Last night, I fell asleep talking to Dave. Oops. I didn't even realize how tired I was. It was about quarter to 4, I think, and I had still been reading stuff for my Philip/Elizabeth class so that I could concentrate on the essay for today.
I actually woke up at 10, finished the readings for my Philip/Elizabeth class and then head to lunch. I think we talked about Harry Potter most of the way, during lunch, and then Ande and I did on the way to the post office. I mailed some postcards for much cheaper than I thought it would be. I hope they get to people. I don't have addresses right now, so it was only to people that I knew addresses for. heh.
Ande and I wait outside Christ Church (pictures will be up someday, I promise!) for our class to go on an Elizabethan Tour around Oxford. It was just to Christ Church and St. Mary's Cathedral, but it was nice. Dr. Ehlers kind of snuck us in without having to pay. It was kind of hilarious. He told us about the history of the place, about some bones and such, and Elizabeth giving a speech in the Cathedral. It was very interesting and kind of cool to be like "Elizabeth was right there giving a speech...right there!"
I then when back to the house, where I tried to work. I finished my readings for Archer's class and then I realized something...one of the things that I printed out for Ehler's class was three chapters long...and the syllabus only said to read one chapter! I had wasted the entire morning reading something I didn't even need to read! Gah! I was not very pleased with that, but whatever.
I'm really glad that I did Archer's paper early. If I had to turn that into tomorrow as well, I would be so stressed that I'd be crying. All of tomorrow. I just figured out how exactly I'm going to write Ehler's paper which is due on Friday at midnight, so that's nice. I'm going to outline it tonight kind-of, and probably write the introduction to it as well. I think I'll be able to crank out 8 pages though. The hard part was figuring out how to use the source though for me.
At dinner everyone forgot me so I walked alone and kind of ate alone. I talked to Julian, this Keble guy, for a bit 'cause he knew I was a Georgia kid. He invited me to a party (I think the first one ever, really) but I had to do this paper. Which I haven't really done.
So now I'm going to read through my sources and do that outline! It may not seem like a lot of work, but it is. And time just flies by. I mean...I've never felt time go so fast before!
I'm going to upload some pictures as well to facebook and probably to Picasa for those of you with no facebook.
Showing posts with label oxford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label oxford. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Day 5 - Day 14? : Sleeping doesn't happen
Why have I not updated you ask? Work.
I knew Oxford was going to be a lot of work, but this is a lot of work. It's all we talk about here. It's hard to talk about anything else. Between classes you're sleeping or reading for your next class, or at dinner you're talking about how much ahead other people are, or just how many sources you're using in your next paper.
It's constant and unrelenting.
It's really nothing you'll find at school. I've been stressed before (as I usually am, actually) but this is intense for only two classes. Then again, in the space of 8 classes, we're doing a semesters worth of learning. Of course it's going to be difficult. You just don't get that til you're here.
I actually deal with stress much better than people here. They get sick and have nose bleeds and take medication. See, Mom, I'm not that bad!
So what have I been up to this past week and almost a half?
Reading, walking, sleeping when I can, eating when I can, some shopping, a mass, more reading, more reading, writing, some beer, and lots of failing Skype.
There really isn't anything much to say, other than how much I'm reading. I feel like if I can actually post everyday, it's going to be like "I read 200 pages today on Philip and Elizabeth, along with writing a paper for..." at least for another two 1/2 weeks.
The grad students don't much like us. They say we work too hard.
The weather's been steadily nice, though apparently it's supposed to rain here bad soon.
Skype sucks.
I miss lunches a lot because I sleep in.
Primark is the cheapest place to buy most anything. I'm going to look for some boots, maybe a purse, and a rainjacket! Already got some undies, and two shirts there for under 5 pounds.
Kat and I are thinking of going to Bath for a day trip on Friday or Saturday. It depends though - we may go to Dover or Brighton instead, who knows!
Also planning on going to the Chatworth House (Pemberely in the new Pride & Prejudice movie) hopefully to see a European equestrian championship there too! How awesome.
