chelsealynne

Moving forward, looking backwards

2008-12-23T00:59:00.000-08:00

I have graduated from Oxford with distinction. I am home (quite literally the home I grew up in) and looking for work.

I have been severely lacking in the blogospheredepartment since Germany / being sick / stress over my dissertation this summer. Well anyways I will catch up and share soon... I was being very nostalgic and found this video on YouTube. I thought I'd post it hereso I can watch it whenever and sigh. :)

I dedicate this blog to Oxford Jenny... I almost bought a backgammon game tonight at Goodwill.

To be published!

2008-09-01T03:42:00.000-07:00

Sally and I just recieved word that our article ""Defining Spiritual Growth: Congregations, Community and Connectedness" will be published in Sociology of Religion, a peer-reviewed academic journal. This journal was our first choice, and have been asked to revise it a few times, but now (after years since I originally wrote it, and presented it at the ASA conference) we been given the final acceptance. So, it will probably actually go into print months from now, but, I just giving everyone the heads up!

The article was written in coordination with Sally Gallagher, professor and now chair of the sociology department at Oregon State. To begin, I conducted interviews with four Christian communities (a baptist, presbyterian, Eastern Orthodox, and an Emerging Church) on their understanding of spiritual growth (both the means to it, and the ends of it). It was really interesting. We provisionally found that a strong but flexible core messages about spiritual growth may cultivate stronger congregational commitments.

Anyways... Yae!

False alarm

2008-08-14T16:09:00.000-07:00

My fever lasted for 2 days, took 10 days of antibiotics. No MONO.

nature at its finest. thank you nature.

2008-07-31T02:17:00.000-07:00

So, I will post pictures from Berlin soon.

Two days ago I borrowed a bike to go to the doctor because my throat had almost closed up on me when I woke up that morning.

Turns out I also had a fever of 102 / 103. (she translated from celcius).

Oh ya, and her name was Dr. Shakespeare. She gave me Penicillan and I have been in bed the past two days. She said if the Penicillan doesn't work it's probably mono.

Wonderful. That will help me write my dissertation.

Berlin -

2008-07-17T08:40:00.000-07:00

I leave tomorrow morning (well 3am from Oxford) for the 'Christianity and Culture' study conference in Berlin. I will be back next Wednesday... phone number etc. are on the website I have referenced below. Just in case you don't hear from me. :)

For the conference I will be staying staying at the:

E v a n g e l i s c h e B i l d u n g s s t ä t t e a u f
S C H W A N E N W E R D E R

If you would like to look at more pictures, and / or a description of the facilities in German... go here: http://www.berlin-schwanenwerder.de/galerie.html

I went home...

2008-07-12T16:29:00.000-07:00

I went home for two weeks after slaving for months here at Oxford. I had the most wonderful time and cannot wait until I can return home again in October. For permanent.
The view from the bus out of Oxford down to heathrow. These pictures came out cool, so I thought I'd share one.

On the bus leaving Oxford. I am happpy and a bit tired.
Eric apartment. + my beautiful couch. Where I want to be usually. I really like Eric.
Eric and I fried the fish he caught in the ocean with Tyler H.. Beer battered fish. I still have two oil burns on my right hand. But I have a good story to go with it.
We toasted marshmellows with my fam. and grandparents. My mom got this new fire place thing... and I want one. Right now. They are the best, and they make perfect marshmellows. (the marshmellows were my idea).
A picture in Eric's apartment on Belmont in SE Portland. He's always got the music gear out and ready to play.

Joel P West is staying with Eric for half of the summer to record his album. He is a really good guy. Contemplative, interesting, kind, and very talented. Can't wait to hear your new gift Joel.
I was so fortunate to see my beautiful Oregon girls... Bai and Susie. Even better at PF Changs and right before seeing Sex and the City. OH SO Wonderful.
Adam. Best drum player south of the earth. Or, he is good. and really funny. and fun to be around. See you soon Adam.
Billy the stoic but cheerful, WILCO lover. I love you billy. He's newly engaged too. The new member,... my good friend for many years.... Wil Vaughn. Yae!

Eric doing what he loves.
I have to warn you: we did do some wine tasting up and down the valley. We went with my Mom and her husband for a wine tasting "class" or "drinking in the heat with a driver day". Oh, these are some of the most beautiful views in Oregon. Go wine tasting... you can be guaranteed a great day. Promise
Mmmmm.... Pinot.... "I'm not sure".... (mom)...."Maybe, swirl it some more"... (Tom).

MMMMMMMMMMMMMM. Tidal Raves. Best, Food,, EVER. Seahawk bread. MMMM.
the Sea Otter inn or something like that. This is the view from Tidal Raves.
Looking out after dinner.
Major fireworks in Washington.
On Belmont checking our email. I think I was trying to book my flight for Germany that day. And having a latte of course.

One of our favorite places... Stumptown on Belmont outside sitting at the tables.
Eric. Hot hot.
Playing lawn golf. Tom made this specifically for the BBQ the morning of. It is a really fun game, look it up on the internet.
My Papa.
Scott and Nicole.

Eric and I.
Family BBQ.
We played something on wii with my brother and girlfriend nicole named Rockband or something. It was fun. I liked singing, but drums were really hard to figure out. At one point I was just beating on them and crying / laughing.
Yae!
Eric and I really like each other. In fact... we love each other.

Ladies Night / Middle Common Room Photo

2008-06-18T06:07:00.000-07:00

Friday. I had finished my exam the day before. We had our MCR (Graduate students at Keble) Photo, last formal hall (have to wear gowns), and ladies night. Here is Jenny and me at Hall, everyone bought wine tonight... special occasion. You can actually put a bottle of wine to go with dinner on your student body card (or Bod Card) and they will charge it to your account. Pretty sweet.

The Hall.
Graduate Students in black tie, and gown. It was such a wonderful dinner. We talked about politics, "one word" exams (an Oxford tradition, ask me later), and drank wine.
This is a picture of our MCR or Middle Common Room. Really nice. It is one of the nicest MCR's in the university I would say. We have ladies tea here, Black Tie events, MCR meetings, and tons of other stuff. Also, you can just come here and chill whenever.
This is the other room in our MCR. It has a large nice TV, comfy couches, and a kitchen. This is like the living room to the formal living room. One you hang out in and get comfy, watch movies etc., and the other you are prim and proper and drink champagne or tea.
The MCR girls... who said smart girls weren't hot? Not me. We took this picture because they all wore these bright dresses (not planned), and it was funny. Plus, don't they look great? International, brilliant, beautiful woment.
We were partly dressed in black tie because we were having our graduate group photo taken. One is formal, and one is silly, and people bring props and stuff. Here is my prop... luckily Noora had two feather boa's lying around.
Here is Jenny and I, and my next door neighbor Sam. She is canadian, and listens to the best music ever. Always good to find at least one person around who is cool and shares your music tastes. I'm bringing home a bunch of stuff from her.

Ladies night... we had to eat outside b/c of college regulations about the pusey room. We had strawberries, chocolates, whipped cream, powdered suger, blackberries, and yes Eric that is a plate full of Ferrero Rochet (sp?). Also, we seemed to have an everlasting supply of Champagne! Very exciting, very fun.
Enjoying our treats.
Yum, yum. I really like champagne.
Then we went upstairs, refilled our champagne glasses, and had our talks. Janice had asked four ladies to give a short presentation on different topics: women in childrens literature, women in today's corporate world, honor killings in England, and dopamine and happiness in the brain. They were all very interesting... these were some of the topics the women were working on in different fields. We were supposed to have a general discussion afterwards about more risque topics, about women's issues and mainly sex...but, as it turns out we asked far too many questions after each presentation, and we were all a bit tipsy... plus it was getting towards midnight. Keble graduate women: (not all, some of the MBA girls were at another conflicting function).

