So it seems strange not to have been home for Thanksgiving this year... and also not to head back for the Army-Navy briefing on Sunday, but I suppose that's just another reminder that thankfully, I've actually graduated. :-) Thanksgiving of course, isn't really celebrated over here in merry olde england since it's an American holiday, but I still managed to have turkey and the works. I went over to a friend of a friends house for Thanksgiving, and our small group of Americans were able to celebrate. I have to say though, the best part about celebrating a holiday that isn't really a holiday where you're celebrating it is that everything is open the day of! That meant no special planning ahead because all the stores were obviously open. However, attending the dinner meant that I skipped my first lecture here, but I was assured by all my classmates that that particular lecture was one that they wish they cuold have also missed, so I don't feel too guilty about that at all. And now, unbelievably, its the last three days of term coming up...
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Sunday, November 21, 2004
The Unexpected Price of Being Here
When I set about applying for the various scholarships last year, the initial focus was simply on how much of an honor it was to compete, with no real expectation of actually ending up over here. Now that I am here, I'm usually caught up in the whirlwind experience that doing an MPhil in 9 months at Cambridge is, with new things and lots to be doing.
But its when I read the newstories in the New York Times or on the BBC site about casualties in Iraq, or when I get sent a link to one of the myriad tribute sites that populate the internet, or when I hear of my classmates preparing to deploy, that I realize the price of being over here, and I feel unprepared for the onslaught of emotion. I suppose it must be something like survivor's guilt or something like that, but I've been struck by waves of feeling so wrong for being here immersed in the insulated student world while the people I have lived with and shared so much over the past 4 years, are facing the reality of being in an Army at war.
Now, objectively I can tell myself that being here allows me the opportunity to make a contribution later, and I know that I couldn't have passed up the opportunity to be here, but it still hurts and I never really expected this.
But its when I read the newstories in the New York Times or on the BBC site about casualties in Iraq, or when I get sent a link to one of the myriad tribute sites that populate the internet, or when I hear of my classmates preparing to deploy, that I realize the price of being over here, and I feel unprepared for the onslaught of emotion. I suppose it must be something like survivor's guilt or something like that, but I've been struck by waves of feeling so wrong for being here immersed in the insulated student world while the people I have lived with and shared so much over the past 4 years, are facing the reality of being in an Army at war.
Now, objectively I can tell myself that being here allows me the opportunity to make a contribution later, and I know that I couldn't have passed up the opportunity to be here, but it still hurts and I never really expected this.
Definitely Not the Thayer Method
So, looking through this, I haven't actually addressed much of the academic side of being at Cambridge.... okay, so I'm here to get a graduate degree, so I suppose the academic side does deserve some mention. I guess the first, most obvious thing that springs to mind is that this is definitely not the Thayer Method I grew to know and love (okay, detest) at West Point. I found that out at my first lecture in October when I showed up having tried to read for the lecture of that day and found out that reading was assigned after the lecture to help clarify any questions the lecturer didn't answer. So there really isn't any compulsory prep work for class. The time schedule is extremely compressed compared to the West Point calendar also; we didn't start work until the first week in October for the Michaelmas term, and we finish up in a week and a half with the last lectures on the 1st of December. And while it has been fairly easy to make it through term time, with only 2 presentations to prepare for (one was 20% of the course it was for and the other was worth 25%, so there was quite a bit of pressure on those however), the reality of how the Cambridge system works is beginning to set in as the term questions are being handed out now, with a due date of the second week in January. Yep, January. So that means I'm working over the Christmas holiday. So even though I have over a month between the end of classes this term and the start of Lent term in mid-January, I've got to do a whole lot of work to prove how much I actually learned this term.
Things are pretty much the same for Lent term, though we'll finish with the Research Methodology Course this term, and I'll only have to take 2 courses next term, but that's also because there's a significant amount of my time that will need to be dedicated to my thesis. Between now and the first week in June, I have to produce a dissertation that contributes to my field, and the thought is a bit daunting. I suppose this is especially true because the majority of the people in my course have work experience of at least a few years, and they've come with a clear idea of what they want to do. When term started, I think I was still trying not to blink because I couldn't believe that I was actually headed to Cambridge instead of Ft. Leonard Wood for OBC. Still, if there's one thing that seems reassuring, it's the realization that the notion of putting all the course work until the end of term is more or less a reinforcement of the cadet mentality that everything's better put off til the last minute, with no pesky tests, exams, quizzes, papers, etc due during term, and everything gets turned in at the end.
