6/20 - A more colorful post

What I did:

I woke up and got ready to go play some touch rugby. Matt plays with a group of guys every week, and invited me to go play today. So, Matt, Jack, and I headed off to a park overlooking the city. Guys (and 1 girl) steadily trickled in for a while and by the time everyone was there I think there were a little over 20 of us. It rained a little at first, but it cleared up right in time to start playing.

We split up into 4 teams and had two games going on at a time. There were about 5 people per team. The rules had been explained to me, but jumping in took a little time to get the hang of. Nevertheless, my team won almost all of our games (probably more by luck than anything), and I had a great time. It was good to get out and run some and meet a lot of people doing it. We played for a couple of hours and at the end even tried a bit of touch American football. After we were all completely worn out we headed back.

We made some lunch and watched some telly for a while. Then Matt looked up what was going on around town and found that a gay pride festival was going on. We finally decided to go (Matt wanted to get some pictures, he’s a photographer). It was pretty interesting. They had some live music going on a stage facing a very large open lawn area. There were lots of booths set up on one side and around the back. A fair number of people were there just walking around or listening to the music. We walked around some (the band was terrible) and checked out what was going on. We wondered before going if people would know right away we were straight, and what it would mean if anyone hit on us, but not much happened. One guy greeted us, but that was about it.

We stayed just a little while then left to go back to Matt’s. Then, Matt and I took George (his dog) for a walk in a different nearby park. We saw a live cricket game going on in the park and watched a little of it, then found some sticks to throw to George. After a good bit of that, we went back and saw that a new cricket game had started. We watched some more of it then headed back for some dinner, Bear Grylls, and a nice movie (Reign Over Me) and time to chill the rest of the night.

What I learned:

Mayonnaise can freeze. Maybe?

Gay pride celebrations seem to kind of go against any attempt to bring an understanding of diversity to the city. They just reinforce stereotypes of others and really only attract the gay community (although I can’t say that too completely because we were there). I just don’t really know if they serve a purpose. (I have to attribute most of this thought to Jack, but I found it very well founded)

A lot about rugby – no passing forward (I got caught), have to keep the right distance back when playing defense, it is very tiring, cleats (proper boots) are helpful on wet, slick grass.

Man vs Wild is called Born Survivor over here.

The truest meaning of being “knackered.”

6/19 - My trip continues to transform

What I did:

I woke up to go back to Cliff with Matt this morning. I still hadn’t heard back from the guy I was planning on meeting, but I at least wanted to be there. I stayed in my room for a while and got some things sorted out. The people at the Sheffield Center gave me a few names and emails to contact, so I did that. Eventually, I went down and grabbed some lunch and I talked to a guy that was there for some kind of post graduate seminar.

I went back and read some and waited to hear from the guy I was going to meet with, but never did. I did meet a guy from Georgia who is studying there and he was very friendly. Finally, I packed some more clothes up and went down to see Matt. I will be staying with him all weekend and we have lots of great stuff planned.

We drove back (and on the way saw a lady that wrecked her Mini in a ditch), finished up an episode of 24 (only the 2nd episode I have ever seen), and had some dinner. Then, Matt, Jack, and I all went down to the cinema to watch Transformers 2. That’s right America, and that’s why the UK is better! Haha.

It was a really good film and was shown in a massive theater. It finished pretty late, so we headed straight back and went to bed.

What I learned:

What happens to Optimus Prime. But I won’t spoil it for you.

There is a mechanic in the credits of the movie called Thomas Littlefield.

Cliff College tests the fire alarms every now and then.

6/18 - The heart of the city

What I did:

I woke up to George, Matt and Rachel’s Jack Russell Terrier, jumping into my bed. But it was a pleasant surprise. I grabbed some breakfast and killed a little time before I had to head into town. I was meeting some people at the Sheffield Center at 10:30. So I got on a bus and headed into town and actually found it very easily. The Sheffield Center is a part of the Church Army and does research on different emerging/fresh expression/mission-shaped churches all around the country.

