Kanterbury Kat Tales

DMZ and the palace

2009-12-09T04:15:00.000-08:00

Rain or shine this guy is always hanging around the palace.

In a place far away aliens do get to sit on the throne.

Not really a depiction of life in the court. They let people keep their heads.

Those men are not really serious although the blades were heavy.

Changing of the guard occurs rain or shine but on a limited scale.

Crossing the line results in losing your pictures at the very least.

The site of the Third Tunnel from the north.

Armed guards posted on the other side of the gate to freedom.

The Freedom Bell on display in Imjingak

Halloween in South Korea

2009-11-08T04:02:00.000-08:00

Fall produce is abundant and for sale on the street.

That's right folks the road is closed to dry the rice crop.
Girls gone wild in Incheon are they coming or going? Mickala, Chris, and Kat.

Another mountaintop experience, TaLK set the night on fire. The fall colors set the day on fire as the talk scholars welcomed mountain air.

Trick or treat with the 5th & 6th grade.

You can see for miles from the mountain top power plant resevoir.

Mountain mist tries to cover miles of mountains.

Fall weather is a warning winter is close. Still no snow here.

2009-10-23T18:44:00.000-07:00

Special thanks to my camera crew for making me look good. Life as a star is exhausting.

The video was compiled to share the TaLK experience. A picture is worth a thousand words and still does not discribe the journey to the mountain top.

Pictures by KM and Gyoung Soo, Michala Keeler, Mr. Guul and the students of Sandong Elementary School.

On top of the world!

2009-09-28T04:22:00.000-07:00

The hills are alive, but it is too dark to see!

Nothing but six feet of concrete separates me from a really big fall, the edge is near.

The dragon in the sky put out the sun before we reached the bottom. (Always carry a flashlight in the mountains.)

Fall is coming to the mountain one tree at a time.

The view takes your breath away, that and it is almost 1000 meters high.

A rough and rocky road, worn by many feet over the years.

From the ground Mt. Geumo beacons those who want to touch the sky.

A wall that was built to keep China out welcomes visitors to climb, it's all uphill from here.
At the top there are several Buddist temples, however God is not contained in a building made by hands.

The words, "you lift me up to stand on mountains", kept me moving to the top. I was not disappointed in the view, although the trip to the bottom in the dark was a walk of faith.

2009-09-23T05:38:00.000-07:00

Martin and Bryan, my host family boys. Baseball is his dream!

My classroom with second grade.

The classroom is a challenge, but well appointed. Teaching is not restricted to the classroom, but goes on in the playground, at lunch and after school under the learning tree.

September in Gumi

2009-09-23T05:25:00.000-07:00

The outdoor classroom. Hurram, a man made mountain.

The climb has just begun from the complex climbing wall to Hurrum to the classrooms in Sandong Elementary School. The campus is truly a garden to grow children in. The gated community I reside in is everything from the western world with the culture of Korea. There is no place like OZ.

The climbing wall. part of the complex community I live in.

On the road again!

2009-08-23T22:07:00.001-07:00

The travel is continuing as we moved from the comfort of Kyhung Hee to the Kolon Hotel resort in Gyeongbuk-do. There is mountain side view and a golf course. We have classes with little time between as we try to recover from the weekend home stay.

My family are hard working professionals during the week and farmers on the weekend. Coming to Korea was meant to help Korean nationals discover their roots, something I do not have, but seeing how the rural farmers still produce on the same level as back home has helped me find my roots. Although we did not grow ginger and pomegranates the methods of hard work and long hours produce the fruit of labors.

Kyung Hee University

2009-08-06T15:29:00.000-07:00

The university is part of the natural landscape as it tries to be part of and not in place of the land. Leaving the gates of the uni places you in a bustling city with subway crossings, so you don't have to play frogger with the traffic. Pedestrians do not have the right of way. . . the joke is walkers are twenty points. I am amazed at how the garden areas completely block out the sounds of the city except for the a/c units which we must have to be comfortable. The air is heavy like Illinois in August and moisture clings to everything. Horton has been staying in the dorm, perhaps tomorrow he will join me in Seoul, elephants don't like to climb mountains everyday.

Life is a training field

2009-08-05T15:24:00.001-07:00

From the fields of the midwest to the mountains of Korea, if it doesn't kill you it will make you stronger. My calfs are in protest to the mountain climb from the dorm to the dinning hall, but I did ask for this training... no whining.

The greatest contrast is
between the urban development and the vast natural state in the same space. The development has let nature be part of the landscape, the buildings and the steps are part of the harmony, but not the melody of life. There are insects but few birds and cats and dogs are not seen living together. In fact no pets on leashes here?

Day Two

2009-08-04T06:06:00.000-07:00

Horton has been well received now that he is out of the case. Today was a formal event so he stayed in the dorm. Tomorrow he may go down town.

