Original date of post: 19 January 2009 ;)
Wow, twenty-one. I cannot believe it in some way and in another, I'm exuberant about it. This entire day has been filled with excitement, wonder, and new experiences. I must say that God always has a way of putting us at the right place at the right moment for the right purpose and tonight, while I'm sure some would argue one way or another, was the perfect 21st birthday celebration for me.
It started off routine as the last couple of days have, the days tend to merge together as I've spent most of my time reading either at the Bodleian library, at home, or at my friends' place. (For those eager to find out about just the birthday celebration part, skip to the next paragraph.) I had a quiet time in the morning after my shower and breakfast, and then a meeting with my secondary tutor about my course with him, which was good discussion about the particulars of reading strictly Virginia Woolf's works but also putting some of James Joyce's works in one of the sessions to help compare different writing styles from the period. Afterwards, I had lunch in my college dining hall at Hertford College, where I've tried to eat most days because it charges my meal card that gets billed to me later and later is better since at this point I still hadn't gotten my debit card and I was running on 21 GBP (Pounds) for survival but I got it later tonight... I sat down to eat and got to talk to Daryn, also part of OPUS, and met a first-year named Charles from the US, then said hello to the study abroad students from Japan I met the other night when I went to a club with my friends Maggie and Yvonne. (Long story short, for 4 GBP I went to a club called Kukui and got to see the British social scene in action). They were sitting with a British student, Sebastian, whom I was happy to meet. Once lunch finished, I went to the Bodleian to do some readings from the books I got from the book stack. For those who do not know, the Bodleian library is Oxford's main library and it does not allow anyone, including the king, to borrow its books but rather you must read your readings on the floor you have them at, and the stack is where they keep copies of millions of books, so some books must be "ordered" from the stacks to be read. Needless to say, photocopying has become a favorite hobby of mine so that I do not have to spend my entire life at the library. I stayed at the library until about 4:30 p.m. then went to my college library basement to type up some of my quotes I needed for my paper due Friday until about 5:45 p.m. because I arranged to meet the girls at George and Cornmarket St., approximately four or five blocks from where I was, at 6 p.m. to celebrate my birthday!
Now, let me introduce the girls to those of you in the States. All of the girls are from APU, Aruza Pacific University, a Christian university in Southern California, though not all of them are from Cali. They are Joelle (my roomie), Kristin, Jaclyn, and Emily. All of them except for my roomie live in the same house and that has been the house about 2-3 blocks down from me that I've been going to often to study, and many times for internet access so I can email and if possible, chat with those back home. We have all bonded quite a bit over the last couple of days especially as we've gotten to know each other more and more, and by now I have spent enough time at their place in these few days that I basically only go home to eat, sleep, and shower and have some private time alone. They met me at 6 p.m. and gave me a couple of options, and after some conversation, we decided on an Indian restaurant called Chutney's. It was definitely an experience. The service was... iffy to say the least, and basically the workers didn't like us. But the food was good, and I enjoyed myself if for no other reason than that I was with these amazing girls out for dinner on my birthday. They wouldn't let me spend a dime, and told me I wasn't lifting a finger for my drink later on either.
Now, for the truly 21 part of the story... We decided to go to the Oxford Union Society bar for my first drink. It was right down the block from where we were and it was inexpensive, not to mention in a great spot because the Union Society is beautiful. We get to the bar and find it relatively empty, with a few people sitting down. Next was figuring out what I should get... Now, frankly, I know next to zero about alcohol, so I let the girls decide for me. And Emily, who used to mix drinks herself, gave me the 411 on drinks and what's good to get for a first drink. I looked at the list and picked one of the cocktails, the title of which I will only share with a selected few to shock people at my whim... kidding! (Sort of...) Anyhow, it is a vodka, creme de criss, motdi (no idea how to spell this, but it's a foundation mix is what Emily said), and mango juice drink equivalent of a margarita in the States. It tasted wonderful, like a smoothie with a tinge of alcohol in it. I tried to take it easy, drinking little by little from my bendy straw, also trying Kristin's rum coke (that was amazing) and Jaclyn's hard cider (it seemed a little much for me, but it was okay). But I was proud of myself for having finished my entire drink and still being almost completely sober with little to no effects other than a small tinge at the back of my head and being a little sleepy. Otherwise, it was just any other enjoyable drink. We took pictures then left the bar and started walking towards Sainsbury's for groceries because the girls wanted to make something, but it closes at 8 pm and we were pushing it so Joelle and Emily RAN to the one at the Westgate shopping mall, saw that the entrance was closed, and then ran to the other side entrance while Kristin, Jaclyn, and I just walked briskly and later got stopped when we tried to go in by the guard. Jaclyn, pleading with the guard to go in, finally got to go in to "get bread". Kristin and I stayed back and waited... and the guard started talking to us, then no joke, started asking us where we go to school, our years, commented on my ethnicity (not fun), commented on how horrible Bush was for the world economy (not fun for Kristin, a conservative), and gave us the whole spew of his life story in the UK... until Jaclyn and Joelle and Emily came out, YAY! I clung onto Kristin and stared at her creeped out face as she kept saying, "let's wait until we get outside... wait..." and once outside, immediately bursted into "What the crap was that!" I laughed so hard I could barely stand up. Creepster security guards at Sainsbury's, watch out. Haha.
We got back to their (Kristin, Jaclyn, and Emily's) place which I will refer to as the APU house from now on. The girls made an awesome dessert of just baked chocolate chip cookie with ice cream on top and I was upstairs with Kristin in her room, using her computer until they called me downstairs for the surprise. I waited anxiously at the dining table as they carried it, still warm in its pan and sang happy birthday to me on its way to the table. I thanked them and took the first bite, SO incredible. Not long after, it was devoured by our hungry selves. We took more pictures, then Joelle and I went to get our laptops from our place and come back to the house, and by that time, Kristin was ready for bed so she said good night, and Joelle and I spent a few more hours in Emily's room with her and Jaclyn until it got late and we headed home.
