedule for the 9th so that I could go to see my President.

The morning of the visit I got a call from a friend, three and a half hours before the event, telling me that the line was spanning the campus, and was already across the lake from where the event would be held. After reaching the end of the line (which really was across the lake) we waited for several hours in order to finally enter the stadium where the President was to speak.

Despite the long wait it was worth it. To see the President of the U.S. run into your University's stadium with his shirts sleeves rolled up, seemingly excited to be there, is truly a unique experience.

Though I always have known life to be unpredictable, this was something that, even expecting the unpredictable, I did not think would happen during my time at the University. The speech he gave that day was on Economics, based off of an address to the nation he had given the night before. And as always, President Obama was a fantastic speaker.

Even after the motorcade zoomed off with the President within it, the whole thing seemed surreal.

Well, like I have always maintained, life is a collection of adventures; this being a superb one for my final year at the University of Richmond.

Until the Next Adventure!

Westhampton College RA Induction

University of Richmond is an amazing school. With a friendly atmosphere and challenging classes it is no wonder that I still like my choice of University years later. One of the things that contributes to this familial atmosphere is the division of the University into two colleges; one for men, one for women. Within both colleges there is a rich history of traditions.

Within Westhampton College, the women's college, one of the traditions is an induction ceremony for those on the Residence life staff.  This ceremony presented itself as a perfect opportunity to shed some light onto my life since returning back to the United States, and in particular Virginia.

The flower of Westhampton College is the Daisy, which in this case was used to represent our commitment to the College. With all due formality we annually line the wooden bridges on either side of the gazebo with daisy carrying Westhampton women.

As a part of the ceremony, after having lined the bridges we, one by one, throw a daisy into the lake with the words, "I commit." These two words signify our commitment to our jobs both as Resident Assistants, and as life long students of Westhampton College.

With our daisies floating on the surface of the water, the new academic year has begun for the Westhampton RAs at the University of Richmond.

And that my friends is a glimpse into the life of a Westhampton College Resident Assistant.

Until Next Time!

Natasha

Back to Virginia!

As is usually the case now, a few weeks after arriving back home in Sarasota, I again packed up for another destination. This time the destination was familiar, and thus the packing was somewhat easier. I was excited to return back to University of Richmond for my final year; excited to see friends and excited for what the year will bring.

Returning back to campus before other students, we RAs had our first excursion away from campus on the 9th of August. For the Westhampton College RAs, (the women's college at University of Richmond) we went to Maymont, which is an American estate bequeathed in order that it become a park that all can visit.

Despite having studied in Richmond for several years I had never before gone to Maymont. With a plethora of secluded gazebos, and flower trellises, it is not surprising that many people from Richmond choose this spot for photographs of special occasions, or for the special occasions themselves.

We were there to do exactly that, take RA photographs for the coming year. These photographs are displayed throughout campus, so it was quite nice having the ambiance of Maymont.

Here we all are in the true Westhampton spirit! 

I hope that my remaining time at the University of Richmond is full of as much laughter and enjoyment as that afternoon in Maymont. With the support and love of my Family(though they are a far distance away), as well as the Friends who never fail to brighten up my day; I am sure that the coming months will be full of times like these.

Until Next Time!

Natasha

Home!

After calling Copenhagen my home away from home since August, it was time to leave and go back to the United States. Though, of course, this moment was very bitter sweet, it will be nice to be back in Sarasota, Florida for the summer.

Having been born and raised here, the feel of the sun on your skin, the humidity in the air, and the smell of salt water is somewhat comforting.

Though it may sound cliché, I hold the view that home is where the heart is. The people make the place; which is one of the many reasons why I love Copenhagen and feel at home there.
However, I can not deny that being back in the same town as my Parents, Brother, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and two Grandparents lets me know that I am, after all my travels this year, home.

I have decided to continue my blog. Though it will not involve as much traveling, I hope that you will still come here to read about my adventures.

Until Next Time!

The Infamous Tower of London

When I knew that Michael and I would be stopping by London on our way back to the U.S., I knew that one of the days would be spent solely at the Tower of London. With such a rich history (it was founded in 1066) and the sheer size of the Tower complex, it was quite easy for Michael and I to spend the entire day of the 8th inside the Tower walls.

(The Tower from the outside.)

(Two Yeomen who still guard the tower, still subjecting guests to the many horrors of the tower.)

If these walls could talk, the story would be horrific, telling of doomed souls who entered the tower with their only exit being an escort up tower hill to the execution block. Though some of the Tower's prisoners did live to tell of their time there, the Tower has an infamous reputation and for good reason.

Walking over what was once a moat filled with lions, and continuing past the multitude of gates leading into the interior of the tower complex, one can not help but cringe. With the Bloody Tower and Traitor's Gate being the first things one sees upon entering, one can not help but think of the role this tower played in the loss of so much life.

The above picture is of the Traitor's gate. This water entrance into the Tower had actually been originally built as a mode of entry for the King, but came to be used as a mode of bringing prisoners of high importance into the prison. To enter in this way one must have passed under the Tower bridge, which displayed the heads of other 'traitors'. Needless to say it must have been an almost torturous way to enter a prison from which you might not leave alive. This gate acquired its colloquial name of the Traitor's Gate during the rule of the Tudors when it was extensively used. Queen Anne Boleyn, Sir Thomas More, and Queen Catherine Howard were amongst those forced to use this entrance.

During our visit at the tower an acting troop put on a dueling demonstration on the South lawn. Though it was slightly historically inaccurate since a duel ever having taken place within the tower is highly unlikely, it was fun to watch.

The entire time we were in the tower we were constantly learning. We both had known a significant amount about the Tower of London before going there (I had also been there before), but with a place such as this it seems impossible to not learn something new.