The food the music and the action packed expression of Korean art forms is amazing. Lots of fish dishes and always Kimchi. The locals tell me I will become acostom to the taste just eat a small amount each meal and in no time it will be an aquired taste. Time is on my side! Tomorrow classes begin and I really have to prove I can learn enough to teach.

Day Two

2009-08-04T06:04:00.000-07:00

Today the entertainment was most Korean and the food was definately a change from normal.

2009-07-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

When comparing English owned buildings. . .well

the building formerly known as the Sears Tower was impressive, but when you get closer, it doesn't look much like the big willie in London. How can we call it anything but the building formerly known as Sears Tower? (The tower was renamed on Thursday, July 16, The Willis Tower. I just happened to be in Chicago that day, not even a parade!)

Horton hears a who?

2009-07-11T20:27:00.000-07:00

Horton hears Korea and will be proud to work with me to get the children of Gumi TaLKing English at the Sandong Elementary School. Watch this space for pictures of our travels. The family of bunnies under Fred will have to keep Shadow company while we are abroad. Good thing elephants have their own trunks, my luggage will be full of teaching materials and clothes for the six month trip.

Snowball fight in June

2009-06-28T13:53:00.000-07:00

As part of my clinical for Child Development I must interact with all ages of children. At the Limestone Park the 5 thru 12 year olds were amazed that you could have a snowball fight in June when the temperature was over 90 degrees. We really did work up a sweat!

Another adventure is under development!

2009-06-25T21:35:00.000-07:00

The Korean Consulate began the journey. I have been accepted to teach and learn in South Korea for the fall semester.
Departure date is between August 1 and 3 with classes beginning August 4.
My assignment begins September 1 and I will return tentatively January 31 of 2010.
Many things will happen in the next five weeks, laundry, learning survival Korean,
laundry, finishing student teaching in child care, saying goodbye again. I love the airport life!

Book Reviews

2009-05-13T17:37:00.000-07:00

No new reviews, medical information is the only thing I am reading now. Cerebral Hemorrhage and stroke information. We here in the ICU waiting room share what we know and where we have been in terms of what next. There are tests daily and you never know what will be asked. Questions from how are you to what would be best?

Fun and Games at the Whacks Museum

2009-03-20T19:46:00.000-07:00

Scenes from Canterbury Tales in wax.

Fun and Games at the Whacks Museum is a short story compilation of horror .

Yes it is a juvenile book, but with stories from Ellery Queen and Alfred Hitchcock 's Mystery Magazine it can be compared to the stories Chaucer told through the voice of the travelers to Canterbury. Holding your breath while the story comes to a conclusion with ellipses. . . everyone needs a scare to know the difference between real and mental activity.

Keep reading this is week eleven.

The Last Word

2009-03-12T18:52:00.001-07:00

No one who has been to Kensington Palace will ever forget the floral tribute paid to Diana and how it covered the entire entrance. Today the palace is open for tours and the last word about the Princess who lived here has yet to be written. Her fateful words of parting were, "I will not go quietly". She is not gone and she is still spoken of fondly by the world.

Simone Simmons claims to have intimate details of Diana's life and times. In The Last Word, Simmons claims close relationship to the Princess and shares with readers the details and pains. The story can only be corroborated by Diana, so we will have to read with artistic license. For Diana fanatics it is another book to add to the Diana shelf as the story of her life continues to be written.

Ten books read, forty-two to go! What are you reading?

The 360 Degree Leader

2009-03-04T21:22:00.000-08:00

Going round about is a pastime in England, think nothing of going 360 degrees to be where you started. John C. Maxwell has something else in mind in The 360 Degree Leader. Determining where you are is crucial to getting out of the idea you cannot have influence in the middle of an organization. The book encourages readers to overcome challenges and build skills to produce leaders no matter where you stand.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

2009-02-25T20:24:00.001-08:00

Across the English Channel there are small islands that like to be a place all to themselves. The Channel Islands, Guernsey and Jersey, Herm, Sark and Alderney. During the big war the Germans misunderstood that Great Britain would not defend them and so the inhabitants had to fend for themselves.

Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

created a story of the letters of the inhabitants of Guernsey and an author who corresponded after the war. The book reads like you have discovered a box of letters from the past, as the writers share stories and books across the channel.

I loved the book discussions, but somehow I still do not have a hankering for English food, except the crumpets with rhubarb preserves and tea without milk.

This is week eight and there are still so many books to read, carry on!

Twelve Across

2009-02-16T19:53:00.001-08:00

Love comes in many forms, flowers, bears, and cake. Barbara Delinsky uses crossword puzzles to move the improbable plot along in Twelve Across.

Can anyone tell me what twelve across is. . .

A melon is served for pudding. It must be very English, they call all desserts pudding even when it is a cake.

Twelve Across is a short innocent read all neatly drawn to a conclusion, next week something more challenging. Carry on, week seven, what are you reading?

First Break all the Rules

2009-02-09T20:05:00.001-08:00

In England if you can't play by the rules, you could be hung, drawn and quartered.

