Our winter movie top picks

Seems like I always spend the year waiting for the winter movie releases; I might be intentional, but it seems like the industry loves the idea of saving the best for last.  Maybe they're just trying to hit the holidays.  In any case, let's talk about some of the must-see features coming out at this November/December.

The two main events for the year are the new Thor and the new Hobbit.  I'm not sure which of these Zab is more excited about, but I'm leaning towards the sequel to Peter Jackson's fantastically-done Hobbit.  I only caught the trailer recently, and did you know that Orlando Bloom is actually returning to play Leglolas in this one?  Thought that was funny... character-by-character Peter Jackson is reeling the LOTR team back in...

We're also super excited about a new Scorsese film with one of our favorite actors, Leonardo DiCaprio.  The Wolf of Wall Street looks like an acid trip of money-laden frat parties, and from the trailer I would bet that it ends up at the Oscars.  Perhaps another Best Director win for Scorsese?  That would be pretty wonderful.  Another sequel on our list to see is The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.  In my opinion, the second two books in this series weren't quite as impressive as the first, but it will certainly be fun to watch.  This time around the arena is filled with past Hunger Games winners, so the stakes and intensity are going to be a lot higher.  The best part is the return of actress Jennifer Lawrence, who has already won her first Oscar at our age!  Can't wait to see what this girl does next! 

Finally, there are a few other films that have caught our eye.  From Ender's Game, which I haven't yet read myself but which has an avid and loyal fanbase, is probably going to be pretty good.  I'm also really excited about a new film by Love Actually writer/director Richard Curtis.  He's done is again with a love story about a man with the ability to go back in time and change events of his own life.  The female lead is Rachel McAdams, whom we adore (and who has now been in two modern time-traveler movies...).  It looks like it will have Curtis' perfect blend of comedy, romance, and life lessons.  Finally, the films The Book Thief and 47 Ronin don't necessarily look like they're going to be blockbusters, but the chance to see Keanu Reeves as a samarai is sure to be pretty entertaining.  As for The Book Thief, I've been hearing great things about the book, and the trailers look very promising.  Geoffrey Rush is one of the stars, and I can't speak highly enough of him.

So here's the final calendar.  Let us hear what films you're most looking forward to, maybe we missed some!

Ender's Game

November 1

About Time

November 8

Thor: The Dark World

November 8

The Book Thief

November 15

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

November 22

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

December 13

47 Ronin

December 25

The Wolf of Wall Street

December 25

The Best Tea Companies (updated - 2014!)

Winter is prime tea-drinking season. Nothing is more beautiful than curling up by the fire with a book and a cup of tea while the snow falls outside. As C. S. Lewis said, "You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me."

My favorite part of tea is that it's composed similar to an eau de parfum: you start with the "base notes" of the tea itself, whether it's rooibos from South Africa, black tea from India, Japanese sencha, or leaves from some other exotic locale; you then add "heart notes" or a fusion of fruit, spices, or fragrant flowers to add complexity; and finally, you top it off with an accent of something to draw in whomever catches a whiff... vanilla, lavender, a dash of mint... As with perfume, the possibilities are endless!

Zab and I have been tea connoisseurs for years now, so we're sharing with your our list of international favorites: brands, flavors, packaging, &c. Enjoy, and let us know your own favorites in the comments section! We're always eager to broaden our knowledge of this timeless, global beverage.

1. Tazo

Starbucks has made this tea company international famous, but did you know they have WAY more flavors than we've been led to believe? You have to check out their website, which has a fantastic aesthetic and beautifully-arranged teas. We're familiar with the classic "mood" flavors, like "Rest" and "Passion," but they also have "Thrive" and "Focus," the latter of which is "a cleverly invigorating mix of malty black tea, roasted yerba maté, orange essence & cocoa peel." They also carry their own variety of smoky Lapsang Souchong, as well as blends such as Phoenix Mountain (a honey & orchid flavor), Dragonwell (creamy green tea with subtle chestnut flavor), and Blush Berry Black (a ravishing blend of black teas with strawberry, black raspberry & blueberry).

