May 24: Welcome to Trinity

Trinity college

 Our chapel at Trinity

Alex drinking port at the beer cellar in the college.

How many books have I read from here?!?

A list:                                                                                                                                                        
1. There are no ice cubes, or very small amounts used here.
2. Someone lied, it is so hot and there's no air conditioning.
3. Everyone will wear whatever they want regardless of weather, so at 90 degrees wool coats are acceptable.
4. No large drinks, as in those huge cups we get at a restaurant at home. Water comes in like basically a tiny shot glass, and no refills. But good news you can drink pints and pints of beer, starting at noon.
5. They really do wear Harry Potter robes here.
6. My camera is saying "catastrohpic failure" when I plug it in.

Today was hotter than the past two, the morning is alright but afternoons are too hot. I haven't been this hot all the time since I went to Mexico. Strange. Today we had more orientation, I won't bore you with details. Then we got to go to our colleges! I am a member of Trinity College, which is one of the best here at Oxford. There's only 300-400 students so it's pretty small and everyone knows one another. We learned how to go to the library today. It's our own personal library and it's definitely not what I was expecting but very pretty. People have actually moved in for exams. There are toothbrushes and clothes on desks. Picture Harry Potter without all the magic. Yes, they really do live in the college. Anyways, there's a large "lawn" which is like the British version of the drill field, except only croquet is allowed. We got to eat in the dining hall today too, which is only like 4 lbs. for a full meal. Every night at dinner is a three course meal and you're required to wear robes... we will see how that goes. I already was a good student and borrowed a book from the law library down in the library, so basically im an Oxford scholar now right?

After all that, we had our first class with Dr. Snyder this afternoon. We got to go to his flat where he is staying, because it was so hot. I think that we got cheated, his rooms are way too nice and the girls have decided to call parliamentary procedure and switch with him. We didn't know what we were missing. But he made up for it by taking us to an Indian restaurant, which was delicious. Lots and lots of Indian food here.

On to London tomorrow to find my Olympian!

May 23: Tutorials

A list:
1. This place is super clean. Today I saw a man sweep the street and gutters. Another man was vacuuming outside his store. Strange
2. Yes, teeth are as bad as they say they are.
3. No one is fat here.
4. Bikers are more dangerous than cars.
5. The people are so so so nice and helpful.

Today we had to go to orientation in the Offices. It has been the most perfect weather, and its almost hot. Unfortunately, no one has air conditioning. You would think that being the founders of the Industrial Revolution these people could have thought of a ceiling fan, but no. So we sweltered and listened to the President of this program, who seems like a pretty cool guy. He spent time working for Reagan in the Defense Department, being an Oxford professor etc etc. My favorite thing he said is that the British are the best at "effortless superiority." You can go to Oxford but its totally middle class to act like you're actually trying hard. Gentlemanly C's is perfectly accpetable in this upper class playground. I think I need to adopt this attitude.Then a librarian came to talk to us, making it all even more daunting. The library is a serious deal here, and if you come here just tour but dont actually plan on studying there!

We got a little lunch at a pub. The best part is how everything is so proper. This was by no means a nice restaurant, but a man was told to take off his hat when he came in the door. The line they give is, "that isn't done here..." which makes you feel so stupid.

After all that, we got inducted into the Bodleian library. Actually I can go to my College library, in Trinity College, but everyone can go to the Bodleian Library. Trinity is older, but the Bod is gigantic, 11 million texts. Anyways we got to go to the Convocation hall, and had a ceremony. This place was like a mini parliament room, like you would see on BBC. We had to swear an oath to get our library cards. Now I'm a member, yay! So all that means is I am completely overwhelmed with how to actually get a book, because you can't borrow them only look at them. Lots of history with all that, kind of boring so I won't bore you.

Trinity College                                   

 Radcliff Camera at Bodleian Library- My new study place!

Then, while everyone else gets to go on a walking tour, I have to go find my tutor. Mind you, Oxford has 170,000 residents and I've only seen one little street prior to 5 pm. There are over 40 colleges and they are spread out all over the place. Also, this lovely town doesn't like to mark streets properly. There are street signs on buildings sometimes but they don't seem too concerned. Anyways so I know my guy is in St. Cross College. So I find that on the map, make it there 5 minutes early, and I'm in the wrong place... He is in the annex building like blocks and blocks away and I only have 5 minutes, no phone, and no idea where I am. So the porter gives me a sense of direction, and I run down the street because obviously I missed yesterday and can't miss again. The lovely gate guard at Trinity calls the college for me to check where he is, then tells me to keep heading in the direction I'm going in. On the way I have to start asking people, and finally after I'm profusely sweating I find this place. I go to the front desk, and the lady at "inquiries" doesn't know who this guy is. Finalllyyyy after more help, I find my tutor Jure Vidmar from Slovenia (google him--I did). He is literally down in a tiny hole in a maze of hallways in a building miles away. But he seems super nice, and a little quiet. Good thing, because I don't know if anyone else has ever had to just write papers, and then go before your teacher and read it out loud to him then discuss it... It isn't going to be fun. So I have to read 1/4 of a textbook and write a paper by next Thursday! But tutor meeting is finally over with and I can stop stressing about that, now to get the books...

