Cambridge, Amongst Other Things

It has been a while since my last post, and I'm not going to apologize for it. I have literally been reading and writing essays for the past few weeks with little time to do anything blog worthy.

However, I will give you a brief recap of this past week, because it was awful. This week was "reading week" so I didn't have classes. Now, I know what you're thinking, "Paris, how could your week be awful if you didn't even have classes?!" Well, you're in luck, I prepared a list for you!
1. Because my professors decided to give us extra things to do this week to make up for our lack of classes.
2. I had a paper due Monday.
3. One of the things I had to do for class was go to an awful art exhibit at a gallery way across town. To get it out of the way first thing, I went Monday. Well, guess what, it's closed on Mondays. So, I had to go back AGAIN across town (which isn't cheap) and the only thing I enjoyed during the exhibit was this one neon wall text saying thing:

"The Last Great Adventure is You" profound right?...

4. My bank account reached $0.00 (my American keyboard doesn't have a pound sign) yay being a poor grad student on meager student loans and a rapidly dropping savings account.
5. I received feedback on my paper (the one due Monday) and it was the WORST I think I've ever done on a paper. From her feedback, I'm surprised my professor didn't fail me (yes, it was that bad apparently), however, this is the class I most despise, so I don't know how much I actually care.
6. Today my face decided to go through middle school puberty again (I love it when it does that) and explode in breakouts, not to mention grow a HUGE pimple RIGHT when my nose piercing is. Which means all day it looked like I had a MASSIVE amount of puss oozing out of my nose ring (can I die yet?!) (mom, please don't comment, I know you hate the nose ring).
7. The small amount I've been able to read Harry Potter this week has only deepened my state of depression (The Deathly Hallows isn't the happiest book on the planet)

8. In my feeble attempt at growing out my hair I have reached the do-or-die phase which means bad hair days everyday. At this point, I guess I'm committed.

I think that's it.. I'll probably think of more as we go on, slash maybe they were too awful I just blocked them from my memory already.

Now that I have thoroughly humiliated myself, I shall take you through the small rays of light that shined through my otherwise dark and dreary week:
1. I got a HUGE package from my friend which contained chocolate, cheez-its, and candy corn (yum)

It also had fun pics of my friends that I hung on my wall :) now my room feels like MY room

2. Going to that dumb gallery put me right by Borough Market, which means twice this week I ate YUMMY Ethiopian food that was cheap and kept me full the rest of the day.

3. Borough Market is located near other things in London, like Tower Bridge, St. Paul's, and the Tate Modern, so I had one of those "Oh my gosh I live in London" moments, which was much needed.

Bubbles on Millennium Bridge

St. Paul's Cathedral

4. My friend MADE me get out of bed yesterday and go for a run, which was much much needed and long overdue, and we ran through Brompton Cemetery, which is stunningly serene.

5. I went to my first internship appointment this morning and it reminded me why I'm doing all this awful grad school work. It will be worth it! (hopefully)
6. I got to see an old friend and make a new friend in Cambridge today.
7. I saw the MOST AMAZING concert tonight by the Royal College of Music, which one of my friends performed in. It was, by far, my favorite concert I've ever been to.

So, now that I've given you the basics, let us dive deeper into my insanely busy day today. Shall we?

So, I woke up at 7am this morning (still can't believe I got up with the first alarm, who am I?) to make my internship meeting, then rushed to Kings Cross Station to catch my train to Cambridge.

Kings Cross always finds a way to blow my mind!

Here I met a dashing young man by the name of Blake, who swept me off to Cambridge. Our meeting today is a perfect example of just how small the world actually is, long story short, Blake and I have many mutual friends and are both from the Amarillo area, he happens to be studying his masters in Birmingham and we both know Austin, who is an old friend of mine and is studying in Cambridge. I'm super excited to have another friend over here from the Texas Panhandle.

Anyways, thankfully Blake had been to Cambridge before because I didn't look up any of my usual trip advisor recommendations to sight see and Austin had class until 1. So, Blake took me to the market square, and Kings College, where they have an AMAZING chapel.

