White Procrastination

Well, it's Saturday of 3rd week and I'm sitting in the library. My academics are a lot more rigorous this term, so I actually am trying to get into a good time-management scheme. Obviously I'm failing, since I am updating this instead of taking notes. 

For the past few days Oxford has been covered in a beautiful blanket of white. It falls anew each day, except today, when the sun is shining and the sky is blue. It's amazing seeing so much snow- we got 5 inches the other night- but because of the walking nature of the city, it causes more problems than the experience makes up for. I bought a new pair of shoes yesterday because none of the ones I previously owned were remotely water-proof enough to walk through slush for 45 minutes. However, it was a great excuse for me to stay in on Thursday, drinking coffee and reading. 

Valentine's Day is next week, as I'm sure all of you are aware, and I am helping plan a great party for all the students. We're going to have an 80's Dance Party on Friday night, complete with terrible outfits, bad movies and sickly love ballads. I'm already planning out my costume; hopefully there will be some great pictures to put up next week. 

Other than that it is mostly work, work, work. Occasionally, and perhaps a little too often, I take a break to watch a movie or learn how to play guitar, or cook amazing meals with 5 of my housemates. 

Getting used to the Vines is taking time, but I think I am finally settling in. However, I spend a lot of time at Crick, where the atmosphere is just more homey. Speaking of which, I think I might pack up and head on over there right now. I can always study later...

Typical Tea and Rain

The last time we talked I was still waiting to be done with my packing. Well, I have obviously finished that by now. It was concluded fairly successfully, with both suitcases being under 50 pounds. Although I didn't leave enough room to bring stuff back in. I guess someone will just have to visit me and bring an extra one along for me. 

     Anyways, my flight wasn't too terrible. Sleeping was an adventure seeing as how I didn't get the window seat I was hoping for. I even managed to curl up with my head under the blanket and a knee on the chair at one point and fall asleep. Getting through immigration was fairly easy and customs was even easier since there was absolutely no one manning the desks. Both of my suitcases arrived in tact and looking a lot less disheveled than I was. I fell asleep on the bus ride to Oxford, but not until after I had seen a few sheep. 

The only truly frustrating part of the day was waiting for a taxi in the rank at the bus station. I saw quite a few "private hire" taxis pull up and drop people off right in front of me, but no regular taxis. After about 30-45 min standing like an idiot with two suitcases in tow, I finally stepped up to the nearest street and waved down the first taxi I saw. I don't care if that is the custom in Oxford or not; it got me a taxi. 

I arrived at Crick and was welcomed at the door by Jonathan, our Junior Dean (aka RA). He dragged my suitcases upstairs (to the 2nd floor which is really the third floor) for me. I quickly changed clothes and made my way back down to a kitchen already bursting with people. There are 23 of us here, boys and girls, and we all ate dinner together that first night. A few of us stayed up late talking, a practice I hope continues throughout the year. 

I have a room to myself but share a bathroom with 6 other girls. The shower this morning would not spit out a steady stream of warm water but rather alternated between too hot and too cold. The sink is too small to lean over and wash my face in and one of the outlets in my room doesn't work. My hair is also not looking at all like it did 5 days ago when I got it cut. 

 Today was spent walking the city and hanging out at the other program house. A few of us made a side field trip to the Botanical Gardens for "The Magic Hour," a special group of 'installations' put up around the garden to celebrate dusk. It was pretty neat, although there was one exhibit that was basically speakers hung up around the wall which whispered creepy passages of something. It was kind of like Sauron's voice from Lord of the Rings. 

It was raining when I arrived yesterday and has been raining on and off ever since. I kind of like it and have already made good use of both my rain coat and umbrella. And tea has now become not only a luxury and recreation but also a necessity, for it helps ease away the general feeling of dampness that comes during the long walks through the rain. 

This post has been rather long and for that I apologize, but I am just so excited to be here I can't help but want to share all the details with you all. I love it and cannot even fathom leaving. I can't help but like a lot of the people I am living with and am looking forward to a great semester.