First week in Durham

A LOT has happened this week, and yet it doesn't feel like very much.

Let's see...

Monday was spent with the Archaeology Department Induction and the Social Sciences Induction.

They were scheduled at the same time.

Needless to say, I gave Archaeology first go and then caught the last half of Social Sciences.

They both were really helpful.  I am absolutely amazed at the resources and opportunities that they have for their post-graduate students here.  I am used to being accepted and then a combination of being ignored and being hounded by my department.  I loved BYU but it is amazing what can happen when a department has a well-managed structure in place.

You need structure to grow and they have it here in spades.

Tuesday was spent at college induction talks, getting some minor shopping done in the Market area, and exploring a bit.

In the evening I went to the department party for a few minutes.  It really crowded and unbearably hot pretty quickly.  Despite that, I met some really interesting people and really enjoyed myself.

Wednesday I matriculated for the university.

That was SUPER cool.

In the morning I went to Gray & Sons to purchase my formal robes.

Bring it on Hogwarts.

I also experienced my first REAL Durham rain.

It was lovely.

After lunch on Wednesday I met with my main supervisor and she gave me a tour of the department.

It is huge...and amazing...and I am really excited.

She is very kind and it seems that I will have a great deal of control and freedom with her as my supervisor.  Considering everything, that is the best news I have heard in quite some time.

I finished the day at university matriculation in the awesome Durham Cathedral.

Long distance shot of the cathedral from one of my walks this week.

It was a lot of pomp and circumstance but absolutely awesome!

The speech by the vice-chancellor really inspired me and again spoke to my soul that I am exactly where I am meant to be.  It is a testament to me that God leads us when we listen because I would have never chosen this for myself and yet I can't see myself anywhere else.

It is a glorious feeling.

Thursday I attended a department induction meeting for the PG students in the morning.

After lunch I spent a good 2 hours shopping for necessities and wandering around Durham.  With the other walking I did that day I did about 3 hours total of just walking.

It is the best way to get to know a place and blow off some steam.

I walk about 45 minutes after breakfast, to any errands I have, and usually between 30 minutes to an hour in the evening to get a "brain break" after working all day.

It is glorious, and my legs are toughening up really quickly.

So things are coming along.

Next week will be a little mad as I meet with my supervisor, mentor, and bank but I am hoping things will calm down on the living necessities soon so I can get to my thesis.

I spent an hour this evening walking and hashing out ideas and I am rearing to get working.

Eucharist at Durham Cathedral and General Conference

This morning was pretty interesting.

Really cool, and really interesting.

This morning I walked my dressed up bum to Durham Cathedral to attend Eucharist.

I have never attended a service for another religion before and I was really excited for the experience.

Durham did not disappoint.

It could have been the surroundings,

 (crazy right?)

or the music, or the grand ceremony of it all, but I found it fascinating and lovely.

There was this great choir, beautiful prayers, and a lot of standing, kneeling, and group speaking.

It was all very new and old at the same time.

I was grateful for the experience.

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Everything here kind of reminds me of the service at the cathedral.

There is A LOT of "pomp and circumstance" attached to EVERYTHING.

In a way it is really nice, it really causes you to understand that you are a part of something with a history and a tradition.  It is definitely a motivator to carry on the greatness that came before you.

On the other hand, I have been grateful that General Conference is this weekend.

Despite the time difference I am able to watch it live (starting at 5pm).

I love the simplicity of the gospel and even the responsibility that is placed on us as disciples of Jesus Christ to seek out our divine heritage and mission.  It definitely is not thrown in your face but requires a great deal of work and effort - like any relationship and thing worth knowing does.

There is truth and wonderful people being led by the Spirit of God in every single corner of the globe.  During the service they would quote a scripture or discuss a concept and then say something along the lines of, "great is the mystery of faith".

At certain points it was slightly difficult for me when I could see things that were missing, lost, or changed.  Subtle words in the scriptures that would change or shade the meaning of the verse, conception of the Father and the Son and their mission, and a lack of...newness.  

For example, here is a quote from the first reading of The Liturgy of the Word:

"Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds." (Hebrews 1. 1-4)

We KNOW that God the Father speaks for himself and also through His son, Jesus Christ, has done so from the beginning, and continues to do so (think the First Vision of Joseph Smith).  This comes through both scripture and modern revelation.  They have ALWAYS given their word through prophets, and continue to do so. (Amos 3:7, Ephesians 2:19-20, etc.)

