Happy Thursday!

Thursdays aren't half as happy without my Eastern crew, but don't dismay, we shall reinstate them next semester. This week has been mainly reading and paper writing. My tutor assigned me "Frankenstein" to read for my Jane Austen class, since it is the quintessential romantic novel and my next assignment is "Was Jane Austen a romantic?" I just finished "Frankenstein" today, and I did not enjoy the novel at all. It didnt help that towards the final chapters it got dark outside and we had our first real thunderstorm since being here. How appropriate. The other day I went for a walk in Port Meadows at sunset. It was gorgeous, and a full moon was rising over Oxford at the same time. There were a lot of people there, and just as many cows and horses. I'm so glad I live near that place! Well, Amanda and I are off to the Union for a debate on the US Presidential Election, lets hope we can get in, these things usually fill up fast!

Chatsworth

On Saturday I devoted the entire day to writing my second Jane Austen paper, and yet somehow I only got halfway through. It poured all day, so I had a good reason not to leave the house, but apparently it wasn’t a good enough reason to finish my paper. Amanda and I watched “Sense and Sensibility,” so that should count for something right? Had to get up early this morning for the Chatsworth trip. Chatsworth was definitely my favorite thing we’ve done here so far. You can check the website out at www.chatsworth-house.co.uk. It’s an old estate, belonging to the 11th Duke of Devonshire. They’re actually using the outside of the house as Pemberley in the new version of Pride and Prejudice. Which I am not happy about. The old P & P wasn’t made that long ago and ready does an amazing job of sticking to the novel, why on earth do they need to make a new one? Anyway, I was surprised that I didn’t find the inside of the house half as interesting as the outside. There was huge gardens, shrubberies, a shrubbery maze, fountains, waterfalls, ponds, etc. Unfortunately, my camera batteries died halfway through, so I wasn’t able to capture everything. I guess I’ll just have to go back someday. And a thousand apologies for not including more people in my pictures, but I kept losing everybody. There were so many different paths to take and places to go, which isn’t too surprising since back in the day the only thing ladies did while at home was take walks. And judging from my Austen books, they hardly lasted half a mile without becoming tired and having to lean on some poor guys arm. I’m currently in the middle of Mansfield Park, and all the ladies in that novel take lots of walks. And surprisingly they also consider horseback riding exercise. Aside from getting on and off the horse I really don’t see any other physical strain involved in that sport that it would need to be called exercise. Well I’m exhausted, and off to bed to dream of being mistress of something like Chatsworth.

London, pancakes and Jori

Finally, I'm busy enough that I have work I have to do rather than just reading ahead for fun. All of my friends know I prefer being busy to being bored, so I'm finally finding my niche here. Yesterday I went to London to visit Jori (all by myself I might add). That is, getting on the bus, and figuring out the tube all on my own. Ow, ow independent woman here!! So anyway, it was really good to see a familiar face from home. (For those of you who don't know Jori is my best friend from high school. She's studying in Ireland this term.) Although we lost her friends, and did a lot of walking (my shin splints are crazy this week!!) we did get to see some new things, and we had pancakes, much to my delight!! I feel like I have jet lag and I haven't even done any flying. Too many late nights. Registration for Eastern classes next semester started this week. My time to register online was 9pm, which meant staying up until after 2am here. But then the network was down (a real shock for those who are used to Eastern's network never working) so I had to register the next night. But all went well, and I was able to get all the classes I need. Looks like it's gonna be a tough one next spring. with 15 credits of Communication classes and a theology class!! So it's raining today, forcing me to stay inside and *gasp* work in my paper, something I've been struggling to start for the past 4 days. It will be done by tonight or, in the words of my favorite (and only) gymnastics instructor, my name is "Mud."

