Elizabeth and Thamy Go to Oxford

Six Weeks at Trinity College and Beyond

Dear Oxford, your pubs rock!

So on Saturday night a few of the students in our program took on the pub crawl experience! Elizabeth, having come done with a cold, had to unwillingly skip out on the alcohol-induced fun. We were fortunate to hit about 6 pubs, all of which had cozy atmospheres. We started off at The Bear which is a historic pub in Oxford. With its’ low ceiling and tiny tiny space, the pub was actually the epitome of an Oxford pub. We then ventured down to the Half Moon, an Irish pub. That is when things started to get wicked weird. We encountered some men dressed like pirates, parading a blow up doll. Yes, a blow up doll. Two of the guys on hour trip were brave enough to actually touch what was most likely to be a STD infested plastic “toy”. We also enjoyed some impromptu live music at the pub. A man decided to play “Should I stay? Or should I go?” by the Clash and then “Norwegian Wood” by the Beatles. Quite possibly one of the few Beatles songs that I cannot sing along to. 

We hit a few other pubs that night but one of my favorites was the Kazbar. It is a Moroccan themed pub, with gorgeous decorations and delicious cocktails. I enjoyed a yummy sangria as I sat in a cozy corner with a few friends, chatting and enjoying the atmosphere. 

The night ended with a stop at a food truck to indulge in some delicious “chips” or french fries for those who are not familiar with the British lingo. Some of our group then decided to turn in for the night but I, along with some ambitious drinkers, united at the White Horse. The night ended with some venting, some laughs and a lot of crankiness. We seem to get tired quite early in the evening for we returned to our rooms before midnight. I blame it on the rigorous academic program. And also on the amount of alcohol consumed. 

Cheers!

- Thamy

We’re Sorry

Thamy and I have been put to shame concerning our so called “Travel Blog” in comparison with our friends who manage to write long, coherent accounts of their stay in Oxford on nearly an every day basis. To our twelve followers, who we are sure have been continually disappointed by our lack of updates, we apologize. In all honesty, though, the only reason I’m writing right now is because I can’t go out due to an impromptu cold and thus cannot enjoy a bunch of pints as Thamy and all our friends are doing at this very moment. I will view this as a blessing in disguise, however, and try to fill in the blank spaces. It will probably do me some good write about something that does not concern Jane Austen or British Politics. (And by the way, my existential crisis concerning Margaret Thatcher WILL be written).

Anyways, the last time I really posted anything was when I stepped foot on this island. Thamy filled you in on last weekend so I suppose I’ll  cover the next week and the weekend. I am gradually getting used to the teaching style, and was more encouraged when I got my essay back in my British Politics class, although I’m sure my cold that I acquired this week made the second one a total dud. Yesterday, Michelle and I discussed how the teaching style here isn’t exactly conduscive to a six week program. The tutorial style revolves around reading and writing, and coming to your own conclusions about concepts that you have studied. There are no grades until the end, so you aren’t working for an ambiguous letter that could really mean anything but for the actual expansion of your mind. The problem with cramming this method into six weeks is that it does count towards an ambiguous grade which makes everything ten times more stressful.

The school week mostly consisted of a combination of school work and beer and or  cider and sometimes whiskey. I got drunk on a Tuesday and wound up ranting about politics in the White Horse to British soldiers who had worked for Hal Burton. In so many ways, this does not surprise me. I always manage to talk about politics or something that will make one really uncomfortable at probably the most inappropriate times. Fortunately, I lucked out and had a very good conversation with one of them about President Obama and overall American ignorance when it comes to international relations. I love the fact that I can coop myself up in the Trinity Library and look forward to going to the pubs at night. The freedom of it is wonderful, and I won’t have that when I get back to the states for another four months. Also, American bars can compare to pubs, they’re much cozier.

This weekend we took a trip to Bath. Our trip was quite eventful since Michelle, Becca, Josyln, Connor and I among a couple of others managed to get on the wrong train. Thankfully, it wasn’t too big of a blunder and it was highly amusing. Unfortunately, I also lost my one and only sweater.  The Roman baths were fascinating. Their ingenuity is truly inspiring and almost more impressive than today’s technology in my opinion. We also tried some of the special mineral water from the spring. It tasted like blood, but I suppose I could have used the iron. The earlier loss of my sweater left me quite cold in the dreary weather and I was resigned to buy another one for ten pounds at the Gap. Despite this, I still managed to catch the cold that I am just beginning to get over and what confined me to Trinity and not the pub crawl (Thamy, that’s all you).

