Marticu-Crash

Matriculation, according to the wisdom that is Wikipedia, is the term used for the ceremony at which new students are entered into the registrar of the university. Before Matriculation, students are only members of their College. After the ceremony, they officially become members of Oxford University for life. There are also some rules involved with matriculation such as where you can live during term and how many contact hours you have to have. At Oxford, you are required to wear sub fusc to the ceremony. This attire consists of a motar board (a cap which you carry and don't wear until you graduate), a gown, a white shirt, and a white tie, black pants and jacket for men, and a black skirt and tights for women. Sub fusc is also worn at the Examination School during examinations at the end of the term (Exams are only at the end of term. However, 100% of your degree depends on your exam your last year. Collections are like exams that are taken at the start of term, but sub fusc is not worn and they are more to gauge where you are in your study and that you've done work over vacation. Visiting students do no take any exams... ever.) As a visiting student, or as the Brits like to say JYA - Junior Year Abroad - unfortunately I am not allowed to matriculate. However, that doesn't mean we still can't dress up, right?

Two other visiting students and I got in our sub fusc and headed to Mansfield to meet up with all the freshers and grad students. After the Principal took attendance, (though some names weren't called because they may or may not have been allowed to be there...) we all headed as a group down to the Sheldonian Theater for the ceremony. Several matriculation ceremonies are held throughout the day, with several colleges matriculating at each ceremony. 

Walking over in masses 

The Sheldonian Theater 

When we finally got to the Sheldonian there were countless students EVERYWHERE in their sub fusc taking pictures, and countless tourists taking pictures of of us taking pictures! One tourist even asked one of the visiting students I was with if she would be in a picture with her teenage sons. Crazy crazy day, but completely unforgettable! When it came time for the Mansfield ceremony, we noticed letters on the gates in front of the Sheldonian, so we figured they were taking names and we wouldn't be able to get in.

So instead, we ran around Oxford taking pictures, because in the words of a wise fresher, "At the end of the day, it's all about the pictures!" And when I say we ran around Oxford, I mean all of Oxford (which is impressive because we were in heels!) Here are some of the highlight photos! 

This is my favorite! Just on the other side of the Sheldonian Theater.

I really wasn't lying when I said we went ALL over Oxford!

A rebel, wearing the hat...

And then karma came back to bite me for wearing it... this pic is just before I fell over and ripped my last pair of decent tights!

But I didn't care and I wore the hat again :)

Then we made him wear it!

Then things got weirder... 

After the ceremony, all the matriculated students come back to Mansfield and take a group photo. Again, we weren't allowed, but we did get a pic with a few fresh freshers (who were a bit confused as to why we willingly decided to dress in sub fusc)! 

And then afterwards, we went to a marvelous Japanese restaurant that always has a line out the door! We just got a bunch of food and split everything. It was all delicious! And I didn't even use a fork (even though the waiter offered me one upon seeing me struggle with chop sticks)!

Since then, I've returned to said restaurant for sushi to celebrate a friend's 21st! I let the birthday boy order for me, because I don't know anything about sushi (I am still unclear as to the strict definition of sushi). I ended up with a dish with a bite of 6 different kinds (2 kinds of shrimp, tuna, salmon, octopus, and egg). I was a bit apprehensive because I have tried sushi in the past and wasn't really a fan, but here it was great. To top is all off, I'm now a pro with using chop sticks (don't quote me on that!)

See, total pro! 

There's the Birthday boy! 

Now by this point, you may be wondering, 'Amy, do you ever do any work?' Well, stay tuned to find out... But let the record reflect... I actually have a TON of work to do! One week of reading here is equivalent to an entire semester's worth of reading at home, just to give you an idea!

The Oxford Union (Billy Joel, John Mayer, Severus Snape)

The Oxford Union is the world's most famous debating society and is famous for bringing fabulous speakers to the debate room. The membership fee is very hefty though, even if you don't take into account how stingy I am! BUT after taking a quick scan of the term-card of events this term alone... I had no choice!

