Looks like this is the first new post of the semester...

Since Prof. M warned us last semester that we had to keep up with our Latin over the break so it wouldn't be so hard to get back into the swing of things in the next few weeks, I tried to do something with my Latin textbook at least every few days. On vacation with three younger, very demanding siblings, among other distractions, I'm afraid that was the best I could manage. I hope it helped.

Also over break, I was watching the "Bones" Season One DVDs, and I noticed this one scene involving Latin. At the beginning of episode 2, "The Boy in the Tree," three of the main characters are investigating a homicide at a very prestigious prep school in Washington, DC, where the children of high-ranking elected officials and foreign ambassadors are educated. It's very high-brow, and very restricted. So much so that no outsiders are allowed on campus without an escort. As they are arriving, the three are discussing how distorted the world inside such a prep school is. Under the name of the school at the entrance is a Latin phrase: "Omnia mea mecum porto." One of the main characters chuckles and says, "What's that mean, huh? 'Regular people stay out?'" thinking that it will amuse the other two. But the other two, who are much more educated than the first, just look at him like he's crazy and completely unfunny. Simultaneously, they say in monotone, "I carry with me all my things." I was amused...

Also, my aunt got me a CD of modernized Medieval music. I had never heard of the group before, but they are called "The Mediaeval Baebes," of all things. But the really cool thing is that there is quite a lot of Latin in the songs. I'm totally fascinated with it. I hope to be able to understand all of it without looking at the translations by the end of the semester. A little taste:

"Laetabundus rediit
avium concentus,
ver iocundum prodiit,
gaudeat iuventus,
nova ferens gaudia."
~"The Return of the Birds" by the Mediaeval Baebes, on their album "Mirabilis"

I'm also very excited about "Rome" starting up again on Sunday (Jan. 14th). I'm on the edge of my seat to find out what's going on with Vorenus and his children, after what happened at the end of the first season. The very disturbing previews on the HBO website aren't helping in the slightest bit. Anybody else totally engrossed in "Rome," or is it just me?

~Rachael