So, although exhausted from the past few days, Sam and I went out for one last drink at a place called the Duke of Cambridge. A normal name for a bar here is crazyenglandtown. It was a good night.

Der Berliner, der Berliner... das is gut, ja

2008-06-16T05:42:00.000-07:00

I applied for recieved a study grant from my college for about $500 (I have a check for 260 pounds to be precise) to fly to Germany for a study conference on the "Gospel and Culture". Paid for includes travel, room and board, conference fees, and bus/train fares (to airport etc.) It's pretty cool, the conference is 5 days, and... well... it means I get to go to Germany with someone else's money. Sounds good.
Now the German skillz can be put to good use. Or not, its a bilingual conference (everything is translated into German and English).

no exam no more in this here year

2008-06-14T07:54:00.000-07:00

EXAM IS GONE GONE DONE ITS DONE. I got sprayed with champagne, alex got soaked in some whipped cream, and therese got buckets of water.... Best feeling ever. Here we are drinking champagne on the street (Therese and I had already changed out of subfusc).

The lady taking the picture said Alex looks out of it... but we all were... no sleep, too much adrenaline. No food. I had tried to eat a bagel that morning, but I was so nervous for the 3 hour exam on everything we had learned for the year, that it came up shortly before I left for the exam... yes, you understand me correctly.
LUNCH! I had nachos!

Then we went to Worcester College (Alex's college, is sooo beautiful -- pronounced 'worster').

One of the main quads...

You have to remember that walking on (or if you prefer, playing croquet on) lawns here at Oxford is strictly by permission only at sometimes during the year. Last week I got two emails about which quad lawn we could walk on starting next week. All this = very well kept green loveliness everywhere.
Worcester's outside bar area, etc.

This is common in colleges, when they win rowing competitions etc, they write on walls with chalk... they fade through the years.
This is one area (or acres of area) in the back on Worcester college, basically its own large park with wildlife, benches etc. In a week Worcester is teaming up with two other colleges to host one of the fanciest balls in Oxford. Tickets cost 120 pounds, it 'white tie' which means white coats with tails, and ties (fancier than a black tie event). Also, see the pond in the background there, well it is large, and they are going to erect a floating dance floor on it. Yep...
Tired and happy girls.

Ducks and stuff.

My head in the sun, not worried about taking the exam anymore.

Worcester college, has the oldest residential hall in Oxford, it has been continuously inhabited by students for 900 years or something crazy like that. Honestly.

The back of the residential hall. These colleges aren't exactly scraping by. There are always gardeners tending the 'atmosphere'.

I'm just happy to be done with the exam. Now... only a dissertation to write!

Examination Procrastination

2008-06-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning I will be taking my exam for the Nature of Religion. I have my bod card, new pens, a clear plastic bag, watch, Candidate number (no names on exams), and of course... my gown, mortorboard, satin bow, white collared shirt, black heels, black stockings, and black skirt. Oxford tradition lives on...

Do I have to wear subfusc? (FAQ from Examination Schools Website)

Candidates must present themselves for examination in full academic dress, i.e. cap, gown and 'subfusc' clothing, which is defined for men as a dark suit, dark socks and black shoes or boots, a plain white shirt, white collar and white bow tie; for women, a dark skirt or trousers, a white blouse, black tie, black stockings and shoes, and, if desired, a dark coat.
In the case of any candidate who arrives at an examination improperly dressed, the Proctors require that an Invigilator simply ask the candidate, at the conclusion of the paper, to dress correctly for his or her next appearance, and make a note of the candidates name in the log sheet. If he or she appears at a subsequent session still improperly dressed the Proctors are informed.
Candidates are allowed to remove their caps during the examination, and also gowns or jackets, if they find these uncomfortable or inconvenient. Invigilators will however check that candidates are properly dressed when they leave the place of examination.

2 days to go

2008-06-09T13:52:00.000-07:00

I'm sick of studying for my exam... and... my head is full. That is what I am going to write on my exam. Clearly what the examiners want to read. Honest, factual, succinct.

Dalai Lama in Oxford

2008-06-02T08:41:00.000-07:00

Friday morning I walked down to the Sheldonian theatre on Broad street in the center of Oxford to see the Dalai Lama. His visit has been planned all year, and sold out as early as this fall. I recieved a ticket along with the 4 other people in my course 'Study of Religion' by our supervisor Peggy Morgan. We only got to go because the undergraduates specifically studying Buddhism, ironically had an exam on Buddism the morning of. Bad for them, good for me!
Here is my very special ticket. I will keep it forever.
He was very funny, and had an aura of joy about him. What else would you expect? It was a great experience. This whole Oxford thing does have its payoffs.

The famous Sheldonian Theatre by Christopher Wren.

The inside of the theatre. A picture I took on matriculation day.

Burford Priory

2008-05-31T12:02:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, I went with my college chapel priest and a group of about ten people to Burford Priory for a retreat and meditative day. It was perfect. Built on the site of the 13th century Hospital of St. John, Burford Priory is now home to a community of Benedictine nuns and monks belonging to the Church of England.The grounds are huge and beautifully kept, and guests are allowed to come, join in prayer and contemplation, and stay in the guest house. Here is a picture from the bus. The English countryside in late spring. Pretty storybook.
This guy came with us, and his name was unfortunately (for him) Simon. He apparently owned a ladies wear store in Burford (that means frilly grandma type nightgowns).

One of the nice estates in Burford up for sale. Cheap i'm sure.
This was inside the 'guest house' at the priory, where we were allowed to spend our day in the quiet. Our day included... 3 session of short discussion by our retreat leader, giving us a question or two to ponder as we wondered the grounds for an hour or two in between each session. We were free to read, just sit, wander around the grounds, sit on the comfy sofas, or simply take a nap on the grass. We ate lunch together, I went to a short afternoon service held by the monks. And in the afternoon we had the eucharist in a small circle, and then had some tea and cakes before we left.
Kitchen. Which I found wonderfully quaint.
Nice paint color. and floor. Oh I loved that room.
guest book.
I bought an icon. although I had to go up to the main house or castle and ring the doorbell in order to look at all the styles they had. I was so nervous... about 3 minutes after I rang I was pretending like I was looking at the flowers, and a monk finally came to the door. He was stern and he showed me where the icons were and how to 'let myself out' when I was finished with my business. I repeatedly apologized for disturbing him. It seemed to me like he accepted it as if the apology was in fact necessary.

The priory grounds. They have acres. And its set up for peace, quiet and contemplation. You can see cows in the distance there.

Shaped hedges.
They had a few of these around the estate. Presumably for reading or thinking while the weather was not perfect.
My spot. I sat here for about an hour. Looking around, thinking.
Long shot of 'my spot'.
Back courtyard of the priory, with a small garden and seating area.

The front drive of the priory.

I came across a small graveyard surrounded by stone walls and tall bushes with wooden grave markers. In the middle of the path was this carving of the crucifixion of Jesus.

The edge of their land. Spanning across other fields.
Gate to the road.
A clearing in the woods.
I walked and walked around the property. It was very exciting, like an adventure, but a safe one. There was always a trail. I felt full of joy, and peace. It was so nice.

