It's a Classical Life

I was never a big poetry fan until recently. During my year 12 exams we studied poems such as The Flea by John Donne and Samuel Taylor Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Kubla Khan . At the time, I didn't think much of them - perhaps when we have to study something it becomes a chore. And yet when I read those poems today I love them!  Poetry gives people the opportunity to express themselves in the most creative ways. The techniques available to poets, including the use of simile and metaphor, personification, sound devices and symbolism are all perfect ways in which to express oneself. Some poems are simple in their meaning and their words, others can take a bit longer to figure out. Some techniques, such as enjambment and alliteration, may be less easy for you to identify (without having studied these techniques per se), but they play a necessary and beautiful role in the sound and the flow of the poem. Most poems are best read aloud, and it is my encouragemen...

Tea has been a ritual enjoyed not only by the British, but also the Japanese, Chinese, Turkish, Argentinians, Indians, Uruguayans, Australians, and Americans amongst others. In each of these cultures, 'tea' is a ritual based around not only the drinking of tea (in whatever form it may take) but also in enjoying a few snacks, relaxing and at times socialising. Taking the time to brew the tea can be a lengthy, elaborate step, such as in Japanese and Chinese tea ceremonies, or it can be as simple as pre-heating the teapot with hot water before adding the tea to brew. Common to all cultures is time. Taking the time to sit, rest and enjoy tea is the beauty behind the ritual. It is something that we can all make time for in our daily lives, to help us slow down and savour a simple, classical life. Sharing tea with others is a perfect symbol of hospitality and permeates many of the motivations behind the ritual and  is reflected in many British classic novels.  Cranford  by Eliz...