I have been trying to figure out how to jumpstart my new blog for several months now. I knew I wanted it to be real and thought provoking, but I was having a bit of trouble finding inspiration. However, I am currently in Oxford, United Kingdom studying for three weeks. Talk about the opportunity of a life time — and I get to live it! I figure this is as good a time as ever to embark on this journey of expressing who I am, what I believe, and the opportunities that I take hold of. I hope you all decide to embark on this journey with me! With all that being said, let’s get to day one.
Day One: A Pleasant Surprise
Anyone that know me well knows that I have a love affair with two life sustaining beverages — Coffee and Wine. I capitalize the first letter of both words because in my world they are proper nouns that deserve respect. A cup of coffee in the morning and afternoon and a glass of wine in the evening are basically my sustenance. Lucky for me, I randomly got moved to first class on the flight from Toronto to London. For those of you who don’t know (like I didn’t), you get free alcohol in first class. This means FREE wine. I am a 21 year old college student. Let’s face it, the concept of free wine is magical at this point in my life. Needless to say, my flight was very relaxing. Wine and a Harry Potter book — what more could a girl ask for?
After we landed, I spent the day in London with my dear friend Margaret who I have known since I was 10. She is on the same study abroad trip with me and is absolutely amazing. I have been to London once before with my high school marching band and absolutely fell in love with the city. Coming back is like being reunited with a long lost friend. For those of you who don’t know, I am a Vegetarian who eats fish. There is a big fancy name for it, but to be honest I don’t know now to spell it. England is a fantastic place for vegetarians. If you are traveling abroad and looking for a healthy place to grab a quick bite, I highly suggest Pret A Manger. It is phenomenal and very affordable. After spending a few hours in London, we headed back to our hotel which was at the Gatwick Airport in London. Let me say this about staying at the Gatwick Airport, DO IT. Gatwick is not in central London, but is attached to a train station. This made traveling to Central London and Oxford super easy and not stressful.
Day Two: Arriving in Oxford
Yesterday, I arrived in Oxford after a two hour train ride. And let me tell you, I am absolutely in love with this city. Immediately I felt a sense of belonging and comfort. Shortly after arriving at the house (where UGA students stay) we took a walking tour of Oxford. The campus is absolutely breathtaking. You can feel the air of greatness. As a good chunk of you probably know, I am absolutely obsessed with C.S. Lewis. His religious views have changed my life in many ways and his fiction has been an escape for me in my darkest days. He is by far my favorite author and my role model in life. To give you a bit of background, C.S. Lewis was an atheist for many years of his life. It wasn’t until after many thought provoking religious debates and conversations with his dear friend, J.R.R. Tolkien (author of the Lord of the Rings series), that he became a Christian. These history-making conversation all happened at a pub in Oxford called the “Eagle and Child”. Yesterday, I had a drink with two amazing friends in this pub. To be in a place where such incredible thought has happened is a feeling like no other. Hopefully one day I will create such greatness.
(Photos: The Eagle and Child. I just noticed the epic photo bomber in the background)
Day 3: First Day of Classes
I should probably mention that I am actually taking classes over here. This is a study abroad after all. The specific program that I am enrolled in is the University of Georgia at Oxford Junemester. I stay at the UGA house and take classes here, which is extremely convenient. I am taking two courses — one on modernism and aristocracy, another on Shakespeare. The Modernism and Aristocracy class is taught my an English UGA professor who is absolutely phenomenal. The Shakespeare class is taught by an Oxford Professor who loves to direct plays and drink coffee. Needless to say, I took to her almost immediately. In our class today we had the assignment of blocking a scene in The Taming of The Shrew as if we were in The Globe Theatre. Talk about a fascinating way to study Shakespeare! The director in me was on cloud nine.
Overall, it has been a very successful first few days. I have met incredible people, explored an amazingly historic city, and eaten where C.S. Lewis found his inspiration. You know what the best part is? This is only the beginning.
Jessica McLeod-Waddell, MA, MEd, CPCC 