The British Museum and Nice People

Today after class my roommate, Kenya, and I decided that lunch was in order and then we went to the British Museum. It was fun to walk around and look at all the artifacts. We spent hours in the Egyptian rooms and in the Enlightenment room. I was astounded at how much they had dedicated to the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, etc, but North America got a wee room about 20 x 50. That was it. Not that I believe that they must dedicate more space, but the Native American culture is vast. It was pretty much like "here were some Native Americans, they killed & ate buffalo and then were put on reservations...and now on to Mexico where they've got cooler stuff..." So weird! We really enjoyed ourselves though.

I emailed Matt's sister yesterday - Matt my roomie from back home - his sister & her husband live in London. I hated to thrust myself upon her and be all "hey! Here I am!" I was interested in what she thought would be the best use of my time as far as seeing the sights because London is SO vast. She was so sweet to me - she invited me out to near where they live (Richmond - a suburb of London) for dinner and proposed that we go see Windsor Castle one day. AND she gave me a list of her "must sees." I am really very, very touched. I emailed Leah about it - the thing is that you do need to take yourself out of where you are comfortable to learn and grown. If you never leave your safety net of home, you won't discover the world that is out there. But there is an incredible sense of comfort when you're out in the "world" to having people who you share a commonality with reaching out and saying "Hey - how are you? Want to have lunch?" Its the same reason that I'm looking forward to my uncle coming to meet me out here and going to Australia to see Loralei and Hans - it's still out in the world, but there is a bit of a trade wind blowing. A familiarity about seeing people that you know. It's a comfort. It allows you to step out a bit more. Stupid analogy - but something like a baby bird. It leaves the nest, but can still hear & perhaps see the other baby birds. It makes it OK. Then, by the time I get to Vienna, it would seem that Mom is going to come visit & then Sara will be there 1 month later. Plus, I'll be in the same place for 4 months & will be able to carve out a bit of comfort in that as well. In summation, I am so humbled & grateful that Carla was so sweet and forthcoming. It makes me feel a bit closer to the ground, which is what I need right now.

London is going well on the whole. I have a few people in my class that I really enjoy and find remarkably intelligent. There certainly are lines drawn between some of us. Not bad lines, but you can tell what stage of intellectual development we are all in. It's a bizarre dynamic. And at first I would be tempted to say that it's age that influences that the most, but 2 of the students that I find very interesting, articulate and intelligent are 25ish. So that blows holes in that theory. I'd like to remind them that simply because it is a summer class & does seem easier, it does not mean that you can shut your brain off and allow it to get all mushy up there. Uck. You are supposed to be a law student, do try to sound like one. I'm SO fortunate in my roommate. She's amazing, I think she's great, and I think I am really very lucky. That was fate, kismet, karma - whatever you want to call it - because I couldn't have selected better if I had the option.

Cheers!