Inviting Vikings

Rugby Ranting

After weeks of anticipation Hilary's place of employment, The Royal Standard, was bursting at its seams with ladies and gentlemen sporting the red rose of Lancashire and the Georgian flag. South Africa was the favored team--England the underdog--but Yossar encouraged everyone in attendance to, "Keep the faith." He insisted England was at their best when, "Our backs are against the wall." With his glass raised high and wearing his flag like royal robes, Yoss held the appearance of a monarch ready to leap off his steed and join the battle with sword in hand.

Hilary had looked forward to the event, but lost a touch of her enthusiasm due to shortness of sleep. Despite fatigue, she painted red crosses on her fingernails, tied a knot in the back of the over sized rugby shirt Yossar loaned her, rolled up her sleeves and started pouring the brews.



Deirdre sat in attendance with friends Maria, Mark, Eric and Daniel. The group drank two rounds of J2O's (curteousy of Daniel and Mark) which pleased the owners, Mic and Jess. Eric attempted to explain the workings of rugby to Deirdre. Vocabulary and rules were taught. Deirdre remembered the word "ruck" most vividly. The effect caused after a player is in posession of the ball: a blood-thirsty, violent attack by more than a few players on the opposing team. When not watching the brutal game on the screens, Deirdre took pictures of her sister, friends and strangers in the crowd.

Despite a few drunken renditions of, "Swing Low" encouraging the England team to take the win, they refused. Yoss held his head high and congratulated the three South Africans, who had the audacity to break out champagne in the middle of The Standard. He looked cheery enough, but the regulars could see his now solemn mood. Leaning against a wall, Yossar rang a friend and related the fact that he, "Needed a hug."

Hilary's patience was on trial and had to coolly use her edge on a few indiscreet customers before the night was over. Five minutes before twelve Hilary's feet and heart were filled with relief to see her ride home walk through the door. She stopped everything she was doing, grabbed her coat, purse and Daniel's arm, hollered back her farewells to the pub and hurried out the door.

Windsor Wandering

Parks, Parishes and Pubs

October break finally came giving Hilary and Daniel (the gentleman vaguely eluded to in previous posts) the opportunity to go on a proper date. The couple, both ridiculously involved in school and church activities, finally found the time on a Friday afternoon.

Daniel devoted the entire day to Hilary, perfectly tailored to her taste. The weather showed them favor. The sun was bright and the air crisp, giving them a deliciously autumn day. He took her to his hometown for a picnic, followed by an appropriate outing to the Roman ruins at Veralumium.

As the sun began to laze on the horizon they sauntered, arm in arm, from the ruins to St. Alban's Cathedral. Hilary was unceasingly tickled by the cobblestone streets, houses, trees and especially the flint stone walls. After reverently exploring the cathedral they stopped to hear the end of a service where a girl's choir was singing. While the girls filed out, two by two, Hilary shared her sadness in the fact that the SDA churches do not celebrate the art and grandeur supported by the Anglican and Catholic churches. The opulence of these churches, so often reproached by protestants, was not seen as an outlet for artistic voice but misdirected funds. Artisans had employment because of the augustness of cathedrals; whereas strict protestant churches neglected the arts and often discouraged them. A sense of sanctity was also something Hilary wished could be attained by Adventist churches. The reverence observed when entering a church or cathedral--the holiness--was something Hilary truly desired in worship.

When they had enjoyed enough reverence and Anglican architecture they moseyed out the church doors and began the journey back to the car. On their way, passing what Daniel said was the oldest pub in England, Hilary's historical curiosity got the better of her and insisted they at least take a peek inside. Stepping through the door, they were taken in by the complete contrast in size between the building they had just left and the one they now entered. The ceiling was so low that Daniel had to duck the beams. Feeling very much like a halfling, Hilary was immediately delighted with the petite size of the place. The music of Norah Jones played over the stereo with an occasional Beatles tune in between, the irony was not lost on the two wayward youths. Venturing up a narrow set of stairs, they decided to stay and have a drink. Being an Adventist theologian, Daniel ordered a juice while his heathen history student requested an espresso. Both satisfied with their choices, decided to retire with their beverages by the fireplace, circa 1000AD.

A few hours and conversations later, Daniel decided it was time to return Hilary to her sister (who might worry about her). The walk to the car should have been a sprint, but the lack of light made them cautious about their steps. The cold air cut through their coats and made them thankful for each other and the promised warmth of Maximus (Daniel's blue Fiat, Punto).

Cornwall and Camelot

The recent loss of the Hackleman sister’s grandmother took its toll on the girls in different ways. Hilary disappeared for a while and was verbally cruel to everyone at school when she returned. Deirdre was more quiet than usual; but when she did speak, gave a deathly sharp edge to her words. Although their grandmother’s passing was not a shock, there was no way they could have prepared themselves for losing a member of their family while they were a continent and an ocean away. They desperately wanted to be with their mother and grandfather. This constant need to help, without an outlet to do so, left the girls with a spot of inadequacy they couldn’t wash off.

