England or Bust - One Way to Oxford

Come journey with me as I take on the sky and sea, finding myself in a new country, with eyes wide and heart hungry.

[englandhereicome]

Spring Break: Days 1 & 2 - Long Walks and Mountain Rocks

Day One – Long Walks and Zombie Movies Saturday, February 16th 2013

It is now 6:30pm and I am back at the hostel. Any doubts I had this morning are gone. I'm glad that I didn't let anxieties ruin my day, or else it wouldn't have been as great as it was.

After my first post, I went to grab brunch. I went to this little juice bar. It was bright inside – all yellow with green, red, and blue chairs. A very cheerful little place that sells breakfast until lunch and serves lunch all day. They specialize in smoothies, juices, and milkshakes. I got me a toasted bagel with ham and cheese and a “Sunshine in a Cup” smoothie. It has peaches, mangoes, and oranges in it. I was expecting it to be orangey-pinkish, or something of the sort, but the immunity booster I got in it must have affected the colour because it was a pukey green kind of colour. It still tasted good; it just looked weird. Haha.

After that I walked around Edinburgh for three hours straight. I sat down maybe twice. This isn't a small city, but the central part isn't so big that I n't cover a lot of ground in that time. I don't think I'll buy a bus pass while I am here, because I was able to walk everywhere easily enough. It was totally tiring though. I thought my home town was hilly. HA! It is nothing like Edinburgh. I swear, each building is on its own individual hill. It was some trek. I took a lot of photos, but I didn't enter any of the buildings. I'm saving that for the next four days I spend here. The awesome thing is that of all the places I want to go to only like three of them charge an admission fee. I can't wait to check out the Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh Castle, the Writers Museum, the national gallery and museum, and so much more! Not having a set schedule makes me happy, because I feel like I have all the time in the world. I can discover everything at my own pace.

I absolutely adore the UK. Going home is going to be hard. Everything is so beautiful (even though all the gross modern buildings are cluttered around the old). What really got me about Edinburgh though is the beautiful rolling hills in the distance, the sun peaking out of clouds over their summits. (There is NO way that my camera could ever do such a sight justice.) Honestly, it may be one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. Maybe I'll wake up early one day so that I can watch the sun rise over them. Part of Edinburgh is also along the coast. I could see it from atop Cattill Hill today. If I can get there, I'm positively going to check it out. Beauty.

My movie started at 3:30pm, but I went to the theatre an hour beforehand so that I could sit down. I was majorly tired. (Understandably.) I'm glad I did all of that walking though. I have a good sense of where everything is. I think I could find my way back to the hostel from just about anywhere.

I was the first person to enter into cinema 12 to watch “Warm Bodies.” (Probably because I was so early, haha). I have never, ever been the first person in a theatre before (except that time that Susan and I saw “Snow White and the Huntsman.” I'm not sure that counts though because we were the only two people there. We had the whole room to ourselves. They weren't even going to start the movie, because they didn't know we were in there. Bahaha. Shout out to Susan!) They have VIP seating in UK theatres. This means that basically you pay more to get a leather chair in what they consider to be ideal rows. I got the perfect seat – center of the row, the most center row from top and bottom. And there was SO MUCH LEG ROOM! I couldn't believe it. The previews were interesting. The popcorn was okay. I wasn't sure if I was going to like the movie. I hate this new fascination with zombies and the zombie apocalypse. Hate it. But the movie was supposedly based loosely on “Romeo and Juliet” - which I adore! - and I really liked the concept of love conquering all, so I decided to give it a try.

Here is where I give you permission to judge me. I actually liked the movie. I did. (Don't knock it until you've seen it!) It was this weird blend of comedy, drama (some parts were absolutely depressing), creepiness (though it wasn't overly gross), and sappy romance. Yeah, at times it was vague. Yeah, there were elements that, even if you suspended disbelief, were slightly unbelievable. I enjoyed it though. The acting was good. The play on R+J names was clever (“R” = Romeo; 'Julie' = Juliet; Nora, who wants to be a nurse = Juliet's nurse; Perry = Paris), the balcony scene was cute (even if he was a corpse), their relationship was cute, the music was great, and the ending was satisfying (even if it was corny). The fact that R narrated the movie through his stream of consciousness definitely made it more enjoyable. (Plus, the fact that he is cute didn't hurt either. You may have seen him as Hank McCoy/Beast in 'X-Men: First Class.) It was very well acted – even if the actress playing Julie has the unfortunate luck to resemble a blond Kristen Stewart. I was pleased. Plus, it was a good time out. Who says you can't have fun at the movie theatre by yourself? I'd actually like to do it again. I LOVE movies and acting. It's a great de-stressor.

After the movie, I returned to my hostel, used the Internet, and went to bed. Had a good first night, which pleases me. I wasn't sure if I would like the hostel setting. I like the atmosphere here though. And staying in a dorm with nine other people was actually okay. We have lockers for our stuff, so I think that really helped. This location is also really great, because no matter where I walk to, I can find it again. Although, last night (because there are a lot of pubs in this area) some obnoxious sounds from people outside drifted in the window, but they didn't keep me up. Every room has a theme. My room is Scottish Films. With this theme, each bed has a name. So, since my room is Scottish movies, my bed is called “Highlander.” (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091203) That's where the theme ends though. Movie posters would have been kind of cool though. There are a couple of lounges. The 'posh' one has a full-sized piano, a fireplace, paintings, a Victorian sofa and chairs, and some busts. It's very stylish. The other lounge looks like a typical hang-out area, with posters all over the walls and some beaten up old furniture. The largest shower/toilets is for both sexes. However, I did find two toilets just for women and a shower. (See, Mama, knew I'd find one! Haha). I feel safe here, which was the most important thing for me to find in a hostel. Safety and cleanliness come first. Inexpensive rooms was just an added bonus. The staff is also super friendly. They're very helpful. The guy who waited on me last night was also very cute. (I wouldn't mind seeing him again. =P)

Day Two – Perfect Sunday Afternoons: Rolling Hills and Dates with Canadian friends Sunday, February 17th 2013

I slept in today. I needed it. After all that walking yesterday, plus the fact that I was functioning on very little sleep, I think it was for the best. I didn't do anything substantial this morning, just hung out in the lounge.

The sun was shining, and it was warmer out than it has been for the past week a half. I wasn't about to let that opportunity pass me by. So, when 12:30pm hit, I just had to get outside. I couldn't resist those hills. I re-checked this week's forecast, and today had the best outlook. I was going to hike those hills, and it was going to have to be today. I didn't take anything with me but my camera (which was a wise decision in retrospect), and I headed out. I took a road that I haven't yet. I'm glad I did. You'll never know what you'll find. Usually, when I exploring, I like to head toward whatever seems interesting. That's why I think it is important not to have a set schedule. If I had one, then I would always be rushing from here to there. More or less, it doesn't matter to me. I don't need to see everything. Chances are, I don't want to see half of the tourist attractions that exist anyways.

I did, however, find what could possibly have been the coolest (for myself, anyways) museum ever. I was walking by when I noticed it, nestled in among other buildings. Plus, the admission was free, so I had to check it out. It was the Museum of Childhood. Yeah, that's right. It was a small museum full of toys. Some of them even went back to the Victorian era. It was one of the awesomest things I have ever seen. I'm glad that I decided to go in today. It made my inner child happy.

After the museum, I made my way to the hills. In the afternoon sun, they looked amazing. It took me about three hours to trek over them – up and down and around. Even though my asthmatic lungs were heaving and my legs were aching, it was more than worth it. The view was amazing.

