Globe-Trotting

Ok, so I know I haven't posted the Ireland pics I promised (or the Scotland pics from before that), but in my defense, this was a really busy academic week because two of my classes are ending now to make room for the internship I'll be starting when I get back from fall break. I promise I'll make it up to you blog-followers once I get home from fall break with a plethora of photos and anecdotes from the last several weeks. In the morning I embark on a 10-day whirlwind trip through Italy, Austria, Germany. My flatmate Mallory and I are flying to Milan, then going to Rome by way of Pisa, then north to Vienna and Berlin. We'll then head to Hamburg, from whence we'll catch our flight home on the morning of Sunday, November 1st. I should be home in time to make it to church that Sunday evening! There's not a lot of details planned in between the flight there and the flight home, so we should have plenty of adventure (code-word for lack of planning!) and hopefully really awesome stories and pictures and memories from the trip.

A seven-fold smattering of thoughts on my mind as I tie up the last loose ends before fall break:

1) I can't believe I've already been here 7 weeks and the semester's already half-way over. NO!!!

2) I can't believe how blessed I am to have the opportunities to travel so much. This week's trip will bring the country count for this semester up to six (and push the photo count for the semester over the 1000 mark, probably).

3) I've been running a bit of a math experiment and I think I've effectively determined the following to be true:

Let productivity = p
distractions = d
coolness factor of London = L
family in town = f
trip to Ireland = t

where d = (f+t)^L

as d --> infinity, p --> 0

Let's just say there have been very large values of f, t, and L lately.


I think this week would have been so much easier (and have included a lot more sleep) if I had not put off some of this academic work until the last week. However, I suppose procrastination was aided by the fact that I went to Ireland last weekend and my parents were in town the two weekends before that, so I have had really good reasons to not be spending my time studying and writing papers. Now, though, is crunch time. Another essay to write before I can leave the country in 10 hours...

4) God is so, so good. I'll elaborate on this in a future post, but He faithfully led me to a good church about 10 days after I arrived in London. The first 10 days were pretty lonely spiritually, but He clearly pointed me to this church and really answered my prayers for a strong, welcoming community where I can worship, fellowship, and grow this semester. I'm pretty sure that Sunday evening service and Tuesday night students Bible Study are the highlights of my week!

5) I'm growing a lot. I've learned a lot about being independent and about relying on God. I've been spending a lot of time just by myself running in Hyde Park, exploring London (or another country like last weekend), and relishing the time to just process life and chat with God.

6) I love fall--the leaves are changing colors here and the weather's been remarkably good and non-rainy, which it seems is rather unusual for autumn in London. I've been spending a fair amount of time outside since I walk or take public transport everywhere and since I've been running in the park regularly.

7) Speaking of running, I've been lengthening my running distances significantly as of late. Today I ran about 7 miles, which I think is the furthest I have ever run at one time. And I still felt really good at the end, except my feet were aching somewhat. Even better, I managed to do that at a pace of approximately 8.5 min per mile, which I was pretty excited about (not sure if that's good or not in the big scheme of things, but I was pleased with it).

Ok, enough for now...I'd better go finish that paper since I'm supposed to catch a flight to Italy in 13 hours!