Student Blogs

Wait, I leave FRIDAY?

September 25th, 2011 etmasi13

So things are getting hectic around here considering I have 4 days left at home. We’re talkin’ racing to get the flu shot, scouring Bed, Bath & Beyond for adapters and converters (two totally different things… who knew?!), printing and organizing endless important documents into one of those file expanders, calling up and trying to figure out the UK health system (i.e. who’s gonna give me my monthly allergy shots? anyone?), stuffing winter coats and fleeces into space bags (ok, that was fun), ordering UK chargers, buying this and that and this anddd the list never (literally, never) ends.

Everything feels stressful nowadays. Like: buying socks at Target. I sat in the sock aisle for possibly a solid 7 minutes as I stared at their sock options… ankle socks, “no-show” socks, athletic socks… and how many pairs to purchase?! I mean this stuff now consumes my life (I’ve been at home for over 4 months. Enough said). I ended up buying 12 pairs. Too much? Too little? Just right? This is when my mother lovingly reminded me that there are, in fact, stores in England.

But the hustle and bustle is getting me so excited. I found out a few days ago that I’ll officially be living in the Ablethorpe building, which is called “Dale” around campus. Dale was my first choice when I requested it in early June. There was an option to live in a duplex or a shared house, but they were both 30 minute walks from campus and living in bigger digs didn’t seem to outweigh the idea of having a 15 minute walk and living with Mansfield students and other JYAs. And apparently the location is stellar. I can’t wait.

And there was even more good news –  I heard from my first Oxford tutor (AH!!) and 1. she sounds awesome and nice (although I’ve been warned she’s really hard), 2. she agreed to teach me even though I’m at Mansfield (she’s at St. Catherine’s), 3. alllll because I requested studying my favorite author, Vladimir Nabokov. SO.COOL. That means I get a one-on-one tutorial centered on the single most incredible writer with this woman who is willing to do it. I mean, really, it doesn’t get much better than that. She sent me a reading list with what we’ll be covering and it’s definitely daunting– about 13 of his major works in an 8 week period. Ouch. BUT, studying something I’m really passionate about is why I applied to Oxford in the first place so I feel like I’m already getting a taste of all that’s waiting for me. I’m beyond lucky.

Well, I’m gonna go pack (considering all I have in my suitcase are two filled space bags). Since I found out there aren’t any Dunkin Donuts in England (not okay) I’m going to be enjoying my pumpkin lattes every day until 7:30 PM flight on Friday. Gotta savor the little things, right?

3 Responses to “Wait, I leave FRIDAY?”

  1. Jacqui Schartner says:

    You’re going to have a GREAT year!!! All the best!

  2. I must admit…

    Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I in finding It truly helpful & it helped me out a lot. I’m hoping to offer one thing back and help others such as you helped me….

  3. Nancy says:

    Thanks for the share!
    Nancy.R

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