Books and Belles

So sorry for the lateness of this post! So many things have been happening in the past two weeks, I have so much to share.

First, I auditioned for and was accepted to the Oxford Belles, a university wide all female a cappella group. Its so amazing to be singing again and this group of women is wonderful. I feel like I'm finally turning into a brit! (Yesterday I said cheers to someone who opened the door for me...a big step). We have rehearsals three nights a week and the structure is very similar to The Blue Notes at Wellesley, though of course my Wellesley women are still the closest to my heart. The Belles sing a wide range of music, be sure to check them (us) out on YouTube. And last night I got my first solo! Stand by me. I'm so excited to start performing.

Another musical experience, last Saturday I was able to sing with the famous choral composer John Rutter! My days of sweat and toil in BCCC (The Berks Classical Children's Chorus) groomed me for this very moment and it was truly a thrill. Dr. Rutter led a master class at Magdalen College. He taught a group of about 200 a few songs, including his famous requiem. Such an incredible experience and one that I won't soon forget.

My tutorials are still going strong. I've had the first actual meeting of my secondary tutorial (only meets every two weeks), Christian Ethics. This week we're discussing the issue of religious violence and how it fits into the arena of Christian ethics. And for the Lewis tutorial, I'm reading ALL seven Narnia books, plus 3 secondary sources. A challenge, but a fun challenge. I think I'm finally getting into the swing of things here, working on time management, and working in my weekly pub time, only the essentials.

Other than singing and studying, there have been lots of other activities going on here. This past weekend was the Champagne and Chocolates party at Mansfield. An excuse to put on party dresses and indulge in Champagne and dark chocolate, needless to say I was a big fan. I've been slowly exploring Oxford over the past few weeks as well, trying to visit all of the colleges, libraries, and churches. Each college is unique and its been a pleasure trying to visit all of them. I also had a wonderful dinner with a Wellesley alum last weekend at her home in Oxford. She is a doctor in New York who does research here in Oxford for a few months of every year and she was lovely. It was great to catch up with the current Wellesley students who are also in Oxford and to be in touch with another fabulous Wellesley woman. Our alums are truly incredible.

Lots of exciting things happening this coming week, including Halloween! It will be interesting compare and contrast traditions here and in the US, I'll keep you all posted. I've also just booked a plane ticket to visit Munich, Germany and Vienna, Austria in January! More to come on the trip details in my next post And of course, the following week will end with my birthday extravaganza in London, mark your calendars and hop on a plane! I miss you all and will be in touch soon!

XX (another british-ism)
Sarah

Freshers Week is OVER!

Dear all,

Today is Sunday and officially the start of 1st week at Oxford. The week we've just finished is called "noughth" week (very difficult to pronounce) or more endearingly known as freshers week. The week has been filled with pub crawls and library inductions and I can say without a doubt that I am completely exhausted and excited to start this term at Oxford.

I've met with both of my tutors and received my assignments for this first week. I've been sufficiently kicked in the butt by the amount of reading I have to do and am trying to make a substantial dent in it. I'll be comparing and contrasting C.S Lewis' "The Pilgrim's Regress" and "Surprised by Joy" for my first paper. I've just finished SBJ and am very intrigued by Lewis' writing. The sections of his book on Oxford are some of his most beautiful and they enforce this sense of surreality that I'm experiencing right now. Studying C.S Lewis in Oxford, what could be better? The second paper is for my Christian Ethics tutorial. The paper topic is, "Is the Bible the ultimate norm for determining whether an action is ethically Christian?" An intriguing question to say the least. I look forward to answering it soon.

It has been incredibly scary to hear the academic expectations of Oxford verbalized. The amount of independent work here is nothing like the University system in the US and it requires an extensive amount of self-motivation (something which I often lack at Wellesley...) I'm getting used to it though, forcing myself to wake up early and go to the Bodelian Library or the Theology faculty Library (my two favorites so far, although there are over 200 Libraries here to explore!). Anyway, we'll see how these first two papers develop and go from there.

Mansfield, the college where I am studying is one of the most unique in Oxford. It is a relatively new and small school, (only 150 years old, an infant in Oxford standards) and it was established as a place of training for nonconformist pastors. Thus, the layout of the campus is very open, no walls or gates like other schools in the University. The people here are friendly and welcoming, always ready to have a good time or talk about Kant or Miro, a really fascinating dynamic.

Speaking of having a good time, there is no shortage of fun in this city. I've never seen people drink like the people here. Going to a pub is like brushing your teeth, you do it religiously everyday. My budget and stomach are still getting used to this activity, but I can say that I'm trying to fully embrace it :) I've audtitioned for two acapella groups this week and will be hearing from them soon. I've also decided to learn how to play golf! Watch out Dad, I'll be tearing up the course in no time (I may have to get over my lack of hand eye coordination first...) There are also lots of fun formal dinners where everyone wears their academic robes and eats delicious food and drinks delicious wine, a noble tradition. There's so much to do here, I'm trying to fit as much in as possible.

SO, things are going well here. I'm trying to dive headfirst into the Oxford culture, studying, meeting new people, and exploring the city. This is a truly amazing place and I feel so lucky to be here, I still can't believe it. I miss you all so much and can't wait to talk to you again soon. Check out some pictures of Mansfield and the city above (Mansfield is on the right).

-S

Finally across the pond!

This delayed update is due to the craziness/lack of internet that has made up the last week. But I'm happy to say that I'm finally settled in at Mansfield, complete with internet (and a blowdryer!).

Dad and I arrived at Heathrow on Monday morning (Sunday night US time). After getting my visa stamped and the bags collected, we headed to our hotel in the South Kensington area of London. That day consisted of a lot of sleep. When we managed to wake ourselves up we made it out to the London Eye (a giant ferris wheel in Westminster). A touristy thing to do, I know, but it was an amazing view and a great way to be introduced to this amazing city!

Many other tourist activities ensued while we were in London. We took a tour of Buckingham palace, went to Westminster Abby, ate fish and chips, visited Windsor, and explored the Tower of London. Everything was incredible to see, the amount of history contained in these buildings and witnessed by them over the years is awe inspiring to say the least.

After London, we headed North West through the Cotswolds and to Stratford. The hotel we stayed in was called Ettington Park (google it now), an old manor house that's been converted to a hotel. The grounds and the building itself were fascinating, I felt like I was in a Jane Austen novel for a few days.

And finally, we arrived in Oxford on Friday morning. After many trips to the local tesco (a target type of store) I can say that my room looks less like a prison cell and more like a college dorm room. (not much of a difference between the two, is there?) My dad left today, Monday. It was hard to say goodbye but I'm so excited to get to know more about this amazing city. Every street, every building, every person here is interesting and filled with knowledge and history. I've loved exploring the different colleges, especially Christ Church (where Harry Potter was filmed). The bookstores, pubs, and markets are all amazing. Things are starting to feel less foreign to me and more like home. The people are friendly and so willing to help in any way possible and the other American students here have been a good resource.

There is so much more to tell, but I'll save it for another post. I'm going through the joys of freshman orientation right now so I'm sure there's a treasure hunt or a name game coming my way in a few minutes. More to come on Mansfield itself and my activities this week. Check out the pictures above. First is dad and I at Windsor castle, next is Westminster Abbey and last is me and a very dashing palace guard. Love and miss you all!

S