Hi folks,
So I figured now that I have a few free minutes in my day it would be a perfict time to update my bloggy-thing. Thanks to everyone who checks it as it is nice to know that you are not forgoten when one leaves for a long period of time.
The last two days have not been really earth gripping as they have mostly been filled with doing a massive amount of homework reading so that I can get my first paper done. I real front to back A Midsummer Night's Dream yesterday and am pounding away at Romeo and Juliet today. I found that Midsummer was a blast to read as it reminded me of some of the fairy tails I had heard growing up as a child and thus it read fast. That and one of the main parts in named Oberon... which is my favorit beer. I think it is a sighn from above that the play and myself are connected.
I find that Romeo and Juliet is a bit harder to get through. This should not be the case as out of the two it is the only on I have read before but the play as a whole seems to put a gloomy spin on the day as it is so well writen that the charecters problems seem to become your own and thus I have found that I need to set the play down from time to time to destress. The play as a whole just stirs up a lot of old memories from a number of long lost relationships. Wow that sounds really cheesy... but I am trying to not sensor my thoughts on this blog while I am away so there you have it.
The weather here has been very British the past two days as well. Clouds cover the sky from most of the day with little rays of sunshine creeping through for a few minutes here and there. The positive of this is that it is raining when I go to sleep and raining when I wake up which make me sleep like a baby and wake up feeling at peace. The negitive is that the flat I am living in is very old and thus everything inside gets damp really easily. Yet, somthing about being in England when it is raining has a bit of a romantic flair to it that I enjoy. I'm sure that I look a bit goofy tramping around the country side my me frog-tog rain gear but reading Shakespeare under a large oak tree in the middle of the English countryside while droplets of water fall onto the brim om my old and torn brown corona hat is an experance that can not be replicated. ( On a side note: I used to get into a bit of a tussle with an old friend of mine about if the world smelt different when it rained. I always said no and she always said yes. I now must agree with her as the smell here when it rains is like nothing I have ever smelt before. )
Lastly, By having a cell phone it has allowed me to call some of you which has given me a great deal of joy. While I am one month down on my journy which makes me sad the fact that I will not see my friends and family for another two fills my mind as well. Also, I am working on a large group of letters that I am hoping to be able to send out in the morning. This should have my mailing adress on it if you wish to send letters back. You might have noticed that I have sent no one an e-mail... I really want to stick to letters as I find them more traditional and the wait adds to the suspence.
Miss you all very much
~Marcus
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Weekend Thus Far
Hey friends and family,
Sorry for not getting a blog up yesterday but I got busy with homework and writing letters that I am hoping to mail out on Tuesday. This weekend has been free of school activities that the study abroad office had planned for us so I got to some more free exploring the last 48 hours.
Yesterday was probably one of the best days I have had in Oxford yet. It was the biggest boat race that Oxford has every year. I have photos up in my Picasa Web Album and you should really check them out ( see blog link and facebook link ). I have never been a huge fan of crew racing. On television it doesn't really seem that interesting but in person it is a really great sport to watch. Each college, Oxford is made up of 44 of them, has its own boat house for students to gather in and watch the race. The day is filled with a number of different divisions with the lowest dressing up in fun costumes and the highest being athletes who are at the top of their game. What made it really interesting is that at Oxford crew racing involves hitting the boat in front of you and by doing that your team pulls them out of the race. This leads to boats tipping over and people getting hurt. To think that the English think that us Americans are violent. It was just a really great way to take up a large chunk of the day. Did I mention that each boat house has its own bar and grill... so much good food and nothing beats setting up a tripod with camera, putting down a blanket, drinking a cold ale, and watching the boat race.
After the boat race finished around 6pm I went and took some pictures of Christ Church College. This is the college that has been seen in movies such as the Harry Potter Series, The Golden Compass, and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. So I got some great shots of the outside of the college then thought that I could lie my way inside as you have to pay five pounds (ten dollars) to get in and take a tour. Thus, I went to the check in station and told a wild story about how I was here to visit the Chapel that is within the college to view a crucifix that is inside with my tutor from New College. The security guard looked at me for a moment, gave me a blank stare, and asked to to remove myself from the college grounds. I guess I will have to come up with a better story next time. I WILL GET IN WITHOUT PAYING!
I finished out the day with some homework and hit the sack early.
