On Thursday, I waited and waited for my tutor to show up at class. He never came, so it got rescheduled for this morning. He cut into my Saturday! But it was actually quite nice. He interrupted our session for many stories about Rome, Europe, and America. It was so much fun.
Then he told me, "Your writing is" (small pause and in a quiet voice) "American" (resume regular voice) "but the thought behind it is really good." That pretty much made my day. I know it is somewhat insulting to the American name, but I honestly don't mind. American English and English differ and I think that is my favorite part about being here. I try to improve, though, by changing the dictionary in Microsoft word to the UK dictionary.(To the left: Sunset and moon out of the window in the hallway by my room)
I only have two weeks left of regular classes, then a month of integral lectures and field trips. I'm super excited. Plus, all my professors have been really nice and are teaching me so much. I have a lot to do in these last two weeks, but I want to give everything my all, no matter how hard it is, and just experience Oxford life. It was so crazy in class today because I had a hard time writing my last paper, and he loved it. That is a good feeling. We talked about grades. I didn't tell him this, though I should have, but I am not here for a grade. I could honestly care less. Believe it or not, I enjoy writing these papers. I love the books, especially the last one I read, Metamorphoses by Ovid. I enjoy going to the Bodlian Library and feeling special because the tourists stand outside and I get to go inside. But I also enjoy my free time, and less classes means more of that.
I am just in a really good mood today. Maybe it was nine hours of sleep. Maybe it was the 5,6,7,8 cups of coffee at breakfast. Maybe it was the tutorial.
Maybe it is just me. I am also very excited because Jonathan is coming in less than three weeks and when he leaves, my mom will be here and so I have two weeks of being a tour guide and exploring more of England!Sometimes I go walking or running just so I can think. And sometimes I just smile and think, "I can't believe I am actually here. I can't believe I'm in England. I can't believe I'm studying at Oxford. This is crazy. I am actually doing it." I was so scared to come and now I'm just so happy. 52 days have past, and I have 49 left. I still have so much to do and even more to learn!
(To the right: The bulletin board by our junior dean's door. He puts on all these funny little pictures/comics. My second favorites is the cover of Star Wars Episode II, but instead of the actors, it is people from the American government and the title is "The Clone of the War." A little mean, but funny. This is my favorite. It's Mary and says "Abstinence is 100%" (which is crossed out and next to it says) "99.9999% effective." It makes me laugh.)
Things I have learned (or that just refreshed my memory):
I love to run
To make tutors laugh, just add in an Americanized word
Sometimes, the best cure for a writer's block is a good time with friends... and kicking over the coffee table and spilling your water is not a good way to handle stress... but it does make you laugh, no matter how upset you are
Good moods are better than bad... so just get over yourself and SMILE :)
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