March 12, 2004

Looking back and reflecting on the trip just makes me remember how young our country is - in fact, the whole of England reminds me. We tend to take our country as "old," but in comparison it really isn't. The art work, the architecture, and the people fascinate me so much. I just like sitting back and taking it all in.
- Sonja Ashton, Class of 2005

March 13, 2004

Dear Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle,

I enjoyed your play The Convent of Pleasure much more when I acted it out as opposed to a straight reading. If you don't mind me saying, it is much more dry when sat and read. But getting up and doing it, actually acting it, brings it to life.
The exercises that my group performed truly helped to understand how royalty interacts. As a small bubble I embraced my princess (Lissa) and was eager to serve her as any lady would. But then I became the ocean - the sea nymphs as you had written, and we moved as waves around my own dear Lady Happy. Unfortunately, the Princess's own nymphs were not willing to our advances. Perhaps it was the crawling towards them.
Also I found that a woman in the role of Princess is not nearly as fulfilling as I first thought, but if done right (like my dear Miss B (Sonya)), it can be. All in all I would say it was definitely enlightening and fun. I knew that you were quite cutting edge but who knew you could be so risqué!?!
As an actor, bringing your work to life has been an amazing experience. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Lady Courtney Shapiro of New York
Class of 2005

March 16, 2004

On our first full day in Cambridge some of us went shopping before heading to King's College Chapel. The chapel was beautiful! The stained glass windows were quite the sight to see. The chapel reminded me of York Minster in a way, I'm not sure exactly why it did but it did. There was an original Rubens painting on display that had been donated to the chapel years ago. I was so excited to see it in real life! It's funny because I've seen the painting in various books, but seeing it for real is just completely different.
- Kassy Gallup, Class of 2005

March 17, 2004

Once in London the pace definitely picked up. I can honestly say moving farther south, the speed gets faster and faster! The go go go mentality of a big city is already starting to hit home.
- Sonja Ashton, Class of 2005

Westminster Abbey was absolutely amazing! We were able to see the Milton window at St. Margaret's Church, which was quite an experience for me. I have such an appreciation for Milton. Westminster was breathtaking! Not only was it gorgeous but it was actually quite emotional. Being in the place where so many great people are either buried or memorialized is purely astonishing.
- Kassy Gallup, Class of 2005

March 18, 2004

The walk down the Thames while eating hot nuts from a vendor gave me a chance to slow down a bit. It is nice to walk along the river and watch business people do the same, enjoying their few moments of break. Walking over Tower Bridge is always a treat and a man actually tipped his hat at me!
- Sonja Ashton, Class of 2005

The last place I visited in the Tower of London was the Royal Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula. A yeoman allowed me to enter and pay my respects to Lady Jane Grey, the nine days queen. She was buried under the altar between Anne Boelyn and Katherine Howard. There was a blank stone between the two, to act as her grave stone. It was altogether an unreal experience. With this year's project "The Lady Jane Journal" I analyzed all information on Lady Jane. I created four sections: Preparation and Education October 1537-October 1552; Marriage and Reign May 1553-July 19, 1553; Captivity July 26,1553-February 1554; and Execution February 12, 1554.
- Cyndi Roper, Class of 2004

March 19, 2004

After the National Portrait gallery, Sonja (Miss A), myself and Diana went to Buckingham Palace (with a resounding "That's it?"). Then we went on a Pepys search. We walked down Pepys Street and found the church where he was buried, St. Olave's Church. He is buried under the communion altar next to Mother Goose. Also his wife is buried at the church. Walking back I also found a bust of Pepys (from the friends of Samuel Pepys) and a marker of where his home and Naval Office were. We ate dinner at the Hung, Drawn, and Quartered, a pub with a Samuel Pepys quote on the side of the building.
It was so amazing to be able to walk in the same places, visit the same buildings that Mr. Pepys had walked down himself. I've grown close to him over these past days as I have delved into his life. It's only here in England that I would have been able to grasp such a deeper understanding of him and his life.
- Courtney Shapiro, Class of 2005

The evening was filled with the fast paced, musical ceilidgh. I haven't had that much fun with music and dance for a very long time! The dancing was reminiscent of Finnish folk as was the music. I think a good time was had by all.
It is sad to think how much dancing has been lost from the contemporary lives of people. I mean, dance seems to have been an integral part of life for medieval and Renaissance folks, and doesn't seem to be that way now, except for a select few.
- Sonja Ashton, Class of 2005

Nick turned 22!

March 20, 2004

Vicky, Andy, Diana, Sonja A, Courtney and I had dinner at this cute Indian restaurant in Piccadilly, then on to the theatre. We had nosebleed seats, but still a great view of the stage. All's Well That Ends Well was great! The acting was superb, and the lighting designs marvelous. I especially loved the window-pattern gobos. The costumes were colorful and very well made. What a great show!
- Melanie Aldrich, Class of 2005

March 21, 2004

Up early and off to Abbey Road, Nick, Melissa, Courtney, Diana and I. I enjoyed the trip, the Beatles connection and all that. The Abbey Road sign was signed by a lot of fans, from all different years (I wished for a sharpie). Nick, Courtney, Melissa and I posed crossing the street, like the album cover. After that Courtney, Diana and I went shopping, back at Piccadilly Circus. After dinner, back at the hotel, a bunch of us had an impromptu photo shoot on the grand staircase. As a last day in London, it was great. I've seen so much, the Globe, Whitehall, the Tower of London. I was so glad for this opportunity to explore history, and accomplish some long-time goals of mine. Yay Shakespeare!
- Melanie Aldrich, Class of 2005

Pictures from top to bottom: King's College Chapel, Cambridge; Westminster Abbey, London; Mel and Jess dancing in Kassy's future wedding site at the Royal Banqueting Hall, London; Mel's favorite place, the sign at Shakespeare's Globe, London