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.