Overall, this will certainly be one of the best days of my life, and it has made me feel blessed to be at Oxford, blessed to be 21, blessed to be so blessed by God and the people in my life who have made this day so special to me. I don't know what tomorrow will hold, or the rest of my time abroad, but today was fantastic, and I know that it will all turn out all right because He wills.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A true Oxford day
First off, much apologies about the overload of posts all at once, but this is the only way I can blog as things happen since there is no internet at my place :P
Original date of post: January 12, 2009
Once again, the jet-lag has struck and won again. Bummer. But at least it gives me a chance to blog ;) I'm listening to Yanni (thanks to Lishbe). Today was a fantastic day. Frankly, I love being at Oxford and I'm ecstatic to begin the term. Yeah, call me a nerd but I love learning and being challenged intellectually, and I'm sure that my tutorials will surely push me in every way academically.
I began my day with my roomie Joelle waking me up (she's really been a pal doing so because I lacked any form of an alarm clock and I really needed to be up). We ate breakfast and headed to the OPUS office in the Westgate (a shopping mall). After I got a cell phone (YAY!), 2 adapters, and signed up to be admitted into the Bodleian tomorrow, I left for Hertford to check my email. I was happy to hear from both my tutors. My primary tutor will want me to start reading as soon as possible and wishes to meet me this week, expecting me to have the reading list he emails me done or at least partially done by then. My secondary tutor wants to start the tutorial fourth week and give me the time beforehand to read. Needless to say, I'm quite thankful for my secondary tutor... and I found the reason behind his decision when my advisor informed me that he is actually in California right now and will not return from his trip until later.
I spent enough time online that I had to postpone lunch until after my tour by the JCR (Junior Common Room) President. Funny enough, it was his friend that gave my group the tour, not himself (he led the other part of the Hertford OPUS group). She was very informative and I was very excited to see all the parts of the college, not just the parts I'd been briefly introduced to by my own exploration (or lack of). A lot of the heart of Hertford lies in navigating through alleyways, doors, and stairwells. It is much like a maze, but one that I'm sure I'll get accustomed to as I explore more. The Hertford College bridge reminds me of the one at Hunter College, and it's not that different or extraordinary inside, though outside it looks spectacularly ancient. I actually got to talk to the tour guide a little, just casual talk but I was happy to strike up a conversation.
After the tour, I spent some time with my other roomie, Ben, and we bought some lunch and since it was raining, went into McDonald's to eat. Oh, and I also bought some minutes/text messages for my phone. Ben is a pretty quiet guy, so I felt a little guilty like I obliged him to come with me, but I'm sure he would never admit so even if he felt it. We finished lunch and went back to Hertford for internet. The alum who wants to meet me in London, Jacob Coy, no joke, is starting to sound a little creepy. Joelle's already told me she'll come with me to meet him and I've already made a decision that I'm either going with her or not going at all because I refuse to go alone. He wants to give me tips on London and whatnot, but I got really confused today when, in the email response he sent back about possible dates he asked me what ethnicity I am. Now, this could be a harmless question, but it really just caught me offguard.
Anyhow, after I checked my email I went to the Oxford Union Society tour. One word: Wow. It is really a private, prestigious club for Oxford students that hosts incredible debates with world famous leaders and even her majesty the Queen herself once before. By far, the library is my favorite room I've seen so far at Oxford. The ceiling is extraordinary. There are paintings of medieval people and shields on the ceiling, along with chandeliers (very common in formal rooms at Oxford) and books all alongside the walls with tables for people to study. We went through several formal rooms, and one in particular was the Union President's room, which was extraordinary as its bookshelves were covered with ancient books. When I say ancient, I really mean that these book covers were peeling off, and I could not tell how many hundreds of years old some of them were, nor could I guess. It just amazed me how fantastic the history is behind the entire society and how, while some places in the States I've been to have mimicked the style of having old books on shelves and ancient decor, Oxford holds them because of its existence throughout the years and its amazing history not just for aesthetic value but historical as well.
Now for the fun part, the OPUS formal dinner tonight (you know what I mean). I decided to go extremely formal and I am happy I did, as pretty much all of the girls wore dresses, not skirts. The guys wore tuxedos and suits, though a few sported a shirt and tie occasionally. I took a taxi cab with Ben to Hertford, and we waited to be let into the Old Library where the event would be held (the cab drive was extremely early and efficient, not to mention the driver was nice). I met some other OPUS students and talked to Colton, the other OPUS student from DePauw. we were let in a little after 7.20pm. When we first arrived inside, we were invited to drinks, they had red wine, white wine, and orange juice. Keeping to my vow until my birthday coming up next week, I took the juice. I talked mostly with my advisor, Rhodri Lewis, who was just fun and sarcastic throughout the entire evening. I met some more OPUS students and then we were invited into the Main Hall for supper.
Waiters and waitresses awaited us as we took our assigned seats (with placecards) by our respective tables formed in a u-shape in this ancient library room lit by candlelight. We remained standing as Rhodri said grace, then took our seats as we were served our first course, creamy mushroom soup. I love mushrooms, and the soup was fantastic. Moreover, there was ample white and red wine, as well as sparkling water and water available at our disposal. The girl sitting next to me named Maggie felt quite self-conscious, but I informed her that she would really be all right. After the soup, the waiters and waitresses came back to take our dishes. Then, after what I would say is a long pause in the States, we were served our main course, chicken covered in a delicate mushroom sauce with peas and potatoes in silver dishes available for all at the table to share. All this time Rhodri is commenting on the food, mostly with sarcasm and Maggie and I are adding to his comments. Chicken, being a delicacy in Britain with prices enormously high, was definitely my favorite part of the meal. After the main course, we were served a dessert which I still cannot remember the name of, it is a custard, chocolate pudding with a hard shell at the top that is apparently made with a blowtorch. If you remember the name, please do inform me, I'd like to know--it was very good. After dessert, there were some after snacks given, mainly grapes with cheese (the cheese in huge blocks with a very special utensil used to cut the slices) as well as chocolate, which I enjoyed immensely, and the option of coffee, but at that hour I was not going to consume caffine (apparently that still did nothing for the jet-lag).
