Turtle! Turtle! (aka Brent and I go for a walk and meet loads of turtles)

I have now completed 5 weeks of summer Hebrew.  We got thrown a curveball this past week by getting a new professor.  Our first professor, Dr. Jeremy Hutton, has departed for UW Madison.  How weird is that?
Our new professor is the polar opposite of Prof. Hutton, which isn't bad, just another thing to get used to.  It's not like I ever know what's going on in lecture anyway.  Okay, there is one bad thing.  The new professor will be our preceptor once a week or so since our preceptors are now going to be leading lecture once a week.  Precept is more of a group therapy session most days than a classroom (though we do learn a lot).  So, taking our "therapist" away once a week and letting a new one grade our quizzes is just not cool- especially when the new one is our professor so we can't complain at all and are slightly intimidated (or a lot intimidated). 

Needless to say, by Friday, I was losing it.  I almost skipped lecture because I was so frusterated after precept (mainly with myself).  First we got the quizzes back that the professor graded (a 14 out of 20 for me), then I completely blanked on the new quiz and was so frazzled I just gave up and turned it in with several blanks.  It doesn't help that I picked last week to quit coffee cold turkey after waking up with a caffeine headache over the weekend.  Also, I was wearing my new glasses, which made me feel woozy the whole day.

New glasses. (and junk...we are still unpacking).

I was in a terrible mood.  Then, lecture ended up being fine, especially since our neighbor was leading it and before I knew it I was free!!

Brent and I really made the most of this weekend.  Friday after class we took the campus connector downtown, checked out a record shop, a coffee shop, and some other neat stores.

On Saturday, we slept in, went for a walk (more on that in a minute) and finally, FINALLY, saw the last Harry Potter.

Our walk down by the canal ended up being the highlight of the weekend.  Why?
Because we saw a ridiculous amount of turtles.  Apparently that is all it takes to entertain me!  They were all in one small area, which made it even more strange, like all of them decided to have a sunbathing party.

We watched them for quite awhile.  Okay, Brent watched and I took loads of photos.

Some were about a foot long, others were babies!

There was also this cool monument.

The D & R Canal was to one side and this nature reserve was on the other.

Turtle-y cool.  Eh?

Trenton Farmers' Market and Halo Farm

I've heard a lot about the Trenton Farmers' Market and Halo Farm, a dairy right next to the market.  Today, my lovely neighbors Mike and Lisa knocked on my door and asked if I would like to join them on their trip to both of these places.  Not that I needed anything from the dairy....

The market is a covered one.  Unfortunately, for some reason a lot of the vendors weren't there today, but I was still able to score some goodies for fantastic prices.  I got a pint of blackberries and a pint of cherry tomatoes for $2 a piece.  Then on to Halo Farm...

I was informed this weekend that Halo Farm is known for the best and cheapest ice cream in town and also for their lemonade.  They were out of the regular lemonade, but after picking out 3 pints of ice cream, it's probably best that the diet stuff was the only kind left.  I couldn't leave without getting ice cream after it had been talked up so much.  Plus, it's still 100 degrees F outside.  But, one pint is $2.75 but 3 pints is $5.....
Thus, I returned home with Egg Nog, Peach, and Strawberry Heath, which is Lisa's favorite.  They might have to wait for Brent to get here so I don't eat all of it.  Also, I got a block of sharp cheddar.  I'm still trying to figure out if good cheese exists out here.  I'd kill for some real cheese curds.  I really don't understand why they don't have them here.  Cows? Check.  Cheese makers? Check.  Curds?  Nowhere to be found.

On another note, here is something bizarre to add to my list of crazy New Jersey-isms to tell Brent about when he gets here:
You can't pump your own gas!  You have to sit in your car, roll down the window, wait for the one attendant working to walk over, hand him your card, he slides it for you and fills your tank.  Weird.  On the plus side, it means you can stay out of the rain or snow, but wouldn't you feel inclined to tip the attendant?

The Bent Spoon

As a treat for surviving another week of Hebrew, I marched myself downtown to The Bent Spoon and had some delicious ice cream.  It was only a few blocks from campus, but in 100+ degree heat, it felt like miles.  Lucky for me, a table opened up right as I got there so I didn't have to take my ice cream outside.  I was joined by two lovely ladies from the local professional symphony orchestra for some nice chatting while we cooled off. 

