So much has happened! Classes started last week, of course. I am loving my democratization option - I gave a presentation yesterday on economic stabilization (not the most exhilarating topic, but I am glad to have expanded my knowledge, plus the rest of the weeks look incredible!). CC2 is also great - currently looking at mobility (the new word for migration) and forced migration (including but not limited to refugees). Very practical. It is just so great to be with all of my classmates again! We are having a pot luck this Friday (I am bringing cheese and fruit :) ).
I visited two local schools with links to Uganda - thanks to John for driving me! One was a primary school, and it was very interesting to observe classes and hear about their international programmes. The other turned out to be an incredible blessing: I was able to meet with two Ugandan teachers who are here on an exchange visit through the British Council: a headmaster, Twino, and a history teacher, Peter. As it turns out, Twino is a Rotarian! (He was wearing a pin or I would not have known). They teach in Kabale, in the southwest of Uganda, and have invited me to conduct my research in their area. If it works out, it would be so great! I have never been to that part of the country, and it is supposed to be absolutely beautiful! Related, I bought my ticket to Entebbe today - leaving on March 14 and returning April 13!!
Also, on Friday I attended a Chinese New Years' Dinner with the Bicester Rotary Club - dish after dish of deliciousness, and there was even a live dragon dance (made me really want to go to China!!). I so enjoy getting to see everyone in the club and building relationships! I feel like I have been here for much longer than a few months.
And then I spent the night and all day Saturday with John and Gyll! I absolutely adore being in their home with them! I slept in, ate breakfast, read a bit. After lunch, we took a lovely walk around the village and down by the canals and mill - the roads were muddy but the sun was out! It felt so wonderful to get away from Oxford. I did more reading in the afternoon and watched part of a rugby game with John. After a leisurely dinner, I took the last bus home, refreshed and content!
Last thing: I spoke at Chipping Norton Club on Monday. It was held at a Bowls Club so I was able to see some people play that game (sort of like curling but not on ice). I enjoyed the evening because I had met some of the members before, and everyone was very welcoming. It is great fun to answer questions about my hometown (and about our new president!).
Which reminds me - my whole college watched the inauguration in our common room. Even our warden came. Such an incredible moment in our history!
Overall, a really great start to term! I'm headed to football/soccer practice now....
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Football Practice & Pantomime
After several years away from the sport, I attended my first soccer kickaround on Tuesday night! It felt incredibly good to experience the team camaraderie and to work lots of different muscles. St. Antony's Women's Football Team - the Chihuahuas, unfortunately - practice once a week from 9-10 pm. Note to my family: we ride our bikes together, only on well-lit main streets, which are still crowded at this time of night as it is a university town. Thankfully, we train inside, so I only have to bear the cold for the ride to and from the facility. We also had a group run today. It is so great to have structured exercise and to get to know the other girls! What a fabulous way to relieve stress.
Even more exciting, I saw my first pantomime this morning! The Rotary Club of Bicester sponsors a school for children with special needs to attend a performance every year. I enjoyed speaking with the kids and teachers, and I hope to visit the school sometime to see their methods. Of course, it was simply magical to see the pantomime of Sleeping Beauty through the eyes of children! The lights, special effects, crowd interaction (it is designed for kids - lots of shouting and songs) mesmerized the students. I felt like I was transported out of Oxford!!
Still, I have been able to get lots of work accomplished, though there is always more to do. I found some fantastic resources this evening. Thanks for all of the prayers!
Even more exciting, I saw my first pantomime this morning! The Rotary Club of Bicester sponsors a school for children with special needs to attend a performance every year. I enjoyed speaking with the kids and teachers, and I hope to visit the school sometime to see their methods. Of course, it was simply magical to see the pantomime of Sleeping Beauty through the eyes of children! The lights, special effects, crowd interaction (it is designed for kids - lots of shouting and songs) mesmerized the students. I felt like I was transported out of Oxford!!
Still, I have been able to get lots of work accomplished, though there is always more to do. I found some fantastic resources this evening. Thanks for all of the prayers!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
2009!!
Happy New Year!!
