- Just got back in from the rain. Very interesting...went out to get a bite to eat and ended up hopelessly lost, which should surprise no one who has ever attempted to give me directions. I think I left the room around 7 or close to it and finally returned, drenched but triumphant because I found my way back. Sure a cabby pointed me in the right direction in the end, but that's completely beside the point. I was right there. We are currently staying at a hostel in central Oxford for the night...I found all other pieces of Oxford that were available, including the Thames river (which is in the south) and the highway (which apparently goes towards London in the west). While this 20 minute affair turned into a 5 hour traipse with one sandal (the other snapped from the strain half-way through), I really couldn't have cared less. Sure I felt stupid, but I didn't feel unsafe. I also was thrilled to see the various schools at Oxford, including Wycliffe Hall where we will be studying. In addition, I passed the Eagle and Child (the famous meeting place for the inklings) and plan to get pictures of the inside.
Point is, I never feel like I'm wasting time. Sure I was out for a while, but I became more familiar with Oxford, if not more oriented. (probably not more oriented). Oxford has a more relaxed feel to it as compared to London. I'm certainly glad I went, but it does seem that its pace is too fast to appreciate fully.
Tomorrow is the big day... we enter our student housing and put up a more permanent residence. I haven't developed a proper british accent, but plan on working on that project a little later. Anyway, that's the basic story to date...photos to follow when I get set up and more excitement to follow.
Peace in Christ,
Josiah
June 12th - Arrival at the Vines
Less eventful I suppose than yesterday. I got to meet a few of the people who I am studying with here at Oxford. Most of the other students are at Crick Road, while I get to reside in the peacefulness of the Vines. The only downside, if it is even a downside, is that the walk to Wycliffe Hall is around 30 minutes, so I'll wear through my shoes in no time. Everything else (honestly its a nice walk too) is excellent - the people all have been very friendly and intriguing. I just can't wait for classes to start in full strength. That will be a real adventure. Most of the others will be experiencing the effects of jet lag quite soon, while I luckily have avoided this because I really don't have a set sleep schedule.
Anyway, that's enough for now - Cheers to all!
June 13th -- Friday
Orientation was today...mostly what was to be expected I suppose. Its really exciting. I really think I'm going to enjoy the British system of Education. The libraries we will have access to are massive...Anyway we're slowly settling in, I've got a slightly better understanding of the area we're in now, and we have a walking tour of Oxford tomorrow, so there should be pictures at the end of the day. Classes start on Monday, which is what I'm really looking forward to...anyway that's enough- I am one sated nerd right now...
Blessings
June 15th -- Sunday
Doing laundry for the first time this week...little overdue. I'm probably going to load the photos after I finish here. I think the Vines is settling in nicely. Yesterday was a good experience though - getting to play a half decent game of soccer certainly remains a highlight. Can't honestly say I dislike anyone in our group, and if I did I wouldn't say it anyway, but I don't...mafia was fun, although it was a little exhausting. I feel like I almost know the majority of the group now...at least well enough to interact well. Tomorrow is the big day, because classes begin. Morning session begins at 9:30, which means the party leaves from the Vines at 9 for a brisk walk to Wycliffe Hall...starting to get into some good discussions with big Chris concerning Apologetics, although we're beginning to feel out each other's tendencies - he's discovered the sadistic outlook...game's over. Hmmm...so that's why laundry is a good thing, jk. Tomorrow promises to blow my mind. I was introduced to my Science & Theology professor last night, so that was thrilling...I don't know - it's going to be a good day and a good week. Haha, almost forgot that we went to visit Christ Church this morning. We left in order to reach the church by 10:30...we weren't supposed to be there until 11:15 and that's 11:15 Christ Church's time...so its 11:20 London time. Amazing service. Good message, very direct and there was just a good overall tone to everything that I enjoyed. So yeah, glad I got up in the morning...now back to the laundry.
