Autumn in Oxford...& lots of work to be done.

a slight disclaimer: I must confess that I've been withholding my subsequent post in the hopes of receiving more reader comments...simply to ensure that I'm not writing this to myself! Its become quite troublesome to be waiting with so much to say, however, so I write nevertheless. This is not to say that your comments aren't still desired--this means YOU. :] 

About a week ago I found myself using the advice of my Creative Writing tutor (a man who is inspirational in everything from his bookshelves to his attire) and exploring Oxford in a solitary new way. I pushed my lazy self to wake up early one morning and decided to bring my camera to capture my morning walk into town--it is full of Autumn scenes precisely like this one. Having been living in Southern California for the past 3 Autumns, I have longed for my favorite season in actuality for so long, arbitrarily filling the void with Pumpkin Spice lattes and Disneyland's "Halloween" transformation--and although the season in Connecticut is much longer and brighter than here in Oxford, I'm still reveling appropriately.

The leaves on this path literally swirled in raindrop-like patterns as I walked into them, and I found that remarking on God's faithfulness to me was simple to do in watching the leaves. Not everything comes this simply, so I try to take advantage of these moments. It was good to remember the faithfulness of each season to produce a similar effect in me: childlike wonder. 

I then decided to climb up Carfax Tower to see all of Oxford on the semi-clear morning--it was only just opening up for the public when I got to the bottom of the staircase, and the little man at the desk checked the time to make sure I could go up. Up several flights of slightly precarious stairs with my bulging backpack, I reached the top and discovered the skyline entirely alone with Lord. 

It was breathtaking. And a perfect way to begin 1st week of term. 

And now I am entering my 3rd week--

SO, what have I been doing since then?! 

In short: tutorials, lectures, papers, weekend excursions. 

But I will elaborate...

The highlights and observations of the last few weeks have gone as follows: 

-Generally, reliving the "Freshman" (or Fresher, as they say in Oxford) experience. Entering this very intense world of Oxford life has been an enjoyable whirlwind, not entirely unlike the Freshman experience at any university back home. Remember the clamouring throng trying to assist you with building maps and encouraging words? all the clubs that tried their hardest to sell you their shtick? As international students, we were invited to attend the "Fresher Fair" at the start of first week...which aside from marking us as "official" Oxford students, included a ton of free stuff and sign-ups for everything from electric dance clubs to political organizations. It was held in the gorgeous Examination schools, which was definitely a perk, but the agony of hundreds of sweaty onlookers was just a bit much for me. I was most surprised to discover that in the hubbub, almost every plea for recognition included, "Join the [Things with Wings] club! You don't have to be a bird enthusiast--even if you know someone who loves birds, we'll love you! You don't even have to like birds--just come!!" ...and I'm not being sarcastic.

-Discovering almost daily the newest places to get work done and eat good food. With absolutely no where to retreat to in a house with 60 people, and in a city where everything closes at 5pm, I've had to be extremely creative with this one. With that said, I have my senses--and my coupons--prepared for almost any spontaneous work location. 

-A Visit from two amazing Biola friends studying at Roehampton University in London--Justin and Michelle stopped by to tour Oxford last weekend and see how Daena and I were doing at living the Oxford dream. 

-Although this years' "God Delusion" debate at Oxford between Richard Dawkins and John Lennox was sold out practically before anyone could breathe, the town hall was nice enough to hold a viewing of last years' debate in the main meeting room the night before! So, not only did I have the pleasure of sitting in the beautiful Oxford Town Hall, but I was thoroughly impressed with the debate as a whole. I encourage anyone still interesting in the book or the debate in general to see if it's posted on YouTube and watch a clip or two...very well done by both sides.

And now, arguably the most important part: my tutorials. 

I'm taking Modern Literature (1900-to the present) and Creative Non-Fiction: Writing as my tutorials, as well as going to a handful of lecture series that perhaps only relate cursorily to the subject matter I'm studying. 

(This fact is one of the craziest things about Oxford--even if no student happens to be studying Chaucer, there may very well be 5 lecture series done on him during the term...simply because the faculty here have the freedom to teach on whatever they very really please. )

While my Modern Lit tutorial has kept me busy, I will save that story for another time. 

I am currently very enthusiastic about my Creative Writing tutorial, and am working on a series of "vignettes" surrounding my experience with my late Grandmother. 

My tutor actually had me look up the etymology of the word vignette in his $1,000 Oxford English Dictionary complete with magnifying glass...he then had me flip through the dictionary and read the words that "fancied" me aloud, to get a feel "of what sort of person I am". 

