I have more pictures from Oxford, for those of you in my family that are not able to have access to facebook. Please follow the links to my photo albums:
http://warner.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2001272&id=186300065&l=3c142
http://warner.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2001239&id=186300065&l=fd5d8
I will post a journal soon!
Friday, September 15, 2006
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday's occurrences.
It's the morning of the 9th, a beautiful Saturday. My vision of outdoors was blurred this morning from the precipitation on the windows. The thought of staying in my nice warm bed and looking out on the cold of Oxford, England makes me exceedingly glad to be able to relax today. The entire group, save but some, have gone with Simon Lancaster and Jonathan Kirkpatrick on a trip to London. Therefore, apart from the boom from a circuit breaking, the house has been extremely quiet. This is the perfect atmosphere in which to write. I assume that you would want to know more about the circuit, but let's just say that Danielle and I discovered the limit that our British plugs can take. Being made apparent by the blue burst of a flame and as I said before, a loud "BOOM." Danielle, eyes wide open and feeling that she came within an inch of her life, and me...inhaling what smells like a powered, race car track. Some of you know what smell I am referring to. After these events, we came to discover that it had blown out the circuits throughout our room. But, thankfully we know what to do in a case like this: write a maintainance report! Haha. Soon, Jackie came to our rescue and pointed us to the circuit breaker panel and our room is up and running normal again!
It is time for reflection on this week. I can sum it up in one word: tiring! We definitely met the first week of orientation in full force. Walking to Wycliff Hall each morning takes about 45 minutes or more, depending on traffic, which is about 3 miles. Then we walk around the city of Oxford to scope out what's around us. By the time we've made it home, we've walked near 10 miles. It's like that every day, so needless to say, my body has been aching. I have been consuming a banana a day, trying to make sure that I have the necessary nutrients. Water is a constant companion as well. My calves are becoming HUGE! I don't think I've seen them look this way since highschool! Haha. So, due to the rigorous week we have experienced, Danielle and I chose to skip the group trip to London today. We have opted instead, for a day of relaxation and organization. It's nice to finally take a break to breathe.
Now that I finally have time to journal, I thought I would give you a summary of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday's occurrences, as stated in the title. Please prepare yourselves for a long post. I will have photos to include as well.
Wednesday:
Today's lectures were about Anglo-Saxon Literature, led by Dr. Santha Bhattacharji. As well as a lecture on St. Albans: Celts, Romans, and Christians, led by Jonathan Kirkpatrick. Both were equaling fascinating. Dr. Bhattacharji led the class through an old English writing called The Gospel Book:
Some enemy deprived me of my life
And took away my worldly strength, then wet me.
Dipped me in water, took me out again,
Set me in sunshine, where I quickly lost
The hairs I had. Later the knife's hard edge
Cut me with all impurities ground off.
Then fingers folded me; the bird's fine raiment
Traced often over me with useful drops
Across my brown domain, swallowed the tree-dye
Mixed up with water, stepped on me again
Leaving dark tracks. The hero clothed me then
With boards to guard me, stretched hide over me,
Decked me with gold; and thus the splendid work
Of smiths, with wire bound round, embellished me.
Now my red dye and all my decorations,
My gorgeous trappings far and wide proclaim
The Lord of Hosts, not grief for foolish sins.
If sons of men will make good use of me,
By that they shall be sounder, more victorious,
Their hearts more bold, their minds more full of joy,
Thier spirits wiser; they shall have more friends,
Dear ones and kinsmen, truer and more good,
More kind and faithful, who will add more glory
And happiness by favours, who will lay
Upon them kindness and benefits,
And clasp them fast in the embrace of love.
Say who I am, useful to men. My name
Is famous, good to men, and also sacred.