The Bent Spoon is known for their creative flavors.  I spotted sweet corn and cucumber basil.  With so many choices, it could be hard to pick, but I was instantly set once I saw Bourbon Vanilla Sea Salt Caramel made with Jim Beam...I'm a sucker for sea salt sweet anything and bourbon is my second favorite liquor (Jameson being the first).  Even with a small size, you can have two flavors, so I also tried Lavender Mascarpone, made with local organic lavender.  Lavender is my favorite scent, one of the only ones that doesn't send me into a sneezing fit.  Lately, I've taken a cotton ball with a few drops of lavender essential oil and placed it under my pillow at night.  However, I've never eaten anything flavored with it.

Both flavors were fantastic.  The Bent Spoon doesn't mess around... The bourbon was absolutely present in the vanilla and the lavender was light, refreshing, and just simply delightful- not at all like eating dryer sheets, which is how I imagined it might be...

 
My only problem was that it was gone before I noticed what happened!  At $4.50 for a scoop and a cone, this was a bit indulgent, but I know I'll be back within the next few weeks, especially if the heatwave continues.

Here's a couple pictures I snapped along the way:

Trinity Episcopal Church...still hot and hazy today.

Just a shot of the downtown.

I'm so blessed to finally have some plans this weekend.  Some people from class invited me over to the dorm tomorrow night for a movie, and tonight I have plans with some people in our apartment complex.  Everyone has continued to be amazingly kind.  Too bad I have a crazy amount of Hebrew homework, including way too many vocabulary words :(

Princeton Farmers' Market

I went to the Princeton Farmers' Market for the first time today.  I sneaked over between Hebrew lecture and Hebrew reading (more on that later)...
It is located a couple of blocks from campus in the courtyard in front of the public library on Witherspoon Street and runs during the summer and fall on Thursdays from 11-4pm. 
I knew not to have high expectations, seeing as my usual farmers' market in Madison, WI is the largest true farmers' only market in the USA (at least that's how they market it).  Really, I just wanted some fresh produce that wasn't from overpriced Whole Foods.  I'm glad there is a Whole Foods down the street, but I can't afford to shop there all the time. 
I had been looking forward to this day all week and had prepared by signing up for a locker on campus to ditch my books and by bringing along my handy canvas bag to hold my purchases.  Even the 100 + degree heat couldn't deter me!  However, it did deter my picture taking.

Notice the haze!

This does do justice to how it felt.

The market was modest but had several produce vendors and 3 cheese stands.  There were also lots of beautiful flowers, but I was afraid they'd wilt before I made it home and they are considered a frivolous purchase at this point in time.

Pretty much the whole thing. 

Somehow I managed to still spend lots of money.  Here's what I came home with:

I picked up some garlic to roast since it is delicious, gourmet, and dirt cheap.  Also, I don't go to any market or store without buying kale when I see it.  I got a giant loaf of sourdough, which I picked at all through Hebrew reading.  Lastly, I got 1/4 pound of mixed milk gouda.  It cost $7 and felt blasphemous, but I wanted to try some to see if it is worth giving up entirely.  I have to admit, it's pretty decent.
Vendors and price estimates:
Rustic Sourdough $3.50 from Witherspoon Bread Co.
Garlic: ...uh, I forgot this vendor but the garlic was $2 for 2 bulbs.
Kale: $2.50 for one bunch of organic kale from Stonehenge Farm.
Gouda: $7 for 1/4 lb from Valley Shepherd Creamery

Oh, and Magic Hat summer seasonal beer from a store near the market... Gotta get it while I can since Princeton has the most bizarre liquor laws that keep most stores (including Whole Foods) from selling it.

After I went to the market, I had to be back on campus for Hebrew reading.  This session started today and will be every Thursday from 1:30-3:30.  For every hour we attend, we get 1% point added to our final, up to an 89%.  There will be a total of 10 hours.  While I hope I can get a good grade on my own, I am going to go to every hour possible as insurance that I will pass the class.  Today we made it through 2 Sam. 18:9-19 or so...And it took 2 hours!!  This is hard.

Now off to call USPS and file a formal complaint against our carrier for not delivering my mail and not picking it up either.  GRRRRRRRR.

A walk in the woods...

I've been taking walks in every possible direction to get my bearings and to get out of the apartment.  With no social activity this weekend, I could have easily never left.  One of the last directions I had to explore was down behind our apartment on the path past the public golf course.  I knew the Delaware and Raritan Canal was back there somewhere, dividing us from campus, so I decided to check it out.