The very first event I attended as a Union Member was with Tom Hooper, the director of the King's Speech and Les Miserables (and I have to throw in The Damned United, Grace's favorite movie). I had never seen the King's Speech, so naturally we watched it the night before to prepare for our big day! The first event I actually tried to go to a debate regarding Confidence in Her Majesty's Government, but the place filled too quickly and I was turned away. So for the big speakers, we decided to get there an hour early.

Tom Hooper

Debate Room

The next event was a Q and A with Billy Joel. This one required getting there 2 hours early! Upon finding no line, we decided to sit on the picnic benches outside the debate building. Suddenly, one person looked as if he was inching towards the door. Apparently that was cue (pun intended) for the masses to start queuing! In no time, the queue  wrapped all the way off the Union grounds and onto the street. As we waited, we could hear Billy practicing inside. So surreal! At one point, the Brit we met in the cue casually said "Oh, look it's Billy Joel." as he walked by, 2 feet from us! After the sun had set, and the clock struck 7, it was time to file in. We got great seats, and then proceeded to wait another hour before the show even started! No pictures allowed (unless you wanted to pay a 50 pound fine and have your membership revoked), but I can tell you, it was amazing! He was sitting literally 10 feet from me and played snippets of We Didn't Start the Fire, Uptown Girl, New York State of Mind, River of Dreams, Laura, Tomorrow is Today, Where's the Orchestra, So It Goes, Summer Highland Falls, Beethoven's 6th, For the Longest Time, and ended with the entirety of Piano Man. He is a great performer and a hilarious guy!

He brought his own piano

His tea! 

The next event I went to was a debate on whether the European Union is a threat to democracy. I had a terrible seat on the top level. I could see nothing, and hear little. It was fascinating to go to though. At the end of the debate, you vote for either the opposition or the proposition by walking through one of the two doors.

Noes and Ayes

The next event (all in the same week, by the way) was an interview with John Mayer at 2pm. Once again, we got there early for the queue (can you tell I fancy word queue?). This time, photos allowed, so I took them in abundance. He was actually very insightful and had lot of interesting things to say about his work methods, his career trajectory, and even his relationship with Steve Jobs.

Only time we got him smiling

Closest thing we got to a performance

How far away I was. That big head to the left is Grace. She got dibs on a better seat because she is obsessed with John Mayer's music, even though she cut in the queue and wasn't waiting as long as I was! (That's a neutral statement, right Grace? - I promised to only say nice things about her because I am stealing her photos)

Not that you need another picture of John Mayer, but this one was priceless. He was referencing his throat surgery in 2011 (the guy likes to talk with his hands!)

[Bare in mind as you read the following, I almost missed all of this because I was thinking about going on a trip with the Caving Society to Wales for the weekend. I chose Friday Lecture Series, Formal Formal, and Champagne and Chocolates instead, and boy and I glad I did!]

After John Mayer, Grace and I headed to the first of the Friday Lecture Series, which are speakers specially chosen by Mansfield's Principal, Helena Kennedy, a Baroness in the House of Lords. We were running 15 minutes late, but were surprised to find the event hadn't started yet and there weren't that many people there. Misha Glenny, a British Journalist was speaking on cyber warefare and security. About 5 minutes after we sat down, Helena Kennedy walked into the room. Grace had already met her, and I hadn't, so I leaned over to Grace and said, "Is that, is that..." She responded very excitedly, "Yes, Severus Snape is sitting next to us." I had absolutely no idea what she was talking about until I looked 3 seats down from me and found Alan Rickman sitting there! After the great lecture, we tried to get a creeper photo on the way out but failed...

Snape to the far right

In the hall, we ran into another Mansfielder who was freaking out because Alan Rickman had asked her to show him the Mansfield library. As we exchanged stories, he walked past us, again literally 2 feet away.