The front of an old docking house along the stream. It was covered in moss and plants, and the ground came half way up the side of the building. very mysterious. I braved the sticky bushed and mud to see the front of it.
I found the path back to the priory.
The edge of the property in England is usaully made known by some form of rock pile.

The steps up to the chapel.
One of the main chapels. It looked deserted. It was very strange.

Up those stairs in the previous picture, and here you are. behind you is another chapel where they have an afternoon liturgy, and in front is the bell tower.
Here are the private gardens, which are open in the mornings to guests.

I just had to share the beauty of this place with you all. It was a wonderful day.

My heart will always be in Oregon...

2008-05-20T09:57:00.000-07:00

Proud as always of my fellow Oregonians. I went to John Kerry on that same spot in downtown about 4 years ago. Time flies!

PORTLAND, Ore. — Senator Barack Obama drew the largest crowd of his campaign so far on Sunday, addressing an estimated 75,000 people who had gathered here on the banks of the Willamette River.

“Wow! Wow! Wow!” were his first words as he surveyed the multitude, which included people in kayaks and small pleasure craft on the river on an unseasonably hot day in Oregon.
It is “fair to say this is the most spectacular setting for the most spectacular crowd” of his campaign, he told the audience.

I'm mad and and my fingers are cold.

2008-05-18T11:56:00.000-07:00

So, my heater stopped working in my room. I asked maintenance to come fix it. The guy said:

"Oh ya, they turned the heat off in all the buildings of the college." You know, "for the summer. They do it every year."

I glare in disbelief. I had suspected such.

But reasonably had talked myself out of it: they wouldn't be so bold, so outrageous!

And the clincher, "They won't turn it back just for one person who's cold."

I say REVOLT!

Anyone who has ever lived with me knows heat is one thing I direly need, and will get irrationally sensitive about. I am buying a space heater tomorrow.

Congratulations Mom!

2008-05-16T16:42:00.000-07:00

My mom just finished her Masters degree in Business Education...while working full time, remodeling the house with her husband, teaching computer courses at the Benton Center, enjoying her book group, and helping me out of any pinch you can imagine from across the ocean. I am so proud! You are amazing...

Happy Birthday Dad!

2008-05-16T16:41:00.001-07:00

Love you! - Chels

Proverb: time moves quickly when procrastinating

2008-05-10T04:31:00.000-07:00

My feet in Bulgaria. Apparently my brain remembers a lot about being in a certain place in a certain time if I take picture of my feet when I am there. Also, I take pictures where I live so I can be nostalgic about it later... as seen in the earlier blog. All I am saying is pictures are for you not other people, they proof and sturdy documentation that you have existed through time.

This is fun:

Four jobs I've had:

1. Barista - The Beanery

2. Secretarial Assistant - LBCC

3. Office support - Northwest Family Services, Portland non-profit

4. Loafer's - barista etc.

Four movies I've watched more than once:

1. Closer

2. Under the Tuscan Sun

3. Big

4. Dirty Dancing

Four places I've lived:

1. Albany / Corvallis

2. Portland, Oregon

3. Geelong, Australia

4. Oxford, United Kingdom

Four places I've been:

1. Bulgaria

2. London

3. Fiji

4. New Zealand

Four TV shows I watch: (Well, either online in oxford, or by dvd)

1. Gilmore Girls

2. Scrubs

3. I've been watching The O.C. ... hehe.

4. If I could I would watch the daily show nightly, and I love OPB

Four people who email me regularly (doesn’t include blogging comments):

1. Mom

2. Bailey

3. Peggy Morgan - general supervisor

4. Martin Goodman - Judaism supervisor

Four of my favorite foods:

1. Pizza

2. Bread

3. Cheese

4. Red Licorice

Oh, and crab cakes, I like those.

Four places I would like to visit:

1. Germany - I will be going to a conference in Berlin this summer probably.

2. Norway

3. Thailand

4. Aruba, Jamaica, Kelargo, Montego... Sun please!

........And I hope to make it to Paris.

Four things I'm looking forward to in the coming year:

1. Finishing school

2. Fourth of July at the Nordby's

3. Going to see the Dalai Llama at the Sheldonian

4. Going to see N.T. Wright speak on Christology or something like that.

Four people I've tagged (to do this too):

1. Scott

2. Jenny

3. Ellyn

4. Andrew

Off to the Ball

2008-05-04T10:24:00.000-07:00

Keble Ball. 2008. In Oxford, a ball means dress up, free food, free drinks, games, bands (rock string quartet at the entrance, cover bands, hip hop etc.), dancing, gambling, and of course, sumo wrestling in ball gowns and tuxes until 4 or 5 in the morning. Noora and I waiting with our group in a line that wrapped around the college.
After some food, doughnuts, strawberries dipped in the chocolate fountain, plus two glasses of champagne, we decided some bouncing would stir our stomachs up just enough to get the evening started. Boy were we right.

One of the quads...
The other quad with the 'imperial palace', where some of the bands played, and the dance floor lived.
Noora and David took the gladiator approach. I think we can see who is the real gladiator in a ball gown.
Roulette and Blackjack.
A band from London. Fun.
Later in the night... dancing.
Noora and I took off our after about 5 hours... David graciously took care of them for us in his suit pockets. Dancing was much easier after that.

It was a fun time. Apparently they served breakfast to and took a picture of the people who lasted til 4 or 5 am. We left after one last glass of champagne after 2 am, with sore feet and a smile on our faces.

33rd and Harrison

2008-04-29T14:31:00.000-07:00

This may seem somewhat narcisisstic, materialistic, pathetic, a bit too nostalgic. But, I was rummaging through old pictures that are in a folder on my computer entitled 'pre-oxford'. I hesitate to subscibe fully to the idea that there in fact was life 'pre-oxford' and that there will indeed be life 'post-oxford.' In any case, besides being fully consumed with the work of life 'blurryeyedgradstudent-at-Oxford', I found myself missing terribly my simple, most perfect, studio apartment in Corvallis OR. My last year at OSU, I worked at the Beanery, did too many extra curricular projects for school, and met Eric that fateful spring... I must admit, I dearly loved my studio. In all of its splendour, it only had one room which included a kitchen..., but, I was on my own, and I loved it. I am on my own now too I guess, but I do live in an old renovated hospital, and I don't have my beloved old golden couch to relax on after a hard day of studying. This blog is more for me than for you, I just revelled in these pictures for a few minutes, and wanted to visualize them all lined up in a blog. Now I can look at them any time I like. Perhaps you remember knowing me when I lived here...

My lamp! I miss my lamp. So, I painted that walls that color with my dad, which I had to ask permission from the landlord to do so. And with which I was very pleased. Eric and I drove by shortly after I had moved out to find in disgust that I could see lime green paint had been rather awkwardly placed on those beautiful walls. UGH. I am still horrified at the thought.

Punting in the Spring

2008-04-28T06:13:00.000-07:00

Saturday was Noora's birthday, so we all went punting! It's kind of like an English Gondela. You start on the banks of the river by Magdelen College and go down past St. Hilda's College, and then Christ Church Meadows. It was really fun.
The boat dock at Magdelen college. Pronounced 'Maudlin'... just in case you ever show up here.
This is a pic noora took from her boat. Thats me in the blonde.