The market in the square (reminded me somewhat of Prague for some strange reason)

Entrance to Kings College

AMAZING chapel

Interior of AMAZING chapel

Interior of AMAZING chapel

We met Austin and got lunch, went to see where Austin lives, walked along the "backs" which is where the punting happens (kind of like the gondolas in Venice), went into a few more College Cathedrals, and to an Art Museum (to appease me). Then we got afternoon tea and I jumped back on the train to London. It was a SUPER short visit in Cambridge, but I'm sure I'll be back. Plus, I got asked for directions by some lost tourists while on my way to the station, so I think it's safe to say I fit in quite nicely!

Another College we walked through (they all started to blur together)

Strolling along the backs (I think that's how you say it)

Bridge of Sighs, modeled after the bridge in Venice.

ITS FALL!!! Be still my beating heart.

I went back to London so quickly to catch a concert at the Royal College of Music. It was brilliantly mind blowing. I don't know how to talk about classical music academically or critically, so I feel like I can't do it justice. However, it was hands down the best concert I've ever been to. They had an Orchestra, and a Chorus, and Opera singers. It was phenomenal. For all you music gurus out there, they played Aurora, by W Lloyd Webber, and Symphony no 2 'Resurrection', by Mahler. Mind. Blown.

The brilliant concert at RCM

With that being said, today was insanely packed, but it is always such a relief to get out of London. For some reason, I quickly forget how relaxing and refreshing it is to get out of the city (and meet up with familiar faces). It was exactly what I needed before my busy week ahead. Hope your week wasn't as awful as mine! Thanks for helping me remind myself of all the good things that happened this week too!

Bristol

This weekend, I had the absolute honor of accompanying my roommate, Haeun, home to Bristol. Originally from South Korea, her family moved to Bristol a year and a half ago. Staying with her family was so wonderful, not only was I fed the tastiest meals (including traditional Korean food AND my first full English breakfast, seriously, they went above and beyond), but I got to sleep in a nice big bed in a cute house on a hill in Bristol. I saw some of the sights of Bristol, but mainly I was able to spend some great quality time with Haeun and her family.

You know how God just ALWAYS provides above and beyond your expectations? Well, I do. He never fails at surprising me with how great His love, provision, and comfort is for me. Ever since I was accepted to Grad School I have been praying for my roommate, many of you may remember His provision for me in this area when I studied in Italy. However, coming to London, I never thought He'd be able to provide for me as amazing as roommates as He did while I was in Italy. But, I was wrong, and boy do I love being wrong!

Haeun has a servant's heart. She is outgoing enough to have a lot of friends, whom she makes easily, but loyal enough to let me tag along side her when in large groups. She is welcoming and makes everyone feel included. She was more than happy to have me join her on her first weekend home of the semester and I am so glad I was able to go!

She went home to play music for a conference her church was putting on. Her mom plays the piano and they did a concert for said conference. Her father is the pastor of her Korean church, which meets in a small upstairs room of a presbyterian church in Bristol. He also spoke at this conference, and Haeun said he didn't sleep for the two nights leading up to the conference because he was so nervous to give a sermon in English.

When I got to their house I completely didn’t realize that you don’t wear shoes into the house. So I just traipsed right in wearing my combat boots and instantly knew I was in the wrong by the gasps of horror and the surprised looks on their faces. Thankfully, I had actually only made it two steps into the house, and I'm pretty sure they forgave me. That night, after a delicious meal, we went to the suspension bridge to see it all lit up!

Haeun felt bad that she wouldn't be able to hang out with me all day Saturday, but a Bristol University student lives with her parents and her and another girl were practicing their singing for the church service Sunday. I sat in the piano room and listened to them practicing for two hours Saturday afternoon, and I think I now know the Korean lyrics by heart.

After their practicing, the girls took me around Bristol until Haeun got back into town from the conference and met up with us.

Will's Memorial Tower. AKA Bristol University

Will's Memorial Tower. Interior Detail.