Our faces when we saw Alan Rickman

The next event for the evening was Formal Formal (that is not a typo... it's called Formal Formal.) It sold out in 4 minutes.  (Also, bare in mind that there were so many other equally interesting events going on at the same time in Oxford. For Instance, the president of FIFA was speaking at the Union.) Formal Formal is a black tie event with a 4 course meal. Did I mention you also have to wear your robes? The food was divine: seafood bisque, fried goat cheese, beef wellington, and blueberry cheesecake.

Mansfield at night

Classy in robes

It's beginning to look a lot like Hogwarts...

Did I mention Severus Snape was there?

Or that I took creeper shots of him throughout most of the dinner?

Really started to look like Hogwarts! 

After the fabulous dinner, we headed over to the JCR (Junior Common Room) for Champagne and Chocolates. Alan Rickman joined us for the walk over, but took shelter in the SCR (Senior Common Room), probably due to the very overwhelmed Harry Potter fans. People were discussing stalking the door until he came out (even though the door was cracked and he could probably hear every word!) When he did emerge, he did take a picture with a lucky few. I missed that though... damn champagne and chocolates!

 It was a great time though. Afterwards, a group of us watched the beginning of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone.  The minute we saw scene with Snape in the dinning hall (filmed at Christ Church, where I have also been) we were satisfied and went to bed.

Such an incredible amazing day and week in general! I have a TON of work to do, but I am looking forward to see what is to come!

Fresher's Week

Week 0

So, obviously I'm a bit behind with the blogging as Fresher's week (or Week 0 or Naught Week, whatever suits your fancy) happened 2 weeks ago. Time here is completely warped, going by so quickly but so slowly at the same time. I know that sounds completely contradictory, but just trust me, it's not! So while I can't recall EVERYTHING that happened Fresher's week, I'll try and hit the highlights!

So fresher's week essentially consist of many many many orientation type events and many many many entertaining events put on by either Oxford University or by Mansfield's very own Entz, who are responsible for keeping us Mansfielders entertained pretty much all year!

Entz crew

So, I didn't find the library inductions very helpful at all, as I was one of the lucky ones with a 2000 word essay due the Friday of Fresher's week and had already been forced to become acquainted with the many many many libraries at Oxford (There are 3 libraries at Mansfield alone, a main Old Bodleian Library, a New Bodleian Library (under construction-- much like the rest of Oxford) the Radcliffe Camera Library, the Gladstone Underground Link between the Old Bodleian and the Radcliffe Camera (which also holds books), the Bodleian Law Library, the Social Science Library, and so many many many more!) Fun Fact: the Bodleian is actually required by law to hold a copy of every book published in the UK and Ireland. There was also orientation specifically for international students in the examination schools, which is normally where lectures are held and where student's take their exams at the end of term. 

Another event during Freshers week is a social at the Turf Tavern, where essentially Mansfield students completely take over the entire pub. That's the pub where most people meet their college parents (comparable to a Big / Little in a Greek life). That's when I met my college mum, a wonderful PPE second year, as well as who I'd later find out to be my adopted college brother (oh, these families get complicated... I also have a legitimate brother, a sister, and a dad. And if you trace the line far enough, I have 2 grandfathers, all of which [except the adopted brother, but we don't like him anyway :) hopefully he's not reading this] showed up at a family dinner in 2nd week. And if that's not confusing enough for you, I believe I am the same age as my grandparents, and older than all my siblings and my parents!)

There were also a few events to mingle with Mansfield tutors, some of which included a meet and greet type gathering with tea (obviously) and a Visiting Student and Freshers cocktail and formal dinner. In my experience thus far, Mansfield is definitely living up to it's reputation of having the best food among the Oxford Colleges.

