Dear Cambridge,
It has been been an amazing 6 weeks. I will miss you.
Goodbye UK, Hello USA.
Cheers,
Allie
Thursday, August 18, 2011
The Last Night
It is here. Tonight is my final night in Cambridge and I'm getting ready to go to the closing gala. I really have nothing more to say. I had my final Shakespeare class and the rest of the day was a blur. I had such an adventure discovering a new routine and way of life and happy as I am to go home, I'm truly going to miss Cambridge. I hope someday I can come back and reminisce in my weeks spent studying here. I'll miss this so much.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
It's Been a Long Time Coming
Today was the last day of my broken record routine writing! I actually have more to say today than, "Hey, I did some reading and writing today." I'm glad for all of you reading though, I feel bad for boring you with monotonous papers and Shakespeare and monarchs. Instead, I'll inform you briefly of the killer exam I endured today. For my history exam, I had two hours to write three essays. I wrote one about the ways Mary QS was a successful monarch, one about why Oliver Cromwell's Protectorate failed and did a source analysis on documents from Charles I's reign detailing the portrayal of a monarch after his death. All of these topics I didn't have until I opened the exam booklet at the beginning of class. Good thing I did my reading. Now that I am finished my hands feel like jelly from the feverish writing. Hopefully when I get the exam back (11am tomorrow, wow!) I'll feel the much wanted happiness of completion and a job well done.
I am currently just one Shakespeare presentation away from academic freedom! I have a bit of time between tea and dinner so I'll work a bit and have this puppy wrapped up by morning. Its exciting and sad all at once to know its almost over. It seems like I got here yesterday, as cliche as that sounds. Its true though, I've grown accustomed to walking the courtyards of Caius and busy streets of Cambridge, being assaulted my punters and visiting the market for bread. Enough of that wishy washy stuff! Tonight I'll have fun with the group in honor of the end of the exams. Or I'll just go to bed at 9 because I'm brain dead. Either way, tomorrow is final class, banquet and packing up to be out by noon on Friday and back to the good old USA. My, how time flies.
Cheers.
I am currently just one Shakespeare presentation away from academic freedom! I have a bit of time between tea and dinner so I'll work a bit and have this puppy wrapped up by morning. Its exciting and sad all at once to know its almost over. It seems like I got here yesterday, as cliche as that sounds. Its true though, I've grown accustomed to walking the courtyards of Caius and busy streets of Cambridge, being assaulted my punters and visiting the market for bread. Enough of that wishy washy stuff! Tonight I'll have fun with the group in honor of the end of the exams. Or I'll just go to bed at 9 because I'm brain dead. Either way, tomorrow is final class, banquet and packing up to be out by noon on Friday and back to the good old USA. My, how time flies.
Cheers.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Silent Films and Old Books
I feel like overly redundant this week. Reading, writing, Shakespeare, history. Reading, writing, Shakespeare, history. Again, again, again. I guess that's finals week for you though. Today was more of the same, except I passed in my final essay of the term in Shakespeare class today. I loved writing on the topic (Shakespeare's representation of marriage) and am anxious for the results this Thursday.
In our last formal Shakespeare class, we discussed the production of Midsummer from the RSC last Thursday. Also, we watched the first video recorded Shakespeare (King John) which was an astounding 3 minutes long. We watched the silent film, black and white Midsummer from the 1890s and listened to a wide range of music from the Willow Song Desdemona sings in Othello to the rock musical Rockaby Hamlet from the 1970s.
After class and tea I went on a basically private through the Caius library. I was able to see, touch and photograph a Bible formally owned by William III better known as William of Orange. I geeked out for a bit seeing items owned by English Monarchy, which just blows my mind.
I'm back in the library again (surprise!)to finish up my reading for the history exam tomorrow. Mary QS is done and now its either Victoria or Oliver Cromwell, both of which need less since they are fresher in my mind. I'm having an inner dilemma- I went the finals to be done, but when they are done I leave. Oh the dichotomy!
