Honestly Homesick

I had the idea that I would be posting something different today, but think I'm going to be honest with myself and write this one.   Every time I sat down to write the other post, I just couldn't do it.  Not that it was all a happy-rainbows-butterflies-julie-andrews-would-sing-a-song-about-this type of posts, but I just had a bit of a heavy heart.  

I've  made it three weeks here at Cambridge!  I've made it through first weeks of school, traveling, moving, walking, worshiping, and more!  

And yet today, I've just yearned for familiar. 

It probably started with the poached egg at breakfast; while it was great, it wasn't as good as my dad's. 

Maybe it was the "bbq chicken" we had for lunch. 

( So not bbq chicken, y'all.)

Maybe it was everyone eating said chicken with a fork and knife (!) and I was just wondering how in the world people were managing to do this magic. 

Maybe it was watching us eat (and me so trying so so so hard to figure out the knife and fork combination) that reminded me of how my grandmother could pick a piece of chicken clean.  With her fingers. 

Maybe it was the hearing of the loss of Pete Seeger, a man whose music I love, but mostly today felt the grief I felt when I lost another ninety year old man whose music I loved just as much, if not more. 

Maybe it was talking to my sister and hearing that she had a bad day and I couldn't easily call and cheer her up.

Maybe it was the walk I took to the "other" side of Cambridge which felt like the "other" side of Decatur.  The side you "shouldn't go to" but still do because it's there and that's where the cheaper produce is. 

Maybe it was the postcard that arrived with handwriting that is so familiar and dear to my heart. 

Maybe it's that I miss the classrooms (AND PROFESSORS AND STUDENTS...and the use of gender-inclusive language...) that I've grown familiar and comfortable in and with at Columbia.

  (Not that I don't love it here...just different.)

Maybe it was seeing a friend getting to be with dear friends and making me miss the special friends I have, spread across many, many, many miles. 

Maybe it's because I truly believe google.com is better than google.co.uk. 

(Same with amazon. #sorrynotsorry)

Maybe it was because I had a bit of a sick day and we all know how we can sometimes feel on sick days. 

#iwantmymommy #popscicles #bluepoweradezeroALWAYS

Maybe it's because I've started to second guess how I pronounce things since I'm the only one who says it the way I do.  (Such as yogurt, process, celebratory, ecumenism and many more.) 

(Not that I don't love it here...just different.)

But mostly, I bet I'm feeling this way because of all the snow announcements coming from the states. 

Seriously - it is snowing in Decatur, GA. 

Austin had a snow day last week. 

AUSTIN. 

And then there was that freak Spring-ish day weather thrown in there too. 

Cambridge is sunny with a wee bit of rain and just cold. 

But not too cold. 

Bearable cold. 

And I'm 20 degrees farther north in the latitude realm from all y'all.

Whatever the reason, I've yearned for the familiar today. For the familiar laugh I can pick out in a hallway, the way I can eat with people and pour hot sauce on everything and then maybe eat with just a fork, and for the ringing of my US phone with the ridiculous Pitch Perfect song as my ringtone.  

I've yearned a wee bit to have a conversation where I didn't have to tell a story in order to tell the story. 

And hang on - I'm about to get really whiney:

I kind of want my own bed and own blanket.  And peanut butter.  

And I kind of want to play in snow. 

And yes, this is bigger than just things.  I am missing some people who even if I was able to be in their cities, they wouldn't be there. 

So honestly, I'm a bit homesick despite how absolutely lovely it is here with the wonderful, kind, and caring people that do surround me. 

But that's where I am tonight.

  And I just wanted to be honest.  

And I won't sit in this puddle of "woe is me" - I'm going to make a cup a tea, have a tea cake and possibly paint my nails, which is pretty familiar to what I would do back home. 

Just a bit different. 

Olaf's Adventure

Olaf here!  I've been quite busy since the last time!

Here I am trying to get my head around the monies here.  

I made friends! (See how the elephant adores me?)

Road trip to Fleet/Windsor/Slough.

Cool mirror wall!

Swanky dinner party with prosecco, glad I could be a 5th wheel!

