brute life

Although I never knew Kirsten, I studied at the same university as her last year; hearing about her death really made me stop up and think. (http://news.adventist.org/2009/11/adventist-student-mi.html) I guess that's what death does best - stop life in its tracks. The brute realities of life sometimes makes existance seem rather pointless, at least my present existence. What difference am I really making? If I'm not making that much of a difference, am I at least enjoying life?? If my life neither creates hapiness for myself or others, it is rather pointless. Melancholy aside, tragedies like this one do put things into perspective. These past few days I've been reflecting on what I want with my life. Where do I want to go, and what do I want to do? I've decided I am going to start volunteering. I did sign up for an induction session to the volunteering society at Imperial, but it was fully booked, and I haven't given it much thought since. Even if my efforts shouldn't do others much good - at least I will be able to feel good about myself. And I really want to go travelling - maybe to Scotland...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A41eQNQEYE

cornered on the tube

Two men in dark suits stepped into my carridge of the circle line train while I was on my way to volleyball practice. I glanced twice at the second of the two men, trying to make out the writing on the badge he wore on his suit. I could make out "Jesus Christ" in bold white letters on the dark background, but no more. As if noticing my lingering glances he looked at me a couple of times; whilst I desperately tried to look away with a preoccupied frown. The last thing I needed now was for this guy to decide that I was the perfect prey for his outreach program. Desperately, I tried to look calm, as if oblivious to my suroundings with the music from my MP3 player buzzing in my ears. Although I was staring at the tube map, spread across the wall of the carridge I saw him look at me again, out of the corner of my eye. Then it happened, as I had dreaded, he motioned toward me, getting his companion's attention. Discreetly the other man turned his head and shot a glance in my direction; I might not have noticed had he not already been the focus of my attention. I was praying for the train to arrive at my stop, but before I'd even finsished that though, the man took a couple of steps toward me - his intentions were clear. I took the left earplug out of my ear and braced myself for the inevitable "are you saved?"

Instead his asked me "do you play for imperial?" I was caught entirely off guard as I stammered a yes of some sort or other. It turned out that they had been looking in my direction because of my imperial college shorts, kneepad and tyrifjord volleyball klubb jacket with its norwegian logo; one of the two men was norwegian, and the other played volleyball - sometimes things aren't as they seem.

catching up

Wow, it is far too long since I last wrote! So much has happened, I don't know where to start. Most importantly my trip to Austria was a great success, other than the fact that I picked up some bug and had to tour Salzburg with a fever. I've also moved in to my new room in London. London is both amazing and intimidating, as is my new university.

Before I forget, or decide not to write this after all, I must confess that despite my ridiculously high self-esteem, I am an idiot. If I ever try to tell you that I am really intelligent, or if I go rambling on about how great I am at pretty much everything, then remind me of this. Today I got lost, I mean really lost. Having bragged about my sense of direction yesterday, my ego got a well deserved slap as I blindly walked in circles trying to find my way back to my hall. To make matters worse I couldn't ask anyone for help either, obviously, that would simply be too embarrassing. The two times I did get my act together and ask for help I was told that I was heading in the opposite direction of where I wanted to go, and red-faced forced to turn around and try again. In order for both you and I to understand which way I should go next time I am posting a street map of the area ;p





















My hall is at location A, you can see Imperial College at the top of the map. How hard can it be, right?