Newcastle 365: Week 3

Written by Jess Friedman
• October 5, 2014

Classes officially started on Monday, and if this week has been any indication of what the rest of this year is going to be like, then this year is going to be amazing.

We took a field trip out to Teesdale, a quiet area with lots of agriculture and geology. After I snapped this shot, one of my professors said that this is a very typical Teesdale scene.

We got to play with dirt in our Soil Management lab. It was messy and wonderful!

The student volunteering program at the uni has a group called “Guerrilla Gardening”, in which volunteers can gather to help with various gardening and agriculture related service projects in the city and surrounding areas. This week, we went to St. Margaret’s Church to help prep some grow boxes that will be used next year in a program to teach kids about growing their own food.

Monday was the first day of class. I will have many classes in this building, King George VI. While it is not the prettiest building on campus, I still think it’s beautiful in its own way. It has some gorgeous hallways that I’d love to get photos of.

Every six months, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gather to hear prophets, seers, and revelators speak on various gospel topics. For those of us who don’t live close enough to attend in person, they broadcast it live, and you can watch it online.

This is in that King George VI building. I told you it was lovely!

I had the distinct pleasure of attending a performance of Henry IV Part I at the Theatre Royal. I wish I could have taken a picture inside the amphitheatre because it was absolutely gorgeous, but the outside will have to be enough. The play was performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company, a major theatre group based out of Stratford-Upon-Avon, and it was spectacular. Easily the 2nd best thing I’ve ever seen on stage.

I took my Canon on the field trip, but when we arrived, it was really rainy, so I left it on the bus. And then I decided to invest in some rain gear for my camera so I don’t have to use my phone to take pictures when we find pretty rivers like this one.

I did have my camera on the drive there and back, and while I can’t expect that these pictures will win any awards (pictures taken through the window of a moving vehicle rarely do…), I think they do give you a little glimpse of the beauty of the countryside of Northern England. I spent the whole hour-long drive there and back thinking, “OH MY GOSH, I LOVE THIS PLACE.”

This grad school business is the best inspiration I have ever received! I feel so blessed to be here.

P.S. For those of you who are friends with me on the Book of Faces, I’m trying not to be obnoxious by posting every time I have something new on the blog. So in case you missed them, there were a few extra posts this week that you might find interesting. Or not. But if you are, you can read about my field trip to the university farms, my failed attempt to make some cookies, and the reasons behind my grad school adventures.

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Jess Friedman

Jess is a Canadian-American who’s always ready for the next adventure. She loves all things living, always has a million creative projects in progress, and polishes her nerd badge daily. She is passionate about helping families make and preserve treasured memories that strengthen bonds across generations. You can read more posts by Jess here.

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Tagged with Castles, Grad School, Newcastle, Newcastle 365, OFFPS

4 Responses

Lee Scarbrough says:

October 5, 2014 at 4:10 PM

Hey Jess! Another shout out from your PTC family back in New Mexico. We’re all SUPAH jealous of your amazing adventure at grad school, and hope you’re doing well. Sending love and all our best wishes your way! Can’t wait to see the next post 🙂

Reply
1. Jess says:
  
  October 6, 2014 at 10:59 AM
  
  Thank you, Lee! 🙂
  
  Reply
Maer Soukaros says:

October 8, 2014 at 2:03 PM

Oh wow, Jess – This is amazing!! How will you ever be able to come back to the US? It looks so gorgeous there!!

Be Safe!!

Reply
1. Jess says:
  
  May 21, 2015 at 12:42 AM
  
  It IS gorgeous! Every time I get out of the city, I just can’t believe how lucky I am to live here. (I feel lucky to live in the city, too. I’m just 100% country girl…)
  
  Reply

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