Allison working hard. In punting, someone stands on one end of the boat and pushes it along with this big pole. Sounds simple. It is not. when I did it we got very friendly with making circles, and the low hanging trees and shrubbery on the banks.
Beautiful bridges.
Champagne on the river. Apparently this is legal? I think its normal here.
Snacks on the banks of the river. And a little birthday cake made by her real German boyfriend. Noora and her boy Patrick. They are nice and happy.
Where we got off to have a picnic.
We had a little rose champagne on the banks of the river.
It was just the most perfect day.

Brother + Nicole

2008-04-17T05:23:00.000-07:00

I miss Scott and Nicole.

Scott... I will be back in late June / early July... you have to come with us to get fireworks in Washington!

I like them together.

England England

2008-04-04T11:54:00.000-07:00

Eric came to England for three weeks. We had such a wonderful time, full of adventures. I miss him. Here are a few highlights of the trip...

Before an orchestra / double choir performance of the Passion of Matthew at St. Mary the Virgin in Oxford. All I have to say is it literally lasted 4 hours. Beautiful, but come on, 4 hours?
Modern Art Oxford. I am not an artist because I don't always understand modern art.
In the main quad of my college. Keble college.
The entrance to our chapel.
Red phone booth. Most of these smell like pee and have porn ads in them. Not as romantic as they seem.

Inside Christ Church Cathedral. We went to Evensong one night. Very nice.
Hollywell church cemetary. Eric loved it here.
St. Johns College. They have rockery. And you are supposed to stay off of it.

English men all look the same.
London. Car show at the parliament or something. Licence plates on English cars are very important. This one is rare because it has the year of the car on it.
Another "Woody".
Something else tall in London.

In the tower of Oxford. Lots to see.

Eric behind Westminster Abbey. Being tall and strong.
The guards loved me.

And I loved the underground. Especially the 3 day passes.
Eric liked the underground too. But you would never know it by this picture.

We went and saw "Wicked." A sort of pre-qual to the wizard of oz. Sooooo good.
This is Eric's face after we went to see Abbey Road, and Abbey Road Studios. Happy Eric.
I am the Walrus.
Some asian dudes taking "the" picture. It was quite a scene with all the tourists waiting to walk across the road to take "the" picture.

Eric in the Tate Modern. I loved the Tate. Right after I snapped this I was told 'no photos please'.
The big room of the Tate and its art. Yep that is a crack in the concrete. Art. Have Eric Steen explain it to you. It was awesome. This is only half of it.
Eric found the record store on Portobello Road he was looking for. He was very excited.
Portobello Road was one of my favorite place. Just look at how the cars and the houses go together so nicely.
On the tube. many many escalators. At one point we were all, hey lets take the stairs instead of waiting for this elevator to get us up to ground level. Well we should have heeded the warning of the intercom man. The stairs were equivelant to a winding staircase up a 15 story building. Not fun. Take the elevator.

Green Park in London.
Still Green Park. Just before we got to the Palace.
We were so thrilled with "Wicked", we went and saw another show. "Spamalot" by Monty Python. Not as good.
We were in a hurry one night and bought sushi at the local market for us to share. We are daredevils.

This picture is for Scott. It's a T-Rex. Rwaaaarrrrr.
Some bridge somewhere.
My favorite picture! Me + Tree in London.
St. Pauls Cathedral. "Feed the birds....Tuppins..."
We totally love each other.

Eric at Christ Church dining hall in Oxford. Harry Potter Fans?
Pretty in Oxford.
Christ Church Meadows in Oxford.
It really is so beautiful.
Malt Vinegar at Burger King. We only stopped there for the double mini-burgers. Who wouldn't?

Outside the Jericho Tavern in Oxford where Radiohead played some of their first shows. We realized later that humped zebra crossing wasn't a joke, but a real crosswalk in England.
Patisserie!
Patisserie!

English Tea in Woodstock. A Cotswald town north of Oxford.
Tip top!
At the University Arburetum (spell?). My supervisor took us on a day trip...
And we saw the cutest little English villages. You wouldn't believe.
There are honestly super old churches on every block in England. They are so normal they almost get boring. Which is a lot for me to say.

Inside the Tower of London. We took out a guard for this picture.

In the Tower of london. This is where the crown jewels are stored. (Which includes the worlds largest well cut diamond).
In front of the Salt Tower, one of the many towers where 'important' prisoners used to be kept in the tower of london.
The beautiful Blenheim Palace grounds.

We had a picnic at the University Parks. With wine and everything!
Num!
Me and my pal Paddington Bear at Paddington train station in London.

We took a city cruise through London. It rained. But hey...

One of our favorite pubs in Oxford. Just happens to be right outside my back doorstep. Very conveniant. We played backgammon here, and stopped in for a beer at the end of most nights.
Our last fancy dinner in Jericho. The best bread ever.
Inside the Eagle and Child. Where C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein used to meet every Tuesday morning.
Eric getting a crepe from the French market in Oxford. He got his flavored with Brandy. Who knew that was legal?
One of my favorite pictures from the trip. Eric standing in front of the bridge and before the long alley to the Turf tavern.

All in all we had a wonderful time.

Backgammon Night

2008-02-21T14:55:00.000-08:00

So, when I comes around to Wednesday or Thursday night and I have written 1.5 to 2 papers for the week, and look forward to beginning a few more, I try to get out of my room. Jenny and I go to the Royal Oak, basically in our backyard, have a beer, and play backgammon. As you can see I am learning the skills. We started out with checkers but everyone knows that is childs play. And everyone knows backgammon is the grown up way to move pieces around a board, especially if you are holding a beer. Or in my case a latte. But it is a pub, so technically I should have a beer and usually do. I won my first game tonight! Yes. But all in all I lost the two out of three... should have just stuck with my winning and ran! This is my wonderful friend Jenny. She lives downstairs and is doing research in Genetics.... she will be done with a DPhil in a year and a half and then will go on to Med School... genius. And a heck of a good backgammon player.

Listen

2008-02-16T10:17:00.000-08:00

http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/

One of my favorite sites... while working last year I listened to many of these programs. Have a listen to one that sparks your interest. This is really nice if you are cleaning, or cooking.

Interfaith dialogue is of the utmost importance to me. To listen to those believers (or practitioners) whom you do not believe, to understand their fundemental humanness... isn't this the quest to know our fellow human beings through compassion, understanding, empathy? We must continually ask but why, but why, but why, but why, until we are able to look through the lens of our fellow spiritually bent brothers and sisters. This is what I believe.

Prayer, Ice Cream, and Gargoyles

2008-02-14T15:45:00.000-08:00

Jenny and I hosted a "No date on Valentine's day? No problem" night in our MCR. Including: a surround sound hi-def showing of 'ONCE', homemade cookies and lots of ice cream. It was a hit there were 10-12 other people there... This was the set up. We are crafty.
My Mom sent me a care package with all the goods! Oh let me tell you I have never found Kraft Macaroni and Cheese to be so divine. And fruit roll ups! And Princess pencils! It was exactly what I needed.
That is right this care package came fully stocked with freeze dried mountain man food. Freeze dried ice cream, for those days when cold ice cream is just too much to handle. This is like in fourth grade when my teacher set up a 'space ship' in the back room of our classroom and groups of us got to stay in there for a whole day and eat freeze dried food and perform our special 'astronaut' tasks.

Thus begins my virtual tour of the insides of Trinity college. Gargoyle fountain...
Hallway between the two quads
Entering the quad
The quad
And to your right you have the chapel. Please, go in a pray.

