Oxford

I moved into my dorm at Exeter College a week ago today. So far, my experiences here have been incredible. The city is absolutely incredible, and I've made friends from all over the world. As I sit reading in Fellow's Garden I often stop and think, "J.R.R. Tolkien once sat and read in this garden." I revel over the fact that I am studying in the same library where Oscar Wilde studied. I am walking the same streets T. S. Eliot walked. I've sat in the same pub where C.S. Lewis and Tolkien sat and discussed the progression of their novels! So many great minds have gathered here over the years - and to think, I am experiencing everything they once did! I can think of little which could be so satisfying.

This is the view from my window. If you were to look down you would see Broad Street. To the right is one of my favorite pubs, The White Horse. Very quiet, local place. Next to that is Blackwell's Bookstore, another of my favorite places. I spend a lot of time there reading and have coffee or tea. Just down from that is the Sheldonian Theatre and the University's major library.



Here is a photo of Fellow's Garden, probably the best place in the world to sit and read, but also nice for small chats or frisbee. Just a few feet from where this photo was taken is a door through which Nicole Kidman walked in The Golden Compass (the film, not the book). Philip Pullman, the author, actually attended Exeter College as an undergraduate. Jordan College in the book is based off of Exeter.



On Friday I attended the Oxford vs. Cambridge Cricket Match. A few friends and I took a bottle of wine and sat in University Park watching the boys go at it. I'd like to say it was great fun, but cricket isn't particularly exciting.