All of this is just a few minutes from my door:

A bridge over the Canal.

Another bridge over the Canal.

The Delaware and Raritan Canal was built/dredged in the 1830s to connect the Delaware River and the Raritan River, along easier, faster travel between Philadelphia, PA and New York.  Today, most of it has been declared a state park.  It really makes me wish Brent and I had invested in some kayaks last year when we were toying with the idea...Except it would have been a pain to transport them out and we would have been too broke to move :(

Here's the first picture of me in New Jersey.  I thought maybe seeing it would make it seem more real to myself!

Proof I was there?!

The Dupree Center for Children

This last one is of the Dupree Center for Children- a daycare center for PTS and the local area that shares a building with the study lounge and computer lab on campus.  It looks as though they have a vegetable garden.  Cute!  I walked past it on my excursion.  Probably won't be needing the center, but it is good to know about.

I've been putting off studying all day since my brain has hurt since I woke up.  Not a good start to the week, but I'll manage.

Hebrew update:  I got my first D on a quiz on Friday.  I was expecting as much and am thankful it stumped me so I had one final push to turn in that pass/fail form.  I got an A- on today's quiz, so it all works out.  Word has it they are going to let us drop a couple low scores.  Here's hoping.

Blessings,

Cal

Hebrew Day 5- Finally it's Friday!

I have officially survived my first week of accelerated Hebrew.  Can I actually say anything yet?  Not really.  But I can tell you the alphabet, read a few words, and conjugate a few things.  Today's quiz was probably the worst for me so far because it referenced vocabulary from earlier in the week that had already left my brain.  Vocab is the main thing I hope to tackle this weekend.  I turned in my Pass/Fail form finally.  The difficulty of today's quiz helped solidify my decision.  I feel okay about it now. 
On one of my excursions earlier in the week, I stumbled upon Princeton's downtown and found a cupcake shop that won cupcake wars.  I decided I'd treat myself if I survived 'til Friday (today).

(not too bad for a cellphone pic)

I went the super lame route and chose the cupcake flavor that won Cupcake Wars- chocolate espresso with ganache frosting.  It was divine.  I'm not a loyal Cupcake Wars fan, but I've caught a few episodes and it is where I found Chef Chloe.  I've made several of her vegan recipes since then.
While munching on (read: inhaling) this cupcake, I glanced over and saw a German chocolate cupcake with an absurd amount of gooey coconut pecan frosting on top.  Now I know what I'm having next time.

Walking through the downtown, I decided I love this city.  It is very quaint.  Many of the shops are novel and too expensive for me to do anything past window shopping, but I'm in love.  I went into a few stores on a search for stationary.  I ended up at an eco-goods store and knew I was in the right place when I heard the soundtrack to The Life Aquatic (which is excellent btw).  This store was the real deal, if very expensive.  They also have lots of baby items.  I had to fight off the urge to buy a little piglet for my unborn (and un-conceived...no worries anyone) children. 
I chatted a bit with the store clerk.  She suggested I try an ice cream parlor around the block called The Bent Spoon...maybe if I survive next week, I'll treat myself there!  (Week 3 = the German chocolate cupcake is calling me.)

Princeton is a beautiful place.  The architecture is amazing, like Madison on steroids.  People seem very kind, not just on campus, but everywhere I've been so far.  Here are a few things I've noted:
- Cars stop for pedestrians, even if they aren't in the street.  You can be half a block away and cars will stop (at least near campus) and let you by without flicking you off or running you down.
-A lot of the restaurants sport BYOB signs.  Apparently Princeton has some pretty bizarre liquor laws that only allow so many liquor licenses, so restaurants without licenses let you bring your own.  Weird, but cool (and wallet-friendly).
-I must look as though I belong here (not sure if that is good or bad), because I've been asked for directions several times.  Either that, or it's hard to navigate the roads.  Considering my GPS led me on a 4-5 mile journey (on foot) in the wrong direction the other day, it wouldn't surprise me.

Blessings!

Hebrew Day 3

Tonight I'm nowhere near as hopeless as last night.  People keep telling me that this week is the hardest, so I have room for optimism.  I got my first two quizzes back today- an 87.5% and a 82.5%.  Normally, I'd be somewhat horrified, but I've taken the advice I've received to let go of my grades to heart (or at least really tried to).  I was actually elated with those scores.  It would be different if we weren't cramming so much into every day.  My brain can only handle so much, so I'm satisfied with my B's.  I am going to the registrar tomorrow to switch to Pass/Fail though!