I have a tutorial in Trinity College and I always feel like I should have a hoop skirt on and some beautiful heels, and be hearing the horse and carriage pulling up to the courtyard. Perhaps you might wonder if I live in a dream world. I say nay! I live in Oxford.

I've heard about this fog

2008-02-13T07:14:00.001-08:00

Well, I did steal this picture from Jenny. BUT, this is a picture of the fog this morning here in Oxford at the University Parks. Beautiful. A few hours later we have a completely clear sky.

This picture that I stole is dedicated to Eric, because the heavy fog is one of his favorite things about England.

snack snack snack.

2008-02-08T15:48:00.000-08:00

I can't live without my Babybel cheese rounds. They are my 'I'm hungry and studying, but I'm too hungry to have the energy to make pasta or rice to go with real food, so I have to eat something to be able to make myself food' food. They are good with coffee too. I ran out tonight and am distraught.

Sunny day today

2008-02-08T03:54:00.001-08:00

It is very sunny today! Its been being sunny about every other day here. And a pretty steady 45-50 degress, so that is awesome. Beautiful weather. I had a lot of walking to do with a few meetings and looking for books in three libraries, so I brought along my camera.

Pitt Rivers Museum of Natural History
Inside New College. Well inside the quad of New College. Each college has at least one quad. I hear New College is one of the richest at Oxford.
Ashmolean Museam
I found this gate today, with a path so I followed it.
It led to a graveyard. And funny enough I walked to the end of it, and turned around to take a picture and stumbled up Max Mueller's gravestone. Ha! Apparently there are a lot of famous people buried here, my supervisor said there was a sign somewhere. But it was pretty funny, I was just studying him in class.

This is me looking at the graveyard. Interesting.

Look at this! I had coffee with Peggy today, my supervisor, and she said she knew where there were blooming flowers. So, she took me to Balliol college, and there were 4 different kinds of flowers blooming. You can't really see but there was yellow, white, purple... a spring wonderland.
I turned in my essay titles! Yae! Well, I had better get back to it. I am reading this right now for an essay... pretty interesting.

Study Study STudy....

Good things

2008-02-04T15:10:00.000-08:00

I got locked out of my room for the third time today. No. I know what you are thinking, wasn't me losing keys, it was the lock losing it marbles. Ha! Today I demanded my lock be changed and it was done in less than 30 minutes. Good job Keble College.
More buds and flowers on the trees outside. Keep it up nature.
I love WORD. I definately am still a WordPerfect girl, but, I gotta say, that footnote feature is so easy, and really really fun. Hey if you are studying most of your days, its the little things that really help you out. You know?
I am writing about the Essenes, a Jewish sect in the time of Jesus. So, I do need a lot of footnotes with these classical sources. and boy is it fun. I am not joking.
Tea instead of coffee today. I switch about every two weeks, it's always a trade off between bad coffee and good tea. I like them about the same.
Essay titles - 3 for Judaism (5,000 word essays due in June) and 1 for Christianity (15,000 word dissertation due in Sept.). These have stressed me out more than you could possibly imagine and in ways that you don't want me to explain. They are in the final draft phase, all I need is 3 signatures from various supervisors, and to pass the 'faculty review board' or something, and then... well then I start working on them. But, the thing is! They are due on Friday, and they are almost done. The horrible gnawing in my stomach from the past 2 months is starting to subside!!!!!
So, in all, still working hard...but I see a light... and i'm in a tunnel...it is distant... but it is there..!

thankGodness

2008-02-01T17:40:00.000-08:00

I walked outside today and swore that I smelled flowers. Odd. I look back, and get this. Flowers. Spring is coming. The camera came out and documented these first buds, oh how wonderful.

There is a season...

2008-01-29T15:30:00.000-08:00

I wish it was summer! This picture is dedicated to Eric.
My blog seriously needed some lightening up. I need some lightening up. So, I will take things as they come, and as I was so helpfully reminded today... anything that I think I can be so overly stressed about... it too shall pass... and I know it sounds trite, but you know what I have so many loving people in my life, and guess what, they are healthy and wonderful... and I have a place to live and food to eat, and I will be ok. This is a pump up session for myself obviously. Things have been diffacult lately here, but I know that I have a reason for being here, and that God is watching over me. I guess its when you are really having a hard time that those one liners seem to really be true.
And sometimes you just need to realize it.
To get out of your body for one minute and realize it.

And the term continues...

2008-01-24T17:21:00.000-08:00

I am 25 now.

And so. Here I am working most minutes of the day. I am not going to lie, it is hard. And I have missed home more than usual this time around. This time is definately stretching me, and I am sure when I leave here I will be glad for what I struggled through, even if I feel like I am sinking at times.

On the bright side, I have managed to take a few pictures since I got back, so I will let them do the talking for now.

Noora made us dinner! She made rice with chicken and Tzatsiki sauce (have no idea how to spell that) It was really good.
Patrick, he's German, tried to help in bringing cookies, they ended up like burnt non cookies. But we had fun giving him a hard time about them.
My first night out, back to the 'living room' (a very nice bar/restaurant) where everyone gets dressed up pretty nice and has wine or a Carlsburg. Fun, but no dancing this time, Noora didn't like the music. Usually they have a live band then a DJ, but his time, the live band decided to let random people sings 'classic' songs. Which means 80's americana.
Walking home from my Jesus class. Nice buildings etc.

The entrance to the main, big, and fancy Bodleian library. I try not to go to this one too much because you can't check out books, you can only read them there.
Leaving the quad of the library... silence please.

Alright, here is the inside of my favorite coffee shop called 'Green's Cafe'. There are notes on the walls that say, sorry about the walls, they are made of hay and plaster from centuries ago (forgot when) so we will have a specialist come fix them the marks. Funny. Free internet here, a rarity. And they don't charge you on top of your food to come and sit down and study.

Ok... so I went to the Ashmolean Museum's downstairs cafe to grab a quick sandwich. They are usually baguettes, or they come in little containers like this... Now. So I go grab one, the most simple one there, just ham, cheese, and wheat bread. And I grab a Pepsi. I get to the counter, and the lady says, 5 pound 50 please. ! Ugh that is like 12 dollars. Apparently the sandwich was 3.75.... about 8 dollars. Yuck.

2008-01-17T14:16:00.000-08:00

Eric and I want to go to Norway when he gets here in March. The home of Kings of Convenience, and the Nordby ancestry...

Watch at least until ballerinas come back in.

Winter Break at Home

2008-01-12T11:07:00.000-08:00

Went home for break. I was there 4 weeks, it flew by too quickly. Unfortunately, from the first day in Oxford I had tons of work to do, a sinking feeling of being completely overwhelmed, no sleep, less confidence in my work than I need, and a diffaculty eating. I also miss Eric. Diffacult to leave the one you love. again.

Four days later, I have read this massive book, and am beginning a paper. Stress still lingers heavily, but I stopped feeling sick most of the time. I unpacked today... went to the grocery store yesterday. Things are looking ok, in recovery I guess.

I guess it is times like these you finally start praying as often as you would like... and wish you could cry more than you can.

Besides all that I had an amazing break... I fight the urge to put a plane ticket on my credit card and fly home. However, I must finish what I started, and more importantly, I need to remember why I started it in the first place.

Here are way too many pictures from break time. I couldn't cut them down enough.