Fresher's week also consisted of clubbing events... Every. Single. Night. I don't even understand how that is even possible, but people did it! Unfortunately,  my paper kept me from experiencing any clubs during fresher's week (probably one of the reasons I escaped Fresher's Flu), but one night, a bunch of us spent a few hours at the pub The Kings Arms. We were playing that game from the Quentin Tarantino movie Inglorious Bastards where you write the name of a person (real or fictitious, dead or alive) on a piece of paper and pass it to the person next to you. They display it on their forehead and ask yes or no questions until they can guess what's on the card. Every 20 minutes or so, a British person would approach us and say "you look like you have having fun, can you explain the rules," or "can you teach us and can we borrow some paper?" By the time we left the pub, there was at least 3 different groups of 8 or more people playing the game! It was amazing! That's also the night I discovered my favorite drink thus far! Black Cider, recommended by the bartender, and rightfully so! 

Freshers fair! WOW, so many many many societies and clubs, so much to do! The fair took place in the Examination School and consisted of many many many rooms with many many many (can you sense a theme here?) people trying to get you to sign up for many many many societies and clubs! I got guilted into a few (as soon as you made eye contact, game over), but quite a few I was genuinely interested in. Consequently, I am on the mailing list for many many many things! Noteworthy are gliding (in a plane), caving, wine tasting, walking society, and a bunch of political and law related societies. Each one also did have "taster" events where you could try things out for free. I already tried archery (which was awesome)!

Saturday I attended the taster to let us see what Mansfield Rowing is like. They put us in a boat on the river and off we went! I was told I was number 4 (out of 8), which got confusing when the cox was shouting commands for Bow 4 (the 4 in the front ) and Stern 4 (the 4 in the back)... I thought she was talking to me the entire time, but apparently not. I am soooo bad, I even "caught a crab" which is basically where your oar tries to kill you and plasters you down so you can't move. My life flashed before my eyes...

I also met with my primary tutor (Economic Decisions Within the Firm) for an informational meeting. Another visiting student from Mansfield and I are taking it. We walked through University Parks, which has the Quidditch field, in order to get to Lady Margaret Hall (another Oxford College). Remember, I picked these tutorials before I was accepted and without any course description. Turns out this course is not what I thought it was. It's a class with 12 students (a lot considering a normal tutorial is 3 max)  and covers Advanced calculus, Linear Algebra, Systems, Programming, etc. Stay tuned to see how that tuned out!

The week ended with a BOP (which, rumor has it, stands for Big Organized Party) Saturday night (And in case you were wondering, my paper was finished and handed in by this point. More on that later)! The theme was Disney. A friend from Dale (where I live) and I decided to walk to Renault (SO FAR AWAY) to get ready before the event. I don't know how (it's a straight shot! No turns!), but I found a way to get us completely lost. Did I mention it was raining? Did I also mention I had done that walk at least 3 times before? Anyway, once we miraculously made it there, we were able to get beautified for the BOP! 

All I was missing was spots! "And your little dog too!" (wrong movie??)

Hair cred to Lucy, fellow Dickinsonian! 

The motley crew! We got Piglet (and / or the cheshire cat), esmeralda, Cinderella, Me, Meg (Hercules), and a modern day Bell 

Bop 

Apparently it's a Mansfield tradition to end the Bop by playing Robbie Williams song Angels and everyone gets in a giant circle with your arms on the shoulders of the person next to you and sing at the top of your lungs. Then during the chorus, everyone runs into the center of the circle, arms still wrapped around each other. It was fabulous! 

Keep in mind that is all Week 0! SO MANY MORE THINGS TO SHARE! Stay tuned! 

3 Days in London

So, on more than one occasion and by more than one party, I have received such positive feedback on what a phenomenal blogger I am for leaving my readers in such suspense, wonder, and awe... well it was worded more like "YOU ARE FAILING AT BLOGGING" and "there hasn't been any new blogs in forever" and "update the darn blog!" Sorry to keep you all in limbo... as you can imagine, SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED! I am going to try to write about it all and break it up into sets of blogs, so bare with me. Also, excuse the lack of pictures... I have officially become an oxford resident, meaning I feel it is no longer necessary to have a camera in hand at all times (it also doesn't help that I lose things--including cameras-- and / or forget them all the time). But fret not, I have a friend who loves taking pictures and I've gotten on her about how she needs to take more to make up for my lack of picture taking!

