If you revisit the earlier link, there are some new photos there, and here's a link to my second London Facebook album.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2013027&l=51185&id=1449219994
Thursday, January 29, 2009
London alone
Monday, January 19
We were going to meet at 8:15 to head to the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC), where plenary is, with the TAs guiding. So I wake up to my alarm at 7:30 and turn it off—and promptly fall back asleep. I awake later to a knock on my door and scramble out of bed to see who it is. Laura, one of the TAs, is there, wearing her coat and hat. “What time is it?” I ask. “8:15,” she tells me.
At this point I remember the dream I was having when she woke me up. I wasn’t ready to go at 8:15, and it was 8:30 and everyone was standing outside waiting for me. The first part had come true—but the second part didn’t. Laura tells me that she and everyone else are going to leave now, and she shows me on a map how to get to the LICC. We’re supposed to be there by 9, but the lecture doesn’t start until 9:15. I have a chance.
I get ready as quickly as I can and then run down to the dining room to grab one of the awesome breakfast rolls. There are none in the basket, though, and when I ask someone she says they’re all gone. I leave at 8:30, hungry.
I stride down the street in what I think is the direction of the tube station, but I haven’t done the walk often enough yet and I accidentally take a long cut. I make it there okay, though, and I find the correct platform and wait for the train amidst a crowd of strangers. The train soon pulls in, packed full. As many people as possible squeeze on, but there’s no room for me.
So I wait for the next train, and when it comes the same thing happens. When this one leaves, though, I’m right in front of the tracks, ready to push my way into the third train. When it comes I do just that, jammed in with a bunch of strangers. And then there’s an announcement—there are delays on the line. So the train sits at the station. And keeps sitting. Wearing my coat, hat, and scarf and standing so close to so many other people, I get unbearably hot.
At last we leave only to stop again. After what feels like a terribly long time, I’m ready to scream and shove the surrounding people away. Instead I rest my head on my upraised holding-on arm and close my eyes.
Eventually the train does get to my station. I get out into the wonderful air, check my map, and head off—only to soon realize I’m going in the wrong direction. So I turn and go back. By now it’s past 9:15, and I slow down, my hope of getting there on time gone.
Some familiar sights come into view—a big building with blue shutters on the windows, the park where we ate lunch on Saturday. I know I’m close, but I don’t remember how exactly to get to the LICC from here. My mind was still foggy when Laura gave me the directions.
And then I see her—Laura, coming towards me out of the crowd. All I can do is grin with relief as she puts an arm around me and guides me the rest of the way to the LICC—which is actually straight down the street, no turns or anything.
At 9:30 we get to the front doors—and they won’t open. I pull and push them both, but they’re locked. Then Dr. Wardwell comes down the hallway and lets us in. When I step into the classroom, the other students, seated at two rows of tables, break into applause. My embarrassment is swallowed by utter relief and a feeling of triumph as I greet my friends and tell them the story.
I get a few surprises—one, they haven’t started without me (which is incredibly nice and unexpected of them) and two, I’m not the only one who didn’t leave with the group. Adam and Dan aren’t here. The professors decide to start, and just as Dr. Stewart is finishing the course introduction, the guys arrive. Everyone has made it to plenary safely and soundly—if not punctually.
We were going to meet at 8:15 to head to the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC), where plenary is, with the TAs guiding. So I wake up to my alarm at 7:30 and turn it off—and promptly fall back asleep. I awake later to a knock on my door and scramble out of bed to see who it is. Laura, one of the TAs, is there, wearing her coat and hat. “What time is it?” I ask. “8:15,” she tells me.
At this point I remember the dream I was having when she woke me up. I wasn’t ready to go at 8:15, and it was 8:30 and everyone was standing outside waiting for me. The first part had come true—but the second part didn’t. Laura tells me that she and everyone else are going to leave now, and she shows me on a map how to get to the LICC. We’re supposed to be there by 9, but the lecture doesn’t start until 9:15. I have a chance.
I get ready as quickly as I can and then run down to the dining room to grab one of the awesome breakfast rolls. There are none in the basket, though, and when I ask someone she says they’re all gone. I leave at 8:30, hungry.
I stride down the street in what I think is the direction of the tube station, but I haven’t done the walk often enough yet and I accidentally take a long cut. I make it there okay, though, and I find the correct platform and wait for the train amidst a crowd of strangers. The train soon pulls in, packed full. As many people as possible squeeze on, but there’s no room for me.
