Let me whisper you busy nothings,
The past week has been one of excitement, absolute pondering and general happiness. It is Fall here, my absolute favorite season. Although it is freezing. It snowed last night, although it didn't stick and hurrying down Broad Street with the flakes swirling reminded me so much of some of my favorite moments at Sarah Lawrence, which seemed to always involve the snow.
My tutorials have been going really well which has been very nice. Halloween is coming and we have decorated the flat with leaves and paper pumpkins. Tonight Mark, Jeff, Michelle, Alex and I carved our own pumpkins bought at the Co-op in Summertown - well, I carved them actually. One was of Alan Chapman, the true Oxfordian fellow and a "jolly good chap" and the other was of this bat who was amazingly unimpressive. I realized that this was the third Halloween I have spent with Michelle and it was such a nice feeling. I remember last Halloween and, while I did have a good time, so much stress accompanies the memory. When I think of how far God has brought me from that moment to here it is amazing.
And yes. I do have more news, which I don't actually mind writing here because no one actually reads my blog but Michelle. I have met a guy. A very nice guy actually. He's sweet and funny and the thing is that I actually really like him and the best thing is that he likes me back. And it's simple and fun and lovely. Everything that my last relationship just...wasn't. And it was nice because we were friends first, although I liked him from pretty much the moment I met him, which was also a new experience. And on the night of the USA Bop, which was mega fun, he told me he happened to like me too. I'm praying about it, but it's nothing like before. I don't feel trapped or nervous, but mature and sure of myself. This year is still about me. Fayyez is just a really lovely gift on the side. I just hope that we remain friends after I leave. Right now, it's just hard enough not seeing him for a few days...its so funny, I sound like such an innocent little girl! But I feel like one too...and it's a nice feeling.
So, here we are. Halloween is coming, I'm meeting tons of people and enjoying the leaves and my bike and cycling down Banbury and I am happy. Happiness. It's beautiful.
So, I love you all. <3
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Thursday, 23 October 2008
Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories...
Hello Lovers,
Writing for the second day in a row, because lets just be honest here, Michelle has put me to total shame with the blog thing. In my defense, I do keep a written journal although, and here is where my defense becomes unhappy, I haven't been writing in it that much either.
Running in the mornings have become my new thing. Ashley and I wake early and jog down Banbury Rd and around the University Park off of Keble Rd. Its so beautiful - today I stopped and stood under the leaves of a golden tree and just couldn't believe that I was here. It reminded me of yesterday - sitting in my little garden and having a moment of silence. Spaces of time that are just time - its very important.
I spent all day at the Law Library, which I have finally decided may not be as hellish as I first imagined. Then met Ashley back at Wadham for orchestra, which was an interesting experience. Very small. Then we headed to the Oxford Poetry Society meeting. Of course, I was reminded of Erik the minute I go there. I wonder if that is how it will always be. Its not painful anymore, so that helps.
I talked to Nada yesterday, an old friend from Riyadh who is studying in Scotland. Really weird to take it back that far, actually.
Tomorrow I will continue in vain pursuit for a bike. My environmental tutorial is tomorrow, my second official meeting and my first one after last week's torture. At least I have wine waiting when I get home for me this time.
Missing my family and friends - I love you all.
Tomorrow I am going on an Oxford Ghost Tour as well and Saturday is the USA Bop. I'm holding judgment on this.
<3
Writing for the second day in a row, because lets just be honest here, Michelle has put me to total shame with the blog thing. In my defense, I do keep a written journal although, and here is where my defense becomes unhappy, I haven't been writing in it that much either.
Running in the mornings have become my new thing. Ashley and I wake early and jog down Banbury Rd and around the University Park off of Keble Rd. Its so beautiful - today I stopped and stood under the leaves of a golden tree and just couldn't believe that I was here. It reminded me of yesterday - sitting in my little garden and having a moment of silence. Spaces of time that are just time - its very important.
I spent all day at the Law Library, which I have finally decided may not be as hellish as I first imagined. Then met Ashley back at Wadham for orchestra, which was an interesting experience. Very small. Then we headed to the Oxford Poetry Society meeting. Of course, I was reminded of Erik the minute I go there. I wonder if that is how it will always be. Its not painful anymore, so that helps.
