Signs of Spring

Hello my wonderful friends and family,
How I do miss you! It feels as though it is not so long until I will be home again, though I know I am only half way done. The time does seem to go by faster when the sun is shining, and it has been lately, off and on. Today is a beautiful day in York-- not 'warm' by California standards at all, but lovely just the same. On my walk to work this morning (wearing my winter coat, but with SUNGLASSES!) the sky behind the cathedral was a bright blue. I also heard an elderly english woman I passed tell her friend, 'I can't see anything but for the sun!' I could get used to this.

I am currently writing my two 5,000 word (that's roughly 20 pages for you Americanos) essays. One is on representations of the child South African freedom fighter, and the other is on these two documentaries and ethical issues of representation and agency. Fun, huh? :) The last two sentences were for those of you who actually care to know, if not, no hard feelings. I meet with my dissertation supervisor, Derek Attridge (also the head of the English Department and a really wonderful professor/person), in the next two weeks to plan my timeline. In my mind, however, the timeline gets me finished and home around the end of August. However, it doesn't have to be in until September... so we'll see.

When I am not sitting behind a computer screen, I am revelling in the change of the seasons. See, Californians, SEASONS are these things where the weather is distinctly different, plants die and then grow again...it's really pretty crazy :) Seriously though, there are signs of spring all over the city. The daffodils are in bloom all along the walls that surround the city. AND, the other day on the way home from the library, Alison and I saw that the horses we pass all the time have new BABIES! They were so small, and looked as if they had just been born. Their coats were still a bit matted. Needless to say I went into stereotypically girlish fits of 'aaawwwww!' Oh well, that's my way, what can you do?

In May, Mom, Pam and Stephanie are coming our and the four of us are going to ITALY! Rome, Venice, Florence. We will definitely get some sun there. I have already been dreaming about eating gelato in the piazzas. I can't wait...

I hope that you are all enjoying a gorgeous spring, wherever you are. And if you can walk around without your winter coat most days, don't forget to be grateful!

Transatlantic 'aaaawww's,
*Ryan*

---

---