Cambridge Diary II

I announce that I am now a member of Pembroke College, for life. That's according to the Master at least.

There is no point talking about undergraduate studies in Cambridge without mentioning my college. Most people I guess would end up feeling much more attached to their colleges than the university itself. The strength of the education is amplified here. The forging of bonds can take place easily here within the small community. Knowledge are passed down in the unique fashion of supervision. Of course what everyone makes out of these varies greatly, but the platform is there for everyone.

The architecture in Pembroke is breathtaking. It doesn't have the grandeur of King's or the enormity of St John's. But the layout makes me feel like home, as compared to living in a vast castle, which would be intimidating. Gardens are neat, and the lawn on the courts on so neatly maintained that not even a stray leaf can be found. The bright colours of green and red are especially soothing to see in autumn. The age of the college also give rises the other “abnormality”.Most of the staircases would crack and crick when I walk on them, and there are portraits of Masters hanging on the walls in the Hall. And I get to hear jokes about C and rumours of other colleges.

The culture here is strange. I bet J K Rowling borrowed heavily from Oxbridge when writing Harry Potter. Gown must be worn during matriculation, and everyone has to pen their names on this giant book that looks like it's centuries old. The pen was also of old style. I was so lucky to write my name in both English and Chinese. And the matriculation photograph looks almost like graduation photograph in some sense, as we were all wearing gowns as well. The formal hall is also very unique, with bells ringing to signal the entrance of the Master, and followed by some words in Latin, before anything is served. In the middle of the meal the same thing would happen again if he wants to leave or make a speech. People may call those “quirks”. But to me, these people are just purely jealous.

Description is incomplete without pictures. Please go the Facebook and see the pictures I have taken. They are not great, but will give a rough idea of what a college is like.

Cambridge Diary I

Despite the title, it has to start with Singapore. After years of not so pleasant tropical heat, I am going to a place with an even worse reputation in terms of weather. The smog is so bad that the Chinese translate of “Oliver Twist” is 雾都孤儿, which means “orphan in a city of smog”. Actually I don't believe in all these. My 9 months stay in Brighton ten years ago convinced me. It might just be London, or not even London nowadays.

Many people would disagree with me, but I still have to say nonetheless. Weather would not be an obstacle if you want to achieve something. The years of humidity and thunderstorm have made me a tougher and more independent person. It has nurtured me, to appreciate things you have instead of chasing dreams that are never going to come true. On the island that is shaped like a boat, I have chartered a journey with my youth. And somehow ironically I'm sailing away, literally.

I would really like to thank everybody whom I have crossed path with. I may not look like a friendly person, but I am really inside. I may have offended you and have not apologized you, please tell me if you are among them, as seriously I am really bad with such things. There are may be so many other occasions that friction would have occurred, but there seems so little time to amend or repair.

To those people who have come to send me off, I would like to say a big thank you. You have helped me to go the next phase of my life with a lot of confidence. There is still a place for me if I fail or fall back. I am undeterred by the challenges, especially with so much support.