2. Harney & Sons
Zab & I have been drinking Harney & Son's "Caribe" tea for as long as we've known each other! To this day the smell and taste of it remind me of afternoons hanging out on Zab's back porch on a sunny day after school. I'm going to put the entire description of this one here, it's just too delicious: "Breathe in the sweet aroma of Caribe, a light fusion of green and black teas enhanced by tropical flavors. The exotic tea mellifluously fuses hibiscus, guava, coconut and strawberry, accented with marigolds and cornflowers. The first sip tastes of green tea, trailed by an impressive array of fruit and floral surprises, revealing endless tropical notes tucked into each sip. A favorite for many, Caribe is an inventive and exotic blend softened into a serene escape."  Another timeless flavor of theirs is "Paris," which is "a fruity black tea with vanilla and caramel flavors, and a hint of lemony Bergamot." We also are very fond of their spin on Earl Grey tea, "Winter White Earl Grey," which is made with Chinese Mutan white tea and comes in a beautiful robin's egg blue tin.

3. Mariage Frères
Founded in 1854 by brothers Henri and Edouard Mariage, this French emporium now boasts an incredibly broad and varied selection of blends. Their classical black tin collection includes mixes such as the popular "Marco Polo" ("a mysterious blend that will take you to distant lands and unforeseen territories...") and "Thé de Lune." They also have their own unique Earl Grey blend, "Earl Grey Provence," which incorporates notes of lavender.

4. Argo
Whenever I'm home in Chicago I always try to get to an Argo Tea. This Chicago-based company has taken over the city (and spread to St. Louis, NYC, and Boston) and is giving Starbucks a run for its street corners. Not only does it have its signature drinks for the regulars (my usual is their White Tea Acai Squeeze), they also sell packaged blends for every type of tea. Some of my top picks are Fruit Sangria, Pomegranate White, and Earl Grey Crème, all of which are sold loose leaf.

5. Løv Organic
This French tea company fooled me for a while with it's Scandinavian aesthetic - I thought it was based in Copenhagen for some time.  Their all-organic loose leaf tea blends vary from the fruity to the smoky, and they all come in adorable tins in vibrant colors.  My favorite of the moment is "Winter in Løv", one of their collection with plays on their name, which actually means "leaf."

6. Le Palais des Thés
Another fairly recent find, this international tea company offers incredibly impressive blends that convey the nuances and care of designer perfumes. Their Thé du Hammam is "inspired by a Turkish recipe using green teas that evokes the characteristic fragrances used to perfume a hammam: roses, green dates, berries and orange flower water. Sprinkled with flower petals in the pure Eastern tradition, its extraordinary fragrance comes from a subtle combination of Chinese green tea and rich, fruity aromas." Their Thé des Concubines recreates the atmosphere of a Chinese tea house by blending "green and black teas from China with rich, fruity notes of cherry, mango and vanilla." Nearly every tea can be bought in multiple types of packaging, such as 3.5oz pouch, a box of 20 tea bags, or a gorgeous metal canister. I've currently got my eye on their Thé N°25 Collection, particularly their N°25 Black Tea Holiday Edition, which is a Christmas blend of black tea with "orange, cinnamon, vanilla, rose and almond."

7. Teavana
The ultimate tea-shopping experience! Seriously. It's hard to describe the sheer volume of eclectic flavors that Teavana offers, but I'm going to give it a shot. Their variety of white teas include "Dragonheart," a fusion of pomegranate and bamboo; "Youthberry," one of many superfruit-enhanced teas, and two of Zab's favorites: "Snow Geisha," which is flavored with delicate rose petals, soft white tea leaves, luscious cherries and candied cranberry, and "White Ayurvedic Chai," a modern twist on chai tea flavored with naturally sweet cinnamon with spicy pepper and robust clove. Teavana also has some crazy flavors of blooming tea, from "Pineapple Kawaii" to "Peach Momotaro" to the ancient and revered "Silver Yin Zhen Pearls White Tea," which are much smaller than the large blooming teas. In the oolong category they have so many mouth-watering blends that I don't even know what to do with myself, so here's the full list. Can I just throw a few of the oolong titles out there? "WonderBerry Chocolate Truffle," "Strawberry Rose Champagne Oolong," "Maharaja Chair Oolong," "Yumberry Wulong Oolong," and "French Spice Quartet Oolong"...

8. Tea Forté
Tea Forte's signature pyramid infusers showcase their huge variety of flavors quite nicely. Their black teas include some of my favorite flavors such as "Hazelnut Truffle," "Ice Pomegranate Blackberry," and "Orchid Vanilla." This company also has a unique line of antioxidant-amplifying beauty teas called "Skin Smart." Each gorgeous box contains a unique flavor of teabags which "support the detoxifying effect of abundant plant-based polyphenols and catechins, a strong tool in skin recovery and the fight against visible signs of skin ageing."

