Peacefulness

This week in Canterbury can best be described as peaceful. No rushing around, no overwhelming stresses, just peace. The past three days have each brought me joy in different ways.



Monday: I had turned in my essay for my Greek Art and Architecture class, worth 80% of my grade, and it was a relief to be done. Then, it was on to my next one, also worth 80% of my grade, for my Religion in Ancient Greece class. I had been doing some research on women and their role in Ancient Greek religion, so I spent (besides some time to eat) my whole day writing. I had a week to work on it, and plenty of time in the week to do it, so I was not stressed about it. Amazingly, the paper seemed to write itself, and before I knew it I had finished just before it was time for dinner. It was refreshing to finish, and to do so without the weight of stress pushing me through; instead it was an enjoyable time to write. It was a good day. I finished off the day with an episode of Top Chef, my new nightly ritual, and was ready to rest up for a new day.


Tuesday: I slept in a bit, but it was nice. I decided since I was cooped up all day inside writing the day before, I would take a walk around places on campus I had not yet seen. Our university sits up on a hill overlooking the city, surrounded by it's own barrier of beautiful trees and grassy hills. In fear of sounding redundant, it was so peaceful to stroll through the trees and be surrounded by the colors of fall in the crisp English air. The pictures in this post were from this walk around our campus. After my afternoon, it was off to class, followed by an evening with friends and then rest.


Wednesday (Today): I went into town in the late morning and decided to do some reading in one of the town's Starbucks. I wish I had brought my camera with me to show you all where I sat with my Peppermint Mocha (yes, the Christmas flavors are back). The Starbucks sat next to the entrance to the Canterbury, which I showed you in one of my earlier posts. The building the Starbucks is held in was built back in the 1200's, and in the backroom of this old structure, I sat next to the window, looking out at the magnificent cathedral towering over me. It has become my new favorite place to sit and read a book, talk with friends, or just stare out the window in awe. After a little reading, I sat down with my friend Josh and talked with him about life and such for a while in Starbucks. He is planning on coming out to California to stay with Spencer and me for a while, and I can't wait! I finished my time in town browsing the farmers market and local bookstores before I headed back up the hill to campus. Again, a day defined by peace.


It has been so great to experience peace, as I am a person who can rarely calm the many storms brewing in my mind. Again, God is teaching me things about myself that I did not even know were there.


As for tomorrow, Spencer and I had or class canceled, so we are off to London for the day to stand in the rain at the Harry Potter red carpet premiere evening. My goal: be a ridiculous fan and get as many photographs, videos, and autographs as possible. I think if J.K. Rowling even looks at me, I might die. I will be sure to tell you all about it when I return.

Remember...

The 5th of November is a special night of celebration in England called Guy Fawkes Night. This holiday started as a way of celebrating the failed Gunpowder Plot on November 5th, 1605. To celebrate, the English have their own "4th of July" styled night full of bonfires, fireworks, and good food.

Laurence and Spencer were quite excited

It's like Root Beer with a kick

Before the flames began

After that pile had burnt to the ground

I had so much fun celebrating the night up on Tyler Hill in Canterbury with a number of friends. I had a tasty burger and spiced up ginger beer. We stood and talked next to the flames that engorged the mountain of wood and branches through the night and then returned to a bar on campus to hang out for a while. It was a great night and a reminder of the blessings of community.

Remember, remember, the 5th of November.

Friendship

On Wednesday, Spencer and a number of my new, amazing friends that I have made since I've been here at Kent Uni, put together a party to celebrate my 21st birthday here in Canterbury. It was such a wonderful evening. Spencer and I made Pizookies, since that is a very "Californian" dessert, and they seemed to love it! We then spent the evening chatting, teaching and playing Nerts, and laughing hysterically as we played Signs. It was such an enjoyable night. I appreciate so much their company.

We're throwing up our "signs"

I am so thankful for my friends back home. I have missed them so much while I have been here. I was honestly anxious about making relationships before I came to England. I wasn't sure what God had in store for me, what people I would meet while I was here, how much I would miss my friends back at home. However, God has been blessing me so much here with the people I encounter and the friends I keep making. Wednesday night was a perfect example of this blessing.

Pizookie!

To my friends back at home, I love you and miss you so much. I can't wait to see you all when I return. And to my friends here in Canterbury, I am so glad I've been given this opportunity to spend time with you. I am thankful God has crossed our paths and brought us together. I appreciate every day I have here with you, and I hope all of you can have the chance to come stay with Spencer and me back in California :).

