Henry, Elizabeth, and Me

If I had endless amounts of money the one thing I would absolutely do is spend a night in Hampton Court. I would make the largest donation ever, so they wouldn't refuse me. It took me 6 hours of travel time and seven buses to get there and back, but it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

The palace is half 16th century Tudor, made famous of course by King Henry VIII, and the other half is baroque architecture transformed by King William III. All I have to say is that the palace is an incredible blend of the two styles, and thank goodness William ran out of money rebuilding it because so much of the Tudor architecture would have been lost. For the 17th century sections though, props to Sir Christopher Wren once again.

Historical actors make my life. Why am I not in this line of work? Henry VIII and Katherine Parr's wedding was amazing and surprisingly believable. I bowed at the feet of Henry VIII. I can understand the world's obsession with this man even today, not just because of his scandalous life or six wives, but because the guy had a real presence. A charisma that could dominate a room, enchant everyone around, and a power that could equally command emotions of both fear and love. I very easily (and happily) found myself shouting "God save the King," falling to one knee every time he entered the room, averting my eyes, and answering with "Your Grace," or "Your Majesty" when he spoke to me. Which he did, freaking Henry VIII spoke to me, or at least as close as I am going to get to Henry VIII. It was like being star struck; I know a little silly to be over an unknown actor, or a guy whose been dead for centuries. Either way though, it feels pretty good when a King, even a false one, acknowledges you. It makes me think that I would have been a damn good courtier.

Poor Henry VIII, the first monarch to have a completely secure throne in years after the bloody, gruesome, and tragic War of the Roses or Cousins' War where Henry's father, Henry VII, came out the final victor. So naturally Henry's greatest fear was to lose the throne again because everyone was completely sick of war by that point. Could you imagine spending everyday of your life fearful because you didn't have a son to follow you? It became his obsession, which is why we have divorce, and multiple marriages. Still a popular trend, nice one Henry. The happy ending to Henry's life is that he did get a beloved son, Edward, from the pious woman he considered his only true wife, Jane Seymour. Unfortunately, Edward died at age 15, only six years after he was crowned. The real tragedy of the story is that the powerful, charismatic Henry would never know that he in fact did not need a son because his little princess Elizabeth, with her fiery red hair, possessed extremely similar qualities. We do know that Elizabeth I was the most successful of Henry's three children, she had a long, stable reign, and lives on in English history as one of the most celebrated monarchs of all time.

Moral of the story: do not long for what you do not have, appreciate what you do because you never know where it might lead. I don't think I have a shot at being Queen, but never under estimate the power of a determined woman.

Thoughts on housework, battling bugs, and life in general...

Laundry. It is never ending. As a child I never understood how my mother could do so much laundry, and never finish it. Now I do. When you have children who have school uniforms, sports uniforms, regular clothes, pajamas, socks, underwear, bedding, towels...the list literally never ends. When you finally wash, dry, and iron everything, it just begins all over again the next day when the previous day's items are, of course, dirty. And if you even think about skipping a day of laundry then pretty much laundry hell breaks loose. I think we should stop wearing clothes all together, like come on people it's the 21st century, being so technologically advanced you think we'd get over our nakedness already. For me the absolute worst part of the laundry is the spiders. I am always thankful for a non rainy day in England, but it also means I have to hang the clothes up on the line outside. These tiny, little tree spiders make their webs from the trees to the clothes pins, and they land on me when I hang up the clothes. This may not seem like a big deal, but the line is literally infested, every clothes pin has a spider. To make matters worse, the tiny spiders bite me and it hurts. They are little tiny fang bites, but they leave bumps on my arms. The tragic thing about these bites is that they are useless, since I have not yet developed any super powers.

