A few more pictures

I took this one one a walk to Grantchester, a village right outside of Cambridge. The English countryside is stunning... especially when the sun comes out!















When LC came to visit we took a day trip to London and visited the British Museum AND the British Library. Cambria took this photo of us... I think it was on the Underground. I like to call it "oblivious v. sceptical" (based solely on our faces, of course!!)















This photo is from Matriculation (Thurs night). It is Maggie, me and Rick. Rick wanted to be in the photo... and then he made that face. Maggie and I did not quite understand. Nevertheless we (Maggie and I) look nice. ;)















Afternoon tea in Grantchester. This is an outdoor tea house, with seating under Willow trees and a stone's throw from the River Cam. Apparently this tea House (The Orchard) is famous as Virginia Wolf's favourite place to have a tea.















Pea and Tea! (This is still in Grantchester)















Me, Maggie and Caitlin at Matriculation in the Old Library at College















"Emma in the Sun". This is the back view of Emmanuel College. The building to the left is the library and the specks on the grass are ducks (Kevin, can you identify them from this view?!)















A poetic (...or not) pose outside of the chapel during Matriculation. (I am taking the photo in case you are trying to figure out which is me!)















In London. I took this photo because Cambria and I frequented a coffee shop called The Daily Grind in Santa Barbara. (And by frequent I mean: I would walk into the shop in the morning before work and the guy behind the counter would hand me a blue coffee cup and say: one-forty... without even asking)















There is a street in Cambridge called "Peas Hill". Yes, it is my hill. (My nickname amongst my peers is "Pea")















The quintessential Cambridge photo: the back of King's College chapel. Stunning, really.















Rowing! I am in seat four (fourth from the back). It was a brilliantly sunny day on the Cam that day!

One month

I am sitting in my room with the window open; so far it is a nice and sunny day here in Cambridge. I bought a basil plant to keep me company (I mean, to use in cooking...), and it is sitting outside on the window sill soaking up the rays.

Life seems to be settling down here: I usually know where I need to be without looking at my diary and I have become able to prioritise my reading, &c. Actually, today marks one month since I have been in this place. I do not know if how I feel today and how I relate to my surroundings is quite what I pictured my one-month anniversary to look like. (But then again, I tend to idealise). I enjoy this place and feel as though I am gleaning so much from this experience... but I do not think I will ever feel at home here. When I moved to Santa Barbara to go to school I developed a sense of home in that place--both at westmont and in the wider city--but I think that I will always feel a bit of an outsider here. Perhaps I have more of a sense of "the end" here. I have already begun drawing up plans for my next steps: looking into internships, jobs, more graduate school. Nine months is not a very long time.

But, overall, I think that this realisation is perhaps a good thing: I am learning that I am not as comfortable being transient as I thought I was (or used to be). I am holding onto a lot about where I come from and who I come from, something that I did not do last time I studied in this country. I was chatting to a friend over tapas a few weeks ago (an American originally from NY but lived for a long time in SD). He viewed this experience very much as a starting over: a new country, a new start. This seemed to be good for him (sometimes we need to change our surroundings in order to change something deeper, I believe), but I could not relate to him on that level. I view this as another experience to add to my already full and blessed life. I did not want to walk away with my eyes shut this time. I think often of my family in Alta Loma and Laguna and soon-to-be Humboldt (!), and also of my "extended family" in Santa Barbara and San Diego and Thousand Oaks... and further. I think of my beautiful web of friends and family and family of friends and friends of family. I have a very rich and loving network in California, and I am beginning to understand that better now that I am outside of it.

So, all of you back at home... thank you. I have been thinking of you all during this time of distress back in cali. It seems something so familiar but so far right now. Thank you to all of your updates; please do keep them coming. And I will keep you in my prayers.

From the UL

I am sitting here in the UL (University Library)... about to start my research for the day. I have just arrived, which obviously means it is the proper time for a break! :)

Today was my first morning crew outing, and my second outing ever. Waking up early and walking down to the river was not so bad... but I guess we will have to see how I feel in a few weeks time (right, HORSE?) Apart from the soreness that comes the morning after, I have rather enjoyed the experience thus far. We went for the first time today in eights--which means that all eight of us rowed at once... talk about teamwork and having to pay attention to your crew mates! Luckily we did not tip the boat and no one got wet! I think we have our first novice races in a few weeks time.

