white rabbit

Yesterday was the big Halloween party at our house. For some unbelievable reason, I seem to have made it through four years of undergrad without dressing up for Halloween (blame it on the midterms I always had the next day). So for the past few years, while all my friends were out in costume, I was in memorizing 1,000,000,000,000 paintings and dates.

This year, I decided, would be different. I decided to go all out, and really, the UK is the best place to shop for Halloween! I had so much fun. I went as Alice in Wonderland, but tried to get away from the Disney, and be a more Tim Burton/Gwen Stefani/fashion-y type Alice. Sadly, the few photos I have of myself are of rather poor quality, but you can get the picture...

"I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!" ~Alice


"I can't explain myself, I'm afraid, Sir, because I'm not myself you see." ~Alice


Dress sans pinafore, Topshop.


Dress with Pinafore, Topshop clearance.


Trying to get a closer view of my topper. Black headband with miniature top hat embellished with rose and netting, New Look.


And another angle, so upsetting the photos don't do it justice!


What I carried (and drank from, as I never trust the punch). Decanter, charity shop find. Tag, made by me!
Inside, Bulmer's pear cider.


Lace & diamanté embellished glove, Topshop. Nails, OPI Russian Collection, Siberian Nights.


Jewellery, H&M and vintage from Mom.


And last but certainly not least... my very painful, yet very beautiful shoes. And since the party was chez moi, I had no excuse not to wear them. Topshop clearance.


Through the looking glass...


La fête.

UPDATE: The wonderful Miss Inge Van Eetveldt has shared some of her photos with me (below), which show my costume & makeup much better. Many thanks to her!

the light & the glass

As promised, I returned to Illuminating York for night no. 2. I decided to just video the entire Minster light show as it began at 7:00... it lasts about ten minutes and then loops repeatedly throughout the night. I apologise for the poor video quality... it got very painful holding my camera up for that long!

I was at a different angle this time, and could actually hear the music and words that accompanied the show, which was really cool.

I particularly loved the little British child next to me who made some very colourful comments throughout the show, some of which you can hear in the video. Like: "It's a big name tag!" and "Rain!!". Sadly, I missed recording his best observation of all, the second time around, when I was just watching the show to absorb it... about halfway through, he asked his mother, "Mummy, am I in heaven?". Pretty insightful for a five year old...

enchanted

So tonight kicked off night no. 1 of the Illuminating York Festival. A few of us went after a stained glass pub outing to marvel at the Minster illumination. Designed by Ross Ashton and accompanied by music by Karen Monid, the South Transept and rose window were illuminated. It was, as you'll see, enchanting.

a little something refreshing

Well, I've been neglecting the blog. Shame on me. The past week has taught me just how demanding being a graduate student really is. But with my first presentation successfully out of the way, I've got a bit of time.

So below are a few random photos of the equally few times I've actually not been in either my room or the library, accompanied by York playlist no. 2.

1. Solsbury Hill, Peter Gabriel
2. Breathe, Michelle Branch
3. Wonderwall (Oasis cover), Ryan Adams
4. Dao of St. Paul, Third Eye Blind
5. Young Pilgrims, The Shins
6. River Road, Nancy Wilson
7. Learning to Fly, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
8. I Know I'm Not Wrong, Fleetwood Mac
9. Let It Roll, Train
10. The End, The Beatles

I can't believe I've not posted this view of the Minster yet!


At certain times of the day, the sunlight makes the Minster stone sparkle like mosaic.


Mister Minster. Personally, I think he resembles Mick Fleetwood.


Peeking into an alley, I found a pleasant surprise.


Nether Hornpot Lane. That's what she said, I suppose.


St. Sampson's Church and a neighbouring building.


Sunday in the Shambles.


A garden of white Yorkshire roses.


Minster Yard.

indian summer

Things are getting busy with classes, already have a lot of reading to do and a presentation next week. A bit worn out from the social events of induction week. It was really nice to go to so many receptions with classmates and professors. Very different from the States, and much more informal, surprisingly. We call our professors by their first names here, which is downright shocking to me!

Anyway, some pictures for you all...

Entrance to St. William's College, founded in 1461 to house priests serving in the Minster.


Interior courtyard of St. William's College.


Churchyard, Goodramgate.


Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate with my classmates.


Stained glass in Holy Trinity.


And more.


Looking through the church door.


Love on the banks of the Ouse.


My Saturday tea. A date and apricot scone from Betty's, French goat cheese from the international market (that I bought from actual French fromagiers that I spoke French with, so exciting), and Spanish raspberries. Accompanied by Yorkshire Gold, bien sûr.