Eric at dinner. Our last date. We had a bottle of wine between us. P.s. if you want me to bring things up that shouldn't be brought up on a date... first or last... give me two glasses of wine.
We love them. Engaged couple looking adorable. American dream pizza of course.
Eric worked hard to get me the perfect locket for my birthday. He even put little pictures of us in it. It is wonderful and I wear it everyday.
It snowed! Corvallis hills were beautiful that morning. More than usual.

Oh Gustav's! Fondu with two of our favorite couples.
Ben... is actually responsible for Eric and I meeting... thanks Ben. I like Eric.
Blazers game #2 for Eric and I in about 2 weeks. They won both times.
The picture from the game that looks fake. I love it. Eric has since gone to another game, and plans to go to 2 or 3 more. They really are super fun...

Eric in the snow... he looks regal.

Sin weekend (?, its called that, not sure why) New Years day... Lincoln city. Then we went to the outlets, shopped and grabbed lunch at Moe's.
Salem's Gov cup. Trying out the new camera I am oh so happy with. No more blurry pictures!
Eric in his new sweater, we were having another date night. We even went and saw a movie, which is very rare for us. We are usually busy doing other things... I think we've only watched like 8 or 9 movies together in our entire relationship. Which is nice because it makes it really fun when we do.

Thai restaurant...mmm.

Ellyn and Jordan
My favorite new friend. Eric's roommate Tom. He is wonderful.
I should have turned this but I didn't. Ellyn and Andrew are engaged! See rock.
I love Ellyn.
More beach shots

Eric and his kitty meemers. I forgot what his real name is. He is definately a family favorite.
First night in Lincoln city for New Years. It was nice because it was just the six of us (the next night there were 19 people). We were experimenting with the camera timer feature.
My favorite place.
New Years. This was supposed to be of the girls, but Eric Steen always jumps in pictures.

Christmas at Eric's parents house. My other christmas pictures are on my old camera, which I gave to Eric. So maybe once he gets his blog up he can post some.
Eric with Brian Mosher's baby. I put this on because apparently Eric "hates babies."
My papa and my cousin's daughter. My papa is one of my favorite guys.
Eric before his show, practicing in the garage with the band.
At Eric's parents house everyone takes off their shoes before going in. They always somehow get all organized too and I like it. You will notice the two brown pairs are Eric and I's. About the same size.

Sorry these aren't in order and are a little random. They are just ones that I picked out, pictures I like.

Eric got his plane ticket and is flying out to see me on March 12th - April 1st. He will arrive on March 13th which is my brother's birthday, but also... our 2 year anniversary!

Planning

2007-12-04T10:22:00.000-08:00

I just decided to go to London on Friday and Saturday. I am planning! I want to go to H & M for the first time :), Tate Modern, and Westminster Abbey? I don't know there is so much to do... I may stay longer. What is your favorite London spot?

Thanks for the 'Let's Go: Europe' book tip Nicole, I love it.

Fellow students of religion...

2007-11-30T04:40:00.000-08:00

Inside the Eagle and Child. We went here last night after our 'German society' function got cancelled. Therese had promised Alex and I some strange german drink that you lit on fire, and a german movie. But, alas.
In the inside of the Eagle and Child, candles were lit. Therese almost lit her hair on fire on one of these candles. Luckily I saved her.

Alright, here is proof of other students who are in my course. There are only five of us, so we are a rare species here at Oxford, and within the theology department we are a tiny minority. Alex is studying Hinduism and Buddism, and Therese is studying Islam and Christianity. And although we are studying different religions, we can all share a friendly beer together. Pluralism at its finest. Oh they are wonderful, and although I love my Said Business School friends who live with me, it is nice to rant and rave about religion and culture over a beer rather than listening hopelessly to stories of management training, or 'going into Banking', or consulting.
I look completely crazy here. I was fake laughing to show that we were having a good time, and Therese is actually laughing. German laughing. In German. She is from Berlin.
Alex is so sad because he is leaving us Monday to visit his girlfriend who is working on her dissertation in Argentina... (her and Alex are fellow Cambridge alumni. Those people are so smart.)
Here I am looking sad. Alex said I looked like one of those covers of an afterschool special video. Like I have done something 'bad' and am now pondering how I can turn my life around.

Oxford town

2007-11-29T11:08:00.000-08:00

I always wonder who put so much effort into every single intricate detail of walls and doors and door frames and gates, and etc. etc. Nothing here is boring. But that would get expensive. I am glad these buildings havn't been torn down in place of new sterile ones.
Walking in between the old and the new Bodleian library. I am not sure what the building is straight ahead.
The red phone booths. They are wonderful. When I first got here, I used my phone card to call Eric in the closest phone booth to my hostile, and unfortunately it wasn't a red one. So, I have yet to make a call in a red phone booth. But I love them.

The Oxford playhouse (above) and the other end of the street. The sun was just so pretty this morning I just took a few pics as I was walking to class and back.

I have a tutorial in Christ Church College. In the mornings, I walk by this open door (above) and look out to this picturesque view... it is so beautiful.
A pub down the street from our college. I ate pizza here once for like 6 pounds, and it was a mini pizza that had very little cheese and the sauce tasted distinctly like English food. This is why I do not eat out, or snack out.

Noor and I at the women's pub exchange. This is Trinity College's bar. I think. Every college has a bar. Some better than others. This one looked like it was from a movie.
I think this is St. Cross College, not sure. But I walk by it on the way to Blackwell's books and I always want to go in and sit on their lawn furniture. (We can't walk on our lawn). But I hear that in the spring we can play croquet on the lawns of Keble College (my college).

the term ends...

2007-11-26T16:31:00.000-08:00

Alright, term ends here. Well, Friday. But, as we all know term really ends when your last big push (test, term paper) is through. Today I finished my last paper for the term. I know you are all like, didn't she just start? Yes, I feel like I just started. Terms here last 8 weeks. So, total we are in full term 24 weeks a year. Which means I get to come home for Christmas! I am very excited. Now is the time to begin reading books to prepare for my dissertation (Jesus), my three big Judaism papers due in June, and catch up on some reading for the nature of religion.

I think I am going to London next week... that should be exciting...I havn't gone yet.

So, for now I will be hanging out, reading, shopping (christmas is approaching), drinking coffee, and finishing up my last few lectures / tutorials. Yae!

Last Friday I turned in an application for a studentship, ie. scholarship. Looks like the theology faculty found some extra money for this current year... so... fingers crossed, the application was stressful because I only had two weeks to get letters of reccomendation, a DPhil research proposal, writing sample, letters from college about my current financial situation, resume etc... Well, I did it! So, I am happy that I at least made the effort to apply, and we will see what happens. I was so happy when I fiinally packaged it all up I took a picture of it.

Crazy week. I also had a presentation in my tutorial this last week. That consists of talking about the paper you've written for about 45 minutes in front of your tutor and my 4 other graduate classmates (in my course). It went well, really well in fact.

Whenever I have to do a presentation, I have to wear a turtleneck because I get very nervous and my entire neck and upper chest turns blotchy bright red. So... if you ever see my neck do that, you know I am nervous, and short of breath. It is still a little embarassing... I usually wear glasses so my contacts don't go blurry on me while trying to read my notes, and a turtleneck or scarf so I am not extra self conscious about my nervous neck rash. Oh, I bet you didn't know that. I am sure someday this will subside, when I am a teacher... hopefully.

Black Tie Dinner

2007-11-22T16:02:00.000-08:00

Today is Thanksgiving in the states and I missed it. Luckily we had our black tie dinner tonight for the MCR. (Middle Common Room, which means graduate students in Keble College.) It was really nice because everyone got dressed up and had a really nice meal together with pre and post dinner drinks.
This is Erin (blonde) and Nora. They live down the hall from me. MBA students. Nora is from Saudi Arabia, and Erin is from Chicago.