9. Twinings
Who can forget the English father of all tea companies? The founder of Twinings, Thomas Twining was born in 1675, and started his brand during an era of colonialism, mercantilism, and the domination of the East India Company. Today, they not only have some of the best versions of the most classic tea blends (their Earl Grey is hands-down the most time-perfected version I've ever had, especially English-style with milk and sugar), but also have launched a line of organic and fair-trade certified tea blends. Their chamomile with mint and lemon sounds like a deliciously healthy choice.

10. Kusmi
Tea therapy in every tin! Parisian Kusmi Tea has adorable colorful tins for all their flavors. I've currently got my eye on their Ginger-Lemon Green tea, a healthy blend to cure even the most finicky of colds. Kusmi also randomly has a collection of Russian teas: we like "Petrushka" and "St. Petersburg."

11. Tea Leaves
This is our newest discovery! The packaging and marketing aesthetic this company has is so wonderful. The individually-wrapped whole leaf pyramid teabags are fantastic, but they also offer loose tea in black tins. The blends are all numbered like Bellocq's, and a couple of our favorites are No. 7445 (Auberge Herbal Blend) and No. 3060 (Mango Oolong).

12. Bellocq
This one is one of my latest discoveries. Each of their teas is numbered (like a perfume!), and each is more exotic than the last! Some of my favorites are No. 45, The White Wolf (A refined and delicious blend of organic white peony, cedar, vanilla, and mint. Also wonderful iced.), No. 54, Gypsy Caravan (A beguiling blend of organic Indian and Chinese black teas, rambling rose and tongue tingling chile give way to soulful smokey notes reminiscent of a distant campfire. Full-bodied and smooth with delicate floral notes and a wistful, smokey finish. Gypsy Caravan is well-suited to holiday afternoons in a comfortable chair in front of the fire.), and No. 39, Hindu Holiday (Rich and smooth organic / fair trade South African rooibos, cardamon, fragrant cassia, and spicy ginger adorned with garlands of rose, jasmine and marigold petals.). Their bestselling tea is No. 1, Bellocq Breakfast, a blend of organic Indian, Chinese and Ceylon black tea with "round toasted notes of honey, malt and a touch of leather." For every tea, you can choose whether you want it in a yellow Bellocq box or a silver, yellow, or navy caddy.

13. Dammann Frères
Founded in 1692 in Paris, when Mr. Damame was granted the exclusive privilege of selling tea in France by Louis XIV, Dammann produces very high-quality teas with beautiful packaging.  

A time-sensitive read: Kofi Annan's Interventions

This book has been on my list for some time now, and when Kofi Annan himself came and lectured on my first day of classes at Uppsala University less than a month ago, I was absolutely amazed by this man's combination of candor and composure. I picked up his autobiography of his years as head of UN Peacekeeping Operations (1993-1996) and then as Secretary-General (1997-2006), during which time he was awarded the Nobel Peace Price in tandem with the UN itself. The book, Interventions: A Life in War and Peace, is a concise, focused read which dives right at the heart of the multiple international failures of the 1990s and early 2000s: Rwanda, Bosnia, Iraq... Kofi gives a blunt, refreshingly-sharp critique of the shortcomings of the United Nations as a cohesive actor in conflict prevention, an issue he has made it his business to remedy over the past twenty years.

I can't speak highly enough of this book. As a Peace and Conflict Studies student with a basic knowledge of the topics and players in major UN debates of my lifetime, my knowledge was completely uprooted by Annan's summation of the conflicts from the perspective of the UN. Not only does he present the issues in an incredibly fluent and concise manner (a testament to his natural ability to zero-in on the root of a conflict, the place where diplomacy must be targeted), he also peels back the complex layers and interactive structures of the UN to easily engage the reader with the interplay of countless nuanced exchanges between many, many actors over endless years of conflict after conflict. In the throes of what was no doubt one of the most challenging jobs in the world, Annan emerges as a lucid, forward-thinking individual, one who was always attune to the bigger picture, even as actors (often the US) barraged the UN to make narrow-minded and thoughtlessly reactionary decisions in the face of global trauma.

This is a book that you can open to any page and find immense wisdom. I would love to quote many, many of his paragraphs, but I would like to mention this one, because it really gets at the heart of why the UN fails to act in the face of crisis. It's not because they don't want to or don't have the ability to; rather, it's the very nature of the organization, i.e. that it is reliant on the whims and decisions of the actors that constitute it. The UN is not an independent force, and this is something that we tend to forget. "The UN" is a term for the consensus (or at least the bargaining table) of every country in the world (except Kosovo, Taiwan, the Vatican, and Palestine).  Failure to act on the part of the UN is merely a failure for the broader international community to act.

