I've been in term for over 2 and a half weeks now (over 25% of this term already) and am back in full swing. Obviously I've been a bit slack as this is my first post for 2007, so apologies all for that. I've come out the other side of my exams a little bit worse for wear, having learned a few good lessons about the process, and I don't think I shall ever think of our eating hall the same way again (as that is where they were held.)
Lectures started two days after exams finished, but those two days were a great time to relax get settled and reintroduce myself to everybody as they all came back from their respective Christmas holidays. Getting underway for a second time has been so great, I have had time now to think about Cambridge, and get my bearings there, so that I really feel even more at home now, and more capable to tackle the challenges thrown my way. Plus, seeing friendly faces and familiar sights the second time round has really made me feel like I belong.
In the second week of January it snowed! A momentous occasion in anyone's books! I got a text from Ryan, the 2nd year Girlders' Scholar telling me to look out my window. It did not snow at all last year, and we were both experiencing it for the first time in Cambridge. And it was breath-taking, literally, as on my morning run (oddly enough it was warmer than normal) I went up the hill I discovered to take these photos, which really don't do the whole morning justice, but believe me, it was. And it is not very often at 19 you get to experience such a basic thing as the weather for the first time, I have seen snow, but not woken up to it, so I was like an excited little child at Christmas, running outside (with my winter-woolies on) to play in it.
The first night of lectures was the 80's slack (another word for disco). My friends and I went to Formal Hall first, which I really missed outside of term, it is just so much fun.
People migrated back to my room after hall to prepare for the 80's formal. I release these pictures to the public with great trepidation - especially should I ever desire to carry out any political campaign in the future, but that is unlikely. They do need explaining. I am the yellow segment of the rubics cube. I know dressing up as a geomteric brain-teaser is a particularly nerdy thing to be doing, but I have decided not to notice. However it was a great night! The cross-dressing guy is a male maggie thatcher, strange yes, but that is what happens when you go op-shopping with a gaggle of girls.
Everything else has gotten back underway now. I have had my first netball game, and we are still undefeated. I also joined a gospel choir which is realy good fun. This Ethiopian guy from mmy College did a solo last week and it is the most incredible voice I have ever heard in my life - such power and control but mixed with raw emotion, it sent shivers down me. I was organising the college bike scheme as one of my roles as the first year rep, but after a couple of days of sorting out insurance and a disclaimer I was informed the bikes were sold. That was a total waste of time.
Two big highlights to let everyone know about:
In the first week of term all 6 resident Girdlers' Scholars were invited to our friends, John and Jenny Chaplins home for dinner, but with a difference because Jonathan Hunt came along also. We had a fabulous dinner and after talking for about half an hour on our '07 world cup sporting chances and the stadium debacle, we got stuck into the politics. He is an interesting man Mr. Hunt, and really likes to see a person who has thought through what they say. So I was of little help, but the oldest scholar, Francis who was awarded his PhD last week, got stuck into some meaty conversation with him which lasted until midnight. He offered us his assistance should we need it in the future which was very generous, but we'll see if he means it at some point I imagine. It was great, and I think I left a mark, which was not too bad. Especially since he remembered my name when it came to the second big event of mention: (just on the side, we walked back to college that night, it's a half hour walk, and it was to coldest night here to date of -7 degrees, I was a tad nippy to be honest)
I travelled to London this Thursday just past to give a presentation to Girdlers' Hall on my development and progress as a Girdlers' Scholar to date. When all four of us arrived we got stuck straight into Lunch, and I was introduced to the man who would be taking control of the scholarship programme (and most of the company for that matter) as of July. Lunch lasted about 2 hours and was more lavish than I remembered from my last visit, but the whole time I could not help but think in the back of my mind, every sip of wine I took was worth a days food for a family in Africa, I know that's a dramatic perspective, but the extravagance that goes into just one lunch is beyond me, I would be happy with a coffee and a sandwich, but I cannot deny I am not grateful for the experience, hospitality, and my scholarship :P so I should not really comment. After lunch I gave my speech to the court and they seemed pleased with what I have been doing. Cause it was Adam and Matthews last speech we wet to the pub afterwards to celebrate. It got a bit emotional during Matthew's last speech actually, especially when he sang Po Kare Kare Ana. It really brought home to me just how much this scholarship does and will mean to me. Following all that was the Waitangi Day church service with the NZ Society (the relationship with whom actually was the original cause of my scholarship in 1933, I have a really boring book about it if anyone is interested) It was held at the mutual hurch of the society and the Girdlers' in London. It is very weird turning a corner to see this 400 year old cathedral in the middle of 20 storey buildings. That was rather pleasant, and I especially enjoyed Ngati Rananana's performance of Amazing Grace in Maori. They had a reception after that at Girdlers' Hall, which was very nice, getting to meet NZers that are dispersed through London and England. Jonathan Hunt was there again and I he remembered me, and very kindly asked me to follow him with a 5 minute speech (entriely different in nature to the one I gave earlier). After choking on my chipolata which I was eating at the time, I accepted, which was very silly because the speech I was to give would be in 5 minutes. So I gave it, but it was a little awful, however the High Commissioner now owes me one (at least I think so). I got back to Camrbidge and slept like a rock, and now I have come to the end of another weekend, poised to throw myself into the fury of another week.
In two weeks time the Christian Union here is holding a series of talks which are already sparking interest through the student body. It is an incredibly exciting time. I cannot wait for what that will hold. Church is great, my small group and I are going cosmic bowling (At this place with a 50year old DJ and one of those light up disco floors) should be great.
And for all of you Coffee enthusiasts, I have found hope, albeit a fading glimmer of gold dust (or fine ground coffee bean) I have found Bene't Cafe on Bene't street, next to my college, it sprung up over Christmas and is being run by this cute little old couple, that make an alright cup of coffee. So I am thinking I rather love these people, and will make myself known to them many more times this term.
I have missed you all loads, but I have to admit I am rather enjoying myself here. Stay special, and I will pray and think of you all constantly.
God Bless,
Blake
P.S. Some punting initiation photos, just because no blog post would be complete without them
