Goodbye England! Parting is such sweet sorrow.

Today I return to California. The ending is bitter sweet. I shed a few tears last night after several celebratory rounds of drinks with my friends and colleagues. I will miss them all very much. I am looking forward to seeing my folks and having some time to relax over the holidays. It has been a wonderful year. I have met the best people in the world, learned more than I could have imagined, and completed a dream. This has been the best year of my life (so far).

Things I will miss most:

1. My girlfriends

2. Pub Nights

3. The Shakespeare Institute Players

4. The Royal Shakespeare Company

 

5. Walking by the Birthplace every morning

6. Fancy Dress Parties

7. Laura's Antics

8. Cappuccinos at Gusto Ricco's

9. My Flat Mate, Jude

10. History Everywhere I look...



A little touch of Narnia

Today is my last full day in England. What a sad sentence. So, to take my mind off of things, Kristy and Beth took me on a little road trip to Oxford. While we were in town we had Tacos - something that I can get at home but my American friends here very much miss. Beth ate to her hearts content. We then snuck onto campus so Beth could point out her old dorm room and check the lost-and-found for a pillow she left behind last summer. Before we left, we stood below the window of C.S. Lewis' office and took pictures with the nearby lamp post, said to be the inspiration for the lamp post in The Chronicles of Narnia. I wished as hard as I could, but the Narnian's said I am far too grownup to enter through the wardrobe. Now my only wish is that I could stay in England forever.

Today is the Day!

After months a blood, sweat, and tears, my dissertation is complete. I feel relieved!

 

The finished product!

 

When I brought my final copies to the Shakespeare Institute today, the office staff rewarded my efforts with a lollipop! I feel like a kid again!

 

After we submitted out dissertations, we headed across the street to the Windmill Inn (aka the Windy) for a couple bottles of wine, laughs, and relaxation.