Once the entire meal was over, we saw Deepak, the program director, stand up and make a toast to her majesty the Queen. We all stood up, toasted, and sat down again. Then Deepak explained the process of the toast and toasted one of the advisors, who then made a small speech about her experience with Oxford and further moved onto Rhodri and Rhodri toasted one of the students, then each of us had to say something about our experiences with Oxford either from before (as some students have family who go to Oxford or went here), and toast someone else until everyone had gone. It was a bit nervewrecking, frankly, but I thought it was a good occasion for a toast so I just spoke honesty and quickly, continuing the tradition. Then, when it was all over, Deepak recommended that we stay still, but after a time of awkward silence, he concluded the evening and we went our respective ways. I called a cab for Ben and I using the same taxi service and I thought it was efficient that they actually remember my name because of my phone number and address. It was surely a kodak moment when Deepak got into our cab (since we were at the second entrance and it stopped at the main entrance) and the cab driver, once we got in, said that he told him that he didn't think he was Linda and I laughed out loud. What a way to conclude a splendid evening.
It is 4.20am my time, so I'm going to lay down and hopefully get some rest. Good night and God bless.
Original date of post: January 12, 2009
Once again, the jet-lag has struck and won again. Bummer. But at least it gives me a chance to blog ;) I'm listening to Yanni (thanks to Lishbe). Today was a fantastic day. Frankly, I love being at Oxford and I'm ecstatic to begin the term. Yeah, call me a nerd but I love learning and being challenged intellectually, and I'm sure that my tutorials will surely push me in every way academically.
I began my day with my roomie Joelle waking me up (she's really been a pal doing so because I lacked any form of an alarm clock and I really needed to be up). We ate breakfast and headed to the OPUS office in the Westgate (a shopping mall). After I got a cell phone (YAY!), 2 adapters, and signed up to be admitted into the Bodleian tomorrow, I left for Hertford to check my email. I was happy to hear from both my tutors. My primary tutor will want me to start reading as soon as possible and wishes to meet me this week, expecting me to have the reading list he emails me done or at least partially done by then. My secondary tutor wants to start the tutorial fourth week and give me the time beforehand to read. Needless to say, I'm quite thankful for my secondary tutor... and I found the reason behind his decision when my advisor informed me that he is actually in California right now and will not return from his trip until later.
I spent enough time online that I had to postpone lunch until after my tour by the JCR (Junior Common Room) President. Funny enough, it was his friend that gave my group the tour, not himself (he led the other part of the Hertford OPUS group). She was very informative and I was very excited to see all the parts of the college, not just the parts I'd been briefly introduced to by my own exploration (or lack of). A lot of the heart of Hertford lies in navigating through alleyways, doors, and stairwells. It is much like a maze, but one that I'm sure I'll get accustomed to as I explore more. The Hertford College bridge reminds me of the one at Hunter College, and it's not that different or extraordinary inside, though outside it looks spectacularly ancient. I actually got to talk to the tour guide a little, just casual talk but I was happy to strike up a conversation.
After the tour, I spent some time with my other roomie, Ben, and we bought some lunch and since it was raining, went into McDonald's to eat. Oh, and I also bought some minutes/text messages for my phone. Ben is a pretty quiet guy, so I felt a little guilty like I obliged him to come with me, but I'm sure he would never admit so even if he felt it. We finished lunch and went back to Hertford for internet. The alum who wants to meet me in London, Jacob Coy, no joke, is starting to sound a little creepy. Joelle's already told me she'll come with me to meet him and I've already made a decision that I'm either going with her or not going at all because I refuse to go alone. He wants to give me tips on London and whatnot, but I got really confused today when, in the email response he sent back about possible dates he asked me what ethnicity I am. Now, this could be a harmless question, but it really just caught me offguard.
Anyhow, after I checked my email I went to the Oxford Union Society tour. One word: Wow. It is really a private, prestigious club for Oxford students that hosts incredible debates with world famous leaders and even her majesty the Queen herself once before. By far, the library is my favorite room I've seen so far at Oxford. The ceiling is extraordinary. There are paintings of medieval people and shields on the ceiling, along with chandeliers (very common in formal rooms at Oxford) and books all alongside the walls with tables for people to study. We went through several formal rooms, and one in particular was the Union President's room, which was extraordinary as its bookshelves were covered with ancient books. When I say ancient, I really mean that these book covers were peeling off, and I could not tell how many hundreds of years old some of them were, nor could I guess. It just amazed me how fantastic the history is behind the entire society and how, while some places in the States I've been to have mimicked the style of having old books on shelves and ancient decor, Oxford holds them because of its existence throughout the years and its amazing history not just for aesthetic value but historical as well.
Now for the fun part, the OPUS formal dinner tonight (you know what I mean). I decided to go extremely formal and I am happy I did, as pretty much all of the girls wore dresses, not skirts. The guys wore tuxedos and suits, though a few sported a shirt and tie occasionally. I took a taxi cab with Ben to Hertford, and we waited to be let into the Old Library where the event would be held (the cab drive was extremely early and efficient, not to mention the driver was nice). I met some other OPUS students and talked to Colton, the other OPUS student from DePauw. we were let in a little after 7.20pm. When we first arrived inside, we were invited to drinks, they had red wine, white wine, and orange juice. Keeping to my vow until my birthday coming up next week, I took the juice. I talked mostly with my advisor, Rhodri Lewis, who was just fun and sarcastic throughout the entire evening. I met some more OPUS students and then we were invited into the Main Hall for supper.
