Things are definitely getting back to "normal" here for us. After a month or so living in "quiet Oxford" things are now pretty much at their pre-Christmas pace again. It seems so busy and loud now after the quiet between terms! I'd almost forgotten how crowded the streets of Oxford can be - even without many cars.
The good news is that our friends are back. Nearly all of them had gone away for the holidays. I hadn't realized how much I missed them until they came back. We still haven't seen a few of them (Emily comes to mind. She lives close. We miss her.) It seems I especially missed Rich and Simon. Perhaps because I didn't hear much from them over the break. Although Simon didn't really go away, the last church service was in mid-December. I missed his calming influence in my life. And I really missed attending services at our very own Hertford Chapel.
I'm also beginning to realize why I always felt like I didn't have much free time last term. Today was Sunday, but we were busy as ever. First, we met with some new friends (met online through this very web site!) about watching Buffy with them. I'm pleased to say they were very kind and even - gasp! - cool. I left feeling really glad to have met them. I look forward to Buffage with them.
After that, we were called to Chapel where Simon asked us to help out with the service. We passed out bulletins, Andrew did a Bible reading, we helped light candles for the congregation, and I presented a bowl of gold as part of the Epiphany service. It was so, so, so nice to be back at our chapel and to see Simon. We also ran into Rich there (he's in the choir) and had dinner with him after. Poor guy hasn't slept since he flew back from Rhode Island today! ZZZ! Then, right after dinner, Andrew and Rich were off to the MCR meeting, where they are now, I guess. Did I mention I missed Rich? What a nice guy.
In the past week it's suddnely been a rash of social events and reunions. It's been fun, and also comforting in a way. I'm a bit of a recluse if left to my own devices, and really have to be reminded sometimes that I like hanging out with people. Otherwise, I'd probably just live in a cave or something. This week I remembered how wonderful some people are. I'm so glad to know all our friends and to be meeting more online. I'm not sure how good it is for the book, but I'll try to work out a schedule.
Tomorrow is the real start of term for Andrew. He'll be going to lectures, tutorials, and seminars, plus working on lots of papers and readings. I'll be working and doing the housekeeping and, hopefully, writing like mad among the web site updates, the Buffy nights and the MCR social functions. I'll also be trying to be supportive of Andrew while simultaneously staying out of his way.
It's hard to believe how much our lives have changed in the past year. Last year at this time I was working a good 60 hours a week as a high school drama teacher. I loved my students (still do) and my job, but it was HARD and it was really all I did. This year I live in a different continent, have tons of new friends, and do lots of interesting things which are totally different from the interesting things of last year. I have a whole lot less money and a whole lot less "stuff," but, somehow, life is just as full. Maybe more.
Posted by Erin at January 19, 2003 10:20 PMErin,
Well, I didn't know you had your own web page...you should've told me. This is cool. Who is it designed to be read by? I assume your students back here?
How are things since January?
Take care.
Brad