It's still really hard having to factor in all my class lectures and sections as well as having to run all my errands (like getting groceries, doing laundry, traveling, going to plenary lectures and meetings) into a small time frame, since everything closes at 6pm latest, but now that I'm used to the town, I feel as though I've been here for a long long time.
Cambridge is a very small college town, and since everything in the town was built to make the town sustainable for college and small-town living, the joys of the residents here are far different than the excitements of those in a bustling metropolitain city.
A couple of days ago, I was going through some old photos of my time in Korea, and was really under a lot of internal conflict of why I had chosen to come to a town like Cambridge. Because my past experience abroad in Korea had been beyond amazing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, I felt so constricted and confined in Cambridge, in what I had envisioned as a part of "the GREAT Britain. ENGLAND. EUROPE!!!" There was no more excitement walking from home to class back home again, a 25 minute walk one way, and the closest thing to thrills was the possible (probable) 'getting-run-over-by-a-bicycle.' I cannot even count how many times my friends had to lunge for my shoulders/arms and pull me back onto the sidewalk just as an angry bicyclist passed by ringing his bell and glaring.
However, this town is not going to determine my experience, it's really up to me to make the most of my time here.
So I decided to get a bike... and life's been looking UP ever since. Funny how a two wheeled, chain linked iron frame with handles can change my whole perspective on a whole country. haha. I know it is quite fickle of me to have such a drastic change in my outlook just due to a bicycle, but really. It's equivalent to getting a car in San Diego.
I remember how annoyed I was that I could not go to Convoy on my own my first and second year... that whenever I wanted to go to the market, I had to take the shuttle, then the bus, then walk.... and reverse to go back all the way to ERC. Thankfully, I had some amazing friends who detested the fact that I would take "nasty public transportation" and lent me their automobiles whenever I wanted (I didn't too often, though).
However, with a car, I felt like it was my first time in San Diego. My excitement for the place was renewed. I could now travel and visit the different parks, restaurants, and museums without having to sit tight on a bus for hours or bother an unwilling victim of my choice to drive me here and there.
The same with a bike here. I bought a bike for 60 gbp (in a deal that will allow me to sell it back to the shop for 20 gbp when I leave) and have been having a blast ever since. It saves me so much time and effort, as well as gives me a good workout. [If I am lacking anything here, I say it's legitimate korean food and exercise]. And if anything, it GIVES me the thrill of 'almost' running over pedestrians unawares (there are no ped-first laws here. it's crazy) <-- not that I would ever actually mean to run anyone over. no no no~
I've also been able to go running on occasion, played basketball, and have also played squash in the past week.Totally keeping myself busy with whatever I can. I'll also be learning soccer while playing in a tournament in approximately 18 hrs. I'm probably going to make my team lose, but ... eh~
AND I'm making native-Cambridge friends now. haha. Just made one right now as I am typing this blog (i'm at the library btw...). Name's Wilson. He's a cantonese Chinese, with a british accent. Quite awesome, and telling me about the best eateries around the place.
I have 5 weeks left in the program. Gotta make the best of it.
some pics for you:
library.studying. It's midterm time.
An african music group that was performing on the street. they were really good :D I'll upload a video on the next post.
more library. (this one is King's College library.)
with Lupita and Mira at Curry Garden. their Curries are LEGIT. Authentic indian food, my friends. None of that nasty PC Tandoori stuff.
yeaaaa beezie!!!! :)haha. alrighty. I have a paper to write and a test to study for~