Also got tickets to see John Barrowman in concert. It's gorgeous and gay and in Doctor Who/Torchwood. It cost 32 pounds, but will be so worth it.
I have to go finish reading about 200 pages tonight before I can sleep. I should have pictures up as soon as I get some free time to have the patience to upload them!
I knew Oxford was going to be a lot of work, but this is a lot of work. It's all we talk about here. It's hard to talk about anything else. Between classes you're sleeping or reading for your next class, or at dinner you're talking about how much ahead other people are, or just how many sources you're using in your next paper.
It's constant and unrelenting.
It's really nothing you'll find at school. I've been stressed before (as I usually am, actually) but this is intense for only two classes. Then again, in the space of 8 classes, we're doing a semesters worth of learning. Of course it's going to be difficult. You just don't get that til you're here.
I actually deal with stress much better than people here. They get sick and have nose bleeds and take medication. See, Mom, I'm not that bad!
So what have I been up to this past week and almost a half?
Reading, walking, sleeping when I can, eating when I can, some shopping, a mass, more reading, more reading, writing, some beer, and lots of failing Skype.
There really isn't anything much to say, other than how much I'm reading. I feel like if I can actually post everyday, it's going to be like "I read 200 pages today on Philip and Elizabeth, along with writing a paper for..." at least for another two 1/2 weeks.
The grad students don't much like us. They say we work too hard.
The weather's been steadily nice, though apparently it's supposed to rain here bad soon.
Skype sucks.
I miss lunches a lot because I sleep in.
Primark is the cheapest place to buy most anything. I'm going to look for some boots, maybe a purse, and a rainjacket! Already got some undies, and two shirts there for under 5 pounds.
Kat and I are thinking of going to Bath for a day trip on Friday or Saturday. It depends though - we may go to Dover or Brighton instead, who knows!
Also planning on going to the Chatworth House (Pemberely in the new Pride & Prejudice movie) hopefully to see a European equestrian championship there too! How awesome.
Also got tickets to see John Barrowman in concert. It's gorgeous and gay and in Doctor Who/Torchwood. It cost 32 pounds, but will be so worth it.
I have to go finish reading about 200 pages tonight before I can sleep. I should have pictures up as soon as I get some free time to have the patience to upload them!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Day 2: Oxford
Today (actually yesterday now) started out a little iffy but then got tremendously better.
Kat and I both woke up late, and getting ready I slammed my head into our sloped ceiling in the bathroom. Not very pleased and un-awake, I headed downstairs to grab some water before we left. In the kitchen with most everyone else, Jamie comes in, finds me and says "I have good news." Instantly awake, I reply "They found it?!" "Yup. The police called this morning...someone turned it in."
I did a little dance there in the kitchen with everyone. It was pretty funny.
We all head out for our walking tour of Oxford. It was nice weather for a tour, though I'm always going to be saying that it's chilly out. After seeing some places, we split for lunch which is when Jamie and Ryan walked me to the police station. And there I got my passport back! I then had lunch with Jamie, Ryan, and Dr. Ehlers who is one of my teachers. It was super cold, but nice. I accidentally ate meat. Oops.
We then did more chapels and colleges and such and then split up to do our own thing until dinner at 6:00. I went with Kat, Kelsey, and Andy to see Blackwells, which is pretty awesome, though a little expensive. I didn't buy the books I need for my classes there because I can get them at Keble for free. Andy left, and so the rest of us continued to find a pay-as-you-go phone. Kat and Kelsey got one - I just liked looking. We then went back to the house and Mrs. Barabara, our house mother, asked me if I had any news as soon as I walked in the door. I said I did and we laughed and she said how much happier I looked. She's so super nice.
Then we went to Keble, which is probably the awesomest college of them all. The dining hall was the one that the directors wanted as Harry Potter's Great Hall. Haha! Of course, Keble wouldn't let them so they went to Christ Church instead. Dinner was a little weird (friend cheese) because I got the Vegetarian (Lent). We then went to the bar and most people had a drink, but Andy, Kelsey, and Kat and I went to the library. We found the books we needed but we couldn't check them out for some reason, so we're going back tonight for them. I just hope no one took them!
