The Social Network: A Friend of a Friend!

When I lived in Colorado, my friend Jessie was the queen of the hip Denver social scene...she was always planning parties, outings, and introducing people to each other. Well, the other day I received an email:

"Hello, I am a friend of Jessie's from Denver and she suggested that we connect. I've just started on a Walkabout around the world and it sounds like you are also on an international adventure! I'm currently in the UK, staying with a friend up in the country, but I think that we're going to head into Oxford this weekend. Any chance you will be around and available to meet up for tea or a cocktail? Any friend of Jessie's has got to be super fun, plus I'd love to hear about your adventures!"

It is true...any friend of Jessie's is worth meeting. So, we met up last Sunday and enjoyed an afternoon in Oxford, sipping tea, eating scones, and touring the City of Spires. There is something to be said about the power of a social network, the Colorado connection, and meeting others who possess the same adventurous thirst. These natural networks make for good conversation! We talked about traveling and how each of us have ended up living/traveling internationally. These connections with like-minded adventurous women always inspire me to keep adventuring, keep my eyes open, and continue taking a BIG bite out of life. Happy Sojourns, Annie & Ashley!

A Trip to Sheffield, England.

I have had the great fortune of meeting a great group of higher education professors from the University of Sheffield. The connection stems from when I lived in Oslo. I met a researcher, Vassiliki, who was conducting research in Oslo for her Oxford postgrad and we have kept in touch ever since. When I knew I was living in Oxford I contacted her again, we met for a delicious Lebanese lunch, and she asked me to present to Dublin. While in Dublin I mentioned that I would like to tour the University of Sheffield campus and before I knew it I had an invitation to visit, an interview set up for the hedda blog, and I was asked to make another presentation on "Some Transatlantic Observations on English/European Higher Education." The amazing world of international connections!



The trip to Sheffield was another great academic opportunity and the professors were the most gracious hosts. They put me up at the Rutland Hotel *see photo below* and the room was rather funky with the panoramic black and white photo of the couple laying on the beach. The post-industrial city of Sheffield has a real university feel to it, as there are three universities in the city, including a medical school. Very different from the posh Oxford.

Beads of Sweat Trickle Down My Face...Now, THIS is Traveling!

With all of my travels, you would think that I double check all travel plans and logistics to ensure a smooth voyage. Well, I must admit there are still times when I just take my travel skills for granted and/or my mind is elsewhere. The rationalization for this shameful, yet hilarious, travel story is probably a combination of not paying attention to the details and being entrenched with academic endeavors. But, before you read on, just know these types of travel stories make me feel alive. Crazy, but true! Here is the context of this story: I was invited to the University of Sheffield to make a presentation, conduct an interview for the hedda blog, and tour the campus. So, here is the story of catching the train to Sheffield:

12:05 All is good! Leave the UGA House and hop on the bus to the town centre.
12:11 Arrive in town centre. Walk in the drizzle, stop in at Taylor’s to buy a takeaway chicken pesto Panini.
12:16 Walk leisurely to train station.
12:28 Arrive at the train station, sit down, put my umbrella away, take out my train tickets. Read the tickets and realize I never printed out the e-ticket…all I printed out was the lousy itinerary. “An email containing your e-ticket will be sent to your email address.” Oh, bloody hell!
12:30 Begin freaking out! Get in ticket line.
12:35 I ask the woman if I can ride the train with just the itinerary. I know the answer, but think that if I put on the naive foreigner act, she may help me out. NOPE! She says I MUST print out the e-ticket and there is no where to print in the train station.
12:37 I run to the tourist office and she tells me the closest Internet café is about 10 minutes away. AHHHHH!
12:40 I RUN!!! Here is the visual: one hand dragging my little roller behind me, the other hand tightly holding onto the umbrella while my backpack bounces up and down on my back.
12:45 I arrive at Coffee Republic and artfully cut line to ask if I can jump on the Internet and print something quickly. She sees the sweat on my brows and proclaims, “30 minutes is 1 pound 50 pence.” I pay the lady, run up the stairs, and sit at the computer closest to the printer. As my email inbox slowly loads, I try to catch my breath as beads of sweat trickle down my face.
12:46 The magical e-ticket prints, as the angels in my head sing a sweet melody. I tell the gentlemen next to me to feel free to use the remaining time on my computer and then I bolt down the stairs!
12:48 I RUNNNNNNNNNNNN and think to myself..."damn, I am out of aerobic shape!" I have less than 20 minutes to catch the train.
12:53 Arrive at the train station…and navigate my way to platform 2.
12:55 AHHHHH, with 10 minutes to spare, I sit down on a bench, take off my coat, wipe the sweat from my head, and begin laughing. Now, this is traveling!!
13:02 The train arrives. I board, find my seat, highly consider stripping down to fully Monty, and let out a sigh of relief.
13:05 Train leaves, to Sheffield I go!
15:46 Arrive Sheffield, climb into a black cabbie *see top 3 photos*.

A Dental Experience in the U.K.

Unlike the U.S., the U.K. offers a publicly funded health care option for all human beings residing or even visiting the U.K. Woohoo, for human rights! The National Health Service (NHS) also offers dental care, Studental. Being a U.S. graduate student, I do not have dental insurance and therefore pay an arm and a leg (and sometimes a tooth) to visit the dentist every six months. Yes, every six months, the American culture values teeth...hence the reason we are vain when it comes to dental care. So, I jumped at the chance to get my teeth cleaned for a cheaper rate, despite the stereotypes about British having bad teeth. Of course, it turns out I needed a cavity filled too. Here is what I paid:

x-ray/check-up-£16.50 ($27)
teeth cleaning- £33.00 ($55)

cavity filling- £29.00 ($48)

So, for less than what I would have paid in the U.S. for a check-up/cleaning, I even got a cavity filled. Lucky me! Now, I can say I have bad dental work in the UK, Belgium, and Finland. I am going to have an international grill before I know it.

My review: The clinic was high-tech, sparkling clean, with no wait. The dentist and hygienist were very professional, knowledgeable (because I asked them about 20 questions out of curiosity), and skilled with drills and such. They even gave me a few samples of sensitive toothpaste. Highly recommended!

Summertown Wine Café

Throughout my travels and living abroad, I have discovered one thing that makes me feel at home: finding a special little place that caters to my thirst (tea and wine) while offering a warm environment with natural lighting. In Tampere, Finland this was Wayne's Coffee and Mercado Negro in Aveiro, Portugal. In Oxford, I have found the perfect little spot...the Summertown Wine Café:

• Free wifi.
• £2 happy hour glasses of wine (5-7 p.m.)
• A hearty teapot of Earl Grey tea with a little ginger biscuit.
• Comfy seating.
• Plenty of natural lighting.
• Candles in the evening.
  

Happy Guy Fawkes Day!

In 1605, a Roman Catholic dude, named Guy Fawkes, tried to blow up Parliament while all of the Protestant aristocracy and nobility were wining and dining. However, the "Gunpowder Plot" was foiled as he was arrested before the 36 barrels of gunpowder exploded. In commemoration of this foiled plot to kill the King, Guy Fawkes day is celebrated November 5 with fireworks and a large effigies of Fawkes burned by bonfire.

