Well, I just got back from the Humanities building where I thought I had a lecture this morning. It wasn't until half the class was there and waiting for a professor to show up that someone came in and told us the lecture was cancelled. Soooo, in the spare hour I just acquired I will attempt an update.
I can't believe I've been in Wales a month already; it's gone by really quickly. I have thoroughly enjoyed the time spent at Cardiff so far, and still feel a bit amazed that I'm actually here.
The weather isn't too bad right now. Last week it got down to 32 F, but this week warmed up a bit again. My window is actually wide open right now - both to regulate the temperature from the heating system and to let in the fresh air. It's a bit rainy, but that's not unusual.
Classes are going well for the most part, though I have a feeling that they will become more intense as I must begin writing papers and other assignments soon. At Cardiff - as with other UK universities - next week is what is called "Reading Week." Essentially, it's catch-up time. Most programs (except Law and science-y departments) cancel classes for the whole week to allow people to get reading and other things done. I think it's a good idea. BUT, one of the major differences with the way the semester system is set up here is that the first semester doesn't end at Christmas break. We go away for Christmas, then come back in January for a Study Week, followed by a 2-week exam time. The spring semester starts at the beginning of February. It's going to be a bit strange, but I think I will like having those weeks at Christmas to finish up papers before turning them in in January.
Outside of class, I have managed to gather quite a large group of friends, both in Aberdare Hall and outside, so there's always someone to hang out with. I have a lot of fun with the British girls in the Hall, and there are several American and Canadian students that I've gotten to know. My Michigan friend Elizabeth and I made a big dish of nachos last week and introduced our English friend Melle to the wonderful world of Tex-Mex. Of all the food I haven't been able to have since being here, Mexican is the one I miss the most. I've been told that there's a "good" Mexican restaurant here in Cardiff, so I'm hoping that I may get to test it out sometime.
This last weekend I spent all day Saturday and half the day Sunday at an academic conference: "The history and archaeology of Western Britain from A.D. 350 to 500." It featured 8-10 well known archaeologists who spoke on various topics; it was pretty interesting - especially when, at the panel discussion, they got to argue back and forth about their opposing viewpoints. This next weekend I will be going on the second fieldtrip for my "archaeological skills" class, to the excavated Roman town of Caerwent and the legionary fortress at Caerleon. As with the first fieldtrip, I'm sure there will be plenty of pictures posted soon afterward.
I am blessed to have met up with several Christians in the Hall, and have been going to with a couple of the girls to Sunday evening services and various other gatherings at Highfield's Church, just a short walk away. It's full of University students and has fairly contemporary music and good teaching. It has been encouraging to find several opportunities for Christian fellowship in the midst of such a busy academic schedule.
Well, that's about all I can think of at the moment, though I'm sure there's probably a lot more I should write about. I'm not sure how many people actually read this blog, but if anyone is curious about anything that I haven't mentioned, just leave a comment and I will try to include it in my next update.
Elizabeth, by our red-neck "covered wagon" after a major shopping trip at Tesco (the equivalent of Wal-Mart/Target). Hey, it was raining and we had far to walk.