I talked to Nada yesterday, an old friend from Riyadh who is studying in Scotland. Really weird to take it back that far, actually.
Tomorrow I will continue in vain pursuit for a bike. My environmental tutorial is tomorrow, my second official meeting and my first one after last week's torture. At least I have wine waiting when I get home for me this time.
Missing my family and friends - I love you all.
Tomorrow I am going on an Oxford Ghost Tour as well and Saturday is the USA Bop. I'm holding judgment on this.
<3
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Autumn in Oxford
Hello to one and all,
It is Autumn in Oxford - I call it Fall, but apparently that is not the "British" way - so its Autumn. I don't think anyone is actually reading my post anyway, but to all who are, koodos to you and HAPPY EARLY HALLOWEEN!
We have decorated the flat quite nicely for Halloween, which they don't really do here actually. However, November 5th is like a great holiday here apparently...you know the film, V for Vendetta where Natalie Portman goes all "cracked out Britney Spears" and falls in love with the masked dude. There are fireworks here and bonfires - very excited.
Leaves are everywhere and it feels very spooky at night with the castles and things - really a perfect place to spend the holiday.
I've been meeting a lot of people, which is nice and I've joined a variety of clubs, including the Law Society which basically consists of mad hot guys getting drunk as all get out. I've also joined the orchestra, which might be good and am loving Chapel. Its this beautiful stained glass stone church in college..funny story, the guy who made the stained glass windows had to do the story of Jonah and the Whale. However, it was the 1600's and he'd never seen a whale, so he kinda used his imagination and its the FREAKIEST thing you've ever seen! The whale had flippers and teeth...it's the funniest thing ever.
My tutorials have been going well, although my first water conflict one was total rubbish. Grilled about my academic merit in a windowless concrete room. Basically Mexican holding cell style.
Spent my day in the gardens of Wadham feeling like Elizabeth Bennett. I discovered this little stone alcove with flowers and wrote some prose - its was lovely.
Anyway, I think I am off to meet some people at the pub. Everyone come and visit. Miss you all. Sorry, this was like the most boring blog ever. I feel pity for you all.
CHEERS!
<3
It is Autumn in Oxford - I call it Fall, but apparently that is not the "British" way - so its Autumn. I don't think anyone is actually reading my post anyway, but to all who are, koodos to you and HAPPY EARLY HALLOWEEN!
We have decorated the flat quite nicely for Halloween, which they don't really do here actually. However, November 5th is like a great holiday here apparently...you know the film, V for Vendetta where Natalie Portman goes all "cracked out Britney Spears" and falls in love with the masked dude. There are fireworks here and bonfires - very excited.
Leaves are everywhere and it feels very spooky at night with the castles and things - really a perfect place to spend the holiday.
I've been meeting a lot of people, which is nice and I've joined a variety of clubs, including the Law Society which basically consists of mad hot guys getting drunk as all get out. I've also joined the orchestra, which might be good and am loving Chapel. Its this beautiful stained glass stone church in college..funny story, the guy who made the stained glass windows had to do the story of Jonah and the Whale. However, it was the 1600's and he'd never seen a whale, so he kinda used his imagination and its the FREAKIEST thing you've ever seen! The whale had flippers and teeth...it's the funniest thing ever.
My tutorials have been going well, although my first water conflict one was total rubbish. Grilled about my academic merit in a windowless concrete room. Basically Mexican holding cell style.
Spent my day in the gardens of Wadham feeling like Elizabeth Bennett. I discovered this little stone alcove with flowers and wrote some prose - its was lovely.
Anyway, I think I am off to meet some people at the pub. Everyone come and visit. Miss you all. Sorry, this was like the most boring blog ever. I feel pity for you all.
CHEERS!
<3
Tuesday, 7 October 2008
Oxford Week 1 - Groovy Baby
Hello all friends and loved ones. Here is my blog, which I will probably never write in. However, the lovely and dynamic Christine Spinelli has insisted that I keep a blog during my time abroad. Since it coincides with the fact that I need to begin my human rights essay, I had decided to began tonight.
