I'm really not very awake now.

Yesterday was the initial bop (that means party) in the College Bar.
Oh My God.
So much fun! Everyone dressed up in costumes (I cross-dressed because I didn't bring a costume), pictures to come, and then... Well there was the College Bar, with very decent prices for drinks and cocktails. And there was cool music. And about 120 people. I guess you can imagine the rest. ^^'
When I toppled up the stairs to my room I was one of the "early leavers" - at 2 a.m.
Consequently I woke up at 7:30 this morning, as everyday in the last week, but I was able to go back to sleep again for a little while.

Today I was invited to a BBQ lunch in the Rector's garden, together with all William College students from the US. I was really nervous about that because, you know, an invitation from the Rector? In her garden? I didn't know how formal it was going to be.
In the end I shouldn't have worried that much, it was very informal and the Rector herself introduced us to each other, her husband was grilling burgers for us and we all had a great time.

I met some other visiting students, Helena from Finland (Helsinki! ^^), Carolina from Sweden, and some British students who already knew former students from Bonn who had been in Oxford last year. One of them, Sue, invited me to the MCR (Middle Common Room, the room and society for graduate students) and after lunch we went there together so I could introduce myself and get my swipe card changed so that I now actually have access to the physical MCR. ^^

At the end of the BBQ lunch the Rector also invited us to her seminars, which are talks from famous people coming into college once a week, and an opportunity to talk to them after the talk. There are some big names for this term, e.g. Bill Rammell, Minister for Higher Education, or Mark Thompson, DG of the BBC, who are going to give a talk here.
Additionally she invited us to come and talk to her if we want to do an internship in a big company, so she can try and help us to get in. I'm wondering if she is able to get me a foot in the door of the Institute of Linguistic Evidence... lD
After that really relaxed and welcoming lunch I feel very well cared for here, even more so than before. It's unbelieveable what the tutors, teachers and even the Rector are willing to do for you to help you getting your university carreer successfully done, and after university even more so. Simply amazing.

Then I went for a walk to the Iffley Road Sports Centre where I'll have my first unihockey session tomorrow morning. It's a walk of 20 minutes, so especially when it gets colder I'll have to check out the bus connections.

This evening at 6 there is Freshers Evensong in the Chapel with Exeter's Choir, advertised as "Oxford's Best College Choir". I'm really curious about that so I'll go to church the first time since... Erm, Easter. And anyways, there will be drinks after that in the Chaplain's rooms. ^^'

So much for now, more to come in the next week. :)