So I’d hopelessly imagined that once I’d come back
from this little Cambridge excursion, I’d have a better grasp on an English
accent. Or at the very least, a natural usage of the English vocal. Well
folks—please try and pick up the little idioms I’ll try and incorporate out of
sheer adoration for the British culture.
I was asked yesterday what I’m taking away from
Cambridge. Mercy alive, I have loads of things to add to my Life
Lessons Bucket. Cambridge sure as heck substantially added to my bucket and
with great privilege and pleasure, I present some of the lovely things Cambridge
has offered me:
-I’ve learned how to marvel. For me anyway, I forget
sometimes what a blessing it is to marvel at something. The Lord’s blessed us
with so many breathtaking things to marvel at—we just have to open our eyes.
Beauty is out there, we’ve just got to know what you’re looking for. Be it
centuries-old architecture, perfectly manicured grass, the rain trickling down
cobblestone streets, the picturesque streetlamp shadow, a candle-lit dining
hall with smartly dressed academics, the view from the library window, or even
the sweet old couple holding hands through a stroll in the park. What an
absolute delight it has been to marvel at my sweet Cambridge.
-I’ve learned that man is good. Goodness gracious,
do I have faith in the goodness of people! I’ve been associating with all types
of people for the past two months, and I feel so wonderfully edified and
uplifted. We stand on different ends of the political spectrum, our taste in
music and movies vary, our aspirations and dreams differ, we belong to
universities across the world, and our idea of a “good time” is certainly
diverse—yet, I’ve gained so much respect for difference. What a blessing
it is that God created man to be unique,
yet through my experience at Cambridge, I’ve learned that God also created man
to be similar in our desire to love and be happy. I truly believe that goodness
can be found in anyone, we just have to ask the right questions. The
individuals I’ve met I revere and support. They have good hearts that have
personally strengthened my spirit and sweetened my soul.
-I learned about flying buttresses and nave
elevation (Gothic Architecture class), thick ethical concepts and
supernaturalism (Philosophy class), Maradona and the 4-Minute Mile (Sports
Journalism class), how to properly eat tea and scones (jam and THEN cream) how
small the world really is, that asking for a “garbage can” immediately pegs you
as a tourist, that water fountains and paper
towels are a North American commodity, that some of the best musical talent can
be found on the streets, that cookies are biscuits, biscuits are scones, fries
are chips, and chips are crisps, that pedestrians have no rights in the UK,
that conversion rates will kill ya, that small children with English accents
will melt your heart instantly, that being called “love” and “lovely” is just
about the darn wonderfulest thing ever! and that Wagamama’s are
only in the UK (yeah, worst news ever--- google ‘em folks. They’ll change your
life!).
-But the thing that’s impacted me the most is the
thing that I learned about myself. I knew that my Cambridge Direct Enrollment
Program would teach me about all sorts of things and further me academically,
which it did. But I NEVER imagined that it would be teach me about my OWN nature.
I’ve come to realize that the standards and beliefs that I uphold are because
of my own choice. The things that I stand for aren’t because my parents sat me
down when I was 11 and told me to do or don’t do certain things. I stand for
virtue and purity because I’ve come to know for myself that that is how you
live the good life. I’ve learned that I’m an individual with my own cognition
who’s picking up lessons along the windy paths I travel. I’m agent and an
active player in my game of life. I’ve come to trust myself so much more. It’s
not like my parents were constantly around to check on me or the BYU blessing
of being surrounded by people whose dress, speech and media standards are the
same as mine. Rather, I was relying on the testimony, beliefs and experiences I’ve
had and the tender mercy of the Lord to help me along the way. Now let me
mention, I absolutely ADORE the people I met this summer who’s culture and
standards are completely different from mine. I love being around them because
we respect one another, and unanticipated to me, I’m reminded of my strength.
I’m a woman, standing for goodness and virtue when that voice has become so
unpopular. We are a peculiar people and others recognize it. We should be
different. We should embrace the light and radiance we house as members of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and uplift others with it. People
realize that we’re different. That we, “Glow, radiate, and just have this
goodness about us.” This stems from our innate desire to do what’s right for
the Lord, not to please parents, church leaders, or even the smokin’ Elders’
Quorum President. Rather, we should choose His path for Him. I’m starting to
grasp the divine nature I have. That I’ve been created to stand for something,
to stand for more. To love. To appreciate. To look for the good. To grow. To be
tried. To reach out. To search for light and truth. To learn. To try new
things. To offer hope. To share and declare the “good news” of the gospel. To
bear His name at all times, and in all things, and in all places. To explore.
To embrace. And to enjoy.
