While the boats raced on the river and decongestants went awry

Why I love Oxford:

• Warm Cappuccino in a cozy cafe
• Steak Pasties (I'm totally addicted...)
• The gentle, warming sunlight after the rain
• Reading for hours on end at Blackwell's
• Walking along the river
• Seeing Hogwarts everywhere I go
• Discovering new streets and nooks and pubs and cafes
• Drinking Pimm's and lemonade
• Walking around the quad of Keble College

Things I learned from my day in town:

• That cute little umbrella you snagged for $5 at TJMaxx isn't quite so trendy when it's blowing inside out. multiple times. (however, the practical, wind resistant, black one you bought at Boswell's for 15 quid is only marginally better against a gale...)
• Apparently there is an open air market in town on Fridays
• When walking through the crowded street, be less concerned about staying dry, and more concerned about not getting your eyes gouged amidst the sea of umbrellas
• Everything closes earlier here. If you were planning to stay at Blackwell's and read until dinner time, you will be disappointed. Dinner's at 7pm (or I should say 19:00), but most stores in the city close at 6pm
• Don't go to the top floor of Blackwell's if you like old books or they'll positively jump into your hands and refuse to be reshelved (you're better off going to the antique and rare books section on the next floor down, because you can't afford them anyway)
• Postage is expensive (I paid 7 pounds for 8 stamps... I'm trying to avoid doing the math on that one... ouch)
• That creepy little street beyond the Bridge of Sighs and the Turf Tavern, is actually a short cut to High Street 

The past two days have been spent in a frenzy of reading, but I've managed to do this reading in some awesome places, so it's been wonderful. Last night was our first meal in the Keble College Dining Hall, which is pretty surreal and amazing. I intend to take some pictures very soon (although I'm a little embarrassed to do it... I know the full-time students will probably scoff at me for it). The food is decent, not great, but not bad either. Brunch today was really good (a  proper English breakfast including eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, baked beans, cereal, pastries, yogurt, fruit, juice, and hot drinks. Apparently the usual hot beverage dispenser isn't working however, and I got yelled at for trying to use it. It was rather amusing how many of us did "stupid" things and were very harshly rebuked for it (I think they staff was stressed today cause there's a wedding in the Keble Chapel and they're probably responsible for the reception). Anyway, I can't wait until the term starts back and the place is full of students. We get to go to high table and we've even got our own robes to wear (Harry Potter! EEK)!

Today I broke down and went to rent a bike. I love walking, but I'm realizing that it's a lot more convenient to have a bike for class and some of these errands that I have to go into city centre or summertown for. The 25 minutes you save on your bike are 25 minutes for extra reading. However, I can tell it's going to take me a little while to get used to riding around here. I haven't really ridden in a while, and never on the left side of the road with huge buses right next to me (don't worry Mom, I bought a helmet!), but I'll get the hang of it, and there's a few other people with bikes, so I won't venture out alone on it until I'm more confident. Now is the time to gain that confidence before the students some back for the Trinity term. I hear this place will be swarming with bikes when they arrive.

The two things I haven't yet done that I'm still dying to do are studying in the Bodleian, and going to the Eagle and Child, but I hope to remedy that in the next couple weeks. I've stepped inside both, but not gotten the chance to actually experience them yet.

In other news: Congratulations Oxford on winning the boat race today against "the other place" (Cambridge)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's 3 out of the last 4 years! Woot!

It's Never Quite What It Seems...

Well, the beginning (or should I say the end) has come, and it's not kidding around.

Tuesday was the first day of seminars and I finished the day with a definite lump in my throat. My first class was a literature class with Dr. Bradshaw. I don't know quite how to explain it, but he walked into the room and instantaneously transformed into the scariest man alive. I don't think any of us could breath. Apparently the first day of class is designated for acquainting all of us with how stupid we are, and it worked like a charm. He started into his little introductory shpeel (which was primarily about how American students have never read enough important literature and how we should be ashamed to consider ourselves true intellectuals) and suddenly turned and asked me, "what's the last book you read for pleasure?"

