Examination Procrastination

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

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

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

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...

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.

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!

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!

Love you! - Chels

Proverb: time moves quickly when procrastinating

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

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.