Oxford Oddities

The following is a collection of things I've encountered recently. You may or may not find any or all of them amusing. I did.

- Oxford's world-renowned Bodleian Library has over 8 million books, some of which are stored in tunnels beneath the city of Oxford. When I place a book request little Oxford workers must go into these tunnels and retrieve my book. I can then read this copy (of which the library has only one), but only in a designated room between 9:00-19:00. I feel very intelligent when I'm in the library, it's quiet and studious and very serious. No couches or children's book displays, just tables and chairs and lots of books. Much as I enjoy the "intellectual stimulation" of this atmosphere I almost broke it while hunting for a book on Julian of Norwich. The book sat rather high on the shelf, meaning I got to use one of those rolling library ladders to retrieve it. I nearly broke into song. Another point of interest at the Bodleian is that the door to the toilet is labeld "Women Readers."

- It has been unusually and unseasonably sunny every day since my arrival at Oxford. One student actually dared to complain about the sun not allowing for the atmosphere he paid for. I think it has been just lovely. Still, sunlight and studying have never been good friends in my experience. It is difficult for me to hole up in the library when beautiful fall is all around me.

- The toilets in England are unusually round, deep, and devoid of water. The sinks often have two spigots, each of extreme temperature, causing one to shift back and forth during the washing process.

- The Anglican Church, and the general public, seem much more conscientious about the environment. I appreciate that. We pray for other parishes, civic leaders, other countries and so on during church. I like that too.

- I retrieved my first pieces of mail the other day! Thank you Mom, Dad, and Ellen! What fun. I must do some writing and sending of my own. Our mail boxes are called "pigeon holes" in reference to their size, not the means of the mails transportation.

- University parks are by far the best of the many places I have gotten lost thus far.

- The other day I decided to purchase an Oxford sweatshirt (I didn't bring one with me), and had a terrible time deciding which colour to get and what that meant about my personality. Apparently I've taken the analytical tendencies to the extreme. Am I dull colors person or do I go with something more vibrant? The truth is they didn't have the navy sweatshirt with white letters I was looking for. Two days later I was quite happy with my purchase of a yellow sweatshirt. Now I find it has pen marks on it, and I decide that this is perhaps fitting.