This is what writing a paper at Oxford looks like:

This is what writing a paper at Oxford looks like:

1. Sit down at my desk and clear the clementine peels.
2. Read a secondary source and take notes, then stop halfway through.
3. Go to the kitchen to make a cup of Nescafe.
4. Come back and "take a break" by reading entirety of the NY Times Style section.
5. Stare at my paper and finally type a sentence.
6. Rearrange said sentence more attractively.
7. Peruse the thesaurus.
8. Stare at the paper; move previously typed sentence to a different part of the paragraph.
9. Pace around the room, picking up clothes.
10. Eat a clementine.
11. Take another break and go out for a walk; get annoyed at judgmental swans.
12. Come back and stare at the paper.
13. Finally give in and read more Shakespeare.
14. Type a quotation. Satisfied.
15. Go to rinse out my mug in the kitchen.
16. Recheck the NYTimes and various blogs for updates.
17. Frustrated that nothing has been updated, obsessively check Facebook instead.
18. Delete a sentence.
19. Realize that thesis doesn't make sense and write a new one.
20. Overenthusiastically cultivate active hatred towards Shakespeare and tutor. Create elaborate fantasies involving piercing them on a college spire/drowning in the Thames.
21. Freak out about how unprepared I'll be for tomorrow's tutorial and calm myself down by eating a cookie and rearranging the pictures on my wall.
22. Wonder if I have ADHD.
23. Repeat.

The one where I pretend to care about Shakespeare

The one where I pretend to care about Shakespeare

Okay, so term hasn't even started yet (tomorrow!) but already I've been crazy busy, so I won't be able to write much this time either. There are so many things to tell: my fake-British tutor who's actually from Appalachia, Ben the Bartender - my first British "friend", my room overlooking the Thames, and my overenthusiastic embrace of street food in all its greasy glory. (Eww- ME, ME, ME)

All will come in due time. Perhaps when I don't have a paper on The Tempest (UGH) assigned two days ago and due tomorrow! Wish me luck!

Until then, here's my address if you feel so inclined to send me love/money/Adderall/yourself:

C/O The Porter's Lodge
St Catherine's College
Manor Road
Oxford
OX1 3UJ
United Kingdom


Just don't send me food - my overeating has returned ever since I moved into my room. The ubiquity of salt and vinegar chips and Bueno bars is going to be the downfall of me.

Oh, and comment! Surely some of you are reading this... right?!?

here, there, everywhere

here, there, everywhere

I'm in Oxford and finally moved in to the room where I will be living in! I don't know where to begin... so I won't.

I'll update soon enough with real content, but for now, allow me go huddle in a corner.

Packing Saga, Pt. 56

Packing Saga, Pt. 56

I'm ALMOST done with packing, which I think is about the hardest part... right?

Everyone tells me that I'll buy a ton of stuff there so I'm trying not to bring a lot, but it's difficult to decide what's essential and what's non-essential.


Case in point:

My lacquered wood portrait of Burt Reynolds that I found at a garage sale back in high school and that has since followed me EVERYWHERE (yes, including NYC). After much deliberation and heartache, I've decided not to bring him along. It's especially upsetting because apparently mustaches are making a comeback, but I think it's time we spent some time apart...

I'll miss you, Burt!


It's been strangely awkward telling people that I'm going to Oxford because:

1) I'm never sure if I should assume people know where Oxford is
2) And therefore feel the need to preface with "England"
4) I feel really pretentious stating it
5) I still feel like I'm a little undeserving

So when they say, "Oh, you must be so excited!", my reply is usually incredibly mundane. But I am excited! Promise!



Shalom, suckas! See ya in England!

And suddenly, reality

And suddenly, reality

It's strange being able to check to see how the weather forecast in England will affect me.

Waaaarrrrrriiiorsss, come out to pla-ay!

Waaaarrrrrriiiorsss, come out to pla-ay!

I'm back in Lawrence one last time, but that's besides the point. What I'm really interested in is a '70s movie called "The Warriors". My friend Tyler introduced me to this "cult classic" and needless to say, I am completely hooked.



Here's a synopsis from IMDB:
"A gang called The Warriors are framed for killing a gang leader trying to unite all the gangs in the area. With other gangs gunning for them they must get back to the home turf of Coney Island... Alive."

And the trailer:



I liked spotting all the NYC locales (CONEEEEY), but what's really amazing to see are the different gangs and their colours, all of which are over-the-top amazing. I would (MAYBE!) join a gang to have an excuse to wear some of these things. Okay, not really.

Tyler's favorite gang is the Baseball Furies who are CREEPY as hell.

Mine?

I'm in love with the dudes with the sparkly, purple vests or the mimes in black-and-red striped shirts and top hats (sorry... couldn't find pics). I'd really love to see a NY map of each of the rival gangs' territories.


Seriously- it's amazing.

If that weren't inducement enough, here's a Lego re-enactment of one of the more famous scenes:


EDIT: Also, one of the actors has since been in "Sex and the City" and "Ratatouille"! Brilliant!

PS. this is what I'll be listening to on the plane

PS. this is what I'll be listening to on the plane

Neon Neon, "Raquel"