Punting, New College Boat Party, & general updates

Hi all! It has been a busy past few weeks! I guess it is always busy during term though--the work just keeps on going and going for 8 weeks. In the past five weeks I've written 7 essays, and in the next three weeks I'll write 5 more. This week I'll be writing about the English Reformation and Henry VIII, and also about culture in the British Empire.

Now for some highlights from the last few weeks. A few weeks ago, I went punting with my friends Sarah, Hyerin, and Emily. Whenever I first told people in America about this (my parents, my friend Liz, my boyfriend Mark) they assumed I was kicking something. But in Oxford (and Cambridge) punting is a boating activity. Several people sit in a wooden boat while one person uses a long metal pole to propel the boat. It was much, much more challenging than it looks because it is so hard to steer the boat straight.

Hyerin and me punting!

Sarah and me.

Some of the boats have rather creative names.

Another really fun thing I've done recently was go to the New College Boat Party. New College hired a big boat in London and a few hundred students sailed down the Thames for several hours. It was a black tie event with a mix of live music and a DJ who played great music. It was such a great way to relax after a long week and spend time with friends.

Sarah, Christina, and me by the Tower of London

The boat is in the background

Christina, Sarah and Brendan on the boat

The boat's dance floor and stage

As far as other general updates go, I'm expecting an influx of visitors in the next few weeks. This weekend my dad will be here, then next week my friend Sarah R. will be here. And the week after that my boyfriend Mark will be here, and also my best friend Liz. I am so excited to see all of these people--I haven't seen my dad, Liz, or Mark in about 5-6 months, and my friend Sarah in a year! I will definitely post about their visits.

Finally, a running update for my teammates/coaches who may be reading. I think that I may have strained a muscle in my right hip during the marathon (consultation with my friends who know about these things indicates it might be my piriformis muscle). The reason why I walked the 24th mile during the marathon was because my hips were so sore, so the fact that I have had some pain afterward isn't too surprising.

I spent my first week of the term moping about my hip, but then started heading to the gym to do some non-weight bearing exercise. For about a month I've been stretching my piriformis and working out on the elliptical, which is so much more boring than running outside. But, a few days ago, I went running outside for the first time in about a month and it felt great! It wasn't for very long (about 2 miles) and I stopped halfway to stretch, but there wasn't any pain. Such a relief!

Back to Oxford for Trinity Term & Holi

I returned to Oxford 2 weeks ago and have been incredibly busy since my arrival! I had an essay due the week I got back and the work hasn't let up since. One of my classes is Western Christianity: 1500-1619 (the Reformation), and the other is on the British Empire. Thus far I've written essays on the medieval Western Church, Martin Luther, and trade in the British Empire. This week I'm working on one about John Calvin.

When I left Oxford in the beginning of March it was still clearly winter. It was overcast and rainy--it actually snowed on the first official day of Spring vacation. Since my return, however, the weather has been glorious. During the dark, cold days of January and February I thought I would never see sunshine in England. Thankfully spring has arrived! The temperatures have gotten up to the mid to upper 60s.

Mansfield's new statue

Mansfield on a lovely sunny day. Construction has somewhat marred the view.

More Mansfield.

A tourist bus on Broad street.

Apparently a wedding took place at Hertford this past week. I caught this picture on my way to class!

Oriel College. I have a tutorial here this term.

Flowers at Oriel.

My friend Hayley at Oriel.

The view from the window outside my tutor's office. Not bad!

I also recently participated in my first Holi! Holi is a Hindu religious festival celebrated mostly in India and Nepal, but it is also celebrated in countries with large Indian diaspora populations. The festival celebrates the beginning of spring, and basically involves people throwing brightly colored powder and water at each other. The Oxford Hindu Society organized the celebration which was held on a large field. At least 200 people showed up, and I was covered in powder by the end!

Nice and clean before Holi.

The ladies before Holi. L to R: Anjali, Hayley, Emily, Sarah, me, and Christina

Mid-celebration/battle: Raul, me, Hayley, Emily.

Brendan, Sarah, and Raul (squirting Sarah with a water gun).

The gang afterward: Jordan, me, Anjali, Christina, Sarah, Hayley, Emily, Raul.

So much fun!