Hockey

Well, having now survived two games (one in goal and one on the field) I think I can talk about my hockey career without jinxing it.

So it turns out that Trinity Hall (Hall or Tit Hall for short) has a women's hockey team (2nd division for the college league). And you can play no matter how terrible you are. Perfect for me! The rest of the team is a bunch of undergrads, who have been wonderfully welcoming and kind.

Our first game, last weekend, I played goalie because our usual goalie, Lizzie was ill. It was nice to get back in goal - brought back many fond (and some not so fond) memories of RBR field hockey (ah yes, here there's no need to add the field...it's the only kind of hockey there is!). We lost 1-0, but totally not my fault as it was evidently a 'rubbish' goal and I saved at least another 10 later in the game. Where was the offense? Wait, where was my defense?

Anyway, today Lizzie arrived as planned, so I was forced to give up the goalie 'kit' and play the field. I chose right back as being a moderately easy position where I'd see action, but not be in the thick of it all the time. Right, well the other girls on the team are fantastic and my stick work looks like that of a kindergartener compared to theirs. We played Queen's College, who are supposedly really great, but only 7 of their players showed up...so we crushed them 11-0. There is no mercy rule here evidently. I got to play half as well as back (what are they called in the States, again? Mid field!) because one of the girls playing half didn't feel like playing hard. Felt incredibly stupid because am not nearly as light on my toes as the others, but had a few good stops...and got extra points for commitment and spirit (not actual points...if that was so we'd have won by much more than 11!).

So, now that I've survived and played reasonably well (am definitely not the worst on the team), I can say that I am indeed an official member of the Trinity Hall hockey club/team. Besides, I think I amuse the other girls by shouting American field hockey terms on the field and by being this totally bizarre grad student who wants to play with them and doesn't mind playing goalie (which is definitely my best asset). Now, don't go finding cheap flights over to watch the 2nd division championship just yet...I still have to buy a mouth guard and shin pads...

...reading...

I took a short break from Third Cinema film theory and shifts in Bolivian peasant mobilizations to get back in touch with my inner Jersey girl (that's NEW Jersey...in the United States of America....sometimes the Brits don't get it...) by reading another Stephanie Plum novel (by Janet Evanovich). Not only did it reconnect me to my homeland, but also made me realize that New Jersey and Cambridge, England aren't so differente after all....of course most of the pileups here are of bikes...

"The sky was overcast, threatening rain. No surprise there. Rain is de rigueur for Jersey in April. Steady gray drizzle that encourages statewide bas hair and couch potato mentality. In school they used to teach us that April showers bring May flower. April showers also bring twelve-car pileups on the Jersey Turnpike and swollen, snot-clogged sinuses. The upside to this is that we frequently have reason to shop for new cars in Jersey, and we're recognized worldwide for our distinctive nasal version of the English language..." Seven Up p. 93

Pearls of Wisdom, Gems of Knowledge, and other things I find strange about Cambridge, England

I'll just give you a taste...many more to follow, I'm sure

• Tit Hall is not a derogatory term; it really is the nickname of my college

• Rivalry between Trinity Hall (yeah!!!!!) and Trinity College (boo!) is encouraged…
  You see, Trinity Hall was founded in 1350; Trinity not till 1546. Trinity (College) was founded by Henry VIII, who evidently realized he might need to traing some new priests since he was kicking out the Catholic Church and so set up Trinity College (that's the short version).
  
  Now, at this time, colleges were called colleges as they were formed, but Trinity Hall, being far more ancient was still being called a Hall (the oldest of the oldest were called houses, ie Peterhouse). Anyway, Henry’s great idea of calling it Trinity College essentially means that Trinity Hall can never be known as college (don’t even try saying Trinity Hall College, we might have to challenge you to a duel!). So, the hard feelings stem from their stealing our name.
  
  Anyway, the story goes that one night not too long ago (ie in the last century), the JCR (that’s the undergrads – both the people and their common room) were being so noisy that the porters at Trinity College, which is next door to Trinity Hall, called up the porters at Trinity Hall (known for being wonderfully friendly and helpful people) and complained about the noise. And our porter answered, “Well, you shouldn’t have built so close!”