The students decided to throw a party in the garden to celebrate Guy Fawkes day. As the rain spit on the party *see photo of "wellies" (plastic rain boots)* it did not stop us from grilling meat and smore's *see photo* (an American tradition with graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate), and watching fireworks. Oh, and the most exciting part of the evening was when one of my students lit a firecracker and it nearly took off my head (a near death experience I tell you!)

Another excitement of the evening was Christmas Pudding!

'Tis the season for Christmas Pudding! "Made with plump vine fruits, juicy glace cherries and walnuts laced with brandy, rum, and port". It is sort of like fruitcake, but more moist. James really enjoyed it... *see photo*

London: Christmas Lights, Whole Foods & Procrastination!

I always love a spontaneous day trip to London...as I never really know what will come of it. This time, all I knew is that I had to be at a 5:30 p.m. talk at King's College. Otherwise, I could enjoy the day like the free-spirited traveler that I revel in.

In Oxford Circus, the holiday spirit was in full effect with large Christmas Carol signs and strings upon strings of lights dancing over the busy London streets. The big "light up" event just so happened to fall on the same night, so it made for some tube closures resulting in an hour and a half of wild tube adventures.

I am a Whole Foods junkie! When I lived in Boulder, Whole Foods was my favorite hang-out. Okay, this may sound weird...since it is just a trendy, grocery store known for its organic food products, but in Boulder...Whole Foods is the place to be! It is an experience all on its own. So, when I saw Whole Food bags with "London" scrolled on them, I was on a mission to experience the London Whole Foods. Albeit not Boulder, it was a lovely place to enjoy my favorite Whole Foods lunch: chai with salad.

King's College is close to the London Bridge area, so I spent the remainder of my afternoon walking by the water and enjoying the HMS Belfast. That is a big mama boat! At 5:15 p.m. I found a comfy chair in the third row of the auditorium style classroom and tried to curtail my excitement for the speaker. Jorge Cham is a Stanford PhD who is the creator of the PhD comic strip: Piled Higher and Deeper. His comics bring the painful and not-so-funny PhD experiences to life with humor. I think I am becoming one of his cult followers...because he is able to put words and lightness to otherwise stressful situations like being detained at the UK immigration control simply because you said the words, "research". Anyway, his talk was great and he stressed that there is power in procrastination. What?! Not guilt? Great news, I have a new found love for procrastination. Let's see how long I can hold out before the guilt sets in like a big black cloud.

Life Inside the UGA House in Oxford, England!

Here is a small glimpse of life inside the UGA house in Oxford. We recycle, cook, eat, and study!

St. Antony's College HalloQueen Bop

I was pretty excited to dress up for Halloween this year, as the past two Halloweens were real doozies. The big party in Oxford for graduate students takes place at St. Antony's College and the theme this year was cross-dressing! That meant I would wear my colleagues, James, tie and jacket, while he wore my dress and bra. For men, dressing like a woman is much more exciting than a woman dressing like a man. James received the full spa treatment as the women of 104 Banbury "beautified" him with nail polish, makeup, hair products, jewelry, and accessories. It was rather funny. With my painted moustache, we were ready to party...we queued up at 8 p.m., for a 9 p.m. door opening. Yes, we queued for one hour! But, this was said to be one of the best graduate parties of the year and we wanted to be sure that we got in. We were not the only ones queued up early, by 8:30 p.m. the line wrapped around the College. The costumes were hilarious and many of the men could not quit touching their constructed breasts and "itchy" pantyhose.

British Summer Time Ends.

Last week the UK rolled the clocks back one hour, a sure sign that fall is here! Everywhere you go in Oxford, colorful leaves dance along the ground. With the fall colors everywhere, the University Parks make for a lovely place to spend the afternoon. Here are a few favorite photos I have taken the last few weeks of the changing colors in Oxford.

Due to the mild temperature and the rain, I think that this may be the longest fall season I have experienced. Which I am certainly not complaining about, because I do heart fall.

The Oxford Gown

The black sleeveless gown with two wings flowing from the shoulder girdle is the standard evening attire in Oxford. At night it is completely normal to see students walking around town donning their black gown or in my case riding a bike to Keble with wings flapping behind me. This gown is what every Oxford student wears to formal dinner...which at Keble College formal dinner is every night except Saturday.

One night we decided to have a "glamour shots" photo shoot, hence the cheezy photos. Notice, in many of the photos I was predisposed to flying poses...the wings make you feel like flying!

Oh, you will see that my gown is longer than Erin's. Undergraduate gowns are shorter (hip), whereas graduate students are longer (knee), and faculty dons flow down to the ankle. Just one of the many formal rituals that I thought I would share with you...

Stratford-upon-Avon

I needed a break from the UGA at Oxford bubble that has a way of sucking you in. So, I paid 7£ for a round trip ticket on the Stagecoach bus to Stratford-upon-Avon. The bus ride through the beautiful countryside made me realize what a lovely region of England I live in. I need to explore more!!

When I looked at the weather report there was a BIG sunshine, hence the reason I did not pack an umbrella. Bad idea! It turned out to be a schizophrenic rain/sun day which made for a day of running into stores and cafes that I otherwise would not have visited. Moral of the story: when in England...pack your umbrella regardless of what the weather forecast predicts.

When the sun did shine, I enjoyed the quaint village nestled in the rural Warwickshire countryside. I abstained from visiting the tourist traps of the Shakespeare legacy; gawking at the bed where Shakespeare used to sleep just feels too contrived and inauthentic. I opted, instead, to walk the beautiful Avon river and side streets of Stratford. The highlight was the Guild Chapel founded in 1269. As the natural light beamed in through the stain glass, the rustic church became a photographer's dream. I had the place to myself. Of course the cream tea in the afternoon took a close second to the Chapel. Before I knew it 16:20 had arrived and it was time to climb back on the bus and journey back to Oxford, the place I currently call home.

Random fact: The controversial British Tellytubbies show is filmed on a 6-acre farm in Stratford.

Taking Class Via Skype

Every Friday at 1:50 p.m. I set up my headset and microphone, log into skype, and "attend" class. As the skype call connects, a live video loads onto the Meigs Hall classroom screen in Athens, Georgia. Vice-versa a live video of the Athens classroom pops up on my computer screen. I am taking EDHI 8930, The Qualitative Imagination, with Dr. Sheila Slaughter and six of my fellow PhD colleagues. The class is discussion based which has proven a bit challenging. Since I am not physically in the classroom, it is hard to gauge when to jump into the conversation without disrupting the flow. In addition, the microphone in the classroom does not capture all of the conversation (especially those with a quiet voice) and sometimes the microphone chooses to pick up the background noise rather than the conversation. Even though taking a class via skype is not perfect, and at times frustrating, it has allowed me to live in Oxford for the semester while remaining a full-time student at UGA. Plus, it has made travel possible.
I have skyped into the Athens, GA classroom from:

*Oxford, England
*St. Andrews, Scotland,
*Venice, Italy,
*Tallinn, Estonia, and

*Dublin, Ireland.