This is about a lamb who has given up its life for a manuscript. At the time this was written, lamb skin was the best to use because it was whiter than other animal skin. The skin from the manuscript was used from the back of the lamb, because it had a natural crease from the spine with which it was folded. It could then be folded twice again and bound with wood panels and leather, in this case it says "Now my red dye and all my decorations," red leather being the best kind of binding. This could be kept in the coat pocket. The quill pen was the "bird's fine raiment." The "useful drops" are the marks of the pen and they would look like bird droppings from the consistent mattern. The part about how the quill "swallowed the tree-dye" is being symbolic of a bird drinking. The quill would be dipped in an animal horn, which would serve as an inkwell. Needless to say, this was extremely interesting to me. I took Dr. Sheneman's History of English class and he led us through several Old English works in the same manner.
We also had our first seminars with our department tudors. The rest of the English majors and I studied/discussed Chaucer's The Parson's Tale. This was also a very exciting meeting.
Thursday:
Today we went to St. Alban's Cathedral and to the Roman Verulamium. The Cathedral was beautiful beyond words! Never in my life have I beheld something so huge and incredibly detailed! It was breathtaking! Many of us from the group ate at Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, which is the OLDEST pub in ALL of England. See the photos below. I was so hungry, I ordered their famous cheeseburger, and it was HUGE! I ate all my chips (fries) and finished off Danielle's sorbet, because she was full. Those sitting around me couldn't believe that I had actually eaten it all. I sure packed it in, and walked it off in an hour! Haha
When we returned, we went to the Crick Road House and had a very deep discussion about God's work in our lives with Nicola (a graduate of Oxford and staff member of SSO) and some other girls. This was enjoyed over a nice cup of hot tea. Yumm!
Friday:
Today we had our Library orientation. It's very confusing, so I won't attempt to explain it to you all. It would be better to do that when I return. We got out from seminars early today, so Danielle and I went walking around Oxford city. I purchased a drawing book and conte crayons from a little art shop. That made me very happy! Then, Danielle and I shared some very delicious raspberry icecream. :) We bought post cards at Clinton's, which I will send out soon. Then we came home and crashed upon our beds. I had a long relaxing shower and took care of beautifying myself. Haha. Because my feet have been so sore, I lathered my feet with cocoanut oil and put my cotton socks on. It was bliss! Haha
This catches you all up on what I have been doing. I'm sorry it's so terribly long. I hope you're all doing well and don't forget that I love and miss you all! :) Cheers!
It is time for reflection on this week. I can sum it up in one word: tiring! We definitely met the first week of orientation in full force. Walking to Wycliff Hall each morning takes about 45 minutes or more, depending on traffic, which is about 3 miles. Then we walk around the city of Oxford to scope out what's around us. By the time we've made it home, we've walked near 10 miles. It's like that every day, so needless to say, my body has been aching. I have been consuming a banana a day, trying to make sure that I have the necessary nutrients. Water is a constant companion as well. My calves are becoming HUGE! I don't think I've seen them look this way since highschool! Haha. So, due to the rigorous week we have experienced, Danielle and I chose to skip the group trip to London today. We have opted instead, for a day of relaxation and organization. It's nice to finally take a break to breathe.
Now that I finally have time to journal, I thought I would give you a summary of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday's occurrences, as stated in the title. Please prepare yourselves for a long post. I will have photos to include as well.
Wednesday:
Today's lectures were about Anglo-Saxon Literature, led by Dr. Santha Bhattacharji. As well as a lecture on St. Albans: Celts, Romans, and Christians, led by Jonathan Kirkpatrick. Both were equaling fascinating. Dr. Bhattacharji led the class through an old English writing called The Gospel Book:
Some enemy deprived me of my life
And took away my worldly strength, then wet me.
Dipped me in water, took me out again,
Set me in sunshine, where I quickly lost
The hairs I had. Later the knife's hard edge
Cut me with all impurities ground off.
Then fingers folded me; the bird's fine raiment
Traced often over me with useful drops
Across my brown domain, swallowed the tree-dye
Mixed up with water, stepped on me again
Leaving dark tracks. The hero clothed me then
With boards to guard me, stretched hide over me,
Decked me with gold; and thus the splendid work
Of smiths, with wire bound round, embellished me.
