Academia Ahoy

I presented my first paper to my tutor on Friday. She thought it was pretty good. And according to one of the lectures we received on British customs, the British use understatements, so that means my paper wasn't too shabby.

She gave me some tips for the future, like phrasing the start of my paragraphs with arguments, not descriptions. But you don't care about that.

I'm going to have to start making stuff up at some point; there hasn't been much going on! Friday night consisted of five of us going to a Chinese place called The Opium Den. As far as I could tell, there wasn't any opium in the food, although I can't get my mind off the pork dish I had... After The Opium Den, we went over to Christ Church to make fun of The Hobbit film with the Tolkien Society. There was some good jesting during the film, but for the most part, the ribbing took place after the movie.

Saturday we had a small party at the professors' house. Dr. Snyder was leaving on Sunday, so we had a last get-together before he headed out. He was very helpful during the first leg of the trip. After the party, we went over to the Thames to see the final boat races that were going on. Every "Eights Week" in the Trinity Term (that's this term), they have boat races. It's fun to watch. These were taken on top of the Christ Church boathouse. I wasn't supposed to be up there, but I have buddies in the college, so I was able to get VIP access.

As you can see below, the crowd was intense. They tailgate for these events! There were stands for Pimms (a very good liquor here), burgers, and brats. You don't mess around here when it comes to rowing crew. This, of course, got Dr. Snyder and Dr. Anderson talking about forming a rowing team at State. We don't exactly have a lot of good water to row around in, though...

Sunday night consisted of us going to a cocktail bar. Only about 6 or 7 of us went. The rest had to focus on their tutorial essays (like I should be doing now!). The bar prepared a good Moscow mule. 

I tried my first maitai here. It was deliciously fruity. When I went up to the bar to order it, one of the bartenders said something quiet to the other one, who walked away chuckling. Hey, I can enjoy fruity drinks if I want!

Today I spent time in the Bodleian Library. One of my books, The Life of Merlin (Vita Merlini) by Geoffrey Monmouth, is not available in the New College Library, so I have to deal with not being able to take it home with me. While I was there, I discovered these really cool shelves that move. I don't know if other libraries have them, but man, they amazed my tiny brain. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=offMmdK57HY