Cheers --- JRL
Cheers
June 19th - Thursday
One week of classes down, two more to go...I dislike that my mind directs me to count down things even when I am severely enjoying them. I'm still learning where I am and who my compatriots are, but time waits for no man...I won't know the longterm effects of this week until there is significant distance from which to peer, but the course load is amazing and enriching, though taxing. But I want to be taxed...I want to learn - to be stretched - to go beyond myself. And that is a painful process and one I don't have the chance to ease into. I find myself pressing through it rather than really savouring life here. I have a beautiful walk to class in the morning and at the end of the day, but all I can focus on is the amount of time it requires to traverse its distance...yeah 40 minutes is a long time to walk, but that same problem of not giving myself time to enjoy life recurs. If I don't learn this here, when will i learn it? Something to work on, not to worry about. Father help.
The classes are actually going well I think. I don't think I've ever done nearly so much work for two 5 page papers without writing anything yet...or it being the night that said works were due. My topics fascinate me and are worth the effort: a brief consideration of the interplay between Cosmology and Theology and the consideration of transcendence in images of the divine. I must admit I feel inadequate to make any lasting comments on either, but am more than willing to begin some formulation, because if I wait until I truly understand matters I will never write anything. I'm pretty sure you have to write something to do well here. I expect that there's some different language that they speak at Oxford that I can't understand. This is completely not the case. I understand what is being said and am normally keeping up with the professor's conclusions and commentary, but at the same time there is a different speed or level of interpretation of data. It is more than I'm used to, but not so much that the task truly seems hopeless.
Dr. Gable passed fully into eternity Friday night as I understand it, although its so hard to believe that 5 time zones away life still goes on just as quickly as it does here. I'm glad to have had the chance to have known her and to take on a little of her sarcasm. But with that sarcasm there is a certain optimism I never want to lose hold of, and I don't think she really did either. She is now free...and we mourn for our loss. Honestly the Honors program (which she had a hand in) and particularly Film and Culture had a lot to do with me being in this position. I was convinced that I was pretty average, with no particular direction to pursue. But while I was aimless, God had other ideas and still does. I need to be reminded of that now. God used Dr. Gable in that class (and of course the other classes helped, but no other class that semester was as helpful in convincing me that I had options). I am glad for the time that I did spend getting to know her, and I am glad that my Senior exit interview was with her. Of course she could air my dirty laundry to the other members of heaven, but I'm pretty sure that either she's not interested in such an enterprise or her audience isn't. Anyway, it wasn't unexpected but it was a shock and I mourn with the wider community of Valley Forge for its loss.
I have a lot to learn about living with people. There is much more to learn about loving them that I can't seem to grasp. I don't act like those around me carry the Image of God within them. I enjoy their presence, but for my own pleasure not for theirs or God's. The only way out of this loop is divine intervention. Lord help. There's a lot I still have to learn in how I think of others, communicate with them, communicate about them, and wish the best for them.
I do miss my family, but I'm used to that by now. I'll always be missing someone or some stimulus, although people are far more than stimuli. They've sacrificed a lot to help mold me into who I am. I miss having free and easy access to them, but I'm glad that they're doing well. I couldn't be more proud of them, but I do wish sometimes that they'd do better for themselves. The dangers of overlooking our time together are great, just as my focus can be skewed by the workload over appreciation of the experience. My prayers go with them.
So, I guess that sums up the last four days in some sense. There's infinitely more, but most either can't be remembered, can't be transmitted, or shouldn't be. The context is ultimately lost. Trying to keep this up to date will be a challenge.
Oh, I had my roommate convinced that I was really sick. The other night I was coughing up a storm. (Which was alleviated by a cough drop courtesy of Katie...I think that was for everyone's benefit at the Vines...haha) So, anyway I get up before Dan, because he's biking and I'm walking so he can sleep in a little later. Anyway, I had a nosebleed...which is pretty common for me (those who have roomed with me in the past know that for a fact) and so I cleaned it up in the sink...which happens to be in our room. I left at about 8:45 that morning. In the meantime Dan woke up...saw the blood in the sink that I apparently missed...and thought that I had been coughing blood. Anyway, so some people were convinced that I was seriously ill before I was able to explain myself. The fun never ceases...
Tomorrow we have a field trip...to somewhere in England that I've been told about but can't for the life of me remember...I'm just looking forward to sleeping on the bus and to seeing some seriously stormy weather. And the weekend is built around a lot of studying...possibly a visit to some Tolkien-related sites...and catching up on sleep. Seems like 26 out of every 24 hours are accounted for. But then I can sleep when I'm dead...or on the plane.
