All My Love, Gennavieve

November 30th marks the feast day of Saint Andrew, the patron saint in Scotland. St Andrew's Day celebrates Scottish culture by enjoying traditional Scottish food, music and dance. Schools across Scotland hold special St Andrew's Day events and activities including art shows, Scottish country dancing, lunchtime ceilidhs, dance festivals, storytelling, reciting and writing poems, writing tall tales, cooking traditional Scottish meals, and bagpipe-playing. These events recognize the importance of Scottish heritage. Many other countries with Scottish connections also celebrate this day. In Oxford, Lady Margret Hall hosted a Scottish barn dancing evening. There was a live band that helped to create a boot-stomping mood. We did dances with some interesting titles, like Whiskey Dripping, Willow Stripping, and The Basket. They all involved a lot of galloping, spinning, and laughing. I went with two of my girlfriends from APU and we had a blast! May you experience the gift of ce

Saturday was a gloomy, bitterly, cold day. We traveled to Cambridge and stopped at the American Cemetery and memorial. The memorial is the only WWII American cemetery in the UK. The University donated the site and the British government authorized use of its land. The layout is similar to a baseball field, with the American flag at home base and the graves extending into the outfield. There are layers to the cemetery, each section dotted with rows of white crosses marking those who lost their lives in the skies over the British Isles and in preparation for the battles to be fought on the continent. There is a wall of missing names that stands along the south side of the memorial with 5,127 names. 50 yellow rose bushes circled around the base of the flag represent each state. The memorial also has a chapel. The doors to the chapel showcase 3D models of military devices such as tanks, planes, and submarines. Once inside, the chapel reveals a colorful mosaic of tile. At the v

Part of the advice we were given prior to leaving for Oxford was to become involved and get connected in Oxford activities, sports, societies, etc. We were encouraged to go for things we enjoyed doing as well as to try new things. I took this advice to heart. However, I wonder if this advice should, perhaps, come with a warning label. I combined trying something new with one of my passions and joined Oxford's Rock and Roll dance team. Now, I know what you're thinking, What is rock and roll dance? I asked the same exact question when I first heard of it. In fact, I thought it sounded awful and was going to avoid going to the free taster session. I am grateful I did not. The best explanation of rock and roll dance I can attempt would be to tell you to picture the tight kicks and punches of cheerleading, coupled with the acrobatics, all joined to a partner. A bit confusing, right? Here is a video of our trainers, Amy and Adrian, and other team members performing the rou

For the past two weeks I have noticed people wearing little red poppies pinned to their clothes. The small red flower shows they are remembering those who died in service to their country. Poppies were the flowers which grew on the battlefields in France after World War 1 ended, so people continue to remember the history today. Armistice Day is on the 11th of November. A two minute silence is observed at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month when the Great War came to an end in 1918. Today this anniversary is used to remember all the people who have died in all wars since World War 1, including World War 2, the Gulf War, and conflicts in Bosnia, Rwanda and Kosovo. Remembrance Day, or Remembrance Sunday, is the second Sunday of November. On this day there is also a two minute silence usually observed at war memorials, cenotaphs and religious services throughout the country. The Royal Family, along with top politicians and religious leaders, gather at The Cenotaph in

Maria once sang, Raindrops on Roses, Whiskers on Kittens... You know the song, A Few of My Favorite Things . I decided to follow her example and create a list of my own favorite things about Oxford... Sitting in New College's library window seat. This library maintains a perfectly warm temperature to keep me comfortable while studying. The heater is right beneath the window seat cushion, so I quite enjoy the warmth. I can stretch out, relaxing while studying. Waking up to the gentle sound of rain tapping its morning, "hello" on my window. It is comforting to be snuggled in my bed, huddled in the heat, beneath comfy blankets, looking out of my window to the cold, morning dripping down the pane, little pitter patters echoing in my room. Taking a deep breath and smelling fireplaces from the chimney smoke of neighbors as I walk down my street. Gloucester Green market. A city market that takes place every Wednesday in the city square. Local venders arrive early