We had our first dinner at Caius (pronounced: 'keys'.... something about medieval latin spellings) College, tonight, with a group that is here from the University of New Hampshire on the summer program.  It was nice to sit at the 'grownup table' also known as high table, looking down upon the 'mere' undergraduates who are attending the program.  My only complaint was that I had to be dressed up to sit at the table while the undergrads were more comfortably dressed in shorts and T-shirts.  Sometimes, I appreciate dressing to match an occasion, but other times like today (it was raining steadily all day) I wouldn't mind being a little less formal. 

When asked by visitors, 'what should I see?'  I begin to realise that I am no longer so much a tourist, but a tour guide who can either be accurate or spin tales on the fly about this building or that tree.  Yes, I've seen the tower in which Lord Byron (you know, the famous poet) kept his pet bear.  Or that little tree is a descendant of Newton's apple tree.  THE Newton.  I have grown used to the sights of the old buildings and quaint little bridges, but I don't think I will ever become jaded or take them for granted.  I am continuously discovering new little details, or re-discovering the odd thing that I noticed once and forgot about.  I did that today, in the library - the entrance hall has a magnificent ceiling (wood panelling, painted with some pattern, etc.) that I can't describe very well.  My point is that it's pretty special and I remember that I noticed it on my first visit to the University Library back in September, but had forgotten about it on my subsequent trips.  I was probably lost in thought most of the time.  Yesterday, I just happened to catch a glimpse of it at a different angle and had a new appreciation of it.  I would like to believe more people who use the library have noticed these subtle details in the library, but I wouldn't count on it.

Usually, when people ask me what colleges they should see, I try to give them little things to look for, because, let's face it: they're going to visit the really famous colleges anyway.  If I can help them see something sort of cool, like a secret passageway or one of the cool little gardens that are hidden from the public, at least I had a hand in that.  I also try to steer people towards the things they wouldn't necessarily think of seeing, such as seeing the sunset from Castle Hill, or the sweets vendor at the market (lots and lots of sweets, anything you could possibly dream of there).  All right, I try to get them to visit some of the libraries and book shops too.  Because that's what I'd want to do when exploring a new city.  I have just come to the realisation that I don't buy the typical types of souveniers like T-shirts or paperweights or keyrings.  I buy books.  I have ever since my very first trip abroad (Spain, bought a Lorca play).  I don't really need another paperweight - I use rocks or mugs of tea for those things.  I do have a slightly disturbing crush on the Morgan Library (NYC, Madison and 36th), but I've come to realise that I love books.  Which makes sense that I voluntarily go to the library and currently have membership at four different libraries in this country (three are in Cambridge) alone.  But I digress.  I am beginning to feel a bit more like a local and though I haven't seen some of the more touristy things, I can at least show people around and give them interesting tidbbits.  And it's free.  I normally refuse to do anything I have to pay admission to see.

I started training on the track a few weeks ago, as I am planning to compete in the 100 meter dash at an athletics competition (we call it a track meet in the U.S.) in Italy, in September.  I haven't competed in well over a decade but am hopeful that I will be able to run fast(ish) because I truly believe that I am stronger and in better shape than I was at 19 years old.  Back then, I relied heavily on my youthful spring.  Now, I have a lot of racing experience and common sense on my side.  I will be the first to admit that the Italy component has been a large motivating influence for my training.  At the same time, it will be interesting to see what I can do as a slightly older (and wiser?) athlete.  I'm slowly getting back in shape and seeing improvements in how I do everything from my warmup, my running form, and the drills I so dreaded when I was in college.  On Monday, I did a workout that my college self probably would have balked at for its sheer volume (6x100meters, at 95-100% intensity), and it felt pretty good to get on the track and to get it done.  What surprised me most was that I was a lot more consistent across all six repeats (that's what they're called) than I thought I would be.  I never would have been able to do that back then.  I would have given everything in my first two repeats, probably died a bit on the next two, slacked off on the fifth, and then had a miraculous comeback on the last one.  I think my thirtysomething self is going to kick my 19-year-old self's butt.