Today we had an event referred to by the staff as the "Weekday Weekender." Don't ask me why, that's just what they call it.
In the morning, I got to go to mini sessions of two classes I wasn't in: Drama and Philosophy.
In Drama we played a game called "In the Manner of the Word." One person leaves the room and the rest of the people sit in a circle and choose a word, usually and adjective. Then the person who left comes in and asks people in the circle to do certain actions 'in the manner of the word.' The person then tries to guess, from the hints given by the way people perform actions, what the word is.
Well, when I got to go outside, I decided that the first thing I would ask someone to do would be to mime getting ready for bed in the manner of the word.
When I asked my friend Lizzie to do it, the whole group started laughing crazily. Lizzie was extremely self-conscious, and asked me to pick someone else. So I did, and through the reaction of the group and the miming of the person I'd chosen, I figured out the word.
It was "sexily."
No comment.
Then I went to Philosophy, and we talked about such stirring things like, "Is it possibly to truly understand what being a bat feels like?" and "What if we're all brains in vats?"
Afterwards, I had lunch, and then we went to the races.
First up was the infamous "Drag Race." It was labeled a "Boy's Only" sport, and so we all guessed what it would be like long before it happened.
We have only one boy in the class, and we needed a pair. So our teacher chose to be the other victim.
Basically, the long and short od the Drag Race was that they all had to dress up like girls and wear high heels and run across a field. Our team won. Afterwards, the boys from all teams expressed their amazement that girls could actually walk in those things.
I entered in the Dizzy Race. Basically, I spun around a pole a couple of times, fell over, got stepped on, and nearly ran into other kids.
It was loads of fun.
Gode Bless,
Erienne
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
#18 This Little Lutheran Church
Okay, I've got to tell you guys about the church I've been going to. Its called Resurrection Lutheran Church, and its within walking distance of Peterhouse. Well, everything is within walking distance of Peterhouse in Cambridge, but it's still nice to have it so close.
The pastor there is called Reg Quirk, and he's very nice. When I told him I was visiting here, he was very nice and talked to me about where I'd come from and my home congregation. There are some other very nice people there; the whole church is very welcoming.
It's a little church. Tiny. The sanctuary probably houses 150 people at a squeeze, and the past two weeks there have been 20-25 people at the service.
It's a very traditional church. Everything comes out of the Lutheran Service book, and they rotate the settings. Last week it was the one I know so well: Divine Service II. Pastor Quirk chants all the liturgy, and this week we were on setting three. I really like it.
It's nice to have Holy Communion in a Lutheran church. The tradition and the friendliness of the people makes me feel more at home. I really love Cambridge. I think I wannna live here when I grow up.
God Bless,
Erienne
The pastor there is called Reg Quirk, and he's very nice. When I told him I was visiting here, he was very nice and talked to me about where I'd come from and my home congregation. There are some other very nice people there; the whole church is very welcoming.
It's a little church. Tiny. The sanctuary probably houses 150 people at a squeeze, and the past two weeks there have been 20-25 people at the service.
It's a very traditional church. Everything comes out of the Lutheran Service book, and they rotate the settings. Last week it was the one I know so well: Divine Service II. Pastor Quirk chants all the liturgy, and this week we were on setting three. I really like it.
It's nice to have Holy Communion in a Lutheran church. The tradition and the friendliness of the people makes me feel more at home. I really love Cambridge. I think I wannna live here when I grow up.
God Bless,
Erienne
Friday, July 17, 2009
#17 How Wet Can It Get?
"Sitting in an English garden waiting for the sun.
If the sun don't come you get a tan from standing in the English rain."
Cambirdge is doing swimmingly well. Half the town is ankle deep in rainwater. My pants are soaked all the way up to my thighs, and I'm almost scared to go back out to my minor class.
If I wasn't actually hit by lightning today, I came as near as makes no never mind. It sounds like an enormous old redwood tree suddenly cracking ready to come down on top of you.
And tonight I'm going on a walking tour of the haunted places at Cambridge! Oh Lord, help me!
God keep the Son shining in your life,
Erienne
If the sun don't come you get a tan from standing in the English rain."
Cambirdge is doing swimmingly well. Half the town is ankle deep in rainwater. My pants are soaked all the way up to my thighs, and I'm almost scared to go back out to my minor class.
If I wasn't actually hit by lightning today, I came as near as makes no never mind. It sounds like an enormous old redwood tree suddenly cracking ready to come down on top of you.
And tonight I'm going on a walking tour of the haunted places at Cambridge! Oh Lord, help me!
God keep the Son shining in your life,
Erienne
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
#16 London's Underground
I love London. It's a wonderful city.