Will's Memorial Tower. Interior Detail. 

Cabot Tower. And it's free to go to the top!

View of Will's Memorial Tower from the top of Cabot Tower

Sunset over Bristol

Selfie on top of Bristol!

Sunday I went to their church, but attended the "regular" English service downstairs in the main sanctuary. Haeun's father introduced me to the English pastor and he spoke with me for 5-10 minutes before I settled into the empty pews (we had arrived rather early). An elderly woman sat down right next to me and immediately started making conversation with me. Once she found out I was studying in London she told me all about her grandson getting his masters in London (I might've missed out on a great opportunity there... hmm...). The service ended 30 minutes before the Korean service and so Haeun met me downstairs to take me up for the end of the Korean service. Interestingly enough, I felt more at home in the small stuffy room upstairs packed with Koreans than I did in the large, cold, and beautifully ornate sanctuary that was sparsely attended downstairs.

While I sat through the end of the Korean service I was able to think on the comparison that these two services represent.

While sitting in the English service (towards the back) I had a great view of how empty and desolate the church felt, even at the height of its service. Everything was traditional (hymns, pre-written prayers) and even somewhat ritualistic. But, here I was sitting in the midst of a beautiful room filled with genuine and kind people (many confronted me afterword and made sure I felt welcomed) and yet I felt a huge disconnect from God. It was as if the religion and motions of the service took over the personal walks and loving community that are found within the body of Christ.

Immediately, as I stepped foot into the Korean service, I felt at home. When I arrived the congregation was singing and worshipping together. Not knowing any Korean, I had no idea what was being communicated throughout the next half hour, but I could feel the presence and love of God amongst these people. Haeun's father, being the pastor, was introducing new students and guests to the rest of the congregation at the end of the sermon. He wasn't standing behind a large pulpit on a huge stage, but wandering through his flock pointing out people and recognizing and welcoming them as newcomers. He even took the time to introduce me. I was surprised to hear him say my name along with the Korean word for roommate, which happens to be a cognate, and I was so humbled that he took the time to tell everyone who I was even though he had only met me that weekend. After the service it was an overhaul to turn the room into a hall fit for kings to dine. Tables were brought in, chairs were rearranged and a large buffet style meal was ready to eat. It was one of the best meals I've had here (that goes for all the meals this weekend, actually).

After eating our bellies full and chatting with other students, we went back to the suspension bridge to see it in the daylight and wandered around Bristol in the chilling weather.

Me and Haeun!

Haeun had told me previously that her mom made the best scones and I had asked her if her mom would teach me to make them. So, there I was, Sunday night, making scones while her mom made Sunday dinner. Haeun's mom has such a sweet-natured spirit. She is still learning English, but I think she doesn't give herself enough credit. Most of the time she would get frustrated trying to explain things to me in English and resort to hand signs, or she would forget I don't know Korean and just talk to me in Korean anyway.

Making scones!!! I've seriously missed baking.

I mean, just look at this spread! Pretty sure I came back to London with a permanent food baby.

They had the new students over for dinner Sunday night and it was fun just being a part of their conversation, even if it was all in Korean. After spending the weekend with them I was starting to pick up on certain topics they were discussing. They started realizing I was laughing right along with them even though I had no idea what was being said. Of course, this just made everyone laugh harder as I joked I had been kidding about not knowing Korean all weekend and actually understood everything they were saying ;).

After dinner, we had my homemade scones, which were insanely delicious; I'm going to have to send Haeun's mom a gift to thank her for teaching me her scone making ways. And then we had a private concert by Haeun and her mom! It was so much fun.

It took a lot to keep the tears back all weekend. I felt so much at home and at the same time so far from home. I think Haeun's parents and my parents would be the best of friends. Her dad is funny and quirky, loving and kind, gentle and the spiritual leader of their home, and her mom is so accommodating, talkative, and genuine, making everyone feel like they are a part of the family. I only wish I could've met her younger brother who goes to boarding school in Wales. I'm sure he's a lot of fun to have around.