After recovering from practically peeing my pants, I realized that I wasn't even sure I could read... "Uh... uh... uh, I'm reading Godric right now..."

"Never heard of it."

"Oh..."

"Is it good?"

"Oh, um... It's ok..."

And then he continued his intro and everyone officially knew that I was a brain dead rodent. I felt better, however, after the same sort of thing happened to two or three other people when they were asked questions. I think Bradshaw has some sort of intimidation magic. We all left that room with sweaty palms. It's actually not going to be a super hard class, just a lot of reading and writing (surprise, surprise). Today's class was a lot less terrifying and much more enjoyable. I'm pretty sure I'm actually going to like his class A LOT. It's been really interesting thus far. The only scary thing is that I have to read my first paper to the class and then have my grade given to me for everyone to hear (and he told us to be prepared for extremely bad grades). 

My history seminar, on the other hand, came in like a lamb. I was all worried that my History don would be as intimidating as the literature don. But when Dr. Archer showed up, he came traipsing through the entrance to Keble saying, "alright everyone! Follow me! But not too quickly because I'm carrying this tea here and I don't want to spill it." Nice. I knew then and there that I didn't have to be terrified of this one. Until today's class when I participated in a group presentation to which his only response was, "Well, is that it? You didn't do very well with it, did you?"

What do you even say to that? "Yeah, we were totally slackin... huh!" I'm still not exactly sure what was wrong with it... But, yeah. That was a nice kick in the teeth. I had thought that Oxford classes were all about learning tons and tons, but apparently the first week or so is actually just about continually bashing the system of education you've been in since kindergarten, and making you feel like a total ignoramus. 

It's working...

So, now I'm starting from scratch and trying to learn some stuff and reading my butt off and trying to retain EVERYTHING and pondering two papers that I don't really want to write all that badly. Right now, I'm thinking I might just have to give up showering, or going to the bathroom or something until the term is over, cause there's just not enough time in the day. ;)

Tomorrow I don't have class, so I may wander off into the heart of Oxford by myself and find a nook in which to pour over my books all day. In case you didn't know, this is the coolest place ever!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

Happy Easter everyone!

It's been a very quiet day for me, but a nice one. I went to church this morning with three other girls from the house (Kristin, Sara and Brittany). They were all wanting to go to something more high church, so we went to St. Mary's. It was a service like I've never attended before, but it was nice. I was just excited and encouraged to get to go with those girls. Afterwards we had lunch in the Queen's Lane Coffee House, which is supposed to be the oldest coffee shop in the UK I think (est. 1600s).

My current Oxford soundtrack:

• "When Mac Was Swimming" Innocence Mission
• "First Breath after Coma" Explosions in the Sky
• "Boulder to Birmingham" Emmylou Harris
• "Are You Some Kind of Hypnotist?" Flaming Lips
  
• "Now Now" St. Vincent
• "Beautiful Change" Innocence Mission
• "No Poetry" Gary Jules
• "Your Song" Kate Walsh
• "Femme Fatale" Velvet Underground & Nico
• "Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois" Sufjan Stevens
• "Poughkeepsie" Over the Rhine
• "Calling My Children Home" Emmylou Harris
• "Mad World" Gary Jules
• "Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us" Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
• "Fireworks" Kate Walsh

Snow Day

Well, everyone's mother can officially say "I told you so," because it snowed and hailed like the dickens outside today. I'm not quite sure I brought my winter coat... or my face mask.

Today we headed out on a group excursion to see Leeds Castle. It was lots of fun despite the bitter wind. We got to walk through the great house, visit the aviary where a beautiful, colorful Macaw greeted us in a British accent, and wander through the maze. We also explored an underground grotto that reminded me strangely of Rock City... 

