We had our first Bro Night tonight. This will typically consist of us sitting around making fun of the person who was so kind to make the food. Manash made a beautiful and delicious Indian meal that took him about two hours to make. So we sat on the couch and told him that we were hungry and not giving him a tip. 

 

As we began eating the meal, we quickly recognized Manash's talent and proceeded commending him.

 

 

 We also tried eating in the traditional Indian way, namely by neatly using your right hand. I did not succeed in the "neat" part., but it was a lot of fun!

 

 

Quote of the day: "Most jounralists, not knowing anything about history--or about anything else for that matter...." *He went on to make some point, but I was distracted by this humorous preposition.*

 

--Professor Schuettinger

 

 

 

Cheers!

Today I got the pleasure of attending St. Mary Magdalen's Church. It is right in the center of Oxford and has been around for quite a while. The service is considered to be an Anglo-Catholic Mass, and it was absolutely beautiful--specifically the choir. We celebrated the feast of St. Michael the Archangel and were also, in a way, able to celebrate the beginning of our Michaelmas term here at Oxford.

I also enjoyed a lovely walk home. I caught a few good views of the sun setting. This one is on George Street, in the western part of the city.

The rest are along the Isis. I couldn't resist.

 I found out today that there's a flat that will serve great food, mend holes in your clothing, and let you hang out and watch movies! What great people!

Quote of the Day: "Wooo! Go you! You counted out the right change!" *Said the cashier, probably noticing my American accent.*

   -Cashier, 2013

On the Isis

Today I got my wonderfully cheap bike that I will get to sell back to the store at the end of the term--or when it starts to snow--or when I realize that it is pretty terrifying to ride next to huge buses that are on the "wrong" side of the road. The point is, I got a great deal and I am sure that it will add a lotto my experience here.

 

 

I took my bike up the Thames River Trail. (Something interesting about this stretch of the Thames is that the locals call it the River Isis) This particular trail is a great way of getting to see the beautiful Port Meadow.

 

That is, until you run the trail runs out and  the geese refuse to give directions to the next bridge.

I did not lose hope, however, and I eventually found my way to group of lost Australian bicyclists. We effectively crossed the entire meadow and decided to celebrate our survival at the Trout Inn as a symbol of solidarity.

 

I found my bridge right next to the Inn and headed home on the more reasonable route.

 
 I found some cool things on the way back.

 

 

 

 

 

I must also mention that Monica, Stephanie and I attended a wonderful gallery today which celebrated the works of many authors who have been through Oxford. It was held at the Bodleian Library and included many original copies of Ms. Tolkien's illustrations of Middle Earth (that she drew for her husband, after he described the map or scene) and a decent collection of C.S. Lewis' notes and illustrations as well. Additionally, there was excerpts from Phillip Pullman, Lewis Carroll, and some of the first copies of the stories of King Arthur. It was quite a visit!

 

 

Quote of the day: "Yeah, it needs a little work" *This was one of the Australians politely commenting on my attempted Australian accent.*

 

   -Ed, 2013



The four-day catch up.

Yes. I have been at Oxford for four days. This means I will be over jet-lag in the near future. But, it means some other things too. Here's my attempt at sharing what it means for me to be in England.



Day One Through Four (catch-up, so just pictures. I am only one man):

Oxford

 Two blonds that followed me from the airport to the bus....to Oxford.....and to my apartment complex....creepy.

Mongoose trying to track hobbits.

Luxurious meal on an authentic Christ Church stump.

 

 Out of obligation.

 Oxford's Divinity School (1427-83).

 The beautiful gardens of Christ Church. You'll notice the enormous hall on the right. This is not the Chapel, but the Dining Hall--the very dining hall that Hogwarts' "Great Hall" was modeled after for the movies.

 Tower of the Five Orders

 Manash and I enjoying our first meal! Cold pasta and warm beer!

 The traditional meat pie. Heavenly.

 Blackwell library (13 miles of books for sale).

 My view from my seat in the Eagle and the Child Pub. Turns out there are some certain authors who were regulars....

London

 



 Union Jack Mini. Typical.

 

Invasive species.

 St. Martin's Cathedral

 Tour buses get really close to one another.

 First view of the London Eye.

 First view of Westminster Abbey.

 Parrrrrrliment!

 Technology failing to capture Westminster.

 Nature not letting me capture Westminster.

 Realizing that it's impossible to capture Westminster and capturing a horse instead.

 Two great girls being cool.

 Maddie's nemesis.

 

 Little Ben, Big Mongoose.

 Funny story to this. I'll tell later.

 Mongoose being a nerd.

 I don't think that King George liked American's loitering around him.

 The Return of the King?

 Great seats at a great concert at St. Martin's Cathedral.....

 With a great view.

 WWI Memorial.

Monica ceased to contemplate the beauty of St. James Park. So I cast her out. She is pictured here, grieving at her mortal mistake.

 Winston Churchill's War Rooms during the bombing raids of London in WWII.

 I found two more girls who also hated being in St. James Park.

 Some pigeons who liked being in St. James park.

 Accidental shot/ North Face commercial

 

 

QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

 

 

"I assumed that they would follow me! I mean, I am a natural born leader. Look." *Monica points behind her, assuming that at least one of the 8.3 million people in London would be walking behind her. There's no one except for the ones who are walking away.*

   --Mongoose, 9/28/2013

 

Hope you enjoyed. I'll try to write a little bit each day. Cheers!