It was one of those moments I live for. I felt infinite. I felt alive. I felt like I could do anything. There was joy, beauty, peace, hope in that moment. Anything was possible. The world was beautiful. My soul was free. I took a lot, a lot, of photos, but they will never do that sight justice. I'd rather see green rolling hills, miracles of God's creation, than cold hard steel and glass any day. Give me the living, breathing earth over the mechanical monster. That moment was perfect. I want it again.

Dear future husband, If you really want to prove that you love me, bring me to the hills of Scotland, maybe to one of those little duck-filled ponds, set out a blanket and let's have a picnic under the blue sky and sunshine. Propose there, and I won't say no. It would be the most romantic and beautiful thing anyone could ever do for me. Look, see, I've even given you a hint.

Seriously, I'll need to get back to Scotland before the end of my life. I want to see the countryside. I want to lose myself in its beauty. And not just in this country. I want to explore nature all over the world.

I ended my hike by visiting one pond, the ruins of an old church, and then another pond. It stole my heart. I was envious of all the couples who stood outside of the decrepit chapel, overlooking the pond, holding each other. I hoped they understood the depth of the beauty of that moment. I hope she felt amazing in that moment, with the sun and his arms warm on her skin. I hope she felt invincible. I hope she felt like a princess. I hope he appreciated her in that moment. I hope he really saw her. I hope the sun framed her like an angel. I hope they comprehended the beauty before them. I hope it made them fall more in love. I hope it made them think of God.

I'm such a Romantic. Haha. Forget T.S. Eliot, maybe I should be hanging out with Keats.

I had a very late lunch/early supper (since I hadn't eaten yet) at a cafe. It was called the Deacon's House. It was inside of the old workshop of the guildmaster of the craftsman. He was a notorious guy, who used to make copies of the keys of his clients, break into their houses whenever he desired and steal from them. His father had been really respectable, but this guy (William) completely ruined that. He was hanged for his crimes, on gallows that he had designed. Apparently Robert Louis Stevenson wrote a book about him. It was kind of a gross story. I don't see why you'd want it to be what your restaurant is named after.

The food was good though. I had a big ol' glass of milk, a honey roast ham sandwich, and a piece of carrot cake. I sat at the one table that a kilt-looking table cloth. Haha. There was a single red rose in a vase. It made me happy.

As I write this, I am hanging out in the 'posh' lounge. I have just finished Skyping one of my best friends, Becca. Seeing her face made my heart glad. I can't express how great it was to see/hear her laugh. I didn't realize how much it meant to me. Goodness, I miss that beautiful girl. I miss my Canadian friends and my family. Sometimes I miss Canadian landscape. I miss all our trees. I wouldn't trade this opportunity for anything though. I just really wish they could be here with me. I wish I could share these moments with them. I wish they could see and feel this beauty too. Sometimes, being with another person, makes those moments that much more special.

God, I sound like a modernist writer. Maybe that's what I am.

I am glad that I decided to come to Scotland, even if all the others went other places. I'm glad I didn't settle for a place I didn't really want to visit. Sometimes you don't know the strength of what you are made of until you are experiencing things for yourself. Sometimes you don't know how amazing life is until you're stuck in the middle of it.

I'm finding out a lot about myself – things I never would have thought existed in me. I'm realizing a lot about life and what I want out of it. I'm thinking a lot about love and even more about God.

I'm growing; I can feel it. I want to be better than I was when I left Canada. I want to remember that every single breath, every minute of everyday, is beautiful. No matter what is going on.

Maybe I'm over using that word - “beautiful.” I don't think so. It applies to everything I'm saying. Only it fits. I'm applying it to the things that really matter, and only those things.

Life. Love. Laughter. The world. Myself. God. All those things are beautiful.

May every day be better than the last. This is the beginning of the rest of my life. I can feel it.

Cheers, Meg

[englandhereicome]

Spring Break - Edinburgh - Day One

I've already been in Edinburgh for four and a half hours.

Last night was crazy rushed. I've never felt so pressed for time. Thank goodness for Marion who drove me down to the station, or I would have missed my train. After the train, I had to take a bus. The bus left ahead of schedule, so the poor driver wasn't even ready. He was nice though. The last stop went to a train station by the same name as the bus station in London. They were only a block apart but he drove me, which was nice. The MegaBus boarded early and left ahead of schedule, because it was full. Super glad I was able to find the gate and everything easily. Longest bus ride ever. 7 hours. It was uncomfortable. I didn't get much sleep.

Then, somehow, we arrived two hours ahead of schedule, which put me in Edinburgh at 5:30am. I didn't want to wander around in the dark, so I hung out at the station for two hours. Then, as the sun was coming up behind the clouds, I set out to find my hostel. I found it easily enough, which pleases me.

I haven't seen much of Edinburgh yet, but it looks absolutely beautiful. I am so excited to explore it.

I probably won't get to do much today though. I am completely exhausted and I would rather just use the time to chill. It's only 10am and I am ready to go to bed.

Today's Game Plan: --have some brunch at a juice bar -- wander and take photos -- go see a movie in theatres (since I've been cast as Juliet I really want to see "Warm Bodies" which is -very- loosely based on R+J). --come back to the hostel and find a quiet place to phone home

It's weird being in a place alone when all these other people are traveling in groups. I don't mind too much; it's just that I kind of stick out, haha. Wait until they hear the Canadian accent.

The hostel is really relaxed. Hopefully my next four nights here are good.

I will update you as the week progresses.

Cheers, Megan

[englandhereicome]

Day 29 - Not all days can be sunny

Okay, so I need to write something, because this week is piling up and it will take me forever before I get a chance to recap the last ten days. Plus, I just really need the space to rant.

Not everyday can be sunny.

And today it's raining. Absolutely pouring. The wind is biting. The puddles are deepening. It's freezing. I'd almost rather have the dry coldness of Canadian snow than be drenched through.

Rain. Rain. Rain. That's exactly how I am feeling.

I booked it from my house this morning, because I was scared I was going to be late for church. I really hate having to rush every morning. Why can I never be on time? As it turns out, I wasn't late at all, since the service started late.

I won't mention the sermon, because I'm sure she's a nice a lady, but her message wouldn't hold much water. Very flaky.

After church, I hurried to the train station so I could get into Oxford. I probably would have preferred not coming in today, but I have a paper due tomorrow, and the sources I need are here in the Bodleian library, and it is crucial that I get more material for this paper. (You cannot borrow books from the Bod. You can only use them here.)

So, Kim and I get to the station, and guess what - the train is delayed! The one after it was cancelled, so we had to decide whether or not it was worth it to wait in the cold rain (the ticket office is closed and locked on Sundays) or not. I absolutely had to get to the Bod today, so I decided to stay.

Half an hour. The train was half an hour late. There I am standing on the platform, freezing. I wore a dress to church and stuffed some tights into my bag, thinking I would change later because I had to run to catch the train on time. (HA!) I was shivering and shaking, wondering if the train is ever going to come, foolishly trying to block the wind with my broken umbrella (it hasn't stayed open since the day I bought it). I was -this- close to tears. I almost started crying, right there on Platform 1.

This is what I was thinking:

I haven't started my paper yet, because I've been doing research, but none of my sources seem substantial enough. This is an Oxford paper, not a Crandall paper, so what if I can't even do it? It's due tomorrow! Where has all of the time gone? I can't keep track of it. I don't feel like I've wasted it. I don't understand. I'll feel the same way, as I do today, everyday for this next week, because basically I have to write a paper a day. And all I want to do is hide and write poetry or run away to London and audition for theatre productions. I don't want to look back at my time in Oxford (possibly my only chance to travel, ever!) and remember how stressful school was. I want this to be the best time of my life! In the newspaper there's the story of the sexual assault victim who killed herself - what is the bigger picture in life? What about all of these other people on the planet? Where are my priorities? God, that poor woman. And I'm cold and lonely, and I'll be spending all of next week alone, and since I have been at Crandall and made real friends for the first time in my life, each time I'm alone hurts more than it did in high school. And I really like this group of people that I'm with, but I can't be both social and studious, and yet I'm failing at both.