I walked in and talked with two of the people on their 7 member team. And they were all very nice and it was very interesting to interview people that are not on the practicing side of things as much as they are on the research side of things. After a very lengthy and lively chat, it was lunchtime and I was invited to share lunch with them. Everyone ate together in a cafeteria, which was very nice. I stayed a little while longer leafing through some of the Sheffield Center’s publications, which I am interested to read through more thoroughly.

Then I headed out. I met a little cat on my way to town. I had most the rest of the afternoon free, so I decided I would try to get a better feel of the city. So I just wandered around. It was actually really helpful, and I wish I would have done that before I had to make my way to the train station the other day. Sheffield is a really nice city and I had no problem spending a couple of hours walking around.

I eventually made my way back to Matt’s house and just read some until everyone got back. It got to be dinner time, so we decided to go check out a Turkish restaurant. But before that, Matt’s friend Jack called up and said he was in town. So, we went and picked him up and all had a delicious dinner together. Then we came back and tried to decide what to do for the rest of the evening. Eventually we decided to go to the pub and check out the pub quiz that was on tonight. After we got there we realized how tired we all were and how terrible we would all be at the quiz, so we just went back to Matt’s and watched through all of RocknRolla.

What I learned:

Some of the basics of rugby.

Turkish food is very good.

Where the free public restrooms in the center of Sheffield are. (It took me a while though)

I said, thought, and heard the phrase “When in Rome…” three times today. That doesn’t really sound like a lot, but since it usually comes up 0 times, and since I am not in Rome, it was kind of funny.

I don't really think the heart of the city of Sheffield can be found in the center of town (at least not solely).

6/17 - You Gotta Have Friends

What I did:

I woke up expecting today to be a pretty boring, uneventful day. I didn’t really have much planned. It kind of started out that way since I was very tired after waking up. But, it started to pick up as I had a chance to meet with another professor here at Cliff. It was a good meeting, although short, and we are set to meet again on Friday. But, he took me back to the American guy I met yesterday and we talked some more about the church he is involved in. It was great and he gave me a book that explains more about it from the library. I got an account there at the library, which is small, but may be useful in the weeks to come. I also made plans to go back with Matt (the guy I talked with) to his home in Sheffield to hang out some.

So, I went back to my room and killed some time before lunch. At lunch, there were only at most 7 people in the cafeteria, so I sat with some guys who I found out were MA students there and talked with them a bit. It was nice to meet them, but we soon finished and I went back to my room to get ready to go.

I left with Matt and headed to Sheffield. He is a great guy and we had a wonderful afternoon and evening together. We stayed at his house a little while, then went and played some pool, which he embarrassingly schooled me in. (But I guess you are supposed to let your host win, right?). Then we came back and watched a bit of a movie called RocknRolla (like Snatch if that means anything to you). His wife got home and we stayed around for a little while and had a nice dinner. Then, she was having some of the youth girls from their church over to cook some for a family that has a kid in the hospital. So we went out and met a friend of Matt’s at a pub. It was really nice, especially compared to my last experience. It was just really good to be around people, friends, and really just spend time together, do life together. We did talk about church some, but it wasn’t expected as in almost all of my other contact with people. It came up more organically than being forced or planned.


So, I am now unexpectedly, but gratefully spending the night at his house. It also works out really well, because I would have to have come into town tomorrow to meet with some people anyway. So now I can for sure make it on time and not have to worry about anything. Hopefully I will be spending some more good time with Matt again tomorrow.

What I learned:

What “caving” is.

A decent idea of where I need to go tomorrow.

A lot about Matt’s neighborhood and Sheffield in general. Which I found amazing and really cool that he has really been a part of the city where he lives and actually knows it. It makes sense to me and worries me that it is somewhat of a novelty (more people should have the same knowledge of their own towns/cities in my opinion, which includes me).

Some of this includes that Sheffield is built on 7 hills (like Rome?). Sheffield is very multicultural, and has several good Thai and Turkish restaurants. A famous boxer used to have a training facility very close to where I am now, but has since sold it (and found his knew residence in jail).

Chinese people carry their dogs by their hind legs among many other peculiar treatments of their pets.