The book for this week was FIRST, BREAK ALL THE RULES by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman. Yes, it is non-fiction, but being in management means you have to be serious some of the time. Marcus and Curt studied the practices of really great managers and came up with steps to make each employee the best they can be.

"People don't change that much.

Don't waste time trying to put in what was left out.

Try to draw out what was left in.

That is hard enough."

A Version of the Truth by Jennifer Kaufman and Karen Mack

2009-02-03T21:26:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of a moon shadow. It was there honest when I sighted the camera and then poof it was gone.

Cassie has the same problem with the white beaked woodpecker and her mother has seen Bigfoot we just can't prove it. In A Version of the Truth what is in plain sight can sometimes be missing. Connect the dots, what does an almost extinct bird, a wish cracking parrot, a college professor and the University of Michigan have in common; a young widow who stretches the truth to support herself and wonders what will be come of her, since the nuns raised her to believe there is no such thing as a white lie.

Week five, how is your reading challenge going? Cookies on the seventh. Book discussion is meeting February 10th to discuss On Chesil Beach, you still have time to pickup a copy @ the library.

On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan

2009-01-26T22:15:00.000-08:00

This picture is from the Arabian Gulf, no such water front exists in England during December. Abu Dhabi stays warm year round and bare foot on the beach in December is normal.
On Chesil Beach in England there are many stones. Much like the stones in life that wear you down. Ian McEwan weaves a tale of a couple charting their life course on the beach by what they leave unsaid. Another fairy tale that does not have a happy ending. Week four and only 48 more books to go, how are you reading?

Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult

2009-01-18T22:56:00.000-08:00

Families are always good for a story. Jodi Picoult has chosen to set her new book within family crisis, just like a soap. This time she deals with families in Boston, Chicago, and rural South Carolina. Paige tries to connect the dots of her separated family and discover you cannot go back , but you can go on. Absolution is delivered in the final chapter, a real page turner.
Week three, how are you reading?

The True Story of Hansel and Gretel

2009-01-12T18:50:00.000-08:00

This five foot gingerbread house was located in a hotel in Abu Dhabi and no children were near. There were a great many Christmas and winter displays in the United Arab Emirates, the western influence.

The book this week is "The True Story of Hansel and Gretel" by Louise Murphy. The story is set in a Poland forest during the last year of World War II. The work is fiction, but the author did her home work and all the essential ingredients of the familiar children's tale are included, leaving a trail, the house in the woods, Magda, the oven, the skinny children. The story tells how an entire population went up in smoke. The story engages you to the very last page, eat it up!

Two down fifty to go, keep reading. Next week, Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult.

52 Books / 52 weeks

2009-01-06T19:03:00.000-08:00

The challenge is again proposed, Director of Limestone Township Library is prepared to read one book each week for the entire year of 2009. Are you game? The title for the first week is The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks. Sparks has again chosen a love triangle keeping you in suspense to the epilogue.

Home for the holidays!

2008-12-26T03:58:00.001-08:00

The last British hug before we face the cold Chicago winter. Fellow passenger was visiting the windy city for the first time and excited about the snow. Silly girl, her advantage was she would be traveling back to England the next day. Be brave the cold and snow made the trip from the airport more treterous than the entire transatlantic flight. Joe and the Manges family hosted me one more night away from Village of Limestone.

Heathrow offers one last shopping experience, alas I can carry no more.

After resting comfortably at the Holiday Inn Libeary and I head for Heathrow.

The Picadilly Line to London

2008-12-26T03:42:00.000-08:00

There may be a credit crunch, but the high street was heaving with traffic and the only crunch was of feet on toes as those bargain hunters and panic buyers turned over pounds, myself included.

The Sound of Music was playing at the Palladium and Libeary and I sat in the Royal circle front row, no better way to say goodbye than amid the crush of Christmas shoppers.

It would not be Christmas without a visit with Dickens. His home on Doughty Street was open for the season.

London Last Stop

2008-12-26T03:34:00.000-08:00

Kensington Palace is so close to the shopping district I understand why Dianna would have chosen this location for home base. The Palace does not allow photos inside, but the entire afternoon was spent with the clothing exhibit, WOW.

This is not the end just a break in the action.

Wedding in the Middle East

2008-12-26T03:19:00.000-08:00

The customs in the middle east are different than in the western countries. The party begins in the late evening and continues until morning and there is plenty of dancing.

There is also plenty of cake Jasen and Fadia had two cakes and cut both with a saber.

Enjoying as much of the sun as possible, although the beach was cold the pool was 80 degrees F, and getting a sun burn in the winter is not possible. This is what the locals told me, but I used sunscreen anyway, have to keep that pasty white complexion for the trip back to the land of clouds.

Been to the desert lately?

2008-12-26T03:06:00.000-08:00

Even in the desert Christmas is celebrated and New Year. With all the sand and sun there is still time to shop.

