Today I focused on sorting out my online networking through Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter and to link everything and make it all work better together.
After classes Shannon and I did our posters for Relay with a breast cancer theme for this month's awareness. Before going to the meeting however, we went down to the Fish Whistle to have dinner with Sam and his parents who are over from Australia. A huge thank you to them for the meal and inviting us to them whenever we want. Now that I have had the food I won't hesitate to take my folks there when they're down next week.
The RFL meeting was wrapped up quickly and then I went over to Kent Crossing to see Fran and Samson the puppy that she was bringing over with her - he's mostly Yorkie and a little Chiwawa.
On the way to KC Shannon needed to fill up her car, so with Pip as well, we went to Rofo's where we picked up some Ben &Jerry's - I went for Cinnamon Buns, which was great and the rest of it is now residing in Shannon's freezer for when I next want it. It is clearly labelled and I know how much I had by the way, for anyone who feels like binging on it whilst I'm not there.
Wednesday, 16 October 2013
The Half Way Point...
In the post-midterm euphoria I simply forgot to post yesterday. Not wanting to appear arrogant or falsely modest, I will say that the exam went okay, I think. Hopefully we'll get grades back soon as Miller needs to send them to the registrar's office pronto.
After a morning of looking over notes and forming arguments, the midterm came and went in a blur of frantic scribbling, leaving the rest of the afternoon wide open. In the end I used the time to do laundry that had suddenly piled up after New York and caught up with episodes 2 and 3 of Homeland. Despite telling people how good it is and how it wins all the awards over and above the other shows they watch, I am yet to convince anyone else to begin watching it. But, I won't give up that easily and this series promises to be just as great as the previous two. I also spent a while chatting to parents, discussing the trip and the dreaded talk of Christmas ideas already - as usual I have very few.
Then it was time for dinner, and after nearly two hours at the table, we headed to the library. Still enjoying the fact that the exam was over I decided to shelve any work for the evening and got on with writing the new book, which is becoming much more intense than I had originally envisaged.
After a morning of looking over notes and forming arguments, the midterm came and went in a blur of frantic scribbling, leaving the rest of the afternoon wide open. In the end I used the time to do laundry that had suddenly piled up after New York and caught up with episodes 2 and 3 of Homeland. Despite telling people how good it is and how it wins all the awards over and above the other shows they watch, I am yet to convince anyone else to begin watching it. But, I won't give up that easily and this series promises to be just as great as the previous two. I also spent a while chatting to parents, discussing the trip and the dreaded talk of Christmas ideas already - as usual I have very few.
Then it was time for dinner, and after nearly two hours at the table, we headed to the library. Still enjoying the fact that the exam was over I decided to shelve any work for the evening and got on with writing the new book, which is becoming much more intense than I had originally envisaged.
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Back To Work...
After a few days in the big city, it was an early start and straight back to work yesterday. The useful thing about the courses is that they are all starting to overlap with subject matter, meaning that understanding and getting a better insight into the topics for essays and exams is easier and less independent work on my part.
In between classes and late into the evening I was revising for the midterm later today. Although, it seems that exams here are much smaller not only in their duration and percentage towards the course, but also in the amount you are expected to write. The booklets for the exams are nearer to A5 size than A4, and the line spacing about twice as wide. The result will probably mean asking for extra paper and trying to write as small as possible. However, I am not underestimating the exam in the slightest and am working as hard for it as I would any other that I've taken.
Now, it's back to looking over notes and thinking on the lazier afternoon of catching up with Homeland, some necessary laundry and maybe squash, after the exam is done with.
In between classes and late into the evening I was revising for the midterm later today. Although, it seems that exams here are much smaller not only in their duration and percentage towards the course, but also in the amount you are expected to write. The booklets for the exams are nearer to A5 size than A4, and the line spacing about twice as wide. The result will probably mean asking for extra paper and trying to write as small as possible. However, I am not underestimating the exam in the slightest and am working as hard for it as I would any other that I've taken.
Now, it's back to looking over notes and thinking on the lazier afternoon of catching up with Homeland, some necessary laundry and maybe squash, after the exam is done with.
Monday, 14 October 2013
Getting To The Core Of The City...
Having arrived back late from New York and going straight into classes I haven't had chance to write up the rest of the trip. So, here we go.
Friday
We started by going up to the Natural History Museum, anticipating a day of rain, but aside from a shower whilst we were inside the day was warm and dry. From the museum we walked across Central Park to meet up with Katri and Sophia outside the MET. Then they went to the Plaza Hotel and we went to a great little restaurant famed for its burgers called J.G. Melon. After food we walked a way down 5th Avenue to the Rockefeller Center to see the shops and the plaza in the daylight.