Until then, read read read! Cheers.
In our last formal Shakespeare class, we discussed the production of Midsummer from the RSC last Thursday. Also, we watched the first video recorded Shakespeare (King John) which was an astounding 3 minutes long. We watched the silent film, black and white Midsummer from the 1890s and listened to a wide range of music from the Willow Song Desdemona sings in Othello to the rock musical Rockaby Hamlet from the 1970s.
After class and tea I went on a basically private through the Caius library. I was able to see, touch and photograph a Bible formally owned by William III better known as William of Orange. I geeked out for a bit seeing items owned by English Monarchy, which just blows my mind.
I'm back in the library again (surprise!)to finish up my reading for the history exam tomorrow. Mary QS is done and now its either Victoria or Oliver Cromwell, both of which need less since they are fresher in my mind. I'm having an inner dilemma- I went the finals to be done, but when they are done I leave. Oh the dichotomy!
Until then, read read read! Cheers.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Evaluation Monday
Last Monday in Cambridge! Today began my last week of classes with the final History class focusing on Queen Victoria and her reign as queen. At the end of class to evaluate how much we retained, we were presented with the same 25 events in history that we were given on the first day and had to put them in order once again. We did much better this time than last, which was just great.
After class we had a more formal tea time in Hall where we were served scones to make us happy before we filled out evaluations for the program and each of our classes. it was a nice time to reflect on what we did and learned here and also to offer suggestions for future programs.
Then I had my final High Table which my Dad was able to join(its custom for visiting parents to have one High Table when they are in Cambridge). We had salmon again, of course, so the meal wasn't my favorite but I had a nice chat with Professor Merton and Lisa and even Gail a bit. Overall, my last High Table was a nice time.
I am now back in the library once more to finish up Shakespeare and doing some reading on Mary QS. Final essay due tomorrow, feeling good and ready to hand it in.
Until next time,
Cheers.
After class we had a more formal tea time in Hall where we were served scones to make us happy before we filled out evaluations for the program and each of our classes. it was a nice time to reflect on what we did and learned here and also to offer suggestions for future programs.
Then I had my final High Table which my Dad was able to join(its custom for visiting parents to have one High Table when they are in Cambridge). We had salmon again, of course, so the meal wasn't my favorite but I had a nice chat with Professor Merton and Lisa and even Gail a bit. Overall, my last High Table was a nice time.
I am now back in the library once more to finish up Shakespeare and doing some reading on Mary QS. Final essay due tomorrow, feeling good and ready to hand it in.
Until next time,
Cheers.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
The Punter and the Puntee
Hey all,
Today was a successful final Sunday in Cambridge. After breakfast I spent the morning working on my Shakespeare final essay. The prompt I chose is "consider Shakespeare's representation of the institution of marriage" and I am loving writing about this paper.I have a full working draft and a day and a half to edit it. Its neat to compare elements from three different plays and see the overlap. I've enjoyed this class very much and am kind of sad I only have two classes left. At least we get to discuss Midsummer which we saw last Thursday. Going out with a bang.
Later in the afternoon, Caiti, Sarah, Julia, Dad and I finally went punting! We've put it off for far too long and it was nice to succumb and be a tourist. The punting business in general is sketchy to say the least. After being assaulted on the streets for weeks it was odd to finally respond with "yes please, I'd love a tour" rather than "no" and rushing away. It was a nice warm day and although our guide mumbled and was a tad under enthused I still had fun with the girls, and Dad. Pictures to come soon:)
After punting Dad and I walking around town a bit, scoping fun things for him to do while I have class and finals work tomorrow. We went around some of the big colleges, the Fitzwilliam perhaps and a bus tour for sure. He'll have a nice day while I'm stuck writing and writing for the afternoon. Anyway, after punting I skipped out on Hall and Dad and I went to the Eagle for some fantastic fish and chips. Yes, I ordered fish in a restaurant and then ate it. Shock and awe. It was nice to sit in a pub in England with my Dad, eating fish and chips and sipping a shandy. Good night.