I even skyped into class when I was sick in bed with the swine flu (see bottom photo). Technology; you have to take the good (opportunities) with the bad (limitations).

11 "Punting Divas" on the Cherwell River

You have not lived in Oxford if you have not punted. Therefore, a group of "punting divas" donned our warm clothes for a chilly fall afternoon of punting on the Cherwell River.

1 LONG pole, check.
3 blue cushions, check.
1 paddle, check.
2 handmade punting boats, check.
11 UGA students, check.

There is a special skill to punting and not everyone is privileged enough to possess this skill. Despite this fact, I was lucky enough to have crew members that had mad punting skills. Sure, on occasion, we ran into the earthy sides of the river bed and we became close and intimate with the trees lining the river, but all in the name of love for mother nature. In the sport of punting, only one person stands using the long pole as a motor and router for the boat while the other crew members relax, feed ducks, pose for funny photos, and keep an eye out for naked faculty dons. (YES, legend has it that there was a naked section of the river, "Parson's pleasure" where male faculty dons would sun their bodies while engaging in intellectual and titillating conversation.)

Here are a few pointers about punting from the Oxford Daily info site:

1.) Feed the ducks if you believe that ducks are messengers from another civilisation and that you will understand their speech if you listen just a little longer.

2.) Don't assume that anyone in any other vessel knows what on earth they're doing (except the dude I took of photo of...with his matriculation uniform and all.)

Squealin' Like PIGS!

The beautiful UGA at Oxford English Manor house has been infested with flying pigs (a.k.a. the infamous "Swine Flu")! Yes, and I have officially fallen victim to the nasty virus as of yesterday. On Monday, two students went down for the count (fatigue, achy body, high fever, cough, headache) and we had to quarantine them and a third student joined them on Wednesday (see second photo). That meant I had the fun job of playing nurse Leasa. Which by the way, I am by not a good nurse. There was a moment I was near tears when I walked in and saw how sick one of the students was...aren't nurses supposed to be made of steel? Plus my protective armour of an immune system allowed a bug to creep in. Argh!

Well, last night I called the UK flu assessment line. They asked me questions such as, "Are you floppy?" What does that mean, I replied. The British dude on the other end of the call was all perky with his British accent and said..."floppy like a fish!" Right, well I can assure you I am laid out on my bed, but not flopping around like a fish out of water...I have no energy!

After the questions, he gave me a code to pick up the drug, Tamiflu, for FREE (this is UK's way of helping to curtail the spread of the flu). But the catch...I had to have a non-flu carrying friend pick it up. So, my partner-in-crime, James, picked it up in the a.m. and I popped one of those bad boys in my mouth. Before I knew it...my stomach was a rubblin'. One potential side effect of tamiflu is technicolor yawns (vomit). Soon enough I found myself calling god on the big white telephone as my breakfast reversed itself and chunks of muesli floated in the toilet. ICK!

The positive: my students are now waiting on me! I received a bouquet of flowers, a handful of beautiful fall leaves, a nice get-well note, crackers with nutella, and hot soup.

Dublin...the Land of Leprechauns!

I was invited to speak as a "visiting researcher" for a Doctoral program in higher education based in Dublin, Ireland. Why me? Perhaps they want to throw me into the Lion's den or maybe they actually think I have something to say (ha, ha...little do they know!) My life motto of "living big and without fear" gave me the stamina to say YES. After a few weeks of thinking deeply (and occasionally kicking myself for saying YES), I came to realize that I do have a research agenda. What an enlightening "ah-ha" moment for a PhD student. I spent a good week designing the talk and practiced it about 8 times...it was a 45 minute talk. I have done many other presentations in my time, but never an academic talk where I was the "visiting researcher"...Pressure! A week before the presentation, my neophyte nerves took me on a rollercoaster ride with ups n downs and sudden turns, sometimes I held on so tightly that my knuckles turned white, while other times I threw up my arms and let the wind blow through my hair. Finally, the day of reckoning! There were about 22 students and four faculty members at the talk. I took the stage and BAM, before I knew it I was done! They asked me questions about my experience as a PhD student and the transition from work/school/theory. The questions were great and after the talk the professor who invited me said, "That was SPOT on!" Ahhhh, time to take off the Leprechaun head!



So, I only had a few hours on Saturday to enjoy Dublin before flying back to London. The city was filled with excitement. Ozzy Osborne was visiting Dublin for a book signing and you could tell because many people were wearing those tiny round sunglasses while donning Ozzy apparel. There was also a lot of cheering, face paint, and even green wigs--the European football craze was in full effect! Ireland played Italy for a chance at the World Cup qualifications. The game ended in a draw 2-2, with Italy getting a spot in the World Cup and Ireland getting a play-off spot. Dublin is a great city.

The Weimers Invaded Oxford!

My parents, sister (Julie) and her fiance (Dan) arrived in Oxford last week. I got them set up in a 2 bed/2bath flat in the Summertown area; a sweet little neighborhood with shops, cafes and restaurants about 1.5 miles from the centre of Oxford. Our week together was lovely! We toured Oxford, walked the Thames river path, ate Ben's Cookies, dreamt of punting the river, laughed until we cried (numerous times), cooked breakfast and dinner together, drank 5 bottles of wine the last night, watched Lieutenant Dan break into sweat after eating Leasa's curry, cheered on Julie as she mastered the British accent, and enjoyed the Christ Church college choir for a Sunday Evensong in the famous 12th century cathedral.

An Academic Conference in Tallinn, Estonia

Being a PhD student, you are expected to produce, produce, produce. Publish, present, or perish, is the saying! Once I found out I was going to Oxford for a semester, I perused all of the international academic conferences and found one that fit my research agenda and was still accepting proposals. I submitted two papers to the International Bilingual Conference on Academic Mobility and what would you know...both of them were accepted. I have done many presentations in my life, but these two were perhaps the most nerve-racking to prepare for. You see academics like to challenge and critique each other's work. Therefore, you have to be prepared for all sorts of questions, comments, and critiques. Hence, my time in Estonia (a quick three-day trip) was absorbed by preparing, presenting, and listening to other presentations. But, in the end all went well and now I can say I have finally presented at an academic conference.

Now for Tallinn, Estonia...what little I got to see. As I stepped off the bus I immediately felt like I was back in Finland; the smell in the air, and the sights and sounds were all familiar. Yet, I was a bit surprised by how expensive and BLING, BLING Tallinn has become since independence in 1991. Capitalism has a way of nesting quickly. Tallinn is the capital of Estonia and the Old Town area, an UNESCO World Heritage Site, is certainly quaint. Plus, the entire city is "connected" meaning wifi is everywhere.

A side story: I went to an Indian restaurant for lunch...I was craving delicious, as the food in this region rarely satisfies my palette (I know this from my time in Finland). But, the chicken tikka masala was maybe the worse I have EVER eaten. It had boiled eggs in it and nasty pieces of chicken (like the liver, sternum, rectum, and lots of grizzly fat) ICK! A word of warning do not eat Indian in Tallinn, eat bear instead.

