BBQ, Bletchley Park

If anyone mentions a summer BBQ, images of grilled hot dogs and hamburgers with people playing football and frisbee come to mind.
The only thing that was consistent in a summer BBQ in Cambridge were the grilled hot dogs and hamburgers.
At around 6pm with around 40 people eating their grilled dishes in the park, the heaviest rain to ever come down in Cambridge summer history poured down on us. I felt as if I was experiencing a rainstorm in Costa Rica. Tents were flown around, people were running, hail managed to intermittently fall form the sky, clothes were drenched in seconds, and complete chaos. This was the craziest rainstorm experience I have ever had. This cold and wet experience made my Shin ramyun and quesadilla taste amazing. Followed the delicious meal with some green tea and the movie I am Legend. My point is that I will never forget my first English summer BBQ.

Today I went with some classmates and my professor to Bletchley Park, the place where German codes were deciphered during World War 1. This is where the founders of the CIA learned their craft and served apprenticeships before transferring their skills to the Unites States' secret intelligence agencies. I also managed to visit an American war cemetary, and learned that there are numerous vast American war cemeteries across mainland Europe. In addition, many of the aerial attacks on Germany began from air sites surrounding Cambridge. Since the secret intelligence community recruits actively from the University of Cambridge, there is a lot to learn from the faculty here. Something interesting I noticed about the Anglo-American relationship is that the British perceive Americans as sort of like the little brother who surpassed the older brother (Great Britain) only with the help and guidance of the older brother. There's no resentment or jealousy; however, it seems as if the British are proud of how their little brother has grown.

I definitely miss the peace of my home and just lying on my belly to read a book. Friends, family, Henry (my dog), and of course Inn-n-Out. It's going to be pretty surreal when I head back home in a month. People will be driving on the right side again, rodes will be wider, sidewalks won't be tripping hazards (the sidewalks here are cobblestone, so it's hectic), and everything will be half-price! This coming school year will be my last full year of my undergraduate career spent at UCLA (If everything goes to plan, I'll be at UCLA for the last quarter of my 4th year). Only two years have passed since graduating high school, yet it feels as if high school was another lifetime ago. Go Bruins!
Cheers