perpetually bittersweet

It's just that time of life...

...or so I thought until mine and Miriam's final philosophical conclusion concerning the life of the young adult the other day. We agreed that everything seems bittersweet: leaving experiences, entering new ones, going home, or embarking on yet another adventure. There is always a little sadness mixed with excitement. This feeling seems perpetual, and the difficulty is that I don't believe it will ever go away. I don't remember feeling this way when I was a child...everything was all bitter or all sweet. No awful limbo. But perhaps with more and more knowledge and maturity we find ourselves at an eternal, emotional crossroads...Too dramatic? Perhaps. But that is certainly the way I feel right now. I only have 3 weeks left in Oxford with these people in this experience, and I mourn. Yet on the other hand, the thought of home and familiar faces and normal life is lovely. Ahhhhhh paradox.

So, yes. Only three weeks left. And, to be terribly cliche, I really can't believe how time has flown! My tutorials are going fairly well, although I don't know if I am cut out to be a "classicist." My secondary tutorial on the French Revolution is much more straightforward, and I am beginning to like it very much. In other news, I am no longer rowing. That lasted until the beginning of 5th week, but then a girl didn't pass the swim test and, because of that, an entire crew can't compete in the Reggata. Football has been fun, but it's only on Saturdays. Last game, I had the most proper, British squabble on the field over my original intentions in kicking a girl's shin instead of the ball. Fun times.

Thanksgiving is this week!!! I just think it's absolutely hilarious to be celebrating a holiday in Britain that commemorates our freedom from the British. Oh irony:). This week has been lovely, and, for all of my stress beforehand, Thursday was probably the highlight of the week. I had two tutorials: the first went alright, and the second was great. Inbetween, had coffee with Bethany and we laughed for a few hours instead of studying. Afterwards, I mailed loads of postcards, and then met Miriam at Frewin. We went from there to Summertown to meet Edith for dinner (a Spanish lady in our home group), and met Paul and his son Richard (probably my favorite British kid) on the bus. Seeing familiar British faces on the bus just gave me a sudden sense of belonging. They told us where to get off, and we found our way through the dark, cold night to a cozy flat at the top of a manse. Edith is sooooo sweet, and we had the best time! She cooked us amazing food, and we sad in her little kitchen alternating between laughing hysterically at British culture and intently discussing the Christian life. When Miriam and I left, we felt literally drunk with happiness. We made loud, obnoxious comments which scared random British people as we laughingly stumbled home. And then when we came to the large, open gate of Headington Hill Park, the macabre darkness seemed to beckon to us. We gripped each others arms and "forged ahead" (our new quote that applies to pretty much everything;), whispering creepy stories and sporadically shrieking. It was great. We finally got home to the twinkling warmth of the Vines, and burst in happily to tell everyone about our day. I almost feel like everyone here is family now. I mean, I'm certainly not at the same level of friendship with every single person, but I do feel a sort of camaraderie with everyone. And yes, I love them all:). Yesterday, I walked through Magdalen College (pronounced "Maudlin" if you want to be considered posh) with Anna...breathtakingly gorgeous. If I ever came back to Oxford, I would want to attend Magdalen or Christ Church, simply because of their beauty. What an academic inspiration;). Then we met up with Miriam to walk through the Botanic Gardens...we even stole some little cinnamon sticks ornaments from their Christmas tree. You know, something to remember Oxford by. Then Elaine and I went to a sinister play entitled "The Duchess of Malfi," and I rushed home afterwards to cook for my food group: chicken curry and rice, broccoli, bread and carrots with hummus. Pretty good if I do say so myself. And I do...

In other news, I'm going to be an RA in Gillespie next semester. The offer has really been an answer to prayer, and even though it would not have been my ideal situation a few weeks ago, I think it is perfectly what God has for me. I desperately want to look forward to going back to Belhaven, but the brilliance of this "term" overshadows it completely. That will work out in the end though, I'm sure.

Tea, anyone?