A Friend Comes to Town...

Oh, the fond memories I have of the students I worked with during my salaried adult career at the University of Colorado at Boulder. In fact, I still keep in touch with a handful of my "rock star". One of them, Mallory, was visiting London and decided to pop over to Oxford for a quick visit. As we got caught up on life stories, I toured her around a sunny Oxford and we stopped for a lovely afternoon creme tea. Great to see you Mal, best of luck in your Master's program!

The UGA Students Have Arrived!

31 undergraduate students. 2 graduate student residents. 1 large English Manor house in Oxford. 1 bread machine. 1 big screen TV. 2 dishwashers. 1 alarm system. 7 computers. 4 wash machines. 987 rolls of toilet paper. 1 large English garden.

Stay tuned for details.

Travel Statistics!

After traveling 4,202 miles, 6,762 km, here are my stats:

10 buses + 1 (nearly missed)
8 trains + 1 (nearly missed)
12 boats
4 rides in cars/trucks
2 mountain gondola rides
4 hostels
3 homestays
1 pension
1 five star hotel
9 t-banes (Oslo)
9 metros (Paris)
1 tube (London)
1 muddy footpath (with fat cows)
2 hikes with the sheep
1 hike at 10,000 feet (3,000 meters)
3 Ryan Air airplanes (of which all 3 landed on time and people clapped)
4 visits with HEEM alumni (hooray!)
2 visits with people still trying to finish their Master's thesis
1 visit with dude trying to finish his PhD dissertation
1 visit with my adopted Italian family


Too many bottles of wine, gelato, and pizza to count...


All of this within three weeks! Awesome.

Detained for 2.5 Hours at UK Immigration

So much for the “fast” train to London. I was detained in immigration for 2.5 hours as they “checked” my credentials and proof of work/studies in the U.K. In all of my travels, this was the first time I became one of those pathetic-looking travelers tapping my feet on the floor wondering if I would make it to my next destination. The experience was humbling and made me realize that student mobility is not as easy as I have come to know. After I handed over my passport to the female immigration officer she began to ask me questions, “What are you doing in the U.K.? (studying and working) Do you have proof that you are working and studying? (yes, but the letter had the summer semester dates on it) When do you fly back to the U.S.? (December) What are you doing until December? (studying and working) Can I see your return ticket to the U.S.? (I do not have it with me) Are you being paid in the U.K.? (No, I am being paid by the U.S. university) Do you have a U.S. bank account, if so how much money is in it?” Finally, I said, “That is a weird question.” (Even though I know it is not a strange question, as they need to know that I can financially support my stay in the U.K.) She did not like my response and said, “You are now being detained and there is no guarantee that you will be admitted to the U.K., students and researchers must have a visa to enter.” She escorted me to a metal bench and instructed me to wait.

As other happy travelers gawked at me like I was a caged animal in a zoo, I peacefully let the grains of sand in the hour glass slowly float away as I studied. Yet, as time continued to melt away, so did my nerves. After one hour of waiting and missing my train, the female immigration officer said, as she scooted past me quickly, “I am waiting on documents from the U.K.” Well, WTF does that mean? More waiting. Finally, after another hour passed, I received a phone call from Angela, a staff member at UGA at Oxford, informing me that she had just faxed a letter confirming my position. Ahhhhh. The officer came out and gave me a new train ticket for the 12:13 p.m. train (original train was scheduled for 10:13 a.m.) and said I could enter the U.K. Then, her supervisor came over and explained that he made a “special” decision in my case. He said he could have easily rejected my entry because I did npt have a visa for the work/studies. As he was explaining the points system for visas, I began to sweat and wanted to scream, “DUDE, I am going to miss my train!” Instead, I thanked him cordially for allowing me to enter the Queen’s country and ran to board the long-awaited train to London. The joys (and frustrations) of student mobility!

Paris

A quick three day trip in Paris was enough to catch up with my dear friend Preet (from my European Master’s program) and see many Parisian sites under sunny blue skies. The days were spent studying and discovering the city on my own, as Preet attended her classes at the University of Paris-Sorbonne. By the way, this is reported, by historians, to be the second oldest university in Europe. Another medieval European University marked off of my list (hooray!) I visited the BIG public library right smack in the center of Paris and was blown away by its colossal feel as well as the announcement over the loud speaker, “Attention, pick-pocketers have been reported, please make sure your belongings are attended.”

At night, we walked until our legs hurt and then walked some more, as she showed me beautiful sites around every corner. The street vendors selling crepes and baguette sandwiches were happy to sell us their delicious chow and even pose for a few photos (See photo to left). On my last night in Paris, we had a picnic under the lit-up Eiffel tower. Apparently this is one of the “things” to do in Paris; we were not alone. We joined other jolly folks drinking wine and enjoying picnics under a sparkly Eiffel tower. A great trip for sure!!

Venice for Six Days!

Venice for six days, wow where do I even begin...

Let's just make this entry simple. Top 10 memories in Venice:

1.) Getting lost in the non-touristy areas of Venice.

2.) Osteria's! These are little local pubs in the narrow streets in Venice. The best are located in the less-touristy residential areas in Venice. They are cheaper and in my opinion more authentic. You walk up to the bar and order a glass of vino for 1-3€ drink it up and move on to the next Osteria.

3.) Food! Pizza, gelato, proscuitto, salami, cheese and more gelato. Need I say more?

4.) Enjoying the posh hotel, the Hilton Molino Stucky...complete with a FREE Turkish spa, a rooftop pool overlooking Venice, a robe and slippers, and 27€ internet access/day (yikes!)

5.) Vino...

6.) Lazy mornings with no alarm clock!

7.) What a small world! My friend Martina just so happened to be in Venice the same time as we were...so we invited her over for some appetizers and then hit the town.

8.) My partner-in-crime.

9.) The Vivaldi Four Seasons concert. A favorite of mine...right there in Venice.

10.) The park where we spent many relaxing moments.

A Nice Surprise in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy!

We arrived in Cortina, Italy in the afternoon and had a few hours to blow off before catching the bus to Venice. Cortina is the poshest ski resort in Italy (it is the Aspen of Italy)...everyone wears expensive sunglasses and struts around in the hottest alpine style. As we walked through the town centre, we noticed live bands playing on every corner. Lucky us, we were about to experience one of the biggest summer events in Cortina, the Great Festival of Bands. And, the culminating event of this week-long Festival, the parade, was starting in one hour. Woohoo! We hunkered down on some steps lining the parade route, with festival food in one hand and left-over wine (that we had poured in a plastic water bottle) in the other. Oh yeah...and gelato too. The mountain backdrop was the perfect frame for this sunny music-filled event featuring the best bands in Northern Italy. You know you are in a mountain town when the Olympic committee and the local ski and snowboard teams march in the parade. What a nice way to spend the afternoon...

On Top of the World...in an Italian Mountain Hut.

