One Journey Ends, Another Begins...

As I previously noted, these past 8 weeks have been busy and fast. Paul and I would like to thank those of you who have been patient enough with this blog, as it has been hard to find free time to keep it up to date. This being said, as the title of this post suggests, within the next day or two depending on our readiness to leave, Paul and I start the next leg of our Excellent Adventure by backpacking around England, Europe and hopefully ending up in Egypt. Be sure to stay tuned for whatever shenanigans we pull this time. Peace.

Time Flies When You're Writing Papers

The Famous Turf Tavern

"An Education in Intoxication"

Not gonna lie, my time here at Oxford has flown by. Throughout this term I've made some great friends and gained a knowledge of how to study history I use to only dreamed of. Now in my final days, my free time is consumed by last minute papers and reading so my tutors can give an assessment of how I've progressed. Obviously I've started reflecting on this whole experience and what I've gained from it. I came here with the intent of challenging myself with the methods of higher learning. I can now say that I have done just that. Oxford has given me a new found appreciation not just for reading, but critically thinking about what I've read and how to form my own arguments from the multiple conflicting sources. Walking around the seemingly endless Blackwells Book Store and numerous history libraries, I wish I was here longer just so I could read for my own pleasure. The workload here is intimidating and the tutorial layout is different from anything in American universities. Plain and simple, you won't produce quality work and will be humiliated in your tutorials if you do not gain the independence and responsibility to work diligently throughout the day and night. I feel I have learned this and have grown academically because of it. I know for a fact (one of the rare times I can use the word "fact" this term) that all my hard work during these past 8 gruelling weeks will help me in more ways than one going forward. And for that, I would again, like to thank my family and friends for there continuous encouragement, Lauren Gannon for providing me with this rewarding opportunity, everyone else who has helped me along the way, and my tutors for their academic guidance to make me criticize literally everything I now read. Thanks.

Scratch Another One Off The Bucket List

One of, if not the most important world heritage site Paul and I had to see while here was Stonehenge. Luckily, with the aid of Bulter and their day trip to Stonehenge and Winchester Christmas Market, we were able to fulfull this goal. Leaving from the the Butler offices in London early in the morning, Paul and I had to catch an early bus from Oxford just be able to go. After missing the stop that would have dropped us off basically at their doorstep, we made it just in time for the loading of the buses. The staff were happy to see Paul poking his head out of my bag again as I approached. I'm not sure about Paul, but I slept most of the drive only to wake up in what looked like barren, snow capped, countryside. Then, out of no where, it appeared. I was shocked. It was so close to the road, it was almost anticlimatic how we just turned a corner and there it was. Regardless of its location, we were giddy to start walking around it ant taking pictures. the only drawback to this trip was the weather. It was cold. Really cold. So cold that Paul only came out of my bag for a couple pics and couldn't take it anymore. This inclination to get to warmth did speed up our walk, but that doesn't mean I stood and gazed at it for a good 15 minutes at multiple instances. So much history, so much mystery, it is the most significant man-made structure ever in my book. Bold statement I know, but whatever, if the weather wasn't so bad, I could have spent the days there. Following a mass exit for the bus for warmth, we were off to the town of Winchester. No not where my dad use to work (HA clever joke), the Anglo-Saxon territory known as Wessex that I just so happen to study but had no idea was later named Winchester. Only did I recognize this when I found a giant statue of King Alfred in the center of the town. This realisation gave a whole new light to what I had just seen. The Winchester Cathedral was amazing. Has to be one of the most beautiful and most historic churches I've ever been in. Greatly disheartning was the inability to take photos within the room with the Cathedral's ancient texts. Not only did they possess an Anglo-Saxon land charter dating back to the 900's, but they had, in very good condition, a medeival Bible that was just gorgeous. Among other ancient Anglo-Saxon sites, the Winchester Great Hall, complete with King Arthur's Round table, left me dumbfounded and staring up at it (as it was mounted on the wall) for more time than I spent at the town's main attraction, the Christmas Market. Known as one of the best Christmas Markets in England, Christmas spirit was at a high here and Paul and I were loving it. As the sun began to set, the Christmas lights around the streets came on and put a smile to my face. Paul was smiling as well, but thats because his face is permantly like that. I'm sure he appreciated it anyway being originally a christmas decoration himself. With the disappearance of the sun came the bitter cold and we were wilst back to London. Another successful Butler trip. Major props.

