Life in a Manor

English Clog Dancing

So, after coming home to the manor after my trip to London, I am coming to realize that while I may have originally thought mostly on travel coming here, there is so many other special things here.  While at first I was not entirely thrilled about being in the Carriage House due to the short walk in the cold, I have come to really enjoy it.  Every time, the manor looks entirely different, depending on the time of day.  I am stuck every time by its size and beauty.  In the morning, I enjoy the sunrise.  Midday, I enjoy the sun shinning down on the manor or the clouds surrounding.  At night, I see my favorite view of the manor with the night sky and the stars, which are quite beautiful here.  It is something you truly just can't capture on a camera.  Harlaxton is not just a place to stay in between traveling and to take classes, but a place of history and community.  There is always so much to do, and I really do not understand how anyone could ever be bored.  I have become busy with a basketball league, student fellowship, choir, all of the cultural immersing activities, classes, visiting Grantham, and just in general making a lot of new friends and enjoying this experience with approximately 200 different students and faculty.  This week, for instance, we had an exposition of sword dancing and clog dancing and then enjoyed some traditional singing and dancing with them in the bistro afterwards.  It has been fun getting to know the other students, as well as the staff and their families, because many of them are living here in the manor with us.  Yes, this does mean there are a few little kids running around the manor.  One of my favorites always greets me with a high five, is very high strung, and likes to share his Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal with me.  I can't imagine what it would be like living here as such a young child with such a large imagination.  Some of the kids are home schooled by their parents, but others actually attend schools in Harlaxton and Grantham.  But they are just another thing to put a smile on your face here every day.   The people here are wonderful, scholarly, and all just fantastic.  While I am looking forward to my weekend travels, I am also really enjoying being able to call this Harlaxton Manor home. This afternoon, I am going on a historical tour of the manor, so hopefully I will be able to post more about the actual manor soon!

English Sword Dancers

Attempting to understand British Studies...