furious finals...

Somehow, this week flew by again. I realize I have said it before, but time passes faster by the month. Each year seems shorter, but especially in Notts, each month goes by quicker. This week included several milestones. Tuesday marked the 'only two weeks left' date on the calendar, Wednesday was the final for our year long flat course IS135, and Thursday my final for my year long Cognitive Psychology module. Mary's friend Andrea drew Mary away from the flat again for a few days in London, Anna's friend Katelin (from Luther, she and I lived on the same floor in Brandt freshman year) came from Malta to stay for a while, and half of the flat left for travels. Currently, Ryan is in Ireland visiting family, Emily and Aaron are in London (but not together, for most of the time anyway), and Mary is coming back from London as we speak. I still have two finals left and will therefore be in the flat (or in the library) studying for the remaining exams. I suppose I should work on that last paper, too. Anyway, my finals this week went well and I got a paper back, with a pretty good mark if I may say so myself, from Christian Thought in the Modern World.

To give myself a break from the flat, I spent a day studying at Starbucks with Mary. We also went shopping afterwards. Let's just say that Nottingham city centre is a dangerous place for my wallet... even though I am not the most shopping oriented person. Flat dinners continue to be enjoyable and it is hard to make myself go to training for NUAC because I don't want to miss time with my flatmates. It is strange, I will go back to the states and get to see them all throughout senior year. However, it will never be the same, so I am hesitant to miss out on anything. On Wednesday, to celebrate being done with IS135 (International Studies: Exploring Great Britain), Kevin, Emily, Aaron and I walked in the beautiful weather to Wollaton Hall. We went through the newly refurbished home/museum and then enjoyed rambling about the park. Inside the museum, there was an extensive collection of taxidermied (they were NOT stuffed) animals and a large collection of minerals. Perhaps it was not the most typical inside of a stately home, but it was rather entertaining. Dad, there were a few things I thought you would enjoy...

If you will recall the 'Rocks and Minerals Club' meetings in the basement of the old Carnegie Library, you will note that the rock on the left is Dog-tooth Calcite and the mineral formation on the right is 'desert rose'. Just thought I would share.

Moving on...

The lake was fun to walk around afterwards and the weather could not have been more beautiful. I was also excited to show the others my favourite tree in all of Wollaton. It is a huge old oak on the top of a hill in a secluded corner of the park. The branches split off from the main trunk so perfectly and then gracefully lean down towards the ground... I could sit underneath that tree for ages.

Just a few pics to give you an idea of the tree...

Well, Mary just got back from London and the IS135 exams were handed back (another successful mark) so I am off to meld with my flatmates... or something. Oh and Picasa is updated again, so be sure to look at that.