My Picture

“Do come after all, Anne.”

“Your picture of social triumphs is quite fascinating, Phil, but I'll paint one to offset it. I'm going home to an old country farmhouse, once green, rather faded now, set among leafless apple orchards. There is a brook below and a December fir wood beyond, where I've heard harps swept by the fingers of rain and wind. There is a pond nearby that will be gray and brooding now. There will be two oldish ladies in the house, one tall and thin, one short and fat; and there will be two twins, one a perfect model, the other what Mrs. Lynde calls a `holy terror.' There will be a little room upstairs over the porch, where old dreams hang thick, and a big, fat, glorious feather bed which will almost seem the height of luxury after a boardinghouse mattress. How do you like my picture, Phil?"

"It seems a very dull one," said Phil, with a grimace.

"Oh, but I've left out the transforming thing," said Anne softly. "There'll be love there, Phil — faithful, tender love, such as I'll never find anywhere else in the world — love that's waiting for me. That makes my picture a masterpiece, doesn't it, even if the colors are not very brilliant?"

-Anne of the Island

     In an attempt to bring normality back to life, and to try to postpone my ever prominent jet lag, I decided to write another blog post. Today is Sunday...a day in which I still am not sure which time zone I am in, and in fuzzy moments where I am even at. However, as I have been trying to reflect on this previous week...I can’t help but still be confused (though the jet lag may be adding to that).

     To be honest, I cannot say that I am happy to be back home. When I was in Oxford I knew I was there for a purpose. However, now that I am home my “purpose” evades me. My world view class is still supposed to commence via online on the 30^th of March, and I am communicating with Dr. Kershaw on how to finish our tutorial. I know I am not unique in my ponderings...the whole world is having to reinvent themselves it seems. Nevertheless, as I turned to Anne for her dependable wisdom, I could not help but agree with her speech of home. “There'll be love there, Phil — faithful, tender love, such as I'll never find anywhere else in the world — love that's waiting for me.”

    Oxford may have given me a specific purpose (I.e the purpose of never ending essay writing), however Home gives me love. Which Oxford can never fully give me.

    Today marks Day 2 of my 2 week quarantine, and to be honest I really have not been bothered by isolation...then again it may be due to the fact that all I want to do is sleep (they say that for every hour difference, it is a day...so I have 5 days to look forward to!). Regardless, my flatmates and I have been bombarding each other with texts, pictures, and videos of our previous ridiculousness.

    As far as how my travel home went- most notably, God blessed me as I was upgraded to Premium Plus! Meaning on my flight, I had more leg room (You know my legs needed that!), and actual menu, a bigger TV, a window seat, and no seat neighbor! It truly was the nicest flight I’ve flown. Security going and coming was fairly straightforward, though I did have additional security at Heathrow (I always get “randomly” selected when I fly...so pat down and going through my carry on is now normal), entering O’Hare security was fairly fast. I had the typical customs, with the addition of extra questions, as well as questions from the CDC who took my temperature, and gave me health instructions for the next 2 weeks. Also to reassure anyone- I am feeling very healthy! Which is surprising to me as I have traveled by public transportation- train, coach, cab, and plane, this last week.

    This week is looking quite tame compared to last week’s travels, nevertheless, I know that while my colors may not very brilliant, my life is still a masterpiece. 

Per usual, here are some pictures from the last few days, as well as my week. There may be a few repeats, so please excuse them as I reminisce about my ‘Dreaming Spires'. 
By the way, I did have a cat on my lap as I blogged:)

Cheers!

(Enjoying my last hot chocolate 

from Caffe Nero)

(My view)

(I could get used to flying Premium Plus!)

 (A faithful, tender love, such as I'll never find 

anywhere else in the world)

 (Correction- maybe a love found from Hazel,

at least as long as you rub her head!)

 (Got a New key chain- get it?;))

 (Got Teagan a cute Paddy Bear Rattle)

 (Last look at at my flat's entrance)

(Missing my 'Dreaming Spires')

 (My Bridge of Sighs)

 (The Rad)

 (Our Street)

(And even Christ Church🙄)

(But most of all,

 I miss our tree and cloisters)