Entering England

               Well, here I am again, at the airport, getting ready for an international flight. The time at home went much too quickly. I’ve missed being in America, and specifically being in Texas. Our rain tends to be feast or famine, and right now we’re in a feasting phase, so what used to look like brown-and-yellow savannah is now lush and green. I’ll always be a Texan, not just for the music or food, but for Texas herself – gently rolling plains and wide-open spaces.

               I guess I’m just feeling a little nostalgic. It seems I barely arrive home before needing to leave again; between recovering from one trip and preparing for another, there’s no time to stop and rest. Don’t get me wrong; I love traveling and learning and doing, and I wouldn’t be happy sitting at home all summer. I’m very blessed to have this opportunity, and I’m very excited to go to England. It’s just the leaving home I don’t like.

               It’s just that because I’m always going to new places, I’m hardly ever returning anywhere. We did the calculation on the way to the airport this morning – I’ve been to fourteen schools in fifteen years. I’ve gained a lot of experience, independence, maturity, and perspective, but I can’t help but wonder if I’ve lost something along the way as well.

              But enough of that – on to the future! I will arrive in London tomorrow morning, after a flight that doesn’t seem nearly as long anymore, and head to Cambridge University for the rest of the summer. I will be in England for almost exactly eight weeks, taking three classes: International Law, Truth (epistemology), and The Moral Life.

             My class on Truth only lasts the first four weeks, while the others last eight weeks. Hopefully I’ll be able to study during the week and go touring on weekends – I’ll be sure to take lots of pictures for you! I don’t know how hard the classes will be; I’m expecting a challenge, but that’s good. The time is going to go by fast!

             I mentioned that last semester felt like a summer program. Consequently, I have to keep reminding myself that I’m not now heading off for the fall semester. Compared to my last study abroad, this one is short and sweet, but it’s going to be my busiest summer yet. They’re gradually getting more complicated: in Vermont, I had one class and no touring; in Jordan, I had two classes and some touring; now, I have three classes, and a whole bunch of touring to get done.

           I have check-in on Sunday, orientation on Monday, and class starting Tuesday; we’re going to hit the ground running. I don’t know which day I’ll end up posting on, but I’ll let you know when I figure it out. At the moment I just need to figure out my class schedule.

           I don’t have much more to say about the future, but I can let you know a little more about my break. I had a wonderful time seeing everyone again and spending time with my family. I always come home with great plans for independent study and exercise and healthy eating, but they rarely work out. With only three weeks to recuperate and get charged up again, there’s little energy or inclination for productivity, and especially between study-abroads, I want to eat as much American and Tex-Mex food as possible. Hopefully my great plans to study and go touring this summer will end better.

           I suspect, though, that my current plans will come to fruition. I’ve had a vacation, if a short one, and I feel about ready to go another few rounds before the summer’s out. Stay tuned for my progress as I once again head off to the other side of the world!

Update – I made it! A lot has happened, but I’ve already written an entire post, so I'll explain later, maybe, if I can find time. Long story short: that was one of the worst trips of my  life, logistics wise: my duffle bag began falling apart, and I ended up trotting around Cambridge carrying a little less than half my body weight in luggage in my arms. But even that couldn’t stop me from noticing how beautiful it is here. I may have worked like a slave, but I’m living in a palace fit for royalty. My room has a piano in it! Anyway, I’m very very happy, at least at the moment, but also busy, so this has to be short. Enjoy the pictures!

 - Lauren

Pictures:
I made it!

From break - let's not forget that Texas is gorgeous, too!

I go to school here!!! I had to stop and stare (and pant)!

 You can't walk on the grass. There are signs all over.

 The view from my dorm!

 View of England from the bus ride to Cambridge:

 Even their traffic circles run clockwise - it was making me kind of seasick.

 My - *cough* - two-room suite. :) I have a piano and two fireplaces (and still no discoverable ethernet port) !!! Can you beat that?!

 Honestly, I was speechless for about the first ten minutes - partly because I was out of breath from the trek, but mostly from shock. And then I said 'oh my gosh' about two hundred times, which is about the same level of reaction I gave when I totaled my car, so go figure. I also hadn't slept in two days, though... Anyway, enjoy!