First Real Day of Class...and More!

Hi all, today was awesome. It's 2 in the morning over here though, and it's been a long day. I have class at 11 AM today, but I couldn't sleep before I shared what I did today. Still loving it over here.

- Had our first breakfast in the dining hall here, which they actually call the Buttery, or the Servery. Very good food. We eat in the Hall, which is just as majestic as it sounds (same place we have the Formal Hall, which I'll talk more about later), so it was quite an experience.

- My class was really interesting and the professor is not what I expected. I had corresponded email with him before coming here and for some reason or another I thought he would be relatively old, since he does have his Ph.D and everything. Coming into class today, though, we all mistook him for another student, or at least a TA. He's just turned 30 and he dresses really sharp, he was wearing a colorful striped dress shirt, skinny jeans and Puma sneakers. But don't get me wrong, the man is quite intelligent, guess he's written several books already. We basically had an overview about proto-novels in the 18th century as a lead in to 19th century "novels." (The whole course and what we will be talking about is very problematic, but I won't go into detail here, you're probably not interested). Definitely looking forward to the lectures and reading the books.

- After class a lot of logistical things happened, what they call "induction" here. We had a library induction to learn how to use the resources, got a more practical tour of Pembroke (i.e., where the laundry can be done, pay phones, etc.), and the got a practical tour of the town (where the post office is, best pubs, etc.).

- The best part of the day was the evening. We had our first Formal Hall, which is a big sitdown dinner with everyone in the program, and a 4 course meal. It was UNBELIEVEABLE. The Hall was nicely set up, with silver candlesticks and china. It seemed like a fantasy. We got all dressed up for the event (there is one Formal Hall a week), and then at 7PM, prior to the Formal Hall we had cocktails outside in the garden. White wine, sparkling water, orange juice. We mingled for about 30 mins and then proceeded to the Hall, where we filed in and ate gazpacho with bread, grilled chicken with roasted vegetables and jus, lemon tart with raspberries, and finally coffee and mints. It was completely surreal, and actually, midway through dinner I spaced out and found myself staring out the window at the chapel steeple and the reality of all this finally hit me. It's hard to explain, but even though I'm here I have been feeling very detached, as if this wasn't real. I have finally come to terms with the enormity of this trip and I'm so excited, even more than I was before. I'm trying to savour every moment.

- Post-Formal Hall, the TAs announced that they were planning on going to a club to dance, and anyone who wanted to come along could. Not being very fond of, or very good at dancing, I passed and happily found out that the group of people I had been eating dinner with didn't want to go either. We decided instead to go to The Eagle (as recommended by many locals, students, and Ehren, thanks!), an old historic pub. I'm really glad I didn't go to the club, a bunch of people who weren't sure of what they were going to do asked where we were going and said they might meet up with us. Those 3 people ended up coming to hang out with us because the club was mediocre and it was awkward dancing with strangers.

We hung out at the pub for several hours, half the group playing Texas Hold-Em and the other half of us just got to know each other better. Of course we all drank, and I have found a new favorite beverage: Pimms (a sort of fruit flavored liqueur) and lemonade. It was probably the best time I have had so far, just hanging out. It's funny, I'm not that much of a frequent drinker at school, but the whole concept of going to the pub after dinner to have a drink and relax is very enjoyable.

- After last call for drinks, we left and headed back to the college common room and decided to play Mafia (that game with cards...). It was a good time. Perhaps it doesn't seem as exciting as going out on the town, but I'm really enjoying meeting lots of fun, new people.

Now I'm updating and should really get to bed. We leave for our 5 day trip to the North on Wednesday morning, and I'm looking forward to seeing more sights. I'm NOT looking forward to the long bus ride (it was only a couple of days ago I spent 10 hours on a plane and 3 more on a bus getting here...). Please don't forget to take a look at the new pictures I put up from today, johannadeleon.myphotoalbum.com

Hope all is well in California! Cheers - Jo