Journal Entries
Winter is back
Posted Apr 4, 2012
Although not so bad here as in other parts of the UK, I gather - no snow as yet, but we did have long periods of torrential rain today. The farmers and gardens need it, but I was glad it had temporarily stopped while I was cycling to work. Cold too - I had to turn up the office radiators again.
It was a day of cake at work: one of my colleague's is retiring tomorrow, and today was her 65th birthday. We had a selection of cakes at coffee-time (brought in by her), and then champagne and wine at lunchtime, followed by a birthday cake made by the catering staff. She has been at the college 28 years, and will be a hard act to follow.
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Latest reply: Apr 4, 2012
Birthday weekend
Posted Mar 26, 2012
It was my birthday on Saturday, and the celebrations have extended over several days.
Started with me taking cake (various kinds) to work on Friday, as is the office tradition. Then after doing one or two chores on Saturday morning, went off to London to my friend's house in Islington. We went to see the Yayoi Kusama exhibition at Tate Modern, which was ... um ... unusual. Not really what I'd expected, but it's good to see different things. We had a cup of tea in the Friends' room at the top of the building - lovely view over the river, and lots of people sitting outside on the terrace. We walked along the South Bank for a bit before getting the bus back.
In the evening we went out for an Italian meal, at a small restaurant in Canonbury Lane. It was my friend's birthday as well, so we often celebrate jointly - last year we both had significant birthdays, so we went to Prague for a few days, but this year it was more low-key!
On Sunday we got the overground train from Highbury & Islington to Kew Gardens. Another beautiful sunny day, and the magnolias and camellias were looking fabulous. The journey back was a bit protracted, as there had been a fire alert on the overground line, so we had to get the Tube instead.
Then today I had booked the day off - went swimming first thing, and then caught up on a few house chores before going out for lunch in town. Now relaxing at home in (still very warm) sunshine. Back to work, no doubt to an overflowing inbox, tomorrow.
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Latest reply: Mar 26, 2012
Day at home
Posted Mar 19, 2012
Have had the day off work today, partly in lieu of working on Saturday (Year 12 Science Day, 80+ participants to be organised, given information packs and talks, and sent off in the care of some of our current undergrads to enjoy some of the activities at the Cambridge Science Festival), and partly nursing an incipient cold. Had a tickly throat on Friday, felt awful on Saturday morning, slightly better yesterday but with an annoying cough that is keeping me awake at night.
Hoping to be back on form by tomorrow. Anyway, it's been a lovely sunny day here (looking out of the study window at a beautiful sunset now), so I walked to the shops to stock up on cough linctus and echinacea.
Also did some more sorting of old photos. Am being quite ruthless about throwing out duplicates/boring ones, and a fairly logical filing system is gradually developing.
Lots of excitement in the college last week, due to this:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2012/mar/16/cross-bed-anglo-saxon-grave
Dr S L, speaking about 2 mins 45 secs into the video, is my boss.
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Latest reply: Mar 19, 2012
Teachers' Open Day
Posted Mar 9, 2012
We had 24 visiting teachers in College today - should have been 26, but 2 didn't turn up. 
.
Lovely Boss gave them two talks on how we assess applicants, some stats the University has done on correlations between various aspects of applications (e.g. AS results) and Tripos results, and on the new Triposes being introduced for 2013 entry: Human, Social & Political Sciences, and Psychological & Behavioural Sciences. They also got lunch in a formal setting with Senior Members of the College, a Pudding Seminar, a Q&A session with some current undergrads, and lots of informal chat with the Admissions Team.
They seemed to be happy with the day.
Called in to the Arts Picturehouse on the way home for coffee and cake, and bought a ticket for Kid with a Bike on Sunday.
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Latest reply: Mar 9, 2012
Busy week
Posted Mar 4, 2012
I have had an uncharacteristically social week.
Monday - feedback meeting on last year's Winter Fair, with vegetable biriyani provided by Abdul. Good fun, and produced lots of ideas for improvements.
Tuesday - book group at my house. (Pereira Maintains, by Antonio Tabucchi)
Wednesday - night off, chilling at home.
Thursday and Friday - helped Schools Liaison Officer with 'Subject Taster Days', one on the new Tripos (starting 2013) in Human, Social & Political Sciences, and one on Geography. About 60 Year 12 girls attended each one, some accompanied by teachers/parents. For the first time I can remember, everybody who had booked a place actually turned up! Three more to go, over the next two weeks.
Thursday evening - Arts Picturehouse to see live stream of Comedy of Errors, from the National Theatre - very funny modern-dress production, with Lenny Henry.
Friday afternoon - whitbyrose was in Cambridge, so we met for tea and cake, again at the Arts Picturehouse.
Saturday afternoon/evening - house-warming party, just down the road. Lots of people I knew slightly, which made it more fun than many parties - no need for initial 'being introduced' conversations, but plenty of opportunity to find out more about them.
Now hoping the rain might stop before I go out to join the Sunday lunch crew, but it's not looking very promising ...
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Latest reply: Mar 4, 2012
annie_cambridge
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