In which I begin my last term

Well. My parents and I arrived in Oxford last Thursday with no volcanic obstacles. We spent a lovely few days around town and they left this morning. I of course spent the whole day writing a paper. My first one-day essay! I started the reading at 9:45 and finished with 1400 words at 4:45 with plenty of time for my tute at 6:00. My new tutor is very traditional - it was a one-on-one tutorial and I read my essay aloud (as opposed to emailing it to him ahead of time). Kind of like having an hour-long chat sesh about the Russian Revolution. You know, as one does. My new tutor was great and willing to work my art history and thesis interests into the course which is nice.

I walked home from my tute fairly gleeful seeing as I am now homefree until my next essay next Tuesday. Plus I realized I haven't really been on my own for six weeks or so. Tomorrow I am taking a much-needed mental health day. Anyways, I walked into Keble to find three guy friends playing croquet on the quad. To explain - the only time Keble students are allowed on the lawns is to play croquet in Trinity Term. People have been out there playing all day and night since we've been back. Beer or Pimms is usually involved. I played my first game tonight with the boys - I was a little rusty, having not played since approximately 1998 but I quickly regained my child croquet prodigy skills. Louise (friend, not mom) tried to join in, but Charlie stopped her by saying, "This is a game for gentlemen...and Phoebe" which made me giggle.

I just finished putting up my bulletin boards which always makes me feel like I've totally moved in. I am uncomfortably aware that I shouldn't decorate too much because it has to come down permanently in a matter of weeks. I'm trying not to let the cloud of leaving hang over this term but I don't know how much I can help it. No need to get smooshy about it now, but damn I will miss this place. This irresistibly glorious weather sure isn't helping.