Another bus ride through the Alps brought us to our next destination, a mountain hut high in the Italian Dolomites. At Passo Falzarego (2,105 meters or 6,906 feet) we took the gondola to Lagazuoi (2,762 meters or 9,061 feet) and climbed a steep embankment to arrive at the mountain rifugio, where we would spend the night. The European Alps have a circuit of mountain huts sprinkled throughout the Alps. Actually these mountain huts are more like mountain chalets, as they are beautifully decorated in alpine style and most of them offer full room and board. The Lagazuoi rifugio sleeps 74 in bedrooms or dorm style rooms. We booked the full-board option (including dinner and breakfast) and enjoyed a lovely bedroom complete with a balcony and a spectacular view of the surrounding mountain range, all for 55euros/person. I was feeling a little under the weather, so being nestled in a cozy mountain hut under down comforter duvets was medicine for the soul. After a much needed health rest, I joined Charlie for lunch and we ventured out for a little hike. Being above tree line and as high as the clouds has its advantages and disadvantages. When the clouds roll away, the 360 degree mountain view takes your breath away, but when the clouds roll it can become hard to see a few feet ahead of you. Blue skies, sun, clouds, mist, blue sky, sun...and so one. But, this is what I love about being high up in the mountains, you feel like you are under the guidance and swift control of mother nature.

Dinner was served at 1900 and we sat next to a lively same-sex Canadian couple who reside in France. They were hiking from hut to hut and their tales enticed us to strap on 60 pound packs, forgo the expectations of our everday life, and hike in the serene beauty of the Dolomites. Maybe someday!

Charlie's internal alarm clock woke him just in time for the sunrise. The beauty was too much to take, so he woke me and we braved the 0c/33F degree weather to watch the sun float up over the Dolomite spires. The remainder of our morning was spent hiking around the open air museum of the Great War. It was tough to leave this special place on earth, but more travel adventures await...

Ah yeah...the Italian Alps!

During a leisurely walk to the Verona train station, we suddenly realized we might miss our train to the Italian Alps. Oh no! So, I decided to run ahead of Charlie and purchase our tickets at one of the fast-serve ticket machines. He thought I had gone to the ticket office, so with two train tickets in hand I frantically ran around the train station trying to locate my partner-in-crime. With one minute to spare we miracously met on the train platform and launched our bodies and luggage onto the train, sweaty and out-of-breathe. "We made it!" After a good laugh and a few high fives we were on our way to the sweet valley town of Bolzano. In Bolzano, the gateway to the Italian Alps, we had a quick hour layover before jumping on a bus. We found a park bench and feasted on the cheese and meat left-over’s from the opera.

The bus ride into the Dolomites was incredible! The rugged mountain landscape was enough to propel me into a state of mountain euphoria...a sense of calm set in while the perma-grin prominently displayed my excitement. The bus made its way up and down switchbacks, as we kept "oooing" and "awwwing." We had a quick stopover in a German-inspired mountain town, Ortisei, where we lavished our palette with strudel and vanilla gelato. Oh yeah...there are benefits of being so close to the German border (strudel), yet traveling in Italy (gelato). YUM!

After another scenic bus ride we arrived at our destination, Corvara. This famous ski town is nestled between two mountain passes, the Passo Gardena and Passo Campolongo, and you can only imagine the 360 mountain backdrop. We stayed in the cute Valbona pension, ate pizza, and tried out the bidet.

Verona, Italy

Home of Romeo & Juliet and the third largest Roman amphitheatre in Italy, the Arena, Verona was a perfect locale to start a nine-day Italian sojourn with Charlie. We settled into the sweet Rigoletto bed and breakfast, then explored the city that was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000. We walked the old town, ate our first (and certainly not last) gelato, and climbed the roman stairs for a beautiful outlook over the romantic Italian town. On our way back through old town, we found a little meat/cheese shop and picked up Italian salami, prosciutto, two local cheeses (one of which was infused with wine), and a box of red wine. When in Europe, especially in Italy, this is my favorite type of dining experience.

With dinner in hand, we made our way to the Arena for the Aida opera. Being that I am an opera neophyte, I took great pleasure in the romantic storyline, the melancholy songs, and the incredible theatrics (costumes and staging). As the show opened, the lady next to us was crying and it made me realize the emotional impact opera has on some people...it probably helped that she was Italian and could understand the song lyrics. Charlie and I did not cry, rather we bit off chunks of cheese (see video) and drank from the box of red wine while enjoying the lovely sounds of opera bouncing around the ancient arena. It was one of those heavenly travel moments. But, heaven does not last forever…Charlie started dozing off; he became victim to Mr. Jet-lag. Considering there were four intermissions already and it was midnight, we decided to forgo the ending. Our first dreamy night came to an end as we walked back to the B&B.

My Adopted Italiano Famiglia!

In a small town in Northern Italy, Caldogna, there is a sweet Italian family, the Breccas, who live a simple Italian life. I first met them 14 years ago, when my father took us kids on a European adventure. Some of our family friends back in the U.S., the Minch family, rented a house from the Breccas when they lived in Italy. The Minch family encouraged my dad to stop in and meet the Brecca family. We met them with the intention of only staying one day, but our stay quickly turned into three days as the Breccas welcomed us with open arms and homemade pasta.

On this trip, I spent 24 hours with the Brecca family and had another lovely visit. The father has died since I saw them last, but otherwise the family has expanded with more spouses and babies. Luca, who is my age, is the only one who speaks English, otherwise I have learned to communicate with the other family members by means of an Italian dictionary and animated hand and body gestures. Luca visited us a few times in the U.S. and loves America (more than I do!) He owns a BIG red American truck and listens to American rap music. He has a beautiful daughter, Elenora, and is getting married to Miriam in June. Luca and his brother, Diego, own a meat shop of which I was honored to get a full tour of the beautiful (and busy) shop. During my stay, I visited all of the family members...the grandparents, the cousins, and even the spouse's family. It is always funny (and amazing) how the entire extended family is involved with our visits. Grazie Breccas! And, Rosetta...next time I will stay longer for your homemade pasta.

Bologna, Italia: an Important City for European Higher Education

The University of Bologna is the oldest higher education institution in Europe. The date of conception is uncertain, but the historians believe it was founded around 1088. In 1999, Bologna was also the location of the famous meeting whereby 29 European education ministers voluntarily signed the Bologna Process (a higher education reform aimed at harmonizing the European higher education systems). As you can imagine, the word "Bologna" rolls off my tongue often when discussing European higher education and I have looked forward to stepping foot in the place I speak of so often. So, the time had come for me to set my eyes on the famous location that is rich with higher education history.

I flew into Bologna, via Ryanair, and arrived at 11 p.m., I decided to grab a taxi from the bus station since it was late and I did not know the city. However, when I showed the driver the address he proclaimed, "walk" (in Italian and with his two fingers making a walking gesture). I pressed and asked, "Cuanto cost?" (How much?) He said eight euros. NO WAY.

I decided to walk across the street and ask the hotel if it was safe to walk and sure enough he said, "Si!" So, I walked about 10 minutes to the quaint little Holiday Hotel.

