Sometimes Dreams Do Come True

So, I’m not so great at blogging which I’ve mentioned in my previous entries, but I’m starting a new adventure this year and I figure this is the most efficient way to keep people updated back in the states. Yah, I can say that because, well, I’m not in the states. For this school year, I am studying at Wycliffe Hall which is one of the many private halls of Oxford University located in Oxford, England. (How is that real life????) Fun side note, Wycliffe Hall is actually the very same school at which C.S. Lewis studied when he was a student at Oxford. Right down the street is the Eagle and Child pub which the Inklings (Lewis, Tolkien and friends) often frequented. While I’m here, I will be studying English Language and Literature as well as Creative Writing. Sometimes life is really cool.

To give everyone who wants it an update, I arrived in London on Friday, August 31st, where I quickly found myself having to scramble for the key to the convoluted world of public transit. (I’m sure it wasn’t really as hard as it felt, but I had only slept 2 or 3 hours...) Without ever having to ask for directions, I eventually found myself at the coach station (bus stop, that is) where I met up with my dear friend Rachel. Quite honestly, I don’t know Rachel all too well though I like her thoroughly and would like to know her more, but she certainly is my dear friend because she was the only person in all of England whom I knew at the time of my arrival. Talk about bonding! Rachel and I ventured out to find the blessed vehicle which would take us to our new home in Oxford.  We got our bags packed onto the coach and informed the driver where we wanted to get off without looking too much like ignorant Americans. (Actually, it was thanks to Gordon that I knew how to pronounce my stop! Gloucester, like in MA, is pronounced Gloster. Hurray for not feeling silly for incorrect pronunciation!) The ride was lovely as well as the company and conversation. Rachel got off a few stops before me, and I rode the rest of the way in silence and awe at the reality of my situation. Oxford is a breathtakingly beautiful place, and it’s so alive! So much life that I get to discover while I’m here. I can’t wait to explore the city more.

The last part of my journey was a nice short taxi ride from Gloucester Greens to Wycliffe Hall during which the charming taxi driver gave me the up and up about the city while addressing me as “love” (But you know, the British way which kinda sounds like loove. So great!) When I arrived at my new home I was greeted by my wonderful jr. dean (R.A. type fellow), Geoff. He is awfully kind and was very welcoming. I was showed to my room (I have my very own!) which is a little hole in the wall and everything I could have ever wanted. Seriously, it’s like my ideal room. Here’s a little picture of it although the picture doesn’t really do it justice. I also have an entire 2 door wardrobe all to myself AND a bed stand with a reading lamp! It’s so incredibly wonderful.

When I first arrived, I looked out the window to the beautiful backyard which my room overlooks and there were 2 magnificent blue jays playing in the yard. It was all too much like my very own fairytale.

Since then I met the incredible group of students that are also in the program. (The program is called SCIO - Scholarship and Christianity in Oxford). They are all so kind and friendly. I’m certain it will be wonderful spending more time with them. Yesterday we spent the day with orientation type things and walked over to the other SCIO house where other students are staying. It’s a large mansion type house with a spacious backyard. We had a delightful BBQ (which in England has nothing to do with BBQ sauce and everything to do with cooking outside on a grill). There were some people playing croquet, some playing bocce, and many of us lounging around in the grass engaged in lovely conversation. It felt all to much like being in a Jane Austin novel, except that the students in the program don’t have accents. Some of us pretended for a while. That was amusing! When we all returned from our outing (6 HOURS of socializing. Mer.), I was exhausted and hoped to have a quiet dinner to read, but several of the other people staying at Wycliffe decided to eat together so I joined them and I’m ever so glad I did. We had such wonderful discussion about common theological debates and social controversies. We were each so open to hear what the other had to say, and although we didn’t always agree, we respected each other for our different views and listened attentively to the ideas being shared in hopes to learn something new. It was wonderful. It was so Good. After our discussions began to heat up a bit, to be iconic, we decided to continue our conversation over a pint at the Eagle and Child. (Lewis would have been proud!) Unfortunately the pub was incredibly full and there were no tables, so we just went to another pub, The Lamb and Flag (these pubs have very interesting names…) which was conveniently right across the street. We sat in the back and discussed and laughed and teased and lived. It was such a beautiful moment of enjoying life together. I am blessed.

Today was Sunday, so this morning I attended a contemporary Anglican church. It was so interesting to see the historic building on the outside turned into a modern church on the inside. It was a beautiful service. Although, I have to admit, it was a bit hard to understand the pastor sometimes. He had such an interesting accent which sorta combined African with French with English. I swear a few times he was not speaking English. But hopefully I’ll get used to the accents soon.

After church I decided to take a long time coming home and go exploring. I discovered Oxford’s covered market which a friend of mine told me about, and I went and had my first meat pie. I was a bit hesitant about the idea of a steak and kidney pie, but oh my word! It was delicious! I was pleasantly surprised. I also went down and found where the Oxford Swing Dancing takes place. :) Such a fantastic city. I went into a few shops and simply walked around. It was wonderful.

We had afternoon tea earlier with all the students in the program. I don’t actually like tea (I know, studying in England and not to like tea? A sin!), but I’ve been attempting to learn. They naturally have the tea of all teas here (PG tips that is) so I’ve been drinking it and not hating it. Hopefully I’ll grow to like it more. We also had ‘scones’ which are much more like the biscuits that Americans eat with gravy at breakfast. We paired those with clotted cream, which is surprisingly delicious despite its name, and strawberry jam. MmmMmm!

I think some people stayed in the common room for a much longer time than I did, but after 6 hours of socializing yesterday, I was in serious need for some alone time. I decided to retreat to my room and decorate a bit. As you can see, I created my picture wall and hung up my beautiful Italian flag which my darling older brother provided for me! Feels more like home now.  

Well, that’s about all I have to update right now. Tomorrow starts our program so that means more orientation and the beginning of work. Call me crazy, but I can’t wait to start school work. It will be so great. 

Oh! Also, send me letters! :) My address here is:

Maria Constantine

SCIO

8 Norham Gardens

Oxford, OX2 6QB

United Kingdom