Now my red dye and all my decorations,
My gorgeous trappings far and wide proclaim
The Lord of Hosts, not grief for foolish sins.
If sons of men will make good use of me,
By that they shall be sounder, more victorious,
Their hearts more bold, their minds more full of joy,
Thier spirits wiser; they shall have more friends,
Dear ones and kinsmen, truer and more good,
More kind and faithful, who will add more glory
And happiness by favours, who will lay
Upon them kindness and benefits,
And clasp them fast in the embrace of love.
Say who I am, useful to men. My name
Is famous, good to men, and also sacred.
This is about a lamb who has given up its life for a manuscript. At the time this was written, lamb skin was the best to use because it was whiter than other animal skin. The skin from the manuscript was used from the back of the lamb, because it had a natural crease from the spine with which it was folded. It could then be folded twice again and bound with wood panels and leather, in this case it says "Now my red dye and all my decorations," red leather being the best kind of binding. This could be kept in the coat pocket. The quill pen was the "bird's fine raiment." The "useful drops" are the marks of the pen and they would look like bird droppings from the consistent mattern. The part about how the quill "swallowed the tree-dye" is being symbolic of a bird drinking. The quill would be dipped in an animal horn, which would serve as an inkwell. Needless to say, this was extremely interesting to me. I took Dr. Sheneman's History of English class and he led us through several Old English works in the same manner.
We also had our first seminars with our department tudors. The rest of the English majors and I studied/discussed Chaucer's The Parson's Tale. This was also a very exciting meeting.
Thursday:
Today we went to St. Alban's Cathedral and to the Roman Verulamium. The Cathedral was beautiful beyond words! Never in my life have I beheld something so huge and incredibly detailed! It was breathtaking! Many of us from the group ate at Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, which is the OLDEST pub in ALL of England. See the photos below. I was so hungry, I ordered their famous cheeseburger, and it was HUGE! I ate all my chips (fries) and finished off Danielle's sorbet, because she was full. Those sitting around me couldn't believe that I had actually eaten it all. I sure packed it in, and walked it off in an hour! Haha
When we returned, we went to the Crick Road House and had a very deep discussion about God's work in our lives with Nicola (a graduate of Oxford and staff member of SSO) and some other girls. This was enjoyed over a nice cup of hot tea. Yumm!
Friday:
Today we had our Library orientation. It's very confusing, so I won't attempt to explain it to you all. It would be better to do that when I return. We got out from seminars early today, so Danielle and I went walking around Oxford city. I purchased a drawing book and conte crayons from a little art shop. That made me very happy! Then, Danielle and I shared some very delicious raspberry icecream. :) We bought post cards at Clinton's, which I will send out soon. Then we came home and crashed upon our beds. I had a long relaxing shower and took care of beautifying myself. Haha. Because my feet have been so sore, I lathered my feet with cocoanut oil and put my cotton socks on. It was bliss! Haha
This catches you all up on what I have been doing. I'm sorry it's so terribly long. I hope you're all doing well and don't forget that I love and miss you all! :) Cheers!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Pictures from the Tea at Crick Road
So, I have pictures from the tea from Sunday. Please follow the arrows to where Danielle and I are. :) I am sorry I am not posting a journal today, we have a field trip tomorrow and I need sleep. I have SO much to write in the next journal though! I can't wait to tell you all about the English Seminar discussion that I had today with the other English majors! It is being led by Dr. Santha Bhattacharji and it was so stimulating!
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Tea at Crick Road house.
Today Danielle and I had our own little worship time. We sang several worship songs, ate our new cereal, and took videos with my camera of The Vines and its grounds. Soon, you should be able to see them on YouTube, for those of my family that care to see them. They're funny!