Christmas at home was absolutely perfect! I am so blessed to have been with my family and to be reminded of what is important in life. Plus I got some good southern food! After arriving back in the UK on the 28th, I ended up going to Edingurgh with some of my housemates for New Years. It was incredible! I loved the city because it is full of history, beautiful stone structures, and warm, delicious restaurants :) We also spent a day outside Edinburgh, in Dunkeld, on the edge of the Highlands. I really enjoyed hiking in the mountains and along the River Tay. From the Florida sun to the Scottish Highlands, all in one Christmas break! Wow!
I have been back in Oxford for a couple of days now, cold but thrilled to be heading into a new term. The work is already sort of overwhelming, but that just means the days are going to fly by. Please continue to pray that I keep a healthy balance between work and everything else. Right now I am beginning to piece together my dissertation methodology, which is exciting since I will actually get to put it into practice in Uganda!
Christmas at home was absolutely perfect! I am so blessed to have been with my family and to be reminded of what is important in life. Plus I got some good southern food! After arriving back in the UK on the 28th, I ended up going to Edingurgh with some of my housemates for New Years. It was incredible! I loved the city because it is full of history, beautiful stone structures, and warm, delicious restaurants :) We also spent a day outside Edinburgh, in Dunkeld, on the edge of the Highlands. I really enjoyed hiking in the mountains and along the River Tay. From the Florida sun to the Scottish Highlands, all in one Christmas break! Wow!
I have been back in Oxford for a couple of days now, cold but thrilled to be heading into a new term. The work is already sort of overwhelming, but that just means the days are going to fly by. Please continue to pray that I keep a healthy balance between work and everything else. Right now I am beginning to piece together my dissertation methodology, which is exciting since I will actually get to put it into practice in Uganda!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
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!
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!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Wow, Week 6
So, I officially have a cold...on the busiest week of the term, of course :) But my work is going well! Always more to do, but I do not feel panicked. We have two essays due this week plus I have lots of research to do for my dissertation. Thanks for keeping me in your prayers!
Several things to look forward to: reproductive health in Africa seminar on Tuesday, going to rugby game with John on Wednesday, dinner with my course mates AND drinks with the Rotary scholars on Friday.
This past week, I attended a lecture at the Pitt Rivers Museum with Liz, a Rotarian from Bicester and the club's website officer. The speaker was a zoologist, who related his adventures over the years as he searched for new insect species in caves, jungles, etc - places I would not even want to go. Incredible! Did you know bugs are attracted to the mixture of lager and blue cheeses? Or that the oldest existing bug pinned as a specimen is dated from 1702? It is here in Oxford, and the university threw it a 300th birthday party. Seriously, scholars from all over England came. It was so great to get outside of Africa for a bit!
We also had a great Rotary meeting with the Abingdon Vespers club at a local primary school in an area of Oxford called Blackbird Leys. People think of this city as being primarily affluent and highly educated, but the school actually draws from a population with only a 48% adult literacy rate. The headmaster (principal) related challenges and blessings in working with such disadvantaged children, and I found her passion to be completely inspiring! Plus, the school has links with a Ugandan school, so I enjoyed speaking with the staff about those connections.
Ok, I am going to finish up some work, read a fun book, and then go to sleep early! Love you family!
Several things to look forward to: reproductive health in Africa seminar on Tuesday, going to rugby game with John on Wednesday, dinner with my course mates AND drinks with the Rotary scholars on Friday.
This past week, I attended a lecture at the Pitt Rivers Museum with Liz, a Rotarian from Bicester and the club's website officer. The speaker was a zoologist, who related his adventures over the years as he searched for new insect species in caves, jungles, etc - places I would not even want to go. Incredible! Did you know bugs are attracted to the mixture of lager and blue cheeses? Or that the oldest existing bug pinned as a specimen is dated from 1702? It is here in Oxford, and the university threw it a 300th birthday party. Seriously, scholars from all over England came. It was so great to get outside of Africa for a bit!