First place we visited was Trafalgar Square, where we saw Nelson's Column and the plynth that people go up on. One of the guys sang "Happy Birthday" to my friend, Lauren, who celebrated her 15th yesterday. Since everything I did was with Creative Writing class, we wrote poems about it.
Then we got on the Tube and stood in the hot stuffy train staring around. Absolutely awful. But we got out and walked to the Tate Modern.
That's such an interesting place. Weird art + lots of tourists = great place to write poems!
Then we walked down Brick Lane in the infamous East Side of London. Again, awesome place to write poems. We saw my teacher's office. He works in a converted subway train on top of a building!
But the most intriguing and exciting place, easily the best place for writing poems, was Covent Garden. The many people there are so interesting. For example, I saw probably about ten different people being "human statues" and there were musicians playing all evening. I even had my portrait done in charcoal by a Chinese artist. All delightful experiences that I wrote about.
All in all, a wonderful and insightful day.
God Bless,
Erienne
First place we visited was Trafalgar Square, where we saw Nelson's Column and the plynth that people go up on. One of the guys sang "Happy Birthday" to my friend, Lauren, who celebrated her 15th yesterday. Since everything I did was with Creative Writing class, we wrote poems about it.
Then we got on the Tube and stood in the hot stuffy train staring around. Absolutely awful. But we got out and walked to the Tate Modern.
That's such an interesting place. Weird art + lots of tourists = great place to write poems!
Then we walked down Brick Lane in the infamous East Side of London. Again, awesome place to write poems. We saw my teacher's office. He works in a converted subway train on top of a building!
But the most intriguing and exciting place, easily the best place for writing poems, was Covent Garden. The many people there are so interesting. For example, I saw probably about ten different people being "human statues" and there were musicians playing all evening. I even had my portrait done in charcoal by a Chinese artist. All delightful experiences that I wrote about.
All in all, a wonderful and insightful day.
God Bless,
Erienne
Monday, July 13, 2009
#15 Diversity and Tolerance
You have no idea about the diversity of the students here at Cambridge. So many people here would be termed "different."
My friend Hom is lesbian. She was one of the first people I met here, and she is super nice. Her attitude and jher frankness about her sexuality and her many problems with homophobia have really opened my eyes to some aspects of the gay community.
Daphne, who is in my Social Psychology class, is from Turkey. She often has very different and wonderful insights into society because she is from such a different culture.
Jessie lived eleven years in China, and still identifies most strongly with that culture. I bet you've never heard the Tibetan story from the point of view of the Chinese, have you?
Hanna, from New York, is legally blind. But you would not be able to tell if you were just talking to her. Maybe her eyes wander a little bit, and she has to hold her books very close to her eyes, but if you are walking down the street talking to her, she can follow you and avoid other pedestrians along the way. She's frank about being blind, but she doesn't allow it to get in her way.
Lauren is a singer, Pia is a brilliant story writer, Diana comes from Puerto Rico, and half of the non-US students come from Hong Kong. We're incredibly diverse and incredibly open. I love it here.
We're so open that I can talk about God, Christianity and my faith in Jesus and how it affects my life, and I haven't once been put down for it. In fact, I haven't been put down at all. It's beautiful.
God Bless
Erienne
My friend Hom is lesbian. She was one of the first people I met here, and she is super nice. Her attitude and jher frankness about her sexuality and her many problems with homophobia have really opened my eyes to some aspects of the gay community.
Daphne, who is in my Social Psychology class, is from Turkey. She often has very different and wonderful insights into society because she is from such a different culture.
Jessie lived eleven years in China, and still identifies most strongly with that culture. I bet you've never heard the Tibetan story from the point of view of the Chinese, have you?
Hanna, from New York, is legally blind. But you would not be able to tell if you were just talking to her. Maybe her eyes wander a little bit, and she has to hold her books very close to her eyes, but if you are walking down the street talking to her, she can follow you and avoid other pedestrians along the way. She's frank about being blind, but she doesn't allow it to get in her way.
Lauren is a singer, Pia is a brilliant story writer, Diana comes from Puerto Rico, and half of the non-US students come from Hong Kong. We're incredibly diverse and incredibly open. I love it here.
We're so open that I can talk about God, Christianity and my faith in Jesus and how it affects my life, and I haven't once been put down for it. In fact, I haven't been put down at all. It's beautiful.
God Bless
Erienne
Sunday, July 12, 2009
#14 Picture Time!
Quick rundown of the past few days: Canterbury was amazing, dance on Saturday was not so cool, my legs hurt, found a charming little Lutheran church I attended this morning, and am generally busy, tired, and have sore legs and feet.