We then came back towards the house, passed it to go to the Co-op for some food. We got some essential stuff, which we're mostly splitting. I also got Squash! And Aero! And chrisps! It's very nice. Kat got wine and we had wine up in our room. I think Kat and I drank about three-halfs of the bottle. Kelsey only had a little bit. We read, studied, didn't study and went to bed!
I also found out yesterday that I left the cord that goes from computer to camera at home...so that's going to have to wait until Mom mails it or I find a new one before I can post pictures. Sorry guys!
Kat and I both woke up late, and getting ready I slammed my head into our sloped ceiling in the bathroom. Not very pleased and un-awake, I headed downstairs to grab some water before we left. In the kitchen with most everyone else, Jamie comes in, finds me and says "I have good news." Instantly awake, I reply "They found it?!" "Yup. The police called this morning...someone turned it in."
I did a little dance there in the kitchen with everyone. It was pretty funny.
We all head out for our walking tour of Oxford. It was nice weather for a tour, though I'm always going to be saying that it's chilly out. After seeing some places, we split for lunch which is when Jamie and Ryan walked me to the police station. And there I got my passport back! I then had lunch with Jamie, Ryan, and Dr. Ehlers who is one of my teachers. It was super cold, but nice. I accidentally ate meat. Oops.
We then did more chapels and colleges and such and then split up to do our own thing until dinner at 6:00. I went with Kat, Kelsey, and Andy to see Blackwells, which is pretty awesome, though a little expensive. I didn't buy the books I need for my classes there because I can get them at Keble for free. Andy left, and so the rest of us continued to find a pay-as-you-go phone. Kat and Kelsey got one - I just liked looking. We then went back to the house and Mrs. Barabara, our house mother, asked me if I had any news as soon as I walked in the door. I said I did and we laughed and she said how much happier I looked. She's so super nice.
Then we went to Keble, which is probably the awesomest college of them all. The dining hall was the one that the directors wanted as Harry Potter's Great Hall. Haha! Of course, Keble wouldn't let them so they went to Christ Church instead. Dinner was a little weird (friend cheese) because I got the Vegetarian (Lent). We then went to the bar and most people had a drink, but Andy, Kelsey, and Kat and I went to the library. We found the books we needed but we couldn't check them out for some reason, so we're going back tonight for them. I just hope no one took them!
We then came back towards the house, passed it to go to the Co-op for some food. We got some essential stuff, which we're mostly splitting. I also got Squash! And Aero! And chrisps! It's very nice. Kat got wine and we had wine up in our room. I think Kat and I drank about three-halfs of the bottle. Kelsey only had a little bit. We read, studied, didn't study and went to bed!
I also found out yesterday that I left the cord that goes from computer to camera at home...so that's going to have to wait until Mom mails it or I find a new one before I can post pictures. Sorry guys!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Day 1 : Airplane!
First of all, I am well and sitting in my new room in the Georgia Center in Oxford. It's been a tough day and a good day. And a long day. This post is going to be kind of quick (hopefully) because I am exhausted and want to sleep.
I started packing, of course, Tuesday night. I got almost everything packed, but finished in the morning. Luckily, after reworking stuffs, I got everything in in under 50 lbs on my big suitcase. Yeah, that's right. Mom and I head to the airport (hopefully have everything!) and I am so glad I did the online check-in. I was the only one in my line and just had to give them my bags and get my boarding card. Well, not so easy. The lady checking passports asked me if I had a return flight. I said no, it's a one-way ticket. She then wrote "SSSS" on my passport sticker and I got the same initials on the boarding card. I had to go through super special security.
Mom and I head to lunch - Goodbye American food! - at Chili's. Got currency before that. And then head to the security. Well, in security they didn't give me the extra check like I thought they would. When I get to the gate however, they call me to the desk and tell me something about a hole in my card and TSA having to come down to the gate. So TSA did and performed the pat-down, go through the luggage, etc. right there in front of the gate...in front of everyone...in front of a gaggle of high-school boys on tour and their parents just staring at me as I get patted down. It was a mixture of hilarity, embarassment, and anger. But whatever. Nothing I could do.