American Football? And Fencing?

So this post is way overdue, but whatever. Along with the Caving club, Paul and I are also members of the Oxford University Fencing club and American Football. Yep, they call it American Football here. Its weird I know, but when soccer is football, you really can't have another football. I guess you're probably wondering why I would ever join these two groups instead of something like the Crew team which Oxford is known for? First, Paul hates the water. Second, Paul nor I can wake up that early anymore. And Third, whats more British than fencing? Oh and what better place to play American Football than a place where some of the kids have never seen an actual football before? So anyways, I guess I'll start with fencing. As the members and coaches told us at the taster session, its no Jedi jumping, three musketeer swinging sword fight. Each fencer is attached to a sensor that lights up when a successful hit has been made. In addition to this, the matches are relatively short and confined to a narrow rectangle, but that doesn't take away from the action. Some of these guys, and girls as well, are amazingly quick and skillful. I make sure to get to practice early to catch the tail end of our 18 year old teacher's lesson. Yeah, he's pretty legit. Obviously I'm in the beginner class. We start at square one. The first few practices were basic foot positioning and what is called "on guard" position, which is the primary stance throughout a match. After we had a grasp of how to stand, we were taught to move back and forth, and finally how to lunge. From this point, things really started to pick up. Every practice we would review our movements and get the kit on to have mini fencing matches against other students to practice our new maneuvers. Other than the lunge, we have learned such moves as the parry, which blocks an attack, the riposte, which attacks quickly after a parry, the counter riposte, which as it says, counters the counter, the disengage, which requires a quick flick of the wrist to get the blade around that of your opponent's, and the list goes on. The most common question that arises when I mention I'm in the fencing club is whether it hurts or not? My answer to this always no if you hit them first. But really, it doesn't hurt unless you get hit in an area that isn't padded, but that shouldn't happen if you are properly positioned. Sadly, because I'm only here for a term, I can't be in the running to participate in the beginner's varsity match against Cambridge at the end of the year. However, one of the assistants did say if I had stayed, I would have had a good chance of going. Will I take it up back in the states? I actually might. At the opposite end of the spectrum of Oxford sports is the neglected American Football team. Seen by most as both a "football team" and American football watching social club, it seemed like the perfect activity to get my mind off of work and remind me of home. Just because some of the Brits didn't what the were doing, and the fact that I am one of the top receivers (along with a couple other Americans studying abroad), doesn't mean some of these guys didn't know what they were doing. Most of the linemen are rugby players and know how to push people around. The team use to be a joint team with Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University (a lesser Oxford basically). However, because of new rules, the teams had to split and this was the first year Oxford would be on it own. Luckily, our coach, Coach Marshall, knows what he's talking about. Drilling everyone in receiving, route running, coverage, as well as D and O line work, and even bringing in a wide receiver specialist for a practice, we were having non-padded scrimmages by the 5th week. Not bad for 1 practice a week. Did I say it was very laid back? Yup, 1 practice a week. This is however in addition to future film sessions and social football watching on Sundays at one of the few sports bars in Oxford that will show American sports. However, just like fencing, I will not be able to get into any games this term because the season starts in the spring. The most I could have done was play flag football, but Cambridge's team was not at our level yet so they had to cancel. This is one of the main reasons I am angry to be only staying a term. I've wanted to play football for so long, and after finally having the chance, the dream is cut short. I'll still play flag football and pick up games any day, but I don't think a career in football is in my future. This is not to say it wasn't a dream come true to even practice with a real team, of course depending on ones definition of a real team.

Cultural Collision!

