i can't believe i'm saying this, and i'm knocking on wood as i speak, but i haven't been rained on yet in england. blue skies, beautiful white clouds, 75 degree weather - that's what it's been like here every day since i've arrived. the weathermen are saying that it will be a "barbecue summer," a phrase i'm hearing repeated a lot by locals, which i guess means a summer with lots of weather suitable for sitting outside and barbecuing. i love this phrase, though, because when i hear it i know exactly what it means. i picture long evenings and late sunsets and meals eaten outdoors and no care for what time the clock says.
on that note: sunset time in oxford tonight: 9:27pm. sunrise tomorrow? 4:50am.* and they are not kidding...my first night in oxford i woke up at 4:30 BECAUSE IT WAS STARTING TO GET LIGHT OUTSIDE. it is ridiculous.
*by comparison: atlanta: sunset at 8:52pm, sunrise at 6:30am.
this is an amazing country in the summer - so much daylight without too much heat. i know this about myself: that i'm a person who thrives on sunlight and on being outdoors. the year i lived in new hampshire: (a) it got dark at 4:30pm in the winter, and (b) my apartment had NO WINDOWS - only skylights. not good for my energy level or desire to be awake or my general happiness. i mean, i was fine...but from 5pm onwards i had to fight the urge to get in bed and stay until morning. sunlight and good weather can make my day, can literally brighten me up. and we're having some mighty good weather. it's the kind of weather where you walk outside, look up, and wonder if all of this - the flowers, the clouds, the way the sun feels on my skin - could be unplanned, could be on accident.
Claire! Ditto on the sunshine - I felt the same way when I was at Brown. Providence was INCREDIBLY dreary. I even bought a sunlamp, if you've heard of them. You are in England at the right time. Summer!
ReplyDeleteI discovered your blog through your mother -we are in Westport for the weekend and she's here visiting too! It's nice to see her and hear about what you are up to. Sounds like a great 'summer job' you have going.
Josh and I want to thank you for your very thoughtful 'baby gift package'. It came in the mail the other day courtesy of you and your sister. It is GREAT to have some good books to kick off our children's library, no better to get them from two teachers! :-)
Wishing you happy and safe adventures abroad!
Much Love,
Aimee (Josh and LB)
p.s. LB stands for 'little baby' until we meet him or her in person.