Other highlights from the trip thus far:

• We walked around the quad and chapel of Exeter college (Tolkien's college!! EEK! Nerdy joy!)
• I've gotten to enjoy a pint in both the Lamb and Flag, and the Turf Tavern (the Eagle and Child is still at the top of my to do list, but nobody else seems quite as eager as I am to see it)
  
• We've walked around the city several times and I've already bought and returned books at Blackwells (the Flourish and Blotts of Oxford)
• A man asked me for money on the street and I gave him the coins in my pocket, only to have him chasing me down the street saying, "this ain't money sweet'eart! Ya can't spend it! it ain't money. Here, take it back." (I had somehow obtained a coin that is no longer in circulation... it was rather embarrassing and he made a bit of a scene about it, but was very sympathetic seeing as I am only a silly American)
• I made a wish under the bridge of sighs (but I can't tell you what it was, or it wont come true. The tour guide assured us that this works)

Tomorrow I'm heading to St. Ebbes for the Easter service and then I'll just be reading and preparing for classes until tuesday, when the party begins. And by party, I mean lots and lots of work. ;)

Jet Lag Anyone??

After some truly thrilling travel, I have arrived in the UK. I'm currently at the Mannheims' battling with jet lag and hanging out.

I'm already falling in love with England and it's people all over again. People often claim that the British are not friendly or cordial like Americans (especially those from the south). It is true that Brits don't often smile at me on the street and say "hey! how are you?" whether I know them or not, however, after being here less than 24 hours I had personally witnessed the kindness of strangers (even in London of all places!).

There's not much to be told about the flight itself. I sat next to a scholarly old British man who had carried on his own house slippers and drank about 8 glasses of champagne. We did not converse much, but I considered us friends enough that when I saw him later on a bus I expressed great joy at the meeting. He was not so openly excitable at the reunion, but he did smile quite boldly in return to my very southern "heeeeey!!" and responded with a not unfriendly "hallo there." Besides making a friend ;) , the only things I did on the plane were to eat and sleep, and these were not terribly exciting so I will leave them completely to your imaginations.

I trudged off of my flight at 6am Gatwick London time (1am Marietta time), to stumble through customs and baggage claim. After gathering myself (and my 2 large suitcases, internal frame backpack, and guitar) I set off with some newly acquired pounds (and I'm not just referring to myself or the suitcases, I'm speaking of money) for the bus to Heathrow. Unfortunately my ticket was for a 9:10 bus, and it was only 7am. Thus, I asked the first driver who pulled up if he had room for me on his bus instead, only to be brusquely rejected. Defeated, I rolled my suitcases further from the curb and perched on top of one.

A few minutes went past when a small middle aged woman approached me with her bright red suitcase.

"Are you going to Heathrow as well?" she asked. I told her I was and we discovered that we both had tickets for the 9 o'clock. "Wont they allow us onto an earlier coach?" she inquired. No, I told her, I asked the last driver and he told me to wait. She was silent for a moment and then looked at me and said: "well... bugger," and smiled. I did all I could to smile back without exploding. 

When the next bus came by, she decided to take our cause into her own hands and left her suitcase with me to go speak with the driver, who agreed to let us onto the bus. We savoured our victory as we piled onto the bus with bags in tow. This is when I was reunited with my scholarly friend from the plane. I'm sure that if we hadn't all been dozing from the jet lag the three of us would have been a very merry crew indeed. ;)

Upon arriving at Heathrow we found that there was no bus to Cirencester until 10:45 (it turned out the woman was also going to Cirencester), so we had to wait at the central bus station. I recognized an essential need for coffee and made my way across the station for a mocha. By the time I had settled at a little table I had once again been joined by my coach buddy (I believe her name was Carol, but I'm afraid I can't actually remember... blame the jet lag, right?). We had a nice chat over some coffee and tea and were eventually joined by very nice Welsh man who introduced himself with a rather unfunny joke about what might have been in his suitcase (which he asked us to keep an eye on for him while he bought a coffee) if he were a terrorist. um... haha?