I am currently blogging from the library because I am between edits and heading back to Shakespeare momentarily. We have our usual table taken over for a nice night of homework. I'm actually going to miss this quite a lot. Somehow, Dimond library just isn't the same. But nonetheless, my last weekend at Caius was top notch all around and I have had good fun and am ready for finals. Stay tuned tomorrow to hear about my final High Table to which my Dad is attending. Until then,
Cheers.
Today was a successful final Sunday in Cambridge. After breakfast I spent the morning working on my Shakespeare final essay. The prompt I chose is "consider Shakespeare's representation of the institution of marriage" and I am loving writing about this paper.I have a full working draft and a day and a half to edit it. Its neat to compare elements from three different plays and see the overlap. I've enjoyed this class very much and am kind of sad I only have two classes left. At least we get to discuss Midsummer which we saw last Thursday. Going out with a bang.
Later in the afternoon, Caiti, Sarah, Julia, Dad and I finally went punting! We've put it off for far too long and it was nice to succumb and be a tourist. The punting business in general is sketchy to say the least. After being assaulted on the streets for weeks it was odd to finally respond with "yes please, I'd love a tour" rather than "no" and rushing away. It was a nice warm day and although our guide mumbled and was a tad under enthused I still had fun with the girls, and Dad. Pictures to come soon:)
After punting Dad and I walking around town a bit, scoping fun things for him to do while I have class and finals work tomorrow. We went around some of the big colleges, the Fitzwilliam perhaps and a bus tour for sure. He'll have a nice day while I'm stuck writing and writing for the afternoon. Anyway, after punting I skipped out on Hall and Dad and I went to the Eagle for some fantastic fish and chips. Yes, I ordered fish in a restaurant and then ate it. Shock and awe. It was nice to sit in a pub in England with my Dad, eating fish and chips and sipping a shandy. Good night.
I am currently blogging from the library because I am between edits and heading back to Shakespeare momentarily. We have our usual table taken over for a nice night of homework. I'm actually going to miss this quite a lot. Somehow, Dimond library just isn't the same. But nonetheless, my last weekend at Caius was top notch all around and I have had good fun and am ready for finals. Stay tuned tomorrow to hear about my final High Table to which my Dad is attending. Until then,
Cheers.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Pretend today is Saturday
Hey all,
Sorry for the lack of post yesterday. Lapwing (my wireless) decided not to work all day so I was unable to post. Lets just pretend today is Saturday and here is the post I had already written up. Cheers.
"It has happened. Today is my last Saturday in Cambridge. Its odd to think that I've been away for almost 6 weeks, even more odd to think I haven't touched a cell phone in over a month. Its a rather liberating feeling actually to be apart from it. I mean, I have had my computer this time away, but when I'm out and about its completely unhindered by technology.
Since this is the final hooray weekend, I'll be partying in style. And by partying in style I mean working on two Shakespeare essays and reviewing a couple hundred years of English and Scottish history. Go crazy. I will try and make some time for fun. Last night was the talent show and then karaoke and today maybe we'll finally go punting. Either way, its a homework day in preparation for finals week."
Sorry for the lack of post yesterday. Lapwing (my wireless) decided not to work all day so I was unable to post. Lets just pretend today is Saturday and here is the post I had already written up. Cheers.
"It has happened. Today is my last Saturday in Cambridge. Its odd to think that I've been away for almost 6 weeks, even more odd to think I haven't touched a cell phone in over a month. Its a rather liberating feeling actually to be apart from it. I mean, I have had my computer this time away, but when I'm out and about its completely unhindered by technology.
Since this is the final hooray weekend, I'll be partying in style. And by partying in style I mean working on two Shakespeare essays and reviewing a couple hundred years of English and Scottish history. Go crazy. I will try and make some time for fun. Last night was the talent show and then karaoke and today maybe we'll finally go punting. Either way, its a homework day in preparation for finals week."
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