And I'm almost crying, when this young guy next to me looks at me and says, "There's an enclosed spot by the door. You should stand over there. It would help you feel warmer." So he shows me, and I smile. I huddle with my umbrella, because there is no roof, but the walls keep out the wind. So, I'm slightly less cold, and feeling a bit better because of his kindness.

That stranger showed more care for me than most of my guy friends ever have.

When the train finally arrives - 30 minutes later - someone comes to fetch me so that I don't miss it. It was awesome to sit down and feel warmer. [Praise God that I have a house to go home to each night.]

So, I did get to Oxford and finally put on my tights, and made the trek to the library. Almost had a panic attack, because none of the books I needed were to be found, and one of them still bore the pink slip with my name on it, claiming I was using it from yesterday.

I asked a nice girl who works here (it's her first day), and she looked for me. She has a friend, apparently, with the same as me. What are the chances? "A strange name" - she said, which is funny because my first name is Welsh and my last name is Irish, so I wouldn't think that would be a strange combination in the UK.

Thankfully, she found my books. They had been re-shelved incorrectly. I was saved from bawling, once again.

It wasn't so much that she found the books as the fact that she was one of the sweetest people on the planet that helped brighten my mood some.

Now, it's on to reading and writing. I really hope I can get this done. The library closes at 5pm.

I won't think about it, or I'll start crying, because in view of life, this paper means absolutely nothing, and it was my fault for not having more done.

What is the purpose of this post? Well, firstly, I haven't written anything in a while, and I needed to get something out. Secondly, if I only posted about how awesome everything was all of the time, I would be lying. This is my dream, but it is also real life. It's hard.

So, there you have it.

I'll try to recount the past later on, because I'm sure you'd like to know all about London, and my beautiful walk through Oxford parks, and my killer pool shot =P

See you on the other side.

Cheers, Meg

[englandhereicome]

London Here I Come!

So, I am going to London tomorrow! Saturday we get a free day, and this is what I was thinking of doing. That's not all of it, mind you, but I wanted to be somewhat realistic, haha. Yes, I am rather ambitious! I CAN"T WAIT! I need to sleep.

[englandhereicome]

Days 17 & 18 - Reading & Writing

Hello friends!

I can't report anything new and exciting for the last couple of days. We have had a lot of work to do, so mostly I have been spending my time reading. I read painfully slow, so it takes me forever to get through anything.

For tomorrow, I have to read two Shakespearean comedies (because this tutor expected we would have had all three read before class, whereas the last tutor expected us to have finished one play per class, but I digress), give a five minute presentation of a 30-something page article on medieval drama, and be prepared to perform a scene from a medieval play. I figure I can get through the drama performance well enough. I can probably get one of the Shakespeare plays finished tonight. And if I can wake up early enough, I will finish the rest of the article. I'm halfway through it.

Yesterday consisted of the following: train, tutorial (I played a psycho guard that crucified Jesus. Hardest reading to do ever!), lunch, tutorial, search for a place that sells smoothies, Covered Market, meet up with Kira, enter one cafe and then leave, go to the bookstore Blackwells and go to the Nero cafe on the third floor (they have smoothies! Yes!), temptation to buy 3 books for only 2 quid (THAT is an incredibly amazing deal!), go to the Radcliffe Camera, reserve a book for an assignment, go into Gladstone Link (an underground section of the library) and navigate the crazy rolling shelves, try to research, find that it is futile, start reading Merry Wives of Windsor, catch a train, eat a late supper, try to watch the musical film version of Love's Labour's Lost, cannot watch film because laptop screen is acting up and being stupid, just go to sleep because I am utterly exhausted.

Today: wake up late, ready for school, train, Shakespeare tutorial that reminds me how ignorant and under-read I am, lunch, Drama tutorial (we watched videos on Grand Theft Auto and Carl&Ellie's love story from "UP" - talk about random connections to medieval literature!!!), sandwich shop with Johanna (I got a "bacon and cheese puff"), go to train station, meet some guys who had just returned from Afghanistan four hours earlier (thank God for bringing them home, and many thanks to them for their service and courage), train ride, group meeting about our trip to London this weekend, look through London guide and wish I could go everywhere!, work on tomorrow's presentation, walk home, find out that poor Charlie has tonsillitis ='(, write blog.

THOUGHTS FROM MY JUMBLED UP BRAIN:

I can't wait to be in London! I really need to figure out what I am doing for Spring Break! There is so much reading! Why am I here? I need to be in the theatre! Do you think I can become smarter by absorbing the conversations around me? Waiting for my life to begin! I love England! <3 "To be, or not to be..." Why is everything so expensive? If I don't speak, do people think I am English? Do I act like I belong at Oxford University? Jesus, I want to live my life for You! Listening to music on the train makes the ride much more enjoyable. I wonder if I'll make it back in time to do a load of laundry today.

Would you like to read something that I wrote in my journal after hanging out with the lovely Miss Kira at a cafe? (I need to start writing more.) The fragmented style is intentional. It's my current writing trend. This is a kind of stream of consciousness, slightly modernist in feeling. I hope you enjoy. (Tweet or Facebook me your thoughts!)

from Monday, January 28th 2013 at 17:30

Napkins made out of angels' wings, laid on oak tables in smoky cafes. Lipstick marks on dirty glasses. Coffee bricked walls and steaming mugs of cappuccinos made of clay.

The soup you're eating matches her lipstick. The water in my glass reminds me of your eyes. With each sip, I drown, in devotion to your presence. Each spoonful puts her inside of you. I hear her laugh, even from two tables over. What did you say to her? Only charms drip from your princely tongue. Your sweet words fall into her tea, like sugar. Sugar. I am sugar - always present though invisible, licked from the corners of your mouth, of your mind. Sugar, dissolved in water. Water. I can't live without it. Wash myself clean in its embrace. Feel the gentle fall of the rain on my skin. I am sugar, melting under each drop. Sugar. Too much of it can kill you.

[englandhereicome]

Days 14, 15 & 16 – Pubs, Oxford, and LOTS of Drama & Theatre <3

Even though I haven't actually done too terribly much during the last three days, I feel like my thoughts have been in overdrive.

Day 14 – Friday morning – drama practicum We had our first drama practicum and got to meet our instructor, Glenna. I am so excited to work with her and the gang to create a Shakespeare montage. We all sat in a circle and took turns reading different characters from different readings. She was getting a feel for our voices. My acting career is still quite young, and I have little experience, and I have never acted Shakespeare in my life. We'll see how it goes though. We are doing auditions two weeks from now (since we are in London next weekend). It'll basically just be doing some cold-readings. I'm both relieved and slightly disappointed that I do not have to prepare anything.

Noon – co-op lunch The group on co-op lunch duty this week made tacos. It was delicious!

Afternoon – went into Oxford I went into Oxford after lunch (Becky, Kim, Emily, and I had to run to catch the train, or we would have had to wait another hour! I hope this isn't becoming a regular habit of mine, haha). I spent the afternoon reading in the library. Here's something I think is strange: the library charges you money to borrow movies and to reserve books! They don't do that in Canada. I don't want to rent a movie. I want to borrow it from a government-funded facility. Although, I doubt I'll have much time to watch movies.

Dinner – Eagle & Child I met up with the gang at the Bird and Baby pub. There were quite a few people in there, so the queue to order food was rather long. Twelve of us were there, so we had to push together a couple of tables and try to squeeze ourselves in around them. It was really a rather lovely meal. (I purchased nachos and a brownie. The brownie was AMAZING! Oh my, so good!)