From the tours of Paris, to the company of friends in Canterbury, to the package of Mexican spices and Reese's from my father and mother, it has been a birthday to remember. Speaking of "remembering," today is the 5th of November. "Remember, remember, the 5th of November." Tomorrow we will celebrate this very English holiday with a big bonfire. I'll be sure to share the experience with you all soon. Cheers!

A Parisian 21st Birthday

This past weekend was my 21st birthday, and I was so excited for the opportunity to spend it strolling the streets of Paris. Spencer and I left Friday night for London, where we stayed with our friend Miles who was so very kind and let us sleep there for the night instead of having to book a hostel. We got up early Saturday morning to catch our train to Paris, and, two hours later, found ourselves in the land of the French, a language that is "all Greek to me."



I was so thankful to be able to spend my 21st birthday, not only in Paris, but in Paris with 3 wonderful friends: Spencer, Janice and Angela. We made the most of weekend together and enjoyed each others company along the way. On Saturday, we spent hours exploring the Louvre. This museum is a labyrinth of breathtaking works of art, some of which I have studied in the past, making them a bit more interesting to see.

The Seated Scribe - Egyptian Art

Nike of Samothrace - Greek Art

Venus De Milo - Greek Art

Code of Hammurabi - Babylonian Art

Hercules Fighting Achelous - 19th Century Art

I had to fight off some Chinese tourists to get this picture

After the Louvre, we were on the hunt for a highly recommended restaurant in Paris called Chez Janou. I felt like this place was almost the Number 12 Grimmauld Place of Paris (for those Harry Potter fans, I hope you appreciate the reference in light of the movie to come); it was nearly impossible to find, and it took 3 local Parisians and a decent map to get us in the right direction. However, the searching was well worth it; the food was delicious and the people there were so friendly. It was off the beaten tourist path, and I felt like I was eating like a local. I ordered rabbit for the first time, while the other three got duck, scallop risotto, and steak and fries. If you ever go to Paris, this is my number one recommendation for food.

Chez Janou

Rabbit for dinner (sorry the lighting was bad)

After dinner, we picked up some wine and chocolate and took it to the Eiffel Tower. It was a surreal moment. We sat at the base of the tower with our dessert and soaked in the beautiful lights against the night sky. I couldn't ask for a better way to celebrate my birthday than to ring it in at the Eiffel Tower with a tasty, sweet dessert.

Wine, Chocolate, Eiffel Tower...what else could we ask for

The next two days were packed full of touring around Paris. From Notre Dame to the Arc De Triomphe, we packed in as much as we could. For lunch we ate at this very popular falafel place. They were so good, we decided to go twice. For a little dessert, we tried out Amorino gelato and Laduree macaroons. They were easily two of my favorite desserts, and that means a lot coming from me because I love desserts. Amorino forms the gelato into a beautiful flower; I don't know why it hasn't caught on in other places because it looks so cool and it doesn't look that hard to do. On the other hand, Laduree is the inventor of the French macaroon, and they definitely know what they are doing. Both desserts were unbelievable.

Crepes!

Montmartre

We sat here on the steps of Montmartre, listening to this man play the harp

We loved this little street band from Texas

The Rose Window of Sainte Chapelle

Arc De Triomphe


Notre Dame

Amorino Gelato, 4 kinds of chocolate all in one

Yummy chocolate macaroon

If you are ever in Paris, GO HERE. Best fallafel ever!


Nothing says France like snails :)

On Monday we said farewell to Janice and Angela. I was so thankful to spend the weekend with them. Before we got our train Monday night, Spencer and I went to the Jardin des Tuileries, a garden that sits in the center of Paris, and we just relaxed next to the fountain. The colors of fall surrounded us as we enjoyed the fresh air and the beautiful scenery the park had to offer. It was a great way to end the weekend.

Jardin des Tuileries

This kid loved his Eiffel tower toy

Needless to say, I had a very unique 21st birthday, and one I will never forget. I know I keep saying it, but I am so thankful for this experience. It has been a blessing in so many ways. On my return from Paris, I realized that as much as I loved Paris, I was excited to be going back to Canterbury; God knew exactly what he was doing by putting me here for school. I feel like it has become a second home, a home away from home (far away).



Being back in Canterbury has been just as great as Paris itself. Spencer and I have been enjoying Phil Wickham's new Christmas cd (go buy it!) as we work on our essays, which has been making me miss home so much. Also, last night my friends here were so wonderful in getting together to celebrate my birthday. I'll tell you more about that soon in another post because I have some wonderful pictures to share with you for that event. As for now, God bless and au revior!