So I believe I left you just before my three day adventure in London. That was 2 weeks ago!

I woke up Tuesday morning knowing I was headed to London, but with no notion of how I was going to get there. I literally rolled out of bed, packed one bag, and headed for the bus stop. Granted, I should have done a bit more planning. Not having any idea what I was doing, I didn't buy any tickets in advance, didn't really know which bus I was supposed to get on, where it would take me, or what I would do when it took me there.  Probably not the best way to go (I honestly don't know why I thought everything would work itself out. Perhaps I had gotten so used to getting lost in Oxford and finding my way back, that I figured expanding the radius to to London would be no different).

So I slept most of the bus ride, but the scenery I did see was gorgeous (again... so many sheep)! Now I knew I was supposed to get off at Victoria Station... only problem was that I didn't know there was a Victoria Coach station and a Victoria Underground Station. Judging by the 3 hours I spent wondering around, lost and confused, I would venture to say that I picked the wrong station. I asked for guidance from some very helpful workers and some not so helpful underground workers. One gave me a map and drew out my route, the other gave me the verbal directions "left, left, right, left, right." No street names or anything (and given my sense of direction to begin with, you can imagine how helpful that was). My journey began at 9am, but I didn't make it to the hostel until 2pm (pretty bad considering the trip probably should only have taken 2 hours max!)

Hostel

I chose this Hostel because that was where Anna, the other Dickinson student (whom I had never met) had been staying. I was very impressed with this Hostel (probably not good, seeing as this was my first Hostel experience, and probably not the last. Now I have high expectations for future Hostels)! My room was 22 people mixed men and women. Sounds dreadful, but the worst part about it was the snoring! The room itself was small, but had two levels and the first level had bunk beds, the second just one layer of beds. I was on the top level.

Stairs leading up to the floor with my bed. 

My bed 

The best part about the Hostel was meeting all sorts of people. The man in the bed across from mine checked in the same day as me and was spending 3 nights, just like me! He was from Argentina and spent the last 2 months backpacking through Europe! In fact, the same day I was leaving to go back home, he was headed to Oxford. After grilling him about the best places to visit in Europe, I told him all about Oxford (After all, I am an authority on the city, considering I had spent a total of 7 days in the city at that point in time). We also tentatively made plans for me to show him around Oxford, but that fell through due to timing issues. So after I checked in, Anna  and I planned to meet up at the tube station in Kensington. I had never used the tube before or anything remotely similar, and I had no phone or way of contacting her if I got extremely lost (which was a concern), but I made it there in one piece, and right on time no less (mostly because Anna mapped out the entire trip to the T)! 

The Tube! 

This was the first time I officially met Anna. Actually, we were in a class together at Dickinson but never really spoke to each other, which is absolutely amazing to me. We spend the entire 3 days together and I honestly can't believe how close we got over those 3 days. It's incredible we met under the circumstances we did! So the first thing we did was have classic English tea  and quiche at the Muffin Man Tea shop. Afterwards, we just chatted and walked around Hyde Park. Our method of navigation sounded something like this, "Hmmm, this street looks interesting, wanna go here?" or "I wonder where this street goes, let's find out, shall we?" It was wonderful! We ran into things like this...

and this...

yes, that says Kensington Palace

and this...

and even this...

During this time, Anna and I both encouraged each other with regards to our stressful interviews. I started to freak out because I forgot a suit! So, we did what anyone as stressed as us would do... we got crepes! 

Here's Anna with our crepes... we split them. Best decision ever! 

The next day, I walked with Anna to Portcullis House to scope out the environment where my interview would take place the next day, and where hers would be taking place that day. We walked past many magnificent sites including this...