Waiters and waitresses awaited us as we took our assigned seats (with placecards) by our respective tables formed in a u-shape in this ancient library room lit by candlelight. We remained standing as Rhodri said grace, then took our seats as we were served our first course, creamy mushroom soup. I love mushrooms, and the soup was fantastic. Moreover, there was ample white and red wine, as well as sparkling water and water available at our disposal. The girl sitting next to me named Maggie felt quite self-conscious, but I informed her that she would really be all right. After the soup, the waiters and waitresses came back to take our dishes. Then, after what I would say is a long pause in the States, we were served our main course, chicken covered in a delicate mushroom sauce with peas and potatoes in silver dishes available for all at the table to share. All this time Rhodri is commenting on the food, mostly with sarcasm and Maggie and I are adding to his comments. Chicken, being a delicacy in Britain with prices enormously high, was definitely my favorite part of the meal. After the main course, we were served a dessert which I still cannot remember the name of, it is a custard, chocolate pudding with a hard shell at the top that is apparently made with a blowtorch. If you remember the name, please do inform me, I'd like to know--it was very good. After dessert, there were some after snacks given, mainly grapes with cheese (the cheese in huge blocks with a very special utensil used to cut the slices) as well as chocolate, which I enjoyed immensely, and the option of coffee, but at that hour I was not going to consume caffine (apparently that still did nothing for the jet-lag).
Once the entire meal was over, we saw Deepak, the program director, stand up and make a toast to her majesty the Queen. We all stood up, toasted, and sat down again. Then Deepak explained the process of the toast and toasted one of the advisors, who then made a small speech about her experience with Oxford and further moved onto Rhodri and Rhodri toasted one of the students, then each of us had to say something about our experiences with Oxford either from before (as some students have family who go to Oxford or went here), and toast someone else until everyone had gone. It was a bit nervewrecking, frankly, but I thought it was a good occasion for a toast so I just spoke honesty and quickly, continuing the tradition. Then, when it was all over, Deepak recommended that we stay still, but after a time of awkward silence, he concluded the evening and we went our respective ways. I called a cab for Ben and I using the same taxi service and I thought it was efficient that they actually remember my name because of my phone number and address. It was surely a kodak moment when Deepak got into our cab (since we were at the second entrance and it stopped at the main entrance) and the cab driver, once we got in, said that he told him that he didn't think he was Linda and I laughed out loud. What a way to conclude a splendid evening.
It is 4.20am my time, so I'm going to lay down and hopefully get some rest. Good night and God bless.
Sunday, settling down
Original date of post: January 11, 2009
Could it really be that it's been literally 4 days since I've been gone from home? Surprisingly, despite the extraordinarily cold and mostly gloomy weather, the case of the starving college student (as one of my roomies put it), the 45+ minute walk to civilization... (actually probably closer to 30 minutes), the lack of internet and high prices of phone calls at my place, time has passed extremely quickly. Sure, it could just be the optimism speaking (or this Bendadryl that I took to help me fall asleep despite jet-lag), but I feel more settled here than before. My scholarship money has finally been deposited so I won't have to live on 60 pounds for two weeks (near impossible, if you ask me) and I've gotten really close to my roommates within this short amount of time, especially Joelle. I've gotten to know the guys, Josh and Ben, as well, but somehow I just got along really well with Joelle and we've been spending quite a lot of time together talking, laughing, watching movies and cooking like today.
The second day actually being at Oxford was interesting enough. I started it by attempting to ride the bus system towards my destination of St. Hugh's College, for my academic advisor meeting. Not only did I go into two separate stores to ask what bus I should take, but I first asked the bus driver if it was the right bus on the wrong side of the road, then I got on the bus and missed my stop. I literally rode the bus all the way to the last stop, waited as the driver rested on her break, and rode back, this time finally finding Canterbury Road. I got off and surprisingly, when I asked the girl also from OPUS who was just leaving her meeting what time it was, it was five minutes to 12, which was when my meeting was. Ecstatic, I jumped in joy. Once again, this is God at work because I didn't have ANY way to tell time on me at all and for me to go through that whole experience and STILL make it to my meeting on time was just remarkable to me. My meeting went well, and I found out who my tutors will be. I got my first-choice in everything, i.e. British Modernist Literature and Virginia Woolf (and others, I added the others so I can maybe study both Woolf and Joyce's styles of writing). I left my meeting, this time not taking the bus really... then taking a random one just for the heck of it and finding some cool shops, since I knew I had no time restriction now. I just wandered around Oxford, getting to know the streets better, then going to Hertford for some internet access. Unfortunately my username and password (which I later found I copied wrong) didn't work at the time, but luckily there was another OPUS student there so he let me use his for the time being. Afterwards, I went and got a samosa for lunch (I love samosas!), though I was SO cold after being in a chilly basement and then coming out to colder weather and looked pretty blah at the time. I went to the grocery store and bought an amazing load of stuff, then took the bus home (which was amazing compared to the usual walk).
Third day was mostly about getting lost in Oxford. Our program director actually advised that we do to get to know the roads better. Needless to say, I know I am lost when I was trying to head south and ended up way north. But I was cold, tired, and hungry, so I decided that was enough of an adventure for me and bought some more groceries, had a misunderstanding at a shoe store (the British term for rent is let, and I didn't know that), then headed home for warmth at last.
Today was my favorite day funny enough, and it was the least adventurous. I went with Joelle to try and find Oxford Community Church in the morning, but we failed to do so and instead walked quite, quite far up a hill that felt like a mountain to me on my little to no sleep since I'm still very jet-lagged and hadn't slept until 5 a.m. British time and had to get up at 9:50ish a.m. I came back home, and not surprisingly, went straight back to sleep and slept until 3 hours later, then had a nice, small lunch and later made a trip to a Chinese supermarket (that was a surprising discovery from yesterday) where I bought a lot of cheap groceries that will last us a while. I made tofu with soy sauce and Joelle helped make rice. We had a meal! The whole time we could not stop laughing at just how hungry we'd been until this point and how good it felt to actually have enough food. It sounds pathetic in some ways, but come to Europe from the US and you will understand: food is not served in large servings, it is given in small, small portions and we, as college students walking MILES per day, are quite deprived of our nutrition by the small servings we'd been having prior to this meal.