What I did manage to do, was attend a service at Christ’s Church Cathedral. Being a former Episcopal choir girl I have a deep appreciation for good liturgy and music. I got both and even a good sermon, who’s gist was that sacrifice in it’s true form should not feel like sacrifice but a joy and I could not agree more. Also, I know I should not be feeling this since it is church and all, but it felt good (and kind of superior) to know EXACTLY what I was doing among all the tourists. It was the first time I did not feel like a foreigner.

Unfortunately the cold has raged on and made the last couple days kind of miserable BUT tonight I had the opportunity to hear Sir Christopher Ricks, the former professor of poetry at Oxford,  talk about the poetics of prose, and I even got the chance to talk to him about my thesis and my notions about the intersections between poetry and law.

That is a patch up of the past week or so, Thamy can fill you in about the more fun things that my damn cold has confined me from. And perhaps if I’m not too lazy I’ll add some photos tomorrow.

Good night!

-Elizabeth

On Oxford Academics

For the first time in my life I truly have no idea what I’m doing academically. Although I’m quite positive that this method of teaching is probably 100x better, it’s definitely harder. It isn’t like the tutor teaches you the information and you regurgitate it back, you have to find the information, digest it and then come to your own conclusions and analysis. I have spent the past week reading as much as I can on Margaret Thatcher. She awakens my ambitious dark side, but that’s besides the point. (I’ll probably have to write something about Margaret Thatcher and my views about government and compassion and what not.) The question I must write this 2,000 to 3,000 word essay is: “Did Margaret Thatcher achieve her goals in government?”  I feel like an idiot, trying to formulate some kind of scholarly response that will make due. It’s so broad and vague. Oh well, I suppose I’ll actually learn something and learn some academic humility along the way. My smart ass days are over.

-Elizabeth

It’s been really hard to blog since I have been desperately trying to stay away from the internet. But this is such a good way to document my journey that I am allowing myself to take some time away from my school work to capture the past few days via internet.

Thursday night a few of the girls from the program and I went to see a Harry Potter double feature. Elizabeth and I hung around Magdalen Street (I walked her over to the Eagle and Child and watched her geek out at the sign with JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis names written on it. We then proceeded to the Martyr Statue that is a memorial for 3 dudes who died for their religion. That’s a pretty common theme around here apparently. We were then joined by Michelle and Becca and hung around until it was time to head to the Odeon Theater. Being able to watch Part 1 before Part 2 was great because I got to pick up right where I left off. Unfortunately the experience wasn’t as great as I would hope: my emotions are so out of whack. For some reason I just haven’t been able to let my emotions consume me so although I was very emotional throughout Part 2 and seemed to be crying there were no tears. I’m not sure how to explain it. I feel the emotion but for some reason it just doesn’t spill over in tear form. Either way, the movie was as great as one could hope, they really did try their best. Overall I was satisfied.

The next morning was rough. With only four hours of sleep I woke up and headed to breakfast before going to London for the day. We took a fast tube to Paddington Station and then the Underground to Westminster. I’m not familiar with the layout of London so I was surprised (and very delighted) to see Big Ben the second I emerged from Westminster station. I distinctly remember taking a picture of Parliament from the internet and setting it as my background freshman year of High School (I also had a picture of Oxford as my background for a while seeing as it reminded me of Hogwarts). Westminster Abbey was extremely crowded. Lots of tourists. Lots of stuff. I thought it was cool to see the tomb of Henry IV and Elizabeth of York because we that’s the time period I’ve been covering in one of my classes here. We didn’t linger in the Abbey for too long. We got some sandwiches from Tesco Express and ate them next to the Lincoln statue. The Brits sure do appreciate American presidents. 

After the Abbey we visited Trafalgar Square. There were some giant lion statues and so we were able to successfully climb onto one in order to take some toursity photos. We then walked across a bridge and took some pictures of Parliament from afar and the London eye. We also saw a really cool exhibit of poetry written by refugees. It was very touching. We then proceeded to Buckingham Palace.

Now, my friend Alex from high school will tell anyone how obsessed I’ve been with England. I would often tell him that I was going to run away to England during my more rebellious phase. I was very upset that I couldn’t take a picture of the guards but was just happy to see the Palace and just be there. We also walked around Green Park and just kind of hung out. I took a picture of a really pretty path in the park that was surrounded my trees, prompting the phrase “Such a beautiful place to be with friends” to pop into my head. Oh Dobby, RIP. After walking around London we were all pretty tired and deserved a refreshing pitcher of Pimms. 