We also had a great Rotary meeting with the Abingdon Vespers club at a local primary school in an area of Oxford called Blackbird Leys. People think of this city as being primarily affluent and highly educated, but the school actually draws from a population with only a 48% adult literacy rate. The headmaster (principal) related challenges and blessings in working with such disadvantaged children, and I found her passion to be completely inspiring! Plus, the school has links with a Ugandan school, so I enjoyed speaking with the staff about those connections.
Ok, I am going to finish up some work, read a fun book, and then go to sleep early! Love you family!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Election and American Night
Election Night: Literally 200 people from around the world crammed into our common room, watching CNN, and eating Haribo gummy bears. It was fantastic! Such a great memory for so historic a night! I felt very proud to be American (and a Floridian). It is definitely a moment that will make it into textbooks, and I will get to tell my grandchildren I watched it all from England.
Appropriately, American Night with the Rotary Scholars was held on Friday. I helped make fried chicken, sweet potatoes, green beans, and peach cobbler (yes I cooked!), and we listened to country music - quite southern because nearly all of us are from that region. John and Gyll attended too, so I enjoyed sharing a bit of my culture with them!!
Our Sunday trip into London was postponed, but I went to an outdoor, multi-faith service around the WWI and II Memorial in Oxford, just a bit down from the college, for Rememberance Day. It was a beautiful event with moving prayers for all those affected by conflict. It's quite humbling to think of how secure our lives are compared to most.
Now we are into Week 5 - ahhh! Lots of work to do, but I am enjoying almost all of it :) Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.
Appropriately, American Night with the Rotary Scholars was held on Friday. I helped make fried chicken, sweet potatoes, green beans, and peach cobbler (yes I cooked!), and we listened to country music - quite southern because nearly all of us are from that region. John and Gyll attended too, so I enjoyed sharing a bit of my culture with them!!
Our Sunday trip into London was postponed, but I went to an outdoor, multi-faith service around the WWI and II Memorial in Oxford, just a bit down from the college, for Rememberance Day. It was a beautiful event with moving prayers for all those affected by conflict. It's quite humbling to think of how secure our lives are compared to most.
Now we are into Week 5 - ahhh! Lots of work to do, but I am enjoying almost all of it :) Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts.
Monday, November 3, 2008
I ran a half-marathon yesterday!
Yes, I know I am crazy, but it seems like everything here is about leaping and never looking back, about learning to believe in your own thoughts, ideas, judgment, ambitions. And I finished! My friends and I did 13 miles in an hour and 44 minutes - pretty good for not training, and there were even hills. Miles 7-9 were rough mentally, but once I made it to 10, I felt like we were on the home stretch, and crossing the finish line was such a thrill! By the way, this all happened in Barns Green (http://www.barnsgreen.com/), a lovely little town about an hour south of Oxford. After the race, we went to a friend's home nearby to shower and eat food made by mom, and then enjoyed the ride home, reflecting on a great day.
I feel so much more relaxed about all of the work now - it was great to get out of Oxford for a bit. I am still super busy, but I think I am finding a balance. And I get closer to my classmates all the time! Plus, there is such an energy here surrounding the election!! Is it really tomorrow? I am nervous/excited! The whole college is going to stay up for the results, so Wednesday might be a coffee day for me :)
Lots to look forward to this weekend: American Night (John and Gyll are attending!) and also a Rotary trip into London on Sunday for Remembrance Day. Most people have poppies on their coats; I am going to get one tomorrow from our porters in the lodge.
Love you all!! Thanks for the emails, cards, and prayers.
I feel so much more relaxed about all of the work now - it was great to get out of Oxford for a bit. I am still super busy, but I think I am finding a balance. And I get closer to my classmates all the time! Plus, there is such an energy here surrounding the election!! Is it really tomorrow? I am nervous/excited! The whole college is going to stay up for the results, so Wednesday might be a coffee day for me :)
Lots to look forward to this weekend: American Night (John and Gyll are attending!) and also a Rotary trip into London on Sunday for Remembrance Day. Most people have poppies on their coats; I am going to get one tomorrow from our porters in the lodge.
Love you all!! Thanks for the emails, cards, and prayers.
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