Missing Oxford

The dreariness of January makes me want to hibernate,  I never mind the snow or bad weather until I have to go somewhere, but life is too busy now to be able to stay inside and ignore the cold and constant precipitation.  I remember 15 Januarys ago when I got my wish.... to stay inside until it got warm again.  That was the January I spent at Oxford University at Harris Manchester College during Hilary term. A former student from The Oaks Academy, is spending Hilary term at Oxford now, and I think of her often. 

I can recall in detail my small room in Warrington hall that overlooked Mansfield Road.  It was me, the contents of a suitcase, a bed, wardrobe, sink, and books.  As a student at Oxford, I like all other students had a primary and a secondary course.  I was required to meet with my primary tutor once a week and with my secondary tutor (the president of the college) every other week.  Attending lectures was optional, and so the only times I needed to leave my room was to go to the library and to eat meals.  I studied Victorian Women's Literature and Early Church History, and I literally read, ate and slept for three months straight. 

Being a people person and always having a roommate since I was a baby, I was unaccustomed to having so much solitude.  I actually ended up loving it. . I had a daily schedule that I follwed to the letter.  Get up, eat breakfast, come back to my room and read.  Then, it was lunch, and I returned to my room to read.  I often fell asleep and took a nap (a forgotten luxury) and when I woke up I'd sometimes go for a walk or run at University Parks, a beautiful scenic park with a pond an mature trees that even looked beautiful in the winter.  Then, I'd shower and have dinner, come back and read again, and stay up late to ICQ my now-husband Mark.  Do any of remember ICQ?  The pre-Instant Messanger!  Then, I'd fall into bed around 2am, to repeat the whole process again. 

Those were the days when I could dictate my own schedule, no one asked me for anything, and when I said I was "busy" I really had no idea what I was talking about.  Life is so different now, but I can appreciate both my solitude then and the kids that are hanging on me right now as I write this!  I'm so glad that I have the memories of such a unique time of my life.