Not Spam. Sorry.

So apparently this site thinks I'm some sort of Spam-bot or something, but it won't let me post anything until my blog gets unblocked. This would happen to me. I assure you, I am a real person.

We'll start with Dr. Allan Chapman. On our first day we had a kind of program orientation where we met the Warden, the chaplain, the nurse, the guidance counselor, etc. Then, Dr. Chapman came in to teach us a bit about Wadham, Oxford, and the education system. I was delighted that he walked in wearing a navy blue blazer, a yellow vest spread across his portly frame, a bow-tie, and a watch chain tucked in his waistcoat pocket! He had white hair combed directly back from his forehead and espoused every stereotype of "the Oxford Tutor". So amazing. Then he goes on to ask Debbie (our programme director) what he was supposed to talk about. Apparently, with no preparation at all, he is equipped to give an hour and a half lecture on the history of universities and of Wadham's founding, including facts, figures, dates and names. This he did with marvelous aplomb. I'm fairly certain that everyone in that room was listening intently because he was a fabulous lecturer. I for sure want to take a tutorial with him. I told Emma I wanted to be him when I grew up and she just laughed at me, at which point I clarified that I obviously wanted to be a female version. Academia is for me. Its official.

Here's a bit about Oxford. The city itself is absolutely beautiful. The University of Oxford was founded in the late 12th century, though the exact date is not known. It is the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Wadham College was founded by Dorothy Wadham in 1610. Because of both these facts, the architecture is incredibly beautiful. It combines this super gorgeous old university feel with the lovely relaxing atmosphere of the quaint English village once you get outside the city centre. I live about a half hour's walk from my college and the city centre, so yesterday I broke down and bought a bus pass. This is also necessary because I keep making bad shoe decisions and now have blisters on the back of both heels. Not so comfortable.

As a side note, it seems my flat is in the process of deteriorating. Every one of us has some sort of injury: Emma's Achilles tendon is on the fritz, Katie is convinced she's broken her thumb, my blisters complain at the sight of shoes...the list goes on.

Back to Oxford. I love it here. Its bizarre, but even after only about a week, I feel perfectly comfortable like I haven't really felt in New York City. Even when we were in London, I didn't have any problems with the city atmosphere. Its just such a different feeling. I keep forgetting my camera so I don't have any pictures to post, but hopefully I'll remember it at some point (ha!).

I've met one of my tutors so far and she seems fabulous. My first essay is: What caused strategic immobility on the Western Front? (Its about WWI) I have a two page booklist and the essay is due either Tuesday or Wednesday next week. I'm thrilled, although I'm not quite sure I'm ready to plunge into this thinking business again. I suspect my brain has atrophied over the summer, which makes me nervous because I would rather not have a bad first essay. I think if I could only sit down and pick up one of the books for a period of time, I would not have a problem, its just a matter of doing so.

Speaking of work, I should go do some...expect at some point that I will begin sharing random useless information about WWI that I get super excited about. It will happen. I promise.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Its off to work I go!