First things first. My new contact info is:
Alyssa Wechsler
Linacre College
St. Cross Road
Oxford, UK
OX1 3JA
(mobile): (011) 44-7531-971160
Skype name: alyssa.wechsler
I would appreciate any care packages for I am a lonely starving student. Especially if said packages include hot chocolate (which is ridiculously expensive here).
On to the juicy bits. I now live in Harry Potter land. The top of every building, be it pub or Oxford library on bottom, has spires, towers, gargoyles, you name it! The first time I saw a schoolboy run by, like the ignorant American I can be, I thought, "Hey, that kid's dressed up to be Harry Potter! Halloween isn't for another month!" I've now come to the conclusion that either every day here is Halloween, or they all dress like that.
Overall, my introduction to the university and the city has been fantastic. I got a room on site at my college (Linacre be its name.) I've managed to make it pretty cozy (above) and the best part is its right above the college commons room/bar! Not too noisy, and much cheaper rent. Not to mention that I now live above a bar, hee hee. My department is only a block away (which is impressive in a university that spans the entire city). The university parks (below) are literally in my back yard. There is a 1.5 mile running path, a duck pond, rugby pitches, the works.
My lectures don't start for two weeks (other than the introductory field trip I have this weekend), but I've already been working very hard. Namely punting, pubbing, and sight-seeing. Punting pics top right: (from left) Olly the token Brit friend and punt master, Steve the giant basketball Marshall, Rose the Marshall. Bottom right: (from left) Marshalls Rose, Megan, giant Steve, Emma, and me. Puntmaster Olly on far right. Tourist pics top left (Marshalls Ben, Grant, Zane, Emma, Rose, me) and bottom left from Blenheim Palace, Winston Churchill's
family "abode."
The newest addition to my Oxford repertoire is RUGBY! I started a pre-season training camp today and got worked. But I don't feel out of my league, and I love the team! Plus, if I stick with it I can play in a true, original "varsity" match this spring (i.e. Cambridge vs. Oxford). Here, what we would call varsity teams are called "the Blues." So I doubt I'll play with the Blues, but I'll still get to play a varsity match.
Some final random pictures: Linacre College, Linacre College from the University Parks, the tattoo picture as promised (did I mention I got a tattoo? It's an arrowleaf balsamroot. Nice story, I'll tell you if you ask hehe).
Well, I suppose that should be all for now. You can comment on these posts and/or become "followers" of my blog. This will help keep you up to date on my recent posts.Tune in later this week for my first installment of "Cultural Observations," and make sure to check out my new post next Sunday! I look forward to hearing from you all.
Cheers,
Aly
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7 comments:
You're not in Kansas now.
I mean Wyoming.
James
Wilderness Soccer started it all really, I'm surprised to hear you join rugby, you're vicious girl on the field! I'm so glad everything is in walking distance, that makes your life so much easier! I hope you make lots of new friends and tell more adventure stories. Oh and I demand a gargoyle photo collection! Also, the tattoo is neat. I want the story now.
Love and Hugs,
Rose
You're right, Rose! I think wilderness soccer did start it all! The story for you, darling, isn't as interesting cause you were there. For me that is the Writer's Camp flower, we walk up the mountain surrounded by it, we go Adam and Eve style in it. So it's a memento from my past, a memento of place (it's pure Wyoming in my mind), and of people (becuase former camper Emilene Ostlind did the design). There's always more to the story, but better to chat of these things in person ;)
Rugby and pubbing and punting,
Next thing you know it's fox hunting,
The Brits they have got her,
but god damn she's me daughter,
The limeys can get their own bunting.
The last line actually works. Anybody get it?
I don't like to be called a bunting... good limerick, though! Jolly good!
I'll show you my gargoyles if you show me yours!
OK. Just so I won't get confused with an overly sentimental WONK. A bunting - specifically a royal bunting - is a bird. Bird is British slang for girl. They should get their own girl. Not baby bunting. Didn't go a hunting.
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