7pm –Hamlet at the Old Fire Station After supper, our group went to see Hamlet at the Old Fire Station. We got seats in the second and third rows on the left hand side of the stage (our left, not the actors' left). I had never seen Shakespeare performed lived, so I was really excited. We weren't seeing the play merely for pleasure though. We have an assignment due tomorrow (a critical review on the production), so I was taking notes like crazy. It's amazing what you can notice and appreciate if you pay attention. Unfortunately, I did have some criticisms, but it was a good production. The acting was very good, especially the actors playing Hamlet and Polonius. Oh, and Ophelia in the acts after intermission. She was breath-taking! It was set in the 1920's, which was interesting, and I think the costumes were brilliantly done. The dynamic between Horatio and Hamlet was probably my favourite part. They were very brotherly. It was super cute! <3

What really sucks, is that they play was more than three hours long (including intermission), but we couldn't stay for the entire thing because we had to catch a train. The last one left at 10:53, and we had to walk to the station from the theatre, so we left about fifteen minutes before that. We had to leave right in the middle of a scene change! It was probably the rudest thing we could have done, but if we didn't catch that train then we wouldn't have gotten home. Still, I felt terrible, and I was absolutely devastated. I can't even describe to you how disappointed I was. I was so close to crying. (The fact that it was raining made the moment very surreal). We were missing all of the end scenes (after Ophelia's death). I love theatre so much! It broke my heart to have to miss those scenes. It would also seem like a huge insult to the actors and director. The show was good; we just really did have to leave. However, I was not about to leave it at that: I decided that I was going to go see the matinee on Saturday.

11pm - pub I went to one of the local pubs with a couple of the guys and ladies. I didn't drink. I just wanted to hang out and be with people. I was too disappointed to leave the night off on such a note as walking out on a production. Totally not how I wanted my night to end. So, we are hanging out and at one point the conversation moved to the topic of smoking, and suddenly I'm thinking of my dad and everything that went on with his operations (I won't go into detail here. Anyone who knows me, knows what I am talking about and how hard it was at the time). I couldn't stay after that. The waterworks were starting. I had to leave. AM is a sweetheart; she walked me home. I laid awake in bed for a long time, but then I was just so exhausted that I had to sleep.

Day 15 – Saturday

morning – bit of a lie-in & getting ready to go into Oxford

noon – Oxford Caught the train into Oxford. Made it to the station and was able to purchase my ticket with a WHOLE minute to spare before the train arrived. If I would have missed it, I would have had to wait another two hours for another one! That would put me in Oxford only twenty minutes before the matinee started! On the train, I noticed that my new Oxford bag had a huge rip down the side. Almost the entire seam had come unstitched! Terrible quality. I must have looked like an idiot all day, since I had my hand over the hole, clutching the two sides closed so that none of my stuff fell out.

12:30pm – 2pm – went to the mall and bought a cheap dress for church (tried on a bunch!) Apparently, in the UK I am a size 8. They have so many more fashions than North American stores do. Yet few of them look good on me, haha.

2pm – desperate search for a place that sells safety pins The hole in my bag was getting much worse, so I decided to try and find somewhere that sold safety pins. No one did! It was so frustrating! After a while, I just had to give up because it was getting late. I had wanted to be at the theatre at 2pm to get a good seat. I didn't arrive until 2:20pm.

Afternoon – more Hamlet So I finally make it to the theatre and have to stand in the queue to purchase a ticket (which was a decent price. About $16 or $17 Canadian). The lady at the table was the same one from the night before, who Kim and I had checked in with. She remembered me =) I was able to retrieve Matt's hat, and then I began the tedious search for a seat. I didn't want to sit on the sides, because half of the time the actors were blocking each other. I wanted to sit in the middle, but the only seat was right next to the usher, in the back. I took it anyways and ended up next to a friend of the actress playing Ophelia.

A different seat can really change your perspective of a play! The actors were wonderful – again. Ophelia stepped up her game in her big scene. Hamlet's facial expressions were perfection. And he and Polonius were marvellous at making all of their lines seem fresh. I hated being as far back as I was though, because I felt like I wasn't able to connect with actors as much as I did Friday night. I am really glad that I decided to go see it a second time!

I didn't take notes that time. I just wanted to enjoy it. AND I got to see the ending!!! YAY! The fencing was pretty good, although it did look kind of staged. Some of the deaths were cheesy. Oh, but Hamlet and Horatio! <3 They were side-by-side most of the ending, and when Hamlet died I could have cried! It was so good! Horatio helped Hamlet to a chair and held his friend's hand as he died. After he spoke with Fortinbras, he went back to his friend's body and took his hand again. The Prince of Norway fired off a few shots in remembrance of Hamlet, and with each shot Horatio trembled and jumped, like he was being shot. It was heart-breaking! So good!

The curtain-call looked terribly unorganized and chaotic, but I was willing to let that slide because I had enjoyed the performance. =P

After the show, I went to the train station. My thoughts were racing with ideas that I could put into my review. As I travelled home, I was expecting to feel satisfied, fulfilled, but I wasn't. For my fellow actors who get into theatre as much as I do, you will understand this next part. I felt like I tend to after I finish a show. I felt empty. After you spend months working on a character and production, after investing everything you are into performances, when they end you tend to feel a little lost. You put all this work and passion, so much of yourself, into creating something, and then it's over. Just like that. Poof. Done. That was how I felt after Hamlet. I wasn't even acting in it! I just felt like there should be more.

I can't even explain to you how much theatre means to me. Writing and acting are my life. Yeah, I get discouraged sometimes, but I can also be incredibly excited, encouraged, and moved by them both. They add this dimension of passion, art, and imagination to my life. They colour it with beauty. They help me to see the world differently. More than ever, I know that writing and acting are what I want to devote me ENTIRE life to.

8:30pm – pub with the gang When I got back, I had supper and got ready to go down to the pub. (Side note: I was flipping through channels on the telly, and I found Franklin. I was expecting to hear the familiar voices from my childhood come floating towards me, but NO! They had re-dubbed all of the voice acting so that all the characters had UK accents. Here I was, looking for this little piece of home, and it wasn't even there!) I had to put the dogs into the back room before I left. Bonnie, Lil, and Willow listened to me right away, but it took me forever to convince Ebony to go in!

The pub was PACKED, absolutely full, because Beer Fest is going on. I wasn't at all interested in beer. I just wanted to be social and hang around with people. There was live music too, which was awesome. It was this blues duo. There were so many people, you had to push your way through to get anywhere. Had some nice conversations. Loved the friendly atmosphere. This one guy had brought his little dog, and she was so sweet. He let me help train her, but making her do tricks for hamburger, haha.

I was in bed before 1am.

Day 16 – Sunday

morning – church service at the Methodist Church

afternoon – sit down to write review So, I finally sat down to write my review, but it was really discouraging. I had all these ideas, and I was totally excited about seeing the play live, but having to do the review as an assignment (due tomorrow morning!) cheapens any excitement I had. It makes the experience seem hollow and ordinary. I don't want to write assignments (that are barely worth anything) on theatre productions. I want to be out being IN productions!

So, I procrastinated. I started looking up drama schools and auditions in the area. (It's funny, but all the open auditions around here seem to want women who have UK accents. Go figure, eh? Haha.) Theatre means so much to me, so when I wrote my status as “'How are you feeling, Megan?' Facebook asks. Well, I would like to quit school and live in the theatre. Thanks for asking.” I was only mostly kidding. (By the way, as of my writing this, 17 have supported my proposal to quit school!) Going back to university in Canada is going to be super hard! I went through something like this last year (ask my podmates, sweet ladies), but now that I am here in England, these thoughts have intensified. Why on earth do I need to write my Honours Thesis? I'm writing it on Anne of Green Gables! How will that ever be relevant to my future? I have to wait another year before I can start doing what I really want to. What do I want to do? Write. I want to write beauty. I want it to be published, so everyone else can see their world in different ways too. I want to travel. I want to see, experience, live. I want to act. I want to create. I want to become someone other than myself. I want to connect to audiences and move them. I want to see what the world, what life has to offer.

