Photo Journal: Cambridge

I have so many great pictures of Cambridge, I wanted to share some more.  And this is still not all of them.  Just a taste of what Cambridge has to offer.

King's College center courtyard.  Where you are forbidden to walk on the grass.

Unless it's formal dinner.  The only time walking on the grass is permitted.

King's College Dining Hall.  Where every meal was held.

Very Harry Potter.

The bridge behind King's College.  One of the many bridges along the River Cam.

The city of Cambridge England

Pembroke College

Pembroke plaque 

Pembroke College archway with school shield

Celebrating 4th of July at King's College

King's College from the inside

King's College from the outside

The porters/gate keepers of King's College

Trinity College

Nevile's Court at Trinity College

Trinity College center courtyard

Note: If you have the opportunity to study abroad, do it.  Or encourage your kids to do it.  

A Cup of England: Cambridge

In light of the Summer Olympics I have decided to share some of my British travel adventures.  I lived in England for a summer, while studying abroad in college and have gone back many times since.  It is one of my favorite places, enriched with history, beautiful landscape and architecture, and a multicultural population with a keen sense of fashion.  

I'm calling this series A Cup of England, because it's a taste of what England has to offer. I'm still continuing to explore England so I can fill my pot.  The first stop on the Cup of England tour is Cambridge.  I studied abroad at Cambridge University, so it will always hold a special place in my heart.  It is such a magical city with a deep rich history.  Cambridge University is the second oldest university in England and the seventh oldest in the world, and is ranked as one of the top five universities in the world.  You can see why it was such an honor to go there.  Many of the most important scientific discoveries were made by Cambridge alums, including Sir Isaac Newton, Lord Kelvin, Charles Darwin, and Earnest Rutherford.  Walking the campus where these great scholars once studied, is like stepping into a history book.  Cambridge University is made up of 31 different independent colleges, but no college is as old as the university. 


Whether you are studying abroad, or just a traveler studying the history of England, here are my top spots to hit while in Cambridge:


King's College and the Universities


You can't go to Cambridge without visiting the universities, and King's College is the most famous.  It's located in the center of the city and is often the college featured in films.  Every year the King's College choir broadcasts the world famous Christmas Eve service to millions around the world.  Queen's College is also one of the larger and more popular colleges to visit and attend.

King's College from the inside courtyard

Punting on the River Cam

Punting along the River Cam is a long tradition upheld by university students and visitors.  A punt is a flat bottom boat with a square bow, designed for small rivers and shallow waters.  The designated punter uses a long pole to push against the riverbed.  It's a slow relaxing ride for the passengers.  For the punter it means steering the boat with a pole and pushing the passengers, which may not be as relaxing.  If you don't feel like doing it yourself, you can pay for a guided tour. 

Punting gives you a great view of the Colleges and Cambridge

Shopping

The shops in Cambridge are both high-street staples and lovely boutique shops.  My favorite is Sarah Key Books, the old 'haunted' bookstore which was located right next door to my place.  Although I never took the haunted tour, it was a marvel to go into the small bookstore and glance through the old books.

My old alleyway with shops and a cafe

Cambridge Market

Cambridge has a great outdoor market, open Monday-Saturday from 10am-4pm.  Located in Market Square, and conveniently right down the street from where I lived.  The market sells everything from food and plants to clothes and jewelry.

Cambridge General Market

Architecture and History


You can get a guided walking tour of the city and universities, or you can do it yourself.  Walking around Cambridge and admiring the architecture is like taking a history class.  If you do it yourself, do some research beforehand or take a guide book with you so you know where you are going, and can share your knowledge with others.  Many of the universities allow you to freely walk the grounds.

Taking in the historic buildings and colleges

Eating and Drinking


There are lots of great places to eat and lots of pubs to grab a pint.  One of my favorite places was the Fudge Kitchen.  Located directly across the street from King's College, the Fudge Kitchen makes some of the best fudge I have ever tasted, and gives out free samples daily.  It makes my mouth water just thinking about it.

Fudge Kitchen located next to King's News

The Fens


Cambridge is one of the areas that makes up The Fens of England, a naturally marshy area in Eastern England.  They drained most of the fens several centuries ago, which has now left a fertile agricultural landscape.  The lush green landscape flows into the city center and along the River Cam.  Locals will often picnic along The Backs, where several of the colleges back onto the River Cam.  