At 2:30, Danielle and I, and a large group of the students from the Vines, walked 45 minutes to the Crick Road house for afternoon tea. It was delicious! I had two cubes of sugar and milk in mine! I will never drink tea the same way again. There were cheeses, cakes, fruit, and little British made snacks. It was all very good. I spent a good hour talking with other English majors about British literature and linguistics. So fantastic! Can you all imagine a bunch of English nerds getting passionate and excited about British literature? I could not have been happier today! I spoke with Mr. Jonathan Kirkpatrick, Junior Dean of the Crick house and SCIO lecturer for the Classics Tutorial, I believe. It was completely fascinating! He might very well be my tutor for the Classics Tutorial that I am taking. I am so excited to study the Greek and Latin texts! Although, that won't begin until about a month.
Then we all traveled to St. Andrew's, Evangelical Anglican Church (www.standrewsoxford.org), where Mr. Kirkpatrick attends. The service was the contemporary service, geared more toward youth. It was led by the Curate, Will Pearson-Gee. It was wonderful! Very spirit-filled and we all took communion together. We walked up to the front and knelt at a huge altar and the Vicar, Andrew Wingfield Digby, broke our bread and two women held up the cup for us to sip. They took a handkerchief and wiped after each person sipped. I almost choked because I wasn't expecting wine. The alcohol was very strong and very bitter. But it was only a sip. No, I am not tipsy. Hahaha
Then, after the service, we all walked back, another 45 minutes to The Vines. Our feet called for freedom! Danielle and I, who had acted as normal college students, forgot to eat and so opened our new bag of kettle chips and ravenously ate the whole bag within minutes! And now, as I sit here and write of all the day's occurrences, I am delightfully looking forward to tomorrow's events.
For all of those who care to know my schedule for the first week, here it is:
4 September Monday: Wycliffe Hall
8.15 Vines students leave to go to Wycliffe Hall
9.00 Coffee and Tea
9.30 Orientation commences
10.50 Morning Break
11.15 Orientation continues
12.30 Lunch
1.30 Orientation continues
3.00 Afternoon tea
3.45 British landscape programme commences
5.00 Finish
5 September Tuesday: Wycliffe Lower Common Room, the Frewin Court
9.30 British landscape programme
10.30 Break
11.00 Bibliography session
11.30 Editing session
12.00 General Q&A
12.30 Lunch
1.15 Introducing Wycliffe Staff
1.30 Tour of Wycliffe
2.00 Chapel
3.00 Frewin Orientation and afternoon tea
6 September Wednesday morning: British Landscapes: Wycliffe Lower Common Room
9.30 British landscape programme
10.30 Morning tea
11.00 British landscape programme
12.00 Lunch
12.45 British landscape programme
2.30 English Seminar
3.30 Afternoon tea
4.00 English Seminar
5.00 Finish
7 September Thursday field trip
8.45 Field trip to St. Albans
5.00 Return to Oxford
8 September Friday morning: library orientation, then British Landscapes programme: Wycliffe Lower Common Room
10.00 Library orientation
11.30 British landscape programme
12.30 Lunch
1.15 British landscape programme
9 September Saturday: London
Field trip to London with Simon Lancaster and Jonathan Kirkpatrick
So, that's it for now! I'm going to go eat and get much needed sleep! Love you all! Cheers!
At 2:30, Danielle and I, and a large group of the students from the Vines, walked 45 minutes to the Crick Road house for afternoon tea. It was delicious! I had two cubes of sugar and milk in mine! I will never drink tea the same way again. There were cheeses, cakes, fruit, and little British made snacks. It was all very good. I spent a good hour talking with other English majors about British literature and linguistics. So fantastic! Can you all imagine a bunch of English nerds getting passionate and excited about British literature? I could not have been happier today! I spoke with Mr. Jonathan Kirkpatrick, Junior Dean of the Crick house and SCIO lecturer for the Classics Tutorial, I believe. It was completely fascinating! He might very well be my tutor for the Classics Tutorial that I am taking. I am so excited to study the Greek and Latin texts! Although, that won't begin until about a month.