Don't have much time, so here are some pictures from my room, Peterhouse, Canterbury Cathedral, and a little baby bird that fell from its nest:
Friday, July 10, 2009
#13 Cathedrals and Characters
Wow. Yesterday I took a trip to Canterbury, and focused on the cathedral.
It was phenomenal.
The intricacy of the carvings and grotesques on the walls made me stare in awe. Each hand-carved stone and ornately designed tomb was magnificent.
It would take thousands of words to attempt to describe the marvel of the cathedral, and I'm pretty sure you still won't truly appreciate it.
So instead, I'll post pictures from the whole trip so far on Sunday. Hope you guys can wait until then.
After our astounding tour of the cathedral, I did something that will seem completely out of place: I sat in Starbucks and wrote all afternoon.
But this was because of my assignment for Creative Writing. We will be renacting the Canterbury Tales. We each have to write a short story about a character's journey to Canterbury. We will present them on Sunday. Whoever writes the best one will win a souvenir from Canterbury as a prize. Part of me wants to win, and part of me hopes I'll lose. I know it sounds crazy, but sometimes I get a little bit tired of being the best.
I had so much fun! Thank you for reading my ramblings.
God Bless,
Erienne
It was phenomenal.
The intricacy of the carvings and grotesques on the walls made me stare in awe. Each hand-carved stone and ornately designed tomb was magnificent.
It would take thousands of words to attempt to describe the marvel of the cathedral, and I'm pretty sure you still won't truly appreciate it.
So instead, I'll post pictures from the whole trip so far on Sunday. Hope you guys can wait until then.
After our astounding tour of the cathedral, I did something that will seem completely out of place: I sat in Starbucks and wrote all afternoon.
But this was because of my assignment for Creative Writing. We will be renacting the Canterbury Tales. We each have to write a short story about a character's journey to Canterbury. We will present them on Sunday. Whoever writes the best one will win a souvenir from Canterbury as a prize. Part of me wants to win, and part of me hopes I'll lose. I know it sounds crazy, but sometimes I get a little bit tired of being the best.
I had so much fun! Thank you for reading my ramblings.
God Bless,
Erienne
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
#12 I'm Feeling Creative!
Cambridge overflows with creativity. Everything, down to the tiniest brick in the walls of King's College and the advantageous positioning of the Starbuck's cafe at the mall, compounds into a condusive environment for observation and imagination.
The day started promptly at 6:45 with a fire drill. I threw on my robe and slipped into my crocks, blearily stumbling down the stairs to stand in the cold morning air. When it was finally over, I went back upstairs and got dressed.
After a wonderfully big breakfast with friends, I went to Creative Writing. First we finished a sonnet that the entire class began yesterday about the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square. The art department has allowed regular people to go up on the plinth for one hour and do whatever they like. One person wore a panda costume and took calls. Another brought up a tea set and mimed high tea. It really piqued our interest, so we wrote about it.
Then we went down to the mall and Ross bought us all a hot drink. While we enjoyed our coffee and tea, we watched people and wrote down descriptions of them, eventually making up stories about them. There were some fascinating people there.
After that I had lunch. Then I went to Social Psychology, which is definitely at least as much fun as Creative Writing. We took personality tests. I discovered that I am pretty much exactly where I've always thought I was: dead center, but high on Openness. I actually score in the high middle range on Neuroticism, but it doesn't mean what you think it means.
After that, I listened to the interbationally acclaimed former Poet Laureate of England, Sir Andrew Motion. I swear I will never again read a long repetitive poem in a slow, droning voice. It's not that it was bad, his voice was just so soothing and calming, it nearly put me to sleep!
After a wonderful dinner spent chatting with friends and some free time spent in the common room, I saw an incredible performance. This man stood up there and rapped three of the Canterbury Tales! We heard the Pardoner's tale, the Miller's rather crass tale, and the very interesting tale from the Wife of Bath. This man has literally taken Chaucer's traditional story and turned it into rap. He is very fond of making parallels between the rap culture and the culture of medieval England.
I had a lot of fun times today!
God Bless,
Erienne
The day started promptly at 6:45 with a fire drill. I threw on my robe and slipped into my crocks, blearily stumbling down the stairs to stand in the cold morning air. When it was finally over, I went back upstairs and got dressed.
After a wonderfully big breakfast with friends, I went to Creative Writing. First we finished a sonnet that the entire class began yesterday about the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square. The art department has allowed regular people to go up on the plinth for one hour and do whatever they like. One person wore a panda costume and took calls. Another brought up a tea set and mimed high tea. It really piqued our interest, so we wrote about it.