Everything else here has been good. Classes are progressing smoothly and the days are starting to fly by. Thursday will be the start on third week already (and when there are only eight weeks in term that is big news!)

I cannot think of much else interesting to tell you all now. I will be in London on Friday to scope out the British Museum and I think I may drag LC along to an apple festival in Cambridge on Saturday! (Slightly reminiscent of the apple festival we went to when I was little, I believe--Mom, where was that?)

So, until I have more to say...

Another Saturday

Casey--thank you for the continued dialogue between Burke and Grey; I really appreciate the 'uh...' comment at the end. (If you have not done so, please read the comments on the previous entry re: Greys Anatomy; it made me laugh at least!)

Miss Jessica Osborn came all the way from Santa Barbara to visit me yesterday! (Ok, so she is in London for a family wedding, but made the 55 minute train ride all the way out of London to see me!) We traipsed around Cambridge, talked personal 'gossip,' took high tea at a local tea house, spent far too much time in old bookshops, and saw the Cambridge sights (or what I know to be the Cam sights after two weeks...). Pictures are soon to come, but not today. It was a fabulous day and very good to be reminded of those I love back at home! Next week-end Miss Lauren Cano is going to be out from the states and we are going to spend some time in London with Cambria (who is at King's) and Jessica (who will still be in town). It will be a very nice gathering and a beautiful connection of my long time home and my new temporary home.

Like a crossword...

First, let me comment on a comment: Casey-- you are correct... it would have been amazing if Preston Burke was at the lecture. I am now trying to imagine a lecture on the history of early modern consumption as a TV drama series. "Grey, I need this manuscript translated, Stat!" Funny?

Anyway... today was a full, but very good day. I had three classes today, nearly back-to-back. First was "Non-written sources," perhaps my favourite methodological topic in all of history! Today we read a diary/account entry by a 16th century Northern European artist and discussed how we could use his description of what he bought, sold, or was given as a window to a wider culture of commerce, materials and exchange. Next I had palaeography. We basically dove into translating and transcribing 16th and 17th century English documents. It is amazing to look at one of these documents and wonder: is that even our same alphabet or language? It is a matter of learning the letter shape (there is actually an additional letter that looks just like Y but makes a "th" sound!) and the abbreviations... and well as using context to figure it out. Today mt Prof said: "there is a sort of crossword element to some of this"... that got me really excited!! I can think of a few of you who would LOVE palaeography (all of my suduko and/or crossword loving friends and family). My final class was Intermediate French for Academic Purposes. Basically it is training in advanced French reading. Our homework this week is to translate a portion of "L'etranger" by Camus. We are going to work on 17th through 20th century French. I don't think it will help me get around Paris any better... but I will be able to do a lot more reading in French! C'est très bien!

Tonight I made dinner and ate with Giulia, my housemate, whom I have learnt is also a vegetarian! (she's also a history mphil student... so we can chat history and vegetables!)

For all of you who are inquiring, rowing has not started yet... and I will only have one 7am practice a week (not even that early!) I will let you all know how I get on once we start up!

That is all for now. I hope you all are well!!

A memorable night

Tonight I met Peter Burke... brilliant scholar extraordinaire! The chances are high that if you pick up a book related to early modern cultural history, it will either be written by Burke or have mention of his contributions to scholarship. I met an early modern undergrad the other day who has spent two years trying to meet him. A girlfriend and I stood around after the lecture for about half and hour, waiting for our chance to jump in and say "thank you" and "hello". Julia and I laughed afterwards at how painfully awkward the meeting was... but also how both of our lives are now changed forever.

One week plus a little

So, I feel as though I have begun to settle in a bit. My room is organized, classes have started, and I know how to get to (and into) the University Library. It is a good feeling.

This afternoon I have my trial for rowing and this evening I am going to a ballet class. I am more excited about the ballet than the rowing... and am more convinced that I will stick with the ballet, as well. (This could just be the little HORSE in my head telling me that I will never be able to get up early enough to commit!)

