Thanksgiving! - November 27, 2008

Russell: For Thanksgiving this year, we went over to our friends Cotton and Rupert's house. Cotton is another Texan that lives two blocks from us and Rupert is her South African boyfriend. Cotton was in Sigma Phi Lambda (Stephanie's old sorority) at Texas Tech and loves football. Rupert's sister was there too with her boyfriend from New Zealand. BTW they call New Zealanders Kiwis. We introduced them to Green Bean Casserole and Sweet Potatoes with way too much sugar on them.

We ate a great traditional thanksgiving dinner, watched Rugby and football, and played Texas Holdem. Unfortunately the three Texans lost to a south african, so I guess we didn't represent well.

Stephanie's Birthday - November 19, 2008

Stephanie: I celebrated my 29th birthday on November 19th. We had a party when my parents came. They know how to make birthdays special. Russell took me out to dinner (and got me lots of Jane Austen stuff from the museum) and my classmates gave me a card and candy. I haven't decided whether this will be the first of many 29th birthdays but if they can be as great as this one, I will seriously consider it.

Guy Fawkes Day Bonfire - November 8, 2008

Russell: The British know how to hold a grudge.  Back in the 1600's, a guy named Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the British Parliament, but luckily was thwarted.  Apparently, torturing him for five straight days and executing him was not a big enough punishment.  To this day, they heap more disgrace on him by creating a fake Guy and burning him on top of a bonfire every year.  This is replicated across the nation on Guy Fawkes Night (November 5th), so hundreds of Guys are burnt each year.  I think they need to get over it.

The Guy sitting on top of the bonfire

Stephanie rooting for the Guy to burn

They also had fireworks after the Guy burned

The next few days, we toured around Winchester with Jim and Lois, showing them the local sights.  After a week's stay they headed back to America, with full stomachs and enough stories to tell for years to come.

Eating at a pub with Jim and Lois

Jane Austen's House - November 7, 2008

Stephanie: On another day trip, we visited Jane Austen's house in Chawton. Mom and I were super excited. Russell and Dad brought along reading material. This house is where Austen spent the last eight years of her life (before moving to Winchester to be near her doctor before she died). It is here she revised three of her novels: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Northanger Abbey and wrote the other three: Mansfield Park, Emma, Persuasion. Her writing desk was on display but I was not allowed to sit at it.

The house is as it was when she lived there, with original furniture, clothes, and memorabilia on display. It was such a remarkable experience, as I am a huge fan of hers. I am in awe of her talent and writing abilities, especially when I think about how she wrote: at a small desk, on expensive sheets of paper, constantly dipping her pen into ink. I feel very spoiled (and inferior) having a laptop and delete button (which I use often). I can't imagine writing in longhand, draft after draft. Though now I'm thinking I should try it...

After almost clearing out the gift shop of Jane Austen stuff (tea towels, note cards, mugs, plastic bag holders--you get the picture), we headed to Casandra's Tea Room (named for Austen's sister) across the street for a cream tea. Delightful!

http://www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk/

Trip to Oxford - November 6, 2008

Stephanie: My parents arrived in Winchester November 5th. It was great to see them. One of our day trips was to Oxford. We took a tour of Oxford University, the oldest university in the English-speaking world. The architecture and grounds were beautiful, so is the grass. No one is allowed to walk on it (just like at A&M!)


Mom and Dad helped us navigate the city.



We had lunch at The Turf pub, a favorite of many famous patrons, including C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein who hung out there. Another patron: Bill Clinton when he was a Rhodes Scholar.

American Election Night in England - November 4, 2008

Russell: For election night, Stephanie and I went to a local pub that was having an party, hosted by the Liberal Democrats (they were the only ones having an event).  It was odd how interested they were in America.   The place was decked out in American flags and red, white and blue decorations.  Of the 325 people that were there, we met only one other American.  We quickly found the McCain section (about 5 people) and hung out with them until 3AM.  Unfortunately for us, and the U.S., Obama won. But we still had fun. 

Russell and Steph at Oneil's Pub Election night party

Steph Visits a Wolf Sancuary - November 4, 2008

Hi ho, Stephanie here:

I got to go on a field trip to a Wolf Sanctuary! I was a little nervous because we had to sign a waiver but it was a really cool experience.

You may wonder what a Wolf Sanctuary has to do with a writing course. Well, it explores the subject of wolves in literature. Apparently they haven't always been portrayed in the best light. We had to watch a video at the beginning to see a history of wolves and how they are viewed and cared for throughout the world. It did make me reconsider the stereotypes of wolves as grandma-eating, house-blowing down, predatory baddies. The sanctuary is one of the only ones in Britain and promotes wolf education and activism. The wolves are allowed to participate in movies and television but only if it portrays them positively.

We hiked out in the sanctuary with the wolves. They were on long chain leashes, held by two handlers each, so I didn't need to worry. Here I am on my meet and greet. I got to rub her belly and stroke her back. She was very calm--just like Nigel, only bigger, hairier and she could rip my hand off if she wanted to. She didn't seem very interested in me though. It was awesome!