"Contrary to what many suspect, the UN has few resources of its own.  For a peace operation, I had to go to the troop-contributing countries and ask for peacekeepers.  For development assistance and humanitarian relief, I had to go to the donor governments." (140)

With events unfolding in Syria, this is a very timely book to read - Kofi Annan leaves off in this memoir with mentions of the escalating tensions in Syria.  I would recommend reading it now before it becomes outdated by a barrage of new developments in the Middle East.

One last point I want to make about this book: he gives a thorough account of the Iraq War from where he sat as Secretary-General while the US chose to commit an illegal act of invading Iraq without the approval of the Security Council.  In light of everything Annan writes up to this point (he saves the Iraq War for last), in light of his descriptions of how painstakingly the UN had to be restructured in order to step out of the Cold War era and into our world of contemporary armed conflict (most of which is actually intrastate in nature), this decision to flout the UN had terrible ramifications that continue to be seen and felt, even a decade later.

"By behaving the way it did, the United States invited the perception among many in the world--including many long-time allies--that it was becoming a greater threat to global security than anything Saddam could muster.  This was a self-inflicted wound of historic proportions--and one that did immense, and possibly lasting, damage to U.S. standing in the world.  Abu Ghraib did not come out of a vacuum, and neither did Guantanamo.  The way they both ran counter to the principles of the rule of law has done incalculable damage to the global struggle for human rights." (366)

The sad fact is that Kofi Annan had been devoting nearly all of his time to engaging in diplomatic processes all over the Middle East -- with Iraq, Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Hizbollah, you name it!  And real strides were actually being made!  The US invasion of Iraq put pretty much all of this to a halt, delaying peace in the Middle East by years, if not decades.  This isn't old news; the consequences are apparent today, in the US's less-than-amicable relations with many Middle East leaders.

Buy on Amazon

All-in-all, I was absolutely riveted by this book - it's a remarkable historical artifact, going through all the major conflicts of my lifetime (I'm 22) and discussing the ways in which the UN has adapted for the better (while still pointing out where the organization has still to better itself).

Traditional British Scone Recipe

After returning from a month spent in beautiful London, I have been craving the traditional British scones that are such a part of life there. The scones sold here in the US are quite unlike British scones: they are very sweet and incorporate all kinds of fruit and flavours (from blueberries to cinnamon to pears and cheese!). British scones are simple, perfectly balanced, and unparalleled, and to get them here in the US, I have no choice but to make them myself! There's also no better way to spend an autumn or winter afternoon than enjoying freshly baked scones, hot tea, and a cosy book....      

I've been using this recipe to craft my own traditional British scones since I've been back in the US, and they're pretty close to what I was able to get in the UK. I sometimes allow for a few twists in the ingredients (substituting in gluten-free flour, for example), and some people prefer plain rather than 'fruit' (sultana raisin) scones, so feel free to adjust as you prefer!

Ingredients:

• 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (or whole wheat/gluten free, if you prefer)
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 5 tablespoons sugar
• 5 tablespoons butter (I use Kerry Gold unsalted because it's Irish and so soft and creamy!)
• Half a cup of sultana raisins (or just golden raisins if you can't find sultanas in the US... I haven't been able to)
• Three-quarters of a cup of milk (I usually use whole milk or even half-and-half to get richer scones)
• One egg yolk for glaze
• Fruit preserves and clotted cream for serving, if desired

Method:

Preheat your oven to 400 Fahrenheit.

Mix the first three ingredients in a large mixing bowl until well blended. 'Cut' the butter into the dry mixture using either your hands (my choice!) or a pastry blender, until the mixture is crumbly and there are no more large chunks of butter. Try to avoid warming the butter beforehand - you should use cold, firm butter for this step. This can be difficult when you use typical US butter, which is why I use Kerry Gold - it's much softer even when refrigerated.