I had my first class on Thursday: Theory and Concepts in early modern history. We basically debated the term "early modern" for two hours (ok, maybe not only that... but it seems funnier if I say it that way...) I had forgotten the tiny intricacies of academia and the way in which ANYTHING can be debated into the ground. But that is part of the fun of it, I suppose. After class I went to a tea to meet the history staff/fellows (I am still a bit hazy on what to call who... Professor is a title reserved for few and fellows seem to go with colleges.... they should really have a class titled: fundamentals of naming in Cambridge...) Well, I met my supervisor at this event for the first time; I think we are going to get on well. He is in his early 30s (?) and is originally from Lyon, France. We chatted about my topic and I explained to him what I was thinking and what sources I was expecting to use... and he gave me some pointers, etc. We will see how this goes. My topic is relatively interdisciplinary, so I may be seeking advice from other faculties as well. (At least I will be getting the most out of this brilliant academic resource!)

A curious thing that happened at the tea. Upon meeting one of the teaching staff he said: "Aw, yes... I remember your application well." I still don't know what that means. I am assuming it is because I have such a non-traditional proposal. But I can't quite figure it out!

Anything else to mention? The weather was sunny again for the better part of yesterday... that is always something to write about! I think that is about it for now. I hope all is well back in the states!

Today in Cambridge...

It is sunny today in Cambridge!

(that is news enough to require a post!)

Not much to report...

As you can see by the title of this post, there is not much to report. Classes do not start until tomorrow, so yesterday I read a little but mostly wandered around town. I found my way to "the backs," which is a path that follows along the back of some of the older and more prestigious colleges (most people conjure an image of King's College when they think Cambridge... this image can be seen from the backs). If any of you plan on visiting the University whilst I am here, I will definitely take you to the backs!

I opened a British bank account yesterday. Brilliant thing: since I am not working in this country I am exempt from taxes on the interest that I earn. This is my first "foreign" bank account... perhaps next will be Swiss! Ha!

I forget if I mentioned it in this blog, but I signed up to try rowing! My first trial is Saturday... it should be a trip! (Luckily I have about two weeks to decide if I want to commit... I was chatting to some third years--our equivalent to college seniors--yesterday and they told me that some people absolutely love it and ride on the memory for years and others think it is absolute rubbish (mostly the 5am practices...) According to Laura, my former room-mate in SB, I will fall into the latter category. I'll let you all know how it goes... Also, I found a beginning ballet class open to graduates, fellows and staff. I think I am going to have a go at it (I did a bit of ballet in SB and found it just delightful!) I brought my ballet garb from the states for just such a purpose!

Tonight I am off to see The Decembrists play at a local venue. I am headed out with my new neighbour Matt (pictured below) and perhaps a few other freshers. Should be a good time! A nice last bit of fun before the real work begins!

Right now I am reading a book called "Writing Early Modern History". It is basically a look at how theory has contributed to the writing of early modern history. It is the idea that even if an historian does not "buy in" to any specific theory of history (as is the popular contemporary mode of scholarship), various theories have contributed to his or her foundational assumptions. It is basically what to watch for when reading historians and what to be mindful of when writing my own histories. I am nearly through with a chapter on Marxism.

All right... my "not much to report" has turned into a significant blog! I hope everyone is well stateside!! Send updates if you have them; I would LOVE to hear any news!! :)

A Few Photos

Last night was out first formal dinner. To the right is a picture of my in my formal gown. It is basically like a graduation gown with shorter sleeves). It was quite a sight to see all the Emma grads and fellows clad in these robes. And to add to the pomp, the tables were candle lit, the prayers were in Latin , and the wine flowed freely. It was really great fun!

Following the formal dinner we all hung our robes outside the Old Library (which has stonework dating to the 12th century; the College Master was sure to point that out during tea the other afternoon!), and we partook in an extremely informal "80s Bop". Basically dancing to MJ and other 80s favourites, whilst the makeshift bar served rum and coke.


Following are a few more photos...

This is the view of the garden from my window


This is the view from my front door; this park is called Christ's Pieces


This is me and Matt, my new neighbour.
This was at a pub our second night in town... I cannot recall the name!

As time goes on I will publish more interesting photos! I guess I am trying to avoid seeming the tourist at the moment!!

In regard to more academic matters (which apparently come second at Cambridge... haha), I had my first meeting with the History Faculty yesterday afternoon. I met the other 12 students on my course as well as our senior members. Everyone on staff seemed very lovely! We were given information about the coming term and what our requirements would be. Prof Morrill kept referring to this term as "boot camp". O, boy. So just a warning: when I come home for Christmas I may appear a bit exhausted!!