The next day I toured the city and the university. The old university, just one small building, is located in the city centre, whereas the newer university buildings are located on the outskirts of town. The old university includes the anatomy theatre which has a huge table located smack in the middle of the room for dissections. There are various wooden sculptures on the ceiling depicting the zodiac and carved heads of professors line the wall (let's hope they are not stuffed heads, after all this room was the dissection room.) The entire medieval building is quite ornate and seeping with the pursuit of academic knowledge. It put a little extra kick in my step.

NEW: Oslo Opera House

Oslo has a new Opera House. My review: very modern, linear, and funky (you can walk on the roof...not sure you would want to do that when it is cold and icy in Oslo). It reminds me of the Sydney Opera House that sits right on the harbour, yet the Oslo Opera House does not have the big pillars jetting into the sky. Here are a few photos...I was lucky enough to get a blue sky day. Ah! And, of course they were selling hot Norwegian waffles at the entrance.

Ryanair: A SCREAMIN’ Deal!

Ryanair is a cheap, no-frills European airline that I have a special love affair with. Yes, the seats are cramped, the bright yellow seat covers are over-the-top, and the “free-seating” makes for long, pushy lines of impatient people. BUT…it is such a frugal way to travel throughout Europe, you cannot help but smile as you deal with an overall lack of customer service and a no-frills flying experience. The way they make their money is by charging high prices for luggage check-in, food on the plane, ground transportation to/from the major cities, and there is a slight possibility the Irish-based airline will begin charging to use the loo, water-closet, bathroom, toilet or whatever you like to call it. During this three-week sojourn around Europe, I am flying Ryanair.

Here is what I paid (including one bag check-in):

Glasgow, Scotland to Oslo, Norway= $36

Oslo, Norway to Bologna, Italy=$28

Venice, Italy to Paris, France= $24

My Dear Oslo…I will be back!

When I arrived in Oslo and hopped on the t-bane subway, I felt like I had come home. The Norwegian chatter, familiar sights, and smell of waffles in the air brought on a feeling of comfort that you only get when you have lived (and connected with) the local culture and surroundings. Having lived in six unique geographic locales, I know what it feels like to connect (or not) with where you live. There is a theory called, "place attachment" which describes the bonding of people to places as an interplay of emotion, cognition, and behavior. Oslo is one of those cities I will always feel attached to; perhaps it is my connection with the university, friends, the amazing hiking trails surrounding the city, the memories, and the active, healthy lifestyle of the Norwegians, or maybe it is all of the above.

Even though it was a quick 3-day trip in Oslo, I managed to get a lot done, both business and pleasure. I gave a presentation to the new students in the Master's programme that I graduated from, as a way to welcome them to the program and give them tips about the 2-year adventure they are about to embark on. I also had a planning (and laughing) meeting with the group I work with on the Hedda blog. Of course, the best part was hanging out with all of my dear friends who still live in Oslo. Friendships always make you feel more connected to a place. Plus, friends feed you well...Kristi treated me like American royalty (if there is such a thing) by making American-style pancakes and mexican food. YUM!

Luckily, I also had one sunny, blue-sky day that allowed for a grand tour of my favorite outdoor spots in Oslo including a boat trip to Bygdoy for some hiking, Vigelands park, and Aker Brygge. I ate a waffle everyday and even bought a waffle iron to help curb my Norwegian waffle obsession. Now off to Italy!

NOTE: The first photo displays my friend, Shane, wearing TIGHT pants. This is the HOT Euro trend for men. To all the American dudes reading this...forget the baggy pants, it is time to go TIGHT!

Edinburgh with Fish n Chips & Kilts!

Edinburgh is a hoppin’ city! I would love to go back and spend more than just 14 hours there. We just so happened to be there for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Wow, apparently this is the largest arts festivals in the world...or at least that is what is proclaimed. Since we had such a short period of time to enjoy Edinburgh, Ali and I declared it our own festival, the last-night-in-Scotland-festival, as we clogged our arteries by eating fish-n-chips, drank pints, and asked the local Scots what they had under their kilts. As the nightlife raged on in the center of Edinburgh, we rolled back to the hostel, Budget Backpackers, put in our earplugs, and I set my alarm for 6:30 a.m. (to catch the morning train to Glasgow). And would you believe it...free wifi on the train...awesome. Off to Oslo!

St. Andrews, Scotland...the Birthplace of GOLF!

After the hiking trip got rained out, we sojourned to St Andrews, the birthplace of golf and home to the oldest University in Scotland, University of St Andrews. We made the mistake of arriving between the hours of 4-6 p.m., when the hostel is closed. (One of the many joys of backpacking is adhering to the hostel rules and closing times.) So, we checked out the town center, with luggage and all. I am not much of a golfer, but even I was impressed with the pristine “old course” snuggled up against the coastline. This is one of the best golf courses in the world and people travel from all over just to smack one of those little white balls across the meticulous greens. They pay a pretty penny to do so…it costs $220/18 holes. We shared a bunkroom in the local hostel, St Andrews Hostel, with a retired judge from Missouri who skimped on his accommodation (only $20/night) to play the world-famous course.


While Ali and I were impressed by the beauty of the golf course, we were much more excited to visit the University and the ruins. (Yes, we are both higher education nerds.) The University of St Andrews was founded in 1413. The campus is not comparable to the numerous spires of Oxford or the Gothic feel of the University of Bologna, but it has a humble medeival feel to it and it is right next to the ocean.

Of course we got a kick out of a few street signs...too.

Walking the Scottish Countryside...with Rain!

I met my dear friend, Ali (who currently lives in Spain), in Birmingham, UK and we jumped on a train to Scotland. We were destined for Angus, Scotland where we embarked on a 3-day walking adventure in the countryside.

DAY 1: The first day was lovely with a little bit of drizzle and a load of wildlife: black slugs, sheep, horses, black beetles, purple heather, wildflowers, and pesky flies. We walked approximately 8.5 miles and arrived at the remote and incredible Prosen Hostel. The leather couch, wood-fire stove, free internet, and hot tea felt like we were staying in heaven. We had the place to ourselves, so we spread out and enjoyed a wine-infused evening.

DAY 2: Day two was not as successful, yet our humor got us through it. After about two hours of walking we thought we had missed a turn, so we turned back around. That was a big mistake! As we walked on the exposed hill, the rain and wind became severe. Turning around meant we were walking into the rain and wind...the wettness and chill seeped deep into our bones. We decided to head back to the comforts of the hostel...ah! Glentrek, who helped us set up the walking tour, sent Mike (a 17 year old) to pick us up and drop us at the next hostel.

DAY 3: Day three was an absolute downpour, so instead of walking we relaxed, ate a scrumptious Scottish breakfast, read, ate scones, and enjoyed the inner beauty of the traditional Scottish inn, Glen Cova Hotel. In the afternoon, we headed off to St. Andrews.

Ciao UGA Students! Ciao Trinity College!