Then we went down to the mall and Ross bought us all a hot drink. While we enjoyed our coffee and tea, we watched people and wrote down descriptions of them, eventually making up stories about them. There were some fascinating people there.
After that I had lunch. Then I went to Social Psychology, which is definitely at least as much fun as Creative Writing. We took personality tests. I discovered that I am pretty much exactly where I've always thought I was: dead center, but high on Openness. I actually score in the high middle range on Neuroticism, but it doesn't mean what you think it means.
After that, I listened to the interbationally acclaimed former Poet Laureate of England, Sir Andrew Motion. I swear I will never again read a long repetitive poem in a slow, droning voice. It's not that it was bad, his voice was just so soothing and calming, it nearly put me to sleep!
After a wonderful dinner spent chatting with friends and some free time spent in the common room, I saw an incredible performance. This man stood up there and rapped three of the Canterbury Tales! We heard the Pardoner's tale, the Miller's rather crass tale, and the very interesting tale from the Wife of Bath. This man has literally taken Chaucer's traditional story and turned it into rap. He is very fond of making parallels between the rap culture and the culture of medieval England.
I had a lot of fun times today!
God Bless,
Erienne
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
#11 The Cambridge "Experience"
I love Cambridge! It is one of the coolest places I have ever been. The trees and flowers are gorgeous, the buildings are so ancient and beautiful, and the mom and pop sandwich store down the road sells filled baguettes for £2.65.
It's called Sam Smiley's and it's tiny. It's so small, in fact, that they don't accept credit cards for anything that costs less than £5. Nevertheless, it's a wonderful little shop. Every day I'm there, I see something that wasn't there the day before. Sam Smiley's is going to have one steady customer this month.
Peterhouse's Senior Bursar spoke to us yesterday, and I cracked up. Every few minutes, he would push his glasses further up the bridge of his nose! It was like some kind of nervous tic! Every time he did it, I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. I really hope he thought I was quivering in anticipation.
My creative writing teacher is absolutely fantastic. Today we played 'Sonnet Consequences.' Everyone starts off with a line in iambic pentameter that rhymes with a designated sound. Then we pass it on two the person on our left, who writes the next line, and so on until the sonnet is finished. The only problem is, you're not allowed to read the lines before yours. The resulting hodgepodge of endings is fantastically surreal.
We also had a guest speaker come in and talk about a Walt Whitman poem with us. Did you know he was educated in Cambridge?
No minor today. I was kind of sad about that, but it gave me a whole ton of free time. Some of the group went down to see the varsity cricket match between Cambridge and Oxford, but I chose not to go. Instead I went down to a store and bought myself a pad of paper and some calligraphy pens. (They were really cheap, Mom! Only £6.29. Similar quality pens in the USA cost about fifteen dollars!)
I decided to hang out in the Program Office, because the directors here are really nice and sitting in there made me feel connected. One of the teachers at the program saw me doing calligraphy and asked if I could make a sign for her! So my sign will be hanging around Peterhouse.
A ladybug followed me around today. When I was writing in a notebook, it started crawling on my knee. I let it keep on crawling and stood up nearly twenty minutes later, thinking it haf gone off. Nearly half an hour later, I saw it crawling on my jacket in the bathroom. I then lost it again until it showed up on my purse in the program office.
It's been wonderful here, and I'd just like to say I wish you were all here with me!!!
God Bless,
Erienne
It's called Sam Smiley's and it's tiny. It's so small, in fact, that they don't accept credit cards for anything that costs less than £5. Nevertheless, it's a wonderful little shop. Every day I'm there, I see something that wasn't there the day before. Sam Smiley's is going to have one steady customer this month.
Peterhouse's Senior Bursar spoke to us yesterday, and I cracked up. Every few minutes, he would push his glasses further up the bridge of his nose! It was like some kind of nervous tic! Every time he did it, I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. I really hope he thought I was quivering in anticipation.
My creative writing teacher is absolutely fantastic. Today we played 'Sonnet Consequences.' Everyone starts off with a line in iambic pentameter that rhymes with a designated sound. Then we pass it on two the person on our left, who writes the next line, and so on until the sonnet is finished. The only problem is, you're not allowed to read the lines before yours. The resulting hodgepodge of endings is fantastically surreal.
We also had a guest speaker come in and talk about a Walt Whitman poem with us. Did you know he was educated in Cambridge?