Our last tourist trip was one to King’s Cross to see Platform 9 3/4. We were pretty disillusioned by the fact that the platform wasn’t in the pretty part of the station and that platform 9 and 10 weren’t connected. Nevertheless, it was an experience and we were still pretty content with how we spent the day. 

Once we finally got back to Oxford, having taken a very slow train, we washed up and went to the Eagle and Child for dinner. Good food, good drinks, good conversation with some great people. Elizabeth, Becca, Michelle, Connor and I were joined by Jas, another student in the program. We conversed for a while at the pub and then Jas, Connor and I went to the Turf Tavern. I finally met some British people! They were friends with Jas and were all very nice and friendly. Lovely chaps!

I am dedicating the vast majority of today to spending some quality time with Trinity Library. I have both a paper and a presentation due early in the week. The weather is quite shitty right now, so there’s no excuse for me not to confine myself to the library and get some work done! 

- Thamy

Work Hard, Play Hard

I’m not going to lie, when it comes to partying I can be a little bitch. My usual mentality is “I’d play…but I have a paper due in like ten days and I should probably finish revising it.” That’s an exageration, but you get the point. For my British Politics course I have to write a 2,000-3,000 word essay PER WEEK, not to mention a sheer fuck ton of reading. My Jane Austen course has only two essays but cramped into this time period is a serious bitch for me. Focus would not be an issue, but fortunately and unfortunately there’s a pub around the corner that has a slogan that says “An Education in Intoxication” and practically every famous person ever has enjoyed a drink there. And let me tell you, I’m getting my education. This is the first day I have not drank since I have set foot on this lovely little island. But, hey, I’ve decided to up my game. I’m a huge nerd so I’ll still work hard but playing a little is out of the question. I’ll probably die from lack of sleep, but what the hell?

PS

This post is probably really incoherent because Ive been in the library all day giving myself a crash course on the General Election of 1979, the SDP and Margaret Thatcher AND I just watched a ton of Jenna Marbles videos .

Toodles!

-Elizabeth

I should start posting

Tonight Elizabeth and I joined a group of awesome ladies at the Turf Tavern. You know, where our friend Bill Clinton supposedly didn’t inhale. Needless to say I’m quite.. um.. giddy? That’s a good way to put it. 

Like Elizabeth said we spent the morning wandering around taking as many touristy picture as our hearts desired. (I even allowed myself to go all out and take one in a red telephone booth, fulfilling a childhood dream of mine.) After that we went on an 8 mile walk to Wytham and back. On the way there we walked next to the Thames and on the way back we accompanied the Oxford Canal. The walk was gorgeous and very much unrealistic to me. We saw cows in their natural habitat, pooping and peeing as they pleased. We also saw some adorable narrow boats with very intriguing color schemes. 

We start our classes tomorrow, and my emotions are a mix of excitement and nervousness. I’m excited because the topics are so interesting and we can actually see the things we talk about in class. I’m nervous because it’s Oxford. We’re getting taught by Oxford faculty and the thought of that is intimidating as shit. (Don’t mind the cursing, it will happen quite often.) So here’s to tomorrow!

