The term is over! On Wednesday, we had Junior Members' Dinner for all first-year students at St. Ant's. About 150 people, and I am assigned to sit next to the warden (the head of the college)! She is very nice - we have talked before, and we had a lovely chat over dinner. Plus, the kitchen staff stepped up the food selection. Haha! It was wonderful to wear our gowns again, and to feel like part of the university.
Thursday evening I went home to John and Gyll's for a fabulous evening. More than ever, I think it was important for me to get out of Oxford and have a bit of relaxation, far from essays and interview questions. Love it!! It gave me the energy to finish up my last Core Course essay today!
Ok, now I get to start packing! I will try to continue updating while in Kabale. I love you all! Thanks for your prayers and support.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Asian Evening and Football
Asian Evening with the Rotary Scholars was held on Friday in Reading, where 2 scholars in our district are studying. Yurika, from Japan, made the most delicious food - sushi, terriyaki salmon, rice and shrimp, tempura (sisters and mom, you would have been able to eat like 2 dishes haha). Plus, she explained a lot about Japanese food and culture. It has been difficult for her to adjust to the more aggressive nature of Western culture, including discussions and arguments in class. Very interesting. I am now dying to go to Japan - as Kat says, at least it is developed! :)
Last night I watched Disney's The Jungle Book in college, then went to a symphonic concert in Hertford, one of our beautiful old colleges. Today we had a football game! We lost by 1 - but our record does not show how well we play (just can't capitalize when we need to) and how much fun we have! Again, it is just so great to get out in the sunshine/rain (we had both today) and play a team sport. I got Man of the Match again, so a stuffed chihuahua is sitting on my shelf! Yay.
Leave in less than a week! Thank you for all of your prayers. I want to get all of my work done by Thursday so that I can pack and plan on Friday. Final meeting tomorrow with my supervisor, and only 1 more essay to write. Almost there! (At least for this part of the course). Loving it!
Here is a brighter picture from Bicester:
Last night I watched Disney's The Jungle Book in college, then went to a symphonic concert in Hertford, one of our beautiful old colleges. Today we had a football game! We lost by 1 - but our record does not show how well we play (just can't capitalize when we need to) and how much fun we have! Again, it is just so great to get out in the sunshine/rain (we had both today) and play a team sport. I got Man of the Match again, so a stuffed chihuahua is sitting on my shelf! Yay.
Leave in less than a week! Thank you for all of your prayers. I want to get all of my work done by Thursday so that I can pack and plan on Friday. Final meeting tomorrow with my supervisor, and only 1 more essay to write. Almost there! (At least for this part of the course). Loving it!
Here is a brighter picture from Bicester:
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Almost there!
Wow! We are almost at the end of our second term! I feel excited to move to the next stage - field research and dissertation writing - but also sort of sad because I really enjoy the seminars and engaging with my fellow students (In Trinity term we just write and study - no classes). It is incredible to me to think of how much knowledge I have gained thus far, and how much more I have to learn. Again - wow!
As it is the end of term, I have 2 essays to write and a trip to Uganda to finalize. So busy, but I am quite happy with it all! Plus there's a Rotary social on Friday (Asian Evening), a Disney movie in my college on Saturday, and the last football game on Sunday. Should be a good weekend, with lots of work :)
Here is a picture (a bit dark -sorry) of Luigi and me with Bicester's President, Tania, from 24 February:
As it is the end of term, I have 2 essays to write and a trip to Uganda to finalize. So busy, but I am quite happy with it all! Plus there's a Rotary social on Friday (Asian Evening), a Disney movie in my college on Saturday, and the last football game on Sunday. Should be a good weekend, with lots of work :)
Here is a picture (a bit dark -sorry) of Luigi and me with Bicester's President, Tania, from 24 February:
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Lots!
To begin, on Saturday I went with 5 friends to the Oxford Union Ball. It was fabulous to be outside of the college/libraries/African Studies Centre! And I so enjoy dressing up :) We had a great time exploring the old chambers and lounges. Plus it was 50s themed - complete with an American Diner!
On Sunday the Chihuahuas had another nail-biter! We lost 1-2 (I scored!) though we could have won except our 11th player had to leave after 30 minutes. Still, a great afternoon spent in the (relatively) good weather, with teammates. I so enjoy it! Our last game of the term is this Sunday against one of the biggest colleges - St John's.
Tuesday Luigi - a fellow Rotary Scholar - and I spoke at my host club of Bicester! I loved being able to share more about myself and to specifically thank the members, especially John and Gyll. The whole club is always so welcoming and engaging!! I feel more and more a part of the group every time I visit. And I will have lots more to report after Uganda!
Regarding my upcoming trip, everything seems to be falling into place! Yay God! I am just so excited, and another professor told me again today how much I will enjoy researching in Kabale - beautiful, mild weather, open informants. I am writing my interview questions this weekend - please pray for me to find the best wording.
I love you family!
On Sunday the Chihuahuas had another nail-biter! We lost 1-2 (I scored!) though we could have won except our 11th player had to leave after 30 minutes. Still, a great afternoon spent in the (relatively) good weather, with teammates. I so enjoy it! Our last game of the term is this Sunday against one of the biggest colleges - St John's.
Tuesday Luigi - a fellow Rotary Scholar - and I spoke at my host club of Bicester! I loved being able to share more about myself and to specifically thank the members, especially John and Gyll. The whole club is always so welcoming and engaging!! I feel more and more a part of the group every time I visit. And I will have lots more to report after Uganda!
