oxford, take 2

i'm in oxford!  i got in on sunday, and i can't help comparing last year's arrival to this year's. 

last year: i take the train from bath, where i'd been sightseeing, and then proceed to take the longest possible route, on foot with all my belongings, from the train station to pembroke college, where i'm staying.  i feel really lost the whole time, because, in fact, i sort of am.

this year: i take the bus from london, a bus i have taken before, and i know that it has a stop literally across the street from pembroke.  i get off at that stop, cross the street, and i'm here.  i feel very proud of my navigation abilities.

last year: by accident i meet a coworker-to-be at the college gate at the very moment i arrive.  he takes me on a little walking tour of town and makes sure i get to our first meeting on time.

this year: i don't meet anyone at the gate, but i do recognize the porter on duty and we chat a bit.  i've prearranged to meet two friends/coworkers from last year to find a pub and watch the england v. germany soccer game.  one of those friends is the stranger from last year who took me around on the first day.  we meet at our predesignated time, hug, tell stories, and watch soccer until our first meeting.  [side story: england loses.  the pub is NOT AMUSED.  every time england gets the ball, people from all over the pub start yelling "come on england!" - that EXACT PHRASE - and every time their star rooney gets the ball they yell "come on rooney!"  every person who cheers is saying one of these two phrases.  this is apparently how you cheer for football here.  when england scored "the goal that wasn't" YOU SHOULD HAVE HEARD THIS PUB.  to say they were angry that that goal didn't count IS THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR.]

last year: at our first meeting i am introduced to a bunch of people whose names i promptly forget. i feel overwhelmed, but excited.

this year: at our first meeting i know two thirds of the people there, and there is all sorts of hugging and laughing and "i didn't know you were coming back!" and catching up, and it is the most amazing feeling to be in a city 4,000 miles away from home and to know so many people so well.  i am overwhelmed by it in a way i didn't expect to be.


all of this is to say: life is very good right now.