By the end of the meal I had been served: white wine - to go with salad, red wine - to go with meat/main meal, Port (distilled wine) - to go with the white and dark chocolate dessert, and finally, coffee. The other glass is water. Just in case you get thirsty. Before dinner we had champagne. (Before dinner drinks of course in the MCR)

As you can see I drank mostly white wine. The Port was really really rich. It tasted like sherry.

Dinner in hall.

I am excited...

2007-11-21T12:53:00.000-08:00

to see Eric! in exactly 3 weeks!

Being apart is hard. But seeing each other is fun!

Green's Cafe, Eagle and Child, Old Car?

2007-11-17T08:45:00.000-08:00

I went for a walk today to get out of my room for a while. I went for a latte and read my book, then took a tour of the shops a few blocks away in the city center. As I was taking this pic in the middle of the road a bus honked at me from behind. I am not quite used to the cars on the left hand side of the road yet.

A few blocks from our graduate housing:

Greens Cafe: My favorite place. Lattes, free wi-fi, two upstairs (small) rooms for eating/studying. Plus they won't kick you out.

Eagle and Child: the haunt of the 'inklings' a writers group mid century that included the likes of J.R.R. Tolkein and C.S. Lewis.

This is the street of apartments behind St. Giles. A block over from my block... Its a nice way to walk home from city center without so many people.

I saw this car on the way to town. I like it. The wood paneling looks like it is an original feature of the car. I have no idea what make or model. Anyone know?

Does religion exist?

2007-11-15T12:39:00.000-08:00

Yes of course, especially if I am in a course called the study of religion... but maybe not?

Something to ponder...

Notes I took (some is quoted, some not) from Timothy Fitzgerald's "The Ideology of Religious Studies" for a paper:

The concept of religion is an ideological construct as part of a wider historical process of western imperialism, colonialism, and neocolonialism. Ideologically loaded distiniction between realm of religion and the realm of non-religion or the secular. By constructing religion and religions, the imagined secular world of objective fact – societies and markets. This modern ideology is far more important because it needs to be legitimated as a part of the real world of nature and rational self-realization that all ‘underdeveloped’ societies are conceived as evolving towards. P8. The world of natural rationality is an ideological construction

– primitive cultures can adopt this natural reality to be considered fully rational by:
a. Adopting this western notion of separation between the religious and secular
b. Place their traditional values in departments of religion, objects of nostalgia
c. Thus clearing cognitive space in their culture for putatively value-free scientific facts, for the natural world of autonomous individuals maximizing their rational self-interest in capitalist markets, democratic institutions, and the values of a civil society. But then this looks like a religion too…. And the term ends up vague

So, I come here to study religion. The first thing I write about is how religion is a ideological constuction of N. Atlantic imperialism. It is something we made up. It is the separation of normal states of culture including symbols, rituals, ideas of a transcendent, politics, economy etc., into a dichotomy of opposites - the sacred and the profane. A dichotomy which may or may not exist in reality.

This is me pondering by the way. I have to add pictures to keep it interesting. Not that my face is really that interesting, but this way you can visualize the scenario of me thinking rather deeply... :)

Oh this is a funny field.
I am having a great time, learning a new vocabulary:

Books books... I now live in books

2007-11-14T15:59:00.000-08:00

This is the book that I am reading aside from my normal coursework. I have this guy as a tutor next term and I hear he is like super scholar and I should try and be prepared. I meet with him independantly to study Judaism. I am interested in like late second temple, basically the time and culture of Jesus. So this will work really well with my Christianity dissertation I will be doing this summer on the historical figure of Jesus. SO I am page 13, and it is only 600 pages. I will keep you posted (or the one person who reads my blog) as to how far I get. Because I have a hard time finishing books, and I would feel really good if I could get through this one...so, as I am not being made to read this, I need some motivational factor. Because it is totally interesting I just have this mind block I really need to get over.

for your viewing pleasure

2007-11-13T08:12:00.000-08:00

Jeff Tweedy at the Crystal. I wasn't at this show, but his next show in Eugene a day or two later. There is a DVD of Jeff Tweedy touring solo through the northwest called Sunken Treasure. So, go watch it. I bought it for myself before I left here to England, during the final days of Music Millenium on 23rd in Portland. Sad.

I just love this song, and every now and then I go on youtube and watch this video because it makes me happy.

Cold + hat = warm head

2007-11-12T16:13:00.000-08:00

I got a hat the other day because it is so cold here now. Although it has been sunny more than Oregon, it just get pretty cold.

Eric said that I look like a grandma in this picture. Which if fine. Maybe I do. But I did get a new hat which I am excited about!

Yae! Warm head!

Radiohead String Quartet etc. etc. etc.

2007-11-06T11:21:00.000-08:00

So I just went to a performance sponsored by the Keble Music Society. It was the one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.

Radiohead's KID A perforemed by the "stellar string quartet" and piano, kaoss pad played by Stephen Polydorou. All arrangements by Stephen Polydorou.

40 or so people were seated in a small room with a long oriental rug and two lamps in front of a grand piano fashioned with cables running to a kaoss pad on top of it. The string quartet sat to the right of the piano man. They all looked very english, but who knows.

At one point, the piano player and two of the string quartet people were all playing on the piano at once. After the end of that song, the piano player's fingers had actually bled all over the piano, so much that he had to take a minute to clean the piano. At another point, while the string section was playing, the piano player put 4 or 5 things inside of the piano to change the sound of certain keys. I guess I have never sat so close to that kind of music. I have never seen someone play piano that quickly. Oh it was just amazing. The sound in that room was incredible (it was a recital room).

Wine was served afterwards. Which seems to be very common here at Oxford. I am told that each college has its own special wine. I have a lecture series (documentaries are played on various religious traditions) on monday nights in which we are served elderflower or our choice of red or white wine. Let me tell you after you have walked in the dark and cold to a seminar, it is very nice to be offered a glass of red wine.

I am always recieving emails about different events going on. It seems at Oxford, the battle is not just getting your work done, but balancing your work with all of the opportunities that come your way. A few weeks ago I went to a BBC taping of a show called "Big Questions". It was right down the street from me. The few days before the taping I kept getting phone calls from "Jamie" at the BBC asking me if I had any specific religion, if I held any public offices, or if I had any questions for the singer who would be appearing on the show. After I stated that I was protestant/ no/ and I didn't know of the singer, "Jamie" proceeded to ask me I was enclined to ask the singer a question anyways. I politely declined.

Yesterday was quite a highlight, as I went to a "briefing" (what they call a one time lecture sometimes. I was definately the youngest one there, probably by 40 years). The briefing was ono the possibility of peace in the holy land. Professor Shai Feldman spoke, who is on the UN Secretary General's Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters.

Ya, that says UN. Man it was like being on NPR, or CNN. Except is was in a quaint wood panelled room of Harris Manchester College with tea and sandwiches welcoming us. The 10 or so of us sat in a circle in wooden chairs. Believe me I did not ask any questions. I just ate my cute little sandwich, drank my tea and listened.

I also attend a "Ladies Tea" night in the MCR (the middle common room, a common room for graduate students, which is straight out of the Dead Poets Society). Usually there are about 10 of us graduate girls who get together on Thursday nights sit in the brown leather couches to drink tea with milk and eat chocolates. Now I am not the biggest fan of chocolate, but, I mean come on, in this context you have to love it.