When Paul and I heard that Tara Bartley, yes the Tara Bartley from Merrimack College and studying abroad in Morrocco, was traveling up to England, we made sure to reunite with her at least for a couple days before she continued her travels. After some minor miscomummications, Tara and her friends, Divya and Alaina arrived in Oxford. After a long day of travelling and a quick stop at Mission Burrito for some food, we headed back to my dorm to get ready for Saturdays excursions. Paul and I were dumbfounded as Tara and her friends described life in Morrocco. Simply put, its the polar opposite of Oxford. The next morning I would play the role of tour guide. Being an Oxford Student, I could get them into most places except the Bodleian, which is strickly for the use of Oxford offiliates. We walked around Christ Church court, Hertford College, and the Covered Market first. The idea of a market was well-known to the girls, however they seemed shocked at the fact that everything had glass in front of it and there weren't as many dead animals for sale. Anyways, after Tara satified her craving for crepes, we headed over to the shopping section of town to pick up some clothes before our unofficial pub crawl. Of course, even a pub crawl has history in Oxford. Some of the pubs and bars in Oxford have been around since the 1600's, if not earlier. With that kind of history, its only natural that the likes of Winston Churchill, Oscar Wilde, and my favorite, Bill Clinton have stepped foot in them. For the big finale, which Tara had long anticipated, I took the girls to my favorite food van, Posh Nosh Express. Known as the only Kebab van in Oxford that sells mozz sticks (I've done my research), and knowing Tara's as well as my own love for the delicious appetizer, it was the perfect way to end the night. After we hundled around the container of 20 pounds (roughly 30 dollars?) worth of mozz and devoured it within minutes, it was time to return to the room and finally get out of the cold that had hindered our travels throughout the night. The next day we got a quick lunch and then before I knew it, I was leaving Tara, Divya, and Alaina at the train station. After such a busy week it was nice to have a reason to get out and be a tourist again. I still can't believe how crazy it is that we were both in different countries and actually met up overseas. Blows my mind. However, the Morroccan caravan was not the only mack attack to hit the shores of England. Not even two weeks after Tara's visit, Ms. Becca Blackett and Lauren Hitchens were London bound all the way from Rome, Italy. (I might as well put this in the same blog post because I'm so behind schedule on this thing.) Although I would only see them for a night, it was one of the best nights I've had in England. They were staying in London with some friends for the week and being so close, we could not miss this opportunity to see them. After meeting up across from the Tower of London, we were escorted back to where they were staying all the while exchanging stories of our adventures. Listening to all the travelling and beautiful weather Becca and Lauren had already experienced made me very envious and anxious for my own travels to start after the term. Once at the apartment, introductions to all her friends and of course an introduction to Paul were quickly followed by a night on the town. The next morning was filled with hugs, good-byes, thank yous, and nice to have met yous, and finally another bus ride. Sadly, as seems to happen with every excursion Paul and I seem to go on, upon our return to Oxford we realized how much work we had to do and hit the books. This being said, no amount of reading or even a tutorial would have stopped me from seeing them. It's wierd to think that next time I will see them will be in 2011 and more than half way through the month of January. I'm going to have to steal the title of Tara's facebook album, but she does say is best, "oh the places you'll go."

That's Right, I Go To The School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Being the Harry Potter fans we are, the idea of going to a school where parts of the films were shot was most intriguing. In fact, Christ Church Hall, aka the Great Hall from the films is the main reason their are so many asian tourists wandering around. Sadly, being Hertford College students, we can only walk around the hall as well while the Christ Church students get to eat three times a day in it. Unfair? I think so. It's funny though, walking through it, it doesn't seem as gigantic as it looks in the movies. But don't get me wrong, it's still awesome. Other well-known localtions around Oxford where the film was shot consist of the Bodleian Library, New College, and the old Divinity School for Women which is now attached to the back of the Bodleian.I'm sure there are many more, but that would take a little more research. If you haven't guessed by now, Harry Potter is kind of a big deal here. So of course people go crazy when a movie comes out. Luckily, Paul and I got to experience this last week. Although we couldn't make to the world premiere, (which is still a touchy subject so don't bring it up when I return!) we did travel to London in the wee hours of the morning to see it in the famous ODEON Theatre in Leceister Square. Needless to say, we were underdressed. I can't even begin to describe some of the costumes these people came up with. Some were good, some were weird, and some were absolutely dreadful, but whatever, I wasn't going to say anything seeing as I was carrying around a gnome (proper term "woodland creature" as I found out from another avid Harry Potter fan) in my backpack. In case you haven't seen the movie yet, (which you should!) I'll jut skip that subject and just say it was worth it. So yeah, we've basically touched skin cells with the cast of Harry Potter. I guess that's pretty cool. The one thing, which I still don't understand, is why they don't have an Oxford University Quidditch Team? I would've joined that in a second. Such a shame. Oh, and in addition to all this, Emma Watson also lives in Oxford. I make sure to bring my camera with me everywhere just in case we bump into each other, aka I am trying to find her house and sit outside it until she returns. That's not creepy is it?