6/16 - Where do I go? What do I do? A Journey Through Sheffield

What I did:

I woke up and made it in time for breakfast. I came back and got ready for the day. I knew I had a meeting with one of the tutors (similar to a professor?, I don’t really know the difference) here at 10, but I did not know where to go. So I found out and met with him. It was a good meeting. He tends to think much more critically about the emerging church scene than the people actually in it, and had some refreshing perspectives on how it may not be the best thing to happen. He wasn’t completely pessimistic, but did have some pretty serious and set opinions on emerging churches and trends in church in England in general. I was very glad to have met with him. I wandered around a little, then went back to my room.

While I was typing up our conversation, I heard a knock on the door, and it was a guy who works here at the college. He was American too! And he was really nice in saying I could come hang out with him some when I have too much free time. It was good to finally meet someone that isn’t specifically linked to my research in some way. I hope to spend more time with him.

Then, it was about time for me to scarf down some lunch and head off to the bus stop to try to make my way back to Stockport. I was going to meet with Lou again, the leader of c3. So, I missed the first bus I could have taken (of course, what day would be complete without me messing up at some point with the public transportation), but I caught the next one and made it into Sheffield where I was going to catch my train. I realized as soon as we got into the city that I did not know where to get off at. So, I just got off at a random spot (someone else got off there and it was a place where there were a lot of other bus stops, so I figured it was a good bet). Then I had to find the rail station. It took me a while and I was almost jogging through the city, but I finally got there (again, thanks to maps at bus stops) and actually got on the train that I needed just a few minutes before it left. Perfect timing. So, I made it to Stockport and found Lou.

We tried to go to a Christian coffee shop she knows, but on the way realized it would be closed when we got there, so we found another coffee place and had a great chat. I don’t know which part of this project I like better, the observations or the interviewing. I learn so much in each one and find each very meaningful. We finished our tea and then headed to her house. She and her husband were going to a photography exhibit later that evening, and I had nothing to do the rest of the day. So, we hung out a little. And I found another Firefly fan! Of all the things we talked about and that I now know about her, that will probably be the most memorable thing. Haha.

She invited me to go to the exhibit, and I really wanted to, but after checking train/bus times realized I would not be able to and make it back on time. That was probably the first time I have really felt sad/disappointed while being over here. But, that’s how things go, and I just look forward to what comes next. So, she took me back to the rail station and I am very grateful for that whole time.

I got on a train and headed back to Sheffield. Now, this part gets a little interesting and is probably even rated a little closer to PG-13, just fyi. So, I got out of the station and saw one of the coolest water fountain displays I have seen (although it may not come across in the photo since it was big and a lot of it had to do with the sound too, but that whole silver thing in the back had water running down it). Then I decided to find some dinner and hopefully a bus that would take me back. I had no clue where to go, so I figured I would start by back tracking where I went earlier. Not a minute after I set out a lady approached me. I figured she was going to ask for money, so I prepared myself to say no, but was thrown off immediately by her conversation style. Usually it is either straight to asking for money or setting up a dramatic problem that is heartwrenching. Instead, she complemented me on my eyes and teeth. Then she said I could have her for just a little amount of money. It hit me that she was no mere beggar. She proceeded to ask me if I was gay and then offered a freebie. As nice as I could I kept refusing her saying that I really did not want to. She followed me a little bit, but eventually left. Ironically, that was the worst part. After she left I couldn’t help but feel that there was something else I could have done for her besides brush her off, some different way I could have handled that. I realize that the phrase is now corny and cliché, but I just really felt like that was not what Jesus would have done. But what could I have done? What would He have done? That really haunted/haunts me for the rest of the day. I was just so startled when I realized what she wanted I didn’t know what to do. I know that by the time it happens again, though, I will be better prepared to deal with it in a Christ-like way.

Well, that kind of set a different tone for the rest of my night (not to mention the rest of this post), but I eventually found a stop and made it back. Time for a peaceful evening/night.

What I learned:

Sheffield is a more confusing city than I thought it would be (in more ways than one).

The confidence needed to really flag down a bus.

All the undergraduates are away right now on mission for the week. So that is why the campus is so empty and quiet. But they will be back next week.

