Tea and Libraries

Friday, June 14th started out a little differently. We all met at the Bodleian library to get a tour. We were all being really loud and had to be hushed a couple of times... oops! since there were so many of us, we all had to go in to different tours. Dr. Kerry asked who of us wouldn't mind being a little late to Dr. Hoffmire's lecture. Craig and I sacrificed our precious lecture time for everyone else... oh darn... :). Before our tour, all of us hopped over to see the magical book display that was going on. It's super cool! there were old spell books and the such, but also original manuscripts by C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein! I loved it. After that, we all headed over to the Sheldonian theater. Dr. Kerry explained the graduation process to us but I accidentally tuned him out and everyone was all like "ooOOOOooo" so I asked Josh what was so great and he was all "you'll understand someday." me: "I think I'll understand now, I just wasn't paying attention" haha. But apparently, the gist of it was that scholars stand in a circle, make a sign at the graduating person, who then goes and changes robes, comes back, is taken by the hand and pulled back into the circle. It's interesting how it's kind of an ancient priesthood type thing. Anyways, the building was pretty alright. It would be a lot better to graduate there than in the Marriott Center like I did. We also all got to go to the top and check out the panoramic views of Oxford.

Sheldonian Theater

Interesting architectural detail...

views from the top of the theater

Kyle, Jon, Michael

Afterwards, we still had a lot of time before we had to go on our tour, so Kyle, Michael, Kailey, Craig and I decided to go get some tea nutty cakes (although Kyle heard "dirty cakes" and we were being awesome and joking about it). We were pointed towards this little cafe coming out the side of the chapel next to the Museum of the History of Science. We got this tea that Craig used to drink on his mission in South Africa. It was pretty yummy, and I really like all those kids.

Michael can't turn off the GQ

Kyle, Kailey with pinky poshness

with Michael and Craig

Tea at the Church

"Craig, I think your eyes are closed..."
"No. I'm Asian"

Finally it was our turn to go on our tour at the Bodleian. We were only allowed in one room and it just consisted of a Finnish girl walking us to different places in the room, so it was a little disappointing. However, the room is pretty cool. She talked about how the collection of books grew, what happened to all the books after the Reformation (Most are destroyed but one is in the Vatican and they won't give it back... I don't blame them). Also she explained how students requested books before they were all digitally cataloged in 2008! Also, bits of Harry Potter were filmed there. Oxford is filled with Harry Potter filming location.

Where some of Harry Potter was filmed

Bodleian Library

Nice picture of the no photographs sign. Oops!
That's a big deal study room... Prince William has recently gone there to read a book.

Randomly placed photo...

After that, we made it back in time to miss Dr. Hoffmire (the Hoff)'s lecture. We did come in time to learn our project assignments. I'm in Tom's group with Jon, Mark, Austin, Jane, and Jordan. Tom's business idea is to make an app that basically makes it easier for citizens to be informed and engaged in the political process. I'm really excited about it and I chose his group because I understand what happens in DC a little bit and I felt like I could actually contribute. I'm really excited to see this ap take off!

That night we all had an "opening social" half way through. We went to eat at an Italian restaurant.  While there, I sat with little Lucy, Dr. Kerry's daughter, along with his little son and his wife. Lucy and I got on really well! She's about Annelise's age, so that really helps. I'm not as good with their boys. Maybe they'll be good practice with Titi's little boy :) She colored me a couple pictures which I unfortunately left there. I also chatted a ton with Tom, Michael, and Mark. During the dinner, Dr. Kerry would occasionally ask us to get up and switch around so we could talk to different people. At one point, our tour guides wife sat by us and she loved talking about TV shows. At first the shows were really obscure, but then I took the conversation to shows I could actually comment on. It was really fun. The food was pretty ok though. Not the greatest. It was just fun with all the company.