Thus far, my posts about London have been from the point of view of a tourist. The shining eyes, flashing camera, etc. You are perhaps wondering what life in London has really been like - what a normal day is (if there even is such a thing) - for a young American who has, for the first time in her existence, lived along in a big city.
God certainly watches out for me and never ceases to wrap His arm around my shoulders. During orientation days last week, I visited St. Benet's - our little campus chapel - to 1. learn about what exactly goes on there and 2. obtain some free coffee. The chaplain here, an funny Australian lady named Jenny, was extremely kind and shared not only what Queen Mary has to offer but also what is going on in London (including a series of free debates at St. Paul's Cathedral this fall). And she made me some coffee, the physical blessing. She made sure that I understood to come see her - just to chat anytime, but especially if I ever feel homesick or just worn out.
And here's where God far exceeds my expectations and brings me into a great community with such ease. Thursday night, I attended the first gathering of the Christian Union on campus. Approximately 40 or so students attend, and we worship and pray and learn together for an hour or so each week. After CU, a group of us went to Nando's for a bite to eat (bottomless fro-yo for me!) and returning members of CU got to know us newbies. The company - second-year students from QM, another American here for the year, and a composed fresher - was such a welcome change from the party-hardy freshers that seem to have invaded QMUL early last week. From Thursday night onward, God has been at work making sure His hand is firmly rooted in mine as I face this year.
Sunday brought the first "Church Search" organized by CU. I attend Tower Hamlets Community Church. Holding services in a local primary school, the church (about 50 or so members) was thrilled to have a group of students join them. The "old-timers" led worship, church members shared various announcements about events and projects going on, and a speaker began this fall's series on Ephesians. The church family was wonderfully welcoming as we chatted after the service and I felt more and more at home. After the service, Christa, Emma, and I (the Americans who came with CU) were invited to lunch at the home of the Day family, where we were served Shepherd's Pie, spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, ice cream (God knows me so well), and coffee. To put this in perspective - church service was from 10:30am to 12:30pm. We were driven back to campus at 4:00pm. I have never been welcomed into anyone's home like that before - so unquestioningly, being received so generously. It was really meaningful to be around a family committed to God, to their church, and to loving others - even strangers from another country who have nothing to offer them. Needless to say, I will be going back to Tower Hamlets Community Church.
Other CU events of the week... Sunday night - "gig" with a band from Sheffield called "The Gentlemen" (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnkhBJ9JrL0). "The Gentlemen" do tours of homes in the UK and have played at Christian festivals around Europe. They put on a great show and it was a good end to the weekend. Tuesday night - small group meeting at the home of THCC members Tim and Bex. We'll be studying the Book of Mark, eating dessert (yummy shortbread with caramel and chocolate this week), and just having fellowship each week.
All of the above have really helped make the adjustment to life here easier. Despite my overwhelming enthusiasm for London and travel, it is hard to be away from loved ones and from the familiar at first. To have God plop me in the middle of this flourishing community of faith has been the biggest blessing.
Now on to other, less significant things. Classes. I have lectures and seminars Monday thru Thursday for two hours each day. My current schedule:
Monday - Society and the State in Britain 1450-1720 - Lecture 10am-11am, Seminar 12pm-1pm
Tuesday - Thomas Hardy and the Victorian Modern - Seminar 11am-1pm
Wednesday - Writing and Vision in the Romantic Period - Seminar 10am-12pm
Thursday - Representing London: Eighteenth Century Literature - Lecture 10am-11am, Seminar 11am-12pm
Friday - FREEEEEEE. :)
I have not yet had my Representing London class, but the following impressions are what the first three days of class have produced.
1. Level 4 (introductory) level class (in my case, Society and the State) - not taken seriously. My first-year classes at Ashland challenged me most of the time, I felt I learned something, etc. Here, my professor notified us the first day that presentations are just us "gibbering" and are not assessed, essays need only be readable to attain good marks, and reading for the course is optional. While this would in most circumstances annoy me (wasting time is the silliest), it will be nice for once to have a class that need not hold my attention all the time. The English courses I have will be quite a challenge and have loads of reading PLUS I have big plans for travel, so perhaps something of a cake-walk on Monday mornings is not the end of the world.
2. Having only 2 hours of in-class time per week has the potential to be unsatisfying, especially in regards to my Hardy class. I realize, having not been in classes for way too many months, that I like meeting with faculty and students to talk about what I've been reading. Not sure if this will overpower the joy of not having classes five days a week though...
3. Reading lists. HAHAHA. They seem to pick all the books that aren't available for really cheap on amazon or half.com. So I bought the novels and will rent the rest from the library. I suppose I'll have to refrain from highlighting, but apparently almost everybody does this "renting" thing for books (if, in fact, they actually pick up the books and are not told by their profs that reading is "optional").
4. The big university is complicated and greedy. Printing will be an ordeal and costs 10p a page, so I shall be forced to read articles on my computer. I am not pleased by this. (Don't get me started on laundry. It's 2.50GBP to wash, 1GBP to dry and the laundry facilities are in another building down the way. I shall be buying a bucket and detergent, and using a clothesline. Just call me Mama Ingalls - I'll be saving 5 GBP a week as well as my time.)
5. Non-Ashbrook students are quiet. Refreshing right now, could be frustrating later. And when I talk in class, I try to hide my American accent but it still slips through and I then get asked "Where are you from?", I answer "Michigan," and I get the blank stare that says "Oh, that's not California or New York."
I shall add to this list as I make further observations.
Lastly, I thought I should give a quick preview of what's coming up on my calendar (besides the weekly class, church, and yoga sessions).
Friday, Sept. 30 - Day trip via bus to Stonehenge, Salisbury, and Bath with fellow Americans.
Saturday, Oct. 1 - Volunteering at College Day USA. Have to be across London at 7:30am on a Saturday. Not thrilled.
Tuesday, Oct. 4 - Debate about Eve at St. Paul's. Free. :)
Friday, Oct. 7 to Sunday, Oct. 9 - Train to Dorchester for the Thomas Hardy Harvest Weekend. And to visit T.E. Lawrence's cottage and walk along the south coast.
Thursday, Oct. 13 to Sunday, Oct. 16 - Possibly weekend trip to Dublin with other Americans.
Thursday, Oct. 27 to Sunday Oct. 30 - Coach to Swansea, Wales for the Dylan Thomas Festival. And more beautiful beach.
Friday, Nov. 4 to Sunday, Nov. 13 - No classes (Reading Week), so hopefully a trip up to Manchester and then on to Edinburgh.
Friday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Nov. 27 - Hopefully Stratford-upon-Avon to see "The Heart of Robin Hood" by the Royal Shakespeare Company.
That's what I've got for now. More to come soon about living in the East End... the side of London you don't know.... da da dum.
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