Classes have Begun25 Oct 2009
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Hello from York! I am sorry for the delay in posting an update. The past few weeks have been rather full.
My department (Archaeology) began its induction (orientation) last week with tours of King’s Manor--where my classes take place, the main library and sessions introducing the department’s computing facilities. King’s Manor is a rather impressive place to study. Visit this link to see a picture of the structure and to learn more about its history http://www.york.ac.uk/admin/presspr/kmanor/.
This week classes began for my program. I am taking Analysing Historic Buildings, Philosophical Approaches to Conservation, and Lime & Stone. In the first two classes the lectures focused on giving us a brief overview of the subjects and provided inspiration and resources for our upcoming dissertations (Thesis in the US).
One of my flat mates had a birthday party this week and we celebrated in grand fashion. I tasted my first slice of cake with royal icing (a somewhat harder frosting than in the US and appears to mold to the cake’s form) and my classmate had the first surprise party of her life :). At the party I was able to meet more students from the university. They were from a variety of countries including Spain, Kenya, Zimbabwe, the Republic of the Congo, Greece, South Africa, Canada, China, Lithuania, Ukraine and Marietta, GA--I couldn’t believe it either. It has been amazing meeting people from all over the world and we have had fun sharing our cultural backgrounds.
On Friday, my Lime & Stone class traveled to the city of Malton, England about a half hour north of York. It is a quaint little town, where 75% of the buildings are owned by one family, the Fitzwilliams, and have been for the past 300 years. About 30 of us gathered at York House (built around 1590)--the location of the field work, to have hands-on experience in working with lime. We experimented with various ways to use lime on a historic building--repointing stones with lime putty, using lime wash on interior walls, and plastering with lime. I learned that using lime on a building helps the main materials breathe, such as the timber or stone. External conditions such as heat or high amounts of moisture will cause put stress on the limestone instead of the primary materials. When cement is used instead of lime extreme weather conditions cause the main materials to fail instead of the cement.
I also traveled to Leicester (pronounced Lester--I was confused quite a few times) this week to attend the Teshuvah Messianic Synagogue. It was very nice to attend a service, as I have not visited one since I arrived in York. Everyone was very friendly and inviting and I met several other students who attended universities in the city and nearby. After the service the Rabbi read a historical account of the time shortly after the creation of the State of Israel. It was interesting to learn that Jews came from all over the world to return to their homeland including thousands from China and Yemen.
Well, that’s all for this week. Looking forward to the adventures ahead!
*I have also uploaded photos from some of the social activities the university sponsored during freshers (welcome) week: karaoke night, the wall walk and York Minster tour, the birthday party, and the field visit to Malton .*
God bless,
Lydia
