i have an address!

Last night we went out to Fire & Stone, which is a sweet pizza place in city centre (the photo is of me with the lovely Nitya, who is a member of the business school but finds time in her busy schedule to hang out with us Regents folk). F&S organizes the menu in a really cool way--it's by continent, and within continents are cities. Each city is the name of a pizza. I had the Melbourne, which involves sliced brie, roasted butternut squash, roasted red onions and toasted pumpkin seeds on top. Pretty much best pizza ever, and it was a LOT of food. And only four pounds. Yay Rowena and her coupons!

Oh, but the real subject of this post: my address. You should all send me letters and food and sweaters:

Room 327
25 Wellington Square
Oxford OX1 2JH
United Kingdom


Yes? Yes. Do it.

approaching albion, alone

Corbin left this morning at bloody 5:45, rendering me all alone. I watched out the window 'till he got on his bus and then did my best to get back to bed. When I woke up and checked out of the hotel, I became quite aimless: wandering about the city, not totally certain where to go because I felt sure that I could not check into my hostel yet.

Eventually, my bag began to weigh on my shoulders something impressive, so I made my way to the hostel anyway. My suspicions confirmed--it was only ten-thirty and I couldn't check in until one--I was nevertheless able to relieve myself of my heavy backpack. Then I went to Regent's for awhile and spoke with Marian, the front-desk lady, who gave me a nice tour.

I then resumed aimlessness and walked a fair distance (some three miles, maybe) for a cup of tea that I could have gotten practically next door if I'd wanted. There I read the first hundred pages of Howard's End, which is excellent by the way. Eventually it occurred to me that it was nearing two, and the international student folks were having a drop-in session at the Examination Schools, which happily ended up being quite near. So I went, only intending to stay for a few minutes, as I could go back to my hostel at any time and check in.

However, I met friends! Well, so far, acquaintances anyway. We hung about the Exam Schools till they kicked us out at four, and then sojourned to a nearby coffeehouse. Now I'm at the hostel, which is very nice and seems quite secure, having gotten my Oxford wireless account set up against all improbable odds. We're meeting up at eight (oh laws, that's in fifteen minutes) for dinner and drinks at the Eagle and Child.

So yay! I didn't have to talk to myself all day to stay sane.

homeless no more!

As of yesterday, I will officially not be homeless in England. Though that would save me a fair amount of money, I suppose.

I got an e-mail yesterday from one warden Michael Mowat of Commonwealth House, who does not know how happy he has made me. Commonwealth House is an international house for students, run by St. Aldate's church and located toward the centre (note the English spelling) of town. The application as well as the CH's website stipulates that priority will be given to students from developing countries, students who do not speak much English, etc. Therefore, I applied on a pretty serious long shot, thinking only of how cool it would be to live with all the international students. And then I got accepted! Hurrah!

Now to find Corbin a place to live, which is proving even more difficult.