One of the grossest things I have ever seen was when the spider I had vacuumed up yesterday crawled out of the vacuum today when I picked it up. I have never been afraid of spiders before, this one was hairy, and it gave me such a fright. Country life has it's pros and cons. Another really weird thing about England is the lack of screens. Most people have screens on their windows, you know, to block out spiders, bees, wasps, and all the other terrifying insects that I repeatedly have to kill in my bathroom. Everyone seems really content to just let them fly right in, which is fine, expect for when they decide to stay. Screens, I miss em.

I know I do my fair share of complaining about having to iron, but the truth is that I'm really starting to enjoy it. Not only am I getting quicker and better, but today I watched this national geographic special on the prehistoric Megalodon shark. Educational, fascinating, and productive, which to me is an hour well spent.

On a totally unrelated to anything note, I was looking at some old e-mails today and I cam across some an old creative writing piece that I was forced to do in second year. I had completely forgot I had even written a short story, and I was actually surprised how my writing didn't make me cringe. I have made it a resolution of mine to start more creative writing. I will also be taking better care of my skin, which is again unrelated to all previous topics, but I bought some cleanser, toner, and moisturizer today, and I am quite excited about it.

I am nervous to go to Hampton Court tomorrow. It will be a serious mission, and will involve me finding my way around the busiest bus station in the United Kingdom. Wish me luck, I will need it. Despite the fact that housework never goes away, that scary bugs have become my constant companions, and that most of the time I travel I have no clue where I'm going and often get lost; I love my job, I love England, and I love that I spend my days off in castles and palaces.

Goodnight,
C

A History Lesson: Warwick Castle= Amazing

Warwick castle was unreal. Warwick is a smaller village community near Stratford Upon Avon, but wow they know how to entertain tourists. I was excited to go to the castle because I'd never been to a one before, but I didn't have the highest expectations. I thought it would be a neat experience, but more of a cheap thrill. The castle exceeded my expectations. It did have some wonderful thrills; I was terrified during the castle dungeon tour, but the state rooms and great halls were unbelievably gorgeous and well restored, the wax figures were actually awesome, and the history, well that's always my favorite part.

During the castle dungeon tour, live guides popped out at us, which I was fully expecting. However, they also presented the "horrible history" of the castle in a fun, entertaining and spooky way. The dungeon "cook" spoke about the effects the bubonic plague have on the human body, the first symptoms are the appearance of buboes, which are sores that surface on the neck, thighs, face, and genitals. He then very gruesomely ripped open a mankind to expose the major organs as he tore them out he explained that the plague rotted your insides first. He grabbed the bladder exclaimed it was still full, and squirted us all with water. What an awesome job, get dressed up all scary, terrify tourists, talk about the plague and squirt people with water. Other guides talked about different types of torture, beheading, and I was put on trial for witchcraft. Yes it made my day, I loved how magical and interactive they made it. I totally pleaded guilty and was sentenced to be burnt at the stake. How cool is that?

I then toured the classy Great Hall and State Rooms of the castle, which were all decorated and restored to what they would have looked like centuries ago, complete with wax figures and everything. First they explained the story of my personal favorite Earl of Warwick, Richard Neville, "The Kingmaker." He succeeded in taking the throne from the mentally unstable Henry VI and gave it to young Edward IV, the Yorkist claimant. And the War of the Roses continued with the Yorkist, and Lancasterian feuds (both of their father's began the war trying to push the incompetent Henry off his throne but were both killed in battle). Warwick was very much the voice behind King Edward until he married the common, but beautiful Elizabeth Woodsville against Warwick's wishes, so he turned against his best friend, the King, and plotted to put Edward's own brother George Duke of Clarence on the throne, when that failed he resorted back to supporting the old,crazy king Henry again. He failed at both attempts and was killed in battle against Edward IV (because Edward never lost). Although, Edward did go on to die of a common cold, and his two sons are the princes in the tower that I mentioned before. Both who disappeared conveniently so Edward's other brother Richard (evil Richard III) could take the throne for himself. Treacherous guys. This was a huge tangent, I apologize. Moral of the story, you can't even trust your closest friends or family, when it comes to the throne of England. Anyway, my point is that I got to waltz right into the mighty Warwick's great hall, but it was very intimidating all covered with medieval armor. The castle dates back to William I "the conqueror," after his defeat of the Saxons the castle was a fortification to protect England (originally built in 1068).

