Thursday, October 13, 2011

The City of Dreaming Spires

Kurt and I went on an Oxford adventure today and it consisted of beautiful English country-side views (complete with a lot of sheep), Krispy Kreme donuts, exploring buildings from the 1200's and sipping a cup of coffee in the very place The Inklings sat every Tuesday from 1939-1962 chatting about who knows what (but it had to have been cool).

While Kurt had lunch with an Oxford professor, I wandered the pebbly streets and stared at the oldest buildings I've ever seen. My American brian was on overload. I've discovered that England has a crazy way of making you want to curl up in blankets with a glass of wine or tea and read any and every old book you can find. I just want to be taken back to a time long long ago, and today I nearly was.
Gotta love Tesco
Aren't these fantastic?
Colorful streets, this picture doesn't do justice.
Lemon Meringue Pie Donut; good thing we only bought one each.
School uniforms are so cute & Harry Potterish

It was really great to travel outside of London for the first time since arriving in England. Somedays while living in London I feel like I'm on a field trip that will never end. Although I'm seeing and doing fun and exciting things, I'm tired, disoriented and hungry for the familiar atmosphere of home. Today though, I feel completely exhilarated. It's like someone hit the refresh button and everything is clearer. I'm seeing the big picture and how blessed I am to be here experiencing a different culture. I read my sister's blog this week on being thankful. And if I were to make a list of all the things I'm feeling grateful for right now you'd probably stop reading.

But along with visiting Oxford, I will share one other thing I'm thankful for: I've found great comfort this week in realizing that although I left all of my earthly family behind in the States, I have eternal family here. And meeting and getting connect to more of my sisters and brothers is truly awesome!

Michaela Rae

P.S. If you were living in England, which book(s) would you be reading in your leisure time? Today I decided to re-read The Hobbit. I'm also hitting the local library tomorrow to find A Severe Mercy. I could pick up whatever you suggest as well!

Try a new adventure this week? Link of up to Try New Adventures Thursday.

6 comments:

  1. Oh, I have lots to comment on this post, but it's bedtime and I'm zonked. But 1st, books.
    The Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O'Brian comes to mind. I really enjoy those. And they're about the British navy.
    Also, have you read Jane Eyre?
    I think reading Tennyson's poems in that setting would be divine...:)
    More later...I love you.

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  2. I'm sitting here at work living vicariously through you, the pics make me so jealous! And I'm very happy you are feeling refreshed. And I would def reread pride and prejudice, a true classic

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  3. Field trip that never ends....hubby's cousin and cousin's wife in Thailand for 2 years is doing that...every weekend, they're traveling to another country for "holiday". =p I'm glad you are connecting with some brothers/sisters there. Exciting! I will have to try that pie donut thing when I visit family over there.

    You have to visit Jelly Belly Factory one day when you're stateside. Fun! I posted day 2 of our trip if you are interested. =p http://joyceandnorm.wordpress.com/2011/10/13/sac-trip-day-2-apple-hill-and-old-sac-train/

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  4. Ok, so I was going to say "How about your reread A Severe Mercy?" but... yeah. haha. I've been wanting to read it again myself, actually.

    Have you ever read The Screwtape Letters? Or A Grief Observed? It would be neat to go and read some Lewis in the Eagle and Child.

    By the way, does anyone there comment on the fact that you're an American or your accent? I've been curious. :)

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  5. I've read Screwtape Letters but not A Grief Observed. I should do that. It'd be super cool if I could go to Eagle and Child every day & read, I'm not sure how many more times we'll go tho, it's about 1.5 hours away.

    People often think we're either American or Canadian. We've been told Canadians get offended if you ask if they're from the US, so they often don't guess =P.

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  6. I have been to The Eagle and Child. :)
    I am glad I found your blog. Your posts are so much fun to read. That is soo cool that you are over there!

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