The Backs of Cambridge along The Fens

Note: After a night out don't forget to visit the trailer of death for a late night snack.  You will definitely feel like a college kid.

No Contacts

This just in - the new iOS5 update for your iPhone may delete your contacts!  I plugged my iPhone into my computer, just a few hours ago, to finally update my phone.  It had been running a little slow, and there was an app that I needed which only operated on the new system.  So, I waited awhile for it to update and when it was done I ejected my phone.  And that's when my stomach dropped.  No contacts.  No contacts!  Excuse my French, but What The F.  How did that happen?  I looked at my text messages, no names, just numbers.  I immediately Googled how to fix the problem.  And after a few more minutes of waiting for the backup, my contacts were restored.  For anyone who has experienced this, I've listed instructions on how to restore your contacts below.


But this made me think about it on a bigger scale, as things like this often do.  What would it mean to have NO Contacts?  I could narrow down my contacts from the context of the text messages, but that wouldn't give me everyone.  I could post it on Facebook, but then I would probably get numbers of people whom I didn't have to begin with.  And then I thought, wow, this would definitely simplify my life.  I would only be able to reach the people that I truly have contact with.  My phone (and in this sense, my life), would only be filled with those that I have real contact with.  And having that real contact is what life is all about.  But I'm glad I backed up anyway.  

Phone courtesy of askdavetaylor.com
Online tech support

1. Connect your phone into your computer, using the USB cable.  Make sure it connects with iTunes.


2. From the left hand side of the iTunes window, right click on "iPhone". 


3. Select "Restore from Backup" and choose the backup version you would like to restore.  


4. After the backup is complete, eject phone using the eject button located next to the device.  Scroll to see that all of your contacts have been restored.


5. Jump for joy!


Note: Reach out to those whom you have No Contact with, and want to.

Shabbat Dinner With a Side of Wisdom

This past Friday I experienced my first Shabbat dinner.  Growing up I never knew a Jew.  Which is weird, since now I live in a highly Jewish area, but back then it was all Catholics, Christians, Baptists and Mormons.  So I was extremely excited when my friend invited me over to her house for her birthday Shabbat dinner.  I've been inviting myself over for a year now, and it finally happened.  

On My Way to Shabbat (photo via instagram)

When I arrived there was a feast waiting on the table, and that was only the appetizers.  Friends and family mingled, and a few minutes before sunset, we made our way outside where the day of rest would begin.  After everyone was seated, her dad thanked us for being there and started the ceremonial blessing.  They sang two beautiful songs over the wine and challah bread, before passing them around the table for everyone to share.  It was such a special moment to be apart of, that when it was done I asked my friend if there was more.  Although the ceremonial part was over, the feast had just begun.  And it was amazing!  Homemade Persian food and desserts.  Plural.  DessertS.  I was in heaven.

Dairy-Free Chai Cupcakes - Amazing!

During dessert her father sat down next to me to chat, and I was surprised that he picked me.  After a few questions about my dating life and thoughts on marriage, he proceeded to tell me that marriage is all about the 30% rule.  30% is based on your initial feelings toward them.  Plain and simple, do you like the way they look?  Are you attracted to them?  Once you have that you move on to the next 30%, which is do you like who they are, what they stand for, how they treat you?  The "relationship" part of your relationship.  The next 30% is about their family, their growing up, where they come from.  Do you know their background and values?  So I asked him, then what's the last 10%?  That, he told me, no one will ever know.  It's the stuff you will never figure out in a relationship.  The stuff that makes men and women different and why we will never understand each other 100%.  But once you have the 30, 30, 30 complete, or nearly complete, then you are ready to marry that person, and the 10% you will never find out.  And that's ok, because what matters the most is what's in your heart.  The truth will always be the truth he told me, in his soft accent.  I told him that my Grandpa always says the same thing, right will always be right and wrong will always be wrong.  And he agreed, saying that it's the same everywhere you go, no matter where you are from, what is true will always be what is right.

Discussing the 30, 30, 30 Concept 

His wisdom and kindness touched my heart that night.  I may have heard it before, from a different person in a different manner, but that night the words resonated with me.  From a wise Persian Jewish man to a young Catholic Italian, although the religions may be different, the values are still the same.  And that's the beauty of it.