Afterward, we sat on our comfy living room (or multipurpose room as she calls it since we lack a dining room), and watched "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (thanks to Jia). I actually really enjoyed the film. Then Ben came home and we talked a bit, but Joelle and I were discussing chick flicks so it was pretty funny when Ben, in a girlish voice, sarcastically complimented our choice of films. Joelle was pretty tired so she fell asleep on the couch and I went to clean up the kitchen because I figured I ought to. I guess sometimes we all just need a break, and though I didn't get to go to church today (we tried to go to the evening service at Christ Church College later on as well but missed it), I got to enjoy the company of my roommates by actually being home today as opposed to being outside, shopping all the time for necessities. Tomorrow is a big day with lots and lots to do. Stay tuned, there is surely more to come ;) Glory to His Highest!
Could it really be that it's been literally 4 days since I've been gone from home? Surprisingly, despite the extraordinarily cold and mostly gloomy weather, the case of the starving college student (as one of my roomies put it), the 45+ minute walk to civilization... (actually probably closer to 30 minutes), the lack of internet and high prices of phone calls at my place, time has passed extremely quickly. Sure, it could just be the optimism speaking (or this Bendadryl that I took to help me fall asleep despite jet-lag), but I feel more settled here than before. My scholarship money has finally been deposited so I won't have to live on 60 pounds for two weeks (near impossible, if you ask me) and I've gotten really close to my roommates within this short amount of time, especially Joelle. I've gotten to know the guys, Josh and Ben, as well, but somehow I just got along really well with Joelle and we've been spending quite a lot of time together talking, laughing, watching movies and cooking like today.
The second day actually being at Oxford was interesting enough. I started it by attempting to ride the bus system towards my destination of St. Hugh's College, for my academic advisor meeting. Not only did I go into two separate stores to ask what bus I should take, but I first asked the bus driver if it was the right bus on the wrong side of the road, then I got on the bus and missed my stop. I literally rode the bus all the way to the last stop, waited as the driver rested on her break, and rode back, this time finally finding Canterbury Road. I got off and surprisingly, when I asked the girl also from OPUS who was just leaving her meeting what time it was, it was five minutes to 12, which was when my meeting was. Ecstatic, I jumped in joy. Once again, this is God at work because I didn't have ANY way to tell time on me at all and for me to go through that whole experience and STILL make it to my meeting on time was just remarkable to me. My meeting went well, and I found out who my tutors will be. I got my first-choice in everything, i.e. British Modernist Literature and Virginia Woolf (and others, I added the others so I can maybe study both Woolf and Joyce's styles of writing). I left my meeting, this time not taking the bus really... then taking a random one just for the heck of it and finding some cool shops, since I knew I had no time restriction now. I just wandered around Oxford, getting to know the streets better, then going to Hertford for some internet access. Unfortunately my username and password (which I later found I copied wrong) didn't work at the time, but luckily there was another OPUS student there so he let me use his for the time being. Afterwards, I went and got a samosa for lunch (I love samosas!), though I was SO cold after being in a chilly basement and then coming out to colder weather and looked pretty blah at the time. I went to the grocery store and bought an amazing load of stuff, then took the bus home (which was amazing compared to the usual walk).
Third day was mostly about getting lost in Oxford. Our program director actually advised that we do to get to know the roads better. Needless to say, I know I am lost when I was trying to head south and ended up way north. But I was cold, tired, and hungry, so I decided that was enough of an adventure for me and bought some more groceries, had a misunderstanding at a shoe store (the British term for rent is let, and I didn't know that), then headed home for warmth at last.
Today was my favorite day funny enough, and it was the least adventurous. I went with Joelle to try and find Oxford Community Church in the morning, but we failed to do so and instead walked quite, quite far up a hill that felt like a mountain to me on my little to no sleep since I'm still very jet-lagged and hadn't slept until 5 a.m. British time and had to get up at 9:50ish a.m. I came back home, and not surprisingly, went straight back to sleep and slept until 3 hours later, then had a nice, small lunch and later made a trip to a Chinese supermarket (that was a surprising discovery from yesterday) where I bought a lot of cheap groceries that will last us a while. I made tofu with soy sauce and Joelle helped make rice. We had a meal! The whole time we could not stop laughing at just how hungry we'd been until this point and how good it felt to actually have enough food. It sounds pathetic in some ways, but come to Europe from the US and you will understand: food is not served in large servings, it is given in small, small portions and we, as college students walking MILES per day, are quite deprived of our nutrition by the small servings we'd been having prior to this meal.
Afterward, we sat on our comfy living room (or multipurpose room as she calls it since we lack a dining room), and watched "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (thanks to Jia). I actually really enjoyed the film. Then Ben came home and we talked a bit, but Joelle and I were discussing chick flicks so it was pretty funny when Ben, in a girlish voice, sarcastically complimented our choice of films. Joelle was pretty tired so she fell asleep on the couch and I went to clean up the kitchen because I figured I ought to. I guess sometimes we all just need a break, and though I didn't get to go to church today (we tried to go to the evening service at Christ Church College later on as well but missed it), I got to enjoy the company of my roommates by actually being home today as opposed to being outside, shopping all the time for necessities. Tomorrow is a big day with lots and lots to do. Stay tuned, there is surely more to come ;) Glory to His Highest!