Desired texture once the butter has been cut in  

Once the butter has been 'cut' in, add the raisins (if you don't want plain scones), mix, and then add in the milk or half-and-half. Knead lightly with your hands until well mixed - but don't overdo it! Less is more here, and over-mixing will keep the scones from being light and fluffy. You want the dough to be quite moist.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured, flat surface and flatten to about a three-quarter or one-inch thickness. Use a round cookie cutter (about two inches in diameter) to cut the dough into circles. If you don't have a round cutter, that's fine (I don't!) - just use the bottom of a round glass that's about two inches wide to lightly mark the top of the dough, then cut the circles out with a sharp knife. This works just as well. Place the scones an inch or so apart on a greased baking sheet.

Isolate the egg yolk from the whites in a small bowl and whip with a fork. Use a brush (your fingertip will work too!) and lightly glaze the tops of the scones. This will create a lovely golden glaze once the scones are baked - but use only a very little (just until the tops are shiny) or the scones will come out soggy. Then pop them into the oven for 15 minutes, until golden brown.

Beautiful! Scones are best eaten warm, so either enjoy them right away or heat up for a minute in a toaster oven if you'll be eating them later.

Here's a bonus tutorial for serving scones the proper British way. Cut the scone in half lengthwise, so you have two flat circular pieces. Spread with a sweet fruit preserves or jam - I prefer Bonne Maman Wild Blueberry Preserves - and then top with a dab of clotted cream, if you can find it. You can substitute whipped cream too, but clotted cream (kind of like a mix between whipped cream and butter) is the traditional way to go. The Fresh Market carries Double Devon Cream, but it's difficult to find elsewhere in the US. After having my scones this way in the UK (which is how they're always served), I can't eat them any other way! And don't forget the tea!

October book to buy: The Kinfolk Table

Kinfolk Dinner: Brooklyn, NY from Kinfolk (kinfolk.com) on Vimeo.

I wish more people knew about Kinfolk magazine.  Based in Portland, OR, this new indie magazine has a very unique theme: small, intimate gatherings.  Good food, good company, good conversation, the passing on of recipes and home-related skill sets, exploration, travel, &c.  It has a fantastic aesthetic - natural, rustic, simple, beautiful.  The team of freelance photographers, writers, travelers, and filmmakers who contribute to each new issue come from all over the world.  Their latest issue (#9 - they haven't been around that long!) has the theme of "defining your weekend, finding the right balance between work and play" and you can check it out here.  Another cool element of Kinfolk is their monthly events, which are themed each month but which take place simultaneously in locales all around the globe.  Take this month's "Preserving the Season" gatherings in Seattle, Mexico City, and Oslo, to name a few - all celebrating the harvest and teaching guests about canning, pickling, etc.  Upcoming events are always posted to their website here.

This October, Kinfolk is branching out even further - they're publishing a cookbook!  I had the pleasure to preview it, and it is really just fantastic.  The Kinfolk Table: Recipes for Small Gatherings is divided into sections by city/locale.  From Brooklyn to Copenhagen, to the English Countryside, each sections includes profiles of a variety of individuals who have been discovered by Kinfolk over the years.  Photographers, bakers, farm owners... they come from all walks of life, yet they've all welcomed Kinfolk into their homes and have shared their most precious recipes.  Some are their original creations, and some are recipes that have been handed down through their families.

The cookbook is full of gorgeous photography, not just of the culinary creations included but also portraits of all the contributors, and even a great deal of photos of their homes, their kitchens, the small beautiful elements that make up their daily lives.  The volume leaves you not only with the ability to make simply, healthy, delicious meals and desserts (such as Pasta with Wilted Arugula, Almonds, and Soft Goat Cheese or Chocolate Chip Zucchini Cake), but also stories: of people, places, livelihoods...  It's incredibly true to the magazine's mission, and is definitely a must-have for chefs, travelers, and all indie/hipster types. ;)

You can pre-order The Kinfolk Table on Amazon.

Release Date: October 15, 2013

$21.00 | hardcover

Zabelieth's Fall TV Guide

Hello, lovely readers!  Sorry for being MIA for a bit there - new school year for both Zab and me, and for me it also means a new country to call home.  I'm settled in here in Sweden now, and feeling a little homesick I've decided to create a cheatsheet for this fall's must-see American shows.  For myself as well as for you guys. ;)

So first of all, was the return of Jon Stewart to The Daily Show not the best thing ever?  I really missed him while he was off filming Rosewater (2014) in the Middle East.  John Oliver did a great job subbing for Stewart, but nobody can replace the show's main man.

This week was the start of Season 3 of New Girl, starring Zooey Deschanel.  The first episode was absolutely hilarious.  I don't want to give any spoilers, but... I think it's time for Winston to do a puzzle.  In Season 3 we'll see how Jess and Nick fare as a new couple, and we'll find out whether Schmidt chooses Cece or Elizabeth.  New episodes show every Tuesday at 9pm EST on FOX.