I will never, ever be content with an office job. I'd be restless. Maybe no one anywhere ever has had a life that was extraordinary every day. That would probably be exhausting. But I don't want to resign myself to the idea that I'll never have amazing, strange, and wonderful things in my life. I have a lot of big, huge, immense dreams! I'm willing to work for them. I'd just like to know that my work won't be in vain.

I've worked myself into a passion! How will I ever write this review now?! (Charlie coming in every once in a while doesn't help matters any either!)

“To be, or not to be: that is the question.”

My context is much different than Hamlet's (thank, Jesus!), but if answer to my own life's question, the answer is “to be.”

(I will add in photos later. But, for now, I need food in my belly!)

~Cheers!

[englandhereicome]

Day Thirteen - Almost Missed Trains, More Shops, More Pubs, More Exploration

I decided to vlog today instead of writing it all out. I took the video on my webcam, so I apologize for the atrocious audio and visual quality.

If you think I ramble when I write, wait until you hear me speak in the moment, haha.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy my little blurb about my day =)

~Cheers~

[englandhereicome]

Day 12 - Shops, Film Sets, and Friendly Strangers

Today was a good day. It wasn't a usual kind of day for me, but it was perfect all the same.

Wednesday mornings are chapel days, down at the church at 9:15am sharp. These are led by a wonderful lady by the name of Pippa. Today we were talking about worship, and in typical Crandall student style, I said “Worship isn't just praise. It is a lifestyle.” Pippa had Justine read Romans 12:1-2 from the Message. While I don't always agree with the translation, the words really convicted me.

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”

Since I have gotten to England, I feel like I have started to become more intimate with the world than I would like. Yes, I want to seize the day, but I also don't want to forget that it was God who gave me these dreams, and He is the One who has opened numerous doors so that I could be here, in this moment, living what I've always dreamed about. Don't get me wrong – I'm not being wild and stupid, but what I am doing is neglecting my spiritual life, forgetting about God, and ignoring the disciplines that I learned last semester. At home, I said that I was going to spend this time (which is a blessing to me!) blessing others. I want to be reaching out in His love and grace, and I want to be touching the lives of people around me.

With prayers such as this one tumbling around in my head, and with this conviction strong in my heart, I suppose some of the little events of today were not strange after all.

After arriving by train I hit up a couple of shops and an ATM. I looked in a few different stores, but all I bought were a couple of souvenirs for my dad and grandparents in the Oxford Collection and some more postcards from the Works.(This lady in the mall tried to convince me to purchase a hand lotion and nail care set for £30, which it was NOT worth. She was very charming and personable. I'm sure that helps her make money.) Right next to the mall I was in is the Oxford Central Library. Now, for anyone who knows me, you know how much I love a) books, especially novels and fiction, b)libraries, and c) being able to actually borrow books and take them home. So, of course, the only logical thing for me to do was register at the library and get a library card. YAY! Check it! I can now borrow from any Oxfordshire library. It makes my life. My Bod Card is awesome, because it lets me in to just about everywhere, but this library card lets me use a large number of books and films for my own leisure (though I doubt I will have much time to read or watch movies for fun!). Isn't it beautiful?! [Insert contented sigh.] I think I now own six or seven different library cards – something like that.

In yesterday's post, I said that I tended to eat lunch alone and not talk to anyone. Well, today I decided to change my routine and sit with some folks from the programme. However, I didn't speak with them much, because I talked a great deal with Beth. Beth is a very sweet, lovely, graduate from Wyoming who is studying Christian ethics and wants to become a community developer. She was super nice, and we talked some about religion and missions and whatnot. I really enjoyed talking to her.

Now, you may be wondering about the second item in this title - “film sets.” Let me explain this. The BBC show, Endeavour, follows Detective Constable Endeavour Morse as he solves crimes in the 1960's. Well, today they were filming a scene for their new series ('series' is used for the American term 'season,' for anyone who didn't know). They were filming a scene in which one of the title characters goes into a nightclub. So, they needed an entrance to said swanky 60's nightclub, and they used a door at the college where I am studying! How cool is that?! After lunch and before class, I went outside to check out how they had decorated the door for the scene, and I had a nice conversation with a crewman. He was very nice, and he let me stand there awkwardly and take photos, haha. Mostly, we talked about the cold and made jokes about Canadian weather. Then I went inside the college, and wanting to be a bit bolder, I struck up a conversation with some women on the crew – two of the hair and makeup stylists and an assistant director. They were really nice. I asked about filming and what they did. We talked about the weather and how it was ruining the actors' makeup. I complimented one of the stylists on her own makeup – she was a gorgeous lady!

I would have liked to have kept talking, but I didn't know what else to say and I had to get to class. So I encouraged them (because backstage people don't get the appreciation that they deserve, when they do SO much work. Seriously, the crew took hours to set up and work hard to make each shot absolutely perfect!) and wished them luck. I hope that, maybe, they'll look over their day tonight and be encouraged by the young girl with the strange accent.

My next encounter came after class. Because I love all things theatre/film, I just HAD to go back to the set. This time when I went, they were filming. It was a short scene, but they had to do several takes (though I left before they had finished). It was so cool to see! When the director yelled action, the whole set went quiet. Since they didn't block off the side street where the door is, crewmen had to keep out traffic and people and let them pass between takes. The photographer was snapping photos. The cameraman and sound-guy followed the actor from his car to the “nightclub” door. More crewmen were shielding the camera from the snow that was coming down. It was magical.

It was an especially special moment for me, because my classes (being the History of Drama and Shakespeare) tend to discourage me, and I've really been wondering what I want to do with the rest of my life. Even though I haven't even been here two weeks yet, I have seriously been considering doing my Masters here, in either theatre or creative writing. I may not be the best actor or writer, but I am passionate about both. I get so much excitement out of them. Seeing the filming reminded me of how magical it is to create something. It never ceases to amaze me how wondrous it is to be a part of creating something like that, of connecting with an audience, of pouring out your entire soul on stage and working with other talented people, who love what they do.

Anyway, so there I am standing on the sidewalk, totally amazed, when this girl walks up to me and asks me what is going on. She had been in the college library all day but wanted to check out what was going on. I told her what little I knew, and she said that watching the crew film actually made her a little homesick because she is from LA, and she was used to people filming movies and shows around her. (Even at undergraduate graduation!) She is a masters student, working on studies in archaeology. She made the comment, “Too bad they weren't filming Sherlock,” and immediately I'm like, “YES!” because that was exactly what I was thinking! Then we started talking about the show and properly introduced ourselves. Her name is Cynthia, and she gave me her last name so that I could find her on Facebook. I may add her. It would be nice to have a friend in Oxford. How cool is the situation though? The one day I really start interacting with people is the day that God convicts me, and I also happen to meet this girl through a mutual love of British telly and Sherlock!!

After we parted, I bought Carl a coffee. I see Carl quite often in Oxford. Usually I'll see him reading or having a smoke. He is a nice guy. We've had only one real conversation, and he told me about his Catholic beliefs and that he was an ex-alcoholic and how his dog had been stolen from him. Carl seems like a genuine guy, one who really is trying hard. Carl is homeless.