thoughts on the English library system

Upon arriving in Oxford I was disillusioned by thoughts of studying and reading in the grand, old English libraries, especially the reknowned Bodleian. Seeing the actual buildings themselves only heightened this belief. Was I ever wrong. Last night I decided to have my first attempt at using the Bodleian, after 4pm of course. Since I'm not an official Oxford student I can only use the library after 4pm, and only during the week. (For the first time I have a reasonable excuse not to do work on weekends!) So upon entering the Radcliffe Camera (one of 4 buildings that make up the Bodleian, and possibly the most exquisite) it became clear that not only was I not to carry any books out, but I was also not allowed to carry anything in, other than paper and a pen. Once through "customs" I began a search for the sociology books, only the network was down. So I couldn't look up books, and I certainly couldn't request any off the stacks, which was no big deal since I wouldn't be able to get those until the next day anyway. But the nice lady at the desk said I was in the wrong library, so she sent me over to the main building. But before leaving I had to be scrutinized for possibly attempting to sneak out a book, then it was back through the whole system again at the main library. But that wasn't right either. No, no Social Sciences are at the New Bodleian, across the street. So back out, more being searched, back in to a new building, more searching and checking of bags. I finally found the Sociology section. There was much rejoicing. It was like the heavens opened and a ray of light shone down on the shelves of Marx, Simmel and Giddens- books that I would be able to peruse at leisure. And I did, for over an hour, but nothing made sense. Then I realized that I wasn't studyig sociology at all, but rather social psychology, apparently these are two completely different subjects. So different in fact, that (at least at the brilliant Bodleian) they're not even kept in the same area, nay, the same building. Rumor is the books I needed were back at the first building I went to. But calling it a night, I didn't even attempt to locate them. Now some may say this was an entire waste of time, but I see it more as a piece of the big picture. I now know my way around all the Bodleian libraries, I now see the value of requesting books ahead of time, so that you know exactly where to find them, and most importantly, I am now well aware of the significant differences between sociology and social psychology, why I never thought of it before is beyond me. As an individual who prefers to be fully aware of what I am getting in to before doing so, I can only hope that last night was the first of many wonderful evenings to be spent in the anciently beautiful (and incredibly inefficient) Bodleian Library of Oxford.

my first cup of tea

Yesterday my tutor served me my first cup of tea whilst in England, I've been trying to put it off for as long as possible. Everyone drinks their tea with milk around here, and I think I rather like it. So yesterdays tutorial was good. I wasn't sure what she wanted in my essay, but apparently I got it right because she was pleased with what I wrote. Most days are the same here. I wake up, eat breakfast of cornflakes or porridge, and head out to the library or my tutorial. Come back in the late afternoon for lunch or eat at the college, hang out around the house, then either do work all night or go out. Last night was work. I finally finished Emma, 3 Jane Austen novels down, 3 to go. Two nights ago everyone was craving pancakes, but we didn't think they had any around here. I could really go for a good, old-fashioned diner. Anyway, yesterday at the market these girls stopped me for a survey, and one of the questions was how often I eat at a French Creppery. I was like, "What's that?" Apparently they serve pancakes, and there was one right behind me. So I got all excited and now we're planning an evening out at the creppery. Well I've just finished in the library and now I'm off to Port Meadows for some fresh air!

pub quiz

Today was so dark and drab, it poured rain. I felt bad because there was a wedding in the chapel across from the college, but really, who gets married at 4:00 on a Tuesday?? This morning I had my first real tutorial. My professor and I spent over an hour discussing "Pride and Prejudice." She even said I was clever, my Oxford don thinks I'm clever!! Anyway, it was very interesting and for my first essay I have to write about how location (i.e. - the estates) are used and why. Sounds good to me. So came back to the house and watched "Emma" (to supplement my reading of course.) Then headed to the library for more research, where I was trapped until the rain slowed down. Tonight, my roommates Sophie and Amanda, David, and a new kid named Pierre went out for dinner, then to the Eagle and Child for Pub Quiz. The Eagle and Child is supposedly where CS Lewis and JRR Tolkein used to go. Pub Quiz is where you form teams, and they ask 25 questions. You write down answers on a sheet of paper, and whoever wins gets some money or something. It's fun, but takes over 2 hours and we didn't win. So afterwards we went out for ice cream, the real kind not that ultra-sweet, frozen whipped cream stuff. Then everyone came back here for a little. And now all my housemates are in bed and the computer is finally free. So I'm off to catch up on my emails!