TODAY
Woke up late which was ok because I really didn't have much to do today and it was nice to get some shut eye that was not pre-dated with drinking. Today was a pretty lame day. I had brunch with the adviser for the study abroad department and her family which was nice. I finished writing some letters to people back home and read some more homework. My first task for Oxford is the read A Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo and Juliet and find two common themes to create an argument about. It's due Friday and its around 750 pages of reading with both plays and notes. The only problem I have had so far is that I have some trouble with the old English words but the internet has really helped me with that problem.
Who knows what will happen tonight. Prob, more homework. So Check out all the pictures I have posted. Some are good and some are bad.
Cheers,
~Marcus
Sorry for not getting a blog up yesterday but I got busy with homework and writing letters that I am hoping to mail out on Tuesday. This weekend has been free of school activities that the study abroad office had planned for us so I got to some more free exploring the last 48 hours.
Yesterday was probably one of the best days I have had in Oxford yet. It was the biggest boat race that Oxford has every year. I have photos up in my Picasa Web Album and you should really check them out ( see blog link and facebook link ). I have never been a huge fan of crew racing. On television it doesn't really seem that interesting but in person it is a really great sport to watch. Each college, Oxford is made up of 44 of them, has its own boat house for students to gather in and watch the race. The day is filled with a number of different divisions with the lowest dressing up in fun costumes and the highest being athletes who are at the top of their game. What made it really interesting is that at Oxford crew racing involves hitting the boat in front of you and by doing that your team pulls them out of the race. This leads to boats tipping over and people getting hurt. To think that the English think that us Americans are violent. It was just a really great way to take up a large chunk of the day. Did I mention that each boat house has its own bar and grill... so much good food and nothing beats setting up a tripod with camera, putting down a blanket, drinking a cold ale, and watching the boat race.
After the boat race finished around 6pm I went and took some pictures of Christ Church College. This is the college that has been seen in movies such as the Harry Potter Series, The Golden Compass, and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. So I got some great shots of the outside of the college then thought that I could lie my way inside as you have to pay five pounds (ten dollars) to get in and take a tour. Thus, I went to the check in station and told a wild story about how I was here to visit the Chapel that is within the college to view a crucifix that is inside with my tutor from New College. The security guard looked at me for a moment, gave me a blank stare, and asked to to remove myself from the college grounds. I guess I will have to come up with a better story next time. I WILL GET IN WITHOUT PAYING!
I finished out the day with some homework and hit the sack early.
TODAY
Woke up late which was ok because I really didn't have much to do today and it was nice to get some shut eye that was not pre-dated with drinking. Today was a pretty lame day. I had brunch with the adviser for the study abroad department and her family which was nice. I finished writing some letters to people back home and read some more homework. My first task for Oxford is the read A Midsummer Night's Dream and Romeo and Juliet and find two common themes to create an argument about. It's due Friday and its around 750 pages of reading with both plays and notes. The only problem I have had so far is that I have some trouble with the old English words but the internet has really helped me with that problem.
Who knows what will happen tonight. Prob, more homework. So Check out all the pictures I have posted. Some are good and some are bad.
Cheers,
~Marcus
Friday, May 23, 2008
4 nights means your a drunk...
So, now that I have been here in Oxford for a few days I feel like I have gotten the feel for the place. At first I thought the British were a cold group of people but with time you just learn that they like to take life a little slower and that means that they are not as easily turned to friendship. I have made a few English friends here at the local pub I often go to (called the Rattie) as we all chear for the same football team and in the UK that means that you are supposed to be friends as god has blessed you to like the same team.
this also means that I have been out drinking the last three nights in a row. Not only does that tax the pocket book as everything over here cost double because of the poor American dollar but it also means that I havent got much sleep. Some people want to go out again tonight but I am a firm beliver that if you get drunk 4 nights in a row you are flirting with the alcholic line:) I msut say though that the beer here blows anything we have in the states out of the water. I had a Budwiser last night to "remind me of the states" and it tasted something close to what I think Monkey pee would tast like. Mom and Dad please don't hate me.
The English education system is very different from that in America. today we went to a class on how to write an Oxford paper and it is totaly the flip of what we do back in the states. Not only is that off but all of our class time is with a tutor and to make it worse its one on one... no place to hide no place to run. Mine is a nice fellow who does care about my education but almost spit his beer out when I told him that in the US our papers have titles. He thinks that this is a huge waste of space and told me "If your paper needs a title to tell me what its about then you suck". this tutor system also requires that I dress up every time we meet.Going with the fact that I am planning on doing some heavy backpacking I went light on the dress clothes... so now I have to buy some... with the pound... say goodbye to my wallet.
