Cheers, England! I'll Drink to That!

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.