Popping in

Long time away from blogging it is true, however I am back with much to report!

First, my grandmother is officially the coolest grandmother in the world. Some may be aware that football (soccer) was spotlighted in the National Geographic last month and an excellent map of football around the world was included in the issue. I was very jelous of some of my friends in the States who had gotten their hands on a copy of this very cool map and had silently resigned myself to not having a copy. Imagine my overwhelming excitement when I opened an envelope from my grandmother which included a perfectly preserved copy of this map as a complete surprise! I have great plans for it to adorn my wall very soon. Thank you so much grandma!!

Research related, my viva has been scheduled for this upcoming Tuesday morning. I am both nervous and excited about it. I have a meeting with my supervisor tomorrow to prepare for the viva and I think it will go well. I have been trying to do as much preparatory reading as I can and my ideas for the future of my research project are becoming more solidified, so I think this is a good sign. I'll be sure to provide a timely update of how things go sometime Tuesday afternoon.

Also, I have completed a few applications for various funding ooprtunities here at Oxford. The first is to fund a 2 week research trip to the archives in Ipswich between 18 June and 2 July. This trip will allow me to really get "stuck in" the archives and figure out the extent of sources available for my analysis. The second application is for a Welfare Dean position at another college outside of Lincoln. I have mixed feeling about applying for a position that would see me switch colleges if I am chosen,. but the position is perfect for me, so I couldn't pass it up. If I become the Welfare Dean I would be the main contact person for all students at the college regarding personal issues and concers that could come up in their lives. So think of "Welfare" as the well-being of the students as opposed to financial assistance like it is generally defined in the States. In many ways this position is very similar to an RA (Resident Assistant) in an American University (which I was for two years as an undergrad). I'm very excited about the opportunity and can't wait to see how it turns out.

In other news, (and prepare to giggle yourself silly) I have joined a singles website specifically set up for single Oxford students to meet each other. Amazingly, it is very hard for students (especially grad students) to meet interesting people outside of their Faculty (read: subject) or College. I'm not really looking for a relationship out of joining the site, but just really interested in meeting some new people who can enhance my experience of Oxford. I've already met a whole bunch of really nice guys and had some fun new experiences, so I think I am attaining my goal.

Hmm...well, I think that's about all for now as I have a book on early modern Whickham which relentlessly calls to me...