5th Week: Balls, Tea, and Lear, Oh My! (bad attempt at parallelism)

Well, many big events have taken place in the last week. the first of which was some good though very difficult news. I found out on Wednesday that I have been offered a the International Ambassadorial scholarship from the Rotary Club. It is worth $25,000, and it's purpose is to afford me the opportunity to study in France for 1 academic year. I was initially both flabbergasted and extremely thankful, and then reality started crashing down on me. first of all, this scholarship is only good beginning next fall, essentially I would have to go to Angers, France from September till next June. To me this is amazing, but I am hesitant to give up another year of precious time at Mercer and to be away from my family. I could hear both the happiness and sadness in my parents voice when I told them. Though they are undoubtedly supportive, I know that it would pain them for me to be away for another year after this six month period at Oxford. I still haven't made up my mind nor have I received all of the information I need before I must make a decision; however, I am leaning toward going. Angers is a beautiful place, I would get to live with a family while studying at l'universitie catholiqe de l'ouest in a program for foreign language students. I just don't think I can give this opportunity up; I can finally master French in a way not possible in the States. I still have a lot of thinking to do. I will let you know when I decided! I have to by April 1st.

Off of that small issue, I also went to my first Ball last Friday! It was called "From Russia with Love," and or course, it was James Bond themed. I have to say it was absolutely amazing. Held at the Oxford Union, the ball had everything you could imagine, ice sculptures, a faux casino, two chocolate fountains, G & D's Ice cream (BUTTERSCOTCH!!!!), Live music, a disco, and laser tag, and about anything else you could imagine. Not to mention all of the people were dressed in amazing formal wear! about 10 or 11 people went from the program, so it was a really fun time for all of us! I will most definitely go back for the Trinity term ball as well (regardless of the cost).

High Tea also took place this last week on Sunday, and it consisted of the most delectable consortment of baked goods that one could ever image. Penelope is an amazing baker, and she spent the preceding three days preparing her confections for us. I had two cups of glorious earl Grey tea while eating numerous baked goods I still don't know what they were; However, what i do know is that they were absolutely delicious, and I got to enjoy engaging and wonderful conversation with everyone there, including Francis who is as we all know quite amazing (last student of C.S. Lewis, he is Lord White Fellow, Dean of Degrees of St.Peter's college, and even taught Sir Ian McKellen many many years ago!)

Last but certainly not least, was the play "King Lear," which we all went to see last night in Stratford (where Shakespeare was born). The play was absolutely riveting. I spent 3 and a half hours sitting on the edge of the seat. The actors where superb and Greg Hicks played Lear (he was astonishing) his voice was always laced with emotion and his anguished screams were torturous as he was destroyed by his daughters: Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. Luckily, I study King Lear in two of my English classes last semester, so I was well versed in the language and plot and was therefore able to concentrate on the visibly stunning quality of the production. While they did some things that I really didn't care for (namely setting the the main plot and sub-plot in different time periods (as denoted by their dichotomous garb)). It was till interesting to see the directors imagination at work. The end of the play was mind blowing; I sat back in my chair and take a few breaths afterwards. it completely drained me emotionally and it took most of the ride back home to recover. According to Jacqui (the Shakespeare tutor for Oxford) it is common custom for everyone off to the pub after Lear is performed because it is so depressing. haha. I am incredibly happy I got to see it! It was really masterfully done and by far the best play I have ever seen!