miss america

(note: In case you missed it, I did write about our trip to London last week , but I think I forgot to post it until today, check out Oct. 3) Well if anything, this trip has helped increase my appreciation for the US. I love England, but I miss America!! But there's no point in dwelling on it. Saturday we took a group trip to Stonehenge and Bath. Stonehenge is one of those places that is exactly like the pictures and nothing more, but you still have to go just to be there. It was a very windy day, but the guy that took us said that he's been there 7 times with our program, and this was the only time the sun was shining. You can't get very close, they just have this path marked out in a circle all the way around. We weren't there very long. Some of the guys from my group picked up rocks from the parking lot and were trying to pawn of "Henge Stones." I sat in bird poop - blah! Bath was just like in Jane Austen's novels. I can just picture her and her characters spending time there. The water is warm, but the sulphur makes it greenish. It's more the ruins of the Roman Baths, so aside from the actual bath itself, the rest of the tour was underneath the building where it was very dark and extremely crowded. I can understand taking pictures of the baths and some of the artifacts, but this whole group of tourists in front of me were taking pictures of every single diagram and poster. Whenever we got restless, we just started taking surprise pictures of eachother, which always turn out bad. After that tour we had free range of the town for a few hours. So we ate at this little corner cafe, the food was delicious but for some reason it took really long for my table. So most of the day in Bath was spent sitting in a restaurant. My favorite part of the trip was just being able to see the English countryside, albeit from a bus window. I love all the sheep and cows!! We got back to Oxford sometime after 7, and then a bunch of us went to a house down the street to watch a movie and hang out, but lack of sleep (and lack of interest in the movie) sent me home. On Sunday Marie (not my flatmate) came with me to church. You can check out St Aldate's online at http://www.staldates.org/. It was really crowded, people had to stand in the back, and they also have a night service. It was really good again, I love the worship, and they sang one of my favorite songs - Before the Throne of God Above - which made me very happy. Afterwards they gave all the students free lunches (over 200 of us) and had a little talk about their students functions. I was really impressed because the youth leader remembered my name from when I had first met him at Fresher's Fair, then I realized I was wearing a name tag for the lunch. Marie and I met a boy from Russia named Konstantine who likes to play the accordian. Because of the lunch we didn't get home until after 2, I had to get groceries. Bad idea to try that on a Sunday. As if the selection was limited enough, but everything I needed was out of stock!! Since I've been craving ice cream all week, I splurged on some sort of gourmet thing, but it's just not the same. Mom and Dad, on December 20th can you have the cupboards stocked with Turkey Hill Peanut Butter Cup ice cream, microwave popcorn, and iced tea? Thanks. Being that the better part of the day was pretty well spent, I thought I should attempt to get some work done, possibly at the library. But Oxford is such a small city, and since I already know over 100 Americans living here, and we all have similiar routes and destinations, I somehow ended up playing lacrosse in the street, and getting dinner at Kabob Kid. Made it home at 11:30pm without having ever graced the library. So that's where I was just at a few minutes ago, only they have zero of the books on the list my tutor gave me. So now I'm in the computer lab, not doing work, but I'm about to. And that's all for now. P.S. - my flatmate's mom sent her rice krispy treats, it takes about 2 weeks for packages to get here, but only about a week for letters I think. (hint, hint)

noughth week ends

This is the end of 00 week, which means we'll actually start doing some work, if only for the next 8 weeks. I should definitely be done with both of my courses by the first week in December, if not before. Which will give me 2-3 weeks of free time for travel! I've met both my tutors, I think things will work out well. I already have a paper due in my course on relationships and social behavior. She gave me this huge book list (even though we'll only meet 4 times) and none of the books are in the library. I'm already feeling challenged! Yesterday and today we ate lunch in the New College hall. It's cheap, the food's not bad and the place is always nearly empty. On Wednesday we had "Fresher's Fair" which is where all the organizations and clubs set up booths and you go around and sign up for what you're interested in. There were over 300 booths!! And loads of free stuff that will make great stocking stuffers!! I signed up for a few things, mostly because the students block your way and make you feel obligated, but most require a fee. We also are all officially members of the Oxford Union, which means we can go to debates and speeches that they offer here once a week or so. There's going to be a debate on the election, Senator John McCain is coming to speak, so is Carmen Bin Ladin, Sean Astin (Sam in LOTR), Heather Mills McCartney, etc. Last night we helped our friend, Kevin, move out of his apartment and into one on our street. He lived super far away, and we helped carry all his stuff for him. Let's discuss Oxford living. One of the most exciting events of the day was when the toaster kept the toast down without me having to hold the lever the whole time! Then there's our washer (we don't have a dryer so everyone's clothes are just draped all around the house), if you're not there right when the cycle ends, it gets stuck and you have to start it all over again. It can also hold about 3 pair of jeans and two shirts and handful of socks. The heat in our room doesn't work that great, and they tell you to keep the top of the windows cracked so that you don't get condensation (and thus mold) on the walls. But we all really love the electric tea pot which boils water in 30 seconds, most of us try to adjust our meals to ones that need boiling water, since it's so much easier than trying to wrestle with the stove or oven. We don't have a microwave. The shower water flows right out onto the alley, apparently the drain got clogged, because some men were here to fix it, but none of us girls know what's going on. There's no hot water in the bathroom sink, and we still don't have a vacuum. Yet we are consistently assured that our housing us above-standard, and despite it's quirks you can't help but love it's quaint charm. Well, I'm beat, I've got a whole list of books to start on and tomorrow we're going to Stonehenge and Bath, so look for new pictures!

today England is beautiful!