Deciding that a rest was in order, we went back to the hotel and chilled out before heading out for food with everyone at the Times Square Hard Rock Cafe. The food was great as always and after shunning the photo opportunity as a new money-making scheme, we discovered that the photo was actually pretty good so we all bought a copy.
Saturday
Saturday was shopping day in the morning, beginning with Forever 21 - not my idea. When I was looking at garments on the rack and utterly lost as to what possible purpose they could serve I decided that it was time to clear out. Moving on, we went around several more stores and I actually bought a few items of clothing (because they were on sale). After shopping we went for food at Murray's Bagels - a many award-winning eatery with the best bagels ever. Before going to drop our stuff off at the hotel, we made a stop at Grand Central where I discovered an Apple Store had popped up on one of the balconies of the main hall - they will literally get everywhere.
In the evening, we went to the Top of the Rock, crossing our fingers for a short queue. Our prayers were answered and within 20 minutes of buying our tickets we were on the observation decks and looking out across the brightly lit Manhattan skyline. By this time the bagels had worn off and so meeting back up with Lenka's friend David, we found a pub in Times Square not automatically IDing people at the door and went in for food - I had my first fish and chips since arriving, newspaper and all! Not to rain on the others' evening, I headed back to the hotel whilst they went out for drinks, arriving back at the hotel an hour later - New York needs more frequent subway trains.
Sunday
The final day was spent walking along the waterfront first thing and taking the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty under blue skies and sunshine. With separate plans of action, I rode with the others on the metro and then walked across to the highly recommended Public Library.
From there I got lost on the way to Grand Central on a continued but doomed search for a Christmas decoration. With no luck and a deadline to meet back at the hotel, I got lost trying to find the subway line in the station. Boarding the right train I took it back to Fulton Station and then got very lost finding my way back to the hotel. Lesson: for some with as bad a sense of direction as me, a map or GPS would have been really useful. However, I got back in plenty of time. Lesson: men, you really don't need to ask anyone for directions if you don't want to.
After some hanging around for the coach, we boarded for Chestertown and began our drive away from the Big Apple and a very busy but thoroughly enjoyable Fall Break.
Friday
We started by going up to the Natural History Museum, anticipating a day of rain, but aside from a shower whilst we were inside the day was warm and dry. From the museum we walked across Central Park to meet up with Katri and Sophia outside the MET. Then they went to the Plaza Hotel and we went to a great little restaurant famed for its burgers called J.G. Melon. After food we walked a way down 5th Avenue to the Rockefeller Center to see the shops and the plaza in the daylight.
Deciding that a rest was in order, we went back to the hotel and chilled out before heading out for food with everyone at the Times Square Hard Rock Cafe. The food was great as always and after shunning the photo opportunity as a new money-making scheme, we discovered that the photo was actually pretty good so we all bought a copy.
Saturday
Saturday was shopping day in the morning, beginning with Forever 21 - not my idea. When I was looking at garments on the rack and utterly lost as to what possible purpose they could serve I decided that it was time to clear out. Moving on, we went around several more stores and I actually bought a few items of clothing (because they were on sale). After shopping we went for food at Murray's Bagels - a many award-winning eatery with the best bagels ever. Before going to drop our stuff off at the hotel, we made a stop at Grand Central where I discovered an Apple Store had popped up on one of the balconies of the main hall - they will literally get everywhere. 
In the evening, we went to the Top of the Rock, crossing our fingers for a short queue. Our prayers were answered and within 20 minutes of buying our tickets we were on the observation decks and looking out across the brightly lit Manhattan skyline. By this time the bagels had worn off and so meeting back up with Lenka's friend David, we found a pub in Times Square not automatically IDing people at the door and went in for food - I had my first fish and chips since arriving, newspaper and all! Not to rain on the others' evening, I headed back to the hotel whilst they went out for drinks, arriving back at the hotel an hour later - New York needs more frequent subway trains. Sunday
The final day was spent walking along the waterfront first thing and taking the Staten Island Ferry past the Statue of Liberty under blue skies and sunshine. With separate plans of action, I rode with the others on the metro and then walked across to the highly recommended Public Library. From there I got lost on the way to Grand Central on a continued but doomed search for a Christmas decoration. With no luck and a deadline to meet back at the hotel, I got lost trying to find the subway line in the station. Boarding the right train I took it back to Fulton Station and then got very lost finding my way back to the hotel. Lesson: for some with as bad a sense of direction as me, a map or GPS would have been really useful. However, I got back in plenty of time. Lesson: men, you really don't need to ask anyone for directions if you don't want to.