My wording there was quite deliberate. Immediately, your thoughts shifted when I told you that he was homeless. Maybe you're picturing this dirty, destitute, conniving guy wrapped up in a sleeping bag huddled in a doorway. Maybe you're imagining a con artist who is able to quilt trip people into parting with spare change. Maybe you think that he'll probably spend it on booze or something else. But, I will tell you what, I don't think he is like that. If his geniality and friendliness are an act, then he is a good actor - better than I could ever hope to be. At different times, I have seen people stop and talk to him. They enjoy having conversations with him. Plus, I don't care if he is a liar or not. He is still a man. He is a man who, whatever his past, has found himself in a place of struggling. He is a man that God loves and cares for. He was formed and given life by the Alpha and Omega, the Creator of the Universe! Jesus loves Carl so much He died for him! He is a beautiful man. I want to love Carl like Jesus loves him, whether that is a few pence change or a cup of coffee or a “Good Morning, Carl.” In our society, we are constantly letting people fall through the cracks. We are allowing them to be lost, forgotten, and then when they hit the bottom, there is no one there to reach out and help them up. God sees those people though. God loves those people. May God bless them. May He inspire His people to be moving and loving, to be blessings to them. God bless Carl.

The rest of my evening consisted of buying groceries and being visited by Charlie. I am, seriously, not a grown up. I bought myself sugary cereal and canned raspberries and Pringles crisps. Living in an apartment will be an adventure, haha.

Charlie likes to bring me little gifts and deliveries. This is quite a constant thing now. He always wants to show me things or give me things. We read another chapter from Optimus Leads the Way and played with stuffed dogs. Whenever I am home, he is always up past his bedtime. He's a great kid. I just wish I could convince him to go to bed earlier and that, sometimes, I really do have to do homework. Haha.

Last class with my tutor, Edwina, tomorrow =( I'm gonna miss her cute, intelligent, funny person.

Cheers!

[englandhereicome]

Day Eleven - Libraries, Trains, and Pubs

Today was the typical day for an Oxford student, I dare say. After stopping at the post office and mailing out my postcards, our group took the 10am train into Oxford and made our way to class.

I had actually read all of today's play, Henry V, but I didn't contribute much to the discussion. I will be SO glad when we have moved on from Shakespeare's histories. They're good, but I don't follow the speeches or characters as well as I could. But I have to give the man his dues. The playwright certainly knows how to shove a lot of meaning, symbolism, and life questions into one scene.

Lunch in the college cafeteria followed this. Nothing new. While I took David's advice on sitting amidst the students, I am always too shy to say anything. So, usually, I just eat my lunches quietly and alone. (It's like Crandall - in a dining hall that small, you can tell when someone is new.) I don't mind all that much though. I feel like it helps me to immerse myself in the culture. I listen to these (sometimes incredible, mostly interesting, at times shallow and superior) conversations that happen all around me. It helps me see into the everyday lives of these students! I get to absorb their mannerisms and accents and ways of speaking. Plus, if I don't say anything, they don't know that I am not from the UK, haha.

I checked out a few shops selling Oxford merch - all of which were rather pricey. I just need to find the cheapest one.

Spent my afternoon in the Radcliffe Camera again. Read almost all of Richard III, which (I swear!) I will finish after this post. Man, does Shakespeare know how to write characters who are complete vicious, asinine cads! I give credit to the writer who can cause me to hate fictional characters so passionately! I am actually very excited to see an upcoming production of it.

I think the Radcliffe Camera is my new favourite place. It's beautiful. It's quiet. It is an incredible library. It's in England. Yes, it is definitely the place for me.

After studying, Kira and I hit up the Eagle and Child (also called the Bird and the Babe) pub. I'm sure that I do not need to express to my fellow literary nerds the significance of this pub. Famed and beloved writers J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis were known to spend many evenings there, discussing and bantering, with their literary discussion group, the Inklings. I may take my journal in there with me some days and just sit there, writing and thinking, with a cold drink and a brownie in front of me. Already I love it in there. The atmosphere was great! The staff were friendly and efficient! The music was nice. The food was good. The decor and random assortment of memorabilia Tolkien & Lewis related was perfect. I had fish and chips for the first time since I've arrived in the UK. It was superb. My strawberry & lime cyder was good. I wasn't sure if I'd like that combination or not, but it was enjoyable.

We were going to stay for dessert, but we decided to skip it (which may or may not have disappointed the nice waiter =P) and catch the train home. Good thing we did too! During the walk to the station the snow was gently falling, but by the time we reached Charlbury it was really coming down heavy.

Well, I have had my short muffin/blog break. Now I must return to my readings! Although, Charlie and I did read another chapter from Optimus Leads the Way! Do you think that counts?

Cheers!

[englandhereicome]

Day Ten - Greek Tragedy & Radcliffe

I need to get into the habit of at least writing up little blurbs about each day. I want to remember each and every moment.

Today was the last day that we had tutor (and almost doctor) Helen Slaney for History of Drama. She was our classics teacher, and she was absolutely awesome. She was incredibly bubbly and bouncy, passionate and intelligent. In the four classes that I had her, I learned so much from her, and I definitely appreciate Greek theatre more. She is one of those people who makes you excited to learn something. And I loved seeing her light up whenever she talked about classical theatre. Today, Helen did something majorly awesome: she recited a monologue from a Greek tragedy, from memory!!

I'm going to miss learning from Helen (who, by the way, told me she has been studying Greek for 8 years and that she is fluent in Latin!).

My afternoon was spent at the beautiful Radcliffe Camera. I went to the top floor, walking carefully up spiraling staircases and past dedicated students. The architecture is amazing. I just wanted to sit there and stare at the ceiling, but - sadly - I had reading to do. Still, it was an incredible and beautiful place to work. (Although, on a side note, I think I need glasses, since I can't focus completely on objects further away from me - which sucks because it means I am not seeing all the buildings as perfectly as I could). I spent more than two and a half hours in there. I didn't even move from my chair. I finished all ofHenry V,since Hurricane Charlie kept me from doing it yesterday.

Dear Girl Who's Attached to Her Mobile and Baby-faced Guy, I understand that you two are completely and irresistibly in love, but I came to the Radcliffe Camera to study, and I would prefer if - every two seconds - I did not have to listen to your giggles and whispers, watch you be lovey-dovey, and witness you kissing. Yes, you must be a cute couple, especially outside of school, I am sure. But please, please, do not distract me from Shakespeare. The library is not a place for such things. This is not an upper middle-class Victorian novel. There are many lovely pubs, theatres, and other establishments you may like. With that said, may you two find unbelievable bliss together. Sincerely, an overwhelmed international student

One train ride and a midterm travel meeting later (I still have no idea where to go), I came home this evening past Charlie's bedtime, but I was warmly greeted by all four dogs (Bonnie sat in my lap with her head pressed against my chest <3), even Ebbie! Sandy and I watched an episode of Corrie together. That was a time, haha. Charlie came downstairs and duly informed me that he was still awake because he was drawing me a picture. =) Bless his heart! This one was of people on a ship.

Then I went up to my room and wrote up some postcards.

Bed time now!

Cheers!

[englandhereicome]

When A Place Starts to Feel Like Home

Okay, here it is – finally. The title captures the essence of what this post is going to be about, in a nutshell. Before I left, my friends and family kept telling me that they just knew I was going to fall in love with England. For some of them, it was based on their own past experiences here. Others claimed this because they know who I am, and from what they knew of the country, it was sure to be a place I could love. For some, like my dear mother who is scared that I'll forsake Canada and move here, my falling in love with this country is simply inevitable – there is no possible alternative. I don't know, maybe there is a part deep within my heart that is undeniably English. It was widely anticipated, it seems, that I would love it here. Well, points for anyone who claimed such a thing, because you were right: I do love it here. It is only day nine, and I am pretty sure that I love this place.

So, if you will be able to excuse me, this post is going to be incredibly sentimental and a little bit sappy. England isn't some big, intimidating place where it is made painfully aware to me that I am a foreigner, an outsider. England feels like home.

