Ummm...Like drinking from a fire hose.

My new friend, Fahd, offered me a very kind piece of advice..."You could have a few entries that reflected on life as a student at Cambridge." At first in my head, I thought, "Isn't that what I'm doing?" However, then we talked more and I realized he was referring to the academic life.

The only way I can describe it is....academic life at Cambridge is like drinking from a fire hose.

I realize, I just used a metaphor, which are considered to be full of generalisations and that lead to erroneous assumptions. But I promise this generalisation is the most true one EVER! 

I am reading for a Masters of Philosophy in Education (thematic route: Perspectives on Inclusive and Special Education).  I attend between 14-18 hours of lecture a week. I have three strands of classes:

1) Research Methods 

2) Perspectives in Education aka: Deep theory that has yet to mention the words child, school, education...but the homework is interesting!!! 

3) Perspectives on Inclusive and Special Education (PISE)

Faculty of Education (dark whenever I leave!)

The strangest part is being a student after being a teacher. I'll find myself doing something and then remember I told my students to never do this! For instance, doing reading without keeping notes/highlighting, or studying for hours without breaks....or just skipping words you don't know.

Also, it's been a struggle having diabetes and going to University. I was already a teacher when I was diagnosed. The thing is exericse brings down blood sugar levels....certain types of exericse bring it down faster. However, I have found that the thing that drops my blood sugar the fastest is solid 3  hour lectures....or personal study blocks. So I've been using up all my emergency glucose....I'm still trying to figure it out!!!!

There's the library! Kinda an odd view...sorry!

My classes are far away...about a 43 min bike ride in light traffic....55 min in busy traffic. The buildings are very new. And the class sizes are 60-70 in my Research and Perspective classes. My Special Education classes are only 20!!! And the education faculty library is full of the most incredible and bubbly librarians ever!

Dampened anyone's enthusiasm?

First Outing on the Cam!!! 

Alarm set for 6:15...

It was completely night. I had my lights clipped onto my bike. And I was wearing my helmet. One of my row team members happens to live across the hall! We biked over to the boathouse. It was chilly....and still dark! 

We went on the erg machines. A few people were lost...and late. Then we went over the basics. Where to step, strapping in your feet, LOCKING in the blades (aka oar/paddle- like long things!) 

Now the Cam is a busy place once it hits 7:00 AM and the boats can legally row.  We got in and went through all the basics. 

Then the UNBELIEVABLE....horribly embarrassing.....Eddies Boat club history....happened! 

We tipped. (the cause... rowing is a team sport...so everyone's fault...)

It was a graceful event...slow and could have been preventable, even once it began. Slow enough that I could make sure my insulin pump stayed dry! Or at least basically dry. It is waterproof, but I've never tested it! 

However, girls got panicked....blades went up and soon...well we were in the CAM! 

To make matters worse, the blades on the Port side were lodged in the muddy bottom. Considering that the blades on the Port side had been locked it was impossible to just flip the boat right side. So after some dunking and pulling...the boat was right side. However, the next task...lifting it out. It was heavy to start with. Now there was water that was flipped directly over our heads. 

However, we emerged...looking like swamp monsters. Don't be deceived the photos of the Cam are beautiful. But that water is far from pristine. I was wearing my favourite WHITE sweater...which turned light brown...but I'm proud of my stain removal skills!

Sorry no photo of the actual event

So there you have it....I swam in the Cam in October. And all of the teams, which we will be competing against were rowing by the entire time. With the boat away, we headed home....on our bikes. FREEZING, DRIPPING wet. 

First outing on the Cam and not a single stroke. But history making!

"I'll make a man (Rower) out of you!"

Rowing!!!

It's a cambridge tradition...plus I have experience in a wavy lake...not a slender river with sidewalks along the edges. Plus, there are people who are trained and coaches. And a boathouse right on the Cam. More about the water training to follow! 

  

Last week we started land training. It was a bit early for a saturday morning..ya know 9! I thought about blogging about the experience as soon as I was done. We met on the field that's part of our college. The grass was a bit damp. No big deal...and it was chilly. I was prepared. One of our coaches and fellow Eddie went through the routine. Just some circuit training. Isolated exersices 45 seconds then rotate. 