No minor today. I was kind of sad about that, but it gave me a whole ton of free time. Some of the group went down to see the varsity cricket match between Cambridge and Oxford, but I chose not to go. Instead I went down to a store and bought myself a pad of paper and some calligraphy pens. (They were really cheap, Mom! Only £6.29. Similar quality pens in the USA cost about fifteen dollars!)
I decided to hang out in the Program Office, because the directors here are really nice and sitting in there made me feel connected. One of the teachers at the program saw me doing calligraphy and asked if I could make a sign for her! So my sign will be hanging around Peterhouse.
A ladybug followed me around today. When I was writing in a notebook, it started crawling on my knee. I let it keep on crawling and stood up nearly twenty minutes later, thinking it haf gone off. Nearly half an hour later, I saw it crawling on my jacket in the bathroom. I then lost it again until it showed up on my purse in the program office.
It's been wonderful here, and I'd just like to say I wish you were all here with me!!!
God Bless,
Erienne
Monday, July 6, 2009
#10 Technology and Tourism
Hey y'all! Writing this from my Blackberry. Sorry I haven't been able to blog or Facebook regularly but my tech has totally been on the fritz.
The first few days have been fantastic. I showed up here to find I have a whole room to myself. First day I met two awesome girls named Hom and Sonam who are amazing.
I've met all kinds of other girls here, too. Jessie, Hannah, and Lauren are in my Creative Writing class. Iris and Tara were on my team for the scavenger hunt. Everybody here is incredibly friendy.
My Creative Writing class almost feels more like a drama class. Our teacher, Ross Sutherland, is a live poet, so his emphasis is mostly on the storytelling part of writing. As a result we play storytelling and roleplay games. It feels like an improv class.
My Social Psychology class is full of debaters. Everybody loves to speak up, and today we got sidetracked onto about eight different tangents, which touched on everything from twins to global warming! Something tells me this class is going to be amazing!
I've been having so much fun its crazy. But I have been thinking of everybody back home, and I'm so thankful you're all praying for me.
God Bless,
Erienne
The first few days have been fantastic. I showed up here to find I have a whole room to myself. First day I met two awesome girls named Hom and Sonam who are amazing.
I've met all kinds of other girls here, too. Jessie, Hannah, and Lauren are in my Creative Writing class. Iris and Tara were on my team for the scavenger hunt. Everybody here is incredibly friendy.
My Creative Writing class almost feels more like a drama class. Our teacher, Ross Sutherland, is a live poet, so his emphasis is mostly on the storytelling part of writing. As a result we play storytelling and roleplay games. It feels like an improv class.
My Social Psychology class is full of debaters. Everybody loves to speak up, and today we got sidetracked onto about eight different tangents, which touched on everything from twins to global warming! Something tells me this class is going to be amazing!
I've been having so much fun its crazy. But I have been thinking of everybody back home, and I'm so thankful you're all praying for me.
God Bless,
Erienne
Thursday, July 2, 2009
#9 Cambridge and Other Honors
I'm leaving for Cambridge tomorrow. I'm super excited and I can't wait to go! I found a group on Facebook with some of the other kids who are going on it, and I think that one of them will be on the same flight with me crossing the Atlantic. So I may meet someone just while I'm waiting for the plane.
Since this blog is now called "My Experiences," I thought it would be appropriate to tell you about another honor I was recently awarded.
About six months ago, I entered an essay in a youth writing contest. In March, I recieved a letter telling me that my essay had been accepted for publication. Then the other young essayists from across the country all voted on the "top ten" for their age group in another state. Adult judges also chose top ten winners.
In the seventh-ninth grade category in Oregon, I was awarded a place in the Top Ten.
There was no ranking system, no "#1, #2," etc., it was simply the top ten best essays in the category.
Because I won the Top Ten spot, I get a free copy of the essay anthology and a $50 savings bond. But what I really care about is the bragging rights!
One more step on the way to becoming a published novelist! Thanks, everybody, for so much of your help and support!
God Bless,
Erienne
Since this blog is now called "My Experiences," I thought it would be appropriate to tell you about another honor I was recently awarded.
About six months ago, I entered an essay in a youth writing contest. In March, I recieved a letter telling me that my essay had been accepted for publication. Then the other young essayists from across the country all voted on the "top ten" for their age group in another state. Adult judges also chose top ten winners.
In the seventh-ninth grade category in Oregon, I was awarded a place in the Top Ten.
There was no ranking system, no "#1, #2," etc., it was simply the top ten best essays in the category.
Because I won the Top Ten spot, I get a free copy of the essay anthology and a $50 savings bond. But what I really care about is the bragging rights!
One more step on the way to becoming a published novelist! Thanks, everybody, for so much of your help and support!
God Bless,
Erienne
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