Webisode 3: A Day in My Life

Hello there! At a recent chapel service at Regent's Park, the last service before the season of Advent began, the sermon was about life's transitional periods. For example, your three or four years at university is a transitional period when you can't really put down roots, because as soon as you do, it's time to transition again. The point was to live FULLY, not half-way, even during these rootless transitional times. It's kind of like when you're about to go on a trip somewhere...half of your stuff is already in your suitcase ready to go, but you still have things that aren't packed yet because you're still using them. Things might be a little confusing because your stuff isn't where it normally is, but you still have to function. Your feet are in two places at once, and maybe your mind is too, but you still find a way to function. This year I have not just functioned, but have, I hope, been living to the fullest during this transitional period. And shall I catalogue all the changes I have been through? Ahem... Moving to a new city, enrolling in a new university, living in a different country, getting used to a new culture, starting a new type of educational system, meeting a new group of friends, and temporarily being absent from everything I've ever known. (I'm even thinking of cutting my hair, just to keep with this trend of drastic change; what d'ya think? Maybe some bangs?) Since the spring, and still even now, I feel like my suitcase is half-packed (and literally it is, because I've been packing to go home for Christmas). Yet I'm trying to live every moment to the fullest, even though my mind and emotions might be sometimes scattered in different directions. I've learned a lot about myself these last three months, such as: (1) I can live in a place thousands of miles away from everything I'm accustomed to, and still be perfectly comfortable... (2) While I miss my family and friends at home, I've also found an extension of that same feeling of being "at home"... (3) I can cut my own hair... (4) I'm not afraid to go somewhere or do something unled or unfollowed... (5) I'm more resillient than I think... [To be continued...] This term, my expectations of myself and assumptions about what I can and can't do have been challenged and changed, for the better. My Saviour has helped me find both beauty and humor in the best and worst of times. Most of all I've learned (or re-learned) that my Lord Jesus Christ is the only constant in this life, and at many times throughout this season of transition, is the only firm foundation I can stand on. I am a work in progress - there should be an orange and black sign on my back saying, Caution: God Working. Here are two verses that have been essential to me lately: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Now cue it up, Mr. Projector! In this episode, you'll get a peak into an average Monday for me at Oxford. While you're at it, check out this song... It's called "Park Life" by a band called Blur, and it's the unofficial theme song of Regent's Park College. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSuHrTfcikU When we sing along to the chorus, we insert the word 'Regent's' before the singers say 'park life'. Just listen, it'll make sense, I promise :-)

Webisode 2: The City of Dreaming Spires

Hello beautiful people,

Okay, okay, I know what you're thinking...FINALLY, Danielle, it's about time you updated that blog of yours! Yes, I know, it has been a while, but I've been terribly busy, what with tutorials and papers and libraries! But I had some time to put together a video about Oxford the city...it is absolutely amazing here. The people are lovely, the buildings are so unique, and I wanted to share with you an Oxford resident's perspective on Oxford. You'll see High Street (which for some reason unbeknownst to me, we call it THE High Street, or simply The High), you'll see the efficient city bus system (very useful on windy, rainy days), you'll see the view from St. Mary's tower, and you'll see a bit what my daily walk to school looks like. My goal for this year is to never take anything for granted - to remember the blessings this year in Oxford will bring. So grab some popcorn and see what I am seeing, out and about around Oxford!

Webisode 1: Leaving on a Jet Plane

Breathtaking...absolutely breathtaking.

That was the only adequate adjective that came to my overwhelmed mind as I flew over English air space. Tears literally came to my eyes as the clouds broke and I was able to see the rolling pasture land and clusters of cities dotting the countryside. I thought, Why me? Why do I get to experience something like this, something that three years ago I could never have imagined I would be doing? I have the priviledge of spending the next nine months of my life studying Literature at one of the oldest universities in the world...I am counting my blessings every step of the way. I hope this video blog will share with viewers the adventure/ journey/ Alice's rabbit hole which I am about to fall into! I'll do my best to update with weekly videos, and perhaps write and post pictures more often than that. Please leave comments, as I'd love to keep in touch with everyone in any way possible! Know that I miss you already.

Each week, I'll try to include a link to a song that expresses exactly how I'm feeling. This week, it's Paolo Nutini's "These Streets." While this song has a melancholy feel to it, the lyrics are really about mixed feelings when moving to an unfamiliar place to make a new life for one's self. The song is actually about London, but I think it suits Oxford just as well, especially the "high street madness."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDGB2gu6Ank

Now, for the video part of this video blog... In this episode, you'll see the breathtaking vistas I was able to gaze upon from the plane, as well as a little of the planning process it took to get me on that plane.