One of my favorite little details about the castle that I had no idea about before I went there was that Queen Elizabeth I stayed there for a lavish visit in 1572. Why you ask? Her favorite at court, and Master of the Horse, Sir Robert Dudley, invited her there. Many suspect the couple went to the castle in order to have a romantic weekend to themselves as they were rumoured to have the most salacious affair. Anyway, the connection to Warwick is that Robert's brother Ambrose Dudley was Earl of Warwick at the time. I also went to St Mary's church in Warwick and visited the graves of Robert Dudley, his later wife Lettice Knollys, and their only son little Robert. Of course the Dudley and Elizabeth relationship doesn't work out because Robert's first wife, Amy, "accidentally falls down the stairs" and breaks her neck. This ruins Robert's reputation and almost Elizabeth's. That darn throne of England always destroying happiness. As you know the "virgin" Queen has an extremely successful rule but refuses to marry, and on her deathbed it is Robert's letter she holds dearly to her heart. (if you liked this bit of rambling the Virgin's Lover is a fantastic read).

The Cedar Drawing Room was probably the nicest sitting room I've ever been in. It is the largest and more elaborate of the drawing rooms in the castle. The reason it is called a drawing room is because 'drawing' is contraction of 'withdrawing,' which is what people did in these rooms after the great meal, to chill out and play cards or chess. You know before there were various less social distractions like TV, computers, or video games..how fascinating I know! The Green Drawing room was equally awesome because it contained all the wax figures of Henry VIII and his six wives, so naturally I took lots of pictures of myself with them.

Finally, the last room I feel compelled to talk about is the exquisite State Bed Room, that was personally designed for Queen Anne's visit in 1704. Unfortunately,even though they shipped over her huge four poster bed, she didn't show. At the time she had a massive falling out with a prominent lady from the English court, Duchess Sarah de Marble who was also staying at the castle. However, the bed remained at Warwick castle and was given as a gift to the Earl of Warwick by George VI. Let's not be too hard on Queen Anne she had quite a difficult life. Sixteen of her seventeen children died in child birth or infancy, and the soul survivor, he beloved son died at age twelve. Anne herself died young, they say of a broken heart, which ended the Stuart dynasty. The Stuart's were not lucky people.

I cannot leave out one of the castle's most delightful exhibitions. It's called the Royal Weekend Party, and the setting was incredible and quite opposite of the dungeon. As you walked in a maid announced your name and where you were from, but in a royal, old fashion manner. When I entered she yelled "Lady Carissa from Ontario Canada has arrived." There were again, many wax figures, and decorated rooms that were modeled to represent the castle in the 19th century when the Countess of Warwick, Frances Evelyn "Daisy" Greville use to throw her elaborate, lavish parities. It was her husband Francis Greville, who transformed the castle into a eloquent country mansion. The Countess had the most fascinating lifestyle. Many have said that she was the first women to be known internationally for her beauty. She also had several affairs, most famously, one with King Edward VII. Interestingly, this was not uncommon for Victorian women of a prominent status, as long as it was behind closed doors. The whole thing was fabulous presented, and I had no idea how scandalous and intriguing it would be.

On top of all this knowledge I had to store in my little brain, I climbed the 530 stairs of the castle towers. After that I didn't feel so guilty about the greasy fish and chips I had for lunch. The view was breathtaking, as it always is. If things couldn't get any better on my way out I spotted a Ben and Jerry's ice cream vending machine; it made my day.

C

10 reasons why I love my job...

