This is me in front of Darwin College, overlooking the River Cam.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
First days at Cambridge
It is so nice not to have to have to get into my car to get anywhere! Everything is within walking distance.
We have a great flat, really big and in a really nice area of town. Newnham to be precise. We are walking everywhere, for supplies for our flat (we now have plates, a toaster, etc.) Susanne and I chiselled 10 years off the stove, and it gleams now. There are victuals in our little fridge and cupboards. We are (virtually) unpacked.
We arrived and found our flat key waiting for us (along with some mail in my "Pidgeon Hole" as they call it here) at the College porter's office, while the taxi was waiting. We aslo relished a couple pints of English ale, seeing Susanne's school's Open House, and most importantly, a taste of the ancient traditions - I picked out my master's level gown at a 300 year old store called "Ede and Ravenscliffe". Unbelievable experience, and very Potteresque. The first formal dinner is next Wednesday, where I will try it out officially for the first time. Staring tomorrow, we begin Freshers' Week, which seems to be a lot of drinking events, with a bit of other stuff thrown in to make it look like it is not just drinking events. Of course, being a senior student, I won't be partaking at all.
More later...
We have a great flat, really big and in a really nice area of town. Newnham to be precise. We are walking everywhere, for supplies for our flat (we now have plates, a toaster, etc.) Susanne and I chiselled 10 years off the stove, and it gleams now. There are victuals in our little fridge and cupboards. We are (virtually) unpacked.
We arrived and found our flat key waiting for us (along with some mail in my "Pidgeon Hole" as they call it here) at the College porter's office, while the taxi was waiting. We aslo relished a couple pints of English ale, seeing Susanne's school's Open House, and most importantly, a taste of the ancient traditions - I picked out my master's level gown at a 300 year old store called "Ede and Ravenscliffe". Unbelievable experience, and very Potteresque. The first formal dinner is next Wednesday, where I will try it out officially for the first time. Staring tomorrow, we begin Freshers' Week, which seems to be a lot of drinking events, with a bit of other stuff thrown in to make it look like it is not just drinking events. Of course, being a senior student, I won't be partaking at all.
More later...
Thoughts on the way to Cambridge
I have learned that a lot of stuff has to happen to unwind a life and wind it back up somewhere else.
First you have to have a dream of doing something different. Then you have to find someone to join you. That is a lot easier if the person has already done it herself, and you helped.
Then you have to visualize the dream by breaking it down into manageable steps. Otherwise, it can be overwhelming.
1. Pick the time to go. I think that sometime during a lifetime, it should come around.
2. Check out your options carefully. Don't hesitate to visit and test the possibilities.
3. Ask permission of those that need to agree to make it possible. If you approach this with enthusiasm, the response you elicit may surprise you. This includes both the formal request such as the schools you might want to attend, and the informal ones such as your family and friends.
4. Get everyone to agree. This is the hardest step and takes a lot of thought, discussion and timing.
5. Say yes to your dream. Nothing short of a disaster should stop you now.
6. Find someone to live in your house.
7. Have your companion apply for and find rewarding work, to help pay for the dream.
8. Get leaves of absence from your jobs, or something that is as close as possible.
9. Find a place to stay at your new destination.
10. Start planning your good byes. Make sure that you remember to create lots of good memories of the people you love, so those memories will be able to sustain you and them when you are lonely. Invite people to join you as you live your dream.
11. Make a three month list of things to do. Use big sheets of paper and don't lose the list! Be realistic. Try not to forget anything, and review and add to the list often.
12. Start doing everything on the list. It's easy to fall behind if you're not careful.
13. Pack your house and start planning what you will bring.
14. Make reservations for your travel, and plan your last days. Try to leave some time to relax (Good luck!)
15. Finish the last minute things to do, spend your last days before you go with friends and family.
42. GO!
First you have to have a dream of doing something different. Then you have to find someone to join you. That is a lot easier if the person has already done it herself, and you helped.
Then you have to visualize the dream by breaking it down into manageable steps. Otherwise, it can be overwhelming.
1. Pick the time to go. I think that sometime during a lifetime, it should come around.
2. Check out your options carefully. Don't hesitate to visit and test the possibilities.
3. Ask permission of those that need to agree to make it possible. If you approach this with enthusiasm, the response you elicit may surprise you. This includes both the formal request such as the schools you might want to attend, and the informal ones such as your family and friends.
4. Get everyone to agree. This is the hardest step and takes a lot of thought, discussion and timing.
5. Say yes to your dream. Nothing short of a disaster should stop you now.
6. Find someone to live in your house.
7. Have your companion apply for and find rewarding work, to help pay for the dream.
8. Get leaves of absence from your jobs, or something that is as close as possible.
9. Find a place to stay at your new destination.
10. Start planning your good byes. Make sure that you remember to create lots of good memories of the people you love, so those memories will be able to sustain you and them when you are lonely. Invite people to join you as you live your dream.
11. Make a three month list of things to do. Use big sheets of paper and don't lose the list! Be realistic. Try not to forget anything, and review and add to the list often.
12. Start doing everything on the list. It's easy to fall behind if you're not careful.
13. Pack your house and start planning what you will bring.
14. Make reservations for your travel, and plan your last days. Try to leave some time to relax (Good luck!)
15. Finish the last minute things to do, spend your last days before you go with friends and family.
42. GO!
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