Goodbye Oxford, I'll see you again

March 19, 2020

Goodbye Oxford, I'll see you again

“I went looking for my ideals outside of myself. I discovered it’s not what the world holds for you, it’s what you bring to it. The dreams dearest to my heart are right here.”

-Anne of the Island

Since about the 1^st part of March, I realized that’s what Oxford taught me...and in my usual over planned way, I was going to post that quote as my goodbye to Oxford in May.

This week has been confusing, difficult, stressful, and sad. In 4^th week all I wanted was to go home. In Spring Holiday, all I want is to stay! I am constantly reminding myself that God is good, and that he isn’t surprised by this. This all being said- it is with great sadness that I am flying home tomorrow morning. By request of our program coordinator Kevin, as well as in consultation with our families it seems that for our safety we should return back to the States.

I’ll be honest, I really don’t know what I’m feeling. Sadness is an obvious emotion right now...I was just at the other place yesterday (Cambridge), meeting and visiting my friend Laura who works at Beyond. It’s amazing how fast life can change in an hour...as that is about the time I had before I had to make the decision whether I wanted to stay by myself to try and wait out the virus (with the good possibility of being stuck here for several months) or make the hard and fast decision to go home as soon as possible.

I’m not sure how to be coherent in this post...however a break down of my week would probably be the best place to start.

As previously blogged- I went to Staines to visit my friends. And I walked the Long Walk at Windsor. Which meant I walked 7 miles round-trip! My legs were killing me!!! Also, the Queen is apparently waiting out the virus at Windsor as well, so that’s kinda neat.

I then proceeded to make my way yesterday to Cambridge...Gosh I can’t believe it was only yesterday! I came, I saw, and I represented Oxford in enemy territory (see picture below!). I got to meet my new friends Laura and Rob who I stayed with last night. It was a hurried visit, but it was good. They were so kind, and I know I’m going to see them again some day!

Today has been a hurried day of packing and desperately trying not to cry as we have had to return our college cards, and walk our street one last time:(

I’m not sure if I can say I am excited to go home...however I know I am excited at what my next step in life will be. On that note- We are still going to continue our intensive in a couple weeks via online. I also will be turning my final essay in for Dr. Kershaw, at some point in the nearish future, and with the possibility of maybe doing our tutorial over Skype? We will see.

Well, the next time I blog will be when I’m home...hopefully with my cat on my lap:)

Here is one last batch of “official” Oxford pics,

Cheers!