That's enough (too much) for now... blessings, JRL
June 26th - Thursday night
Insane day/series of days. The weekend was pretty long: we went to the Trout Sunday night after attending St. Mary Magdalen church which is high Anglican, for those interested in such matters. After Sunday night everything was focused on Thursday morning: 9:15 am --> when our two short essays were due. Because I'm taking the courses for graduate credit my essays were lengthened to 2,000 words apiece (translates to 7 or 8 pages).
I got nothing accomplished Monday night because my catnap turned into a 13 hour siesta, ushering in Tuesday with essentially nothing to show for Monday. So I had some energy on Tuesday and was able to get some profitable research done, resulting in a systematic (I hope) outline for the first and a few scattered long quotations for the other.
Wednesday is a particularly long day because I essentially had class from 9:30 til 6 pm, with breaks for tea and lunch. The result was not much of anything on paper to speak of. My tutorial did further help me crystalize my question, but I was still looking at a large pile of work to tackle. Okay, so when I reached the Vines I took a two hour nap (8-10) to summon energy and made it to 2:30, getting somewhere in the ballpark of 1500 words and 900 respectively. I then proceeded to sleep from 2:30-3:30. I finished the last touches by 7:30. Surprise, my e-mail crashed at 8, so I had only sent one of the two papers and so I took off to go print the rest off and hand in my work by 9:15. (I've mentioned previously that the walk is 35+ minutes) So yeah. I'll be sure to post some indication of results (not grades, but comments). Anyway, they were interesting topics but I don't have a great grasp on how well or poorly I handled them.
I walked back to take a nap and woke up late for my tutorial. My professor graciously waited 45 minutes for me to get there and bore no grudge. I really appreciate my tutorials, because its in these that I can better formulate my research and breathe in the atmosphere. I really do enjoy this system of senior member to junior member.
After dinner, I spent the rest of my night at Crick, watching a tv that didn't have a picture...listening to Chad's "OSP, the Musical"...watching people in various stages of consciousness find their way to bed...and then a couple of us watched School of Rock on the computer (in Lithuanian initially)...then I meandered back to the Vines...in some thick darkness.
Before I go further, Tuesday night/Wednesday morning we had Michael Ward at the Vines/lecturing at Wycliffe Hall. He has written a book (Planet Narnia, which I subsequently bought) which considers correlations between medieval cosmology and the Chronicles of Narnia...fascinating. Anyway, a few of you will be fascinated by this and most will ignore it, but it was a highlight of my time here and I can't wait to read it. (I have other reading to do first)
Tomorrow is a tour of Glastonbury and Wells. Hopefully I can procure batteries for the camera. I'm really craving a football game (Euro style) and pretzels. Hopefully Saturday I can wind down some, cook some Stroganoff and relax. Alright, that's enough for now: a week almost complete (halfway done, dang!) and the next goal about to come into view.
Peace be with you, the Jackalope
July 1st - Tuesday
Lindsey's birthday is today...all these kids are turning 21 makes me feel old...yeah, there's some sort of dance party tonight...the more dance there is the less party I'll be part of, so I can maintain my VFCC vows...ok, its because I don't like to dance and watching others dance is boring (unless it happens to be at a Knauer wedding...just saying). Yeah, so I talked Thursday night last...wow.
Glastonbury was awesome...so many myths in one place...it was amazing...and rainy...so it was very English. Apparently this is the place where Joseph of Arimathea came to escape persecution, and with him he brought the Holy Grail...the chalice of the Last Supper. Also, they apparently found King Arthur's body buried next to Gwenevere's and there are mystical springs inside the Tor which towers over everything. The ruins reveal how massive this cathedral must have been...but that Henry VIII...Anglicanism had its price. So there were all sorts of crazy shops that were somewhere between Wicca and gypsy...the Psychic Piglet. Anyway, we didn't spend enough time there...
