This past week was filled with mostly writing and work for end of the semester deadlines (which are now completely finished and turned it!). But I still was able to find some time for picture-taking.
Destination: Royal Opera House
Last Wednesday, I went on the Royal Opera House's Backstage Tour. I used the tour as part of my research for my theatre performance paper, but that was just a convenient perk. The tour was actually extremely interesting and fun. The theatre has actually experienced two devasting fires in its past and had been rebuilt from the ground up both times. The building that exists now is actually the completely updated and refurbished theatre. Before, the work spaces needed were not all on site. Set construction, rehearsing, and storage were all located in completely different parts of England. Part of the latest modernization of the ROH was to make everything consolidated and under one roof. Now they have a bigger stage, a complete stage-sized storage area underneath the stage that can be raised up and down as needed, a stage-sized practice room, complete with floors that have springs in them just like the actualy stage. (Apparently the springs in the floor help absorb some of the shock and weight placed on dancers' feet when they dance and jump and whatnot.). They have a storage unit in Wales still--only for practicality purposes, as they do 300 performances a year and have a lot of props and things like that to archive. When I went, I was able to watch the lead dancer playing Cinderella run through her rehearsal of that song when Cinderella is dancing through her house with the broom and thinking. She was in full costume and incredible to watch up close. She was shorter than I had imagined a ballerina to be, but her posture and stance made her seem a million miles tall. And I still marvel at the concept of point shoes--beautiful, but how does she do it!? Especially when she flickers her feets, shifting her weight back and forth quickly to keep the movement going. Her instructor was there as well, pointing out what to improve--hand gestures, facial expressions, head tilts, etc. It was gorgeous.
Destination: Covent Garden
After the tour, I decided to hang out and wander through the area there--called Covent Garden. The property used to be owned by Westmisnter Abbey and was eventually sold to an Earl (I don't remember which...) and built up into the marketplace it is today by the crown's favorite artist and designer of the time. So it definitely has a more sophisticated atmosphere about it. But more importantly, the second I stepped into the market area, I was transported into all that is Christmas-y! There was music and gift wrapping and decorations and christmas trees, and even a hedge in the shape of Rudolph!! haha. I wandered around, taking pictures and browsing through everything. It definitely got me in the Christmas-y spirit!
Destination: Camden
On Saturday, Callum and I went to Camden. We had gone before, but at night. And my camera doesn't like the dark very much. So this time we went during the day so I could take pictures of Camden Lock. The bridge there is amazing. It seemed like it was older than the whole of the U.S.--and it very well might be. It was made of light and dark grey bricks and had a slight curve as it rounded over the top of the water. I think I stood and looked at the bricks, periodically jumping up an down just to feel them beneath my feet, for a good ten minutes--that how much I loved those bricks. :)
Destination: Library
Though I have no pictures that correspond with this place, it was where I could be found for most of this past week. I liked to stake out one of the few long tables next to a plug in the basement of the Regent's campus library usually...so I could plug in my computer and spread out my stacks of books and papers and drafts and whatnot. I like my space. :) And I was actually quite productive there, moreso than when I work in my room. I've found that that is something opposite of at Alma. My study habits here are different. I find I can't really work well in my own room and need to go to the library to get any real writing done. I get far too distracted in my flat. But in the basement of the library, my cell phone gets no reception. It takes a good 15 or 20 minutes walk to get there, so once I'm there I need to stay there to make my walk worthwhile. And there is less noise (usually) so I can concentrate better. All nice to know for second semester.
Destination: Michigan
My flight leaves this coming Saturday morning. Only 4 more days. And as I have no other work responsibilities, I intend to make my last 4 days fun. This is a good way end the semester. :)
Destination: Facebook
All the pictures I mentioned are posted on facebook.
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