While sitting in a small room with 8 people listening to Haeun and her mom play for us, I was extremely thankful for the environment I was able to experience this weekend. Being surrounded by a loving and believing family and seeing and experiencing people from across the world worship the same God I do is extremely humbling. Listening to the talented musicians, it was easy to forget I didn't know Korean. Music has a way of surpassing all language barriers, and in that moment I wished more than ever that I could play an instrument to join in their melody.

I did not want to leave Bristol or my new Korean family. Nor did I want to face reality with my heaviest week of reading yet and an essay due in a short seven days (yikes!). But, after this week I have a "reading" week, which means no classes. So far I have no travel plans (and no money to even travel anywhere if I did have plans) for the precious "free" week I have "off" of grad school, but it will hopefully serve as a time to rest and get ahead on school work (and finish the Harry Potter books, only one left!).

I thank God for my weekend glimpse into the life of my loving roommate and the amazing hospitality shown to me in Bristol. I hope to go back and visit her family and friends again (they are all wanting more of my scones) and eat some more delicious Korean food.

During the weekend I learned some facts about myself/America that Koreans think are very interesting:

1. I have three brothers. From what I gathered, in Korean culture it is uncommon to have more than two children, and the fact that my parents have four made for some very surprised responses. 
2. My family owns six cars. This is apparently one of the first things Haeun tells ALL of her friends about me. America is weird and the majority of the country has no means of public transportation, so I tried and failed at explaining that everyone has to drive themselves everywhere, which means the five drivers in my family all need their own car, plus a car that can hold all 6 of us and a few extra if need be (which we use more often than you’d think). 
3. I am from Texas. Which means, in their eyes, my family is a bunch of cowboys shooting pistols at outlaws across the plains from the backs of their horses, which, isn’t that far off ;). My family farms, has cattle, grows crops, and used to have horses. So, I let their imaginations run with that one a little bit. 
4. I was born into an English speaking country. This was huge for them. I had so many of them tell me that I was so lucky to have English as my first language. I tried to explain that it’s my ONLY language, and that they can speak to twice the people I can with their Korean and English, but I don’t know if this concept completely sunk in. I wouldn’t be able to communicate with them had they not learned English. Wow, America, we need to step it up, am I right? 

So, my weekend in Bristol was a ton of fun and quite the adventure. I can’t wait to see what other cultures I get to “submerge” myself in the next year; it’s so much fun learning and seeing things from a new perspective!

The Fastest and Cheapest way to see London!

Before I tell you my little secret I found out today, I'm going to do a quick catch up on my life here. Last Sunday (exactly one week ago), I spent the afternoon paddle boating on the Serpentine in Hyde Park.

Also, last weekend, my best friend went to Disney World, and It's literally ALL her family every talks about. I've never been, so of course I was very sad that my Coppell fam went to Disney World once again without me. Plus, I just miss them terribly.

They took a pic in the London part of Epcott and sent it to me... I don't know what that means, but I thinks it's an area in Disney World 

This was my reply, because of course, I was stuck in my room writing essays and reading for class and day dreaming of Disney World

I went to THE BEST exhibition I think I've ever seen. I wish it had opened early, I would've loved to write my exhibition review on this bad boy.

Sadly, my pass keeps failing me, I didn't get in free *disappointment*

And I had a photo shoot in the National Gallery, I'm being featured on an instagram account for students next week so I had to send in some pics.

I honestly have no idea who this painting is by, we just thought it would be compositionally interesting for the photo.

And my awesome roommate played in a beautiful orchestra concert last night.

Me and the Roomz

NOW. For what you have all been waiting for, the heart of this post, for which I sadly only have a few photos.

The Fastest and Cheapest way to see London!

RUNNING!

Now, that probably wasn't the answer you were expecting, but today I found out just how small the city is by foot.