Libeary did not travel to the desert with me, sand surfing and camel riding are much to dangerous for such a small bear.

Gingerbread houses in Abu Dhabi are very large and covered with frosting. This house was made of gingerbread shingles the size of an A4, it smelled so good, but only the candy was for eating.

The End is Near!

2008-12-12T08:34:00.000-08:00

The end is near! One last hurrah at the Dolphin with my CRIBS mates, I depart for the Arabian Gulf in the morning. Libeary is stuffed in the bag and will try to get through customs in Abu Dhabi in the afternoon.

There may not be internet, so the blog will slow down until I can interface.

Cherrio to Canterbury

Guess who's coming to dinner.

2008-12-01T02:56:00.000-08:00

Being an international student means never knowing who will be coming to dinner. The house is full, Michael from Slovenia, Mom and Pop from Gibraltar, the whole gang counted 18 and grace was said in Portuguese, Chinese, Slovakian, Swahili, English, Pakistani. . . those crazy Pentecostals speaking in tongues.

More Canterbury Tales

2008-12-01T02:44:00.000-08:00

On the hills they still are wagering battle over some silly stone work, being students they only battle on weekends. There were no rabbits out today!

The friars are known by the color of their robes, here are a gray and a black friar. The Miller always wears brown and I suspect he is a wee bit Scots.

Take me away

2008-12-01T02:40:00.000-08:00

Here the restaurants are called take away, but the sushi bar is a to go meal, it just keeps coming around to you.Even the coat racks look like art .

Thanksgiving in Canterbury

2008-12-01T02:27:00.000-08:00

The international staff wanted us to not feel out of place and presented their interpretation of a Thanksgiving meal; turkey, 'stuffing", cranberry sauce, and brussel sprouts? Who in American served such a dish. The meal was English to be sure, but the beer was American.
Liam was all about being American what with the Budwiser and mash. A true Scotsman.

Jamie's first Thanksgiving gets the two thumbs up and Robert is trying to mask the fact he is American.

Alex claimed it to be a hair raiseing event.

Libreary Friends

2008-11-23T05:23:00.000-08:00

Friends from CU in a bear hug.
Being a bear of little stuffing, Libeary is easily tucked in and I must watch him to keep him from being secreted away.

Windsor Station

2008-11-23T05:16:00.000-08:00

The railway station in Windsor is like a shopping mall. There are heaters and glass roofing so that you are outside in an enclosed area with lots of opportunities to shed uneeded pounds. I spent so much time in the Castle I only did a bit of pound spending.

Windsor Castle

2008-11-23T05:09:00.000-08:00

The castle is very large and Libeary needed a lay down before he could go on. The castle wall overlooks the moat, which is now a garden, no one has invaded in years, except the Americans.
Pictures are not allowed inside, there will be many illustrations and postcards when we return.

2008-11-16T13:42:00.001-08:00

The weather here is a bit moist and does have a tendency to cause frizzy hair especially after a mud bath and no conditioner.

Retired in England

2008-11-16T13:37:00.001-08:00

Feeling a little run down, this is what happens when the lorrys loose a tire. The challenge of the course is to emerge with as little mud as possible.

Rememberance in Canterbury

2008-11-11T05:46:00.000-08:00

The community came together for two minutes of silence only broken by shuffleing of feet and the wind. An awsome display, even the Queen stopped to pay tribute in London to the end of the first world war.

Rememberence Day

2008-11-11T05:40:00.000-08:00

Rememberance Day is commeortated on the Sunday before November 11 here. A bid to do in the town square of every city, Canterbury is no exception. They called out the pipers. The wind was calm to the relief of the piper. Monday brought a gale, I would not have wanted to be in a kilt for anything then. The sun has retruned to the isle today and brollys are back in the stands.
Mine was in much need of repair after reversing itself many times.

2008-11-08T11:12:00.000-08:00

After six hours in Victoria Station, Libeary and I rode the train home to take a jammy day. Good choice, today England let loose with typical November weather, wind and rain and cold. The sun may come out tomorrow; in England, after a week of celebrating with fireworks they hold Rememberance Day. Parades and special services for the war dead and surviors of the second world war.

2008-11-08T11:09:00.000-08:00

Libeary was trying to get to the thrown in King Charles I 's castle, but they frown on puppet kings here.

2008-11-08T11:04:00.000-08:00

Libeary and I were visiting with the Beefeaters and another of the ranks volunteered to take a picture. Funny thing happened with a bear once and now the policy is not to touch any bears.

More of that story later.

Tower Beefeaters

2008-11-08T10:58:00.001-08:00

Two of the famous ravens at the tower, size is deceiving they are the size of a chicken about ten pounds and visitors are warned they will take aggresive action. Their diet consists of biscuits soaked in blood, because they are carrrian animals, their main job is to keep the moat clean of dead animals.

