The First Week (or so)

Hey all!

Since I've already been here a little while, I figured I'd give a brief overview of some of the things that we've done here thus far =)

Within the first few days of being here, my flatmate and I were headed to the store and saw a sign for raspberry picking! So picking we went =)  It was lovely!

 

Delicious! Cute ladybug too =)

Backtracking a day or so, the first day we were here, a few of us vowed not to nap - not to even go near a bed for fear of napping - in order to fight jet lag.  To kill time, get our footing, and see some sights, we visited a couple of the colleges, including mine!  First we went to New College. It's pretty much beautiful.

Then we visited my college - St. Catherines.  It was built in the 70's. Not the 1770's, not the 1870's, the 1970's. It kinda looks  like the Pryz. Here, I'll let you see for yourself.

Hmm. Not exactly your typical Oxford castle-y college. Oh well. I've decided it's where all the rebellious rich royals go because they want to buck tradition. They're the same kind of royals that would elope with an American in Paris in an instant. Just sayin. =P

Hmm... what else... oh!  I have a tutorial on C. S. Lewis for this first month.  He and a few of his buddies who called their group "The Inklings" used to chill at a pub that they affectionately called "The Bird and the Baby".  Its real name is "The Eagle and Child". My tutorial, it turns out, goes on in a building that is right next door! Oh, and I've eaten there too. Crazy, huh?

It's so old! How can I tell? The ceilings are so low!

See average sized man in the corner v. door frame for reference (and he's slouching a bit)

That's pretty much it for the first week, with a lot of random strolls in town and gaping at the beauty of this place in between. Stay tuned for the second-ish week and beyond =)

Love and miss you all!
Clair

Is this real life??

Hey Everyone!

So, following the wise advise of many CUA students who have studied at Oxford, AND for ease of keeping in touch with multiple people at once, I have created this little blog to keep you updated on the highlights of living and studying in this BEAUTIFUL city.

Did I mention beautiful? and SO cool??

The title of this blog is a very clever pun that comes from the section of Oxford I live in.  West Oxford is affectionately (and not so affectionately to the people who live in the prettier parts of town) known as "Botley".  My flat, however, is nothing but a picture of wonder and class. See?

The neighbors think the old mattresses outside are just "all the rage". =P (they were here when we got here. they were going to be "gone within a week". 2 weeks later, definitely still here).

So yes, welcome to my blog. Let me know if there's anything you're burning to know. I aim to please. =P

Love and miss you all back in the States!!
Clair