1. Unmodified close hand pushups continuous 

2. Side lunches 

4. Squats 

5. Planks

6. Burpies (with full pushups)

7. 8 moves of death...it had another name 

7. Bench sitting with a partner

8. Unmodified pushups with partner jumping over your legs...

9. Something else....involving laying on the muddy grass

10. Sit ups

12. Something else...

13. Something else....

ohh and all of that x3. Now I am a girl so obviously my first thought was, "What! The grass is wet and soon it's going to be muddy!" I hate mud...and puddles. But I didn't say a thing. And I didn't have gloves either. I am proud to say I completed the curcit... with some modifications to the pushups! 

Through the eyes of a social scientist it was incredible! The boys were motivated by the competition and worked harder when the coach would point out their "laziness." The girls....well there reaction wasn't to work harder....they just stopped. Or the most common response they started to giggle. 

The boys next to me said, "Ohh do you thing the heheheing will cease? I can't bear it? You're not a heheing girl, right?  To which I responded by....I couldn't help it

"heheing"
After the curcit was done....we ran for a while as the coaches told us about how much better we'll be in a few weeks...so prepared for the first races...All I could hear was this song

Buono Appetito!

 One of my fears about coming to Cambridge was that I wouldn't have any friends. I guess it's been awhile since I've been dropped into a new place....ALONE! Everyone has been really nice (except the cellphone salesman)....but nice and friends are a bit different. 

However, my first night in Cambridge, I was tired and starving! I went down to the eating hall and sat at the table next to two girls that seems very nice. Turns out they were more than nice! They are outstanding. I met Melissa from Singapore and Maria from Italy. We have many of the same beliefs and values. It was so refreshing and reassuring to find them straight away. Since that first night we have done many things together.....like walks, dinners, late night chats, dance party, library tours.....

Me, Maria, Melissa

I loved all the varities! 

The boiled egg was great! 

Maria lives out of college in an apartment! She invited our group...that has expanded to include some more incredible people! Ellen from China and Charlene from France... Maria invited all of us for pizza...homemade by a real Italian! Take that pizza hut! 

The evening was delightful. She had slippers ready for each of us to wear! The apartment was sooo classy. The background music was perfect. And so there we sat together sharing our cultures and loving the time. 

I have come to the realization that what makes Cambridge so outstanding is truly the people. They come from everywhere. We all were drawn to this place for some reason. Their goals, plans, and research projects show their deep committment to making a difference. We will be here all mixed together...working through the readings, lectures, classes--expanding our perspectives. Who know's what these people will do next!? That's the awe of Cambridge...the sense of becoming!

Melissa, Maria, Charlene, Calry, Ellen

Going to the most (in)FAMOUS pub in Cambridge

During my first journey to Europe, I fell in love !!! (with the religious history) It resonated with this specific part of history because of my guiding belief in religious freedom for all people.  I kept reading....and reading and fell more in love! I specifically love the Reformers. Their courage and sacrifice changed history forever--changed my life forever!  

What does this have to do with a pub? Well....everything! 

The White Horse Tavern was a bustling place in Cambridge. So many famous men came to discuss the writings of Martin Luther and Phillip Melanchthon. The actual pub was taken down when renovations were made to King's College. However, this is the plaque that marks the place!

 Many influential men met at the White Horse Tavern, but just to name a few..... 

  

Thomas Bilney- Trinity College, Cambridge Graduate...burnt the stake

 Robert Barnes- Cambridge Graduate...at first recanted and then escaped from prison.  He actually met Martin Luther in Wittenberg! He returned to England and was convicted of heresy...burnt at the stake

John Lambert- Queen's College, Cambridge Graduate...convicted of heresy for denying the doctrine of Transubstantiation. Apparently, as he burned he said, "None but Christ."  

Hugh Latimer- Cambridge Graduate and fellow at Clare College, Cambridge...Thomas Bilney taught him. He was convicted of heresy by Queen Mary I...becoming one of 3 Anglican martyrs...
William Tyndale- Graduate of...that other school in England (Oxford). However, came to the White Horse Tavern. He has an incredible story. He sought to bring the Bible to the common man by translating it into their mother tongue! He wanted the Bible to be translated so even "the boy with the plough" could understand it!! Many of the words found in the English Bible derive from the translation work of Tyndale. the King James Version of the Bible relied on Tyndale's translation heavily. However, he was strangled and then burned for heresy.

*There were also martyrs of Cambridge. These executions occurred on Jesus Green and Parker's Piece! Both parks that I've jogged through recently!

