May Term 2008: CHINA!

As I think I might have mentioned in a previous post, many classes go abroad during May Term, which is especially nice for those of us who might not be able to go abroad for an entire semester.

A year ago almost to the day, I was sitting on a plane for 14 hours, desperately trying (but failing) to sleep on my way to China as part of my May Term class. Before we left, we spent 2 weeks studying the art of early China, and then set off to see it in person!

I’m gonna keep this explanation pretty short so I can tell the story in pictures! We spent our time touring Shanghai, Beijing, Suzhou, Yiixing, and Xian. We visited unbelievable art museums, toured streets full of independent artists, saw famous Yiixing teapots being made, hiked on the Great Wall, visited Buddhist temples, and toured the site of Terracotta Warriors among other things. So without further ado: Pictures!

Me on the Great Wall!

Me with a Terracotta Warrior in Xian!

Big Wild Goose Pagoda!

Artist making a Yiixing teapot!

Lion Forest Garden in Suzhou!

Me with Two Buddhist Statues in the Shanghai Art Museum!

Yu Garden in Shanghai!

Class in the woods!

Hello all! Transy is right in the midst of May Term right now, and it has certainly been something!

First of all, I am in one of the best classes I have had so far in my college career right now. It’s called Culture of Nature! Though I leave every day feeling utterly confused as we look at all the contradictions in our society in the way we view nature, it’s one of the most enlightening classes ever. Not to mention, we get to have class in the woods! Last week, we went to McConnell Springs park here in Lexington, which epitomized the contradictions we had been analyzing—it was a beautiful park located right in the middle of one of the most industrial parts of Lexington. Next week, we’re going to Raven Run, a nature preserve in Lexington! This girl is obviously pumped.

The Blue Hole at McConnell Springs!

Along with amazing classes, the warmer weather gives students a chance get together outside and socialize, study, or play games. During the day I love taking my books out to Haupt Plaza and stretch out on a bench in the sun and read. Not that I get much reading done, as people keep coming up to talk to me, but it’s a great feeling being able to be outside again. The other night, after we had finished our homework, of course, some of my friends got together in Back Circle to play games, listen to music and just relax. The crowd grew and grew and before we knew it, Back Circle was filled with students chatting and playing volleyball, wiffle ball, and corn hole.
Although our classes still challenge us, May Term tends to be glorious fun and a welcome break from the typical strenuous semesters. More May Term updates to come! Look out!

Hi, friends! It is a Monday, and I am sitting on my comfy couch at home wrapped up in a big blanket with my dog, Dasher and listening to Ray Lamontagne (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LWpw3CMCEg )—that’s right. No class! It’s May Term break! That means that on Wednesday Transy will be starting its May Term, about 4 weeks where all students take just one class for 2 hours everyday. It’s a time where a lot of the professors offer special topics courses and you get an opportunity to take classes that are a little different from those you might normally take. It’s interesting and relaxed, though not necessarily easy.
I just got my books for my class today, and I’m super excited. I’m taking “Culture of Nature,” in which we’ll look at how people’s views of nature are shaped by literature, film, etc. Apparently we will even get to go on nature walks as part of our class, which makes my outdoorsy side very happy. I’ll write more about it later as May Term gets started, but something else exciting happened this week! MY BIRTHDAY!
On Sunday, I turned 20 (I can no longer chalk up mistakes to teenage stupidity). Since it was May Term break, I was able to go down to Knoxville with some of my friends to hang out—they threw me a little dance party and even made me a cake. It was a blast! Then I came home to spend some time with my family. Coolest [nerdiest] birthday present by far this year: a copy of Jane Eyre (one of my favorite books) from the early 1900s! I wish I had a picture of my reaction when I opened it.
Anyways! It’s back to campus tomorrow, and I will be sure to document May Term for you! I’m sure lots of exciting things will happen once it warms up around here. Until then…

UK Library!

Hello, friends! I am sorry it’s been a couple of weeks, I got way behind in school after my grandfather’s funeral, so I figured I better catch up before I posted another blog. I’ll all caught up now, though!

Right now, I’m listening to “Tea for Two” by Pink Martini (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP7uB0uM0_s go listen! It’s jazzy and amazing and perfect studying music!), working on my final presentation for one of my psychology classes, and writing you from the William T. Young Library at UK. Why, you ask? William T Young contributed heavily to both schools in Lexington, so we have this wicked sweet reciprocity going on—Transy students are allowed to check out books from UK and UK students are allowed to check out books from us. We also get to take advantage of the 5 floors of study space, which has definitely come in handy this round of finals! While I love Transy’s library, and think it’s cozy and super quiet, sometimes you just have to get away. I find that during finals week, it’s better to go somewhere where I won’t run into many people that I know (even though, I think people are starting to catch on, because as I look around right now I see 17 Transy students here with me!)

UK library has helped me get through a paper on “The Role of Race and Male Presence in Defining Southern Women in Faulkner’s Absalom, Absalom,” the history of Social Psychology, and “Examining the Discourse of the Ecological Crisis in Haiti 1940-2000” this week, for sure! It’s not home (Transy), but it sure is a nice get away.

This is just a quick one—a break from finals to say hello! Hope all is well!