I really wander what all this travel would have been like before internet/cell phone/etc. I have relied so heavily on it in all my public transportation dealings and have still had some problems. And I know that the solution to not getting lost is right in my pocket on the other end of a phone somewhere. Is public transportation so much faster and used morebecause of the rise in technology? Or has it just gotten easier and easier to use it? I would like to go back in time and experience it then.

All the best shots for beautiful photos come while I am riding in a train or bus and unable to take them. It is both really frustrating and really beautiful at the same time.

6/15 - Funny the way it is

What I did:

I woke up and packed up and got ready to leave Stockport. I checked out at about 11, and figured I would have some time before I needed to get to the train station. But since I had all my bags, I just went straight there. I wound up getting a train much earlier than I thought I would. So, that meant I got to the town I needed to switch to a bus much earlier too. I knew the bus I needed came around every 2 hours, and I was expecting to wait until 2 to get a bus. When I got to the stop, I was just in time to see the earlier one I could take come up and leave. But, it was a nice place to wait so I waited a couple hours at the bus stop.

I made some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches before I left the hotel with some of the stuff I bought yesterday and some packages of jam that I swiped from the breakfast spread at the hotel. So, I ate those and they were really good. Maybe it was just what I wanted to eat, or maybe I was proud of my resourcefulness, but I definitely enjoyed them. Other than that I sat for a long time and listened to peoples’ conversations at the stop. I decided to take this route because it would take me through the Peak District and I could see all the county side, which I have heard is very beautiful. I have kind of given up on the old adage, “Time is of the essence,” and have just enjoyed this country. Plus, I had no deadline to get there.

My bus finally came, and I got on. The driver was nice and I could tell I wouldn’t have any trouble getting there, even though I didn’t really know where to get off. It was a pretty empty bus, but at one of the next few stops a man got on. He was pretty old and lively and talked to the driver some as he got on and the only other passenger a little (who was sitting across the aisle from me). Sure enough, he asked me a question. But between his accent and mumbling and general old person inability to be understood (not that I don’t think I have similar problems in talking) plus the roar of the bus I could not make out what he was saying at all. I asked him to repeat himself five times and he did and I finally made a guess at what he was asking and showed him the book I was reading. After that, he started talking about a church in his town and a lot of stuff. I really didn’t understand any of it. I think most of it was history of the surrounding towns or significant things that happened there. Every now and then he would point out the window and I would follow or would say a phrase I could pick out and I would repeat it, but the girl next to me must have known what was happening. I tried to listen, and to look like I was listening, but it just wasn’t happening. At one point I think he either said “A stitch in time saves nine” or “where’s the beef?” Either way, I figured he was giving me some solid advice and I was as careful as I could be to heed his wisdom.

Anyway, he finally got off, and I finally got off. I walked just a little bit to Cliff College and easily made it to reception (although it was on a little hill, so I was out of breath when I got there). I met the lady I had been corresponding with about my stay and then got shown to my room. Everyone I met in the short time I have been here (those two people) have been very nice. I am in a room in the guest area, and the only one on the floor right now. There will probably be people coming and going while I am here, but for now it is just me.

I got unpacked, which was the first time I really took most of my stuff out of my bag. I tend to just live right out of the bag, but I figured it would be nicer to unload here. I was really tired and laid down. I dozed off some, but got up at 5:30 to go get dinner. I looked in the cafeteria area and no one else was there, and it looked like they were still kind of setting up, so I walked back and spent some time in my room. I decided to go back a 6:30. When I went back this time, I think the door was locked, but a kid came out and unlocked it just as I got there. All the food had been put up and the dishes were being washed and the few people there were getting a last coffee. I guess I have a pretty small window for meals. Haha. But I picked up a flyer that has some times on it for meals. Maybe I’ll make it next time.

I went back to my room and ate some of the food I had bought yesterday or had saved from the past week. It was nice and I just relaxed the rest of the day. Another busy one tomorrow, but at least my shoulders will finally get some much need rest.

What I learned:

My debit card won’t work with some card readers (like the one at the rail station I went to today) because it doesn’t have some sort of chip. I don’t know what that means, but the guy who told me did.

Language barriers exist outside of foreign language differences.

