My Morning Run Came Straight Out of a Movie

I was feeling quite out of place last night. A little unsure about somethings that had transpired around me. I just knew something was not right. I felt a little purposeless. So with the advice from two brilliant people (if you couldn't guess...my wise and loving parents), I decided to make myself a schedule for the next day. Which would be today. Wake up. Go for a run. Get ready. Eat some lunch. Go to the Library. Finish my Essay. Check out the dance class I want to join. Go Grocery shopping. Eat dinner. etc. etc. Such is today.

My run. It was exactly what I needed. Leggings. Sweatshirt. Tennis Shoes. Scarf. Mittens. Ipod. It was quite brisk. But perfect. The sun hadnt come out yet. I explored the trail in the woods along the Thames River. It was serene with only a few old river men out and about and the occasional runner. Adele was playing on my ipod. The soundtrack to my thoughts and the bounce in my step. It was scenery right out of a movie. Gravel trail stil wet from the morning mist. Horses nibbling at the green grass beside me. Old houses. Fields of green. Cobblestone and wooden fences covered with green moss. I had no idea where these trails led so I let myself explore. Over bridges. Through the woods. Next to ponds and little rivers. Until I ended up in the "backyard" of Christ Church College. And then...my ipod died. Fortunately. Because I spent the rest of my run listening to the chirping of the birds, the honking of the geese, the breeze through the trees and the drippling of the Thames. And as if to say hello, the sun came out and warmly kissed my face. Soon after, I came to a stop where the trail ended at the Boat Houses where the rowing boats are kept. There was a young man with a red beanie and river boots who knodded good morning. I was looking across the river in the other direction and before I knew it the lad was in a quaint little boat punting across the river to where I needed to get. I wish I could say that I realized it sooner and asked him for a ride across the river since the other side is directly from whence I came. But unfortunately I was too late and he was all the way across. But I ran back to the main trail to get home thinking to myself that maybe one of these days on my morning run along the Thames, I might be able to get one of these charming lads to give me a ride across the river so I can follow the back trail home.

Picturesque. A piece of my Oxford fairytale. Now on to the rest of my day...

Cheers!

Well things have just been ship shape around here. I feel all settled in and those nervous butterflies and uncertain frustrations have seemed to melt away (even though the snow has not). The last couple of days have just entailed a lot of exploring the city (which means a lot of walking) and hanging out with great people! I haven't quite found a rhythm here but it seems as though that'll come once my work starts. But the beautiful thing i think is that there will be no routine--each day will be different, each will have its own adventures and its own challenges. But enough about that. The future will take care of itself. I'm enjoying living in the moment without having a schedule pinning me down and bombarding me with constraints of hours, minutes and seconds.

I'm feeling fantastic! A total 180 from how i was feeling the first day i arrived. i really feel comfortable and im learing my way around. The turning point was sunday. Sunday morning a bunch of us went to St. Aldates church and even some of my housemates who usually dont go to church joined me. The service was awesome! The worship and feel of the church was just like home. Then I got to stroll the city with some of my friends from APU who i hadnt really gotten to spend time with yet. That was also much needed. I then went about my day and that night we had a little movie night at Matt's house across town. Monday was great because I got to take care of some business for my tutorials and then i met up with Alex and Zack and we had some really great conversation on the second floor of starbucks. We talked about life and trust and theology and more life. it was really great. great conversation. great people. Then that night we had a fantastic black tie dinner banquet. We got all dressed up and had a 4 course meal. There was lots of good food and wine (the college has its OWN wine label) and a lot of toasting. each of us gave a toast actually. it was quite the ordeal. My toast was about expectations. I passed along the quote that my little bri bri told me early last semester: "Be expectant, but dont have expectations" and I kind of articulated what that had meant to me and what it is meaning to me now that i am here in Oxford. Then after that the two Abingdon Houses went to the pub down the street and spent a good time taking in and celebrating the fact that we are ACTUALLY in Oxford studying at the prestigious Oxford Univeristy! Yesterday was another fantastic day. I woke up very late and then went to the cafe with a friend. Again, had some great converstation and then proceeded to work on some research. Not going to lie it actually felt good to do something academic (because my tutorials haven't started yet). Oh boy but once it all starts its going to be brutal. But good.

Anyway, not going to bore you with any more details. This is mostly also for me so that I can remember what I did when I look back so i gotta write down as much as i can without getting long winded. But all in all, things are going great. There are some rough spots. But those are learning experiences too. My love to you all. Until the next entry...

PS if you want pictures just look on my facebook :)

Jet lag...ewwww.

Well its 5 in the morning and i cant fall back asleep. So i figured i may as well put my time to use instead of just lying in bed hopelessly trying to fall back asleep. Same thing happened yesterday too--my eyes just shot open and 4am! at least yesterday i was able to fall back asleep til like 6:30. But after that i woke up and went about my day. And if you know me you know that is an exceptional accomplishment because i am NEVER awake that early in the morning.

But anyway...

The first day was not so fun. Jet lag. Exhaustion. A Blizzard. And lots of Luggage. But i was able to see my uncle who lives in London so that was nice! I got settled into my new home (which is awesome!) and after unpacking went into the city center to one of the pubs for dinner. i came home and then crashed! Yesterday was a much better day. After a full night of rest i woke up bright and early to begin my day. It was long, but good. We had orientation all day with the rest of the Oxford study abroad students. It was a day filled with details and we were overloaded with information, but its nice to finally have all--or i guess--most of the facts. AND it was good to see everyone, meet new people and get to catch up with the APU friends here that are in other houses.

SO my house: its really awesome. there are 8 of us total. 3 guys and 4 other girls. There are 3 floors. Downstairs has the kitchen and dining room and 2 bedrooms. The middle floor has 2 bathrooms and 3 bedrooms and the top floor has 3 bedrooms. I live on the top floor and have an incredible view. Its beautiful because I can see all the snow covered housetops. When i wake up super early and its still dark out side, I can see the moon and its gorgeous and at night I can see the colors of the sunset behind the housetops.

Well today's a new day, its almost 8 o'clock and I've already been awake for 3 hours doing various things (skyping my family, returning facebook messages, eating honey nut cheerios in the dark etc). The house is quiet and everyone is asleep but thanks to jet lag I've been wide awake. I have a headache to but I'm sure tylenol can fix that. Anyway...on to a new day.

PICTURES:

The view from my window.

A better shot of my view.

Beautiful aint it?

Christ Church College, Oxford University

(This is my college! The most beautiful of them all)

And so the Adventure Begins...

Well, today is the day. I am soon to leave for the airport to board my 11-hour flight to Oxford, England to do the craziest thing I have ever done in my life. I am embarking on a wild adventure of unknowns and there is no sense in trying to articulate what I am feeling. For the last few weeks I have experienced such a strange mixture of paradoxical emotions which may be summed up like this: Excitement for what's to come, but Nervousness for the uncertainty clouding it.

Anyway, thats all for now. I'm gonna keep this short and sweet, simply sharing little glimpses into my experiences and emotions throughout my journey. I love you all and will miss you tremendously. But, I know that God has me in His hands and will safely return me home to all of you in due time.

With Love and Anticipation,

Narges

...................See you on the other side. Where British accents, rich culture, and the next 4 months of my life reside. Cheers!