And this (which I love!)...

And of course the London Eye...

Here's Anna asking an officer for directions outside the Ministry of Defense.

 This is Portcullis House, where my interview was scheduled... Why did I not think to bring a suit! 

I mean it is right next to Big Ben and the Parliamentary Houses! A suit seems necessary! 

So while Anna was in her interview and I continued to panic about not having a proper suit, I decided to walk around Parliament square and visit the Imperial War Museum. 

Imperial War Museum

Afterwards I found a little cafe where the cashier discovered how gullible I am and fully exploited it to his advantage... but I didn't mind because he made a mean chai tea! After Anna got back from her meeting, we headed to Primark to buy a suit! We spent the remainder of the evening working on resumes in the lounge of the Hostel. 

So the next day was my turn. I got to Portcullis House an hour early, and just walked around chatting with Anna. The entire experience seemed so surreal! At one point, I asked Anna what time it was, neither of us realizing that Big Ben was not only sitting right in front of us, but that it was chiming the hour as well! Funny enough, just before the interview, I told Anna that no one has ever asked me why I want to go to law school. The first question of the interview was why law school. The interview seemed to be going very well. I was told I "have an attractive personality, seem confident, and can work a room"! This was all before I stood up to be introduced to an MP, bumped the table and spilled tea all over my resume... oh dear, only me... But it was fine, as the interviewer was extremely kind, had a great sense of humor, and loves telling stories (he's pretty good at all different accents to embellish his stories a bit!) He gave me many many names to reach out to for potential opportunities. 

So the whole thing lasted close to two hours. We were wrapping it up, and it turns out he lives about 5 minutes from my hostel, so we rode the tube together, and continued chatting. And, it was raining, the one day I didn't bring an umbrella (literally the first time it had rained since I arrived in the UK!)... so I shared an umbrella with him till we got to my Hostel. Then he offered to give Anna and I a tour of the area! We all got changed and met up 20 minutes later (rain had stopped) and he gave us a personal tour of Hampstead, which is absolutely gorgeous! He showed us everything from where his son was married to Robert Louis Stevenson's house! It was amazing! We even stopped for lattes and talked for hours! Afterwards, he took us to his flat to meet his wife and chat some more over champagne! We talked about everything from traveling, culture differences, the education system in UK vs US, the current state of congress, their painting and pottery collections, to baby photos of their adorable grandson! Anna and I left completely blown away by how surreal the whole day was. We left their flat at 8:30pm! He had spent the entire day with us! It was so perfect! Afterwards Anna and I went to a really nice Chinese restaurant and just chatted for hours about anything and everything! Then we roamed around a bit exploring whatever we came across.

The next day, we were going to go on a free walking tour, but we missed it. Instead, we just went exploring on our own. I suggested Regents Park, which is where we spent most of the day. I could have spent all day there. The park is filled with patches of roses, 82 different kinds with names like Keep Smiling, Ice Cream, Lovely Lady, Ingrid Bergman, and Warm Wishes! We spent much of the day just smelling the different flowers! 

There was also a couple taking wedding photos!

We also came across a wonderful park for kids! I wish I had access to this growing up! 

Rock Climbing for the adventurous little tots!

Anna enjoyed the park a bit too much... we also spent about 20 minutes on the swing sets! 

Just before I headed back to Oxford, we stumbled upon the pub The Victory, where I had my first meal of fish and chip in England. I also order a Blackberry Pimms and Elderflower mixed drink. It  had slices of cucumber and lime in the drink and that really added something extra! 

So my trip to London started out very stressful and hard to take advantage of being in London with a lot on my mind. Another added stresser was that I had gotten my first reading list and paper assignment the day I arrived in London. But the trip was amazing nonetheless and I wouldn't have traded it for the world! 

Stay tuned to find out what happened during Naught Week / Fresher's Week / Week 0 (that seems like so long ago)!