Summer Term at LSE is akin to a stretched out reading period at Princeton.  Or maybe a compressed senior year with all its stress and uncertainty, but minus the support system I had then.  I think my idols and main temptations have changed, but I caught myself veering into familiar dangerous territory this week - jealousy, indulging in what-ifs, a ( Read more... )

Nothing like sitting next to a soldier to make you realize that your paper on the use of force is utterly devoid of practicality.  I felt almost embarrassed to be working on it on the Tube.

I had nightmares the last two days that the Caps were going to lose Game 3 and 4.  When I awoke this morning, it was with an increasing sense of dread that I debated whether to immediately jump over Jean's slumbering body on the floor and check the score online - or to lie in bed, perpetuating the misery.  I chose misery, because I thought that in ( Read more... )

Sometimes I feel like I'm living in Minas Tirith - a beautiful city of white stone, seat to a former empire with relics proclaiming past glory.

Other times, my heart is in a very different imperial city (neoclassical to declare itself as history's heir).  I wish I could see the cherry blossoms, sink my teeth into a Five Guys burger, and cheer on the ( Read more... )

Apparently that's what our IR of the Middle East prof calls Istanbul haha.  I still haven't really put words together to describe that trip.  I'm not skilled with words, so my words can't do such a wonderful city justice.  As soon as I pen something down, my thoughts sound silly and rather inane.  And I revise.  Perhaps this is why I'm starting to ( Read more... )

At All Souls today, the band led "Saviour King" for the first time. It brought me back to Senior Takeover, when we tried that song at Manna for the first time. So many things have changed since then, but the tension and release still elicits an emotional response.

"Music is the echo of the glory and beauty of heaven. And in echoing that glory and ( Read more... )

Dear Washington Capitals,

I know this separation has not been easy for both of us, but I really need you to step it up.  I thought we came to an understanding after the emotional devastation that was last year's playoffs.  The transatlantic distance does not lessen the pain of these losses.  No more shutouts, please.  PLEASE.

From London with

Attending a school with connections to dictators makes for some entertaining backtracking.

I'm still intrigued by the concept of a nation and how people choose to incorporate it as part of their identity.  At LSE, we all get so defensive about our nations haha.
Somewhat related- I need to learn this song.

I had never given much thought to the role of tradition in higher education.  The differences I immediately noticed here were the diffuse geographic ties (both in student nationalities and London residences), the cramped nature of city life, and the comparative lack of resources.  That last discovery was sadly hammered home a couple weeks ago when ( Read more... )

Not-so original thoughts ( Read more... )