Parting with a friend

During my first term at Oxford, I became friends with Matt, who, originally from Ontario, was at Oxford for only one academic year, doing political philosophy. As the academic year has now ended, Matt has returned home to finish his studies. But, Chris and I got the opportunity to spend Matt's last day in Oxford with him, visiting our favorite places and enjoying the atmosphere. Our morning started at the Sheldonian Theatre, which has seen much traffic lately with numerous graduation ceremonies. (Chris left, Matt right) We then moved on the the Turf Tavern, which dates back to the 13th century, and is also where former President Clinton, "didn't inhale." Next, off for lunch and coffee, then punting. To imagine punting, think of Venice: flat bottomed boats, pushed along with long poles. It takes a bit to get the hang of it, but it's a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Well, except if I'm navigating... then it turns into a rather thorny and muddy experience...
Afterward, we ventured to the covered market to procure picnic supplies, then to Worcester College, where we found the perfect picnic spot in a tree over a lake!
After enjoying bread, cheese, wine, olives, and grapes in our tree, we retreated back to Holywell Manor, where we watched a movie, then spent the rest of the evening (and early morning) chatting.
It's always sad to separate from a friend with whom you've shared so many fun times. Matt, thank you for all the very wonderful adventures at Oxford, and for all the late night discussions, often full of talk about dragons!

Prince Charles

About a week ago I got the opportunity to go see Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, deliver a lecture on 'Islam and the Environment'. It was held in the Sheldonia Theatre, shown below, and I was seated in the top balcony.I think I echo the general feeling of the audience when I say that the Prince was captivating and compelling... well, maybe just interesting... or at least mildly engaging...
Well, ok, nevermind. I guess what I mean is that the Prince was... Royal. Yes, that's it.

Expedition Uzatagh Postponed

After much deliberation, our team has decided to officially postpone our expedition to Mt. Uzatagh. It won't happen this summer, and we'll wait and evaluate conditions, team members, and funding early next year. It's pretty disappointing to have spent so much time preparing for this expedition and acquiring all the sponsorships and grants, but this is the right decision at the moment. This process has taught me much about how to coordinate an expedition of this magnitude, and I hope that this will prove useful in the future. Thank you to everyone for their support, most especially my parents, who I'm sure were uneasy about the idea of their daughter venturing into the middle of nowhere in China. Just a few of the organizations and corporations that made this expedition imaginable:
Mount Everest Foundation -- Mountain Fellowship Award -- Andrew Croft Memorial Fund -- British Mountaineering Council --Edelwiess -- Nickwax Weatherproofing -- Anatom -- Boreal -- DMM -- Brasenose and Balliol Colleges -- Oxford University Exploration Club -- And a very special thanks to the generous support of the American Alpine Club.

Sulgrave Manor

The American Rhodes Scholars were invited to to a luncheon at Sulgrave Manor last weekend, the family home of the ancestors of George Washington, located about an hour from Oxford. Four generation of the Washington family lived there until 1657. In was established in 1539 by Lawrence Washington.. His great-great grandson, John, moved to Virginia in 1657. John's great grandson was that one guy on Mt. Rushmore. It was rescued by the British American Peace Committee in 1914 and set up to be "a centre from which sentiments of friendship and goodwill between the American and British peoples will forever radiate."
And although that American flag flying in front made me feel like I was back in the states, the posted signs soon reminded me that I was still in England: