oxford relays (yes relays, instead of races, just like training instead of practice)

Yesterday I woke up before seven to see the sun shining brightly and the daffodils blooming cheerily, I made my way to campus and met some of my 'NUAC mates' and we piled into a small British car and started driving to Oxford. The trip was uneventful, I got to know my teammates better and enjoyed viewing the countryside. When we arrived in Oxford, we finagled our way into the last parking spot in the Oxford University Sports Centre parking lot and made it to registration on time. The men's team arrived just in time for a short warm up and we all donned our University of Nottingham vests and went to the starting line. The first leg of the cross country relay was off. For the men there were four legs and for the women only three...each competitor ran 6k (3.6 miles) and looped back onto the starting line (the University track) to tag off the next leg of their team. The races went well and it was good to get back into the racing mentality. The 6k loop went through part of the city centre, the new part of campus, and the old part of campus...

... it was incredible to run through somewhere I have heard about and revered for so many years. The only problem was that I was racing so I couldn't quite take in as much of the scenery as I would have liked to, but I suppose I will survive. The loop curved into the park land that is adjacent to the campus and we ran along the river which was quite flooded. Part of the river was so flooded that the raised path was submerged, so we all had to literally run through part of the river. It brought back memories of the Living History Farms race in Urbandale last year... but much less muddy, it was sunny and warm, and I was in England, not Iowa... anyway... So, the day was great. The weather could not have been more perfect, the driving was safe and good, and I got back to Nottingham for a delicious dinner by 6ish. I know I am bragging, but it was such an amazing experience. I am so glad that I decided to come here. Even though I have been here for six months (as Aaron just said, "That's half a YEAR! Wow.") I keep having moments that are simply me realizing that I am in England and I live here. I am not just visiting, but I actually live here. I have an NHS card, I know my way around Nottingham, London, and Paris like none other, I qualify for a different kind of Eurail pass because I have lived here for long enough, and I have had friends and family come visit me several times. I knew this year would be a growing and learning experience, but I had no idea. None. Last year at this time I was probably sitting in Dieseth working on a paper for some Psych class, thinking about my spring break trip to Disney World with Kev, John, Megs, Eds, Linds, Zach, and Lucas. Today the sun was shining and the daffodils were blooming everywhere as I walked to class at UNott Park Campus, I came back to the flat to have dinner with Kev's Mom and Stepdad, after washing up and cleaning the kitchen, I spent the next couple of hours booking flights from Athens to Santorini, finding apartments and hostels along the Mediterranean and dreaming of my upcoming holiday on volcanic beaches. Next year, it will be a rude shock to actually have snow and to be in a town that is a fraction of the size of the University that I am attending this year. Although I am excited to return to the States to see friends and family and for my final year of classes and running for Luther, I will miss England. I will miss the Nottingham, the university, and I will miss most of all the flat and my flatmates. As for now, I am content. I am happy. Classes are hard and running is slowly getting better, but I am content. I have accomplished most things I wanted to this year and plan to keep on traveling and exploring the United Kingdom. What an amazing year. After that long bit of sentimental-ness, I am headed off to book a villa in Santorini and then a few more chapters of 'Howards End' before bed. I heard that the sun began to show its face in the Midwest today... I hope that continues and the snow finally leaves. Have a great night. xoxo