ASK Musings

No matter where you go, there you are.

Monthly Archive: December 2009

Tuesday

22

December 2009

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COMMENTS

But baby it’s cold outside

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I seem to have dodged many a weather bullet this past week. I got out of London in time to miss the snow (and accompanying travel delays). I somehow managed to be in NYC when the weather was great, sandwiched between two snowstorms. Seattle was wet and windy but nothing out of the ordinary. And now I’ve made it back to my parents’ home, so even if I get stuck here past my return date, it won’t be such a big deal, as I have another two+ weeks after Christmas to get back to London for school.

My visit to Brooklyn was sweet but of course too short. Herman and Kathleen kindly opened their home (and super-comfy double-decker air mattress) to me. After 14.5 hours of travel door to door, I spent the first few hours back in the States getting things in order – finding a US SIM card for my cell so I could communicate with people, stocking up on the antiperspirant they don’t sell in London – before dinner at Chilis and Chocolate, a favorite Oaxacan / mole restaurant. Tuesday (after waking up for the day at 3:45am) I stopped by the office to have lunch with friends and coffee with my former boss, before some final prep for the cookie party. Herman spent the weekend baking so we could carry on the holiday cookie party tradition, which also served as a great way for me to get to see nearly all of my NYC friends. I was exhausted (a six-hour time difference is tough), but I started to feel a bit like how I imagine the grandmother feels at a big family gathering. Content to just sit in the corner and watch everyone interacting and laughing, not needing to chat. Just feeling good being around all the people. 

Wednesday I dragged my (slightly lighter, thanks to the distribution of some holiday gifts) suitcases back to JFK, and spent 12 hours door to door getting from Brooklyn to Bothell, Washington. I rented a car (and managed to spend the whole trip driving on the correct side of the road) and headed up to meet Reagan and Lon, who treated me out to a lovely Italian dinner. Seriously, the theme of the week has been Food I’ve Been Missing. Thursday Reagan and I wandered the shops, finishing up some holiday shopping before I met up with Jeremy for a late lunch (more Mexican – woo!). I got to Jamie and Mike’s to see Jesse, who was not in good form. Poor girl was not a happy child, and after about six hours of on and off crying, melting down, and just general sadness (accompanying the mad cookie-baking and candy-making that Jamie and I were engaged in to prep for her Sunday party) we all piled into two cars to head to the ER at 11 that night. All is well – baby was fine when I left this morning – and that definitely kicked me right onto Pacific time. Friday was filled with more baking, party prep, and just good, relaxing time with Jamie, Mike and Jesse. Saturday I ventured over to West Seattle for time with Renee and Kevan, and dinner with Megan and Mike (who are engaged – congratulations!). Finally, Sunday was Jamie’s party. I hadn’t been to one of her Christmas parties since college, and it was so much fun. I got to see some college friends, and even meet the new girlfriend of another friend (who, I can safely say seems super nice, which means I can continue to honestly say that I really like all of my friends’ partners!).

This morning I had considerably less travel time – just six hour door to door – getting from Seattle to Danville. It’s so good to see my sister, and be with my parents. And it’s even better because, waiting on my bed when I walked in my old room was …

A SLANKET

That item is amazing. It’s seven feet long. It’s fleece. There’s a little hand pouch on the front and a foot pouch on the bottom. Both my sister and I fell asleep in our respective slankets by 9:30pm.

To those of you travelling, or who have friends and family travelling, I hope the weather and the transport cooperate and get all to their destinations safely. In case I don’t get a chance to post before then – MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Saturday

12

December 2009

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No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers’ dirty looks

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Except … not so much.

 

The term (unfortunately called Michaelmas term – I suppose “autumn term” was too pedestrian?) was ten weeks long, and technically ended yesterday. I figure that I read somewhere around 100 articles / books over those ten weeks, wrote four essays (three of which have been marked and returned), and learned some really interesting theories about morality, objectivity and public policy. I’ve also been doing preliminary work on my dissertation (we’d call it a thesis back in the States), and of course have been trying to enjoy London as much as possible.

