Merry Christmas!

Sorry for the long break between posts, but the end of term was incredibly busy. I am home now, enjoying 80 degree weather (about 27 degrees Celsius, I think) and SUN!! I'll take a few days off, but I still have work to do. Though it is much nicer reading by the pool in a bathing suit than in a parka in my room in Oxford :)

In the last few weeks in England, I had lots of exciting events, including Christmas dinners with my course mates and with my housemates, a basketball game with a fellow Rotary scholar, and performances by orchestras in the Sheldonian (the great venue of the university) and in the oldest structure in Oxford (a church on Cornmarket Street). Plus, John and Gyll took me to two great events! John and I attended an Oxford Union rugby match, one of the best he's seen in a while. It was incredibly high-scoring (like 50-33 or something), and I loved learning the rules! On the last night of term, all three of us went to "Christmas at Christ Church," a beautiful service in the breathtaking cathedral to benefit a cancer charity. It was truly one of the best ways to celebrate Christmas that I have ever experienced. Famous actors and authors performed the readings, some religious, some about Christmases past and present. My favorite was from the late 1700s, written by the wife of a farmer, who described the joy of family gatherings at the holidays with the same enthusiasm as anyone today (though she did a lot more cooking than us). A great end to the term! (Plus we ate at a great French restaurant with the best raspberry creme brulee :) )

I am only home until December 28th because I have lots of work to do in Oxford, as I present my research methodology at the beginning of Hilary term. Thanks for keeping me in your prayers! I have learned so much in the last ten weeks, and I look forward to keeping you all updated on the next seven months!

Merry Christmas!