After a week of this behavior and mood the girls decided to throw themselves into every activity the school had to offer and create a few themselves. Every night was filled with something: Tuesday night was “cave café,” Wednesday night “movie night,” Thursday night “the experience,” and Friday night was, of course, vespers. That left an uneasy void on Sunday and Monday nights. This time could have been filled with studying or work, but Hilary and Deirdre’s friend Jonathan mentioned his desire to see Lost season 2. Hilary knew a guy who had all the seasons on his hard drive. Jonathan showed hesitation at getting a public screening started in the student center. He feared no one would come to watch it. Hilary thumbed her nose at this idea and quickly got to work getting the episodes, securing the campus center and making posters for the Monday night event. Three weeks have passed since then and there is still a healthy number of students that come to watch every week (however, Hilary only concerns herself with the attendance of one audience member). Deirdre, having never finished season one, continues to attend out of curiosity about the show and to spend time with her schoolmates.

Two weekends ago the sisters traveled to the Adventist campground at Cornwall. The journey was completed via caravan. Hilary and Deirdre both nodded off throughout the trip. Their mutual tutor, Professor Rosenquist was the captain of their voyage. After some euphoric dreaming with the soft strumming and earnest lyrics of Elliott Smith playing throughout her sleep, Hilary began to regain consciousness. The images in her mind ceased when she opened her eyes and blurrily saw the faces of her sister and friend Maria next to her. But the song “Happy Holidays” continued softly in her ears. Looking over at her sister, Hilary saw Deirdre’s lips move with no sound. Hilary nodded in ignorant agreement, closed her eyes and returned to sleep. Deirdre then grabbed Hilary’s shoulder and brought her completely to reality. The music was still playing and both girls shared their surprise about the musical choice at the helm. There were two empty seats by the driver so Hilary removed her seatbelt and climbed over two rows of students to discover her English professor shared her love of Sufjan Stevens, The Decemberists and her beloved Elliott Smith. They exchanged concert stories, album preferences and discussed the significance of the Portland music scene. It struck Hilary again, that coming to Newbold was a mysteriously fortuitous decision. Every time she thought life there was becoming sedentary a new acquaintance would stir the pot and return surprise to the mix.



The location could not have been more perfect. Standing in the middle of a field there you could turn around in circles with your eyes closed, open them at any moment and see a picture perfect scene you wanted to keep forever. Their friend Maria led them on several adventures through pastures and ruins to the beach at sunset and sunrise that marked their memories (and their shoes) with unforgettable images. The girls also got to know the Serbians better over the trip. The weekends pastor Dejan(pronounced Dan) provided lots of entertainment on and off stage that the girls were incredibly thankful for. But the girls' inability to escape people was more taxing than they anticipated and the weekend was an experience that Hilary and Deirdre were both not sad to depart from.

They returned after an eight hour trip in the musty caravan. Both sisters sat in their seats wet from their nappy heads to soiled trainers. They had explored the remaining ruins of King Arthur’s kingdom at Tintagel earlier in the day; despite the weather’s insistence that they stay indoors. They explored caves along the coast, pathways along the cliffs and dug their hands into the sand and stones lining the shore. Hilary insisted they visit the chapel above the ruins, dating to the more recent 1400’s, to see if God sounded different in seaside churches. After moments of reverence and prayers for loved ones, they passed through the heavy church doors and strolled down the path lined with tombstones, guarded by the souls of centuries past. The caravans were leaving so they cut through the mist and fog, and boarded again and enduring the next five hours with sleep and the written word. Hilary went to the Caribbean, reading Hunter S. Thompson’s Rum Diary; while Deirdre remained at Tintagel reading the Mists of Avalon.

Stumbling through their dorm room door they nearly collapsed—thankful to be back in their clean, dry, sanctuary of sanity.

Hilary and Maria on the trip home

Deirdre has a Birthday

Ontological Orators

The fascination people have with historical places is not fully understood but is no less powerful because of it. Tourists pay thousands of dollars to stand beneath the Eiffel Tower, kiss the Blarney Stone, Walk through Check Point Charlie, or to stand on the Beaches of Normandy. It’s a part of their history that they have a vague emotional memory of. Some people would even go as far as to call it an inherited memory and others reincarnation. When Patton stood near some ruins in North Africa he recalled, "It was here. The battlefield was here. The Carthaginians defending the city were attacked by three Roman Legions. Carthaginians were proud and brave but they couldn't hold. They were massacred. Arab women stripped them of their tunics and their swords and lances. The soldiers lay naked in the sun, two thousand years ago; and I was here."

On some level, Hilary’s motivation for her journey to England was based on this phenomenon. Her entire academic career was also grounded partially in it. Part of her and her sister’s for that matter, disappointment in London was due to the absence of that feeling. But their experience in the Cathedral at Westminster made up for the rest of the city. Seeing the bodies of actual saints entombed in glass for centuries was more than enough to make the chills of history climb up and down their spines. The devotion of millions of Christians could be felt every time they took a step or walked past rows of candles. Silence was kept inside and truly honored the name sanctuary. After sending up several of their own prayers for loved ones far away, in health and not; they passed through the doors and returned to the secular world with lightened spirits.