Regarding my upcoming trip, everything seems to be falling into place! Yay God! I am just so excited, and another professor told me again today how much I will enjoy researching in Kabale - beautiful, mild weather, open informants. I am writing my interview questions this weekend - please pray for me to find the best wording.
I love you family!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Chihuahua Football and Another Night in Kirtlington
Hi all! We're into 5th Week now, which means everyone is feeling the pressure. I am in pretty good shape, though there is never enough time to do all the work I want to complete, particularly with my dissertation. I had a great meeting today with Matteo, my extremely helpful supervisor. I leave for Uganda in less than four weeks!! Thanks for your thoughts and emails!
On Sunday, the St. Antony's/Wolfson Women's Football Team took on Lady Margaret Hall/Trinity in the Cuppers Quarterfinal Match. We played two 45 minutes halves, then 30 minutes of overtime. For those of you who are counting, this means that my first football game in 5 years lasted for 2 hours! I loved every second! (Though I was not too thrilled to then have to ride my bike for 20 minutes to get home :) ) Unfortunately, we lost 3-4, but our team spirit was so fantastic - I enjoyed the camaraderie and we all worked so hard. I scored two goals - very exciting. And after the game, each player on our team secretly wrote down who they thought deserved to be 'Man of the Match,' and they chose me! I thought that was really great since I am the newest player. Now I get to keep a stuffed chihuahua all week, as that is our mascot (no Chief Osceola, I know). We did take a team picture; I'll post it as soon as I have it.
I spent Monday night at my home-away-from-home: John and Gyll's! We always have such wonderful conversations and relaxing evenings. Plus, dinner was delicious. It included brussel sprouts, apples, gooseberries, and red currants from their own garden! After a fabulous night's sleep, I did some readings in the morning. Then, John and I attended the Bicester Rotary meeting, where I was able to have lovely conversations with several members. I feel like I am getting to know a lot of the club pretty well, which is so great. I present there next week! Yay!This weekend I am going with friends to the Oxford Union Ball – 50s theme!! It should be a great break from work.
On Sunday, the St. Antony's/Wolfson Women's Football Team took on Lady Margaret Hall/Trinity in the Cuppers Quarterfinal Match. We played two 45 minutes halves, then 30 minutes of overtime. For those of you who are counting, this means that my first football game in 5 years lasted for 2 hours! I loved every second! (Though I was not too thrilled to then have to ride my bike for 20 minutes to get home :) ) Unfortunately, we lost 3-4, but our team spirit was so fantastic - I enjoyed the camaraderie and we all worked so hard. I scored two goals - very exciting. And after the game, each player on our team secretly wrote down who they thought deserved to be 'Man of the Match,' and they chose me! I thought that was really great since I am the newest player. Now I get to keep a stuffed chihuahua all week, as that is our mascot (no Chief Osceola, I know). We did take a team picture; I'll post it as soon as I have it.
I spent Monday night at my home-away-from-home: John and Gyll's! We always have such wonderful conversations and relaxing evenings. Plus, dinner was delicious. It included brussel sprouts, apples, gooseberries, and red currants from their own garden! After a fabulous night's sleep, I did some readings in the morning. Then, John and I attended the Bicester Rotary meeting, where I was able to have lovely conversations with several members. I feel like I am getting to know a lot of the club pretty well, which is so great. I present there next week! Yay!This weekend I am going with friends to the Oxford Union Ball – 50s theme!! It should be a great break from work.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Jordans & Schoolwork
Liz and I spoke at Jordans Rotary Club on Monday evening - such a welcoming group of men (and one woman!). After our talks, so many people approached us with questions and stories from their own experiences. A really nice evening! Plus, I love getting to talk to my friend Liz.
Schoolwork is going really well! I am writing an essay currently about international influence (or lack thereof) on democratisation in Africa. Fascinating! What a blessing to be enjoying my work! It seems like I have so much more to do compared to last term, but since I sort of know the ropes and have gained a bit of confidence, I feel infinitely more relaxed. Thanks everyone for all of your thoughts and prayers! Sometimes it is slow-going, but for the most part every minute is fresh and exciting.
Because of the snow our football match was canceled this past weekend, or else you would have heard from me directly :) Hopefully we will get to play this Sunday, but the fields are still so wet there is a chance the groundskeepers won't let us. After all the beautiful snow, it is now back to English weather: rainy and cold. But I am used to it, and there has been some sun over the past 2 days! Plus I have super cute rain boots....
Now I am going to relax and read a novel! Yay!
xoxoxoxo
Schoolwork is going really well! I am writing an essay currently about international influence (or lack thereof) on democratisation in Africa. Fascinating! What a blessing to be enjoying my work! It seems like I have so much more to do compared to last term, but since I sort of know the ropes and have gained a bit of confidence, I feel infinitely more relaxed. Thanks everyone for all of your thoughts and prayers! Sometimes it is slow-going, but for the most part every minute is fresh and exciting.
Because of the snow our football match was canceled this past weekend, or else you would have heard from me directly :) Hopefully we will get to play this Sunday, but the fields are still so wet there is a chance the groundskeepers won't let us. After all the beautiful snow, it is now back to English weather: rainy and cold. But I am used to it, and there has been some sun over the past 2 days! Plus I have super cute rain boots....
Now I am going to relax and read a novel! Yay!
xoxoxoxo
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