I know you haven't heard from me in a few days! That's because I have been SO busy: We are in class from 9-4. Then I walk a brisk 20 min. walk home (my dorm room). Recently I have had errands every day so that means trying to find what I need before it closes at 5 or 5:30. Most places close early! I have a favorite place that I have eaten dinner for the last 3 nights called the Turl Street Kitchen. It is a farm to table type place with the freshest food. They change the menu every night. I always eat at the "community or share" table because that way I don't have to eat alone. Several people always sit at the long table and we share the meal and conversation! The girl that I sat by last night had just come from working for the Peace Corps in Costa Rica. She was in Oxford to see about applying for a graduate Business degree. Today one of our instructors took us on a museum art tour around Oxford and someone came up and tapped me on the shoulder--it was the cute 25 year old that spotted me and came over to say "hello."
I will talk more about my classes when I can catch up with you this weekend. I am loving the studies!
Cotswold honey-colored stonework, quadrangles, domes, bell-towers, slim spires, cobblestones, winding-alleyways, punting, beautiful gardens, "golf-course" like grass in the quadrangles, C. S. Lewis, J.R. R. Tolkien, ancient doors and gates, afternoon tea, the colleges and halls...................some of my early impressions and things I have noticed. I haven't had much time to explore yet.
Tonight I am heading to Michael Ramsden's home for a barbecue. (one of the professors)
More later! Mae Ann
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
May 28 First Day of Class!
Everyone arrived safely and we began meeting each other at a welcome breakfast at the OCCA offices.
Bet you are wondering who is in the class of 10:
Sharon: Belfast, Ireland -- business trainer, seminar instructor, lay evangelist
Wong: Singapore - semi-conductor engineer
Scott: Albuquerque, NM - Information Technology (IT) project manager for Dept. of Defense
Steve: Durham, England - Anglican vicar; belongs to the Society of Ordained Scientists; converted at Jesus College, Oxford 38 years ago; has PhD in Genetics
Wendy: Sydney, Australia - business woman, she and her husband recently sold their ironworks company - main product was railroad tracts; she has a rare cancer that is now in remission; active in Sydney Christian community connections
Pat: Tampa, Florida - works for a consulting firm, main client is Dept. of Defense; discipleship pastor in his church
Leighton: Brisbane, Australia - private school Headmaster
Rob: Zimbabwe - audio equipment specialist, provides homeschool for disadvantaged children, his wife is a MD who specializes in HIV treatment
Jon: Zurich, Switzerland - Banking industry (UBS)
Mae Ann:
This is our group! I will enjoy getting to know them in the days ahead.
Bet you are wondering who is in the class of 10:
Sharon: Belfast, Ireland -- business trainer, seminar instructor, lay evangelist
Wong: Singapore - semi-conductor engineer
Scott: Albuquerque, NM - Information Technology (IT) project manager for Dept. of Defense
Steve: Durham, England - Anglican vicar; belongs to the Society of Ordained Scientists; converted at Jesus College, Oxford 38 years ago; has PhD in Genetics
Wendy: Sydney, Australia - business woman, she and her husband recently sold their ironworks company - main product was railroad tracts; she has a rare cancer that is now in remission; active in Sydney Christian community connections
Pat: Tampa, Florida - works for a consulting firm, main client is Dept. of Defense; discipleship pastor in his church
Leighton: Brisbane, Australia - private school Headmaster
Rob: Zimbabwe - audio equipment specialist, provides homeschool for disadvantaged children, his wife is a MD who specializes in HIV treatment
Jon: Zurich, Switzerland - Banking industry (UBS)
Mae Ann:
This is our group! I will enjoy getting to know them in the days ahead.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Arrival in Oxford, May 27, 2012
I arrived in the beautiful city of Oxford today! I rode a coach (bus) from London to Oxford. Although it was only 60 miles, it was a 2 hour ride with pick up stops. I got off the bus and began to ask bystanders if they knew where Wadham College was. It was too far to roll my 2 heavy bags (I overpacked again!) so I took a taxi. He let me out right in front of Wadham College at the Porter's Lodge. I was standing in front of those hugh, elaborate doors that go into the college with my luggage, bags, etc and felt like Maria in the Sound of Music! It was magical. I was finally here! Wadham College is where I am residing for the first 3 weeks. I had to find my own accommodation. At the end of 3 weeks, I move over to Jesus College. Close to 40 colleges and halls make up Oxford University. Today was sunny and warm. People were out in droves enjoying the sunshine in the parks and all over the city.
My 2nd paragraph has erased itself 2 times, so I will try again! I was telling about checking in with the Porter at the Porter's Lodge to get my key, etc. This school is over 400 years old! I was fortunate to get a dorm room that has been recently restored. I think I am the first one to use the room! I had to recruit a young man to help carry my 50 lb. suitcase up the steps for me. He was from New Jersey visiting a friend at Wadham!
I walked into the town to get something to eat. What an ancient, indescribable place! Lots of choices to pick from as far as food is concerned. Anything you would ever want! It was fun to eat and watch the people walk by. I had a front row seat! I decided to do a "test" walk to the location of my class in the a.m. from my dorm. It took 25 minutes. I will allow 30 so I will be on time!
Tonight back at the dorm, I heard music so I followed it into the school's old chapel. I was invited in for the evening Evensong service. The school choral group sang and there was a short sermon. It was very Anglican! I enjoyed it. When I got out, it was still light, so I walked to the grocery store for some basics. Hardly anything was left on the shelves. The students were big shoppers!
This is it for this day, my first in Oxford! I can't wait to see who the other 11 are going to be in the class tomorrow morning! I will fill you in soon on all the details!
My 2nd paragraph has erased itself 2 times, so I will try again! I was telling about checking in with the Porter at the Porter's Lodge to get my key, etc. This school is over 400 years old! I was fortunate to get a dorm room that has been recently restored. I think I am the first one to use the room! I had to recruit a young man to help carry my 50 lb. suitcase up the steps for me. He was from New Jersey visiting a friend at Wadham!
I walked into the town to get something to eat. What an ancient, indescribable place! Lots of choices to pick from as far as food is concerned. Anything you would ever want! It was fun to eat and watch the people walk by. I had a front row seat! I decided to do a "test" walk to the location of my class in the a.m. from my dorm. It took 25 minutes. I will allow 30 so I will be on time!
Tonight back at the dorm, I heard music so I followed it into the school's old chapel. I was invited in for the evening Evensong service. The school choral group sang and there was a short sermon. It was very Anglican! I enjoyed it. When I got out, it was still light, so I walked to the grocery store for some basics. Hardly anything was left on the shelves. The students were big shoppers!
This is it for this day, my first in Oxford! I can't wait to see who the other 11 are going to be in the class tomorrow morning! I will fill you in soon on all the details!
Friday, May 11, 2012
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