Wells Cathedral...where they filmed Hot Fuzz! ummmm...yeah they filmed Hot Fuzz there...there was madness everywhere (or perceived because the filmmakers weren't there)...Katherine went crazy...and we followed in circles until we found the various landmarks, which was a lot of fun. Then we went inside the cathedral...which has awesome scissor arches supporting the central part of the building. It looks really cool...feat of engineering genius I can't fathom. It was awesome...still liked Glastonbury better...and yeah we were all exhausted from the other day.
So that was Friday...and we got back really late (an hour later) because the bus driver decided that going in circles was more effective so that we could evade traffic...yeah...no I'm sure it was...he's paid to do this...so I read some really weird pamphlet about a world where people hear each other's thoughts...
Almost forgot...we couldn't get to bed after that...so we watched Pan's Labyrinth...because someone "misplaced" Hot Fuzz...which I was dying to see. It was brutally violent...but had an amazing ending, so I guess it was worth it...Katie didn't think so...it disturbed her a good deal, which is understandable...because I've never seen violence quite like that in a movie. So, that meant I couldn't go to bed that early because I was trying to calm her down some...she was rightfully disturbed...and so again I got to bed reeeally late. Splendid
Saturday...woke up late...went over to the couch and loaded photos...for a long time (500+) and didn't move from the couch (except to retrieve more coke). We needed to cook dinner...and we didn't leave Bend it Like Beckett til about 8. So we had a really hard time finding some of the ingredients...soured cream is not something that is valued over here, but I found a really good deal on cubed steak, so the Beef Stroganoff turned out quite well...not good enough to best the Italians...but well. It reminded me of home...where I'll be almost too soon. Gotta admit I'm gonna miss this a lot. But I won't let myself think about it too much. So yeah, it was a good night...which ended late again because we inevitably talked late into the night again...good food does that to you.
Sunday I accomplished about nothing. Yeah...just about nothing. Oh wait...until the Crickers came over...cause by that time Germany was playing Spain...which was an awesome game, and the multi-birthday party was underway. Then a couple of us went outside and played soccer...til we were told to come inside...then we played for four more goals. It was an awesome game. Then we played mafia...when the married couple destroyed us all...had me fooled. I got a little work done after that...but not much.
Monday Katie and I got up early (9:00) and left to go to the libraries. Reading...actually getting ready to read. Then went back to pick up Katie for lunch...she was really feeling it...she met her pen pal in London and ran around all Sunday so she was tired. I tried to convince her to just go sleep at Crick...oh well...she survived, but she was on the verge of insanity by that point. I left her to go to class and got my paper back (contrary to SCIO rules, but I wasn't going to argue) for Science...got a B...lot of writing all over it and I agree that I was "too ambitious"...trying to sum up the means through which Greek cosmology was meshed into a Biblical cosmology in the medieval era...might have been beyond the scope of what was possible in two weeks...and writing such a paper in the context of an all nighter might not be the best idea in Oxford...just saying. So, I'm not discouraged, but I'm determined to do better. The other class we had a good discussion in, but we were (I was and projected my thoughts on them) tired. So yeah, it was still a full day. And there was evening and there was morning...Monday.
Today I got up a little later.. and found the path that Katie thought led to nowhere, but is actually an awesome shortcut...and we went and a couple of us listened to Nichole and Chris try to explain the gradschool/overseas learning/fellowships situation...apparently students at Harvard DO have an advantage...who knew?...and yet, if we're the right type of person...but if we're not...but maybe you should...it's not quite this bad, but you get the general idea if you've ever gone through this process. Good way to start the day. Then, I went over to Radcliffe Science's library...and slept...and got up and did a little work...and came over here...and am sitting listening to people shop online at Tesco's..."three smooths, ground beef, awesome, three peanut butters...that looks good...what's a gram?"