I have taken for granted the truth that has been so a part of my daily life.

This weekend is just another example of that.

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So, favorite part of the day?

Singing All Creatures of Our God and King, in a cathedral, at full voice.

Awe inspiring.

I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, for the knowledge that comes from studying the scriptures, participating in the ordinances of salvation, and having the opportunities to build the kingdom of God.

I hope that I may be worthy to hear the Spirit and the courage to be obedient.

Wow, this morning has been huge for me.

Cheers.

♥ ♥ ♥

Matriculation

Matriculation is the formal process of entering a university, or of becoming eligible to enter by fulfilling certain academic requirements such as a matriculation examination.

This morning I...matriculated...was matriculated...performed a matriculation...?  Can I use this word as a verb?  Anyway this morning I walked across the Baily, borrowed a black gown, qued alphabetically, and finally entered the several hundred year old St. John's Chapel to announce my name, sign THE book for St. John's College, and have my (borrowed) gown placed upon my shoulders.  It was all very old school and awesome.  Seriously USA, you gotta try for some more pomp and circumstance.

In other news I am still getting over jet lag...and by getting over I mean caught in the throws of insomnia and exhaustion that has taken over my existence.  It is only bad between the hours of 10 pm - 3 am and 3 pm - 6 pm.  I don't know why, but those are definitely the times.

I am going through my checklist of things to do before the madness starts.  It is so strange to feel like you totally belong somewhere but have absolutely no idea what you are doing.  Things are all a little off (culturally, linguistically, gastronomically) but I feel peace and I really am trying to face each challenge with courage.  Except for the beans with breakfast, I ran from that like a bat out of hell.  Thank goodness there are so many breakfast options here - tender mercy there.

The first 24 hours...

 Whew, I have arrived in Durham.

Right now, despite a few difficulties, I am counting my blessings.

1. I made all of my connecting flights.

Turns out I was one of the few from the group I was in.  I met another Archaeology PhD candidate in Newcastle.  She and several other people ran into issues in New York and were 2 hours late to London.  Because of that they were put on standby for their flights and were put in a later "welcome wagon".  She was put on my flight but the guy she met in London was not and had to wait for the next available flight.  So my journey was long and hard but I made it through and am very, very grateful.

2. All of my baggage arrived.

Guys, this is a big deal for me.  Granted, I cannot get into one of my suitcases.  I bought a cheap TSA lock at Wal-Mart and it broke...and I haven't been able to catch maintenance yet for their huge clippers.  But I will, and I will be able to get into my suitcase because it is in my room.  Yes.

Also, special thanks to Alex who will probably never read this.  We met on the bus, you helped carry my 50 lb. bag up 4 flights of stairs, a crazy narrow staircase, and into my room.  You are awesome and I owe you big time.

3. My room is in the attic.

If you are worried I am being sarcastic about this comment you would be very wrong.  My room is in the attic where they JUST BARELY renovated.  I have a room all to myself and it has some serious character.  It was boiling hot when I got in but it has a little wall of windows and it circulates the air quite nicely when opened.  I have to be careful though, yesterday a MASSIVE honey bee flew in and spent a good 30 minutes checking out the beams in my room for a nesting place.  Yeah, I shut those windows once he left.  Now they are just cracked.

The girl across the way says the rooms are glorious in the winter.  While the rest of the college freezes, we catch all of the rising heat in our cute little rooms.

This is only half of the room, it is much bigger than the picture makes it look.

The other great thing about the attic is that I am above tree level.  While there are no mountains in sight, I don't have that claustrophobic feeling.  Also, the view is quite fantastic.

Tender mercy number...five million and three.

4. I slept through the night.

Jet lag usually does not hit me until day two.  It is so exhausting to travel across the world that my body literally collapses from exhaustion.  This morning I woke up under my duvet with a slight chill in the room and a smile on my face.  That is a good start to the day.

5. There are a MILLION lovely things to see.

I spent the morning on walk-a-bout running errands and just looking around my new city.  I didn't go super far but I did cross the River Weir a few times to go to campus, market, and home.  I am in love with these surroundings.  They are beautiful.  

I also saw TONS of runners which made me think of the little Juan and my familia.  It was a beautiful day.

So there are my top five blessings in the last 24 hours.