My favorite show of the moment, Chicago Fire, is coming back for a second season!  The first episode will air on Tuesday, September 24 at 10pm EST on NBC.  The finale of the first season showed dashing candidate Peter Mills submitting an application to join the Chicago Police Department instead, and I'm seriously hoping this was a fluke.  If you're unfamiliar with the show, here's a random fun fact: Taylor Kinney, who plays lead rescue squad firefighter Severide, is Lady Gaga's boyfriend.  He's quite a hunk, as is Australian actor Jesse Spencer, who plays the other lead firefighter, Casey.

Joss Wheadon has a new show, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which starts September 24 at 8pm EST on ABC.  The show features the return of Agent Coulson, who we all saw die in the Avengers movie, but whom Wheadon felt the need to bring back in order to lead the show's team.  You can't have S.H.I.E.L.D. without Coulson.  I'm excited to see the show, I think we've been starved for Joss Wheadon television for a couple years now, since Dollhouse stopped.  Check out the badass website for the new show, agentsofshield.com.

Finally, let's not forget that the last season of How I Met Your Mother is set to air this coming Monday, September 23 at 8pm EST on CBS.  I haven't been watching this show religiously, but word is the show finally revealed the mother in the last episode of the last season - which is great, seeing as we've been waiting years for Ted to get to the point.  I'm excited, this is a wonderful show and I'm sure they're going to go out with a bang.  It will definitely be hard for fans to say goodbye to these characters, though - HIMYM has a similar loyal fanbase to Friends.

Book Reviews: The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. & Aleph

I cannot speak highly enough of two of the books I read this summer.  Adelle Waldman's first novel, The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P.: A Novel,absolutely rocked my world.  I've never read a book that so perfectly captured what young adult relationships are like.  Nathaniel P. is a hotshot freelance writer living it up in NYC.  At the start of the novel he's already had quite the timeline of relationships, hookups, etc.  The book delves into his past romantic experiences while also watching how he navigates his current affairs.  I won't spoil the ending, but it was refreshing and left me feeling that we're all sort of Nathaniel P., wanting to be the moral compass in every interaction but oftentimes overlooking our own selfishness, our own ulterior motives, even our own flaws.  I think Waldman did an excellent job capturing the male psyche - the book could perhaps have been subtitled "What Your Boyfriends Are Thinking."  Though The Love Affairs was a tough act to follow, I think Paulo Coelho's strangely mystical/autobiographical novel Aleph really nailed it.  I am familiar with Coelho but this was the first book I'd ever read by him.  It was spectacular.  Definitely one of the strangest books I've ever picked up, it is the semi-autobiographical account of a married writer named Paulo who decides to ride the Trans-Siberian Railway all the way to Vladivostok on the Sea of Japan.  Following him on this journey - despite his best efforts to dissuade her - is a young woman named Hilal, a violinist.  As the story develops, it turns out that the narrator and Hilal have met before.  This is where the novel takes a sharp left into the fantastical: Paulo and Hilal have met in a past life, hundreds of years before, during the Spanish Inquisition.  Something happened then that was never resolved, and it is on this grueling, eerie, beautiful train ride that they together delve into their shared existence using something called the Aleph, "the point at which everything is in the same place at the same time. I'm at a window, looking out at the world and its secret places, poetry lost in time and words left hanging in space...sentences that are perfectly understood, even when left unspoken. Feelings that simultaneously exalt and suffocate."  This is a fascinating book, full of beautiful quotes on life and love, very philosophic while simultaneously containing a great deal of adventure.  I want to end with one of my favorite quotes from Aleph, which sums up the unique manner in which human relationships are perceived in this book - as being repeatedly broken and reassembled:

“The world is being created and destroyed in this very moment. Whoever you met will reappear, whoever you lost will return.” (p.13)

London | Day N° 21 | Oxford & the Eagle and Child

Today I am leaving my beloved city of London. In this short period of time, I have come to love this city: each day I found another aspect that deepened my affection, respect, and interest in this wonderful place. I’ve traveled to every major city in the US, and I love them each in their own ways; but London far outdoes them in my eyes. There is something completely different about this place, about the UK. Honestly, it’s the pride of its people. The British are so fiercely proud of their land and ways, and have good reason to be. It makes for a very elegant, refined, and respectful society, one that I’ve adored from afar for many years, but experiencing it has only made me love it more. Perhaps if I lived here, after many years, I would get a bit sick of it; but for now, I would give anything to spend more time in this city.

