10.05.2004
libraries
Yesterday and today we had our induction programmes in the department, what might be better termed as departmental orientation. Heard from a great number of people who had much to offer: possibly some work in numismatics, or papyrology, or even feminist post-colonialist late-marxist classical theory. The mind reels. But tucked into these programs has been a tour of the Bodleian Library. This has got to be one of the most imposing and interesting buildings ever. It's gorgeous and awe inspiring. What's really cool, though, is the interior. I am psyched that I get to research here and learn here. I'm amazed that resources this immense and powerful are at my disposal. Sweet.
I'm meeting a lot of my fellow grad students in the MCR and they've all been fantastic. It's fun, because I learn them all alongside their nationalities, or occasionally what they study. So here's a very partial listing: Justin (American; Science and Religion) Graham (UK; Zoology), Graham (UK; Math? I think), Timo (Germany; Computer Science), Sarah (UK; Engineering), Laura (Mexico; Math), Abi (India; Sports Med), Dan (Australia; Law), Simon (UK; Law), Ted (UK, Classical Archaeology), Derek (US; Classical Archaeology), Kate (UK, Classical Archaeology), Jenny (UK, Zoology), Chris (UK, Politics), the list continues. I am truly amazed at how many internationals there are here.
Food in hall hasn't been bad: I've eaten there twice and heard about tonights: rave reviews all around. Yesterday was a salmon fillet in a parsley and butter sauce, with roasted potatoes and steamed broccoli. Today was, evidently, an excellent rack of lamb. I got to the porter's lodge too late to exchange my meal ticket, so I was left sadly without any food. I spent £4 on chow mein from the dodgy Chinese take-out place. It was cheap, but not the cheapest alternative. I could have gone to the kebab van, but as I understand it from Simon (who's from Liverpool), there was a huge flap in the papers last Spring when a doner kebab place was found to be serving dog meat. I think that's gross. I mean, I'm sure I'll end up at the kebab van soon enough, but tonight was not the night to start.
I met some members of the SCR tonight when they came to introduce themselves to the Fresher grad students. Our college warden is particularly nice: she knows some friends of mine from Boston and also was an ancient historian herself. So this is good news. I have to meet with my program supervisor tomorrow morning, so I'd best cut this off soon. I wanted to stay up to watch the vice-presidential debates, but I'm way too tired. Big dinner tomorrow night in hall: it's our first night of wearing gowns.
I'm meeting a lot of my fellow grad students in the MCR and they've all been fantastic. It's fun, because I learn them all alongside their nationalities, or occasionally what they study. So here's a very partial listing: Justin (American; Science and Religion) Graham (UK; Zoology), Graham (UK; Math? I think), Timo (Germany; Computer Science), Sarah (UK; Engineering), Laura (Mexico; Math), Abi (India; Sports Med), Dan (Australia; Law), Simon (UK; Law), Ted (UK, Classical Archaeology), Derek (US; Classical Archaeology), Kate (UK, Classical Archaeology), Jenny (UK, Zoology), Chris (UK, Politics), the list continues. I am truly amazed at how many internationals there are here.
Food in hall hasn't been bad: I've eaten there twice and heard about tonights: rave reviews all around. Yesterday was a salmon fillet in a parsley and butter sauce, with roasted potatoes and steamed broccoli. Today was, evidently, an excellent rack of lamb. I got to the porter's lodge too late to exchange my meal ticket, so I was left sadly without any food. I spent £4 on chow mein from the dodgy Chinese take-out place. It was cheap, but not the cheapest alternative. I could have gone to the kebab van, but as I understand it from Simon (who's from Liverpool), there was a huge flap in the papers last Spring when a doner kebab place was found to be serving dog meat. I think that's gross. I mean, I'm sure I'll end up at the kebab van soon enough, but tonight was not the night to start.
I met some members of the SCR tonight when they came to introduce themselves to the Fresher grad students. Our college warden is particularly nice: she knows some friends of mine from Boston and also was an ancient historian herself. So this is good news. I have to meet with my program supervisor tomorrow morning, so I'd best cut this off soon. I wanted to stay up to watch the vice-presidential debates, but I'm way too tired. Big dinner tomorrow night in hall: it's our first night of wearing gowns.
