Finally Home

Well, I made it back safely on Saturday. Still adjusting to the jetlag. Went to bed around eight and woke up bright and early at six this morning. It's good to be back, but still a bit sad. Still waiting for it to hit me that the whole Oxford thing actually happened and wasn't just a long dream. I'd like to thank American Airlines for their generous Global Leaders scholarship award, which paid for my flight. Excellent service, good food, and a smooth ride. Time to relax and enjoy the next few weeks before classes start back up again.

The Last Hoorah

Well, the Oxford program is finally coming to an end. Papers have been written and turned in. Exams have been administered. Just getting some last minute shopping out of the way. Looking forward to the banquet tonight. At least we get to go out with a bang. The last few weeks have just charged along, and I have to say I'm sad to bid the UK farewell. I've enjoyed my time here in Oxford, a place I've come to know as a second home. I've made good friends, eaten good food, and just had a fantastic time taking in the scenery, hanging out at the pubs, and traveling throughout the UK. Wish I had more time. But, as the saying goes, all good things...

It's been fun,
T

More Pics

Stonehenge, Sheeeep!, Gardens at New College, Drinks with Dr. Holmes, Inishmore

London

Finally made it to the City. We had perfect weather and only a smidgen of rain around 6:00. Saw the Tower of London, the Millennium Bridge, Big Ben, Parliament, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Globe Theatre, and Abbey Road. And they say you can't do London in a day. Nonetheless, I'll have to go back to get my shopping done. Hoped to go yesterday, but the rain and having to write two papers put me off. Maybe one afternoon this week. Ate dinner at the original Hard Rock Cafe (yes, the first one was in London, not New York). Hard Rock was apparently a British restaurant serving bonafide American food. Clapton ate there just as he was on the rise to fame, donated a picture of himself, and the owners decided it was a great way to attract customers. Thus the franchise was born. First decent cheeseburger I've had yet. Granted the other was a not-quite-beef burger from Hussain's kabob van, but what do you expect for a pound? Today's the first day of our last week here, and I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Doing whatever I can to stay away. It's been such a wonderful time here in Oxford, and I'll definitely miss it when it's time to go home.

More Photos

My transportation on Inishmore, Joe Watty's Pub: shelter from the rain, the intrepid pioneer, the breathtaking Inishmore landscape, Eyre Square

Dover, Galway, Inishmore, and More

Inishmore, Ferryport at Inishmore, Eyre Square in Galway City, Me on a Very Big Gun in Dover, White Cliffs of Dover

Galway and Inishmore

Just got back from the long weekend in Ireland. The scenery is beautiful, but it's WET. Unfortunately I landed during the worst weekend they've had in a while. Not that rain is unusual in this part of the world. When I asked a barman in a pub on Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands, if they were accustomed to this sort of weather, his reply was, "It's Ireland, mate!" This past weekend, however, was especially bad, even for the locals. Didn't ruin my stay, though. Galway is a quaint town, though it is growing. Went down to the city on Friday and did some souvenir shopping. Got dinner at a pub called The King's Head. As the story goes an English colonel took over the building during the English occupation, and it is believed he was the executioner of Charles I (which he revealed during a drunken conversation with the bar's owner), thus the pub's name. Excellent fish and chips, and the best pint of Guinness I've had since arriving in the UK. Took a ferry to Inishmore on Saturday, rented a bike, and rode as far out as I could get before getting dumped on. Quickly located the nearest pub, and decided to wait out the rain. Two cups of coffee, a salad, and a coke later no such luck. Apparently the rain doesn't let up in Ireland. It just gets worse. Got soaked head to toe and when I finally made it back to Galway, after a stomach-turning ferry ride through Gale Force 5 winds (according to one of the crew), left my shoes on the window sill to air out. Unfortuantely it decided to rain this morning, so no luck drying them out. Just managed to give them a bath. Back in England today. Beautiful weather. Perfect temperature. It's a nice switch from the rain and wind. Took some lovely pictures in Galway and on Inishmore, a rural landscape with plenty of rocks, hills, quaint cottages, and livestock, though I didn't see one single sheep, much to my disappointment. Hopefully I'll be able to get them up soon.