• Rivalry between Trinity Hall and Caius (pronounced Keys) is also encouraged…but I’ll save that story for another time

• Change is bad – which is why books should be checked out in the same way that they have been for 500 years. No exceptions.

• The probability of finding a book in one of the 6 libraries that you’re registered to use is inversely proportional to how badly you need it

• When the emergency alarm goes off in the UL (University Library), you should NOT evacuate. Instead, lounge around looking like this happens all the time and wait for the polite loudspeaker voice to tell you whether or not the library is burning down and/or if you need to run for your life.

• English is a foreign language.

Right, well, soon begins the weekend, which unfortunately does not mean punting for me but rather learning all about Bolivia's struggling democratization and Argentina's radical film directors of the 60s. Other exciting things too, but I don't want to jinx myself so I'll post all about my upcoming field hockey game (!!!) later.

Week 1

Well, I've officially been here a week now.

I'm mostly settled in (my lovely package arrived today with lots of goodies like fleece pullovers and more sweaters - thanks, Mom!) and classes seem to be ok.

Of course the best part is the people. Trinity Hall, my college seems to have the greatest collection of amazing people from around the world. The MCR, that's the grad student association in the college is amazing. We've had events every day to get us acclimated, comfortable, and - in true Cambridge style - quite tipsy.

Today, after a long week of trying to figure out classes, advisors, and registering at 5 different libraries (you have register for each department's library separately...also very Cambridge of them...why do something the esay way when you can do it the way they did it in 1300?), today we relaxed by going punting on the river cam. Very fun. Next time maybe I'll even try punting. Although really, sitting in the boat eating crackers and drinking wine and cider is very enjoyable. And there were lots of ducks around (probably because we were eating lots of crackers). You also get the 'back' view of the colleges - which is amazing. Will put photos up shortly.

Am doing well, will write more soon, but now I better get some reading done...am teaching myself film theory. Hurray!

Finally Hooked Up

Well, I'm here.

Landed at Heathrow after a disorienting flight across the Atlantic and wandered for what seemed like miles pushing my trolley with my incredibly heavy bags. Ended up at the Central Bus Station and had a bit of a wait for the Cambridge bus. The whole 2 hour journey I was torn between sleep and wanting to see the countryside. Got in around 2ish, right in the middle of that time of day when cars can't actually get to my college Trinity Hall (affectionately referred to as Tit Hall here)...So got a taxi sort of close (with a very helpful driver who gave me pointers and actually yelled at the police who wouldn't let him drive up to college) then starting dragging my bags down Trinity Lane (for those of you who know Cambridge, no I couldn't get near the Senate House, which is much closer). Everything was absolute chaos because it was moving-in day for the undergrads too. A mother and daughter took pity on me and helped me with my bags and helped me find the right hall. Then the tit hall porters took over and made me feel right at home. Marcus introduced me to other grads in the MCR (like the graduate commons) so I sat and chatted, drinking tea and going through the boxes of goodies left for me by Sarah B (Hurray for hangers and binders and guidebooks!!!).

The rest of the time has been nearly as hectic. Am finally settled into my room (which is quite big!) and have met my college mates and house mates and today finally the other Latin American Studies folks. The program is going to be tough, so I don't suppose I'm really going to join many clubs, but I figure I better find at least one extra curricular or I'm going to go crazy!

Right, well internet is finally connected and I have a cell phone (ask my mom for the #) - no minor feat as everything seems to be as complicated as possible for new students, especially the international ones. I thought bureaucracy was bad in Costa Rica, but it's even more complicated here, and no one lets you know what you have to do. With the exception of the Latin American Studies librarian, who strong-armed the Mill Lane librarians into letting us register for all our library passwords and codes and things today instead of tomorrow at 2 o Thursday at 9 or whatever the stupid rules are.

Right, well after a very successful Tit Hall MCR pub crawl last night, I'm taking tonight off to relax, get organized, and maybe watch some desperate housewives...More from me later