London Bridge

2008-11-08T10:52:00.000-08:00

This is not London Bridge, which is in Texas, US, this is Tower Birdge, so called because it crosses the river at the Tower of London, famous for being a prison and home of the crown jewels.

I did manage to remove a crown and a jewel through the usual methods. I surrendered pounds and they hand over the goods, international trade!

Camel Bookmobile

2008-11-06T02:52:00.000-08:00

I wish I could be in Limestone to discuss the Camel Bookmobile, but it appears I may actually get to visit the real thing. My son has suggested I take a dessert safari while I am in the U. A. E.

Winter is the best time to be in the dessert it only reaches ninety degrees.

In the mean time I still have Paris in the rain.

2008-11-04T04:01:00.002-08:00

These are my friends from CRIBS. International students from Japan, France, South Africa, Kenya, England and the US can you tell who is from where. They can all speak English which helps me a lot. The weekend in France taught me that English is not universal, I have work to do on my language studies.

2008-11-04T03:57:00.000-08:00

Mona Lisa is protected behind thick glass and entertains more than a million photos everyday, talk about a carmera ham.

2008-11-04T03:53:00.000-08:00

The Louvre does not encourage bears to visit, so this time Libeary stayed in the coach.

2008-11-04T03:38:00.000-08:00

Libeary likes to visit libraries wherever he goes, in Versailles all the books are in French, so we didn't stay long.

Ballon Art

2008-11-04T03:32:00.003-08:00

The Palace of Versailles mixes art work from the past with present day. This work is over 12 feet high by the artist Koons.

Ballon Art

2008-11-04T03:32:00.000-08:00

The displays in Versailles range from the antique to the modern, this static display is by Koons and stands over 12 feet high.

2008-11-04T03:28:00.000-08:00

Sunset over Callais, France. The clouds are heading inland forcasting a clear day of England.

2008-11-04T03:26:00.000-08:00

Bear with me!

2008-11-04T03:02:00.000-08:00

From the white cliffs of Dover to the Isle of Paris in one day. Quite a jump for such a small bear.

Missing links.

2008-10-27T09:48:00.000-07:00

Bodleian Library>

Bodlean Library, Cotswolds famous spots, tombs of rich wool merchants and where Prince Charles stood. He is not reported to have slept here, however Highgrove is just down the road. That is rather sheepish isn't it?

2008-10-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

The Canterbury Book mobile is very welcoming if you have a library card and an interest in reading.

Western England October 2008

2008-10-27T08:41:00.000-07:00

Tea time in Bibury, the Venice of England, the river is crossed by a mile of foot bridges, all needed to get around town because the town needed water power to run machines to process wool from the sheep that are everywhere. Makes me itch just to think about it. No wonder the Mad Hatter was mad!

To give an appreciation for this last weekend it needs to be in perspective. That is why Jeff is placing Libeary on the top of the big rocks at Stonehenge. Bear in mind we are a good 100 yards away from the structures. After all these years no one can say for certain why they are here or why we pay money to walk around them. Other sites on the tour were Bath where we were greeted with showers. Cotswold's boasts of famous residents, Prince of Wales for one, who was not receiving visitors when we passed. High grove may well be a nice place to visit, but the gate was closed to buses. Oxford's Bodleian Library was also closed to visitors. The greatest library in town does not allow checkouts and you must prove you intend to have academic reasons to look at the books. The blue gorilla was not allowed in either. Just having a library card will not get you in the door. You are welcome to enter the gift shop, located in the astronomy college, no doubt due to the sky high prices. The local lockup will allow all comers as you can see, there is no lock on the door. The mineral water hospital in Bath serves just that for immersion and imbibing. Several of the group tried what they described as tasting like sulfur and salt. I have enough trouble with the ale and was not game to try.

The local book mobile will, on the other hand, pose for pictures and let all readers aboard.

It is directed study week here, so I must return to the books. Next weekend Paris!

Cheers!

Entertainment of Canterbury Festival

2008-10-19T15:54:00.000-07:00

The weekend has been full . Friday night a tour of haunts in Canterbury and a Russian Circus.

Saturday a broad daylight tour of writing about Canterbury and a play of Shakespeare in the meadow tent. Sunday a walk of labyrinth.

Can you tell which pictures are which?

I am a riddler and Canterbury is my muse!

Weekend Wonders

2008-10-13T02:41:00.001-07:00

The weekend was busy. The Canterbury Festival of arts began with a children's parade.
the Sidney Copper Gallery covered the walls with paper and encouraged everyone to put themselves on the walls. Pictures will be linked from the campus website sometime this week.
Libeary and I ventured to the Canterbury Environmental Education Centre Sunday to walk in the woods and explore the hundred acre woods (really only 40 acres). The park has a Teddy bear Island and trolls and even Eeyore's house. The most unusual place to put a play area is under the high voltage power lines.

The porcupine was spined by the participants of the Big Draw. All manner of materials were used by the artists to fill out his back side. I chose wool in two colors on a red spine, can you find my spine?

