Break out the Christmas music!

Some important countdowns:
2 more tutorials.
3 more papers to write.
16 days until I am back home!
29 days until Christmas!
36 days until 2007!

So, Doug got here on the 16th & left yesterday. 9 whole days together in England! I am so glad he was able to experience a taste of my life here in England. And now he believes me when I tell him that we walk about 5 miles a day! ;) Here is a little sample from his time here:


Our Thanksgiving walk around Oxford...


Momentarily interrupted when Doug was almost eaten.


Love,
the future Partons :)


Watching The Christmas Story on Thanksgiving.

Yesterday was the SCIO Thanksgiving celebration. The festivities began around 1:00 with an American game of football in the back yard. Then around 3:30, we were treated to pre-dinner entertainment, courtesy of the Baigent Boys, as well as our tutor for student affairs, Simon, & his wife, Coral.


The youngest, Harry Baigent.


The middle child, Charlie Baigent.


The oldest (and dare I say, my favorite!), Bertie Baigent.


Simon & Coral Lancaster, Cello Extraordinaires!

The dinner itself was a wonderful excuse for everyone to get a little dressy AND indulge in our long-forsaken high heels!!


The Tripartite Cord!


Electric heels, ala Megan & Rachel.

After dinner & dessert, Megan & I quickly ran upstairs to escape the throng below - 90 people in one house can become quite suffocating. We decided that the best way to end the evening would be to watch that timeless Christmas classic - Home Alone. "Look whatcha did, ya little jerk!" As ashamed as I am to admit it, the moment of reunion between Kevin & his mom made me a little teary-eyed. I attribute that to the fact that I miss my own family, although I'm sure the stellar acting also contributed.

Well, that brings us to today, Sunday, the 26th day of the month of November in the year of our Lord 2006. Today's forecast: 52 degrees, partly cloudy, with a chance of writing papers.

My love to all,
Rachel

it's just the nearness of you

Look who's here!


I love my new study buddy!

Sunday, bloody Sunday...

Ah, taking a break from 18th-century literature to update everyone on the homefront on the where- and what-abouts of yours truly!

Just to clarify: there was some concern after my previous post as to my well-being, and I apologize for the unnecessary concern - I am just fine. The only injury was to my pride, which could probably take a knock or two anyway!

I know I talk about this far too often, but I cannot get over the beautiful weather! It has been an absolutely gorgeous autumn over here!

Let's see, some fun things to update about...
Well, we think the fireworks for Guy Fawkes Day have finally ended. They started about a week before Guy Fawkes Day (Remember, remember, the 5th of November...), but I think they're finally done. Here is my account of Guy Fawkes Day from my livejournal (posted Nov. 5):

For anyone who doesn't know (or hasn't seen V for Vendetta), this is the day when England celebrates the thwarted plot of G.F. to blow up Parliament. It's sort of their equivalent to our 4th of July... the exception being that we don't burn effigies of any historical figures. At least not to my knowledge. So, the locals have been getting antsy with the fireworks for about a week now. Every evening around 6 or 7, we'd start hearing the ole crackers - I suppose practicing for the big night. Yesterday, the tension was really building as I heard the first firework at 3:14pm. Anyway, last night we went to a carnival (which was kind of pathetic, definitely not all it was hyped up to be!) and watched fireworks (excellent - can't imagine the cost), and then stayed around to see G.F. burned in effigy, atop a 10-meter high pile of wooden skids. No one went nuts or anything, but still a little bizarre. The fireworks are at it again tonight, though much patience was exercised, as the first one didn't go off until 3:23pm.

So that was definitely a little taste of English culture...

Last night Susan, Megan & I went to Craft Night at the St. Ebbe's (the church we have been attending). It was such a great break from the usual routine! We had each paid £5 for a ticket, but it was well worth it! There were tables of various crafts, including (but not limited to) card-making, sewing little ornaments, decorating picture frames, etc etc! We enjoyed ourselves immensely, and we took pictures, but I can't post them, as I am holding someone's Christmas present! Ah, suspense...

Well, not much else to write about. I've just been reading and writing and walking a lot. To spice up this otherwise dull entry, I shall add some pictures!


Walking to the library...


On the way to City Centre


One of our favorite regulars. This guy LOVES his bagpipes!

Well, that's all for now!

Love to all,
Rachel

A Fall One Autumn, Rachel Bannister (b. 1985)

They say that “pride cometh before a fall,” but in some cases, a fall cometh unprovoked. Such was the event of our protagonist, whose fate came so quickly, with no warning. No, Rachel was not of noble birth, but critics and literary scholars throughout the ages have nevertheless dubbed this unfortunate soul a tragic hero. This is her story.

Rachel was born, lived for a while, and then went to Oxford, where she met and quickly befriended two upstanding citizens, Megan and Susan. The three had been conveniently placed in the same room, thereby solidifying their friendship. Nary a moment went by when these comrades were not engaged in fellowship with one another. It was true, however, that their rigorous academic schedules sometimes posed an interference in such pleasantries. During these times of separation, their minds raced ahead in anticipation of further time spent together in gales of laughter, perhaps whilst enjoying a confectionary treat from one of their frequented dining locales.

The walks to and from the multiple libraries strewn throughout the quaint town of Oxford were often the highlight of the day. The girls would amble through the idyllic meadows, rapturously admiring the English landscape, chatting merrily on a variety of topics.

One morning Susan was unable to accompany Megan and Rachel, and though the two were wary of journeying without one of the tripartite, they set off, bemoaning the absence of their third cohort. However, recognizing the necessities imposed upon their dear friend by her arduous workload, the two were consoled and again took up cheerful discourse. It was a glorious autumn morning – the air was brisk, and in a backdrop of bright blue sky, the sun streamed its loving rays upon the ruddy cheeks below.

Suddenly, disaster struck. Some wicked, unseen foe grabbed Rachel’s foot, and with no warning, she found herself plummeting toward the sidewalk beneath, in what seemed to her a perpetual nosedive. In actuality, the devastating fall took only a split second. When later questioned, an observer commented, “It just happened so fast.” Megan never even had time to begin reaching out a helping hand. Rachel’s demise was inevitable.

Fortunately for Rachel, her animal instincts took over, and, like a cat, she was unexplainably able to break the tumble with her hands and, amazingly, only one knee. Still, the harm was done – she was now a fallen woman, her once graceful reputation forever tarnished. An elderly woman had witnessed the whole scene, undoubtedly remembering the days before her initial descent, and remarked knowingly, “I do that all the time.”

Megan, being a faithful friend, stayed by Rachel’s side as the two walked somberly toward Oxford. Though Megan attempted to lighten the mood, they were both well aware that Rachel’s return to society would not be one of joy. The two would never discover why or how the whole event had transpired, but they had both learned an important lesson that day: a threefold cord is not easily broken.