Adventure Weekend in the Lake District

If South Wales wasn't cold enough, this past weekend Paul and I participated in the Butler Study Abroad Adventure Weekend in The Lake District. For those of you who have no idea where that it, its about 30 miles south of Scotland. With a name like The Lake District, you can anticipate it being a wet place. In fact, Keswick, the town we were staying in, is know for being the wettest area in England. Great get away I know. But seriously, it was great. Just seeing some of the other study abroad students for the first time since our London orientation would have been enough for a fun weekend. In addition to being reunited with fellow Butler students, we had a weekend filled with activities ranging from the nerve-racking via ferrata to less intimidating casual walk to local cottages around town. Sadly, Paul and I were the only ones to sign up for the day long hike to the top of Scafell Pike, the tallest mountain in England. I still don't get it. How did no one else want to do that? Anyways, we got put into the groups for gorge scrambling and via ferrata for the first day. You're probably asking yourself, what in god's name is gorge scrambling and via ferrata? Well to start, gorge scrambling is basically walking against the current of a river (gorge). This was our first activity of the day. At the risk of getting washed away or drowning, and the fact that I would need both hands for support, Paul was unable to participate in this activity. As any activity involving a body of rushing water starts, we first got on our wetsuits, over suits, helmets and boots. Previously going caving, I was already use to this rather uncomfortable assemble. The expedition began slowly as we each got acclimated to the bitter cold water. Over small waterfalls we climbed until we got to various pool areas. Our objectives were to jump in, swim to the waterfall, kiss the rock under the cascading water and swim back. Needless to say, mission accomplished. We then moved on to some higher climbs until our instructor saw fit to turn around. Our final task, which was deemed optional, was to jump off a bridge probably no higher than 20ft. Yet again, mission accomplished. Upon our return, we took off our freezing cold kit and slipped into some warmer clothes to get ready for our next event. Before I move on to describing via ferrata, I want to make a shout out to Mr. Shane Hunt, who while swimming in one of the small pools, lost his boots and managed only to find 1, but continued and finished the activity with just a sock on his right foot. Major man points.
Right, so via ferrata. Completely different from our previous adventure, via ferrata is simply scaling the side of a mountain while attached to a cable. Now the fact that Paul had yet to attempt any activity was getting rather annoying. Therefore we decided to throw away any fear of him falling hundreds of feet and never being seen again, and have him join us. With Paul tucked tightly in my backpack we attached our carabinas to the cable, and started our climb. Again, we started off slowly so people could get the hang of clipping and unclipping to the cable, but after awhile, we were on our way. Of course, to make things easier for the people today, there are iron rods protruding out from the mountainside to step on, but I couldn't imagine doing this back in the day with nothing but rope and bare hands. Knowing we were in no real danger as long as we stayed attached to the cable, the climb was sociable and easygoing. After the more technical section, we walked through some old mine tunnels and climbed up some steeper rock face until the top was finally in sight. Once at the top, we stopped for a quick snack and pictures of the valley and then headed back down. Oh, and we walked down, so it was much more relaxing. After we returned to Castlerigg Manor, our retreat center, we had dinner and the staff put together a Halloween themed trivia competition. Sadly, my team came in second, but we did win best pumpkin carving all thanks to our carving extraordinaire Amy Flynn. Sunday was a lot less hectic. Anyone who didn't want to go on a easy half day hike around Keswick could walk around town until it was time to leave. Paul and I choose the hike. It wasn't so much of a hike as a walk around the banks of the lakes, but it was still beautiful. With the mountainous valley in background and leaves' colors fully changed, I couldn't help but think of what it must be like in New England at this time. Tear. Sadly, before we knew it, we were off again back to Oxford. Naturally, reality set back in and we all realized we had work do, so after a quick good-bye, exchanging of numbers, and of course a thank you to the Butler Staff, we went our separate ways.