I’m calling today “odds and ends” day as we finished up the loose ends necessary to fully be a part of the college. We got our picture identification cards from Fiona and had our computers connected to the college today by the IT guy. Now, we’re officially in college as visiting Members of the Senior Commons Room.
Another reason for the title “odds and ends” is this blog is little bits of extra information. Hopefully, it will be interesting to some of you.
· Transportation: You see every mode, but the most popular is bicycle or cycle, as they say. With not much parking available, young and old cycle. Of course, all in black. 2 papa keeps saying, “There goes the Auntie Em.” Walking is the next choice, because well… most people have legs. Enough said. The buses run all the time, but are expensive—about $6.00 each way for both of us.
· Food in restaurants: Restaurant food has been great, but until last night we had only eaten food from other countries. True confession time—we fell off the veggie wagon and ate some English fish and chips. Peer pressure made us do it! Isabella told us we couldn’t leave England without eating fish and chips. Johnny had salmon and chips (large French fries). He declared it to be as good as anything he’s ordered from a catalog. (What is that saying about the chef???)
· Food in grocery stores: I know I made a big deal about the choices we have in America and I promise I am not reneging on that boasting, but Tim sent me a link to two grocery stores who will deliver anything I want--from fresh foods to mascara. WAKE UP AMERICA! That is the coolest ever. Photo above: 2 Papa “just looking” at a bakery.
· Lunch at College: Lunch is a time for socialization like in America, but you are likely to hear a pretty good theological discussion. Today we heard two opposing views on God and suffering from two of the fellows. They were so English and kept saying, “I’m sorry to disagree with you.” It was very interesting. 2 papa started the discussion and off they went. One more thing --pudding means dessert of any kind so don’t turn it down because you don’t like pudding and don’t get it because you think it is pudding. One more thing—they always have two utensils in their hands at all times. Either a fork and knife or a fork and spoon. They scoop all the food onto the backside of the fork. 2 papa loves this.
· Pubs: As I’ve said, there is one on every corner. One of the most famous is Eagle and Child, where C. S. Lewis frequented. We went in and asked for hot chocolate. Needless to say, they don’t serve hot chocolate. They do serve food and there is no stigma attached to eating in a pub. Even children eat there. It’s like going to Appleby’s.
· The language: I’ve said a little about it in other blogs, but it’s really amazing how difficult it is to understand them and they are speaking English. Since Simon Cowell has been in my living room for three years now, you would think I would have a better command of the language.
· The people: they are very friendly and courteous, but we have not seen anyone hugging as a greeting or, really, any other way. They are very formal when they speak to each other. We are trying to not hug Fiona and keep such phrases as “fixin’ to” and “Do y’all do that over here?” to a minimum.
· Lastly, formal dinner: Tonight was the first formal dinner of the term. It’s in the dining hall and very fancy. The tables are set for a formal meal, with lots of different pieces of silverware, and we eat by candlelight. The fellows and other faculty members meet in the SCR and wait until someone knocks on the door and then we file into the hall. The students are standing until this happens and the president pounds a gavel and says a prayer. See photo of boots and new outfit worn to the dinner. It was so hot in there, I thought I was going to faint. Note to self: Don’t layer for formal dinner.
Well better go. It’s very late and we catch the train for Scotland in the morning. We’ve got to get packed and it’s nearly midnight here. We have had so many incredible messages wishing us well as we take this journey. We are so blessed and thankful.
“God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out. This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.” II Corinthians 9:8
Love you all. See you from Scotland.
Hugs,
2 mama
Another reason for the title “odds and ends” is this blog is little bits of extra information. Hopefully, it will be interesting to some of you.
· Transportation: You see every mode, but the most popular is bicycle or cycle, as they say. With not much parking available, young and old cycle. Of course, all in black. 2 papa keeps saying, “There goes the Auntie Em.” Walking is the next choice, because well… most people have legs. Enough said. The buses run all the time, but are expensive—about $6.00 each way for both of us.
· Food in restaurants: Restaurant food has been great, but until last night we had only eaten food from other countries. True confession time—we fell off the veggie wagon and ate some English fish and chips. Peer pressure made us do it! Isabella told us we couldn’t leave England without eating fish and chips. Johnny had salmon and chips (large French fries). He declared it to be as good as anything he’s ordered from a catalog. (What is that saying about the chef???)
· Food in grocery stores: I know I made a big deal about the choices we have in America and I promise I am not reneging on that boasting, but Tim sent me a link to two grocery stores who will deliver anything I want--from fresh foods to mascara. WAKE UP AMERICA! That is the coolest ever. Photo above: 2 Papa “just looking” at a bakery.
· Lunch at College: Lunch is a time for socialization like in America, but you are likely to hear a pretty good theological discussion. Today we heard two opposing views on God and suffering from two of the fellows. They were so English and kept saying, “I’m sorry to disagree with you.” It was very interesting. 2 papa started the discussion and off they went. One more thing --pudding means dessert of any kind so don’t turn it down because you don’t like pudding and don’t get it because you think it is pudding. One more thing—they always have two utensils in their hands at all times. Either a fork and knife or a fork and spoon. They scoop all the food onto the backside of the fork. 2 papa loves this.
· Pubs: As I’ve said, there is one on every corner. One of the most famous is Eagle and Child, where C. S. Lewis frequented. We went in and asked for hot chocolate. Needless to say, they don’t serve hot chocolate. They do serve food and there is no stigma attached to eating in a pub. Even children eat there. It’s like going to Appleby’s.
· The language: I’ve said a little about it in other blogs, but it’s really amazing how difficult it is to understand them and they are speaking English. Since Simon Cowell has been in my living room for three years now, you would think I would have a better command of the language.
· The people: they are very friendly and courteous, but we have not seen anyone hugging as a greeting or, really, any other way. They are very formal when they speak to each other. We are trying to not hug Fiona and keep such phrases as “fixin’ to” and “Do y’all do that over here?” to a minimum.
· Lastly, formal dinner: Tonight was the first formal dinner of the term. It’s in the dining hall and very fancy. The tables are set for a formal meal, with lots of different pieces of silverware, and we eat by candlelight. The fellows and other faculty members meet in the SCR and wait until someone knocks on the door and then we file into the hall. The students are standing until this happens and the president pounds a gavel and says a prayer. See photo of boots and new outfit worn to the dinner. It was so hot in there, I thought I was going to faint. Note to self: Don’t layer for formal dinner.
Well better go. It’s very late and we catch the train for Scotland in the morning. We’ve got to get packed and it’s nearly midnight here. We have had so many incredible messages wishing us well as we take this journey. We are so blessed and thankful.
“God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out. This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.” II Corinthians 9:8
Love you all. See you from Scotland.
Hugs,
2 mama
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