 This is Ollie.  He hates me. But I enjoyed being around another furry creature.

 Double-decker what!!?!?

RIDING ON A DOUBLE DECKER BUS. #firsttimer

Windsor Castle

Crooked House of Windsor

Mmmmmm Fish n' Chips.

I met some of Catherine's friends!

 I had some fun on the way back to Cambridge. 

 Hopefully I'l find some true love on my train rides. 

 #Besties.

 Mmmmmm...Haggis! Neeps! Potatoes!

 Look who's on the UK phone?!?!

Peace, y'all!

Food Pictures #1

Because I'm weird a tourist  intrigued rude foodie forgetful, I take pictures of some of the food I eat, or when I see things in stores that I think are worth remembering.  

Here's round one!

From the Table:

 One of my first meals, actually at a different college than mine.  I forgot what this was exactly but pretty sure it included "something pie".  There was even debate if it was traditional English or not - it was - it has "chips" on top.  This is the vegetarian pie.  AND PARSNIPS - my first time. 

Salmon Coulibiac - salmon in pastry with barley and spinach., served with more barley and cabbage.
(Let the record show, I tried it.)

 Braised pork belly with lentils, pesto, potato and mixed veggies (parsnips, sprouts, green beans, and I forgot what the other one was...)

Treacle Tart with warm toffee sauce.
 #lifechanging #morewalksneeded #harrypotterhasitright

Quiche Lorraine, AMAZING bread, and basically mashed potatoes fried beautifully. (And salad.)

From Some Shops:

This just looks so colorful and Willy Wonka esque. Marks & Spencer's candy aisle.

 You can tell we're in a college town - rice dishes for the microwave!  

(I took this for my sister, really.)

 I think the people wondered why I was laughing so much. 

I forget they sell booze at grocery stores.
(Someone will look at this and know exactly why I took this picture.  I'm hoping they get it.) 

GUESS WHAT I SING EVERY TIME I SEE THESE!??!?!?!

  

On Sunday, people will be celebrating the life and poetry of Robert Burns, and have a traditional Scottish meal of... HAGGIS.


In honor of Burns Night and these pictures of food, here's a poem by Burns, entitled, Address to a Haggis, in it's original vernacular, with a translation following.

Address to a Haggis

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o the puddin'-race!
Aboon them a' ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe, or thairm:
Weel are ye worthy o' a grace
As lang's my arm.

The groaning trencher there ye fill,
Your hurdies like a distant hill,
Your pin wad help to mend a mill
In time o need,
While thro your pores the dews distil
Like amber bead.

His knife see rustic Labour dight,
An cut you up wi ready slight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like onie ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm-reekin, rich!

Then, horn for horn, they stretch an strive:
Deil tak the hindmost, on they drive,
Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve
Are bent like drums;
The auld Guidman, maist like to rive,
'Bethankit' hums.

Is there that owre his French ragout,
Or olio that wad staw a sow,
Or fricassee wad mak her spew
Wi perfect scunner,
Looks down wi sneering, scornfu view
On sic a dinner?

Poor devil! see him owre his trash,
As feckless as a wither'd rash,
His spindle shank a guid whip-lash,
His nieve a nit;
Thro bloody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit!

But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread,
Clap in his walie nieve a blade,
He'll make it whissle;
An legs an arms, an heads will sned,
Like taps o thrissle.

Ye Pow'rs, wha mak mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill o fare,
Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware
That jaups in luggies:
But, if ye wish her gratefu prayer,
Gie her a Haggis

Address to a Haggis Translation

Fair and full is your honest, jolly face,
Great chieftain of the sausage race!
Above them all you take your place,
Stomach, tripe, or intestines:
Well are you worthy of a grace
As long as my arm.

The groaning trencher there you fill,
Your buttocks like a distant hill,
Your pin would help to mend a mill
In time of need,
While through your pores the dews distill
Like amber bead.

His knife see rustic Labour wipe,
And cut you up with ready slight,
Trenching your gushing entrails bright,
Like any ditch;
And then, O what a glorious sight,
Warm steaming, rich!

