Maui ohana in Glasgow

            A whole cross section of Maui ohana at re:hope church in Glasgow this morning:) 

Glasgow in selfies

 

having a cozy rhyme up here in Glasgow...

Though bleak and gray, 

there has been no snow, 

Still, I am cozy in Scotland, 

As you probably know.

For the cold has kept me 

in the coffee and tea, 

And thats just about all 

That this tired girl needs. 

A warm welcome awaited me at the Weller's flat...

...complete with attentive (raptly interested in my coffee making) Faroe the cat.

I've enjoyed cooking, resting, lots of good coffee, and conversations with old friends...

... and of course the laughter, depth, and honesty toward which all of these tend.

day trip to London

The winter break is officially underway. To shake ourselves free of our Oxford routine and celebrate the holiday, me and my classmates Loretta and Cameron put to use some discounted bus fares we'd received and headed to London for the day!

  

We did a walk around of the classic sights- Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Parliament, and from the embankment of the Thames we could see the London Eye, St. George's, and other familiar  features of the London cityscape...

...before we went on to Trafalgar Square and caught a few Monet's in the the National Gallery...

...and saw the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and strolled along St. James Park.

We wrapped up the day by visiting the British Museum to see an exhibit featuring ancient biblical manuscripts we have been learning about in class, getting Lebanese food for dinner, window shopping down Oxford Street and Piccadilly, and wandering through an enormous Christmas carnival  in Hyde Park. It was such a fun day out- we all enjoyed it enormously. We had a great time just being together, enthusing over Christmas trees and holiday decorations, and enjoying treats. To close the long, full day, we got some cozy drinks, talked about our highlights from the day and our hopes for the holiday break... and caught our bus back to Oxford. 

decking the (Wycliffe) Hall ...

A fat little Christmas tree has arrived in the foyer of Wycliffe Hall. Yet another herald that the holiday break has unofficially begun! It officially begins Friday, but our schedule has very little on it this week. Importantly, there are no morning engagements- zero. So I am taking the opportunity to sleep in... a rare luxury. I think having this week to recuperate will go a long way in helping me actually enjoy the holidays, instead of spending them face down in a duvet!

Besides the delightfully fat little tree downstairs, there is another even fatter one in our lounge room. That one is my favorite... it has the warm toned white lights, whereas the one pictured has the cool toned white lights. But lets be honest- I am just loving the way Christmas ambiance is decking the halls...

last formal hall of the term

Tuesday was our last formal hall  (fancy college dinner) of the term- and it proved a worthy occasion. There was a candle light advent carol service in the chapel, after which we retired to a reception with  spiced holiday beverages and mince pies around the sitting room christmas tree, and then went in for our meal. Afterward it was more beverages around the tree with a constant soundtrack of holiday classics (think Bing Crosby) adding to the festive affair.  

There were even classic party poppers on the table... something I didn't grow up with but seems essential to British Christmas... you pull the ends of the little wrappers, it makes a popping noise, and inside is a tissue paper crown. These are duly worn by nearly everyone- regardless of age.

Happy pre-Christmas festivities!