Learning

celebrating v-day at the vines!

I’ve learned a lot in the past couple of weeks. I suppose being at Oxford and attending copious amounts of scholarly lectures on random subjects (this week: Max Weber and the Protestant Work Ethic, Health and Social Class, the patterns of voters in political soc., the ethics of the church and state, and something about trends in Industrial Societies…) that should only be expected. However, being here, I think I’ve learned as much outside the classroom (or the library, rather) as I have in it.

sunny walk along the Thames River

I’ve learned that…Every tutorial isn’t perfect. I can survive double-tutorial day on less than 3 hours of sleep, but it’s certainly not much fun. G&D’s cafes all stand for different names…that start with G and D. I can (and finally did...) bike to the top of Headington Hill. Jericho Café makes a killer mocha. Christ Church meadow and the Thames River are the perfect place for an afternoon walk. Starbucks here doesn’t brew decaf filter coffee (?!). When putting a bike chain back on, it's better not to put your fingers between the chain and the metal gear you're trying to put it around. Pink white-chocolate popcorn is absolutely brill. The power goes out even in England. The Oxford modern art museum is as weird as it looks, but it has some nice art. Farmers Market blueberries are way better than Tescos.

Focus small group dinner party at Emily's - such a fun night!

I’ve also learned a lot from God these past couple of weeks. I’ve been reminded that he is faithful. His timing is not my timing, but thankfully his is perfect. He comes through when I need his help, not just when I want it. He is certainly good at surprising me with his faithfulness, but he never forgets me. I’ve always believed that Jeremiah 29:11 is true, but these past few weeks I was reminded of how incredible, and how real it truly is. His plans are perfect, and they span far beyond what I could ever imagine.

On a completely unrelated note, an amusing tidbit:

I’ve taken “running to the grocery store” to a new level of literal meaning this week by twice realising I needed an ingredient that I didn’t have and kitting up and running into Headington (the quaint little town just up the road) to pick it up. Last Sunday, when I ran in to buy a giant chocolate bar for a friend's baking project, I could sense the cashier’s amusement with the whole thing. I think it’s brilliant. Kill two birds with one stone!