British Museum Drawing

2008-10-10T13:58:00.000-07:00

These are just a few of the art works displayed in the British Museum, they rival the art work displayed on our web site.

London Bridge

2008-10-10T13:33:00.000-07:00

London Bridge is not falling down nor are any financial marketeers as the following photos will report. Libeary and I spent the day in London and covered as much as possible in on day on the ground. We were warned that the markets were depressed and to be aware there could be falling bodies. None were seen today from the Tower Bridge to the British Museum. A day without McDonald's would be truely un American, what can I say, I eat what you know. We visited St. Paul's Catherdral at lunch time and Lenden Hall, sometimes know as Diagon Alley. London has many strange and unusual buildings, the Gerkin and Lloyds of London (built with the plumming on the outside).

A day in the Wildwood

2008-10-04T01:58:00.001-07:00

A day in the Wildwood is like a day at the zoo, except the only animals in this preserve are native to England. One small libeary would hardly be noticed.

Owls, badgers, deer, wild horses and of course wolves, (could have been one of Jacob's cousins) the fox and cats were not out to play. The fence is for protection of the public as all of the animals do bite.

The restrooms are clearly signed, "Hornets are active, please go to the entrance if you are stung." The entrance fee is a bit high, but I prefer a fence between myself and nature.

A good day in Kent

2008-10-01T13:14:00.001-07:00

Even in the city there is blue sky. Clouds do appear, but they are passing thur. Yesterday was a stereotypical English day. Clouds and rain all day, then a whisk of wind and today, Happy Windsday. It felt a bit like a kite flying day, tough to keep your feet on the ground.
Met some chaps today who are as interested in America as I was in England. We dined together at a traditional establishment, Subway. The group worked on our Modern Britain class work. They can't seem to define Britishness either. All good fun, we made fun of them and they made sport of us and our silly football, "ya don't even use your feet, what kind of name is that".
Some sign language was discussed, mostly what not to do with your hands. A visual is impossible until I return, best to keep ones' hands in the pockets then, right.

American Studies Abroad

2008-09-28T16:24:00.000-07:00

The cathedral is ever in a state of building. Some of the orginal walls were never repaired after a fire and others are being repaired in a part of the 50million pound restoration project. Even when it was new it was not finished. The building is ever a changing, growing space that still welcomes pilgrims to worship 30 times each week.

The American Indians are now abroad and working the streets. I missed the opening of the preformance, so I do not know which tribe and the English seem to think it doesn't matter, all Indians from America are alike and very different from India Indians. Fancy a curry?

Cultrual Education Abroad

2008-09-27T11:22:00.000-07:00

This weekend Canterbury has invited the world to Dane John Gardens for a food fest.

The Germans brought sausage, the French the cheese, Italy the leather goods, then there was Kent's own produce. Wine and beer flowed liberally. Special demonstrations were held through out the day starting at 10:30 AM.

To continue my study of cultures I volunteered to help the Brew Master, making me a brew mistier. Of course the sampling was part of the job.

The French sent their own Chocolatier Madame Iforget to tempt the audience with dark rich Belgian chocolate. It is because French chocolate is not fattening it should be part of every diet.

Viva la France!

The gardens were lovely as well.

The play in the Cathedral was the frosting on the crepe.

Dallas Sweetman written by Sebastian Barry is a work that was prepared for production in the nave of the Cathedral with pipe organ accompaniment and live musicians, thou unseen by the audience.

The production so stirring I will return tomorrow for service, just to hear the organ again, the acoustics are profound.

Dover Castle

2008-09-26T17:43:00.001-07:00

The castle in Dover is a really big open space with limited furniture. Really only a few tables and a chair for the king. I think the people before this were really attached to things so they moved and took everything with them. You can find a place to sit, but there are usually bars involved.

The view from the top of the hill is amazing, but the climb leaves muscles begging for a lift.

Castle Walls

2008-09-25T14:08:00.000-07:00

Although Canterbury doesn't have a castle the early people built a wall around the city. Part of the wall is Roman and part Norman, and part is restored by the English.

The daytime shots were taken from the street level. the night time shots were taken from the top of the wall while the guards were on break. Because of the new buildings it is impossible to see more than one block in any direction, so an invading army would be able to sneak up to the wall, but not get over it. the rocks are very difficult to get footing on. The stones are flint and smooth like glass, but very jagged.

City of Ember

2008-09-24T16:45:00.000-07:00

Double decker buses are in full service here in Canterbury. I have not yet been brave enough to ride upstairs. The buses have been pressed into advertising service here. It is illegal to have signs or billboards on the roads, but on the side of a bus, that's OK. the City of Ember opens here October 10 not a word about the Twilight movie, but the books are here!

Amazing Walls

2008-09-23T12:02:00.000-07:00

The walls of Canterbury have been here for centuries in the background cranes are building new buildings that will not last as long and are built not by hand by machine. As far as we have progressed we still cannot match what was done in respect to durability.