The Trip to Oxford
Original date of post: January 7, 2009
After a short security check and smooth transition, I boarded my flight to London Heathrow. The plane, to my surprise, was quite the size. I took a photo of it using my phone, but the photo seems blurry unfortunately. Nonetheless, take off went well. I sat in a row next to a girl on a program that was headed towards Florence, Italy after a short trip to London. I was happily amused to find that our seats were fully equipped with LCD screens that provided a range of entertainment available through the control of my very own remote. I must say that the entertainment definitely helped make the flight that much more enjoyable. I watched a movie and a tv show, both British, "The Duchess" and Austen... something about a girl from modern times able to revisit Austen's world. I tried to sleep, but that was my least favorite part of the flight, as it was very uncomfortable to get a good night's rest. However, we were provided with everything from goodie bags to dinner and breakfast, so I definitely enjoyed the food (especially the dessert!). After my flight, I had a long way to go. I went through customs and got my checked luggage. Then, in a mistake I very quickly came to regret, I did not put it on a trolley. As a result, I went through many hallway lanes and tunnels lugging my suitcases. Needless to say, not fun. Then, I ended up at the ground-level of "departures" and soon figured that I probably needed to ask where the Central Bus Station was. Once I got that figured, all this is after I exchanged 60 dollars to a little more than 33 pounds, I needed to pay the 20 pound fare for my bus ride to Oxford. This meant I would only have about 13 pounds in my pocket for two cab rides I would need to several places, I later quickly discovered.
There I sat, in my seat with my bookbag and coat next to me, smelling putrid after being on an airplane for so long in the same clothes, exhausted beyond comprehension. I quickly figured out how to make use of the seat next to me and use my backpack and scarf as a temporary pillow to get some rest. It was not the most comfortable ride, but I enjoyed the scenery. In fact, I was greatly amused by how much of the UK landscape resembles Indiana's. It is composed mostly of trees, farmland, and rural area until we reach town. Once we actually arrived at Oxford, my heart began to flutter with joy and relief. As I looked at the small townhouses and various shops, at the bicyclists sporting everything from helmets to leggings to whatever else, I felt excited to be in the UK, my first visit to Europe. I couldn't stop staring at the amazing architecture outside my window and being in disbelief that I was actually at Oxford. I arrived in Gloucester Green and fortunately found the taxi rank quite easily. I had my first encounter with an Oxonian when, unknowingly, I looked at the line of taxis lined up for customers and went to the first empty one I saw. The cab driver quickly got out and informed me that I am supposed to go to the beginning of the line of cabs, not to the middle. I got in one of the first cabs and told the driver to drop me off at the porter's lodge at Hertford, then to wait for me as I get my package, then drive to St. Catherine's. He did so for about 7 pounds (not bad).
After leaving my luggage at the lodge at St. Catherine's, I promptly headed to my orientation (but I had to be let in). Orientation went well, though it was extraordinarily long (it lasted until 4 PM!). I fell asleep towards the end, and when it finished I had the option of staying and getting my cell phone set up, but I decided to go straight back to the lodge to pick up my luggage. I got my suitcases and realized quickly that I had no way of getting to my place without a cab, which I needed to call for. At that precise moment, a taxi cab showed up in front of the lodge and let out some customers. I immediately ran outside and tapped on the cab window and asked if the driver would take me back to my accommodations with the few pounds I had on me (5 pounds at the time). He was very kind and said yes, though later I discovered that he charged me less than it would have been and in fact did me a huge favor as that was the only amount of British currency I had on me. Once at Botley Road, where my apartment is, it took some time for us to find the exact place as it was hard to see the numbers in the dark. But once I found it, I thanked the driver from the depth of my heart (and God for truly, truly taking care of me in a desperate situation) then went into my apartment. After quickly setting up my bed on the first floor (there are two stories), I took a 2-hr nap on my extremely comfortable bed, relieved to finally, finally be on a bed at last.
Being frank, there were a lot of "oh no" moments where I really thought I was done for sure and I would be stuck, whether by poor planning or poor timing. But the lessons I learned are very clear, don't give up, don't rely on just yourself (ask for help!), and don't ever doubt the Almighty God who will ALWAYS be there no matter how dim the situation may seem at the time. Thanks be to Him!
After a short security check and smooth transition, I boarded my flight to London Heathrow. The plane, to my surprise, was quite the size. I took a photo of it using my phone, but the photo seems blurry unfortunately. Nonetheless, take off went well. I sat in a row next to a girl on a program that was headed towards Florence, Italy after a short trip to London. I was happily amused to find that our seats were fully equipped with LCD screens that provided a range of entertainment available through the control of my very own remote. I must say that the entertainment definitely helped make the flight that much more enjoyable. I watched a movie and a tv show, both British, "The Duchess" and Austen... something about a girl from modern times able to revisit Austen's world. I tried to sleep, but that was my least favorite part of the flight, as it was very uncomfortable to get a good night's rest. However, we were provided with everything from goodie bags to dinner and breakfast, so I definitely enjoyed the food (especially the dessert!). After my flight, I had a long way to go. I went through customs and got my checked luggage. Then, in a mistake I very quickly came to regret, I did not put it on a trolley. As a result, I went through many hallway lanes and tunnels lugging my suitcases. Needless to say, not fun. Then, I ended up at the ground-level of "departures" and soon figured that I probably needed to ask where the Central Bus Station was. Once I got that figured, all this is after I exchanged 60 dollars to a little more than 33 pounds, I needed to pay the 20 pound fare for my bus ride to Oxford. This meant I would only have about 13 pounds in my pocket for two cab rides I would need to several places, I later quickly discovered.