Their school week was pleasantly busy. Between classes and after school activities, the girls rarely had time to analyze their situation. Which they knew to be a good thing. Both outside of their comfort zones, the sisters attended every school activity. Hilary because she was holding onto her last year of college with a desperate grip; and Deirdre because it was her first year and didn’t want to have any regrets. They presumed this method would work because after all as Lance Armstrong once said to a defeated Peter La Fleur in the cinematic masterpiece Dodgeball, “Well, I guess if a person never quit when the going got tough, they wouldn't have anything to regret for the rest of their life.”

Despite the sister’s shared aversion to uncontrollable situations like foosball, pool, ping-pong, badminton and bowling they succeeded and failed at all of them. Hilary teamed up with an English classmate to dominate a foosball match but later lost, with the same partner, at a game of pool against her sister and another Englishman. Later in the week Deirdre succeeded at defeating her sister in three matches of badminton, Hilary maybe winning two sets out of the six. Hilary fared no better against another, even less experienced, classmate. Hilary decided the solution to her lack of badminton skill would be to purchase some athletic attire more fitted for the game.


The more comfortable NSA activity was the presentation of the first film in the Bourne trilogy. Having just watched the Bourne Identity with her Grandfather Ziebarth, Hilary attended purely for social reasons. She had great hopes of sitting by her latest male interest but was maddeningly seated behind him throughout the movies entirety.

The girls’ most archived adventure of the week was the humanity department’s social in Moore Close. There, Hilary and Deirdre met Dr. John Baildam. He was the cheeriest Vice Principle the girls had ever met. Unquestionably English, he met the girls with intellectual and self-deprecating humor. They immediately took a liking to him and enjoyed the cakes and drink provided—Well, Hilary did.






Friday evening a pile of rubbish was set ablaze by the NSA for the annual fall bonfire. Excited beyond reason, both girls wondered if there would be marshmallows there. It occurred to them that the American staple, available at every corner market, might not be in attendance. With genuine concern, Hilary asked the activities coordinator/pastor, Geert, if they would. He replied in his honey-coated, Holland accent that he would try, but they were hard to come by. Apparently they’re only available in England during the weeks surrounding Guy Fawkes Day. Deirdre’s immediate disdain for the holiday was palpable. She even verbalized it, which lead to a brief discussion of the holiday with the gentleman from Holland who really had no informed opinion but knew that it was offensive to a lot of people. Hilary thanked him for his efforts concerning the s’mores issue and walked away debating her sister whether Guy Fawkes was a hero or just a terrorist they agreed with.



This picture shows Deirdre's feelings towards Guy Fawkes Day celebrators

The event itself was destined for greatness because there would be a great deal of fire, a sunset and sitting in an open field. These ingredients were only improved by the full stock of marshmallows that were roasted with great care and nostalgia. The usually irritating feeling of sticky fingers just made the girls feel closer to their beloved United States and summer evenings spent around campfires with friends and family.




New mates Christina (American) and Maria (Dane)

Deirdre after losing a marshmallow to the flames






The end of some honky-tonk


The emotion made the girls remember the Saturday night previous when the school set off fireworks after a Saturday evening service. Hilary, having missed the July fourth fireworks that year, made sure she saw every explosion in the sky that night. Deirdre and her both, shared how strange it was to be looking at the sky, seeing the fireworks and hearing the Star Spangled Banner in their heads--but not in their ears. They wondered if any other Americans were experiencing the same confusion. Hilary just pretended for a few moments that it was the fourth of July, while Deirdre borrowed her camera and tried to capture the fireworks on film.





The idea of change occurring at stationary locales came full circle Sabbath morning when their new friend Dr. Baildam gave the sermon. He spoke of having crossed the Iron Curtain before the fall of the Berlin Wall and after. He reminisced about looking out over the village of Oberzalberg from Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest and wondering how amazing it was that the actions of a society determined to remove violent intolerance was able to now have the Fuhrer’s retreat as a tourist destination. While the sermon was mostly about praising multiculturalism, tolerance and diversity; Even Hilary and Deirdre’s cynicism was diminished for the forty-five minutes he spoke. The quotation of German philosophers and English literature was so enjoyable that they listened with pleasure, instead of defensively against the usual blind-tolerance speeches they were so accustomed too. Ultimately concluding with Immanuel Kant's request of mankind in Latin, sapere aude, “dare to know.” He stated that we too are in an age of enlightenment that demands we know our world. In the unavoidable, global society people reside in today the choice is to either sapere aude or abeo.

The sisters exited the sanctuary with pride and not so much prejudice. Pride that they attended a school that had lecturers like Dr. Baildam and a softened prejudice that comes from being an American in a foreign country.