WEEK 1: CAMBRIDGE

26 JUN, SUNDAY:
After dinner, I was really tired so I decided to just go to sleep.  In the morning Kate and Sam traveled together to Cambridge by train on Platform 9B (almost 9 3/4!) from King's Cross.  It was beautiful but just very very humid and warm.  When we got there we met a few of the Program Assistants who were really cool.  Most of these 'PAs' are there to help everyone on the social aspect of being in Cambridge.  They know where the best pubs and clubs are, and they are there to keep us safe and accounted for.

My room is great!  Sam is across the lawn in building AA and Kate is next door in building R.  My room is in Q on the second floor.  I have a fantastic view of the lawns and it's great that I can see all of my friends who walk by to and from class.

My dorm room!  This is the grass that we are allowed to walk on :)

On Sunday Kate, Sam and I walked around the small Pembroke campus to take some pictures and have some fun.  We freshened up and changed and did a bunch of different photo shoots.  Thanks to Sam, I have a great picture with the library :)  It was great to get to know Kate and Sam a lot more before the dinner.

The Library!  I actually can't wait to study here with the Fellows :)

Myself, Sam and Kate.  Wandering around Pembroke College.

The dinner was very... interesting.  There is this guy that is charge of organizing them who looks like a skinny version of Robert Downey, Jr.  He is has this slight look that puts fear into you and you ALWAYS listen to his directions.  The food was really cold and Italian.  I normally like my pizza, tomato soup and pasta warm so it was very interesting to eat.  I also had sparkling water for the first time - I decided I didn't like it.  Otherwise it was a great dinner to meet new people and I talked a lot to Ruth, a really cool PA who gave a lot of advice where to shop.

A few the PAs invited us to go to the Anchor because the Junior Parlour was closed (the on campus pub).  Around 15 of us went and it was a lot of fun.  The punting place is next door so a lot of us got excited to try that after we get back from our 5 day trip to Scotland.

When I ordered a pint, I thought I ordered Stella.  Instead it was Fosters, but that was okay.  It was pretty good and a bunch of us were talking and telling random facts about each other to get acquainted.  It was a lot of people's first time out of California and there were also a lot who had been traveling before.

Kate and I also decided to try some cider and asked the bartender what they thought was the best one.  She said the 'premium' cider was Rekordalig (I don't know if I spelled that right).  It was seriously the most delicious cider I ever had.  It's seasonal, with a strawberry and lime flavouring, so it was just fantastic.  It's just a shame that it's on the more expensive side so I won't be able to get it all the time when I go out.

Probably the most amazing cider ever on the planet.

27 JUN, MONDAY:
On Monday was Orientation where we met some really important people.  I was lucky enough to not have class that day, so I mainly relaxed and unpacked.  It was also really hot and humid - about 90% humidity at 85 F.  The Porter (basically security) gave a fire & safety tour which was much more enjoyable than I though.  He was hilarious and made me feel like he will really watch out for all of us.

There was also the Formal Hall dinner, which was going to be the last one inside the 'Harry Potter' esque hall.  It really needed repair work since it's so old (the College is about 400 years older than the US!) and it's really a shame we don't get a chance to do it every week.  My friends and I took the most of it though, and our Program Director, Dr. Nick Godfrey actually sat with us.  It was really nice to know that he is a funny and normal individual.  He's also young and it's his first year running the program.  He told us many stories and he even studied abroad at the University of Redlands!

The food was amazing at the dinner.  The roast beef was some of the best I ever had and it's making me hungry again just thinking about it.  I also ate the dessert in about 2 seconds.  I really like that they have served coffee after every dinner meal because it helps me get out of my food coma so I can enjoy as much time here as possible.

The Fellows, who are special faculty who are some of the most elite at Pembroke ate at the 'High Table'.  It was really interesting to see how different the ages some of them were.  A couple looked just to be about 25 while the oldest must have been at least 70.

The dinner was just a fantastic experience and I'm so glad that I had the chance to eat at least one Formal Hall dinner there.  From now on they will be in a marquee right next to it.

Dr. Nick Godfrey (Program Director), Danny, Kate and me at Formal Hall dinner.

New friends! From left to right: Sam, Robby, Kate, me, Danny, Sam2 and Sam.

28 JUN, TUESDAY:
After dinner, I felt really tired so I just went to my room early instead of going out. The next morning, I went to morning prayer at the College Chapel. It's a beautiful small chapel and about 4 students went. Even though I'm not terribly religious, it was a nice place to be after finding about Kristen passing away so suddenly. I also had class at 9:00 and at 11:50. Both of my classes were GREAT and I am so happy that I am in them. I am in Spooks and Spies (History of British Secret Intelligence) and Morality in Britain. Both are going to really complement my experience here in Cambridge. Most of the time my classes will be 1 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon. Hopefully I will have enough time to do exploring in between those classes.

Today Kate, Sam and I went to the 'Official' Cambridge store. I got a really cool crewneck Pembroke sweatshirt and I checked out cufflinks for my friend Issei. It was raining, so Kate and I also went to get some clothes (I got boots and a sweater).

It's beein raining all day today, a huge contrast to the past few days. And when I say raining, I mean the thunder is so loud that even the locals scream from fright. It feels nice to be in my dorm. :)

Tomorrow morning I am leaving for 5 days to Scotland, which I'm a little nervous about. The bus ride is really long and I just don't like traveling for very long... lol. My next post will be all about SCOTLAND!!

Pembroke love,

Erika