I would like to take this post to make a special shout-out to my current housemates--Alanna, Ali, Hannah, Jelsa, Jennifer, Jonny, and Matt. You guys rock ;-)
Tuesday, 12 June 2007
Last week
It's odd to think that after next week, Oxford will be minimized to only a memory. It's a shame since I feel as if I'm finally settled. I really have loved it here. I wonder how much I've changed. Academically, I feel stronger. It's a safe claim to say that I'll be the best art history major Georgetown when I graduate (I'll be the only one). Seriously though, I do feel as if my critical writing has improved considerably. Also, my formal analysis has really benefited from being able to experience the objects first hand. I told Tyler that I feel as if I know how to look at art now, but he said that sounded really pretentious. I would have to agree, so I won't be saying that again. Though I'm happy to be leaving with a few respectable essays under my belt, I'm not going to regret not being a student here anymore. One thing that Oxford has led me to reconsider is what I would like to do post-undergrad. It has made me reconsider grad school especially a program that would take several years at a prestigious school away from home. I've always said that I don't want to be defined by my line of work, and I think I'm actually starting to believe my own mantra now.
I've been asked by several people what I feel as if I've gained most from this experience. I always say independence. It's nice to work at my own pace on my own hours (I like to wake up and stay up late). I love being able to walk around the city and enjoy my solitude. I feel like I won't have that free time at home. I know I won't. Obviously, I have more friends and responsibilities at home, whereas here, I can take it easy. But it's more than just solitude, it's also becoming less dependent on others. I've always required my "me-time." I haven't always been able to cook, or book my own flights, or even seriously had to budget my own time.
I'm really looking forward to being home again. I miss my friends and family, and basically, my comfort zone. It'll be nice, but I wonder how different it'll look to me. Yesterday, I was at a the book shop/cafe Blackwell's and these four girls were having a loud conversation beside me. They were American, and they said "like" a lot. They sounded hilarious. A guy I knew who is Northern Irish was sitting nearby, and I knew he overheard the girls too. "Please tell me I don't sound like that," I said. "Yeah...you do," he informed me. When I go back home, I picture myself just staring at people in conversation with my eyes widened in awe and mouth slightly opened. Maybe a slight head tilt as well. It'll definitely be interesting. One of my favorite games to play in my head here is spot the American tourist. I almost feel as if I sound snobbish, but Americans do dress and act distinctly.
There's much more I need to blog about, so I'm going to make a list of things for myself. You can stop reading this now.
*Summer eights
*final fling
*bath, maybe Winchester
*punting?
I've been asked by several people what I feel as if I've gained most from this experience. I always say independence. It's nice to work at my own pace on my own hours (I like to wake up and stay up late). I love being able to walk around the city and enjoy my solitude. I feel like I won't have that free time at home. I know I won't. Obviously, I have more friends and responsibilities at home, whereas here, I can take it easy. But it's more than just solitude, it's also becoming less dependent on others. I've always required my "me-time." I haven't always been able to cook, or book my own flights, or even seriously had to budget my own time.
I'm really looking forward to being home again. I miss my friends and family, and basically, my comfort zone. It'll be nice, but I wonder how different it'll look to me. Yesterday, I was at a the book shop/cafe Blackwell's and these four girls were having a loud conversation beside me. They were American, and they said "like" a lot. They sounded hilarious. A guy I knew who is Northern Irish was sitting nearby, and I knew he overheard the girls too. "Please tell me I don't sound like that," I said. "Yeah...you do," he informed me. When I go back home, I picture myself just staring at people in conversation with my eyes widened in awe and mouth slightly opened. Maybe a slight head tilt as well. It'll definitely be interesting. One of my favorite games to play in my head here is spot the American tourist. I almost feel as if I sound snobbish, but Americans do dress and act distinctly.
There's much more I need to blog about, so I'm going to make a list of things for myself. You can stop reading this now.
*Summer eights
*final fling
*bath, maybe Winchester
*punting?
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