Then spoon for spoon, the stretch and strive:
Devil take the hindmost, on they drive,
Till all their well swollen bellies by-and-by
Are bent like drums;
Then old head of the table, most like to burst,
'The grace!' hums.

Is there that over his French ragout,
Or olio that would sicken a sow,
Or fricassee would make her vomit
With perfect disgust,
Looks down with sneering, scornful view
On such a dinner?

Poor devil! see him over his trash,
As feeble as a withered rush,
His thin legs a good whip-lash,
His fist a nut;
Through bloody flood or field to dash,
O how unfit.

But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed,
The trembling earth resounds his tread,
Clap in his ample fist a blade,
He'll make it whistle;
And legs, and arms, and heads will cut off
Like the heads of thistles.

You powers, who make mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill of fare,
Old Scotland wants no watery stuff,
That splashes in small wooden dishes;
But if you wish her grateful prayer,
Give her [Scotland] a Haggis!

The Fears of Studying Abroad

I said awhile back I would post on some fears I had in studying abroad.  Ever since the small group I worked with a year ago (!) spent an evening talking about our fears, I've found that through discussion and in even just taking time to articulate my concerns, there is power.  Through addressing the fears or concerns I have, I'm allowed to really feel them, and quite often, hear just how silly some of them are.  (And it provides an excellent chance for others to help me confront them.)

So, here they are, in no particular order!  

(The advantage of making my list before I came here is that I have had two weeks to address them, so most have a response.)

1.   I won't be smart enough for Cambridge. 

Beginning my time here with intensives was maybe the best thing I could have done in regards to this fear.  I was able to be in a space that was comfortable and somewhat familiar with the courses (Godly Play and Storytelling) and also interact with students here.  I got to hear some of the lingo, talk one on one with students how they've journeyed here, and kind of get over the intimidation factors.  And after a few classes, the coursework I did last semester at CTS TRULY prepared me for the courses I am in here. 

Yee-haw. 

2.   I will be the epitome of an American Tourist, and maybe not in the best way.

I didn't pack sandals or a fannypack, so we might be ok on this one.  Also, lots of people here have experienced Atlanta via the airport or love the state of Texas. 

#win

3.   I will pronounce things wrong or won't use the correct word. 

To be honest, I do this anyways.  Like all the time.  The difference here is that my friend who is amazing at the English language isn't here to gently help me work through my word choices. 

Also, I'll figure out eventually what a Toad in the Hole is, and the boot, and why "z" over "s".  

4.   I won't like the food. 

This has not been a problem.  We have amazing breakfast.  And amazing lunches. And pretty ok dinners. And the desserts - y'all - chocolate sponge with warm chocolate sauce? Treacle tart with warm toffee sauce?  I'll be ok. 

5.   I will get lost.  Like, really lost. 

I remember moving to Atlanta and having this fear.  And I got so terribly lost all the time.  I would pull my car over, and study my map (no smart phone!), and then figure it out. 

I do the same thing here!  I have a map.  I have a smartphone that the GPS works all the time. And I retrace my steps.  Often.  The other night I got turned around one of the colleges, and between it being dark and having tiny alleys surrounding me, I felt a bit anxious.  After deciding not to panic, I just stopped, rethought how I got where I was, and finally figured out how to get back to school.  

(Mind you, the common language helps here, tremendously!)

6.   People won't like me. 

So, this is a fear probably everyone has at LEAST once in their lives.  Or everyday.  It's normal.  And it will be ok if not everyone likes me.  Lord knows there are people I struggle with. 

7.   I'll talk too much. 

When I confessed this fear to a friend over here, he kindly responded with this:

"We're British, we'll never tell you are doing this.  We will just leave, and the gripe about you later."

I'm not sure if this helped this fear, but it did make me laugh.  

8.   Planes & trains will be awful.  Or I will miss one of them.  Or end up on the wrong one. 

Maybe if I do miss one or get delayed or on the wrong one, it will be a memorable experience to blog about. Or at least laugh about. 