I'm still adjusting to this weird transitional period I'm in.  It isn't adjusting to seminary, because this isn't really what the next 3-4 years will look like.  For one thing, Brent will eventually be here.  So will the rest of my belongings!  Not only that, but we are in temporary housing while the new apartments are being built, so I can't get too cozy here. 

Here's some snapshots of my new life:

 This is how I've been studying.  My desk is too small for all of these papers and I don't have a table right now, so I have re-purposed my yoga mat as a study mat.  No worries, I'm still using it for yoga too.  I've been doing yoga on yogaglo.com and last night there was a free, if very intense, yoga class on campus.

I only have one small pot, two small frying pans, and a pizza pan, so I have gotten very creative with my cooking.  It's very humbling.  This is how I made broccoli tonight.  The pot was being used for canned goodness, so I had to use a frying pan with the pizza pan as a lid.   

This is my room.  It may look like a real bed, but that's an inflatable mattress that is ruining my back.  I relinguished my TV tray to the plants, so everything else goes on the floor.  Notice the study materials all over the place.  I'd be ashamed if I had any time to pick them up and any place to put them.  Brent packed the Christmas lights for me half jokingly, but they actually brighten my mood.  I have them in the living room too.  I'm too lazy to hang them up and one of my favorite yoga studios has them like this on the floor.

This is what I eat!  Canned goodness with some real goodness on the side.  I'm really trying not to gain any weight because my wedding dress will not fit if I do.  However, eating is a fantastic distraction from studying.  It's a hard adjustment though.  Brent and I split cooking duties, but both of us love to cook really good and mostly healthy food.  With limited kitchen equipment, time, and resources, it's hard to come up with a convenient meal that is satisfying, nourishing, and not terrible for me.  I'm doing my best :)
My folks insisted on getting some paper plates when we went shopping.  I haven't used them in the past few years but I'm thankful for them now.  I have enough dishes to do as it is.  I promise I won't buy more, but they are giving me more time to review my Hebrew nouns and prepositions. 

I'm trying to remember how I survived the first two years of my undergrad as a single student.  First, I lived in a sorority where we had a chef and a cleaning lady.  Then, I had an awful year getting by on "free" bagels from my work study job.  Hopefully I can do better this time around.

My new mantra = This is only temporary.  (Say it over and over until it sinks in).

Hebrew Day 2

Ugh!  Tonight I'm only 1/3 with my homework but I am calling it quits.  My brain has reached capacity and I'm very tired.  I have 'til Friday to decide to take the class Pass/Fail- something I've never done before.  I have the approval of my Committee on Preparation for Ministry (CPM), the group that is overseeing my ordination process.  I really think it may be a good idea, and not just because an A seems out of reach already.  I really want to learn Hebrew, not just ace my quizzes.  In fact, I need to learn Hebrew because to become ordained in the Presbyterian (USA) church, it's a requirement.  Plus, how can I truly study the Scriptures without it?  Trust me, a lot gets lost in translation.  Right now, I feel lost in translation.
It may be a good lesson for me to take it Pass/Fail because I need to learn to let go of my grades.  It won't be easy.  My undergrad was all about doing the work to get the grade since I was so busy working.  Time to switch gears I guess.
It's a year's worth of classes in 8 weeks.  Yesterday (Day 1), we were expected to learn the characters, the vowels (which Hebrew didn't have until something along the lines of 900 years after Jesus), how to transliterate, and also several vocabulary words.  Much to my surprise, I think I did okay on the quiz today. 
Tonight is a different story.  I went to the tutoring session today, but the tutor learned Hebrew a different way and was pretty much unable to help.  She's been studying for a final and unable to attend our class the last two days, so I'm hopeful that once she's done with that she can get on the same page as our professor.  I really feel for her.  I could tell she knows her stuff and was genuinely frustrated.  So am I!
I've decided to call it quits tonight and start fresh in the morning. 
Here are some pictures I snapped around Princeton University's campus yesterday.

I readily admit I have no idea what any of those buildings are. (Take that anyone who says the seminary students all pretend they go to Princeton.)  If I were pretending, I'd at least do my homework.


This beauty below is on MY campus.  It's the inside of Miller Chapel.  At one point I really wanted to get married here (until my stepmom pointed out that nobody would come... She's mostly right!).  Just look at those pale yellow walls!  Gorgeous!