Which leads me to...the King James Version of the Bible. This was a huge work that involved 54 members with meetings being held in Oxford, Westminster and...Cambridge. The translators worked on certain sections and then circulated their work to the other groups for approval (revisions!).

Also, for my US History students last year....in 1620 the Mayflower! What do these Puritans sailing to America have to do with Cambridge? William Brewster, a passenger on the ship, was a Cambridge Graduate!!!

I am officially in LOVE with Cambridge! It is inspiring to think of the great people that walked these same corridors and pathways.  They stood up for their beliefs against insurmountable odds. They asked questions and searched for answers.

*Thanks to Bro. and Sister Curley for their presentation about Cambridge as the birthplace of the Reformation in England! That was a wonderful (family) Home Evening!

I have matriculated at HOGWARTS...(aka St. Edmunds)

 Matriculation or matriculatus: 

To enroll as a member of a body and especially of a college. 

ma·tric·u·lation not to be confused with maturation!

For a few days before...I honestly struggled to say it correctly. However, I got it sorted out. This is a monumentous event marking the moment I become a lifelong member of St. Edmund's College. It also formally admits me to reading the MPhil in Education at the University of Cambridge. To be a student at Cambridge one must be a member of a College (like a house in Harry Potter). There are 31 Colleges at Cambridge. St. Edmund's is a graduate college meaning most of us are imports to Cambridge Uni. Also, it is the most diverse student composition in Cambridge. There are 400 students representing 69 nationalities. 

Then the official mail started arriving. Along with all the rules. First off, it is mandatory event. Next university gowns of the proper rank must be worn. Under the gowns...well "Gentlemen are required to wear a lounge suit and tie and women to be smartly dressed." During the ceremony, each student was called the the front of the Chapel. 

Photo: Waiting for the Butler's call to dinner

"Miss Carly Christensen reading a Masters in Philosophy of Education." Then the Master had a little conversation with me! Afterwards, I turned clockwise and walked to the rear of the chapel to sign the official members book....which is very old. The ceremony was nice. The statement that the Fellows swear to uphold for the College of St. Edmund's is "Education, Religion, Learning and Research." Then it was time for the formal hall dinner. 

Formal Hall has many rules....no cell phones (obviously), no purses/bags, no PHOTOs, no leaving the dinning hall before the post cibum Grace....ohh and there is assigned seats. Now I was excited for the dinner and figured the other students (made up of 69 nationalities) would be forgiving about the strict table manners (most of them don't know the rules). It was a 4 course meal.  

There are three long tables and a main head table. The head table has the Masters and Fellows seated at it...along with visiting members. The dinner lasts about 3ish hours! Meaning that person next to you better be engaging. So just my luck, I was lead to my seat by the butler who seemed to smile when I said my name. He walked me straight up to the head table! At first I thought he had made a mistake until I saw my name tag!!! 

What a night! I knew the basics. The conversation was incredible. My mind was literally exploding. The Fellows are very personable. They talked about such a range of topics--the time flew up. There was ceremonial sections between the courses. 

Getting ready!! 

It was almost like Hogwarts...minus the hats! 

I few times I really thought "Wow, it's like I go to Hogwarts." Mainly, because of the formal gowns...but also because everything feels unbelievable...or really magical! 

I'm an Eddie still in training....

So I made it! Cambridge is an outstanding city. There has been an enormous amount of ligistics to get figured. But I am proud to say that I have a UK bank account, a UK doctor, a UK cell phone number (which only slightly works...) and a MA Gown!!!! This is the building where I eat meals and socialize.

The past few days have been very exhausting. It's freshers week. There have been dozens of activities, receptions and teas. The college which I am going to be a member of is St. Edmunds. It's a smaller college that is located a bit out of the city. The address is very perfect--Mount Pleasant!  I was a bit nervous when the reception gave me the key to my room. The kind women told me I lived on the 2nd floor. So I piled in the very very very large and wretched suitcases. However, when the "lift" reached the 2nd floor my room was no where to be found. In the UK the 1st level is called "Ground floor" then the 2nd level is called "1st Floor"! I did figure it out...

Thought you might be a bit curious to see the 360 view...

Here's the view from my window....

Ohh and of course our shared "kitchen"....

I would have taken a picture of the bathroom area...but that is risky business! Apparently, Austrian men believe in wearing only their underware while they are "at home". 

Cheers to tomorrow! I am going to conquer the bus...and buy a bike! (Hopefully) But most importantly, tomorrow is my first day of real classes at the University of Cambridge!