More from Lisi

Denise and Lisi just arrived in the Netherlands. Here is the ditty she wrote about her interview:
LE INTERVIEW!
I was very, very nervous the morning of, so to calm my nerves, I listened to some Fratellis and then Lily Allen while dancing around madly to get in the English spirit! Denise and I headed to Queens’ College in the icy midday weather. Once we arrived at the office for Queens’ (which, ironically, is the smallest and least-imposing of all the Colleges of Cambridge – of course I pick the one college that looks like it could have been Anne Boleyn’s summer cottage), I met a nice English girl and we headed up to the group meeting room, but not until Denise could snap a photo of me all dolled up. In the group room, I chatted a bit with some very nice kids: one girl from Pakistan, one from another part of England, and a guy originally from New York but living in Denmark. He was actually sort of a creeper. Oh well.
So, at about 2:50, all four of us headed up to the top floor of the Cripps building, which houses the classrooms for the college, to take a written test. About ten or twelve of us were there in total, with only two guys out of the lot, which amused us all. Before the proctor arrived, we all chatted a little and the other interviewees, once they found out I was from California, asked me if I was jet-lagged, et cetera.
Once the proctor arrived, we took our written exam, a nice little essay about a 17th-century poem, ‘The Mower’s Song’, which I tried to spice up with lots of punchy adjectives and the like. After we finished the essay, I bolted out of the building and literally ran (or as much as I could in the world’s most painful flats. Aren’t flats supposed to be comfortable?) to the Fisher Building, where my interview was scheduled.
I was a little shaky with nervousness before they called me in, and the professor who opened the door offered his hand to me, which I of course, in my idiocy, took as a sign that he wanted to see my confirmation paper. He of course jovially replied “Well, I was going to shake your hand.” Ah, I knew I couldn’t get through the interview without making an ass of myself at least once, so that was out of the way.
The two kind professors (both men, one around 50ish and the other late 30s) proceeded to jump right in to the questions, asking me the literature I was familiar with and then the poetry. Our subjects began with the Beats, ranged to Whitman, Steinbeck, segued to Shakespeare, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and then to a poem entitled “Break, break, break”, which we explicated in depth. Then, it was all over! They seemed pleased with my answers – and I felt absolutely overjoyed with the in-depth, intellectual, free-flowing conversation I’d just had. Because that’s what it felt like – a conversation. Good times.

Mind boggling

Remember the story of the kid, Alex, who lost his father in the train crash? Their house caught on fire this morning. They all got out and, although they had some smoke inhalation, they will be fine. The garage and all that was in it, is totaled, but the rest of the house survived with smoke damage. They can't get back in for a while, so they are going to be living at another Band family's house.
I am trying to coordinate how people can help. Some are making meals, some are donating gift cards to clothing stores. I am putting together a toiletries package.
One thing I am certain of: We don't have a band aid big enough for the real damage.

Lisi in London

ok, so she's not really in London, but it sounded so phonetically phun!
Our celebrity blogger of the day is Lisi:

Mommy! Hi! Everything is going amazing – the flight was great and smooth, but a little bumpy on landing. We got driven from the airport in a wonderful and spacious mini-limo-like-car and got to see the wonderful English countryside! It’s SO beautiful, and Denise and I were trying to decide what it looks like most – it’s a combination of Vancouver, Olympia, and the drive between Portland and Eugene. Except there are much cooler road signs! And the roundabouts are really fun – we need some of those in the US. We got to the hotel, and Cambridge is WAY cooler than I could have imagined! It’s such a big city – it’s way bigger than I thought, there are tons, TONS, of shops, bars, coffee places, restaurants, and stores. We walked around the corner and down the block from the hotel in the freezing (and I mean, literally near freezing, around 40 degrees) cold and had a very early but 2-hour dinner at Zizzi’s. We had DELICIOUS food – this garlic bread with cheese and balsamic caramelized onions, and then D had a seafood risotto and I had a delicious olive-oil soaked pizza margherita. Then we finished it off with a chocolate mousse cake… perfect! We’re in the hotel now and are going to hopefully watch a movie. Tomorrow, we head out to explore the city and check out the museums, then try and find the infamous River Cam! You would love it so much – at dinner we were lamenting the fact that you aren’t here. We miss you already and we’ll keep you updated. Check your Facebook just in case. I love you so, so much and I’ll take loads of pictures. <3 Love, ABB!

My little Lisi

OK, so she's about 6' tall. And fierce! Tomorrow she leaves with Denise for England to interview at Cambridge. Good luck (I think!)...