A Pre-Weekend Post

Hello readers,

Usually I write about my weekends on Monday but I am starting this weekend with a pre-weekend post.

As you guys have probably gathered I have been captivated by the mini series Downton Abbey (I know a little late to the game). But I have decided to take my new love of this show and actually use it in class. What, how can this be? No I haven't switched studies to film or creative writing (though both very cool). I have decided when ever I am able to explore more into the Edwardian life style. Even though I love the romantic drama between Mary and Matthew it has been her sister Sybil that actually captures my attention. She is so independent and wants to change the world. (Don't worry I am not revealing anything from the second season).

Lilly Elsie (Edwardian Actress)
Lady Sybil (Downton Abbey)

So in my history class we have to take a secondary source's footnote and track down the primary source to back it up. My topic is going to be Edwardian women... I would really like to explore Edwardian women who do not get married and the up rising professional girls. 

For example why did women take on professions as librarians? As a future librarian and historian I'm really interested in how that became a woman's job (though I do have male class mates). Just a curiosity of how it is now primarily women. 

The Music Man

These are just some thoughts but I do hope to explore them more.... I mean after all one day I will have to write another thesis. Woo hoo!

Wait is it summer again?

I did want to post this yesterday but was having some computer difficulties.

This weekend Boston was hit with a beautiful warm front we had cool mornings evenings but the afternoons were sunny and got up into the 80s.On Saturday my friend said it was even warm standing in the shade.

My weekend started off kind of low key with a night in on Friday night... I actually enjoy this because I rest up a bit.



Sweet Potato Pancakes



Then on Saturday two of my friends I went to go get brunch at this great restaurant "Trident Bookstore". One of my friends I had brunch with was only here in Boston for a week before he goes off and sees more of the world. So it was great getting brunch with him and catching up and hearing his plans as he prepares to be a missionary. I can't say where he is going as people there are not friendly to people who want to spread the word of Jesus. My other friend and I go to bible study together, but sadly don't hang out much outside of that, so it was nice hanging out with her too. Then after eating sweet Potato Pancakes,that I said if heaven had a taste it would would taste like these, we went walking around the Fens. (Here in Boston we shorten the name so to not get confused with Fenway Park, where the Red Sox Play). 



We had fun pondering the meaning of this baby head outside the MFA, Boston



Sadly we couldn't spend the whole day playing around. I had to get back home and do some homework (ah grad-school). But homework turned into a nap for a bit then homework. I love random naps. Then I went out with another friend to see the movie 50/50. A movie I really wanted to see and when I told people that I was going to go see it... they asked me what is that about? I told them a 20 something who gets diagnosed with cancer. But that's really all I knew. The commercials made it seem like a comedy... which it is in ways. I mean it is really funny watching Joseph Gordon-Levitt acting high after eating macaroons with weed in them but I wonder how much they made light hearted for the movie. I mean it is based off a true story and the guy Adam (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) actually wrote the movie so he lives. I do love that it brings to light the fact that 20 somethings can get cancer it is not just old people or babies. But it also hit home a bit because I have a friend that has been fighting cancer this last year and sadly I don't ever know what to say to him. "You'll be fine" (sounds horrible and I can't predict the future). It is just a good reminder that no matter how bad you think things are they can be worse.

Sunday was also nice but more low key and sadly getting through more homework.But I did treat myself to another episode from Downtown Abbey, 2nd Season (link in post below). I also did not have yesterday off so I didn't get to enjoy another gorgeous day. This morning when I left my apartment it felt like the crispness of fall was back but I am still holding out by wearing flip flops.

Bitten by the bug

What bug you ask? The Downton Abbey Bug that is.

If you have not seen it... oh you are missing out. In my post on Weekend Loves I wrote how I discovered this show. Well over the weekend I watched most of the first season on PBS.com but sadly they were off line before I could finish the season. So I sought out a copy and found a good price copy on Amazon.com. I was quite impressed with Amazon as I ordered a copy on Tuesday and when I got home on Thursday I had discovered it had arrived. YEAH!!! Also because I am impatient I have found some links that got me to the second season. See what a little googling can do.

The Sisters (Lady Edith, Lady Sybil, Lady Mary)

It is hard to explain the greatness of this beautiful costume drama but I have got swept up in it all.

If you haven't watched it... well you should. But to explain it starts in 1912 right after the sinking of Titanic and we quickly learn that Lord Grantham's only heir (his nephew) was on the ship and died. Now the property and title will be left to his third cousin Matthew Crawley (my latest hollywood crush). And at first no one can except him... I mean he is an upper class lawyer not a gentleman.

Matthew Crawley 

Dowager Lady Grantham 

There is a great scene when he first comes to town where he explains he will get a job, and Lord Grantham asks says he will need to learn the property and he says I can do that on the weekend and Maggie Smith (Lord Grantham's mother) asks "what are weekends?"
But eventually Matthew Crawley gets into the hearts of the people at Downton Abbey especially Lady Mary (Lord Grantham's oldest daughter). But there is so much more than this love story. That is one plot line I love. I do hope Lady Mary and Matthew will get together in the end but it is so complicated and Lady Mary with all her snobbery and stubbornness is a great heroine in the making.

Mr. Bates

Then there is the downstairs plot line I love with Mr. Bates and Anna. Mr. Bates is Lord Grantham's valet and Anna is a house maid. And their love is quiet and tender for each other but it makes my heart flutter when ever they are in the same scene.

Anna 

And there is Daisy, a young girl in the kitchen who repeatedly abused by the head cook. She loves Thomas, a footman, and William, another footman watches in vain to love her. But Carson, the butler, is probably my favorite downstairs character. He has such honor and pride in how the house of Downton Abbey is run and he makes sure the house runs properly. But he does have a soft spot for the family and the staff he over sees.I feel like I am leaving things out.

Lady Sybil

Back upstairs there is Lady Sybil, the youngest daughter, who is going to change the world. She has a voice on politics, mostly concerning women's rights and she is determined to see one of the house maids hired to be secretary. And when the war comes she goes to help the war movement she becomes a nurse.

Here Sybil is learning how to cook

All the drama (both upstairs and downstairs) is so wonderful to get swept up along in and some times watching it I wish I could go back and live in this world. But I guess I am highly romanticizing it. If you haven't watched yet and are going to seek it out now I recommend you set aside an afternoon to watch and enjoy it because like a good book you can get swept up into it...and one episode is not enough.

My Oasis

 If you have not discover Pinterest I really recomend it...I didn't know what was all about when I joined but I love it now because I get to look at fun and artsy pictures. Also I find it a great resource to collect photos for this blog, photos of fashion I like, I even collect photos for my dream wedding, and things I want to learn how to bake, basically I collect photos of the eclectic, hopeful romantic, girly things I love.

I have made one board titled "Eight O'clock at the Oasis"- inspired by an episode of Gilmore Girls. The board is suppose to represent if I could have my dream space what would it include...



All found at Pinterest



Lots of flowers... even though I don't have a green thumb I love flowers

Pretty little tea sets so I can unwind an relax

A cork board wall... I have always wanted one so I can pin up pictures, ideas, and inspirations for the novel I was working on.

Lots of Jane Austen.... really just lots of books and a comfy chair to read the books.

A little garden... though some one else will have to take care of it for me as I said I don't have a green thumb.

A little writing desk... that has a great window to look out (so a nice view).

A comfy bed... I love random nap times.

And a wall with lots of frames holding post cards I like and family members I love.

What would your oasis have?