On Friday, August 14 at 4:30 a.m., the 6-week UGA summer program at Oxford came to an end as the students boarded a coach destined for Gatwick airport. I collected their keys, bid them farewell, and then went back to bed for a few hours before meeting my faculty don. Now I am packing up to travel for the next three weeks before the students arrive for the fall semester on September 10.

During the summer program 20 of the students lived in the UGA house, while the other 30 lived in Trinity College. Oxford has 38 independently self-goverened colleges of which students belong to one. For the summer program, UGA affiliates with Trinity College, whereas in the fall semester UGA affiliates with Keble College. Therefore, I thought it was only appropriate to share with you the beauty of Trinity College during the summer 2009 UGA program at Oxford:

Cream Tea for Two, Please!

In England, afternoon tea is a tradition practiced by many. On the last day of the summer program, my fellow graduate resident, Elizabeth, and I celebrated with cream tea. A local restaurant and tea house, The Rose, is known for its delicious scones and afternoon tea. Here is what we ordered:

The Rose's Classic Cream Tea £5.85
A pot of tea of your choice, served with two freshly baked scones. These come with the the best clotted cream we have come across, surprisingly coming from the Cotswolds rather than Cornwall. Finally there is a pot of strawberry jam that's to die for, positively bursting with fruit.

The clotted cream is rather delicious...not too sugary just creamy with a subtle sweetness. As we sat eating our scones and drinking our loose-leaf tea we reflected on the crazy six weeks we experienced, the highs and the lows. Elizabeth heads back to Georgia tomorrow, whereas I embark on a three week sojourn before the next group of UGA students arrive for the fall semester:

August 17-22 Scotland (walking the countryside)

August 22-25 Oslo

August 25-September 5 Italy (Bologna, Verona, Dolomites, Venice)

September 5-September 9 Paris

High Table Dinners!

For the past 6 weeks, every Monday evening we donned our Sunday's best. At 6:30 p.m. high heels, ties, and posh summer dresses decorated Danson Hall as we began the evening with a lecture on topics ranging from the art of armor to the history of Oxford. A refreshing Pimm's reception followed with mint leaves and orange slices dancing in the drinks, as students and faculty schmoozed on the green lawns of Trinity College.At 8 p.m. we paraded to the dining hall where candelabras dressed the meticulously-decorated dinner tables. A high table proudly stood, raised at the front of the dining hall, where faculty dons, program staff (including us graduate residents), and a few select students dined. Every meal began with a banging of the gavel signaling everyone to stand for grace. One of us lucky graduate residents stumbled (albeit gracefully) through the grace recited in Latin...upon which dinner was served. The highlight of sitting at the high table was the endless glasses of wine and the rose water that made its way around the table after dinner. Dipping your napkin in the rose water, to gently refresh the nape of your neck before dessert, was the brunt of many jokes...yet still quite special.

Advertising Gone Terribly Wrong!

I saw this advertisement behind the bar at an English pub... More than just "salted peanuts" for sale; nothing like exploiting a woman's body to make a pound. Ouch!

"Two Pence for Every Barren Cow..."

During our weekend excursion one of the students was unable to hike, so I stayed behind and we went on a flat-land excursion. During our walk, we discovered the 1,500 year-old Clodock church. As we walked through the creaky wooden gates into the graveyard with tombstones protruding from the earth, a sweet little church lady welcomed us as she tended to pesky weeds. With her thick rural-Welsh accent she invited us inside the church. The church was fascinating with the old tithe ("two pence for every barren cow") scrolled on the wall and chipped paint giving way to a lovely cherub painting. The little lady explained that the antiquated and worn pews were the original pews. It always amazes me when I experience old architecture that is still standing and will continue to stand. I do love that aspect of Europe and the UK.

Apparently, this church does not get many foreigner visitors, because when we told her where we were from she insisted that we sign the guestbook.

Walking with the Sheep!

This past weekend I chaperoned a group of 11 students on an excursion led by a young Economics faculty don, Simon, from Tasmania (that little island off the coast of Australia). Simon loves to "walk" (in my world this term is synonymous to "hike") and he introduced us to a tiny little town, Longtown, in Herefordshire, a rural area on the England/Wales border. We stayed in a quintessential English pub, The Crown Inn, built in 1751. The lodging rooms were located on the second floor, which made for an easy walk (or stumble) after a night of tasting the locally-brewed cider. During the day we hiked the black mountains, up sheep-infused rolling hills, amid wildflowers, and surrounded by amazing vistas of the countryside.

Even though there was much eye-candy to be had, looking down became important as it was only too often that you might step in a steamy pile of sheep droppings.

We feasted on lamb by night and traditional English breakfasts (complete with baked beans, white toast, tomatoes, ham, bangers, and fried eggs) in the morning. Besides hiking, the other highlight for me was the unique little pub where we ate lunch on Sunday. The Bull's Head Craswall was the epitome of an old-style English pub: peeling wallpaper and exposed plaster on the walls, low ceilings, and the farmhouse ciders were drawn from the cast. Hanging on the wall, next to the bar, a sheet of paper displayed the local farms where all of the food and drinks came from. Now this is what I call...keepin' it local!

The Oxford Tutorial: A Pedagogical Gem!

Today I psyched myself up for another weekly tutorial with Dr. Ingrid Hunt, my faculty don. The famous Oxford tutorial is internationally known for being the premier model for teaching and learning, "a pedagogical gem, the jewel in Oxford’s crown" (Palfreyman). An Oxford tutorial is a small seminar (no more than 6 students) that meets weekly with a faculty don. Throughout the week students are expected to read anywhere from three to six books and write an essay on a certain topic. At the tutorial, the faculty don employs the socratic method to test the student's knowledge on the topic. This way of pedagogy is unique because it is simply not a feasible or cost-efficient way to educate the masses around the globe, yet Oxford continues to uphold the tutorial tradition. As a graduate student, I have the honor of experiencing a one-on-one tutorial where the socratic method comes to life. Yet, I am lucky because my faculty don is a lovely woman and today she said, "You are doing good work." A simple compliment that goes a long way. Dr. Lunt is working with me on two 20-page papers I am writing for a conference in Estonia in September.


Photos: Green Templeton College, the University of Oxford college that Dr. Lunt is affiliated with.

Another Trip to London!

After taking the train from Oxford to Paddington Station in London, we started our sunny day in Leicester Square. We waited in the tkts line, with 20 other ticket-hungry tourists, for half-price theatre tickets. It only took about 10 minutes to make our way to the front of the line and purchase two prime seats (12th row, middle) to the 5 p.m. Avenue Q show. A screamin' deal indeed...we ony paid 28 £/ticket (originally 56£). Woohoo, time to tour London! With our walking shoes on, Elizabeth used her previous knowledge of London to tour us around the big city...

Picadilly Circus: Even though I hate to see the golden arches in a foreign country, I have to give props to McDonalds for creating a clever (and fun) marketing campaign. The interactive billboard allows tourists to become posers (a.k.a. look like idiots). I never miss a chance to engage in an action photo (or look like an idiot)! Left: I am squeezing the frog in hopes that a prince will pop out. Right: Elizabeth flexes her "sturdy American" muscles as she lifts a 2-ton dumbbell.