Had a nice seat, was calling after I should have turned the phone off (oops!), and met some nice people. Our plane was relatively empty and a lot of people got whole rows to themselves. I got about 2 seats - really 1 1/2. Watched some of Eagle Eye and High School Musical 3. I could not fall asleep though. I turned every which way, exhausted, and could not sleep. I think I slept a bit, but not sure how long. Had breakfast (oh, forgot to mention the wine with dinner...) and landed in Gatwick.
Here's where things get rough.
Immigration took forever. It took about 45 minutes to an hour to go through not even 100 people. Yet the UK/EU side flew through. I mean like 500 people out in 10 minutes. Ridiculous. Go up to baggage claim and try to find my luggage with this other guy who is working hospitals in London and ws on my flight. Now my suitcase is big, pretty big, black, shiny, and hard-cased. When I went to look I didn't see that. I saw my small bag, but not the big one. I kind of freaked out, found the suitcase problem station and the gentlemen told me that it was probably on the Orlando flight coming in after mine. I told him I would wait since I didn't have to be at the Oxford House until 4:00pm and it was only 8:30 or so. I wait...and wait...a good half-hour, maybe more. Finally, I go towards where the Orlando flights baggage is coming in and see the gentlemen moitioning to me. It turns out the crew took my baggage, realized when they were in customs that it wasn't theirs and took it back to the plane where they found it. Or something. Anyway, I got it back.
Leave there. Try to reach Mom on a payphone to no avail (I've been on the ground for almost two hours) and try to find a bus to Oxford. I just miss the 9 o'clock one and have to wait another hour until the 10:15 one. That comes, a lady helps me figure out where to go, etc. and I sleep for an hour on the bus. We arrive in Oxford. Ooooh. Aaah. I'll show pictures later. I get off the bus, manage somehow with my luggage (two suitcases, a duffle bag, and a purse) towards the taxi's across cobblestone. Manage to get into a taxi and he takes me to the center.
Jamie answers the door when I arrive (he worked at the UGA at Oxford Office and is staying here for a week or two) and we chat a bit. Maggie had called me right as I was getting on the plane about being on the charter bus. I knew I wouldn't make it as I was an hour behind them, but they thought I thought I would make it. So Jamie had been calling a lot and Maggie too. I told them no problem, but could I use the phone to call my Mom? Of course. Call Mom. Meet Mrs. Barabara Bradshaw, who is kind of like a house Mother, and is super nice. Get my luggage upstairs.
Can't find my passport.
Go back downstairs, exhausted and trying not to ust out crying, and tell Jamie. He says he'll call the bus company. Go upstairs. Cry. Unpack. Meet two of the three roommates (the other doesn't arrive until 5ish). Unpack some more. Get settled. Nap. I am starving, really, at this point, as I haven't eaten anything since before the plane landed. And my leg is acting funny. I don't think I stood up enough on the plane.
A house meeting, talk, get aquainted, etc. Then dinner! Woo hoo! Talk with Jamie somemore about the passport. Apparently in wasn't on the bus like I thought it would be. But, he said it'll take a couple of days for the police to get it through their system if they have it. I don't see why someone would have stolen it because they didn't take anything else. I think it fell out of my pocket or purse. Hopefully someone found it. Especially because it has my Chinese Visa in it. And I don't have the money to get a new passport AND a new Visa. Jamie says don't worry, getting a new one isn't a problem.
But I like my passport...
A whole bunch of us go to a pub down near City Centre called Turf Tavern where I order my first beer! I just asked the bartender what he liked and he picked the house beer, Turf Tavern Summer Ale. It was alright. I drank it all. Tried some of the others. There was a nice pear cider.