Peace be with you...unless you really don't want it
--------------------------
July 19th - Saturday following programme's end
So...I've got a lot to try to summarize because I didn't keep very up to date with this...but oh well, I'm back in the States now and it'd be best to try to finish before I forget anything...or forget any more than I already have.
wow - July 1st! that was a little while ago - soooo
'July 4th'
- day of final field trip to Coventry
Coventry Cathedral must have been a very nice Cathedral before it was bombed in WWII...and I'm being overly critical...but as far as Cathedrals went, I didn't like the rebuilding efforts - aside from the stained glass. Anyway, after we were turned loose, a handful of us went to celebrate the freedom which we won in the War of Independence (pretty sure that's not what the British refer to it as) by going to McDonalds...how else/how better to honour the founders of this country? There is no way, I submit. Anyway, that was enjoyable especially because we managed to have Josh (who is Canadian) join in the festivities, so there was freedom in the air. Looking for something interesting to do - we stumbled upon the Transport Museum of Coventry. This was an amazing decision - highly commendable. I am at a loss to describe why this was such a great experience, but it was amazing, as others can assuredly attest to. Alright, so afterwards we made our way back to the meeting point, where we frolicked around the water spouts - and the saga of the Water War began...I'm not absolutely sure that it has ended, so I won't recount the entire story, hoping I can write the final chapter. Okay, all came back to the Vines to celebrate the 4th BBQ style. (My tea dumping ceremony never actually happened - unfortunately) The game of football that ensued was quite heated, and while my team lost, the game was still amazing. (I think I was responsible for two of the goals passing through...probably kicked one of them in) That said, it was thoroughly competitive, everyone seemed to be involved, and we even had an interesting half-time show in which we all got down on our knees and searched the grass for Evelyn's shoe-pin (an endeavor which was met with surprising success). Somehow I scored a left-footed goal...which puts me at -1. After an episode of egg tossing/water fighting -> of which most is the responsibility of some of the girls. This ended with a call to order and mafia (obviously synonymous). People don't trust me anymore - so I was out fairly early in the first game and was first kill in the second (or as Dan called it an 'Honor Kill'). The other term that was coined that night was 'pulled a Chris' - which essentially translates to accusing Howard while he is innocent. Anyway, so that night ended late and with it the final week of classes.
July 5-6> (Saturday and Sunday)
I don't remember this in particular clarity - merely that I spent a little time compiling my outline...not quite enough, but at least the ideas for approach were fairly clear by this point.
July 7th> Monday
hm, I remember that almost the entire day was spent at the Radcliffe Science (despite the fact that I woke up later than planned). Ah yes, and after dropping off Katie with Nichole - we agreed to meet back after she was finished with her appointment with the chiropractor at 6. This didn't happen (she was ok, just late) so after searching the major places I thought likely, I told Chris and Nichole and waited. At this point I received a call - from Gordon Conwell - informing me of my acceptance. Nice timing. I was happy, and was reasonably expectant that Katie was okay, but it was just not good timing. So after dinner, she made her way back and everything was a little more settled down. Dan cooked...ah yes, tortellini soup - very good and definitely beat our pizza from the Italian side of Cowley road. So another night ended in the final week...Thursday loomed ominously.
July 8th> Tuesday
Tuesday I stayed back at the Vines trying to compile more notes and form my outline until my classes appointment with Dr. Roche. He took us to see the History of Science museum - which was crazy -> a lot of nautical equipment and objects for astronomical observation, with a chalkboard used by Einstein. We then moved to the most popular pub with students in Oxford - the King's Arms. This was a good time as we discussed our plans for afterwards and got a chance to breathe in the midst of our studies. When this was ended, Justin and I went back to the Radcliffe Science for a little while. Afterwards we traipsed back to Crick, where Chris had made some really good taco salad. (I think she checked beforehand to see that the lettuce was fresh this time...jk, that wasn't her fault before). Afterwards a few of us went over to Wycliffe, which might have been some of my more productive time...or at least I had some very productive 15 minute periods every hour. (I can't forget Justin's claim that anyone looking at his paper on Intelligent Design would be unable to detect an Intelligent Designer for it or his reading of 'Refuting Evolution II: What PBS Doesn't Want You to Know' in which science must always include quotation marks...too much fun)
July 9th - Wednesday