So I wait for the next train, and when it comes the same thing happens. When this one leaves, though, I’m right in front of the tracks, ready to push my way into the third train. When it comes I do just that, jammed in with a bunch of strangers. And then there’s an announcement—there are delays on the line. So the train sits at the station. And keeps sitting. Wearing my coat, hat, and scarf and standing so close to so many other people, I get unbearably hot.
At last we leave only to stop again. After what feels like a terribly long time, I’m ready to scream and shove the surrounding people away. Instead I rest my head on my upraised holding-on arm and close my eyes.
Eventually the train does get to my station. I get out into the wonderful air, check my map, and head off—only to soon realize I’m going in the wrong direction. So I turn and go back. By now it’s past 9:15, and I slow down, my hope of getting there on time gone.
Some familiar sights come into view—a big building with blue shutters on the windows, the park where we ate lunch on Saturday. I know I’m close, but I don’t remember how exactly to get to the LICC from here. My mind was still foggy when Laura gave me the directions.
And then I see her—Laura, coming towards me out of the crowd. All I can do is grin with relief as she puts an arm around me and guides me the rest of the way to the LICC—which is actually straight down the street, no turns or anything.
At 9:30 we get to the front doors—and they won’t open. I pull and push them both, but they’re locked. Then Dr. Wardwell comes down the hallway and lets us in. When I step into the classroom, the other students, seated at two rows of tables, break into applause. My embarrassment is swallowed by utter relief and a feeling of triumph as I greet my friends and tell them the story.
I get a few surprises—one, they haven’t started without me (which is incredibly nice and unexpected of them) and two, I’m not the only one who didn’t leave with the group. Adam and Dan aren’t here. The professors decide to start, and just as Dr. Stewart is finishing the course introduction, the guys arrive. Everyone has made it to plenary safely and soundly—if not punctually.
My last day of freedom . . .
Sunday, January 18
I wanted to take advantage of my last day before the schoolwork started, so I decided to go to Kensington to see the hotel where my mom, sisters and I stayed when we were here in 2005. I found a friend, Lizzy, to go with me, and we managed to navigate the tube on our own for the first time and make it to the hotel. After peering into the window and taking a photo, we and saw Kensington Palace, since we were in the area.
Somewhere else I’d been wanting to go to was the Tower Bridge, so next we went there, stopping at a thrift store on the way. We walked across the bridge and saw the Tower of London as well; it was evening then so it was closed, but it was cool to see it at night.
We were adventurous and bought a bag of roasted chestnuts by the Tower. They weren’t my favorite, but since I was hungry I ate them.
It was a fun last-day-of-freedom. The next morning we had our first plenary session . . .
I wanted to take advantage of my last day before the schoolwork started, so I decided to go to Kensington to see the hotel where my mom, sisters and I stayed when we were here in 2005. I found a friend, Lizzy, to go with me, and we managed to navigate the tube on our own for the first time and make it to the hotel. After peering into the window and taking a photo, we and saw Kensington Palace, since we were in the area.
Somewhere else I’d been wanting to go to was the Tower Bridge, so next we went there, stopping at a thrift store on the way. We walked across the bridge and saw the Tower of London as well; it was evening then so it was closed, but it was cool to see it at night.
We were adventurous and bought a bag of roasted chestnuts by the Tower. They weren’t my favorite, but since I was hungry I ate them.
It was a fun last-day-of-freedom. The next morning we had our first plenary session . . .
Sorry!
My explanation for not posting = bad internet + no time. I'm so busy with work, and when I have free time, well, I'm in London with a bunch of my friends! But I still love you guys, and I haven't forgotten you! The internet is just so inconvenient here. Anyway, I have two stories from last week, and I hope to get caught up soon. Right now I have my second paper to write (we haven't even gotten the first one back yet) so until Saturday at midnight I'm going to be busy with that. For now, enjoy the posts that I'm about to, uh, post. ;P
Monday, January 19, 2009
Photo link
You can see a selection of my photos so far at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2012462&l=fc922&id=1449219994. School has started, so I'm busy. I'll write a real post when I get a chance.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Church
Some of us went to church with Dr. Wardwell this morning. It’s an Anglican church named St. Augustine’s with a small congregation, a mix of older people and younger couples with kids. It was a big building, tall, with cool stained glass windows. We did a lot of responsive reading. Some of the songs I knew, like “How Great is Our God,” which they called “The Splendour of the King.” They sing Chris Tomlin songs in England! The kids came to the front to lead one song, “The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock,” which I hadn’t sung in years. Even the adults were doing the motions.