The above picture is of a Royal Chapel that had been constructed in the White Tower to provide the Monarch and the royal family with a private chapel. Due to her royal status, this is the place where Lady Jane Grey (the uncrowned Queen executed at the age of 16) spent the night before her execution praying. Like I have previously said one can not help but to feel a sense of despair when you are standing in such a place.

And if one had not already felt the anguish of the Tower's prisoners, go to the Tower Green where the Yeoman will tell you of the private execution spot of the privileged prisoners, such as Baron William Hastings, Queen Anne Boleyn, Countess Margaret, Queen Catherine Howard, Viscountess Jane Boleyn,  Lady Jane Grey (the 9 days Queen), and Earl Robert Devereux. They were all buried in the Chapel Royal of St. Peter Ad Vincula, along with over one thousand other bodies of 'influencial' prisoners, many of which can not be identified.

The Tower of London is a must see, but be prepared for shivers down your spine as the Yeomen tell you the Tower's tales.

The Tower of London was our last major stop in London during our trip, and I must say it was a powerful conclusion. Michael and I really enjoyed London; Michael is already talking about what we will do when we come back to this great city.

Cheerio!!

A Day at the London Eye and Westminster Abbey

Walking around London it is hard to miss the looming ferris wheel like structure in the background. Having caused a significant amount of controversy when first constructed (people were worried about the look of the London skyline), the London Eye stands today as one of the biggest (Definitely the Tallest) tourist destinations in London.

And so, on the 7th of June we boarded one of the capsules of the London Eye to see the city from a bird's eye view. For the duration of the half hour ride one has a spectacular view of London, particularly of Big Ben.

 (Big Bend from a quarter of the way up)

 (Three Quarters of the way up)

 (The view from the top, which also provides a look at the capsules of the London Eye)

 To look out over the city really helps one put it all in perspective. To see the intermixing of old and new buildings from above you get a look at today's London, a place where both history and modernity have their place.

After seeing London from above we headed to another of London's most popular tourist destinations, Westminster Abbey. Having been to the Abbey before (in November) I knew that it would be a place for Michael to see. Though slightly eerie due to the over 3,500 bodies under the floor, it is worth the visit due to the amount of British history that this Abbey contains. With the bodies of royalty, as well as writers, and scientists (believe it or not Darwin is buried here) Westminster is a time capsule of sorts.

After learning from one of the vergers about the history that Westminster Abbey contains, both within its walls and under its floors, the day was drawing to a close and the only thing left to do was to enjoy a meal of Fish and Chips at the local pub.

Cheerio!!

A Day At The British Museum!

On the 6th of June we spent the entire day in the British Museum (from the time they opened to the time they closed). We both thought that it was a fantastic day. The British Museum is one of those places that both my brother and I would love to spend about a week in. However, due to our limited time in London we had to resist temptation and only spend a day at this incredible museum. Together we took hundreds of pictures in the museum, for it contains many items that are truly irreplaceable and utterly priceless to the history of our world. However since I don't wish to bore anyone with an extensive display of images from the museum Michael and I have picked our favorite images to share with you.

 Due to the extensive nature of what was the British Empire, England was able to acquire, through sometimes questioned methods, countless pieces of ancient history. There Egyptian section alone will put one in awe due to the enormity of the collection as well as the pristine condition of the pieces. The above picture is a picture of the Goddess Hathor, from around 1400 B.C..

In the above picture Michael is standing in front of a statue of Ramesses II, from about 1270 BC. This statue had actually been part of a pair of statues in the King's mortuary temple in western Thebes.

The above picture shows just one of the halls containing countless Egyptian artifacts.

When most people hear the name Rosetta Stone, they are thinking about the language software. However, if you are familiar with history you will know that the Rosetta Stone is quite literally a stone. This fragment of a larger stone slab recorded a decree from the 27th of March 196 B.C.. And what, may you ask, is so special about this decree. This decree is important to historians and linguists because it was the key to unlocking the mystery of hieroglyphics. Since at the time of the decree Egypt was ruled by the Greek dynasty the decree was written first in hieroglyphs, then in Demotic, then in Greek. Studying this tablet allowed scholars to crack the code of Egyptian hieroglyphics.

The British Museum is home to more than just Egyptian artifacts. One of our favorite sections besides the Egyptian was that of ancient Greece. The above picture is a bust of Alexander the Great. Still today many view Alexander the Great as one of the best generals and kings to have ever existed. Much of the story of his life is shrouded in myth and legend, adding to his reputation as an impressive figure.

 A pig with a pig. That is Michael's title for this picture which is, not to any one's surprise, one of his favorites. This ceramic pig comes from one of the only surviving series of sacrificial statues of pigs left in the world. The pigs used to be sacrificed (either statue versions or the real thing) in rituals dedicated to Demeter or Persephone (Kore). The reason for this may lie in Greek mythology for as Persephone was being swallowed by the earth in Hades attempt to abduct her, several pigs that were nearby were also engulfed by the earth.

One of the most incredible exhibits that must be seen should you go to the British Museum is the remains from the Parthenon. The above is just one of numerous panels that the museum has from this Ancient Greek temple on the Athenian acropolis.This exhibit is also one of the most controversial that the museum contains for many disagree with the British Museum housing these Greek artifacts. Regardless of the sentimental feelings involved, one can not ignore that the British Museum has a better track record of preserving and maintaining such pieces. Therefore for the reason of the best preservation of these priceless pieces of world history, I am glad that they are in the British Museum.

All in all our visit to the British museum was fantastic, though we both wish we had been able to spend several days there.Above is another of Michael's favorite pictures, one where I am developing strategy and prioritizing what exhibits to see in the limited time that we had.

Cheerio!