Crazy day. The deadline was approaching. I don't think I mentioned before, but as a graduate student I was responsible to turn in two papers of approximately 5,000 words each that Thursday (at 3pm). I had a pretty general outline, an idea in my head of what I wanted and some good notes (lot of footnotes). I was feeling okay at this point. I won't say I should've panicked, because panic doesn't help, but this was quite the task. Unfortunately that night was our night to make dinner. We were graciously allowed to buy pizza instead - and my night would have been much worse if the members of the Vines hadn't been so gracious in this matter. After spending a few hours at Radcliffe Science, the dinner episode ensued - and then I slept from 10 til almost 12 in order to have some energy for the long night ahead of me. I found Jason in his hiding spot (room T3 at Wycliffe) and pounded away at the papers for a few hours. By the time I made my way over to Crick it was past 4 am. I found a few people still awake and continued pushing through with the papers. I got another half hour of sleep and unfortunately ended up with about 8,500 words...not as close as I wanted to come. Some of the work was good, but I don't think that the endings were as strong as I wanted. I'll find out later how well or poorly I truly did. The important thing is that I learned from the process. I just want to figure out what I did wrong methodologically both as pertains to the research and the compilation. I grossly miscalculated my timetable. Anyway, all good things must come to an end and my papers were turned in by the deadline. Fortunately (sic) we were to meet for tea at the Vaults at 5. This was a needed time to unwind, but I was running on somewhere under 10 hours of sleep in 48 and was not in a great mood to be social. Sometimes I need to be forced to do things, and this was necessary for the group, so I won't argue with it. The day didn't end there - we went punting afterwards. A punt is a small boat which you manuevre in a manner similar to a gondola - by guiding it with a long-pole. Justin proved to be a master of the technique, and we had a great deal of fun. There are too many memories to chronicle here - I'm glad I went, but was thoroughly exhausted by this point. So of course we went out to eat - Lebanese food? It was okay, but ice cream at George and Danver's was much better. Then we went out to discuss book lists for Chad to read. A good end to a full day. I made it back to the Vines around 5 am. The sky was beautiful. The foreign students were still out. Good times.
July 10th> Friday
'debrief session' - I may have been rather disinterested in this activity and have my own opinions as to what might have been more effective, but I have no degree in psychology and I don't have the experience of the SCIO staff, so my opinion should be tempered. Some people definitely needed this part of the programme. I would rather we had grieved together, because I felt like the people running the session weren't part of the group. Anyway, I hope that there was good enough effect in my fellow OSPers, because I would have much rather had a final communal meal together. I am more oblivious to the feelings of the group than most, so I won't say more - my mourning process is quite different and I was most interested in spending my last times with the group as constructively as possible. So five of us went up the tower by the Radcliffe Camera in the pouring rain - a memorable experience. We wandered over to Frewin and back to the King's Arms to eat before heading over to tour Christ Church. After taking a look at Magdalen college, I had to go back to do my final chores at the Vines. In the late evening Katie and I walked over to meet up with the Guiliano's and Dan at an Irish Pub. It was a long walk, but I have certainly enjoyed my walks with Katie...because I have to slow down and think. We were unable to find our party and so went over to Crick, where (surprise) our fellow Vines-mates were. I stayed back while they went out for food. There was a kind of farewell jam session, which was productive. I'm glad someone thought of that (I'm guessing Jade, but I don't really know). The Guiliano's made it back shortly afterwards and we played Squabble. Sarah destroyed us, while Zach's game (clearly affected by his lack of sleep) was dyslexic. I said what I thought was my final goodbye to them before 2. I managed to convince Sarah, Josh, and Gloria to watch Hot Fuzz one last time...and I was then able to leave for the Vines for the final time. I ran a good bit of the way as I no longer needed to carry a backpack. Exhilarating. I was to leave that morning - *whew*
July 11th> Saturday
woke up in about 2 hours to Nichole's knocking...luckily I wasn't anything other than late. I could make my way to London whenever. After waking up and checking out, I drug my luggage over to Crick to say my final goodbyes (Katie had already left and Dan and the Guilianos were leaving at much later times). I managed to see a few people leave and found out that a few of us were meeting at the London Eye around 6 or 7. I walked over to the bus station with Sarah and Ben - taking in my last of Oxford...*sad day*
I managed to get lost in London for a little while - starting walking along the roads by the Thames...but was carrying my luggage, so I decided against being terribly stubborn and hailed a cab. So I was back in Piccadilly Backpackers...I was more than happy to know that there were other OSPers still around. That night - seeing London from the Eye is an impressive sight - I would recommend it highly. Our later traipse around Westminster will not be soon forgotten. ('people time' -Adam...Chad's discussion of sneaking a trampoline through security...Leslie's 'ya-ya'...sigh)
We said goodbye to Leslie and Kelsey (Chad, Josh, myself, Shannon, Adam, and Evelyn remained...with Sarah and Ben with Ben's family) at the train station...not many words were said as they seemed unhelpful. We agreed that the remaining members would meet at Westminster Abbey the following morning for service.
