Sunday, October 28 – Cambridge

After the late dinner last night and working on the blog, we went to bed far too late at 1 am. I took an ambien again and was out like a light. The next thing I know, I woke up at 11:10 am with Caitlin sitting at her computer. Damn! We were supposed to meet Catherine for an 11:45 brunch in the hall, but we arrived to find it closed. WTF? Then a small woman walked out and said, “I don’t suppose you remembered to set your clocks back last night.” So the rumor is true: daylight savings ends earlier in the UK than it does in the US (well, at least since last year). We went and wasted time in the graduate common room until we could go to brunch where I had the soggiest eggs I’d ever eaten. After brunch we ran into Paul Rogers, who seemed slightly distant, as well as Shane. Shane invited us to a dinner in the evening at his house, but we would have to go pick up some ingredients at the grocery.

So, from brunch we headed over to Sainsbury’s, the grocery store. On the way we saw a busker singing with accompaniment from his two dogs. It was adorable. The grocery was both packed and magical. All sorts of delicious looking foods I’d never seen before. I bought Catherine a small basil plant and Caitlin some random items. I bought myself some European yogurt…finally…and some other items. Catherine took me to the market to find some produce, which, as it turns out, wasn’t there today. Still, the market was very cool, and I bought a delicious cinnamon pastry.

We rushed back from the market for Caitlin to change for her first intramural basketball game at 2 pm. She plays on the team for “Jesus College.” Perhaps few things are funnier than yelling, “Go Jesus!” in a public place. Her team won the game handily, and her captain took quite a liking to me. While Caitlin was showering, I had tea and snacks with Catherine in her room. It was quite lovely.

Then…I began my search for internet. I was so tired of posting my blog entries in word, and, based on their emails, half of my family thought I might be dead. I have access to my email on Catherine and Caitlins’ computers, but I can’t get my own on the network here. I went to McDonald’s and a waffle joint in search of working internet, but was foiled both times. I came home defeated.

We left for Shane’s place in the rain. Once we got there, I found I could get on the wireless. While Caitlin, Catherine, Shane, Maggie, and Marcus (the valedictorian from the previous year at Williams) made dinner, I finally posted my previous blog entries. We had a wonderful dinner of salad and pasta. There was excellent conversation, and a good time was had by all. During dessert, Catherine’s friend Tom showed up and joined us. After I did my fair share of the dishes, Tom and I talked bikes.

Then! Caitlin and I had to book it to her basketball practice at 10pm. That’s right…I went and practiced basketball with a bunch of girls. Of course I was terrible, but it was still good exercise, and I really did have a good time.

So, that was my first full day in Cambridge. Things appear much more normal here during the days. People are out and about in a very normal, cute European sort of way. I feel bad that Caitlin and Catherine have been getting so little work done, but their grades don’t mean anything anyways. They both have classes and lectures tomorrow, so who knows what it will bring.