If you know anything about food companies, like Sysco, you will know that if it's all you eat you WILL gain weight. Well, unfortunately, the food served at the student housing I am living in is basically the same thing, but worse. I actually wish it was Sysco, but it's not. So, I have gained quite a bit of unwanted weight in my mid section over the past month and a half and have been too busy with school to do anything about it. But, this week I decided to just make time for working out anyways.

Yesterday I woke up and it was pouring rain and 60 degrees, if you ask me, that's the perfect running weather. So I ran 3.5 miles and did my normal post-run workout: lunges, squats, pushups, and abs.

Peter Pan Statue in Kensington Gardens. I finally found him yesterday on my run!

Today, I woke up very sore as I haven't ran in a week and a half. I decided I would set out for a run today and just see how far into the city I could get. The weather this morning was sunny and chilly, in the high 50's (makes for some much needed vitamin D!). I LOVE running this time of year, actually I prefer it to be a tad bit cooler than it was today, but I'm not complaining. I started off with my eyes set on Buckingham Palace. I had no idea how long it would take me to get there so I decided it was a good goal. My run started off the same as all my runs, taking back streets to get to Kensington Gardens, where I ran by Kensington Palace (first tourist attraction on my run). I then ran through Kensington Garden, Hyde Park (where I went paddle boating last week), and passed under the Wellington Arch into Green Park where I popped out at Buckingham Palace. It had only taken me 25 minutes to run there! Way less time than I had anticipated.

While I wanted to just go on a slow run today to get out some of my soreness, I kept going, this time with my goal set on Big Ben. So I crossed through to St. James Park and ran by the Churchill War Rooms Museum (amazing museum btw, I recommend it) and weaved my way through the MANY tourists past Westminster Abbey and found myself at Parliament, the home of Big Ben. I didn't cross the Thames (although I should've, the South Bank path is wider and more direct than what I ran) but turned North to run along the Thames, which gave me a spectacular view of the London Eye across the river.

And I kept running, I had already made it this far, right? I made my way around the bend and found myself at Millennium Bridge. This bridge is strictly a pedestrian bridge and crosses the Thames for easy access to the Tate Modern Museum (I still haven't been there, shame) and St. Pauls Cathedral. And I kept on running.

At this point I was going to stop either after I had been running for an hour, or when I reached the Tower Bridge, whichever came first. Sadly, I reached the hour mark at London Bridge, just one bridge shy of the famous Tower Bridge. As I was already far past my running limit, I made the smart decision and stopped (I had to listen to my body at this point, and it needed refueling badly).

But I could see Tower Bridge, so that counts right? And I'm pretty sure thats the Tower of London on the left of the bridge you can kind of maybe make out. Might be making that up.

So I hopped on the nearest tube and went straight back to my apartment. I ran 6 miles today in an hour, which is, on average, a 10 minute paced mile. I also saw a enormous chunk of tourist sights in London for free and within said hour. So, if you love running, like me, and want to see the sights of London quickly and at no cost (except the tube price to get back where you started) I'd recommend running! It also makes you look like a local Londoner! However, there are some draw backs. As you see, I only took two pictures on my run, I didn't want to break my cadence to take pictures at EVERY attraction or pretty photo op I saw. I also only looked at the sights, I didn't actually experience them in any way, so you give some and you lose some.

I still think it's amazing that I can run from my apartment to Tower Bridge (respectfully) in an hour. If you would like to see what that looks like on a map, here it is, I mapped it when I got home using mapmyrun.com.

I have no idea how I ran that far. I am completely out of shape. I honestly think It was the sights of London that kept my mind captivated on where I was and not on what my body was doing. My body will hate me tomorrow and I pray that I can get out of bed easily in the morning.

So, there's an update on my week and my new found discovery of how small London actually can be. I will admit that I used this blog post as a warm up writing exercise for the paper I am supposed to be working on, as its due Wednesday morning. Yay for grad school. I still have A TON to do today before I go to bed, so I must end here. If you are still with me, get outside today in the changing season from summer to fall, surround yourself with good company, and have some fun in the great outdoors! There is so much adventure waiting out there for you!