After all that we went to Turf Tavern. One of the oldest taverns in all of Britain and Oxford. It is literally in tiny tiny alleys, and you have to know how to get there. It was good food again, and lots of fun people. More pictures to come, but my camera isn't uploading at this time (help!) That's most of the fun stuff from today!

Day 1: May 21-22, The Never Ending Day

Today, or yesterday, or whatever day it is now I left for London. Obviously my days are mixed up because my tutor (Jure Vidmar) just emailed me to tell me I missed our first meeting. Thats not the most important part, rather our long long journey is what you want to hear.

Melissa and mine's flight left Memphis to ATL a little behind schedule, but we made it on time for our next flight. While Melissa ate a meal bar, I stuffed my face with Pei Wei, yummy. And I decided to  chase down a boy in the terminal that I was sure was Elijah Choy... its been that kind of day. Our flight took forever to take off and finally we left for our 7:54 hour flight to London Heathrow. I caught up on the classics on the plane, watched Casablanca and then Interview with the Vampire (and ate everything in sight). We finally start getting close and then were in a holding pattern above London. First thoughts are that "OMG were late were supposed to meet Dr. Snyder at 11!" It's already 12 when we land. So being the seasoned traveller that I am, with the help of the unhelpful and very nervous Melissa, we decided that instead of getting our baggage first, we would go straight to another terminal where we were to meet our group...

This is where it all goes downhill.... finally we make it through customs in a terminal that is not our own (idiot move, I should know better). Get out to arrivals and find all our friends, and they're like where's your luggage? Of course I said "Oh we were just so excited to come see yall we just left it there for awhile." Now we had to make the long journey back through the hell of Heathrow to terminal 4 which doesnt seem like a big deal, but it is. This time we take the trains... We finally get back. We find another girl in our group who was lost almost in Amsterdam. At this point we had to get accepted and rechecked through security. But not just any security... the sketchy worker's little behind the disney scenes security. So this typecast movie character working in this little room makes us sit on a bench and wait. Of course Melissa has to get a pat down cause she leaves her phone in her pocket, that's the first crying incident. We finally get through again, and all these people that seem to try to be helpful have no idea what theyre saying. Finally after walking all over the place we find our bags, and proceed to wait on our new friend Hannah's luggage to come in on a different flight. By this point we know our group is long gone, but the mission is simple. Get back to Terminal 5 and get on the bus to Oxford. No big deal, except the trains are weird, and you have to take connecting ones to get to terminals 4 or 5. Anyways theres the express  that goes straight from terminal 5 to Paddington Station. And thats right, we got on the wrong end and went right on to Paddington station in downtown London. I see this as a great adventure and we meet plenty of fun people. On the other hand Melissa has lost it and is crying again. I think its just a fun little adventure so I'm like "Whatevverrrr." Of course if you go further than the terminal you have to pay for the train. So when our good buddy Theo, the ticket taker, comes by I put on my best "I'm a helpless dumb blonde American" face. He is the perfect young British boy, strawberry blonde and cute accent. This helpless act seems to come in handy and everyone should learn this skill. Just be nice to people and make them help you, while having enough attitude to get what you need. So good ole Theo writes us a note on a piece of paper that says we get to go for free, while our friend who rode the back of the train had to pay 40 pounds.
Finally. Finally FINALLY, we make it on to the right terminal and out on to the bus to go to Oxford where I pass out. It is perfectly pastoral, with the real rolling hillsides with sheep on them. I love it.

We arrive late to the welcome party, and in my ratty t-shirt I have to meet a room full of people I was definitely not expecting. So embarrassing.
This is over quickly, and everyone leaves the three of us late travellers to go to the pub. Melissa and Hannah are helpless... so I somehow find us a cab. We finally make it to our tiny flat which is so cute. Theres a window in our room that opens to the back where theres a path to the Thames. The front is an ugly train station but whatever! Our flat mates are super nice from Michigan and Ohio and they are taking us to tea thursday.

Anyways, we later made it to dinner at the pub the Red Lion, which is not at all what youre thinking. Im thinking Lord of the Rings like pints of beer. This is the classiest and swankiest little place that every girl would love. So much for a "pub." Im proud to say I led the way there with my Elliott sense of direction while everyone else is like, "Wait, whaaat?" Needless to say it will be a long trip.

Thats all for today I've been up for 30 some hours and counting. More posts soon, and maybe even pictures if I can figure that out. xoxoxo