Hello Freedom

So what do you do when you realize that an entire 2 months of writing and researching and moving to another country are behind you??

Sleep.

A Lot.

And then leave the country.


that is exactly what I intend to do.

Today was my last tutorial for Hilary term. I was "only" doing a presentation but I believe I wrote just as much as I would have in normal essay, and worked just as hard-save the effort of trying to write in complete sentences. After last week's dissappointment I was insanely nervous....but 2 pm finally rolled around today and after a some brief discussion on the topic, I presented my own arguments. It went pretty well, considering, as usual, I never feel prepared after only a few days of working on such massively controversial issues and broad topics like "Multiculturalism".

After my presentation, we talked a bit about the term in general. I really do feel that I have learned quite a bit in a short period of time- probably because I 've read more in the last 8 weeks than perhaps my entire college career thus far (though I didn't just admit that) Not having anyone to actually teach me the material before I was supposed to write these tightly argumentative masterpieces....was a challenge to say the least. And while it would have been nice to have seth's help before I began freaking out over what I even thought of the issues...I suppose it was a good thing to be forced into discovering it on my own (save last week when I taught myself the wrong things)

One thing that made me feel much better was when Seth asked if I found the tutorials intimidating and what not---of course they were for me simply because I tend to just get nervous about my work---but he said that I never appeared nervous--especially compared to two of his other students who he happened to make cry this term......I feel happy to say that I didn't cry in a tutorial this term....

Sitting there today it was hard to believe that all the sudden, just like that, I am completely free for 6 weeks here in Europe. This is the first time in a long time -maybe even back to summer- where I have not been thinking of reading that I need to be doing in preparation to come here...or the reading I need to do while I am here. After all, I was only here 2 days before receiving my first assignment.

I'm not sure what I feel about it all--but exhausted my be the most apporpriate description.

I could tell I was completely worn out this term when on Monday I woke up at 12:00, went to lunch, came back to stanley and did absolutely nothing productive. Some days are just no good you know. Some days the inspiration to be worth something is just not there....and I was completely worthless individual this past Monday.

I did manage to make it to lunch though...afterall...so not all was lost. I was to meet Dr. Hadaway since I missed the time he came last week to dinner.....however on my way out the door I notice my front bike tire was low. Being the brilliant gal that I am, I grabbed the air pump inside and went about the business of taking the cap of the inflation tube.....well, apparently this pump does not fit my bike. A good piece of info I learned AFTER I had managed to let all the air out....

So, I borrowed Alanna's bike, but had to come right back after lunch. That is why I spent the day at home instead of the great Oxford Library system. At four I went to a near by bike shop and had the problem solved....until Alanna shows up at my door with a hand held pump..."um, I think I owe you an apology" haha, she had tried to help me with my bike, not knowing I had already taken care of it...and had managed to let out all the air in my rear tire this time....too great :) I just had to laugh.

It did help me get up the next morning though. After going back and having it fixed for the second time, I attended my finally lecture with Mr. Gerald Cohen.....

After lunch on tuesday I studied for the first time in the Bodleian Radcliff Camera. It was a stunning library...so so old (like 400 years) and the building is round. There were so many old men there refusing to stop the process of life long learning....and it was so seriously quiet, that I feel asleep on my desk for half an hour....

After dinner I went to the Sackler art/ and history library with Krisitie- overall the day was pretty productive.

That was my week pretty much. Monday was a good spell of homepeople sickness day here...one the few that have managed to make it hard for me to work....So I look forard to the adventures of break...and seeing some of the people who miss me most (yeah, Mom and Dad :)