1) I work in England
2) I just took a dog for a walk in the beautiful English countryside on a warm, sunny evening (yes this is apart of my job).
3) I live thirty minutes from Oxford, an hour from London, and tomorrow I get to spend my day off at a castle (Warwick, who is currently the villain in my book so I'm excited, and yes I enjoy historical fiction so what?)
4) I spend all of my pay checks and it doesn't bother me because really why not, I'm in a wicked cool country, I get paid in cash, and pounds doesn't even seem like real money to me.
5) I am getting really freaking good at ironing
6) The food is free
7) On a weekly basis I walk on the same ground as famous people from both the past and present (and most likely the future)
8) Yesterday, I drove past JK Rowling's flat in London
9) I've seen Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers painting, and work by other artists I adore like Picasso, Monet, Delarchoe, Gainsborough, and Hogarth
10) I have an accent and that makes me interesting to people, which is pretty neat, and it's also quite funny how much nicer people are when I tell them I'm a Canadian not an American

The downside is missing all you people!
<3 C

When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life

So much to say so little time...because of course I have a super early bed time but ten thirty is late when you have to get up at six and iron your face off. Not literally of course that would hurt a lot because I steam burnt two of my fingers today and used the phrase "bloody hell" for the first time. I am so English.

London = Fabulous. It is completely brilliant. There is so much to do and no time at all. I was in the city from 830 am to 745 pm, which is nearly 12 hours and all I managed to do was a 2 hour bus tour, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Tower of London. All which were incredible so naturally I couldn't pull myself away in time to do anything else. Never fear faithful readers there will be many more trips to the city and many more stories but I will start with this...

Picture the most beautiful place on earth. You can't, but I can because I've been there, and you most likely haven't. I love my life. It is Westminster Abbey. The coronation place of 38 monarchs since 1066. I have walked on the same ground as some of the most powerful, wealthy, and glorious people who have ever lived. I said the Our Father yesterday in front of the graves of Elizabeth I Queen of England, Mary I, Henry VII (founder of the Tudor household), Mary Queen of Scots, Sir Issac Newton, and Charles Darwin. What did you do? Any Yes I actually said the Our Father in front of all of their graves because I respect these people with everything I have (now that I think of it the Our Father is a Catholic prayer so I probably should have not said it for Elizabeth). Anyway, the abbey rocked my world. I thought it was the coolest place I would ever step foot in, but it was wrong.

I bussed my way over to St. Paul's Cathedral, and after being in Westminster I didn't think churches could be any prettier, but my god Christopher Wren really out did himself with this one. I climbed 350 of the narrowest and most terrifying stairs of my life (hopefully) to the top to look over all of London. Breathtaking. From the 150 stair count there is the Whispering gallery that overlooks the entire Cathedral, words cannot even describe the beauty of the paintings on the ceiling that depict New Testament writers Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and other various saints. The Cathedral was rebuilt in the 17th Century after the Great Fire of London destroyed the majority of the city. Thank the lord for Christopher Wren who not only blessed us with St. Paul's but restored, and rebuilt London and designed most of Oxford University. The man was a visionary, I paid my respects at his grave in the St. Paul crypt. His contributions have made the world a more beautiful place. In my humble opinion.

I can't quite put into words how I felt at the Tower of London. I could use the cliche "it was a dream come true," which would be true in many respects because I have an obsession with the place and have actually had dreams of it. This might be due to my addiction to historical fiction that largely involves scenes from the famous tower. Many people know of the London Tower most famously or infamously as a prison, and it does give off an eerie vibe. At least certain sections, but anyway it is most notably a Royal Palace. The Queen still has apartments in the tower, which were used as recent as five years ago by Queen Elizabeth II. Many other queens throughout history have stayed here, my favorites include: Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, and Elizabeth I. Of course I could not enter this section of the tower because it is under 24 hour surveillance by an armed guard, those guys look so cool. There hats are made from bear skins from Canada, yay us! I also saw the crown jewels, which were exquisite and soo freaking sparkly. On a more depressing but awesome note I saw the execution green of Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey. It is located right in the tower grounds and was a rare but honourable place to be executed. Only 6 executions took place here and those three ladies just mentioned were all Queens of England (of course Grey for only 9 days, stil counts).