There I sat, in my seat with my bookbag and coat next to me, smelling putrid after being on an airplane for so long in the same clothes, exhausted beyond comprehension. I quickly figured out how to make use of the seat next to me and use my backpack and scarf as a temporary pillow to get some rest. It was not the most comfortable ride, but I enjoyed the scenery. In fact, I was greatly amused by how much of the UK landscape resembles Indiana's. It is composed mostly of trees, farmland, and rural area until we reach town. Once we actually arrived at Oxford, my heart began to flutter with joy and relief. As I looked at the small townhouses and various shops, at the bicyclists sporting everything from helmets to leggings to whatever else, I felt excited to be in the UK, my first visit to Europe. I couldn't stop staring at the amazing architecture outside my window and being in disbelief that I was actually at Oxford. I arrived in Gloucester Green and fortunately found the taxi rank quite easily. I had my first encounter with an Oxonian when, unknowingly, I looked at the line of taxis lined up for customers and went to the first empty one I saw. The cab driver quickly got out and informed me that I am supposed to go to the beginning of the line of cabs, not to the middle. I got in one of the first cabs and told the driver to drop me off at the porter's lodge at Hertford, then to wait for me as I get my package, then drive to St. Catherine's. He did so for about 7 pounds (not bad).
After leaving my luggage at the lodge at St. Catherine's, I promptly headed to my orientation (but I had to be let in). Orientation went well, though it was extraordinarily long (it lasted until 4 PM!). I fell asleep towards the end, and when it finished I had the option of staying and getting my cell phone set up, but I decided to go straight back to the lodge to pick up my luggage. I got my suitcases and realized quickly that I had no way of getting to my place without a cab, which I needed to call for. At that precise moment, a taxi cab showed up in front of the lodge and let out some customers. I immediately ran outside and tapped on the cab window and asked if the driver would take me back to my accommodations with the few pounds I had on me (5 pounds at the time). He was very kind and said yes, though later I discovered that he charged me less than it would have been and in fact did me a huge favor as that was the only amount of British currency I had on me. Once at Botley Road, where my apartment is, it took some time for us to find the exact place as it was hard to see the numbers in the dark. But once I found it, I thanked the driver from the depth of my heart (and God for truly, truly taking care of me in a desperate situation) then went into my apartment. After quickly setting up my bed on the first floor (there are two stories), I took a 2-hr nap on my extremely comfortable bed, relieved to finally, finally be on a bed at last.
Being frank, there were a lot of "oh no" moments where I really thought I was done for sure and I would be stuck, whether by poor planning or poor timing. But the lessons I learned are very clear, don't give up, don't rely on just yourself (ask for help!), and don't ever doubt the Almighty God who will ALWAYS be there no matter how dim the situation may seem at the time. Thanks be to Him!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Off to Oxford
Well, this is it. No more planning, today is the day for putting words into action. Let me dissolve the mystery of my trip there for those who haven't heard already ;)
2:30 p.m. Leave for JFK airport via taxi cab
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Check in, go through customs and security check plus waiting for departure time
6:10 p.m. Fly on Virgin Atlantic flight VS004 from NYC to London Heathrow, about a 7-hr flight
6:20 a.m. (London time, about 1:20 a.m. EST) Arrive at Heathrow at Terminal 3, get checked bags
6:45 a.m. Approximate time to go to Central Bus Station nearby the terminal and get on "the airline" provided by the Oxford Bus Company
7:00 a.m. Approximate time for departure to Oxford from the airport
8:00 a.m. Arrive at Gloucester Green (in Oxford City Centre), hail a cab to Hertford College to pick up my arrival package
8:30 a.m. Pick up package, and based on current time, decide whether to 1) go to my accommodations and drop off my luggage or 2) head straight to St. Catherine's College for orientation
And orientation, well, that could last anywhere from two hours to the whole day. I haven't got a clue. Woo, that's my next day and a half and the reason why some, most of you won't be hearing from me until later on this week. But assuming all goes smoothly, I will be sure to talk to all of my loved ones very soon. Peace out, NYC. Glory be to Him.
2:30 p.m. Leave for JFK airport via taxi cab
3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Check in, go through customs and security check plus waiting for departure time
6:10 p.m. Fly on Virgin Atlantic flight VS004 from NYC to London Heathrow, about a 7-hr flight
6:20 a.m. (London time, about 1:20 a.m. EST) Arrive at Heathrow at Terminal 3, get checked bags
6:45 a.m. Approximate time to go to Central Bus Station nearby the terminal and get on "the airline" provided by the Oxford Bus Company
7:00 a.m. Approximate time for departure to Oxford from the airport
8:00 a.m. Arrive at Gloucester Green (in Oxford City Centre), hail a cab to Hertford College to pick up my arrival package
8:30 a.m. Pick up package, and based on current time, decide whether to 1) go to my accommodations and drop off my luggage or 2) head straight to St. Catherine's College for orientation
And orientation, well, that could last anywhere from two hours to the whole day. I haven't got a clue. Woo, that's my next day and a half and the reason why some, most of you won't be hearing from me until later on this week. But assuming all goes smoothly, I will be sure to talk to all of my loved ones very soon. Peace out, NYC. Glory be to Him.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Last minute preparations
panic, v.
2. intr. To give way to panic; to get into a panic; to lose one's head.
(Oxford English Dictionary)
So... yeah. I panicked for a while today packing and getting ready for the trip. It happens, and it's just not fun to worry like that about anything. And I'm fretting, grouchy, snapping at my parents... and then I took a shower and really thought things over and realized just how blind I've been in this state of panic, just how unaware I am of the way I worship perfectionism, the way I look to it as if that is the answer to all my problems. But it's not, and it never will be.
The Holy Spirit made it very clear that perfectionism, this thing that so many of us try to feed as if we could ever be perfect, as if we could ever attain that state of perfection and flawlessness, destroys us. It runs our lives, it makes us forget what life is really about. I realized that and looked back at just what I need to do, just what I've lost in this state of trying to plan this trip to make it perfect, for things not to go "wrong" and I see that I've abandoned two things that are essential to being a Christ-follower and a righteous person: kindness and respect for others. I'm grateful that He showed me that side of myself, that part of me that has not surrendered to Him, that pride that still sits vehemently in my heart and what I need to do to surrender that to Him. It is all about trust, all about humbleness, all about absolute, unconditional faith. And I've given the "remote control" of this trip, of my entire trip, all to Him. It's not about me, it's not about how much I plan or I try or what I do, but it's all, and it must all be about Him and He taught that to me today through His Holy Spirit and His beautiful Word.
