Hi everyone! I’m currently in the library of the Faculty of Classics trying to write up my final essay of the term, so I’ll keep this column short and sweet (in case you’re curious, it’s a 6000 word paper on the Brontё sisters — wish me luck!)
I’m leaving for home in less than a week, which I am admittedly extraordinarily excited for. There are so many things I miss: all the people, Murphy and Eloise (my pets), Chobani products (more specifically, the cookie dough Chobani Flip), ice in my water, all the American websites I don’t have access to here and my car “Sister Civic the Second” (we don’t talk about “Sister Civic the First”), among other things.
Something that I feel isn’t really discussed in regards to studying abroad is how often you wish you were home. Before going abroad, so many people told me how life-changing their experiences were, how they wish they could go back and how their worldviews have been permanently expanded. At Oxford, I certainly feel these emotions, and I can already see how this journey has allowed me to grow as a human being and a writer; however, at this point in the term, I’m starting to feel like a wrung-out towel. I’m not going to lie — this university can be really intense, and it’s hard to get through it without the constant comfort of my friends from home. The world is vast, and I feel so privileged to have this opportunity to explore it alongside some of the smartest people I’ve ever met; however, there really is no place like home. So, to my friends who are feeling guilty for wanting to go home, I totally get it.
Even though I am excited to go home, that doesn’t mean I don’t plan on making my last week of Michaelmas (as in Bublé) as fun as it can possibly be. I’ve been on the Christmas music train since Nov. 1, so you could say I’m excited for the holidays. This week, we are celebrating “Oxmas” on Wednesday, which is Oxford’s version of Christmas (since no one is on campus during the actual holidays). Tickets to the Oxmas dinner were nearly impossible to get, but I snatched one as soon as they were released at 4 p.m. SHARP. The menu looks extremely delicious: roast garlic and sage ciabatta, potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, a mushroom, barley and chestnut Wellington for the vegetarian main course and Baileys ice cream and spiced shortbreads for dessert. I’m hungry just thinking about it…
I’m also going into London on Thursday night to see “A Christmas Carol” with friends. I’ve only been to London once this term — it is sooo huge —, but I’m excited to go back. My friend Anne and I will hopefully be able to get some Christmas gift shopping done before the show and see the London lights in all their Christmas-y glory.
That’s all I have today! I have to start packing soon, but first, back to the Brontёs.
See you all in the new year!
Grace x
