Two Crazy Weeks!

Well, I have already been here for two weeks, and I can't believe the things I have already experienced. One of the most amazing opportunities I have had thus far was to see a play preformed in the London Westside (a.k.a. the Broadway of England). We watched the Play Enron, and I was completely dumbfounded. It was a perfect melding of traditional drama with Modern technology.
A brilliant light saber duel, a slew of blood hungry raptors, and some of the worst american southern accents I have ever heard all coalesced to form a riveting depiction of the downfall of Sam West and the Enron Corporation. It was very intense and in some aspects rather disheartening. For instance, One of the ending scenes depicts the crashing of the planes into the twin towers and their eventual fall. While in itself the remembrance of such a tragic event is a memorial to those who died, in this instance, it was merely a parallel to the fall of "Big Business." All of us Americans were very taken aback by the scene, though we had been warned about it in a lecture earlier that day. I have to say that seeing such a disrespectful display made me more aware of the innate love I have for my country. I may not agree with many of the things that we have done and are doing, but I am American!
In other news, I have found a love for Curry I never knew existed because every Thursday is Curry night here in oxford, and my friends and I all set out to the local pub in order to get the 6 pound special. I had the chicken korma because it's one chili pepper rating; I am very much a lightweight in the way of spicy food and unlike the other members of the table, I refuse to sweat from every pore while crying for the sake of the chicken vendaloo - No thanks!!!
OOOOOHhhhh, One more thing. Yesterday I went Trampolining for the first time. I don't mean getting on a dinky 10 foot, backyard trampoline; I mean jumping on a competition style Trampoline and flying through the air. It was amazing fun, and today almost every muscle in my body is sore. I will probably go again Sunday and then I have to decide if I want to pay the 30 pound charge to continue participating in the Oxford Sports Areana; It is a bit expensive!
"And so to Bed." - Pepys

Oxford Tips & Tricks

So While I am waiting an exorbitant amount of time for my first load of laundry to get done, I have decided to write another quick entry into my blog.
First and foremost, I absolutely love it here. I haven't had to drive in more days than I can count, and the only thing I must do is read books (Perfect world). Also, the people here are wonderful, and I have learned quickly what things to say and what things should be avoided.
One: Don't make jokes about titles (particularly ones concerning princesses) while applying for your Library card.
Two: Pants here are most definitely not pants but are instead underwear.
Three: Avoid using the word "fanny" at all cost (thankfully I was warned about this one in advance albeit I don't remember the last time I actually used the word "fanny"). Four: Cookies = Biscuits, Biscuits = Scones, Crisps = Chips, Chips = Fries, and Fries don't exist!
Five: Street food vendors are the best things ever created; There is nothing like a good Cheese & Chips (look above for translation) while walking home between 9-3 at night! They also serve Doner (Lamb) Kebabs, which I have yet to try but am looking greatly forward to it. They are a little pricey but smell absolutely worth it. Anyway, These are a few of the quick tips and lessons that one needs in order to function here in Oxford. Good times!

Insomnia

Well, It is 3:21 in the morning, and for the life of me, I cannot get back to sleep. So Instead, I will write my next blog entry.

Thus far, England has been amazing!. initially, I got off the plane, was incredibly jet lagged, and didn't understand why I had done this to myself. The bus ride was beautiful and everything was covered in snow (which I love!!!). However, I could have seen any of it in Tennessee (minus the sheep). Anyways, It wasn't until we actually turned into Oxford that I realized why I had tortured myself with a six hour lay over in philly followed by the 7 hour plane ride and the hour and a half bus drive--Oxford was amazing. The first sight I remember that truly epitomized Oxford for me was Christ Church. Though I thought it was the university itself at first, Christ Church is amazing. it's "dreaming Spires are the epitome of what an American thinks Europe should be.

I then walked into my flat and realized had my apprehensions return. It was small; My room appeared to me a cupboard; and I the Pound system over here had me completely befuddled. However, these places and obstacles are quickly becoming home.

The Thames River is right out my back door (though I had no idea what it was at first), and the snow that has blanketed the entire country is breath taking. Also, I can walk to anywhere and pick up anything in just a few minutes; it is glorious. I truly detest vehicles, and there is NO abundance of them here! (the exception being the very speedy taxis which seem to attempt running us Americans over at every opportunity.)

Well, It is now 3:36, and I really need to attempt sleep once again. These few musings have barely tapped the surface of what I have been experiencing here thus far, and I completely intend to write more when I am a smidgen more Cognizant.

Best Wishes and Cheers! (BTW I will typo check this later; it's late)

Last Night in the United States

For nearly a year, I have known about the journey. I knew I was going to Oxford and that I would be forced to leave behind my home, family, and friends; However, now, it looms before me, ominous and inadvertent.

Continuously, I have been asked, "Are you excited?" or "Are you scared?," and until now, I could have stoically answered , "yes." But my answers were wrote. I was merely repeating the answers I knew I was expected to give. Now, I am truly consumed by both of these emotions. I am both petrified and thrilled by the greatest opportunities which has been presented to me, thus far.

I can't wait to step out of my house and into the air. The sky is the limit for the next 6 months, and I plan to make the most of them. I can't wait to sit in the places that Lewis and Tolkien sat and to walk in the self-same paths they trod. To stare at the awe-inspiring sites that have graced the eyes and imaginations of so many thousands before me.

I am ready to embrace what life will deal me--I am ready to learn!