Playing catch up: Sussex and Oxford

I've really been slack on my blogging lately, so my apologies and I'm about to dash out the door, so here are just a few pictures from last week's trip to the Cass Sculpture Park and a quick story about the trip.

Don't those raspberries and blackberries look delicious!

Last week we drove southwest of London, towards Sussex. It was my first time since arriving in London that I had truly gotten out of the city. It was incredible! Once we got out of the city the whole ride there was just idyllic English country side, parts of it reminded me of North Georgia and the Appalachian foothills, but it was mostly deep, rolling hills and farm land. It was quite funny when we where all loading up into the mini-bus the last seat (read: the one I was going to sit int) didn't have a seat-belt and so I ended up sitting in the front between Dr Wallis (my department head & professor) and Dr Seago (the department chair for the Humanities, Social Sciences and Communications as well as a Professor of Cultural Studies) Robert and Alex, respectively. Needless to say I was quite nervous; I talked sparingly and primary served as a cup holder for Alex's tea. I did get around to chatting with the both a bit, which is probably a good thing. Considering how nervous I get when it comes to starting conversations, it probably would have taken me a very long time to get around to talking to either of them casually.

Ace of Diamonds III, 2004, Lynn Chadwick, Stainless Steel (that's Alex, btw)

Tongue in Cheek, 2003, Tony Cragg, Bronze

This one was really impressive in person. It's made out of one solid piece of bronze that have been folded in on out of itself.

Diver, 2007, Eva Drewitt, Bronze

Loop, 2008, Eilis O'Connell, Carbon fibre and epoxy resin 

Alfa, 2010, Gerry Judah, Painted steel

You can see about half of my research colleagues in this picture along with Alex Seago (the one in the kentucky tuxedo) Robert Wallis (seen with his walking stick).  I feel a bit strange calling everyone my colleagues. I guess it makes me feel like I should be more engaged with everything right now, but I'm still getting my footing in everything over here. I do feel like I'm starting to settle in nicely though, even though I don't know if I'll ever really feel at home without my closest friends. I'm making new ones very well, but it it's quite the same, yet. I do feel certain that as the year progresses and we all get closer that I will start to feel more at home. I already love London. The things and the people and the accents and all the culture is beautiful and exactly what I have always wanted to experience. I do find myself lonely sometimes and strangely the one thing that always seems to cure me of that isn't going out with friends, but rather going out somewhere new by myself.
Have a fantastic weekend everyone! And remember to be kind to yourselves. ♥monica