On Friday evening, Hertford hall didn't serve dinner, so after chapel, we walked up to Summertown (our part of town) with Rich and PJ and ate dinner at Pizza Piazza. We all enjoyed the yummy food - especially dessert. After dinner, we walked to our flat and played several rounds of Pictionary. It's my favorite board game. It's a little intimidating playing board games with three Oxford students, but I held my own.
Saturday was our planned "wacky dining road trip." We took the train to Reading (pronounced Red-ing). It's only about a 25-minute train ride and very picturesque. I stared out the window at the scenery while my companions (Andrew, PJ, Rich and Mindy) played a card game.
We arrived in Reading still unsure where we would dine. Andrew and Mindy wanted Chilis. Rich and I wanted TGI Fridays. PJ's was the deciding vote and he seemed to really relish his power. I think he was more eager to be the guy with the decision in his hands than to actually decide. Anyway, he finally flipped a coin and we went to Chilis.
After consulting a map and a police officer, we walked about half a mile to the mall. A real mall!! They don't have any in Oxford, so we were pretty stoked about that. Unfortunately, it was about to close and we were hungry, so we just walked through. The Oracle isn't a big mall, but it's quite modern and nice. Behind the mall on the riverside is Chilis. It was crowded but we were seated right away. I don't care too much for Chilis at home because they only have two vegetarian dishes and I'm alergic to one of them. But here in the UK there are several more veggie-friendly alternatives. So the whole group pigged out and laughed and had a really fun dinner. Fun conversations, lots of laughs and really good food. I think the server got a kick out of us. PJ was the only non-American of the group (although we have a running joke that Mindy is Canadian, she isn't really) and PJ lived in the States for several years, so we had a ball being in our element, if you will.
We had all spied the huge WB Multiplex down the sidewalk and agreed to check out the movie times after we ate. We wound up seeing About Schmidt which I had NO interest in. It was Rich's idea. I was about to go into Final Destination 2 or The Ring, but didn't want to be anti-social. Anyway, it turned out that About Schmidt was a good movie after all. So go, Rich.
Then we walked back to the train station (after a quick trip in a slightly wrong direction). Reading is definitely a very active place on a Saturday night. All the clubs, restaurants and bars in town seemed to be packed with scantily-clad people. There were people all over the place who were definitely out for a night of fun. Oxford has its share of weekend parties and craziness, but it's much more subdued than Reading.
It was about 11:30 when we got on the train. Mindy had a toothache. Rich was tired. PJ was depressed. I was hyper because it was sorta my prime time. I'm totally a night person. Andrew was quiet but awake. We chatted a little on the first part of the train journey, but then everybody was kind of lost in their thoughts I guess. My thoughts were, "Wow! That was fun! Why are they so tired? I'm just getting started!"
Unfortunately, our train did not to directly to Oxford. We had to get off about half way and take a bus the rest of the way. Eh. But we were still at the Oxford train station at 12:30. Andrew and I hoofed it home while the scholar crowd wimped out and took a taxi back. Actually, that was probably better for them since they were all tired/sick/introspective.
Andrew and I had a fun walk home. Only then did space-cadet me realize that I was supposed to call our friend Andrew and let him know when we'd be at Reading. DOH! I'm bad friend! Sorry, Andrew.
Sunday we went to chapel, picked up pizza, and attended MCR Movie Night. This week it featured Fight Club so I once again contributed my DVD and DVD player (my computer) to the festivities. We did get a much better crowd than usual this week. YAY!
Busy week this week - my sister comes to Oxford, we go to London, and black tie dinner Friday. Busy, busy!
Posted by Erin at February 24, 2003 02:01 PMErin, no problem at all! Dan and I were in London, and ended up visiting with friends from Oxford all day.
It sounds as if you guys had a blast though! Some time, we'll have to go to the mega-mall in Kent, since it sounds like you guys are missing that!
See you soon!
Posted by: Andrew (The Other) at February 24, 2003 03:02 PMmmmmmm! Mega-mall! ::drools::
Posted by: MrsHughey at February 24, 2003 03:13 PMReading sure was fun! I'm glad we ended up at Chili's. Sorry I was depressed on the trip back. The movie brought back memories that I hadn't thought of in a while, and made me think of things I didn't want to think of and ask questions I didn't want to ask. Good movies do that to you.
By the way, Other Andrew, can I borrow your copies of the last two Buffy episodes?
Posted by: PJ at February 24, 2003 06:28 PMyeah! i am so glad that you had a wonderful weekend. you hughey's sure do get around. have a great visit with your sister. even though she won't be around for very long, i am sure you will show her the best oxford has to offer. yum . . . i am not usually into chili's either but now it is sounding good good good. must be lunch time. :)
Posted by: jane at February 24, 2003 08:25 PMGlad you made it to Reading. My digs were at #17 Wokingham Rd. I don't think there was a mall there when I was in school !!! There was barely electricity.
DAD
Posted by: DAD at February 25, 2003 02:02 AM