So it was with great sadness that I spent my last day in London. Honestly, I didn’t even spend much of it in London – around 11:00, Eli and I took a bus to Oxford for the afternoon. But in the morning, we walked down to LSE one last time, down Aldwych and the Strand, around Horse Guards Parade and past the Palace. It was cool and grey, of course, and I find that I have even come to love that. I, who want to spend the rest of my life drowning in sunshine, was so cosy and happy in the chill British air and under rainy grey skies.

After walking through a grey cool London to our bus stop at Grosvenor Square, we boarded a double-decker bus and crossed the deep green countryside to reach Oxford, and I got to see a bit of the UK outside the city: rolling green hills, shallow valleys, pastures of sheep, little villages. It was so perfect. When we alighted on High Street, Eli and I immediately delved into Oxford’s campus. I’m not familiar with the area, but we visited Radcliffe Camera, St Mary’s Church, one of the libraries, Christ Church, and many beautiful courtyards. The architecture of the school is obviously so impressive and old, and the gardens and lawns were well-kept and so British. We randomly happened upon a small exhibit of ‘Magical Books’: artefacts from the creation of those magical worlds that have become entwined with Oxford. Yes, this was a special exhibit for Middle Earth, Narnia, and some of the other fantastic places that are tied to this place in various ways. I couldn’t believe that we happened across this little room, because it was too perfect to be true. Almost half of the entire exhibit was dedicated to the works of JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis. 

Tolkien's hand-painted 'Conversations with Smaug'   

As soon as we walked in, I saw two small hand-drawn maps set in glass cases that looked familiar… it took me some time to come to terms with the fact that these were original maps of Middle Earth and Narnia hand-drawn by Tolkien and Lewis. I don’t think I’ve come to terms with this even now… I have spent so many hours reproducing Tolkien’s world, through maps, language, music, script, art; and there it was, the original, in the creator’s hand. The exhibit also included quite a few of Tolkien’s watercolours: ‘Conversations with Smaug’, Bilbo and the giant eagle, cave paintings from Middle Earth, the death of Smaug, and, possibly the ultimate treasure for a Tolkien fan and an artist, the original hand-painted covers created by Tolkien himself for the novels. First of all, it was almost beyond my comprehension to see these things that he had created by hand. Second of all, the man was a fantastic artist. His watercolours on their own are beautiful, richly coloured, and masterfully done. That on its own was impressive! There was a number of other incredible related things, including the script from the One Ring and the carvings from Balin’s tomb written in Tolkien’s hand, and torn and burnt pages from Book of Mazarbul that Tolkien had created.

Another of Tolkien's illustrations

It still leaves me shocked to think about it. If I were to ever plan some elaborate, grandly-scaled theft, I wouldn’t steal endless amounts of cash from a vault or casino; I would find a way to get my hands on these artefacts, these pieces of paper that are beyond worth. The maps and manuscripts and illustrations hold far more worth to me than the things other people would consider valuable. Tolkien shaped so much of who I am, and I have the deepest reverence for his genius.

  

That being said, imagine my reaction when Eli and I went to the Eagle and Child, a very old and small pub in Oxford that Tolkien and Lewis (along with others) met at to discuss their writings. They called themselves the Inklings, and I remember when Eli and I first became friends and bonded immediately over our love for writing, our fathers (who are Tolkien geeks too!) hinted that we were creating our own Inklings group. And that’s what we called it for years, when we got together at a café or bookstore to write and read each other’s manuscripts and discuss our ideas. We have both dreamed of coming to the Eagle and Child since we first met; it kind of signifies the ultimate step of our friendship to us, like we’re coming full circle.

It’s a small, dark place, with a fireplace in each room, a little bar, and a conservatory at the back (which is probably new). The Rabbit Room is set to one side by the bar, with a long wooden table right by the large fireplace. This is the room that the Inklings met in, where they sipped beer and pored over each other’s manuscripts. It was honestly too much to handle.

It’s quite an interesting phenomenon: it’s quite evident that the majority of the greatest creative masterpieces have come from the North, particularly from the United Kingdom. What is it about this land, the chill, the grey clouds and stone, the deep emerald green, that inspire such imagination in men? One would think that the brilliant hues of the tropics would be a more fertile land for imagination and tales, but the greatest stories come from these cold hills and cliffs. I don’t understand why, but I can certainly feel it when I’m here.  