Note: Another word of wisdom from that night, Be happy with where you are now.  That's the key to life.  

Wine Tasting in Santa Barbara

Last month while I was exploring the 30 Shades of L.A., I managed to squeeze in a wine tasting day in Santa Barbara for my best friend's birthday.  We started off at Municipal Winemakers, a large tasting room with an eclectic schoolroom vibe.  Stacks of old filing cabinets line the wall behind the bar, and old classroom chairs surround the long group tables.  This is one of my favorite tasting rooms in Santa Barbara.  There's plenty of space to accommodate large groups, and I love the high ceilings and open outdoor spaces.

Our bottle of choice

With the birthday girl

Maxi skirts and black tanks

Chillin'

Preparing to blow out the birthday candles

Vegan birthday cake

At Corks and Crowns

After a few hours more than expected at Municipal, we made our way over to Corks and Crowns.  This is another one of my favorite tasting rooms.  Although it does get a little packed, and even standing room is hard to come by, it's a great vibe with great wines.  They even do beer tastings, if you're tired of drinking vino.  Wine tasting in Santa Barbara is definitely one of the best ways to spend your birthday.

Note: Always make time for best friends.  Especially if it's their birthday and involves wine.

What Do Your Bedside Books Say About You?

Last night I pulled two more books off the bookcase to add to the bedside collection.  I usually have about two different types of books going.  One novel and one 'other'.  But somehow over the past few months I have acquired more than just my average two.  And last night didn't help.  I pulled my ongoing favorite 1,000 Places to See Before You Die and my rarely cracked Novel Destinations, which made me remember why I bought it.  It combines reading and travel, two of my favorite things.  I opened up the two books and began to plan my next trip.  


As I looked over my stack this morning, I began to wonder, What do your beside books say about you?  And if there aren't any there, that says something too.  Just by pure observation my list says I want to think, grow rich and finish rich (the non-novel books I'm reading), I like novels with a little bit of comedy and I like to read what's popular (Mocking Jay, the third book in the Hunger Games trilogy).  And lastly it says that I like to travel and read.  


But the books at your bedside say more about you than what the titles and genres lead on.  By analyzing my list, even if you take out the two travel books I flipped through last night, it says that for the last couple of months I have had too much on my mind.  And not only because the list is so long, but also because I haven't finished one yet.  There's too much going on in life, and not enough time to relax and enjoy a good book.  I've come to the conclusion that it's time to finish a few and set them to rest on the shelf.   

Note: Analyze the books at your bedside, and read between the lines.  What are your bedside books saying about you?

A Suite Sunday

As it has been somewhat apparent, I'm quite the Dodger fan.  And today I was able to spend the day watching the game from one of the Dodger luxury suites.

Game day uniforms.  Dodger blue and white.

The suite was catered with food the host selected from one of the many luxury suite menus, and of course came with Dodger dogs and Cracker Jacks.  The day was filled with lots of eating, baseball, and fun times with friends and fam.  Although the game did not end how we hoped, it was an exciting day for baseball.  After a relaxing day at the game, we perused the hallways to check out the Dodger memorabilia.  It was like a mini museum, and the perfect end to the day. 

View from the suite.

They don't make Crack Jack prizes like they used to

The traveling dessert cart

Memorabilia from the mini museum

Note: Think Blue.

Eternity is the Best of Who You Are

This past week I saw the passing of one of the strongest women I know.  It was a sad day for my family, and has been a sad week.  The passing has had a ripple effect as she touched the lives of everyone she knew.  She never disclosed her age, and it was news to her closest friends when it was revealed in the obituary.  And that's how she will always be remembered, eternally young.  Eternally vibrant.  Eternally beautiful.  The priest said it perfectly, 'she is now the best she can be.  The best of everything that she ever was.  When she was the most fit, the most beautiful, the smartest, the most successful.  Every best quality that made up her life, that is who she will be for eternity.'  It was a beautiful image.  It's hard to describe eternity when we only have words that are used for time.  But it is forever where she will stay in my heart.  Forever in my memories.  Her words, her essence, who she was when it was just her and I in the room, that is who I will remember for eternity.  And those are the small intimate moments that we take with us when a loved one passes.  I hope that one of those moments made up a part of the best that she will be for eternity.


Note: Be the best of who you are everyday.