I heard that the sermon was good—I was too tired to pay complete attention. My eyes kept closing, and I had to force them open. Afterward there were drinks and cookies (which they call biscuits) in the lobby. They were good.
I liked that church well enough, but I’ll probably try out some others the next few weeks.
I heard that the sermon was good—I was too tired to pay complete attention. My eyes kept closing, and I had to force them open. Afterward there were drinks and cookies (which they call biscuits) in the lobby. They were good.
I liked that church well enough, but I’ll probably try out some others the next few weeks.
Yesterday--a walking tour of London
First we had a “meeting” with the profs in the Highbury Centre conference room. The director of the HC came and told us the rules. No going to breakfast in your pjs—which I’d done that morning, and planned to do quite often in the future. No sitting on the floor in the hallway—which I’d also done that morning, so I could get internet, and which I also thought was a good idea for the future. “This is not a dormitory,” the woman kept saying in her British accent. So there’s also nothing allowed on the outside of room doors, which is sad. This place is too strict!
We saw famous stuff. Most of it I’ve seen before—St. Paul’s, Big Ben, the Tower Bridge. Some new stuff too—Buckingham Palace, the Globe, lots of things I don’t know the names of. Everywhere you look there’s something cool to see, mostly in the form of architecture.
We rode the tube a few times. It was packed. Some streets were crowded too. Crossing the street is interesting; at certain ones (“zebra crossings,” with black and white striped poles marking them) pedestrians have the right of way, but at others there’s the normal walk or don’t walk signal, and some have neither. It’s confusing sorting them out and deciding/remembering whether to cross or wait.
We rode a double-decker bus once; we had to wait a while for the right one. Even thought you get to see stuff on the bus, I think I’ll mainly stick to the tube, since it’s faster.
I bought my lunch at a grocery store for about a pound—a delicious roll, an apple, and juice. We ate in a pretty green park with lots of pigeons pecking around.
It was cold on and off; at first it was sunny, but then it got cloudy and windy. Walking warmed me up, but if we stopped I got cold again.
By the end my feet hurt. When we got back I flopped on my bed and stayed there for a while. Dinner wasn’t as good that night—watery tomato-colored but not exactly –tasting soup, strange lasagna with lots of kinds of veggies in it (like peas and green beans) and liquidy yogurt for dessert.
That day we had the profs and TAs to tell us what to do and where to go, but soon we’re going to have to navigate for ourselves. It will be hard and confusing at first. Sometimes I think going places alone would be fun, but other times I think it will be absolutely necessary to have someone else with me at all times.
We saw famous stuff. Most of it I’ve seen before—St. Paul’s, Big Ben, the Tower Bridge. Some new stuff too—Buckingham Palace, the Globe, lots of things I don’t know the names of. Everywhere you look there’s something cool to see, mostly in the form of architecture.
We rode the tube a few times. It was packed. Some streets were crowded too. Crossing the street is interesting; at certain ones (“zebra crossings,” with black and white striped poles marking them) pedestrians have the right of way, but at others there’s the normal walk or don’t walk signal, and some have neither. It’s confusing sorting them out and deciding/remembering whether to cross or wait.
We rode a double-decker bus once; we had to wait a while for the right one. Even thought you get to see stuff on the bus, I think I’ll mainly stick to the tube, since it’s faster.
I bought my lunch at a grocery store for about a pound—a delicious roll, an apple, and juice. We ate in a pretty green park with lots of pigeons pecking around.
It was cold on and off; at first it was sunny, but then it got cloudy and windy. Walking warmed me up, but if we stopped I got cold again.
By the end my feet hurt. When we got back I flopped on my bed and stayed there for a while. Dinner wasn’t as good that night—watery tomato-colored but not exactly –tasting soup, strange lasagna with lots of kinds of veggies in it (like peas and green beans) and liquidy yogurt for dessert.
That day we had the profs and TAs to tell us what to do and where to go, but soon we’re going to have to navigate for ourselves. It will be hard and confusing at first. Sometimes I think going places alone would be fun, but other times I think it will be absolutely necessary to have someone else with me at all times.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Currently . . .
I went to bed around 9 and woke up about 8:15 this morning. Now I've got to go; we're headed out for a tour of London led by the professors.
The first day
(Journal paraphrase from last night)
I’m in my cozy (meaning very small) room at the Highbury Centre (http://www.thehighburycenter.org/ ). It's like a maze in here—twisting corridors, several flights of steps spread throughout—and it’s huge. I haven’t gotten lost yet, although I haven’t fully explored yet either.