(My flight over here had curry as the dinner item - the entire plane smelled like hot curry - a smell which I have a huge aversion to.  But, that dish of hot chicken curry was just about the BEST curry I've ever eaten.  Totally worth the smells.)

***Mind you, last night I did have my first bad dream about getting to Taize.*** 

9.   I won't have enough clothes/shoes.  

Last week I had my first clothing tantrum - I was made because none of my shoes (I brought 4 pairs) "worked" with what I was wearing.  After a few moments of pouting, I built my bridge, and got over it.  My 4 pairs over here are not even half of the shoes I OWN - how many people in the world can say that?

And I made it work.  

And prayed fervently that the fashionistas around Cambridge would forgive my appearance. And thanked goodness I wasn't in London. 

10. HOMESICKNESS.

YAY VIBER, FACEBOOK, GOOGLE HANGOUTS, and SKYPE.  And internet access.  And, it makes spending time at home even sweeter. 

(This homesickness also applies to my being at the Columbia campus.  I'm gonna miss some buddies there! Well, already do!)

11. I won't be able to handle the workload for classes. 

I remember thinking this when at Columbia for the first time, and that included a foreign language.  

There is hope.

So, there are my fears - some rational, some not.  We'll see how this journey goes.  After two weeks, everything has been good.  I've enjoyed the community times and also having time to myself. I've talked to my sisters and emailed other family members.   (If you do want to skype/hangout/chat on Viber - let me know!)

In conclusion, I've linked to a video of an amazing video of what this one young man did while he studied abroad.  I'm sorry, but I'm not doing this.  He did it quite well enough for the both of us. 

Blessings, 

Katy

Olaf Explores Westminster

Olaf here! 
 I had fun this weekend exploring the college and having some pictures taken. 
 Take a look!

Westminster has been undergoing some remodeling and it looks fabulous!  It's been a busy place, full of the noises, smells, and stuff that comes with the work.  It's been fun to see everyday how much is getting accomplished!  

At the top of the stairs! 

Katy can never remember if these are pull or push doors, so it is quite hilarious at times, watching her try and open them. 

Yay safety barriers!  Keeping people (and me!) safe!

This is some kind of neat elevator, for a chair of some sort.  I saw them testing it today...looks neat!

 Here I am in the Common Room.  Students tend to gather here to watch TV (we watched Sherlock!) or to just hang out.  There is also a book auction that happens...woo hoo!

 This is what they call the Communal kitchen. Katy has cooked a few things in here.  It was quite funny watching her figure out the symbols on the oven.  Who knows if she used it correctly - it cooked her food, so yay!  

 I felt so cool being hung up here...might  have broken a rule though!  Katy looks here for announcements and most importantly, for the menu!

 Speaking of food - here is the dining hall!  This picture doesn't do it justice...it is gorgeous and big!  

 This is the chapel.  Katy goes here every morning and afternoon.  The stain glass is very colorful and detailed. 

 (see?  I told you it was detailed and colorful.)

(I'm not in these pics, but wanted to make sure you could see what  the chapel looks like!)

And a special announcement:

We moved!  

 While we were more than comfortable in our previous room and thought it quite perfect, a room with a kitchenette was made available.  It is like our room plus an extra side of a room, with a mini fridge, cupboards, and a george foreman grill (whatever that is!).  Katy is SUPER excited and I'm pretty happy too. 

 (I was so excited, I had to lay down for a moment.)

 Here's a comfy spot!  Time for tea!

 I can't wait to see what Katy cooks up on her weekends here! 

 Saturday we journeyed to a favorite place from the states, Starbucks!  Katy was pretty pumped to see her cards from the states worked here.  It was nice to have a little bit of "home".  And the latte was quite tasty too. 

 Public Service Announcement:  I LOVE Mark & Spencers.  (I think Katy is pretty in love with it as well...) It was like a foodie's wonderland.  And we'd gotten a fresh eccles cake from a baker outside of this shop.  

And finally, I've found a good friend.  We might be in love.  Recycling AND squirrels? 

 Yes, please!

Until my next adventure, have a lovely day!

-Olaf