Drawing Rupert

2008-09-23T11:35:00.000-07:00

As part of the Big Draw I tried my hand at drawing Rupert at the Canterbury Museum. I will stick to writing about my trip not illustrating it.

The Best of Both Worlds

2008-09-21T11:36:00.000-07:00

Canterbury offers the best of both worlds, city and country. The big difference is the direction people send you in. Going down the hill from the uplands is going uptown. Going up the hill to the university is going up to the university. Kent boasts of two universities, Kent and Christ Church. I geographically am closer to Kent. The two campuses are open and I can visit Kent, there are no walls. Christ Church has walls surrounding it but the front gate is open 24/7.

Services are held on the Kent campus by New Life Church and they are open to anyone.

They did caution today that some of the folks, who were only here for a short time, had been here for five years and they are just traveling through. The congregation is very welcoming and the music is just like home, except with a world accent. Students from around the world are studying here.

The assumption is that at my age I must be working on my Masters or PHD, yeah right.

Shall I admit I am working on my mastery of life? I have been telling them I am studying English and they all wish me well. Even the English have trouble with English especially when I speak it.

Canterbury and Canterbeary

2008-09-19T14:40:00.003-07:00

Libeary met a new friend today, Canterbeary. Canterbeary was waiting in a thrift shop for us to pop in. We toured the city center and found Rupert, a bear of Canterbury circles.

To see and be here.

2008-09-19T14:40:00.002-07:00

The cathedral was built by Rome, converted by Portestants and now serves the world. What a wonderous place of prayer this monument is . Having survived from 600 AD through wars and fires and hostile takeovers, it remains a place for pilgrims to enter and rest and profess the wish to see Jesus.

Theater stop

2008-09-19T14:40:00.001-07:00

Christopher Marlowe was a playwrite and some say a spy for the crown. Canterbury was his home and many tales have been told of him. Some say he was killed in a pub fight while others say he was a spy and was smuggled Italy and sent his plays to Shakespeare to be preformed under William's name. What say you? In any case Canterbury built the Marlowe theater to honor one of their own authors.

The next photo was taken in secret at the library checkout. There are no pictures allowed without permission in the library. When I asked for permission, the staff was not allowed to give me persmission or to whom I could ask permission from. Silly rule, please don't tell any one you saw this picture or Libeary and I will be in trouble and have to be smuggled to Italy like Mr. Marlowe.

Canterbury Tales

2008-09-19T14:40:00.000-07:00

Today the tour was of Canterbury and the cathedral. Libeary visited the Quire and the library, mixed in a little theater and chocolate for good measure.

Chocolate Book Review

2008-09-18T11:27:00.000-07:00

To prove I am really studying, here is a review of the book by Roald Dahl. Roald Dahl's Incredible Chocolate Box is a whipple-scrumptious book of facts about chocolate. Doctors treated coughs and indigestion with chocolate. In an effort to releave my cough and queasy stomach I administered Freddo a product of Cadbury which is available at the chemists.
In 1936 Mars candy company exploded a piece of flavoured dough in a vacuum then covered it with chocolate, the product was called the Energy Ball.

The name was changed to Malteser and today they are sold at the chemists for whatever ails you.

I believe in being proactive, so I had a bag with lunch. During my research I uncovered the fact that the UK beats the US in consumption of chocolate. I will do what I can to make you proud of me. Whenever the opportunity presents itself I will consume.

New Libeary Friends

2008-09-17T11:24:00.001-07:00

Libeary made new friends today. Students from New York and The Cat Who Went Bananas. The students are Stephanie Meyer fans and there was much rejoicing. The presale copy of Brisinger is available here, the book and breakfast 8:30 Saturday morning. I will wait for breakfast to get my copy.

The Rose Garden and the Libeary

2008-09-17T11:24:00.000-07:00

Libeary was doing a little history in the garden today. CCCU is built inside the walls of the Abbey at Canterbury Cathedral.

Everywhere you look there is a church!

2008-09-16T13:58:00.001-07:00

I apoligize for the darkness of this photo, it was dusk when I was passing by. The sign at the top states it is open for visitors. The sign on the door says closed. Can't be sure if they just don't like pilgrims or they only like pilgrims.

The view from the chapel is one of the Cathedrel, in fact the tower of the Catherdrel is visible all over town. The chimes play on the hour I think, but there are so many churches they could each take a turn and only have to chime once in awhile.

Just hanging around.

2008-09-16T13:50:00.001-07:00

Libeary was just hanging around the chapel today.

Please add a prayer to your list for my mum and dad. He has suffered a stroke an will need rehabilataion.

Where's the teddy?

2008-09-15T15:16:00.000-07:00

Libeary did a bit of site seeing today. Can you find him in the pictures? What else do you see?