However, having finished two of the sub-questions for one of the papers this weekend, I realized that I have done something that I don't think I ever did in my cadet career - I've started on something a month and a half before its due rather than a day and a half or an hour and a half. Well, my goal is to have 3 out of 4 papers finished before I head home for Christmas on the 15th, so now I get to rely on my West Point time management skills and actually start kicking it into gear and getting work done, the vacation is over.
Things are pretty much the same for Lent term, though we'll finish with the Research Methodology Course this term, and I'll only have to take 2 courses next term, but that's also because there's a significant amount of my time that will need to be dedicated to my thesis. Between now and the first week in June, I have to produce a dissertation that contributes to my field, and the thought is a bit daunting. I suppose this is especially true because the majority of the people in my course have work experience of at least a few years, and they've come with a clear idea of what they want to do. When term started, I think I was still trying not to blink because I couldn't believe that I was actually headed to Cambridge instead of Ft. Leonard Wood for OBC. Still, if there's one thing that seems reassuring, it's the realization that the notion of putting all the course work until the end of term is more or less a reinforcement of the cadet mentality that everything's better put off til the last minute, with no pesky tests, exams, quizzes, papers, etc due during term, and everything gets turned in at the end.
However, having finished two of the sub-questions for one of the papers this weekend, I realized that I have done something that I don't think I ever did in my cadet career - I've started on something a month and a half before its due rather than a day and a half or an hour and a half. Well, my goal is to have 3 out of 4 papers finished before I head home for Christmas on the 15th, so now I get to rely on my West Point time management skills and actually start kicking it into gear and getting work done, the vacation is over.
Thursday, November 18, 2004
On My Own Again
So last night I got to see Mom drive off to towards Heathrow after visiting here for a week. Aside from the additions to my academic schedule that caused some disruption it was a great week, and should tide me over what with not getting to go home for Thanksgiving (and having lectures on that day besides!). We went to Dover and Canterbury over the weekend, and got to see the cliffs at Dover, Dover Castle, the Secret Wartime Tunnels, and Canterbury Cathedral. And of course there was the trip to RAF Lakenheath that lead to the stocking up of my American necessities.
We went to Grad Hall last night, but I got confused about what time things started so we missed out on the pre-dinner drinks and the soup course, but luckily we got off with a stern reminder from the head server that we were supposed to arrive by "half-seven" and thatwe should not expect to make a habit of late arrival. The food was less than stellar, and below what I have come to expect from the Jesus kitchen, but that can probably be chalked up to the Mexican-international theme of the meal. Although I must say, that none of the Mexican food we had resembled any Mexican food that I've eaten before, but hey, at least they tried.
After dinner I was able to introduce Mom to a few of my college friends, and then the Dean of the Chapel started talking to us, and before we knew it, Mom and I were on a private tour of the Chapel, which considering that the Jesus Chapel is the oldest chapel in Cambridge was really quite interesting and informative. Unforunately, this meant that it was almost 11 before Mom made it on the road towards London, but hopefully she made it there alright, I stayed up til after 1 am in case she called, but finally succumbed to the need for sleep.
After having a visitor for a week it seems strange to go back to just having the normal academic routine and not trying to coordinate where to meet up for lunch or what not.
We went to Grad Hall last night, but I got confused about what time things started so we missed out on the pre-dinner drinks and the soup course, but luckily we got off with a stern reminder from the head server that we were supposed to arrive by "half-seven" and thatwe should not expect to make a habit of late arrival. The food was less than stellar, and below what I have come to expect from the Jesus kitchen, but that can probably be chalked up to the Mexican-international theme of the meal. Although I must say, that none of the Mexican food we had resembled any Mexican food that I've eaten before, but hey, at least they tried.
After dinner I was able to introduce Mom to a few of my college friends, and then the Dean of the Chapel started talking to us, and before we knew it, Mom and I were on a private tour of the Chapel, which considering that the Jesus Chapel is the oldest chapel in Cambridge was really quite interesting and informative. Unforunately, this meant that it was almost 11 before Mom made it on the road towards London, but hopefully she made it there alright, I stayed up til after 1 am in case she called, but finally succumbed to the need for sleep.
After having a visitor for a week it seems strange to go back to just having the normal academic routine and not trying to coordinate where to meet up for lunch or what not.
Sunday, November 14, 2004
Sunday, November 07, 2004
A Long Week
Okay, feels like I've done a lot this week, without really having accomplished a lot of things. I finally got my ATM card from HSBC, and ended the nightmare of not having access to the funding from Gates. It turns out that they've had my card at the Cambridge office for over two weeks, but the letter letting me know it was there somehow never made it to me. So at long last, it is home safe in my wallet, and provides access to the money, which was obviously important.