In case you are interested...WHat I do: I have about 4 or 5 lectures / seminars I go to per week, 1 tutorial every week on the nature of religion, and one tutorial I go to every other week for Christianity. Lectures are one hour, the professor talks and hands you a paper with quotes, comments, and a bibliography. There are no assignments or tests for lectures. Tutorials are about an hour long where you and maybe a couple students present and discuss your papers. You write 2000 word papers for each one every week or every other week, depending.

My Christianity professor is brilliant, disheveled, and somewhat unnerving at first. The first day we met in his office to discuss when we would meet. He was kind of like when can you meet? and then he was like, "right, well, if we are studying Christianity, I guess we had better start with Jesus. Is there anyone here (there are 3 of us) who would like to do that?" I said I would. He then said ok, well how about the question "What should we know or can we know about the figure of Jesus?" I nodded and scribbled. He then said well you should probably read, Bultmann ... and there is a good book by... He proceeded to list four or five books I was to read and 'get back to them' the following week. I quickly wrote the books down. That was basically our first meeting. My other tutorial is more structured.

We kept being told the first week that Oxford is convoluted and fragmented. So ask questions.

Halloween

2007-11-04T07:44:00.000-08:00

Halloween:::::::::

I really miss Oregon in the fall because you get to go to the pumpkin patch and pick out a pumpkin and carve it. But...Eric was nice enough to go to the pumpkin patch with his family and pick out a pumpkin for me too! I went online and picked out a sketch of a kitty on a moon for my pattern, and Eric carved it for me. This is a picture of my pumpkin (in the middle) in Eric's kitchen with his and his mom's pumkin on either side. Yae!

I have been trying to save my money, so I eat sandwiches twice a day with coffee of course! But, on Halloween day, I bought a pumpkin tart from the patisserie across the street. I took a picture of it. It was absolutely heavenly. Pumpkin and squash are my favorite tastes.

This halloween I studied. Here are some books that I was reading last week. That is basically all I did last week: read these books. Then I wrote a paper about it.

So, the Saturday after Halloween St. Thomas' College had a bop (that is what they call parties here I guess) for a good cause. So we all dressed up and danced like crazy. I was dressed up as Chrissy from Three's Company. All the guys had to dress up like girls. All of the guys were so courageous and had on wigs and lipstick. Oh it was so funny, they really went ALL OUT. The picture down below you can see a few guys as ballerinas, princesses, etc. etc. I guess the girls were supposed to dress up as boys, but we didn't get that memo.

A little tour... maybe some sightseeing?

2007-10-20T09:14:00.000-07:00

I went for a nice walk today around the
University Parks. It was absolutely gorgeous. And the ducks were huge.
Were they swans? One can never know these things.

The Marsh

I also found a bridge... I went over it and found another path reaching into somewhere else... a mysterious place I had never been. I turned around.

I have a graveyard just south of the old hospital I live in.

This is the hotel right next door to me. It is called the old parsonage hotel. This is the dining area outside. I want to go there but I hear you can't unless you have a boatload of money.
I went to Christchurch college today. I originally went there for a colloqium on Heidegger and philosophy of religion... I got a little bored partway through so I left and went to the chapel. They were talking about living religion instead of putting it in various intellectual boxes. I heard the organ from the chapel calling me and I was out the door the next break. I really am learning a lot here.

Very wonderful indeed. The strange thing about going to a place like Christchurch or many places in Oxford that say 'no visitors beyond this point please. You know what that means! It is basically pointing out the fact that I am very special. 'Chelsea, please continue forward, as you have key and a student body card.' Oh it is very affirming.

Anyways, here is the church, and here is a tile of John Locke. I am going to send this to my philosophy professor Uzgalis, because he is definately a locke scholar, and he will like it.

Alright Harry Potter fans. Here it is.... the dining hall at Christchurch. Being set up for dinner for the witches.

A few general streets as I was walking home. This is basically what everything looks like here. Pretty boring really. I could really use a minimall or a Costco right now. Ooh or a walmart that just took over the local drive-in.

I want a coffee. I think I will go get one.

So anyways, things are going quite well for me here at Oxford.

ughh

2007-10-17T18:39:00.001-07:00

I hate computers.

OXFORD

2007-10-13T14:48:00.000-07:00

The 'I need a photo for my mom' photo. Full subfusc attire, in front of my college, Keble. Holding my 'mortorboard' hat, which we had to carry around all day for the formality of matriculation. The mortorboard is only allowed on the head for graduation, and students apparently are able to be fined if seen wearing it prior to.

In my room before matriculation... and then later that day, you know, using a little photoshop.

Beyond the Bodleian library, after the ceremony, with some of my acland site graduate houseing MBA friends.

No joke, I took this picture of our dining hall today before brunch. Apparently Harry Potter wanted to use our dining hall (Keble College) because it is one of the longest, however we refused to take down the paintings, and we had a conference going on at the time. This is the story going 'round...

The magnificant Sheldonian Theatre. Matriculation was held here today... in English and Latin. I guess matriculation is a sort of 'rite of passage,' a formal welcoming into the University. Our name is added to 'the list' of Oxford students. If you do not matriculate, you are not a student.

Street signs. Well, they are more 'that place is over there' signs, instead of having the street names. The street names are, at times, conveniantly displayed low on the corner of buildings. You could almost call it exciting when you get off a bus with three 30-60 pound bags and are trying to find your way to your hostile the first day.

These are everywhere and I love them. I am assuming for cleaning the bottom of your shoes.

I live in an old hospital (Graduate Housing). It is sort of quaint, charming, and unnerving all at the same time. There are whole wings that are sectioned off, and abandoned. There are random locked doors, staircases, and secret passageways up to the roof. The elevators are not in service, and all but two of the doors to the outside world are permanently shut unless you break the fire alarm. This is the cooridor, in the middle of the two courtyards, that I absolutley love in the daytime, and will not cross at night.

My room. Simple and nice, with a bathroom to your left. I also have a 'nurse call' button on the electrical pillar on the left there. Just in case.

Almost gone

2007-10-04T15:48:00.000-07:00

Before I left I....

I spent time with Eric,

And some friends and family. Eric arranged a very nice "get together" for my going away. It was perfect, so... thank you honey. This is my brother Scott and his girl Neecoleee.

We also went to the beach, where we did some ferocious kiting.
Which means we had to run really fast to keep the kite in the air...
NO WIND on the OREGON COAST that day.

the bookcase

2007-08-16T21:56:00.000-07:00

I have all of these boxes from work. I packed up two small boxes of books from the bookcase in our front room. I was very pleased at my packing job. I sat there in front of the bookcase. It looked so empty.

I hate that. I had the urge to open the boxes back up and arrage them neatly on the case.

why

2007-08-09T22:16:00.000-07:00

Looks like I will be attending the University of Oxford in about 6 weeks. Looks like that means I will be moving to Oxford, England. From Oregon to England. I always pride myself in being a sun lover, but by my own choices it seems I really do love the rain and the dreary. It has the comfort of home.

I like to keep track of myself during momentous occasions (I also hope this thing has spell check)/ adventures of life. So, I hope this will be a place for me to hold record of my mundane mind wanderings and 'special' memories from my soon to be NEW, REFRESHED, FRIGHTENING, and EXhilerating life.

I guess if you too have any inclination of keeping track of me, this might be the place to do it.