 

However, British post-graduate programs are different from the ones in the States in that (for the most part) the courses last an entire year. So I’m halfway done with my coursework for my three regular courses, and so far have no official marks (grades). Why? Because 100% of each mark in each of my courses is based solely on the exam, which takes place in late May / early June. On the one hand it’s great, as there was no end of term stress right now – usually by the time Christmas roles around I’m utterly exhausted and either sick or about to get sick from working hard finishing papers and studying. So that’s a plus. Another plus is the fact that the exams are generally three hours long and consist of a host of question, of which I’ll need to answer three. Now, I’m sure there will be rules like “pick one from this section, and one from this,” but in all likelihood I won’t have to spend loads of time on the couple of sections I either don’t quite understand or really just don’t enjoy.

 

Big negative, though – EVERYTHING rides on the exams. No papers to take some of the pressure off. And I don’t even know what dates my exams will be on until April 26, which means I can’t make any plans for May and June until then. I was hoping to run in a Scottish half marathon, but that could be a bad choice if I have an exam the next day.

 

During these last couple of weeks of term I’ve also gotten to enjoy the Christmas season in London. Kate, Richard and I baked and decorated cookies last week, then watched Elf (after the world cup draw, which was interesting and extraordinarily complicated). This week I finished my holiday shopping, addressed the last of my Christmas cards, and just generally enjoyed being here. Oh! And my department had its end of term party, and it was wonderful. Some of the professors / lecturers are in a band (Critique of Pure Rhythm), and they played covers of fun 60s dance music for the greater part of the evening. And my friend Anna and I won the twist contest, which meant more free drinks and an I heart LSE mug. Score!

 

I head to the States on Monday for my three city, 14,200 mile winter tour. I’m so excited to see everyone – and to take advantage of the pound to dollar exchange rate.

Tuesday

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December 2009

0

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Thanksgiving in Ireland

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Friday afternoon I took the train out to Stansted to catch a flight up to Ireland to spend the weekend with Vanessa. I’ve visited her there a couple of times over the past few years; we met in middle school, lost touch for a few years during high school / college, and reconnected via facebook in the mid-aughts. She is hilarious, and one of those friends where time can pass but it doesn’t feel like it.

She met me in Dublin and we hit a pub for a quick pint, then grabbed some excellent Mexican food (seriously!) before settling in at a bar called Shebeen Chic. We spent a few hours there, getting caught up and trying to hold down a table while waiting to meet up with some of her friends. I was also reminded of how excellent the Johnny Cash covers album is. Really good. 

She lives in a great little seaside town, and shares a huge, lovely flat with her boyfriend Gus. I had my own room to stay in – no couch for me. I do love having grown-up friends.

Saturday was literally freezing. It was SO cold. But we decided to venture out into the fog to explore Malahide, the larger seaside town next door. They have a great downtown, very adorable. I kept describing everything as cute and adorable. I don’t mean it condescendingly; everything just looks like it’s out of a book or a movie. 

We eventually went up to Howth and the Summit Inn pub for some soup and a little Irish Rugby. After some grocery shopping for the evening, we headed back to her place to begin preparing Thanksgiving number two. Vanessa did a great job preparing a chicken, stuffing, and pie, her friend Shawna made amazing potatoes (it’s true; the Irish know their potatoes), and I was responsible for the mulled wine. Four of us enjoyed dinner with some rose prosecco, and later were joined by a few others for more dessert (including the cupcakes pictured below) and a little X Factor.

Sunday was a lazy day before I headed back to London.

I am so happy I got a chance to go back to Ireland again. I imagine I’ll visit Vanessa there again before I leave London, and it’s exciting to realize it’s so close. I don’t know if I could take the weather there, as much as I love cozy and rainy, but in November, it’s just perfect.