I went to see "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" at the ADC theatre in Cambridge tonight. It was absolutely hilarious, and quite impressive that it was student amateurs putting on the production. Minimal props, but the two actors playing the leading roles were really quite good at delivering the lines and all in all it was quite an enjoyable experience.
The final shipment of my stuff from home made it here on Thursday. Unfortunately, everything seemed to have developed a severe case of musty smelliness, so I am faced with a multitude of laundry to wash this weekend, and I'm really not happy about that since I spent the time back in May making sure everything was washed to be shipped over. I suppose I should be grateful that everything made it here intact since the boxes were not in good shape and there were holes and tears in the cardboard, but everything else seems to have made it safe and sound. In putting all my stuff away, I got swept up in the moment, and realized that I was putting all the books in height order on my shelf, and that I was folding everything according to BAG, and realized that there are certain West Pointisms that will probably stick with me for a very long while. Still, I was left with quite a feeling of accomplishment when everything was neatly put away in its place and I vacuumed and cleaned my sink and mirrors and everything. Well I guess you really can't argue with cleaniliness.
On Wednesday we had the Graduate and Fellows Dinner, which was a fancy schmancy 5 course meal served in the Main Hall at College, complete with black academic gowns, and a different type of wine with each course. Let's just say that too much of a good thing is not a good thing. Especially tossed in with the conversations following the conclusion of the American election with Kerry's concession speech coming right before the pre-dinner reception. Everyone survived the evening though, so all's well that ends well.
I went to see "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead" at the ADC theatre in Cambridge tonight. It was absolutely hilarious, and quite impressive that it was student amateurs putting on the production. Minimal props, but the two actors playing the leading roles were really quite good at delivering the lines and all in all it was quite an enjoyable experience.
The final shipment of my stuff from home made it here on Thursday. Unfortunately, everything seemed to have developed a severe case of musty smelliness, so I am faced with a multitude of laundry to wash this weekend, and I'm really not happy about that since I spent the time back in May making sure everything was washed to be shipped over. I suppose I should be grateful that everything made it here intact since the boxes were not in good shape and there were holes and tears in the cardboard, but everything else seems to have made it safe and sound. In putting all my stuff away, I got swept up in the moment, and realized that I was putting all the books in height order on my shelf, and that I was folding everything according to BAG, and realized that there are certain West Pointisms that will probably stick with me for a very long while. Still, I was left with quite a feeling of accomplishment when everything was neatly put away in its place and I vacuumed and cleaned my sink and mirrors and everything. Well I guess you really can't argue with cleaniliness.
On Wednesday we had the Graduate and Fellows Dinner, which was a fancy schmancy 5 course meal served in the Main Hall at College, complete with black academic gowns, and a different type of wine with each course. Let's just say that too much of a good thing is not a good thing. Especially tossed in with the conversations following the conclusion of the American election with Kerry's concession speech coming right before the pre-dinner reception. Everyone survived the evening though, so all's well that ends well.
Monday, November 01, 2004
Don't Make Fun of My Pitchfork! I got this picture from one of the guys at college. They were making fun of my pitchfork because it was a bit droopy and apparently wasn't very impressive, but I staunchly defended it against their criticism, and here's the picture to prove I refused to hand it over! ;-)
Halloween Party
Well, we didn't go trick or treating, but the Jesus GradSoc put on a special Halloween hall and bop (Cambridge speak for party) on Saturday night. We had the privilege of dining on Vampires Cauldron (cream of pumpkin and orange soup), Devil in the Forest (roast sirloin with mushrooms), Baked Apple with Dragon Droppings (baked apple with winter berries), a ghoulish platter (cheese and crackers) and Bulls Blood (port). The food was what I've come to expect from Halls - which is to say good on the simple things, but sometimes they stretch it too much in trying to be fancy. Since the dress for the evening was fancy dress (costume) or black tie, most of us went the middle road by finding a few costume accessories and pairing this with a black tie type outfit. As you can see from the picture, two of us had the same set, a Tesco bargain for 3 quid. It was fun, but 2 1/2 inch heels seemed like a good idea at the beginning of the evening, but after after being on the dance floor for over an hour, my tootsies were definitely killing me this morning. Still, the evening was quite fun. Now it's a matter of waiting to see what comes of Thanksgiving.. rumor has it that there will be some attempt at a classic American thanksgiving dinner, but I'm waiting to see what happens. And it just won't seem the same with having class on Thanksgiving Day, and no day after shopping marathons and waking up in the wee, wee hours of the morning to try and get the good bargains. In truth though, I suspect that my bank account will be much better off for the lack.
Me and Gloria, with matching Tesco devil sets, at the Halloween party
Me and Gloria, with matching Tesco devil sets, at the Halloween party
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