The thing is, what really makes this place home is the people.

I think I am just going to quit school and become a professional bedtime story reader. It has been a long time since I have lived with children. Other than camp (which I am not sure counts) the last time I have lived with a seven-year-old was when my sister was that age, and I was only ten at the time. I wasn't sure if I would be able to handle it (even though I love working with kids), especially when it was a little boy. I had no cause to worry though. I love the son of my host family – Charlie. He is darling. When I arrived a week ago, this blond haired boy with an accent, peeked out from behind his daddy and wouldn't say two words to me. How quickly that changed! That second evening, as I began to settle in, it wasn't long before Charlie and I were fast friends. By then we had already played dinky cars and Transformers and watched the movie “Real Steel.” He even drew me a picture of a robot. Anything car or Transformer related is his favourite thing to play with me, and he likes to share his stickers. I have one on my camera now, and he put one on my door. He is a bright and funny kid, absolutely adorable. Sometimes the things he says honestly just blow me away. He is a talented football (soccer) player, and he had actually won an award the Saturday I arrived. He really likes movies and land-rovers. He is also really proud of the snowman he and his daddy built.

Last week, I saw my host family less than I would have liked (and I have so much work that I feel like sometimes I am blowing them off). Yet, Charlie and I seem to be becoming closer buds everyday. Today was an especially good day with him.

Because I am me, I am already starting to fall behind in the readings. I had told myself that I was going to sit down this evening after the progressive lunch and read all of Henry V – it had to be done. My hosts had a couple of visitors, so I retreated to my room and opened up my copy of Shakespeare's complete works. That was when I heard footsteps on the stairs and a knock at my door. Yesterday, Charlie and I had looked at photos of Transformer toys, C4s and Camel Trophies, trains, and dogs on the Internet from my laptop, and we had traced the outline of one of my dogs onto a sheet of paper. He was looking for said traced drawing of my dog (whom I really miss!) so that he could colour it. This led to (you can guess it) him wanting to go on Google again and look at images. I suggested that we not – I waste enough time on the Internet, can you imagine the endless things a seven-year-old would find to look at?! - but that he could look at photos of my beagle, since he wanted to colour him just right. This led to more pieces of paper being placed on my screen, with a sharpened pencil pressed against it, tracing the shape of my beautiful dog. (The other day Charlie asked me, quite seriously, why I hadn't brought my dog with me from Canada. It was precious). At that point, my intentions to read and be a good student were still in tact. I repeated, not a few times, “Charlie, I really need to do some homework,” but you can bet how much he listened to that. Finally, he left my room, only to appear with a 'special delivery' wrapped in white paper. It was a VHS tape of the movie “Gone in 60 Seconds” which he had mentioned earlier, reiterating enthusiastically that it was crucial that I watch that movie. This “delivery” was followed by several others, all of which turned out to be items he wanted me to see. These included VHS tapes of “Top Gun” and “Days of Thunder,” his most recent football trophy, a pencil with four different coloured leads combined into one, a giant (the thing is like three feet long, not counting the tail!) plush puma, and a net (which, ignorant me, I assumed was for catching butterflies. I was duly corrected, however, and assured that it was actually for catching fish, and that he had in fact received it from a 12 year old chap at a lake. Although, I do recall using those nets to catch frogs, but they'd never hold a fish of any decent size). The arrival of the net and pencil introduced a game of “catch the pencil in the net” and Shakespeare being completely forsaken. Somehow, among my silliness and his energy and hyperness, we started trying to catch each other. At one point, there was some karate (on his part) and huddling into a ball (on my part). Next was a game of catch, which transpired on the hallway carpet. We took turns being goalie in my doorway, while the other had to roll the ball and try to get it passed the other person. A necessary tip: carpet severely hinders one's aim. We also did the traditional rolling it back and forth to each other, although most of the rolling of the ball came from me, while he hurled it. It went down the stairs more than once...and possibly more than ten times,. We had to close the other bedroom doors and the bathroom doors, for fear of destruction. In an attempt to keep the ball from going down stairs, we retrieved Mr. Puma and attempted to use him as a barrier. It didn't work. Charlie was all for tying its tail to the handle of the bathroom door. In response, I merely did what anyone else would: I hugged the giant plushie around the neck, refusing to let go, and cried – quite dramatically - “NO! You can't do that! Poor kitty! Not the kitty!”

Hence, the wrestling ensued, and there was more fighting over stuffed animals. There was a lot of running, “sneaking,” and hiding under my bed. Quite a wonderful (and tiring!) game in all. He was laughing his head off and shrieking. I was doing my best to keep up. Most hilarious part: at one point, refusing to budge from my spot, he was trying to push me and declaring “Stupid woman.” What a kid! Haha.

After his bath, we played with his Lego helicopter (anytime we play with any toy form of transport, there is always a lot of my theatrical yelling and explosions involved) and played a sort-of hide-and-seek in which he always hid behind the couch and I never moved from my seat on it. I had tea with them (which they almost always invite me to join, although they aren't required to) and then came upstairs to read Charlie a book on Optimus Prime. He quickly became bored with this, and wanted to show me five thousand things, but I told him I was going to go to bed, so he settled on drawing me some photos of the inside of his daddy's lorrie, which he slipped under my door. I can see them from my bed as I write this =) I also found a tiny McDonald’s Happy Meal Smurf tucked into my blankets, because Charlie is convinced that I need a stuffie to sleep with <3

He is such a sweetie. I probably won't get a lot of work done before his bedtime, but I'm not sure I care. I'll do it in Oxford, or on the train, or later during the night. Moments like this evening are what matter. They are what I'll really remember, what he'll remember, when the programme is finished. I probably won't remember much about Henry V by the summer. Charlie, on the other hand, I want to remember for the rest of my life.

His parents are also a huge reason as to why this place feels like home. They are wonderful people. It may be their first time hosting an international student, but they are naturals at it. I feel welcome here. Even more, I feel like part of the family. They have made sure that I have everything I need. Sandy leaves me clean towels, and she moved a tiny garbage bin and hamper bag into my room, to make sure I had them. She works at one of the local pubs, and when I had my first pub night with the gang, she took care of me, worrying about me like I was one of her own girls, and making my food for me. (She knows how picky I am and how I eat like a bird.) She is so sweet and funny. She likes Twilight and collects Winnie the Pooh characters (like you'd see them in Milne's books). She has a great sense of humour. Just by being with her, I can see how much she loves and takes care of her family and house. When she uses endearing terms like “love” and “sweetie” I feel like she actually means them. She's the kind of person you could have a girly conversation with. She is both a mother and friend figure, and I feel so blessed to have been placed in her home. She remembers little details about me.

Chris, Sandy's husband, is a good guy. He is the teasing sort, absolutely hilarious. He has been teasing me since day one, and that fact has been a significant factor in helping me settle in. He makes me feel welcomed. He is also serious and intelligent, and I love listening to his conversations. There are so many ideas and stories in his head. He works really hard at his job – you can see how dedicated he is. Yet, he always finds time for his family. He truly loves his four dogs. He gets up at 4am and takes them for a run in the fields. All four of them are constantly following him around and jockeying to see who can get the position closest to him. Often, he narrates what is going on in their little doggie brains, which is amusing because of how entirely accurate he is. He has a lot of pride in his homeland and heritage, which is awesome to see.

They treat me as though they have known me forever, and lately I have received several playful “We like you. You can stay”'s.

