Deep Thoughts

Begin deep thought.
Although it's been only a few days since I arrived in Cambridge, I've realized how much my view has changed. I fully expected the town to be preserved in a time capsule. Indeed many of the buildings have lasted over the centuries, many some of the roads are cobbled, and some of the roofs are thatched. But I didn't expect how modern a lot of the town has become. Because of the prestige of the universities here, I figured all the people would have some sort of relationship with its academic reputation. But many people live here from day to day and have no affiliation with what we all know Cambridge for. Also, I didn't expect the city to be as big as it is; which I now know how wrong I was.
End deep thought.


Another day of school today. We talked about blood doping in athletes and the effects it has on the human body. This is right up my alley, so I was really interested. We also talked about training in higher elevations and sleeping in altitude chambers. Actually, I am considering blood doping now for the bike rides to and from class. It's pretty rough.

Begin deep thought.
I always thought about the ethics of blood doping. Granted I do believe that it creates an unfair advantage over other athletes. It really does change the focus from the love of the game to money. But I don't know what I would do if I were a professional athlete. Although I've never taken so much as a protein shake or bar my entire life, I know I'm not going to end up in the pro's. But it's a really hard profession, and if I had to provide for a family, I honestly would probably consider taking some sort of performance enhancer. I can definitely understand where they are coming from.
End deep thought.


Lunch was at Churchill college again. Ducklings playing duck duck goose.


After lunch, we biked to Studio Cambridge to meet Layla for our Fitzwilliam Museum tour. The museum is deceptively larger than it looks. The museum has everything from medival armory, to pottery and china, to Egyptian statues and sarcophaguses, to ancient sculptures and famous paintings.

Outside the building.

We had a very interesting tour guide. She was an older woman, probably in her late 60's. I enjoyed the tour very much. She did know a lot about the museum and the history behind the many of the exhibits. But more than that, she was a little wacky, but in a good way. Well, I was afraid/intimidated entirely by her. Well first of all, she was ridiculously intense. Perhaps she was near sighted or something, but she would get really up close to the paintings and to us. When she talked, she would work herself up into a frenzy and the start breathing really hard. Except she would inhale and exhale only through her nose. While you read this, if you imitate this sound for yourself, it helps add to the effect. It was quite entertaining, and I could barely keep myself from laughing. She would pick a person in the crowd and stare straight at them while she ranted. Some of the things she said that I enjoyed:

"Human nature. Human nature will never change. Ever!"
"You American's with your paper cups. Tell me what is the function of a paper cup."
"You American's with your oversized portions that feed five people."

She made me put up my camera, so unfortunately I couldn't take any pictures of her or the museum. This is the only picture I took.


I did however manage to make video of her by tucking the camera under my arm, or shooting it through the mesh in the pocket of my shorts. I'm sorry, but I just had to.


So I did see a lot of things that peaked my interest like King Rameses the III's sarcophagus, various sculptures, paintings by Van Gogh, Monet, and Picasso, and other things I have forgotten. I wish I could have spent more time there.


After we left, we went to do some homework at Studio Cambridge, then went back home for dinner. After dinner, Clair, Rebecca, and I went to Natalie and Susannah's homestay to finish up the homework. They had a huge dog there, named Chester. When I first saw him, I was like "oh, he has a string in his mouth." Nope, it was drool, he got it all over Clair's bag.


Bag and drool.




Clair and Chester:

Then when Garrett came over, Chester tried to hump him while he was sitting down. It was fantastic.

Afterwards, I took Laura, Jennifer, Kacie, and Clair to my homestay to meet the family and use the wireless. Jennifer was extremely distressed because she no longer can shower at night later than 10 pm. So much so that she showered here.

I need my clothes back.

Then they went home.

Tomorrow we have school and I don't know what else. Until next time.

-James