Then we all traveled to St. Andrew's, Evangelical Anglican Church (www.standrewsoxford.org), where Mr. Kirkpatrick attends. The service was the contemporary service, geared more toward youth. It was led by the Curate, Will Pearson-Gee. It was wonderful! Very spirit-filled and we all took communion together. We walked up to the front and knelt at a huge altar and the Vicar, Andrew Wingfield Digby, broke our bread and two women held up the cup for us to sip. They took a handkerchief and wiped after each person sipped. I almost choked because I wasn't expecting wine. The alcohol was very strong and very bitter. But it was only a sip. No, I am not tipsy. Hahaha
Then, after the service, we all walked back, another 45 minutes to The Vines. Our feet called for freedom! Danielle and I, who had acted as normal college students, forgot to eat and so opened our new bag of kettle chips and ravenously ate the whole bag within minutes! And now, as I sit here and write of all the day's occurrences, I am delightfully looking forward to tomorrow's events.
For all of those who care to know my schedule for the first week, here it is:
4 September Monday: Wycliffe Hall
8.15 Vines students leave to go to Wycliffe Hall
9.00 Coffee and Tea
9.30 Orientation commences
10.50 Morning Break
11.15 Orientation continues
12.30 Lunch
1.30 Orientation continues
3.00 Afternoon tea
3.45 British landscape programme commences
5.00 Finish
5 September Tuesday: Wycliffe Lower Common Room, the Frewin Court
9.30 British landscape programme
10.30 Break
11.00 Bibliography session
11.30 Editing session
12.00 General Q&A
12.30 Lunch
1.15 Introducing Wycliffe Staff
1.30 Tour of Wycliffe
2.00 Chapel
3.00 Frewin Orientation and afternoon tea
6 September Wednesday morning: British Landscapes: Wycliffe Lower Common Room
9.30 British landscape programme
10.30 Morning tea
11.00 British landscape programme
12.00 Lunch
12.45 British landscape programme
2.30 English Seminar
3.30 Afternoon tea
4.00 English Seminar
5.00 Finish
7 September Thursday field trip
8.45 Field trip to St. Albans
5.00 Return to Oxford
8 September Friday morning: library orientation, then British Landscapes programme: Wycliffe Lower Common Room
10.00 Library orientation
11.30 British landscape programme
12.30 Lunch
1.15 British landscape programme
9 September Saturday: London
Field trip to London with Simon Lancaster and Jonathan Kirkpatrick
So, that's it for now! I'm going to go eat and get much needed sleep! Love you all! Cheers!
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Four hours of walking around Oxford! What Fun!
Today is Saturday. I woke up around 10:30 and ate breakfast. The Tesco brand of bran flakes. Very good, I might add. I assisted in the chopping of bananas for our 2:00 lunch with the Crick Road residents. So, I met some more new people today. I am afraid I haven't been very sociable. It's been a lot to take in. I've been contemplative and quiet. Observing has been my choice activity. Haha. There has been a game of Mafia in the living room and it has been going on for the past few hours. I'm not even playing that, so you know that I'm being shy. Haha.
Danielle and I left at about 4:30 and went walking to the center of Oxford city. We walked about 30 minutes and found the Tesco grocery store that we were looking for. We spent about an hour inside and we were busy reading labels, checking prices, making a mental list of the things we could buy and how to budget. We were given 150 pounds each and we have decided that since we eat the same food, we would join our money together and share the food we buy. We are given this food money once at the beginning of each month. Jackie and Clint, our Resident Directors, told us that two students lived off of 60 lbs a week and ate very well. We think we can do it too. Maybe even better! A lot of prepackaged things are expensive, but we prefer to buy plain things like rice and pre-bagged veggies and make our own things. Especially because Danielle is allergic to wheat, gum, and stabilizers. Interestingly enough, she knew coming over that her type of allergy is more common in England than in the States. So, there is a section in the groceries all for her kinds of foods. Praise the Lord! Also, on packages in England, there is lots more information on the ingredients, there's an allergy notice about gums and wheat. So, that helps Danielle not eat something that will cause a reaction later.