The four dogs – Ebony (lurcher, 12), Bonnie (springer spaniel, 6), Lily (springer, 4), and Willow (chocolate lab, 1) – make my life. They are so cute and funny. They have very distinct personalities. Ebony, the poor old girl, just wants to lie around. She wants a life of peace and quiet, but the other three make that a little harder than she'd like. When I have her in the living room with me, she looks out of the big window, watching eagerly for Chris to return. She does everything in her own time. She will let you pat her when she wants affection, or she will completely ignore you and walk away when she wants quiet. She is very well-behaved. (Nine years ago, she was even a part of Chris and Sandy's wedding! She was in the church with them. I saw the photos).

Bonnie is precious. She is a beautiful, beautiful dog. She is the most loving and affectionate dog I have ever met. She is always pressed up against my leg or sitting at my feet. She is incredibly sweet. She's also not all there, haha. Sometimes she doesn't seem like she knows what's happening and she stares at you blankly. One day I had makeup on, and she didn't know who I was. The other day it was my jacket that confused her. When she realizes who I am, she's right in my lap once again. She is such a chicken, scared of her own shadow. Chris has deemed her the little peace-maker. She is friends with all of the other girls. She is really the only one who plays with and pays attention to Willow, and she is sweet to Lily and Ebony.

Lily is also beautiful. She is an independent, free-spirit if ever I saw one. She always has a toy in her mouth (though she never plays with it) for the sole reason that she doesn't want one of the others to have it. If she has it, then nothing is going to take it from her. Like Ebony, she only wants to be petted when she chooses, though she is a lot more affectionate to me than Eb. Despite her strong-will, she really is very loving, especially lately. She'll follow me and greet me when I enter. She sits beside me on the sofa and wants her belly rubbed.

Finally there's Willow. She is a character. She still acts like a puppy. She also seems to think she is smaller than she actually is. She is super loving, and she likes to jump on me and try licking me to death. She loves playing and always seems to be in search of a toy, which doesn't work with Lily around. Sometimes she just gives up and wrestles with Bonnie. I've never seen such a joyful dog, even when neglected by Lily and Ebony. She keeps trying to steal my mittens, and she grabbed my scarf in her mouth and tried stealing it, WHILE I WAS STILL WEARING IT. Haha. She's so funny. She's a good dog. They are all incredibly good dogs.

There is nothing like having these four greet me in the morning or when I get home in the evening. How can a person not feel loved when there is a dog around? I need to buy myself a springer spaniel puppy. No lie. I love the breed now.

So it doesn't describe what I have done the last week or what I will do. It hasn't told you much of anything really, expect that I am with an awesome host family who take good care of me. I hope that I can bless them as much as they are already blessing me. If this country is starting to feel like home, it is because they are making a home for me.

Until next time,

Cheers!

[englandhereicome]

A Few Observations?

Though I have only been in the UK for six days, I am beginning to pick up on a few things.

Firstly, while brands in Canada and UK can be exactly the same, they have completely different names. For example, in Canada we have the breakfast cereal "Frosted Flakes" but in the UK they call them "Frosties." We have Lay's potato chips, and they have Walker's crisps. Yet the logos (including Tony the Tiger!) are the same.

Secondly, here are some terms that you pick up relatively quickly: North American Term                                 British Term sneakers                                                 trainers cellphone                                                mobile flashlight                                                 torch professor                                                 tutor semester                                                 term guys                                                       chaps/lads rubber boots                                             wellies fries                                                        chips chips                                                       crisps bathroom                                                 loo/the toilet bar                                                         pub ('public house') TV                                                          telly dessert                                                    pudding stove/oven                                               cooker soccer                                                     football

A pound (ie, a dollar) is also called a quid. A cent is a pence. And the word "coach" is often applied to mean "buses."

Thirdly, I have noted some general characteristics among people in the UK: they tend to be well-dressed, intelligent, busy, less boisterous, and (about 75% of the time, usually depending on where you go) friendly and helpful. They also seem to be quite fond of their pubs.

Fourthly, they are NOT prepared for snow. No corporate plows or side-walk cleaners. They do not even have winter tires. They don't often get snow in the UK (though it has already snowed twice since I arrived!). Without proper clearing methods, the whole country literally grinds to a stop. It's quite interesting, slightly funny, and a bit dangerous with traffic.

Also, while I may be smart in Canada and relatively good at Jeopardy, I am rather ignorant here. My goodness, everyone is very knowledgeable! It blows me away.

More later!

~Cheers~

[englandhereicome]

Okay, I swear that sometime this weekend I am going to sit down and give a detailed account of what is going on in my life. I can't believe how busy the term is already.

But I thought that I would leave you with this picture of the Radcliffe Camera. I will get to study in THERE during the next three months.

Did you know that the Bodleian library owns more than 12 million books, which are stored in several different locations! Isn't that crazy? With my "Bod card" I can get into any college in Oxford and get access to whatever books I want.

I LOVE Oxford <3

[englandhereicome]

Here I Am!

Is it possible to already be falling in love with a place you have only been in for two days?

Well, I'd say that I absolutely am! It may not be what I was expecting, but Charlbury is awesome. Everyone is really working to make us feel at home here, and part of me already does.

We were blessed with sun today (which can be rare, especially with the weather here as of late). We had a lovely tour of Charlbury after church. (The sermon, by the way, was phenomenal: challenging and uplifting, and not flaky.) It's quite cold here, and I definitely need to buy some boots. My trainers (aka sneakers, tehe) aren't fit for these temperatures and rainfall.

We had a nice little lunch with the congregation and our host families. Then we had orientation.

We were overloaded today with information about the program. It's a very good thing I took notes, or I would never be able to remember it all! We also got a bag full of our texts - 18 books! 18! For four classes!

Tomorrow we go into Oxford on the train! I am WAY excited! I cannot wait until I get my Bodleian library card!

Well, that was rather short and sweet, but it's getting late, and I need to get up kind of early tomorrow. Jet lag seems to be wearing off already (I never did really have a proper sleep cycle), but waking up at 8am here may still feel like waking up at 4am back home!

Cheers for now!

[englandhereicome]

TOMORROW!

I leave tomorrow! Oh my goodness! It's weird to think that in 48 hours I will be flying over the Atlantic Ocean.

It is just another ordinary night at home with my family: my beagle is following me around, we are going to watch some Jeopardy, my room is an utter mess. Tonight is my last night sleeping in my bed for three months. After being home for more than three weeks, it is kind of hard to imagine leaving home. Everything seems so normal - except the large suitcase taking up floor space!

I'm kind of sad, since I won't see my family for thirteen weeks, and it's not like I can visit home. I know that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity though, and I am not about to let it pass me by. I am going to make the most out of it.

Here's hoping I fall in love with the United Kingdom <3

[englandhereicome]

3 DAYS!

3 DAYS!

Oh my goodness, I can hardly believe it. It doesn't seem like the programme is going to happen. You spend all of that time working towards something, planning and preparing, dreaming, yet it's hard to imagine it ever being reality.

Still, even amidst all the daydreaming, I have stuff to do. I'm driving into the city today so that I can get in some visits, not to mention take care of some finance stuff, sign an apartment lease (can't wait to live with my girls! <3), and meet with my adviser about my honours thesis (I am writing it on a Canadian author and not a British one. =P But, hey, I love L.M. Montgomery and Anne Shirley).

I could sure use your prayers. Having a terrible time sleeping at night. Plus, with the arising tension in Ireland, I may need to rethink some of my travel plans. We'll see.

Cheers! =D

[englandhereicome]

6 days!

I am all packed and ready to go. And, I must say, I am quite proud of how much stuff I was able to fit into that one suitcase and back-pack. (Thanks to Shawn for the elastic bands idea =D).

Last night I read all of Oscar Wilde's "A Woman of No Importance" (since I'll be studying it), and it reminded me of why I love studying literature. It was very good! I can't wait to hang out in the Bodleian library!

I was doing some online research, and I think that I have decided to spend a week in Ireland. We'll see though.

If you could visit any one country in Europe, which one would it be?