Back to the plane ride—we had to circle over the airport several times because of a delay. We descended very slowly. Once on the ground, we had to wait for an available gate. Finally off the plane, we waited in line at customs. After getting through we met the two professors and then waited for no-one-knew-what. It seemed we were destined to be continually waiting. At last, though, we boarded the bus and were off through London.
It was so cool—the old buildings, the green grass, the double-decker red buses, the telephone booths, the British phrases on signs. The drive did last a while, though, so it was nice to finally make it to the Highbury Centre.
I unpacked somewhat, then we all met for a trip to the ATM and to get some lunch. We walked, and although it was warm compared to PA and Houghton right now, it was windy and felt pretty cold. I got some money and a sausage roll, pastry crust with sausage inside. I was really hungry, and it was really good. After a little wandering into stores, we walked back to the HC through a light English drizzle.
Wireless doesn’t work in my room, so I ended up in the lounge, trying to make it work there on my laptop. That took a while, but finally it did. Those of us who were there played Spoons to keep ourselves awake, and it helped.
For dinner we had some sort of soup, shepherd’s pie, and an apple pie-custard dessert. It was good.
My head's been feeling weird all day, and now I feel like I'm wilting. Time for bed.
I’m in my cozy (meaning very small) room at the Highbury Centre (http://www.thehighburycenter.org/ ). It's like a maze in here—twisting corridors, several flights of steps spread throughout—and it’s huge. I haven’t gotten lost yet, although I haven’t fully explored yet either.
Back to the plane ride—we had to circle over the airport several times because of a delay. We descended very slowly. Once on the ground, we had to wait for an available gate. Finally off the plane, we waited in line at customs. After getting through we met the two professors and then waited for no-one-knew-what. It seemed we were destined to be continually waiting. At last, though, we boarded the bus and were off through London.
It was so cool—the old buildings, the green grass, the double-decker red buses, the telephone booths, the British phrases on signs. The drive did last a while, though, so it was nice to finally make it to the Highbury Centre.
I unpacked somewhat, then we all met for a trip to the ATM and to get some lunch. We walked, and although it was warm compared to PA and Houghton right now, it was windy and felt pretty cold. I got some money and a sausage roll, pastry crust with sausage inside. I was really hungry, and it was really good. After a little wandering into stores, we walked back to the HC through a light English drizzle.
Wireless doesn’t work in my room, so I ended up in the lounge, trying to make it work there on my laptop. That took a while, but finally it did. Those of us who were there played Spoons to keep ourselves awake, and it helped.
For dinner we had some sort of soup, shepherd’s pie, and an apple pie-custard dessert. It was good.
My head's been feeling weird all day, and now I feel like I'm wilting. Time for bed.
On the plane
Note: Most of these posts will be paraphrases from my journal, like this one, written on the plane.
My journey to London has begun. The plane took off about an hour and a half ago, and here we are, flying, probably over the Atlantic now. It’s been a strange day—frantic, last-minute packing, saying goodbye to everyone, leaving in a hurry, then a sudden slow-down when the three-hour drive started. We arrived at Newark early, around 5:45. I was feeling dazed by that time, so after lugging one of my suitcases through part of the airport, I was very relieved to see the familiar faces of some of the Londoners. After check-in, I said goodbye to Mom, which was sad, and went through security. We sat around there for a few hours, talking and eating, before boarding the plane. I tried to sleep after eating and watching a movie, but it was just too uncomfortable. Finally I dropped off, only to be awoken by the announcement that the plane was beginning its descent and we would be landing in about an hour. After that I gave up.
My journey to London has begun. The plane took off about an hour and a half ago, and here we are, flying, probably over the Atlantic now. It’s been a strange day—frantic, last-minute packing, saying goodbye to everyone, leaving in a hurry, then a sudden slow-down when the three-hour drive started. We arrived at Newark early, around 5:45. I was feeling dazed by that time, so after lugging one of my suitcases through part of the airport, I was very relieved to see the familiar faces of some of the Londoners. After check-in, I said goodbye to Mom, which was sad, and went through security. We sat around there for a few hours, talking and eating, before boarding the plane. I tried to sleep after eating and watching a movie, but it was just too uncomfortable. Finally I dropped off, only to be awoken by the announcement that the plane was beginning its descent and we would be landing in about an hour. After that I gave up.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
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