After some hanging around for the coach, we boarded for Chestertown and began our drive away from the Big Apple and a very busy but thoroughly enjoyable Fall Break.
Friday, 11 October 2013
Biting Into The Big Apple...
In the end I did bring my laptop with me, but it is not until now that I have any free time to write a post. So, I will begin with yesterday and a very wet start from campus. To my surprise we were taking a coach to New York, so my visions of being sardined in a seat for three and a half hours were ill-founded. In traditional coach trip style, my breakfast was a much needed Burger King meal on the way down.
After a slight delay with some roadworks we caught our first glimpses of a hazy Manhattan. Crossing over from Brooklyn, we arrived at the Best Western Inn, Seaport in the financial district right next to the Brooklyn Bridge.
We went to our rooms, dumped our things and then were straight out the door in the direction of the Freedom Tower and the 9/11 memorial. The memorial itself was very impressive and a change from our visit seven years ago when there was little more than messages taped to chain link fencing.
With David navigating for us, we made for Soho and Greenwich to find somewhere to have a drink, settling on the 'Tavern on Jane'. Having said our goodbyes, we trekked back to the hotel after a long day's travel and walking.
After a slight delay with some roadworks we caught our first glimpses of a hazy Manhattan. Crossing over from Brooklyn, we arrived at the Best Western Inn, Seaport in the financial district right next to the Brooklyn Bridge.
We went to our rooms, dumped our things and then were straight out the door in the direction of the Freedom Tower and the 9/11 memorial. The memorial itself was very impressive and a change from our visit seven years ago when there was little more than messages taped to chain link fencing.
That done, we walked on to Chinatown and then to meet a friend of Lenka's studying in New York. He showed us to Shake Shack - a great burger venue in Madison Square Park. The sun set and the pink top of the Empire State light up the backdrop.
With David navigating for us, we made for Soho and Greenwich to find somewhere to have a drink, settling on the 'Tavern on Jane'. Having said our goodbyes, we trekked back to the hotel after a long day's travel and walking.
Wednesday, 9 October 2013
Packing Preparations...
Today felt like a big hurdle to jump before we set out for New York in the morning. I have not yet decided whether I will take my laptop. If so, I will do a post each night and upload the day's photos as we go along. Sadly, the one thing I will be taking is my stack of notecards for the midterm on Tuesday, but I won't let them weigh down the trip.
Back in Worcester, I am about to turn in for as much rest as possible before a long day tomorrow. I have packed most things, ensured that my funds can withstand a certain degree of shopping, and skyped the family throughout the day as I won't have chance to do so until next week.
This evening we went over to Kent Crossing for a while and then went over to the German suite in Chester to celebrate Oktoberfest with beer, pretzels and authentic German beer-drinking music.
Now, the camera battery is charged, an array of chargers are in and after looking at the forecast, the raincoat is out ready - Not that a little rain would stop any hardy Brit from enjoying himself!
Back in Worcester, I am about to turn in for as much rest as possible before a long day tomorrow. I have packed most things, ensured that my funds can withstand a certain degree of shopping, and skyped the family throughout the day as I won't have chance to do so until next week.
This evening we went over to Kent Crossing for a while and then went over to the German suite in Chester to celebrate Oktoberfest with beer, pretzels and authentic German beer-drinking music.
Now, the camera battery is charged, an array of chargers are in and after looking at the forecast, the raincoat is out ready - Not that a little rain would stop any hardy Brit from enjoying himself!
Tuesday, 8 October 2013
Sprint For The Sunset...
A key part of today was finding out about the midterm next Tuesday. It sounds straight forward enough (touch wood) and a high five between me and Sam for coming up with two possible exam questions that Miller thought were good enough to include on exam papers in the future.
Outside of Miller's class I played squash for an hour as I haven't played for a week and I won't get to play again until this time next week - because of New York!
During dinner I noticed the sun setting on the building out the window, so I headed to Worcester to grab the camera and ran over towards the stadium to snap it before the sun went down. Apparently the one thing that will get me sprinting in public is the promise of a good photo.
After dinner, I went over to Shannon's with Sam, Lenka, Ester, Eoin and Pip to watch some TV and play cards.
Outside of Miller's class I played squash for an hour as I haven't played for a week and I won't get to play again until this time next week - because of New York!
During dinner I noticed the sun setting on the building out the window, so I headed to Worcester to grab the camera and ran over towards the stadium to snap it before the sun went down. Apparently the one thing that will get me sprinting in public is the promise of a good photo. After dinner, I went over to Shannon's with Sam, Lenka, Ester, Eoin and Pip to watch some TV and play cards.
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