New Libeary Friends

2008-09-14T11:59:00.000-07:00

Limestone Libeary has made new friends in the airport and the UK. Libeary was sharing a book with Jade a local Canterbury resident. JOE gave Libeary a boost at the airport before departure and Ginny's granddaughters are a bit camera shy.

Libeary Hugs

2008-09-10T22:07:00.001-07:00

Limestone Libeary is collecting hugs from whole families of Limestoneans before he leaves Saturday for England. Sarah, Logan, Jeremy, and Megan came to say good-bye to Ms. Kathy too.

School Marm Harkness

2008-09-10T21:59:00.001-07:00

School Marm Harkness conducted class at Miller on Tuesday. She had residents singing and taping to the tune of a hickory stick in good time. Class will be in session again on October 11 at the Limestone Library one room school house.

2008-09-08T23:37:00.000-07:00

Crops come in Extra Large and small in Kat's backyard. The farmers are expecting an early harvest this year but not before the Kat leaves. Five days to take off!

Bear Hugs

2008-09-08T23:26:00.000-07:00

Limestone Libeary was collecting hugs from his friends before the big trip.

Limestone Libeary Checking out books for the trip.

2008-09-05T16:42:00.001-07:00

The Limestone Libeary was seen checking out books today with the help of Ms. Ranea.

What does a bear read on a trip to London?

Paddington of course!

Inside a dog it is to dark to read. Groucho Marx

2008-08-31T19:37:00.000-07:00

The big red dog was seen in Urbana over the weekend delivering books to friends of Joshua and Jacob Davidson. The Kat missed the dog, but stories were told. Kat and dog meetings are to be avoided whenever possible.

Outside of a dog a book is man's best friend.

2008-08-31T19:30:00.000-07:00

Library dogs are usually found in a library, however, on some occasions they make house calls.

KM Phone Home

2008-08-28T19:39:00.004-07:00

Time to phone home. There will be little in the way of voice contact once I reach the Old Country. Good thing I have joined the rest of the colonies in internet communication systems.

Still no address for the humble abode. Email will be gladly accepted at <ksmabus@kcc.edu>.

I think I will try to locate the tardus Dr. Who traveled in, it was blue if I remember correctly.

Tally Ho!

The books are due in three weeks.

2008-08-23T17:26:00.000-07:00

The books checked out today at Limestone Library will be due back on September 13, 2008.

I will not be there to welcome them home. British Airways is saving a seat for the Kat.

This week was one of acronyms. Monday BSP, Tuesday ARC, Wednesday YMCA, Thursday KALA and LTBM. Friday gave a small break with an evening to SEW. Two weddings in two weeks, not really, but I must complete all the projects before I leave. Begun is half done.

The really necessary piece to the trip is missing. The address in Canterbury has yet to arrive.

Today the student visa was delivered in the mail. My friends tell me not to worry about where I will be living until I get there, but I am not programed that way. Worry is what I do best.

Then there is the Jasen Wedding schedule. I may be abroad until Christmas, oh happy day.

Outstanding in the field.

2008-08-15T18:31:00.000-07:00

At our library the staff are encouraged to go fly a kite. It might be a good idea to get a longer string to fly a dragon in the U.K. Mary Poppins was waiting for the wind to change. I too shall stay until the wind changes.
The count continues, 28 days to departure upon British Airways.

Return of Power

2008-08-13T18:52:00.000-07:00

Last week the lights went out and surprisingly so did computer service. All is well, the Kat is able to scratch a few lines during the packing process. What to take, remembering Canterbury is pedestrianized, anything I take must be transported over unknown terrain. The best advice I have been given is pack light and send home what ever is not needed.
If only I had an address to send forward. . .
Today marks the count down, 31derful days to take off!

The Party's Over

2008-07-31T19:34:00.000-07:00

The captives have been released. Summer semester is over for those either crazy or foolish enough to want to ruin a summer with classes. Perhaps I would have enjoyed the classes more if they had not been so rushed.
Fall will be different, only four courses in twelve weeks instead of two classes in eight weeks.
The required reading list is long, but interesting. Shelley, Shakespeare, Dickens, Chaucer all in the native habitat. Is J.K. Rowling a children's author?
The British history will be a struggle, they have a Queen instead of a President, with very little power. She is the richest woman in the country, perhaps I should ask her for some business pointers.
Enough rambling, the play list is long, Wicked, Spamalot, My Fair Lady, and the Canterbury Art Festival. Oh the many things to do and then there is the night life!
Six weeks to departure.
Kanterbury Kat

The thrill of completion!

2008-07-27T21:59:00.000-07:00

The last week of the semester is upon us all. Projects are due on Tuesday. Will they be accepted as offerings to the all powerful or rejected as too trite or incomplete? Not wanting to guild a lily, how do you know when the work is complete. I have spent many hours on the text and reworked the figures. If only their was a sample, the not knowing is the hard part. Perhaps I will take the classes again and do better, knowing what is expected........no, I think not. The pain is like that of having your hand caught in a door. You can feel the pain only after you are released.