Thank You, Lord, for showing me the Way, for forevermore loving me even when I'm so utterly unlovable. Thank You.
2. intr. To give way to panic; to get into a panic; to lose one's head.
(Oxford English Dictionary)
So... yeah. I panicked for a while today packing and getting ready for the trip. It happens, and it's just not fun to worry like that about anything. And I'm fretting, grouchy, snapping at my parents... and then I took a shower and really thought things over and realized just how blind I've been in this state of panic, just how unaware I am of the way I worship perfectionism, the way I look to it as if that is the answer to all my problems. But it's not, and it never will be.
The Holy Spirit made it very clear that perfectionism, this thing that so many of us try to feed as if we could ever be perfect, as if we could ever attain that state of perfection and flawlessness, destroys us. It runs our lives, it makes us forget what life is really about. I realized that and looked back at just what I need to do, just what I've lost in this state of trying to plan this trip to make it perfect, for things not to go "wrong" and I see that I've abandoned two things that are essential to being a Christ-follower and a righteous person: kindness and respect for others. I'm grateful that He showed me that side of myself, that part of me that has not surrendered to Him, that pride that still sits vehemently in my heart and what I need to do to surrender that to Him. It is all about trust, all about humbleness, all about absolute, unconditional faith. And I've given the "remote control" of this trip, of my entire trip, all to Him. It's not about me, it's not about how much I plan or I try or what I do, but it's all, and it must all be about Him and He taught that to me today through His Holy Spirit and His beautiful Word.
Thank You, Lord, for showing me the Way, for forevermore loving me even when I'm so utterly unlovable. Thank You.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Preparations
I cannot believe I am leaving for London on Wednesday. That is three days, no, two full days from today. Wow. It just hit me how fast this break has gone by and how quick Wednesday is going to be here. I'm in shock and I think I'm going to stay in shock for a while, until I actually arrive at my place in Oxford and I snap myself out of this trance I'm in, this utter disbelief that I'm going to be at Oxford for an entire six months plus.
Today was a fun day, I went to church then had lunch with Jia and her friend Wayne, then came home continuing my addiction to Friday Night Lights (show on nbc, it keeps me distracted from fussing over trip details). Then later on I had a nice going away/b-day dinner with a group of friends at Johnny Rockets. I sat in Starbucks with my friend Elzara (who is amazingly cool btw) and looked out the window and not even for a second did I think I would be in London in three days. I looked out to 71st Continental and only thought, it's Forest Hills at night and I'm home in New York. But slowly, especially as it nears Tuesday night, it will hit me that I'm leaving everything I know to be "independent," completely dependent on Him and it's going to be tough, but wonderful. All praise to Him.
Today was a fun day, I went to church then had lunch with Jia and her friend Wayne, then came home continuing my addiction to Friday Night Lights (show on nbc, it keeps me distracted from fussing over trip details). Then later on I had a nice going away/b-day dinner with a group of friends at Johnny Rockets. I sat in Starbucks with my friend Elzara (who is amazingly cool btw) and looked out the window and not even for a second did I think I would be in London in three days. I looked out to 71st Continental and only thought, it's Forest Hills at night and I'm home in New York. But slowly, especially as it nears Tuesday night, it will hit me that I'm leaving everything I know to be "independent," completely dependent on Him and it's going to be tough, but wonderful. All praise to Him.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year!!!
Song of the Day: Here I Am - Bryan Adams
Here I am!
This is me
I come into this world
so wild and free.
Here I am!
So young and strong
Right here in the place
where I belong.
It's a new world -
it's a new start
It's a live with the
beating of a young heart
It's a new day
- in a new land
And it's waiting for me!
Here I am!
Oh
It's a new world
It's a new start
It's a life with the
beating of a young heart
Yeah, it's a new day
in a new land
and it's waiting for me!
Here I am!
This song reiterates everything that I seek in this new coming year. I'm optimistic about this year. With Him, I've let the worries, anxieties, wrongs, hurts of yesterday be left behind in the past. Now it's 2009 and I'm ready for a fresh start and a new adventure! I can't wait to see what the new year holds, who I will meet, the many places I will go, the way I will change because of this new journey I'm embarking on. I'm looking forward to the many postcards and letters I will send about the laughter across the streets, the Oxford view, the British life and imprints of my footprints across London ;) It's a new year, a new opportunity to follow the right path, His path. Thank you to all who have made it a fantastic year! I love you all!
<3 Thank You for a blessed year, Lord. May You continue to bless us all in this coming year and help us to know You and Your Love. Amen.
Here I am!
This is me
I come into this world
so wild and free.
Here I am!
So young and strong
Right here in the place
where I belong.
It's a new world -
it's a new start
It's a live with the
beating of a young heart
It's a new day
- in a new land
And it's waiting for me!
Here I am!
Oh
It's a new world
It's a new start
It's a life with the
beating of a young heart
Yeah, it's a new day
in a new land
and it's waiting for me!
Here I am!
This song reiterates everything that I seek in this new coming year. I'm optimistic about this year. With Him, I've let the worries, anxieties, wrongs, hurts of yesterday be left behind in the past. Now it's 2009 and I'm ready for a fresh start and a new adventure! I can't wait to see what the new year holds, who I will meet, the many places I will go, the way I will change because of this new journey I'm embarking on. I'm looking forward to the many postcards and letters I will send about the laughter across the streets, the Oxford view, the British life and imprints of my footprints across London ;) It's a new year, a new opportunity to follow the right path, His path. Thank you to all who have made it a fantastic year! I love you all!
<3 Thank You for a blessed year, Lord. May You continue to bless us all in this coming year and help us to know You and Your Love. Amen.
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