Springtime treats

Footpath in the Cotswold's village of Blocking

Lovely dinner after long day of walking with Vanessa

Precious view of farm from Dover Hill (highest point in Cotswolds)

Typical farm house in village of Chipping Camden

I admit it, I am terribly spoiled! It is so easy to not see the forest for the trees in the monotony of everyday life, but today I feel overwhelmingly THANKFUL for how the Lord, and the people he puts in my life, bless me!

This past weekend I was privledged to take a trip to an "area of outstanding natural beauty" called the Cotswolds. This quaint village landscape is covered in farms, agriculture and breathtaking estates owned by the rich and famous, artists and retirees. My friend Vanessa and I did not see an unkept garden or house, and not one was ugly. The arts and crafts style found its way to the Cotswolds with the architect William Morris, and the cottages and massive homes that result are absolutely charming. I look forward to returning with my mom and Gary when they visit in May, I am already looking forward to it!

Today the blessings did not stop. I received a package this morning from my sweet friend Kristal who I lived with for many years and is now living in Atascadero with her husband and baby Wes. I was so excited to see that she had included some of my favorite items from Trader Joes, some body butter and a teapot shaped spoon rest! What else could a girl want, really? Thank you, Kristal! Those who know her, give her a big hug for me!

I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3

Thankful for Girlfriends

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you." John 15: 7

God is so faithful to answer prayers. After leaving the amazing fellowship in SLO after Christmas, I began to really miss the wonderful women that God has been so faithful to surround me by for the past few years. Women like Kristal Thomas, Katie Hill, Jen Lind, Jaime Lien, Leah Prendez, Melissa Trowbridge, Steph Chroman, Sherry, Wendy, the list goes on an on! I have grown up mentally, physically, and spiritually with these women. I realize now how special it was and is to share our lives and our walks with Jesus. I cherish the times we had through Cal Poly and working, through hards times and celebrations.

When February came around, I began to ache for Christian girl friendships. Humbled, I prayed for true friends. Now a little over a month later, I can say that God is faithful once again to hear my cries, in little and big things. The following lovely ladies have been a blessing to me, and I'm praying God would help me to more and more be a blessing to them and those I meet in Cambridge. What a great God he is to know exactly what we need!

My new friend Eloise (from South Africa) on our way to Notting Hill Market on Portebello St in London. :) She invited me for the day in London and a visit to Hillsong church for an encouraging time of worship.

Tower Bridge in London (photo taken by South African new girlfriends I shared a sunny day in London with.)

Elizabeth (US), Kat (UK), Vanessa (S. Africa), me and Ruth (Irish) at Hughes Hall Boat Club Black Tie. I met all these ladies at the Christian Graduate Society bible study.

Nicki and I enjoying a coffee date before classes. (God answered our prayer from last term for her to get a nursing job here - yea!)

Hastings (from Florida) and I at Bella Italia on student night. I cherish friends who like to look for ways to enjoy life here on a budget.

Presenting a Business Case

Of the many things I have been learning here in Cambridge, the business courses has been the most unexpected and fun undertakings. Honestly, I don't really like to talk about money, maybe because I associate it with greed or strife. However, learning more about finance and markets in conjuction with current events and governmental policy has been fascinating and challenging.

As a conclusion of the MBA aspect of our course, called Management of Innovation and Technology (MoTI) taught in the Judge Business School, we presented a business case to a few members of a large multinational consultancy firm called Scott Wilson Group headquartered in London. It was a good opportunity to work with industry and I was nervous today as we presented our findings. We felt good about our 6 weeks of hard work researching and playing with business models. Now I have two more weeks of term left and a billion things to do but trying to soak up as much as I can!

Here's a photo of our international group (Left to Right: Hanan Azeem from Pakistan, Kat from Cyprus, me, and Jay from Sri Lanka):