My absolute favorite part of the day was the Bloody Tower, where the famous story of the missing princely brothers originates from. If you don't know this story do me a favour and look it up. It is one of history's gems. Basically during the War of the Roses (which was a civil war that lasted decades in England between royal families for the throne) the two York Princes lived in the tower and went missing after their father Edward VI's death in 1483. Many people believe either that either King Edward's own brother Richard (Richard III) had the boys killed so he could succeed to the throne, which he did becoming one of the most evil kings in history (thanks largely to my main man Bill Shakespeare). Others think that Henry Tudor (Henry VII) had the boys smothered so he could have a shot at his Lancasterian claim to the throne, which of course he did, beginning the great Tudor dynasty. And a perfect conspiracy theory was born. No one actually knows what happened. I'd go with Shakespeare and put my money on Richard III, but I'm a huge fan of both Bill and my Tudor peeps. If you like what you've read here I highly recommend the novel The White Queen as it is based off this history and has everything a good book should.

I am sorry if I was doing that boring, nerd thing again but this stuff is my gold, and is pretty much making my life right now. I still have so much to see, learn, and tell. As Samuel Johnson famously said "When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life." I agree, and although I am not a man I cannot see myself ever tiring of such a life fulfilling city. I hope you don't all get tired of me or my rambling. I bid you all goodnight as it is now past ten thirty.

C

How come every time you come around my London London Bridge wanna go down like London London...

We going down like London, London, London.

I am going to London tomorrow. I have a dozen maps printed, tons of bus schedules highlighted, and my tour booked marked with stickies to the max. Of course I still feel quite unprepared. London is one of the biggest cities in the world, and I am going there. By my self. Sometimes I feel like such a child, but I'm actually a grown up, or close enough to one that I don't look totally out of place wandering the streets of London alone. Hopefully.

I have read about London and its landmarks in so many books, and taken a handful of University courses that revolve around the city. I almost thought that I would never get there, or even as if the place didn't exist at all. The famous imaginary city. Where everything from the past has happened; coronations of many fantastic kings and queens, battles lost and victories won, the home of both many poor and many rich throughout history. An adventure awaits.

I can feel it. Can you feel it?

We all just want to belong

For the first time in my life I feel...I want to describe it as homesickness but I can't admit to missing Welland so I will say that I miss really belonging in people's lives.

I feel out of place. England is fantastic, but it is strange when no one speaks like you and looks at you funny when you open your mouth. English people also often refer to me as an American after I specifically inform them that I am Canadian, which angers me, quite a lot. They also have soo many coins, which are obviously called pounds and pence (P for short), but of course I repeatedly say dollars and cents, which leads to more glares. I have had the most positive experience so far, and I don't wish to complain or lead others to think I am of low opinion of this beautiful country or its wonderful people, but even being slightly foreign is much more difficult than I imagined.

I miss my people. More than anything I miss seeing the faces of those close to me. I dream constantly about the people I care about and waking up knowing it will be ages before I see their faces again is difficult. It is funny how well the mind hangs onto familiar images, in my dreams you people look exactly the same. I am starting to sound creepy. Sorry.

I need some serious friends here. Friendship is something I am sure everyone takes for granted on a daily basis. I have come to realize the importance of having friends like never before. I adore the family I live with and work for but age difference makes a big difference in the world of friendship.

The West Coast of England was incredible. Body Boarding in a wet suit is now one of my all time favorite things, being the adrenalin junkie that I am. Climbing 5 mile hills is the perfect way to work off 5 course meals. I realized I've never had 5 star food before and it is fantastic. I am grateful for everything...

I miss most the sense of belonging in my life that I think a person can only get from being surrounded by people they love and feeling the love back. As corny and silly as it sounds I 100% believe that love makes a person complete. Don't you guys forget about me!