- Thamy

From New England to England

The last 48 hours have been surreal. I don’t even think it’s been 48 hours but my body time is so out of wack I feel like the flight across the pond was days and days ago. I spent my last day in New England in the most New England way possible. I wandered around Harvard Square and my last meal I had was at the Hyatt near Logan over looking the harbor.  I had clam chowder, and salmon with a side of lobster mash potatoes. It was so rich I was a little worried that the combination of nerves about going and my overall nervousness about flying in general would culminate in me returning all that fish back to the Atlantic Ocean. Thankfully that was not the case. If I couldn’t have had a glass of red wine and watched Harry Potter 7 Part I and Family Guy through the duration of the flight I would have gone absolutely insane because there was virtually NO leg room. At one point in attempt to make myself more comfortable I’m sure my feet were sticking out of the seat in front of me. Needless to say, I didn’t sleep a wink and neither did Thamy or anyone else on our flight for that matter. By the time we arrived in Oxford I felt gross and exhausted. It made my first glimpses of the city even more unreal. There is no place like this in the states. Every cranny of the place is historic and you even find anything as simple as a stone wall is aesthetically pleasing.  After arriving at Trinity, unpacking and showering I figured sleep at that point would do more harm than good. My neighbor, Joslyn, and I decided to grab something to eat and explore. Although everything is definitely more expensive here, thanks to the shitty exchange rate there are some pluses. One is that food is cheaper is you get for take out or take away as the British call it. That’s because waiters actually get paid good wages and don’t rely completely on tips. (Hint, hint America). We then wandered the streets, not really paying attention to where we were going. But of course, I managed to find the Divinity School. It’s in my blood, I can’t help it. What’s cool is that the Divinity School was what they used as the infirmary for Harry Potter. They had an exhibit on the making of The King James Bible and I saw the New Testament that was owned by Ann Boleyn. I couldn’t stop freaking out. You would think that my giddiness would have worn off with rest, but it hasn’t. This morning Thamy and I took a walk around back to the Bodleian Library and practically started squealing with delight whenever we saw something awesome…so practically the whole walk. I’ve given up on not looking like a tourist, I realize that completely embracing your ignorance and showing enthusiasm about things you have never seen before is far more enjoyable way to travel. Pictures will be coming very soon, and THAMY START POSTING.

-Elizabeth

It’s Become Second Nature

I have taken it a step further than Thamy and done the majority of my packing for my journey across the pond on Independence Day. How loyalist of me. As Thamy said, you really don’t need much as long as you have your passport, money and clean underwear. The head waitress at the Route 9 Diner said she’d even exclude the underwear: “Why are you taking the whole week off to prepare? Buy underwear when you get there!” (Totally did not mean for that to rhyme). I’ve fit basically everything minus my jewelry and toiletries into a semi-large bag that still has plenty of stuffage room for things I will acquire there. I’m bringing five dresses, two skirts a couple pairs of jeans and shorts, shirts, cute shirts, tennis shoes, black flats, black hooker heals and my flippy floppies. I am in desperate need of new socks, I never have enough socks and I always always lose them. I figured I’d wear my hoodie for impromptu chilliness on the plane. I’ll carry on a backpack with my laptop and other electronics and the essentials I need for my classes.

Packing really has become pretty non stress activity for me at this point. Since I was fifteen I have been packing and moving between home (First Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and now West Hatfield, Massachusetts) and boarding school, and now home and college. It’s occurred to me the moment I stay in one place for an entire year will be very strange. As much as I claim to be  a homebody, I’m actually quite nomadic at heart, as long as I can find a home and a sense of place while traveling, which I have always managed to do. I’m sure that Oxford will be no different. Combined with it’s dedication to intellectual thought over the centuries, it’s historic beauty, and the wonderful experiences I am sure I will have, I have little doubt that I will be able to make a home for myself.

-Elizabeth

Packing: Check.

Hello tumblr world! I have dedicated this weekend to packing. Because there is nothing more patriotic than packing to leave this country for the country they fought so tirelessly to gain independence from. Right? Isn’t that why we celebrate the 4th of July?

At first the idea of packing seemed daunting. I could feel the anxiety wash over me. What size luggage do I take? Do I really need 4 dresses? What if it rains? Am I packing too many shoes? (Trust me I could go on). Despite all of these questions looming in my head, I managed to settle on a medium (ish?) size bag that rolls and a small adidas duffle bag to bring as a carry on along with my backpack.  I received great advice from a friend who is an experienced traveler. She sent me a text that read: “Just bring essentials and remember that you can buy anything you forget when you get there… so there’s no need to stress! As long as you have your passport, clean undies and a credit card your good”. This was good advice especially since I hadn’t taken into account all of the souvenirs I will most likely be purchasing. After deciding on how many pairs of pants, shorts, skirts, t-shirts, etc, I should take all that was left to do was organize. I decided to bring a couple of outfits in my carry on just in case my bags are lost (it happened to my dad once).

Now all that’s left to pack are the things I use every day like my make-up, electronics, wallet, etc. Since I work during the week this was the only time I had to pack all of this. I have a fear of over-packing… hopefully I won’t look like an obnoxious tourist!

- Thamy

I’ll Give this a Try

In about four days I’ll be boarding a plane to study at Trinity College, Oxford for six weeks. I’ll do my best to keep this blog updated with photos, videos and significant stories about my travels. This will be a time of growth, and unanticipated healing from recent, tragic events within my family. Wish me luck! The first step: PACKING.