Retreat Number Two: Essex with the Gurdon

So, last night I just got back from my second retreat in one week.  This one was a little closer (in Essex as opposed to the Lake District) but was just as fun.  When asked what would be happening at this overnight retreat I replied that we would likely be talking about a lot of science and doing a lot of drinking.  And I was basically right.  There were science talks all day and a poster presentation in the evening.  Then there was a disco (which I'm starting to think is just the generic British word for party) in the evening.  It was so great to get to know all of my new labmates in such a fun environment.  The party was super fun, except that the DJ was miserable and sometimes I thought I was in a flashback to middle school bat mitzvahs (think, YMCA).   It also helped A LOT to hear all of them talk about their posters and to hear my advisor give her talk.  When I went into work today I really appreciated already knowing everyone, so I'm glad I went even though it left me completely exhausted.

And when I got back to Cambridge on Thursday night, I had to immediately get ready for the welcome dinner being put on by my scholarship.  The Provost of the Trust is changing right now, so the new Provost, who is also the Master of Fitzwilliam College, hosted a formal dinner at his college.  It was one of those experiences that you stereotypically envision when you think of "Cambridge."  Everyone was dressed up and we sat at long tables with assigned seating.  All the napkins had the college crest on them and we each had like 4 forks (this caused me some problems).  We drank wine, ate great food, listened to speeches, toasted the outgoing Provost, and then drank port.  It was quite lovely.  Then we went out to the pub, which I think I've done every night since I got here.  Needless to say tonight is a needed break.

Today was pretty slow, especially as I just think I need some time to recover from the intensity that has been the past couple of days.  I've been in England a little over a week but have slept in my own bed for maybe only two nights, so my room is still pretty bare and disorganized.  I still need to buy sheets and a bike and other necessities, so I think that will need to happen either this weekend or next week (at least I managed to get a phone today!).  "Freshers week," which is the equivalent of orientation here, starts tomorrow, so I'll probably be just as busy for a while, but hopefully the errands will get done in between trips to "punt" on the Cam (look it up) and pub crawls (yes, more pubs. It's a big deal here).  Then work starts and things will hopefully settle down a bit.

I'm still really behind with pictures, particularly because it is always raining here, so I have very little desire to walk around with a camera, but I promise to put some up as soon as there is any nice-ish weather, and hopefully I'll be putting up more Italy pictures soon.