So, we walked and walked today. We stopped to eat at Mando's, a Portuguese restaurant. We shared chicken, corn on the cob, and chips (fries). It was so good. I got the chicken down to the bones! I've never done that before! Haha. So, we walked back about 8:00 and got home safe and sound....and tired. It was a good, four hour walk. :) We took pictures again today. So, I hope you enjoy. There are pictures of houses and things along the road we live.
Okay, so the photos are taking a while and I am going to go to bed. So, I will post the rest tomorrow and if there are any spelling errors, I am truly sorry. I can't bring up the spell checker right now either. So, bear with me. :)
Danielle and I left at about 4:30 and went walking to the center of Oxford city. We walked about 30 minutes and found the Tesco grocery store that we were looking for. We spent about an hour inside and we were busy reading labels, checking prices, making a mental list of the things we could buy and how to budget. We were given 150 pounds each and we have decided that since we eat the same food, we would join our money together and share the food we buy. We are given this food money once at the beginning of each month. Jackie and Clint, our Resident Directors, told us that two students lived off of 60 lbs a week and ate very well. We think we can do it too. Maybe even better! A lot of prepackaged things are expensive, but we prefer to buy plain things like rice and pre-bagged veggies and make our own things. Especially because Danielle is allergic to wheat, gum, and stabilizers. Interestingly enough, she knew coming over that her type of allergy is more common in England than in the States. So, there is a section in the groceries all for her kinds of foods. Praise the Lord! Also, on packages in England, there is lots more information on the ingredients, there's an allergy notice about gums and wheat. So, that helps Danielle not eat something that will cause a reaction later.
So, we walked and walked today. We stopped to eat at Mando's, a Portuguese restaurant. We shared chicken, corn on the cob, and chips (fries). It was so good. I got the chicken down to the bones! I've never done that before! Haha. So, we walked back about 8:00 and got home safe and sound....and tired. It was a good, four hour walk. :) We took pictures again today. So, I hope you enjoy. There are pictures of houses and things along the road we live.
Okay, so the photos are taking a while and I am going to go to bed. So, I will post the rest tomorrow and if there are any spelling errors, I am truly sorry. I can't bring up the spell checker right now either. So, bear with me. :)
Our Lovely home!
Walking along Pullens Lane, the road we live on!
Can you believe that C.S. Lewis walked past this house??? Ahhhhh!
Ahuh, another back shot! Please look at the beautiful scenery AROUND me!
There's Nell!
Gorgeous scenery!
Friday, September 01, 2006
I've Arrived!
So, I have safely arrived in Oxford, England and I am comfortably situated in my room with my other three roommates, Gina (20), Hosanna (19), and Danielle (20). Danielle and I had a very tiring day travelling but we managed just fine. No troubles at all, thank the Lord! We didn't have to pay for our bus fare today, so that is a huge blessing! It just so happened that something was broken so that we didn't have to pay a fare. The driver just put our luggage on the bus and told us to get in. There were several other Best Semester students travelling with us at this point. Danielle and I were thankful that we were able to save the money for the one hour bus ride. Otherwise, it would have been expensive!
So here are just a few photos from the first day:
So here are just a few photos from the first day:
My sweet Benjamin and I before I left Lake Wales. Parting is such sweet sorrow. :(
Danielle and I at the Orlando Airport. This is where our journey began. :)
Representing Warner Southern College!
With Daddy and Momma, just finished eating some yummy Chick-Fil-A! :)
Sitting on the plane, awaiting the take-off!
And, along the bus ride we saw...
The bus driver forgot to stop at the Gypsy Lane bus stop so we ended up getting a taxi to take us straight to The Vines. Pictures of The Vines will be coming soon. It's gorgeous! For now, just enjoy the pictures of our lovely room:
Saturday will be much more exciting and eventful. We are going around and looking at different grocery stores. We should be pretty sore of walking by the evening. I plan on purchasing three phone cards tomorrow for a very good price!
I have been very contemplative today. I am a bit overwhelmed with the course load but I look forward to all the challenges I am determined to overcome! :) Continue to pray for Danielle and me! I love you all!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