The soundtrack to this blog will be any old episode of That 70's Show. Youtube and listen now, then read. It will make my wet life in England seem more dynamic. :)
Oxford is amazing. The city is a blend of gray turrets and vine covered statues of old white men that no doubt contributed to the foundation of civilized education. The streets wind all around and often meet up with one another in a huge circle from where you started. Ancient gravestones and KFC tend to mix very nicely here. Pubs are almost always teeming and my every college has their own bar next to the cafeteria. The Wadham students asked me the first night, "You mean American schools don't have their own public bars?" Insert tonal inflection.
My flat is very nice, as are my flatmates. The English gas oven is an adventure and the streets of Oxford are about ten times more dangerous than the middle of Kabul in a firestorm in my opinion. I have almost been creamed about ten times since arriving here. Not only do the cars come from the wrong direction and on the wrong side of the road, they DO NOT stop. Imagine that scene in Elf where Will Ferrel gets run over the the yellow cab. Now imagine black audis. This is of course combined with teeming crowds of zipping cyclists speeding past you. Its a war zone out there.
Of course, I'll be getting a bike soon hopefully. I say the Lord's prayer every time I walk outside, obviously.
Friday was London day, and I showed Michelle and Jeff around the city which was very fun. Ended up running across six lanes of traffic in the rain and then missing the bus as I strided through the tube station looking for the loo. They also don't have trash cans here.
The first official night after we moved in, Wadham College through a dinner and wine reception for the Sarah Lawrence Programme. Picture a butler, copious amounts of wine, uniformed waiters and candlebras in a great stone hall. Then add being surrounded by some of the smartest political theorists, lawyers, and United Nations leaders sharing game bird with you and talking about the Argentinian political crisis of 1979. It was slightly intense. But absolutely amazing.
I love it here, I love the people, I love the pubs. I hate the cyclists, the law library, the exchange rate and the fact that it costs 1 pound to use a shopping cart. But its an adventure. I encourage all of you to go have one.
I love you all and miss you tons. Keep in touch and expect postcards soon. Cheers!
<3 Amy
The soundtrack to this blog will be any old episode of That 70's Show. Youtube and listen now, then read. It will make my wet life in England seem more dynamic. :)
Oxford is amazing. The city is a blend of gray turrets and vine covered statues of old white men that no doubt contributed to the foundation of civilized education. The streets wind all around and often meet up with one another in a huge circle from where you started. Ancient gravestones and KFC tend to mix very nicely here. Pubs are almost always teeming and my every college has their own bar next to the cafeteria. The Wadham students asked me the first night, "You mean American schools don't have their own public bars?" Insert tonal inflection.
My flat is very nice, as are my flatmates. The English gas oven is an adventure and the streets of Oxford are about ten times more dangerous than the middle of Kabul in a firestorm in my opinion. I have almost been creamed about ten times since arriving here. Not only do the cars come from the wrong direction and on the wrong side of the road, they DO NOT stop. Imagine that scene in Elf where Will Ferrel gets run over the the yellow cab. Now imagine black audis. This is of course combined with teeming crowds of zipping cyclists speeding past you. Its a war zone out there.
Of course, I'll be getting a bike soon hopefully. I say the Lord's prayer every time I walk outside, obviously.
Friday was London day, and I showed Michelle and Jeff around the city which was very fun. Ended up running across six lanes of traffic in the rain and then missing the bus as I strided through the tube station looking for the loo. They also don't have trash cans here.
The first official night after we moved in, Wadham College through a dinner and wine reception for the Sarah Lawrence Programme. Picture a butler, copious amounts of wine, uniformed waiters and candlebras in a great stone hall. Then add being surrounded by some of the smartest political theorists, lawyers, and United Nations leaders sharing game bird with you and talking about the Argentinian political crisis of 1979. It was slightly intense. But absolutely amazing.
I love it here, I love the people, I love the pubs. I hate the cyclists, the law library, the exchange rate and the fact that it costs 1 pound to use a shopping cart. But its an adventure. I encourage all of you to go have one.
I love you all and miss you tons. Keep in touch and expect postcards soon. Cheers!
<3 Amy
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