Trafalger Square: we jumped, spit, and were entertained by a group of crazy Irish rugby players who were singing and waving their flag with pride. Why is it that when a group of Irish dudes get together...they always sing? I do not know...but I like it and I jumped in their honor.





















Buckingham Palace: Queen Elizabeth it is time to don your tackiest leopard skin print, crimped hair, jelly bracelets, and your neon legwarmers...apparently the 80's are back!

Big Ben! Need I say more?

Chinatown: A HOT Malaysian dinner (chicken laksa curry) resulted in sweaty brows and steam coming out of our ears.



Gielgud Theatre: Avenue Q show...hilarious and rogue. The Sesame Street gone South Park for adults. I learned that internet is for porn, everyone's a little racist, explicit puppet sex on stage is okay, and it sucks to be me. Overall, a brilliant show and a fantastic day!

Living the Oxford Dream!

Ever since I learned about the unique Oxford college residential system, I have dreamt about life in the City of Dreaming Spires. Now I am (somewhat) living the dream! As I stepped off the bus nearly three weeks ago I could smell the pursuit of academic knowledge permeate through the honey-colored buildings and the cobblestone streets. The University of Oxford is one of the oldest European higher education institutions dating back to the 11th century, which makes for many juicy tales. Thank goodness Henry II banished all foreign students from studying at the University of Paris in 1196...otherwise the University of Oxford may not exist today. Many of the ousted students settled in the small town of Oxford and created this educational academy. In 1209, after town-n-gown relations broke down and riots broke out, some scholars fled northeast to the town of Cambridge, where the rival university was created. During this tumultuous time in Oxford, those students and scholars who stayed were the first to bare witness to the beginning of a long-standing Oxford tradition--the residential colleges. Today there are 39 residential colleges, each with their own unique campus and gated residence. Students eat, sleep, and live in the guarded college communities and meet with residential faculty dons on a weekly basis. The UGA program is affiliated with the Trinity College and my faculty don is affiliated with the Green Templeton College, hence I spend a good amount of time at these two colleges. I am not living in the colleges (like a true Oxford student), but I do meet weekly with a faculty don and am surrounded by the beauty of spires, well-manicured gardens, and lively intellectual conversation.

A Day in London--Notting Hill!

Sunday was my first trip out of Oxford. I bought a (student discounted) roundtrip bus ticket to/from London for £13 ($21 U.S.) aboard the posh, double-decker, red Oxford Tube bus, complete with wifi. In the first 15 minutes of the 1.5 hour bus ride to Notting Hill, I was fast asleep. (There is something about a moving bus, train, or airplane that makes me narcoleptic.) I met my friend, Jorunn from Norway, who was stopping over in London before embarking on a BIG PhD adventure in Australia. She was awarded an international scholarship to study at the Centre for the Study of Higher Education at the University of Melbourne. We caught up, re-lived our Eramsus Mundus experience and laughed about where life has taken us since those sweet memories in Portugal. The funky environs of Notting Hill and Embassy row at Kensington Park added to the fantastic day. Even though we did not spot Julia Roberts or Hugh Grant, the Portobello Market was bustling with tourists, antiques, vintage wear, and cool, funky little cafes. Good luck Jo!

Biking Oxford!

As a Graduate Resident, one of the many perks of living at the UGA house in Oxford is that I get the pick of left-behind bikes. Yes, left-behind bikes--by former students of the program. They bought the bike, used it during the program, and then "donated" it to the house. It is a pretty sweet deal for me, because I love touring cities and getting around by bike. Plus, it is the European way and the Oxford way (everyday I see men in business suits zipping by on their bikes!)

Check out my PHAT ride! Every morning, I unwrap the plastic grocery bag protecting the seat from rain, strap on a bike helmet, and jump on the black beach cruiser with basket and bell. The house is located on one of the main streets in town, Banbury Road, so it is a quick 5-minute straight shot to the center of town. However, when I jump on the bike, my mortality rate quickly sky-rockets! Oxford city planners were brilliant enough to add bike lanes, but feeble-minded enough to allow them to disappear into the bus lanes. In the last week, there have been a few occasions when my life flashed right before my eyes and I was left with a shallow breath and my heart racing outside of my raincoat. Nonetheless, I still make the adventurous ride (rain or shine) into Trinity College for our daily breakfast meeting at 8:30 a.m. Who needs a wake up call when you have an intrepid bike ride?

20th Anniversary of UGA at Oxford Program

The UGA at Oxford study abroad program celebrated 20 years of existence this week. Which means the last few days were busy with receptions, dinners, and visiting university dignitaries, including UGA President Adams, Senator John Wiles and the entourage. Monday night was the weekly high table dinner and what a fancy occasion that turned out to be. Ornate candelabras dressed the tables as we were served gazpacho with salmon, roast guinea fowl, elderberry summer pudding, and a never ending flow of wine. Delicious! With all of the speeches the last few days, I am convinced that the UGA upper-administration supports international education initiatives which can be further evidenced by the UGA ownership of three campuses in Costa Rica, Oxford, and Cortona, Italy. Not many flagship universities can boast of owning international study abroad properties or being among the top 10 U.S. universities sending students abroad.

"Stop Cock" and other British Jargon.

Elizabeth, a fellow Graduate Resident found this small "stop cock" grate as she walked to the dining hall at Trinity College. Definitely camera-worthy and loaded with jokes! "Stop Cock" is not what you might think it is; it is a valve used to restrict or isolate the flow of a liquid or gas through a pipe. This is just one of the many British idioms that makes an American go, "huh?"

Here are a few others:

Geezer: old man or mate

Peckish: hungry

Cheeky bugger: smarty pants

I've got to see a man about a dog: I've got better things to do.

Sod off/Faff off: Screw off!

Bollocks!: Nonsense, oh crap!

Photos: Humps for 50 yards (speed bumps), Pig & Whistle (a college staircase--hall--at Oxford), Fcuk (French Connection of U.K.--clothing store), Please mind the step (watch the step).

I Bought Laundry Detergent Today!

(I know...you are probably saying, 'WTF, why is she blogging about laundry detergent?') Well, I have a confession to make...I love buying everyday necessities at foreign supermarkets. Seriously! Buying laundry detergent today brought me back to the days when I lived in Oslo, Aveiro, and Tampere, and Pretoria. During my two years abroad, I always looked forward to trips to the supermarket, simply because it made me feel like I was really living (everyday) in a different country. Today, I stood in the laundry detergent aisle at Sainbury's for roughly 45 minutes. I touched every box/bottle of detergent, read all the labels, compared prices, smelled them, and finally made a decision (Non-Bio pouches). You may think I am crazy (maybe I am), but I just have a love affair for foreign supermarkets, foreign travel, and the ability to step outside my world and appreciate it. My father had something to do with this travel madness! About 18 years ago, when he took us on our first whirlwind tour of Europe, he stopped at the big European hypermarkets and encouraged us to discover the different products and to see ourselves outside of everyday American comforts. I cannot seem to shake that life lesson.