Woke up to some of England's "finest" weather, as one native put it ... a rainstorm. But by the time we got out of our meetings the sun was shining and I didn't even need to wear a scarf! So I went exploring, and found out that our city street ends in a park. Park Meadows actually. My one flatmate said that there are horses and cows running around there sometimes but they must not have been out when I went visiting. It's basically some huge meadows that border a canal, and there are foot paths going every which-way for people to take. Some of them loop around, others (as I discovered today) will take you to the complete other end of town. Needless to say I've got my walking in for the week. Sarah invited me to try out a church with her yesterday evening, and it just so happend to be St Aldates, the one that the Firth's mentioned. The minister there knows Pastor John Mulinde. Anyway, the service was great, and the church is divine! Picture an old, stone English chapel, completely renovated and modernized. It was packed with people, most of whom were students, since the evening service seems to draw them more. Afterwards, we went to some International Students thing they have in a basement across the street. We met some British and American students. The one young couple was married. The girl had studied here for a semester like us, but had come back from her graduate work. It just so happens that her and her husband are from a little north of Harrisburg, and he used to go to My House Cafe in Milton before it closed. So we played Oxford Monopoly, where instead of Marvin Gardens or Boardwalk you purchase Oxford University or The Ashmolean Museum. They also had candy and cookies, which was great since none of us Americans include those in our limited budget grocery shopping. This morning we had a meeting on how our tutorials will work and how to write an Oxford essay. I'll only have two courses, one meets once a week the other once every other week, for one hour at a time. At the end of the day, our tutor assigns us a topic and we have to write a 1500 word essay on it for the next week. Sounds simple enough, but I'll have to get back to you on how it really goes. They recommend spending about 40 hours a week on your tutorials, reading, research and writing, which should still leave plenty of time for traipsing about the country. That meeting was followed by a little, old English man who spoke on the history of Oxford, which was extremely interesting. This man was exactly what someone would picture a veteran, Oxford professor to be. No one even knows the exact date of when Oxford began, sometime in the 1000s. And most of the students were "refugees" trying to escape persecution in other areas of the country. From what this man said, there's been more bloodshed at Oxford than any other war zone in England. Or something like that. So we have the rest of the day off, and now I'm off to rest my legs and read some more of Emma.

we went to London!

Friday we got inducted into the Bodleian Library and New College. The Bodleian Library is huge!! And has over 6 million books. It is composed of 3 buildings and a series of underground tunnels, which is how they get the books out of the stacks in the basement to wherever you are studying. This means it could take hours, or all day, to get a book, so it's best to order it online in the morning so it's there by the afternoon. You also cannot take books out of the library. You can only read them in whichever room you're in. When we got our cards we had to make a "promise" that we wouldn't take any books or bring any flame into the library, or smoke. Back in the day you couldn't even use candles. Which is part of the reason why there are so many large windows, you could only read when there was daylight. We can also use the library at New College. That tour was interesting. If we want to go to "formal" dinner, we have to register early. This is the dinner where you wear your black "gown" (it looks like a graduation gown), and they serve you your meal. We also got to see some of the gardens and the Bar which is underneath the library. Because it's so small and old, it gets very crowded in there. Our tour guide says sometimes, all the sweat and body heat from everyone condenses on the ceiling and then "rains" down on everyone. I don't know about anyone else but I was pretty grossed out. On Friday night a bunch of us went out to a Pub. Then after that most of them went to a club, but I headed home. We took the bus in to London on Saturday which was an exciting day. It was very crowded, and cities make me nervous, but it was fun to see all the buildings that I've heard so much about. We didn't do any tours or visit any museums, since the OSAP group is going back in a week or so, but we did get to see the outside of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral, Big Ben, the Thames River, Buckingham Palace, and Piccadilly Circus. Apparently, a "circus" is where the shopping districts are, and they really are circuses. Unfortunately, things are much more expensive here, but I've noticed they have a much better, and trendier, selection of maternity clothes. I'll have to remember to come to London to shop when I'm pregnant. We had great weather, and it only rained once for about 30 minutes. We ate out at a little restaurant, where I think the waiter got fired while we were still there. He charged us for food we didn't order, and he never brought my order out! Then Marie came back from the bathroom and exclaimed (rather loudly) that she had seen a drag queen in the bathroom, without realizing that (s)he was sitting right next to us. Haha, it was a little embarassing. Sarah, Liz, Erin and I were tired by 8 so we headed back, but we had difficulty finding the bus stop. While waiting an old man (whom I'm assuming was a tad intoxicated) started talking to us, telling us that he had been talking to John Wayne about New Jersey yesterday, then he encouraged us to "stick together." ...At least he helped the time go by faster. By the time we got back to Oxford my legs were killing me, but I saw Stephanie on the way home, and she wanted me to come with her to Jay and Brad's, where a lot of people were. So we hung out there until sometime after 1, and met some British locals. Everyone was appalled that I hadn't called home yet this week, and the one guy mentioned he called his mom every day, he even offered me his phone so I could call home right then. So I felt bad and came back to the house and called. But it was after 2 here and I was pretty bushed. Slept til 11 this morning, and finally met our APU roommates, who seem really great! Sally and her boyfriend also love Jane Austen, and I think they're jealous that I get to take a whole course on her. Well I need to make some lunch, and Sarah and I are heading to church tonight, so I'll let you all know how that goes. Cheers!