It was quite an exercise and he remarked that I looked "very scholarly"...I certainly felt very scholarly.

I meet in his house quite a walk outside of the Oxford center and over the railroad tracks...he informed me that this area is actually referred to as an "island" revolving around the Thames, and it is absolutely beautiful. Although he reminds me frequently that I need to shut the door firmly because his cat is suicidal, and he is quite scatter-brained--he always seems to know exactly what book to pull out of his multiple dusty bookcases to have me read a passage aloud...and with thanks to him, I have now discovered the poet Philip Larken.

We talked so much about my future career goals and ministry of various kinds that I hardly had time to read my own work, but he encouraged me to read a few specific things and after he learned I was a "Theology" major, managed to ask me what I thought about his eternal destiny. It was a highly educational interaction in its entirety, and I'm eager to get back writing more. 

 

Firenze: "Grazie; Prego"...

Much, much success to report: I have officially completed my "practice" preterm course--and have consequently, completed and turned in 3 (count 'em)--3 papers of which I am proud of two, and ready to face the red pens of my over-eager graders. The task was gruelling to say the very least, and just for the sake of saying so, I oft considered stealing my library copy of Engels's "Conditions of the English Working Class in 1844"--such a compelling read! Not to be concerned though, it was properly returned just yesterday.

So with completed work behind me, and my 3 day break ahead of me, I made my very first (speedy, highly surprising, and thrifty) journey to the Motherland. For those of you who are unawares as to what that means, let me tell you in plain language that I travelled to Florence, Italy.  And it was just as breathtaking as it should be. I actually contemplated whether or not Oxford had an abroad programme so I could just stay there :]...

Daena, Sarah, and I flew into Pisa due to the price of airfare to Florence, and after about 13 hours of bus, plane, and train travel--we trudged our way to Pisa's famous "Leaning Tower" to see what we were told is the most inconsequential city to visit outside of the tower. Once more, although the tourist attraction was pretty exciting, I was more enamoured with a pair of stately dachshunds being walked adjacent to it...oh well! Florence, however, is known for a few things that were surprising, including but not limited to its cow stomach sandwiches--cows and their leather being some of the biggest industries there. Needless to say, we skipped that local delicacy.

We then took on the reasons we came, starting with Michaelangelo's masterpiece "David"--I was absolutely breathless at the majestic size and the feeling of weightiness I was able to capture by spending about an hour in the room observing the marble wonder...after reading and hearing so many money-saving tips that suggested we "skip the David and just see the identical replica in the piazza or the square outside"--they could not have been more wrong!

Just walking into the far end of the room and catching a glimpse was incredible, and it was well worth lines and a multiple of other excitements. One of which involving a police raid of the knock-off print and trinket salesmen outside the museum--it was quite a sight! (A little Chinatown-esque, if you will). I managed to catch a stray toy truck as they were running, and it was promptly taken out of my hand and thereafter (30 seconds later) attempted to be sold back to me by a very short elderly Italian man in a ski cap. Priceless. We did go to the Uffizi as well, although I felt the building was much more impressive than the paintings inside--with the exception of Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" and "Spring" and a few Rembrandt paintings.

We walked to the Piazza Michelangelo over the Ponte Vecchio bridge and saw the gorgeous view of the city as well--then contemplated Italian phrasing and listened to each other respond in silliness. Daena (who is from South Africa) was literally switching between Africans, English, Spanish, and German each time we purchased a gelato or sat in a restaurant.

 

We also got to see much of the city in our wanderings: 

the Duomo, Santa Maria Novella Cathedral, Santa Croce, etc. All of these are masterpieces on the outside alone, which of course was the "free" part on a student budget! 

And to be sure the food, after growing up with both grandparents own regional versions, was perhaps the most exciting for me as an Italian-American...and lets set the record straight: New Haven pizza comes the closest to the real thing...I promise you! 

All the bragging is validated I must assure you. I even happened to stumble on some cookies my grandma made every year at Christmas Eve while in a grocery store...and they were very good.

Our last day we spent traveling to a vineyard to see olives and grapes in tuscany--and it was simply beautiful! Aside from the interesting crowd of overweight American tourists, highly enjoyable. Our goal of resting before returning for the term, however, was perhaps the only one not achieved (although it was well worth it for Italia)--as we spent the entire night from 2am-6am circling the Santa Maria Novella bus station and trying to keep warm for a bus to Pisa. 

Having arrived just a day before the term started, the past few days have been very full and exciting and there will be much to report for tutorials and other excitement.