Veronica, the receptionist here, is very helpful and willing to set up some meetings for me and be a communicator between me and the faculty here, which has already been amazing.

The Peak District is really beautiful. It is hilly and rural. But that also means that the college is on a big hill, and that hill goes all the way up to my room and beyond.

Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog completely surpassed all my expectations. And further deepened my respect and love of Joss Whedon.

I just realized that here in England was where Methodism started to split from the Anglican Church, but it is also where it is now coming back together with it in different covenants and initiatives like Fresh Expressions. Interesting.

Apparently, shark fins are a high grossing delicacy in some countries, leading commercial fisherman to highly value shark fins and do anything they can to get them. But, other people have found a much more humane way to profit off the sharks – tourism. You’ve got to love when the only way people will drift toward the humane option is when it is driven by a higher dollar amount.

6/14 - Taking stock(port)

What I did:

I woke up and got some nice hotel breakfast. I will say the toaster here is really good though – some of the best toast I have had. Then I got ready to go visit c3Stockport. I had a general idea of where they met, so I headed that way. I walked for a while I didn’t see anything and I almost turned back. I decided to go just a little farther and way back in a little building I saw a sign with their logo. I walked in a little late, but they had not started yet. They were actually waiting on someone to get back with milk for the tea. But I agreed that that was worth waiting for.

I met Louise, the leader of c3 (at least one of the leaders, and the one most in charge). She introduced me to several other members that were there. We all talked for a while until the tea and coffee was ready. My conversations always go straight to people’s opinions of church, which I understand why and I am grateful, but it is starting to get old. I may never want to talk about church after this. But they were great people and I enjoyed all the time I spent with them.

Anyway, we started with some prayer, then we had some singing, and a couple of activities to help everyone get to know each other better. Then we had a discussion about loving our neighbor. I know that sounds pretty broad, but it was a really good guided discussion about selfishness and how to follow Jesus’ example of loving others (at least as best as we can). We prayed for each other, then got ready to eat lunch. It was kind of potluck style, and we all just dug in and sat around a common table and ate. There was lots of lively talk, especially because there were several children there, one who was old enough and bold enough to ask some funny (to the rest of us) questions. Then things moved to telling me more about c3, which was nice. I learned that they also do a lot during the week with some creative groups that reach out to the community.

Finally, we had a promise auction. This was really cool. We all promised to do something by writing it down, then each favor was auctioned off and the money is going to be sent to a needy cause. I did not bid on anything since I only had 6 pounds in cash, but I did promise an encouraging email every Monday for 2 months. I really hope I don’t forget. All in all, I spent over 3 hours with them, and enjoyed every minute. I also set up another meeting with Louise later this week to talk more in depth about what c3 is doing.

Then I walked back to my hotel noticing just how beautiful the day was. I wrote up all my observations and made sure I had plans in place for tomorrow. I came back and rested in my room for a while. Then I decided I would go find the train station before I had a very heavy bag on my back to make sure I knew where to go. I also stopped and picked up some groceries. I had to hold myself back because there was a lot that looked good, but I knew I would have to either eat or carry whatever I got by tomorrow. I headed back and tried a new route, but hit a couple of dead ends and finally just went back to my room. I made some Pot Noodles (which sounded like a good idea at first) and watched the England cricket game. It was actually really close and exciting.

I stayed in my room the rest of the night watching some tv. I also tried my hand at a little sketching:

Time to get ready to make another quick move. I will be moving to Cliff College tomorrow, and I am actually very excited about it.

What I learned:

Pot Noodles (like our Cup Noodles/Ramen) only get worse the longer you eat them. I don’t know why I actually thought they would be good for dinner.

I did not learn what c3 stands for. That will be my first question to Louise later.

Stockport:Manchester::McKinney:Dallas (In size/geographical distance) for those of you who remember studying these terrible word equations for whatever silly standardized test they were for.

What a “one-off” is (I think that is what was being said).

Exactly where I need to go tomorrow morning. No more wandering around Stockport with a heavy bag.

This hotel room has a lot of contrasting patterns in the upholstery and wallpaper and all that.

*I admit the title of this post doesn't make a whole lot of sense and is even a little cheesy for me. Oh well.