First Draft!

I submitted my first dissertation draft on Monday! Thank you all for your prayers. I am still feeling excited about studying and writing -a very good place to be :) And our graduate seminars this week - on state-building in DRC, presidents in Africa, and Ethiopian Federalism - were fantastic! It is such a blessing to find new areas of interest even this late in the year.

Another fun event: With two other scholars, I attended formal dinner at St. John's College, one of the most well-known (though only 500 years old haha) and richest (apparently the college presidents always sided with the winnders in royal disputes/wars) colleges at Oxford. Johannes, a German Rotary Scholar and a member of St John's, gave us a lovely tour of the extensive structures, including the library with ridiculously old books and letters - a note from the 3rd century is casually displayed next to one of the bookshelves! The food was good, but the really impressive parts were the old hall - with high ceilings, wood panels, and a massive marble fireplace - and the wait staff - all dressed in white dinner jackets. Such a great atmosphere and truly part of the Oxford experience! Though I have to say I was glad to return to St Ant's where I can walk on the grass and wear regular clothes to dinner. :)

My weekend: Researching Africa Day on Saturday, then helping with a boating fundraiser for a local Rotary Club - hoping for good weather!

Ascot Pictures!

The racecourse



5 of us scholars



The old part of the facilities



Watching the race up-close



Looking up at the grandstands from race-level



I just like my red nail polish...



Is it me?



The girls



Obviously I had a fantastic day!

Ascot Races & May Day

This has been the most enjoyable week of a term I have ever experienced! Yes, I am doing lots of work, but I am also having lots of fun! Ascot was incredible - we watched 6 races with about a half-hour in between each. For the first four we sat in the 'premiere' stands with a fantastic view of the entire course, but for the last two we moved down to ground level to sit in the sun and see the horses up close. I didn't bet, but I still found the excitement of the race to be exhilarating! Plus, in between races, we people-watched and tried on the massive hats for sale. I felt so English and really wanted to buy one, but they are far out of my price range :) Then we went to the Ascot President's home, where we had little sandwiches, tea, and cake, then off to a lovely dinner at the golf course. Eight of us scholars attended, but only three spoke, including me, and the club was most receptive. Overall, it was a truly unforgettable day! I can't believe I have been to the Ascot Races! (Pictures to be up soon)

Then, this morning I woke up at 4:40am for a grand Oxford tradition dating to pagan rituals over a thousand years ago: May Day! The Magdalen College choir sings from the top of their spire, overlooking an audience of 8,000 - mostly students, some up early, some out all night. I liked imagining the festivities occurring centuries before and thinking about all the people who have walked through this town. After the seven-minute performance, my friends and I trekked back to the gorgeous neighborhood next to St. Ant's to get a 'Full English' for breakfast. Such a great start to the day, though I havent' taken a nap so I am about ready for bed (it's not even dark out all the way yet haha)!

But first I am going to our common room for a bit because we're watching Star Wars - an improvement from the Rocky collection last term, though I'm still holding out for a chick flick or two. Then it's a weekend full of proofreading!

A Very English Week

On Friday, I celebrated St. George's Day - England's National Day - with a Black Tie Dinner hosted by Bicester Rotary Club to raise funds for a school for children with special needs. Entertainment included readings of Shakespeare and a lovely performance of traditional English folk songs, plus a re-cap of St. George's life. Apparently, he never visited England, but is the country's patron saint nonetheless, best known for slaying a dragon in the Mediterranean.

Then I spent all weekend with John and Gyll! On Saturday I went for a fabulous run through a park and helped the Kirtlington Garden Club set up for a plant sale. Gyll and I had a lovely lunch, then she returned to help with the plant sale while I took a nap (clearly I feel right at home!). After a bit of work, John and I walked to a local restaurant to pick up fish and chips - but not the massive, greasy version from student spots; there was actually fish beneath the batter! So yummy and the ultimate in English-ness. John and Gyll kindly let me choose a movie after wards, so we ended up with the chick flick My Best Friend's Wedding. On Sunday, I did a lot of work on my laptop sitting in the kitchen talking to Gyll - picked up a few cooking tips too! All three of us took a beautiful walk down Mill Lane to see the Bluebells, enjoying the sun. Then after another delicious meal, I had to head back to student life in Oxford. It was an absolutely glorious weekend! I have never started a term so relaxed! Aren't John and Gyll completely wonderful to me?!

Now I am back in the swing of things, doing lots of writing. But.....

Tomorrow it's off to the races!! Ascot Rotary Club is hosting eight of use scholars at the Ascot Racecourse! I am not quite sure what to expect, but I am certain it will be an experience. I'm hoping to see lots of women in ridiculously big hats!

English Football!

I attended my first professional English football match yesterday, and it was all I had hoped for and more! Brighton and Hove Albion (the Seagulls - can't compare to the Seminoles :) ) vs. Bristol Rovers at Bristol. What made this game so glorious is that Brighton is fighting - with just two games left in the season - to avoid relegation to a lower division. After going down by one, the Seagulls scored two brilliant goals against the higher-ranked Rovers! The away audience went wild!! Jumping and singing - just perfect. Among the various insults thrown at the home team: "You're Welsh and you know you are!" This is funny if you know 1) Bristol is close to Wales and 2) the English look down on the Welsh as backwards farmers. Other interesting tidbits: instead of hot dogs and hamburgers, the concession stand served Cornish pasties and meat pies, and women were easily outnumbered 15:1 - honestly I could hardly believe it. Overall, a very enjoyable evening!

But I am getting LOTS of work done! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers and emails. This dissertation-writing process is difficult but immensely enjoyable. And the weather is beautiful, just like a Tallahassee spring, so I am in a good mood. Plus I have football practice tomorrow in the University Parks, then a weekend at John and Gyll's. Life is good!

Rainy London

Yesterday - as a mini vacation - I went with a couple of friends for a day out in London. I toured the National Gallery, which is much smaller than the Louvre, thank goodness, so I could easily make it through in an afternoon. I love those little audio things that tell you about the paintings! Makes such a difference.

Then we attended Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard, my first West End show! (We bought the tickets in the morning for half price and were seated six rows back!). It was a fabulous production - very dark, but the talent is incredible. Unlike other shows where the orchestra and actors are distinct, the cast provided their own music, moving and acting at the same time they played. Wow!

And today I have begun the very long writing-up process, but I am feeling relaxed and excited! I know you all are praying for me, which means so much. My loved ones are always in my thoughts.

For a weather update, let's just say my winter boots have not made their last appearance for the term, I fear. Can this really count as spring? I am promised it will get better, but I am not holding out for a Florida summer :) Still, the daylight/cloudiness lasts much longer than in winter, so my mood is lifted!

Kampala, Uganda

With Vivian and Alison, my wonderful friends!



On Vivian's bed with Mala, a new friend, relaxing on Easter Sunday