Kat, Andy, Kelsey and I decide to leave as it's 10:00 and head back for sleep. We get lost. End up going this huge roundabout way. But, we do see some beautiful architecture that we didn't before. Oh, I'll take more pictures and put them up here (my battery is dead). Also, as we're walking, this guy suddenly goes "Are you all from Georgia?" It's dark and he's behind us now, but I recognized his voice. It was Deep Shah! He said he recognized me from somewhere, and we chatted a bit. It was seriously conicidental, and also because Oxford isn't in term yet. Pretty cool though!
So here I am. In my a-little-bit chilly room, ready to sleep. It's the best room in the house. Big, even for four girls, with a nice bathroom and a great view. I have plenty of space for my stuff. And the bed's very comfortable. All important stuff.
I have my class schedule. It shifts each week. It's a little weird. I have a lot of reading to do before Tuesday, but we have Sunday and Monday off, so that's nice. Ummm...well, that's it for day 1 . Some tours and such tomorrow. I may call the police and see if they've found anything. I feel so stupid that I lost it. And I should have photocopied the Chinese Visa. I just...I really hope it's found. I definetly learned my lesson though.
I started packing, of course, Tuesday night. I got almost everything packed, but finished in the morning. Luckily, after reworking stuffs, I got everything in in under 50 lbs on my big suitcase. Yeah, that's right. Mom and I head to the airport (hopefully have everything!) and I am so glad I did the online check-in. I was the only one in my line and just had to give them my bags and get my boarding card. Well, not so easy. The lady checking passports asked me if I had a return flight. I said no, it's a one-way ticket. She then wrote "SSSS" on my passport sticker and I got the same initials on the boarding card. I had to go through super special security.
Mom and I head to lunch - Goodbye American food! - at Chili's. Got currency before that. And then head to the security. Well, in security they didn't give me the extra check like I thought they would. When I get to the gate however, they call me to the desk and tell me something about a hole in my card and TSA having to come down to the gate. So TSA did and performed the pat-down, go through the luggage, etc. right there in front of the gate...in front of everyone...in front of a gaggle of high-school boys on tour and their parents just staring at me as I get patted down. It was a mixture of hilarity, embarassment, and anger. But whatever. Nothing I could do.
Had a nice seat, was calling after I should have turned the phone off (oops!), and met some nice people. Our plane was relatively empty and a lot of people got whole rows to themselves. I got about 2 seats - really 1 1/2. Watched some of Eagle Eye and High School Musical 3. I could not fall asleep though. I turned every which way, exhausted, and could not sleep. I think I slept a bit, but not sure how long. Had breakfast (oh, forgot to mention the wine with dinner...) and landed in Gatwick.
Here's where things get rough.
Immigration took forever. It took about 45 minutes to an hour to go through not even 100 people. Yet the UK/EU side flew through. I mean like 500 people out in 10 minutes. Ridiculous. Go up to baggage claim and try to find my luggage with this other guy who is working hospitals in London and ws on my flight. Now my suitcase is big, pretty big, black, shiny, and hard-cased. When I went to look I didn't see that. I saw my small bag, but not the big one. I kind of freaked out, found the suitcase problem station and the gentlemen told me that it was probably on the Orlando flight coming in after mine. I told him I would wait since I didn't have to be at the Oxford House until 4:00pm and it was only 8:30 or so. I wait...and wait...a good half-hour, maybe more. Finally, I go towards where the Orlando flights baggage is coming in and see the gentlemen moitioning to me. It turns out the crew took my baggage, realized when they were in customs that it wasn't theirs and took it back to the plane where they found it. Or something. Anyway, I got it back.
Leave there. Try to reach Mom on a payphone to no avail (I've been on the ground for almost two hours) and try to find a bus to Oxford. I just miss the 9 o'clock one and have to wait another hour until the 10:15 one. That comes, a lady helps me figure out where to go, etc. and I sleep for an hour on the bus. We arrive in Oxford. Ooooh. Aaah. I'll show pictures later. I get off the bus, manage somehow with my luggage (two suitcases, a duffle bag, and a purse) towards the taxi's across cobblestone. Manage to get into a taxi and he takes me to the center.
