In case you need a refresher, I am attending European Studies, a Sewanee-Rhodes program, which consists of three weeks of classes at
Sewanee, a week exploring historical sites in England, six weeks of study at
Lincoln College and the remaining five weeks travelling around either Western
or Eastern Europe—in my case, Option Two: Western
Europe in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. I will visit major cities in
France, Italy, Germany and Belgium—whew! I am tired just writing it all out. I
am thrilled that we have this blog to connect, share and envy each other’s
adventures until we all reconvene on our beloved mountain. Until then, this is
a short recap of what I have been up to:
After the craziness of grad-week (Cole will probably
never forget my lack-of-sleep-induced meltdown in the middle of the Blue Chair)
I headed home to DC, where I met our newest family member: Lainee, a cavachion—King
Charles Cavalier-Bichon Frise "mutt"—I had never heard of it either.... Lil’ Nugget,
as we like to call her, is simply adorable, loves to snuggle and a true “dumb
blonde.” More so, it is difficult to overlook her eerie likeness to the Snuggles
bear, as they both share “blank, soulless eyes,” to quote my fahjah.
In addition to bonding with Lainee, I happily reconnected with Sewanee girls (notably Avery, a fellow wanderer) who we had over for a few dinners. In between impressing my parents with their notable internships on the hill, stylish work apparel and impeccable manners, I had to compete with them for my own parents' affection and attention during, and after, said dinners.
I had the pleasure of meeting "through hikers" Gribley and
Pants on Fire, and seeing the York Girls at our Maryland weekend cabin. I
may have scarred them with my driving, but, nevertheless, we all had a lovely
time (at least I did) wine drinking, eating and horn-playing (wish I had a
picture of that) until they had to head back to the Appalachian (App-a-latch-in, as Gribley explained) Trail the
next morning.
My parents dropped me off for a quick detour in Nueva
York to stay with a fellow Sewanee junior in da Bronx . I was able to
visit a MSSA friend and had dinner with another Sewanee pal. From here, I Megabused
it to Portland, Maine, to spend ten days with family in a small summer
community, Mere Point, on Casco Bay, near Brunswick (and Bowdoin, Mom’s alma mater).
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| no lobster for me, please (with an NCS High school friend & Shep) |
During our stay, I once again upset my
Maine-native mother: she continues to be appalled that her only daughter does
not eat her favorite seafood (“lobstah”) or any, for that matter.
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| Double rainbow in Maine |
Currently, I am swinging on our Monteagle house porch, where we have been as a family for the week-long celebration of the Fourth of Ju-ly in the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly, Tennessee, another small but tightly-knit community. Hilltop, the name our cottage, was built around the same time as the house in Maine (1880s +/-) but is much more shabby-chic house than the carefully—coordinated Maine house. We must wash our hands to avoid lead paint poisoning from peeling porch furniture, but it’s another place with so many cherished traditions (Dad went to Vanderbilt, as seemingly everybody down here did.)
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| MSSA Fourth 2012 |
Not to sound too cheesy, but, similar to what most feel before encountering the unknown, I am nervous; however, any uncertainties I have are dominated by greater emotions of excitement and curiosity for what the future holds.
And now, paradoxically, I will wander on the mountain rather than off as I am about to begin summer school tomorrow for roughly a month…more updates to come!
Miss you all!!
Campbell
Also: Shout-out to Aimee who leaves in a WEEK!!!
i am so glad lainee made it into your first post!! maine looks lovely. can't wait to read more :)
ReplyDeleteMARIA!! I am just seeing this. You are so lovely to read AND to post. Can't wait to see you before I leave--one month has been too long, don't know how I am going to handle four without ya!!
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