The Eagle and Child can be a place where time stands still. When Eli and I had our little Inkling meetings years ago, we’d just sit and write for hours on end, with no other worries, gone to the world. We’ve since lost that… but at the Eagle and Child, tucked in a corner by the fireplace, hot Earl Grey tea at the ready, we found our sense of writers’ timelessness again. Imagination can come alive here, in this little old pub. The dark shelves and fireplaces, wooden walls, quiet private tables in little rooms; I can easily see how these men were inspired to write about

the halls of Rohan, underground burrows of talking badgers, hushed conversations around a Bag End fireplace. Middle Earth and Narnia came alive right here. They were crafted over many hours and conversations and pints over this wood table and by this fireplace. I could have stayed forever.      

But of course, we had to pass on. We returned to London around 18:00, and got ready to depart for Paris. We’re taking an overnight bus from London to Dover, in a ferry over the English Channel, and then down from the coast to Paris, to arrive early in the morning. Then, we skip over to Versailles for a day, to stay in the beautiful Trianon Palace!      

London | Day N° 20 | Knightsbridge, Mayfair, and Oxford St.

My last day at LSE – and the day of my final exam! I woke up quite early to study in my room, reviewing as much as I could. It’s so much material to understand in such a short period of time, but I can only do my best. I let Eli catch up on sleep while I went down to study at the New Academic Building on LSE’s campus for a little while before I took the test.

One of the differences in schools here (or at least a difference between William & Mary and LSE) is the strictness of exam-taking. At W&M, all students sign an honour code and are then trusted to be faithful on their exams and schoolwork; many tests are completely un-proctored by the professor or any kind of instructor. Here, the regulations during an exam are extremely strict. You must turn your mobile phone off and have it under your desk during the exam. You can only use LSE-approved calculators, and you aren’t supposed to have anything else on your desk during the exam (drinks, etc.). Your student ID card needs to be out on the desk so the invigilators (such a better name than proctors!!) can come around and mark you down several times throughout the exam. No one is allowed to leave during the exam, and in the last fifteen minutes, no one is allowed to leave, even if they’ve finished. I’m not complaining, it’s good that cheaters are so discouraged, but it’s quite strange.

Goodbye room..... 

Anyway, after I had finished my exam (and officially finished my program at LSE!), Eli and I met up with my friend from LSE and did a quick shopping trip to Knightsbridge, yet again. We didn’t get to spend much time there, but I felt that Eli needed to see Harrods while she was in London. We had a quick late lunch at the Caffe Concerto across from Harrods, and then had to scurry down to the tube to meet our friend for dinner. He (very generously) treated us all to a fantastic Indian meal at Benares in Mayfair. The restaurant was so beautiful, modern with black stone and fountains and colourful candles. We had the strangest assortment of dishes: my first course was a lotus kebab with lavender yoghurt (very spicy!), the entrée was jackfruit biryani (the jackfruit was almost flavourless and kind of had the texture of an artichoke heart or aubergine), and dessert consisted of tandoori pineapple (incredible) and Earl Grey ice cream. My friend also recommended a passion fruit and chutney martini, Benares’ signature cocktail, which was so interesting: quite sweet but with a rich spicy undercurrent in each sip. Every single thing I tried was completely different from the Indian food I’d ever had before; it was definitely a culinary adventure! Such a great recommendation and experience.  

Passionfruit-chutney martini   

Eli, my friend, and I then walked the few blocks down to Oxford Street. This is another busy shopping district, perhaps more accessible than Knightsbridge. We looked through a couple of British (maybe European) shops that I’d never visited before, Primark and River Island.  I wish we had more European stores like this in the US: our clothing shops are either very cheap and horrendously unfashionable, or very fashionable and expensive. H&M is the one of the few common shops that has low prices but supplies us with European fashion, but I wish we had more!

It was quite late at that point, but when we returned home (and after I said my goodbyes to my friends from LSE!), Eli and I stayed up for a bit planning out our trips to Oxford and France. We went through many opetions before finalizing all our various means of travel: bus, train, cab, shuttle, airplanes… This will certainly be an interesting trip, and we will definitely be experiencing many different aspects of Europe! It’s strange for me to travel so much without a car, which I’ve always had, and have to submit to the schedules and fares of public transportation; honestly, it’s much more of a pain too. But it’s a part of the experience!