Jamie answers the door when I arrive (he worked at the UGA at Oxford Office and is staying here for a week or two) and we chat a bit. Maggie had called me right as I was getting on the plane about being on the charter bus. I knew I wouldn't make it as I was an hour behind them, but they thought I thought I would make it. So Jamie had been calling a lot and Maggie too. I told them no problem, but could I use the phone to call my Mom? Of course. Call Mom. Meet Mrs. Barabara Bradshaw, who is kind of like a house Mother, and is super nice. Get my luggage upstairs.
Can't find my passport.
Go back downstairs, exhausted and trying not to ust out crying, and tell Jamie. He says he'll call the bus company. Go upstairs. Cry. Unpack. Meet two of the three roommates (the other doesn't arrive until 5ish). Unpack some more. Get settled. Nap. I am starving, really, at this point, as I haven't eaten anything since before the plane landed. And my leg is acting funny. I don't think I stood up enough on the plane.
A house meeting, talk, get aquainted, etc. Then dinner! Woo hoo! Talk with Jamie somemore about the passport. Apparently in wasn't on the bus like I thought it would be. But, he said it'll take a couple of days for the police to get it through their system if they have it. I don't see why someone would have stolen it because they didn't take anything else. I think it fell out of my pocket or purse. Hopefully someone found it. Especially because it has my Chinese Visa in it. And I don't have the money to get a new passport AND a new Visa. Jamie says don't worry, getting a new one isn't a problem.
But I like my passport...
A whole bunch of us go to a pub down near City Centre called Turf Tavern where I order my first beer! I just asked the bartender what he liked and he picked the house beer, Turf Tavern Summer Ale. It was alright. I drank it all. Tried some of the others. There was a nice pear cider.
Kat, Andy, Kelsey and I decide to leave as it's 10:00 and head back for sleep. We get lost. End up going this huge roundabout way. But, we do see some beautiful architecture that we didn't before. Oh, I'll take more pictures and put them up here (my battery is dead). Also, as we're walking, this guy suddenly goes "Are you all from Georgia?" It's dark and he's behind us now, but I recognized his voice. It was Deep Shah! He said he recognized me from somewhere, and we chatted a bit. It was seriously conicidental, and also because Oxford isn't in term yet. Pretty cool though!
So here I am. In my a-little-bit chilly room, ready to sleep. It's the best room in the house. Big, even for four girls, with a nice bathroom and a great view. I have plenty of space for my stuff. And the bed's very comfortable. All important stuff.
I have my class schedule. It shifts each week. It's a little weird. I have a lot of reading to do before Tuesday, but we have Sunday and Monday off, so that's nice. Ummm...well, that's it for day 1 . Some tours and such tomorrow. I may call the police and see if they've found anything. I feel so stupid that I lost it. And I should have photocopied the Chinese Visa. I just...I really hope it's found. I definetly learned my lesson though.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Starting on a new adventure
Hello everyone, and welcome again to an exciting ride on Ashley's own little TARDIS.
Just a little update on all things travel:
1) My Mom and I will be cruising the Caribbean for Spring Break, and I may post some of the more exciting moments and pictures here.
2) On March 25th, I will be leaving for Oxford University in England. All of my time there will be recorded on this blog, with lots of pictures for everyone following me!
3) After that, on June 23rd, I'll be heading straight to Hangzhou, China were I will be studying intensive Mandarin Chinese for six weeks. I'll post here in English though, just for you!
So, stay tuned for lots of excitement!
Just a little update on all things travel:
1) My Mom and I will be cruising the Caribbean for Spring Break, and I may post some of the more exciting moments and pictures here.
2) On March 25th, I will be leaving for Oxford University in England. All of my time there will be recorded on this blog, with lots of pictures for everyone following me!
3) After that, on June 23rd, I'll be heading straight to Hangzhou, China were I will be studying intensive Mandarin Chinese for six weeks. I'll post here in English though, just for you!
So, stay tuned for lots of excitement!
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