Man do I miss Airsoft....
Cheers
~Marcus
this also means that I have been out drinking the last three nights in a row. Not only does that tax the pocket book as everything over here cost double because of the poor American dollar but it also means that I havent got much sleep. Some people want to go out again tonight but I am a firm beliver that if you get drunk 4 nights in a row you are flirting with the alcholic line:) I msut say though that the beer here blows anything we have in the states out of the water. I had a Budwiser last night to "remind me of the states" and it tasted something close to what I think Monkey pee would tast like. Mom and Dad please don't hate me.
The English education system is very different from that in America. today we went to a class on how to write an Oxford paper and it is totaly the flip of what we do back in the states. Not only is that off but all of our class time is with a tutor and to make it worse its one on one... no place to hide no place to run. Mine is a nice fellow who does care about my education but almost spit his beer out when I told him that in the US our papers have titles. He thinks that this is a huge waste of space and told me "If your paper needs a title to tell me what its about then you suck". this tutor system also requires that I dress up every time we meet.Going with the fact that I am planning on doing some heavy backpacking I went light on the dress clothes... so now I have to buy some... with the pound... say goodbye to my wallet.
Man do I miss Airsoft....
Cheers
~Marcus
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Finaly. I can blog...
Hi friends,
I know that I have not been very good about blogging on my little summer adventure but being in Italy and Greece didnt leave much time for blogs and my internet was down at the flat in Oxford for the past two days. Now that the summer term has started here in Oxfor I should be able to blog at least once a day so please check in and see what I am up to. I love hearing your comments as the time difference makes phone calss hard.
As stated in my note that I wrote on facebook Italy and Greece were an experance like no other I have had. I got to see some really amazing places and even made some new friends along the way. I took over 1000 photos so you should be able to get a good sence of what I saw one I have an hour or so to get them up.
I arived in Oxford on Monday and had the flt to myself for a few days as the other students did not arrive untill Wendsday. I have to say that the first few days reminded me much of being at Number Twelve Grimmauld's Place as the former occupents had left a few weeks before and they had left a number of fun goodies that should have been thrown away. Also, none of the linens had been cleanded or changed so for the first two nights I used the good old sleeping bag. I spent many hours battling the house and in the end I think I won as it no longer smelled like rotten fruit and most of the bugs had a meeting with their maker. It's a nice flat and it grows on me more and more each day.
This week has been an get to know Oxford week and I have to say that this town has a very magical feel to it. It is so amazing to be able to walk down the street to class and see the old building with their huge gothic towers and pass pubs with wonderful names such as the three goats heads, red lion inn, dead king pub, and much much more. I wish that all of you were with me to see such a place. I miss you all and I'll try to get my pictures up ASAP.
LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL
~Marcus
I know that I have not been very good about blogging on my little summer adventure but being in Italy and Greece didnt leave much time for blogs and my internet was down at the flat in Oxford for the past two days. Now that the summer term has started here in Oxfor I should be able to blog at least once a day so please check in and see what I am up to. I love hearing your comments as the time difference makes phone calss hard.
As stated in my note that I wrote on facebook Italy and Greece were an experance like no other I have had. I got to see some really amazing places and even made some new friends along the way. I took over 1000 photos so you should be able to get a good sence of what I saw one I have an hour or so to get them up.
I arived in Oxford on Monday and had the flt to myself for a few days as the other students did not arrive untill Wendsday. I have to say that the first few days reminded me much of being at Number Twelve Grimmauld's Place as the former occupents had left a few weeks before and they had left a number of fun goodies that should have been thrown away. Also, none of the linens had been cleanded or changed so for the first two nights I used the good old sleeping bag. I spent many hours battling the house and in the end I think I won as it no longer smelled like rotten fruit and most of the bugs had a meeting with their maker. It's a nice flat and it grows on me more and more each day.
This week has been an get to know Oxford week and I have to say that this town has a very magical feel to it. It is so amazing to be able to walk down the street to class and see the old building with their huge gothic towers and pass pubs with wonderful names such as the three goats heads, red lion inn, dead king pub, and much much more. I wish that all of you were with me to see such a place. I miss you all and I'll try to get my pictures up ASAP.
LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL
~Marcus
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