Anyway, we all chatted until our bus came. Then it was back on the coach for one more nap. When I got to Cirencester the Mannheim's were there to meet me and we headed home to Tetbury, stopping at Tesco along the way. I had a nice night with them and some of their friends from the States.

Now, I've had a night's sleep and the world is a lot less fuzzy than it was yesterday. I'm enjoying chilling with the Mannheim clan today and tomorrow I head to Oxford.I am pretty chuffed (as the Brits would say) to be starting the semester. 

Better Grab a Muffin!

As I sat on my bed tonight, flipping through a copy of "The Valley of Vision," and pondering the testimony I'm going to present to a room of Middle/High schoolers tomorrow night, I came across the remnants of a quiet afternoon I spent in a coffee shop last summer. Enfolded in the worn pages was a napkin with an illustrated caribou on it, encouraging me to "grab a muffin." Apparently, I failed to grab said pastry, but I did, however, use the napkin to scribble down some thoughts:

"Today I feel small...

Today I feel foolish and unlovely...

it strikes me that I am, in fact all of these things, yet my Savior loved me nonetheless. He loved me with a divine, unquenchable love. So why am I sad?

I'm sad because I like to feel like I deserve things. I want to be loved because I am beautiful or smart or fun or adorable. I don't like the idea of being loved despite myself.

this is because of my PRIDE.

And yet, my Savior does find me beautiful. He has made me beautiful."

On the page opposite this scribbled napkin is a puritan's prayer: 

Belonging to Jesus

"OH HEAVENLY FATHER,

Teach me to see

that if Christ has pacified thee and satisfied divine justice

he can also deliver me from my sins;

that Christ does not desire me, now justified,

to live in self-confidence in my own strength,

but gives me the law of the Spirit of life

to enable me to obey thee;

that the Spirit and his power are mine

by resting on Christ's death;

that the Spirit of Life within answers to the law without;

that if I sin not I should thank thee for it;

that if I sin I should be humbled daily under it;

that I should mourn for sin more than other men do,

for when I see I shall die because of sin,

that makes me mourn;

when I see how sin strikes at thee,

that makes me mourn;

when I see that sin caused Christ' death,

that makes me mourn;

that sanctification is the evidence of reconciliation,

proving that faith has truly apprehended Christ;

Thou hast taught me

that faith is nothing else than receiving thy kindness;

that it is an adherence to Christ, a resting on him,

love clinging to him as a branch to the tree,

to seek life and vigour from him.

I thank thee for showing me the vast difference

between knowing things by reason,

and knowing them by the spirit of faith.

By reason I see a thing is so; by faith I know it as it is.

I have seen thee by reason and have not been amazed,

I have see thee as thou art in thy Son

and have been ravished to behold thee.

I bless thee that I am thine in my Savior, Jesus."

I was sitting on a tall stool by the window, watching the traffic on Roswell Road and grappling with Christ's love. The Sun shone across the table and warmed my back and shoulders. I can still feel that mingling of shame and gratitude as though I were sitting there now. God embraced me that day, through the warmth of the sun and an abstract, yet undeniable confirmation of His affection. Eric Liddell felt God's pleasure in running; on that day I felt it in a cup of steaming coffee and a half hour of quietness.

I am glad that Jesus is a man. The God of Heaven knows how good it can feel to bask in the sun, or enjoy a good drink. I am glad that someday, when both this world and I have been redeemed and made new, I will be able to sit next to Jesus. Maybe He will sit and enjoy a cup of coffee with me like He did that day last summer. Maybe He will laugh at the enthusiastic, yet heretical fantasies my fallen and limited mind once entertained... and posted on an online blog. ;)

 All heresies aside, this reminds me that God is everywhere, and in everything. A youth pastor once encouraged me to look for God in the mundane activities of life. He is there.

Tomorrow, it is my job to meet with God amidst the packing of suitcases. I trust that as He clothes each lily of the field, He also takes an interest in packing my clothes for a semester abroad. My God is big enough to redeem my soul and yet near enough to help me count socks and fold sweaters.