July 12th> Sunday
Woke up in plenty of time (despite a loud drunk Jamaican's attempts to keep all of Piccadilly awake) and went...to Westminster Cathedral...late...and at the wrong place...after getting lost and circling back around. I got incredibly lucky in that Josh and Chad had cell phones...listed in a previous e-mail, so I was able to meet up with them on their way to St. Paul's. Our trip consisted of visits to St. Paul's, the millenium bridge, the theatre, London Bridge, and the British Museum (some will notice that I have an unnecessary amount of photos from the Assyrian exhibit...sorry, I found it intensely interesting). We were then to meet Shannon, Sarah, and Ben at platform 9 and 3/4. This was the plan that almost didn't work. Shannon's train was delayed considerably and Sarah and Ben ended up at Victoria Station...Josh ran into them at least, and Chad was unable to go on the last underground train. So we were able to say goodbye as well as could be imagined. I took a cab with Chad over to Trafalgar and said my goodbyes to him. I then proceeded to get lost going from Trafalgar to Piccadilly...took a bus back and found my way...that was annoying.
July 13th> Monday
met with Shannon and Adam for a search for anything we could potentially have missed in London. After a sweep of Regent's Park, we ate lunch at a pub, which featured a Cricket match...I have yet to understand the rules of the game, but that's on the list. We then went to the British museum despite Shannon's protests. The Assyrian, Japanese, and Chinese exhibits were scoured thoroughly and after a death-struggle with my camera, we moved on to Covent gardens. After a dinner of pasties and some fun, we moved away from the local entertainment for Chinatown. We ended up at Trafalgar Square finally where Shannon wished to climb the Lions. After accomplishing this task, I realized that this awkward feat was one that I couldn't help her with (at least my help was quite awkward) and afterwards she couldn't watch kids climb on it. It is far too slippery and there is little to hold on to. The night ended with a trip back to Piccadilly...we all wanted to hang out longer, but were tired and sad that we were missing our fellow OSPers. I'm glad we hung out though - it would've been far more lonely to spend those last few days alone in Piccadilly.
July 14th> Tuesday
spent the day in thought...learning Arabic...and reading about C.S. Lewis...doing laundry...thinking a little about the other members, but avoiding it all the same. I needed the time for rest, and suppose I am glad for it. I did laundry at a hostel - and spent some time on-line trying to keep up to date with everything back home and with those who had already made their way back home. sad day
July 15th> Wednesday
Day of the flight...woke up early (like 8) to get to the train station. Followed the underground from Piccadilly all the way to Heathrow (which was surprisingly complicated...I must have done something wrong). Thankfully I got a call from Sarah saying goodbye and managed to run into Shannon at the airport. I was very relieved by this series of events. Unfortunately for the Guilianos I did run into them as well, but I was glad to see them again. My flight went off without a hitch, which I am thoroughly thankful for. I spent my flight not thinking...watching movies (by the way Street Kings...no plot) and watching England. I went through customs...my luggage made it...my parents found me...good deal...couldn't ask for better. My parents barely recognized me (I was wearing the wrong hoodie...who would blame them and hadn't had a haircut in a month).
Well...I'm back. I'm going to try to keep in as good of a manner of touch with everyone as is possible and beneficial. I'm convinced that these are good people...people I want to keep in my life. I am saddened by the fact that this time has ended...but my focus has to be on today...whenever that is possible. I reminisce a lot, but refuse to let the past dictate the future - 'Your best days are ahead of you still' - I honestly believe that, or have to believe it. So there's a lot to think about, but there's a lot left to do. I honestly can't wait to see these relationships in their true fullness after Christ reveals this to have been only a shadow of what truly has been and will be. Those are my thoughts for now...I hope they're helpful...they're at least helpful for me to air out.
Peace,
JRL
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