PhDs and cocktails

Sorry if I've been a bit lax about updates recently... since I've finished my internship I don't have free internet access anymore ;-) Though I enjoyed and learned a lot during my stint at Africa Now, I have revelled in my newfound freedom... God knows what I'll do when I actually have a real full-time job. Unfortunately this freedom has been slightly curbed by the classic British summer weather, which basically means you always carry an umbrella, a sweater, sunglasses and sunscreen because you simply never know... Some of my plans have been hampered by inclement weather, meaning I've spent a couple of days just lying in bed reading all afternoon, which, if you know me, is rather close to my idea of heaven.



On other days, I have been keeping myself busy and doing classic Oxford activities like strolling through the botanical gardens, going punting (which involves a long, rickety boat, a long pole, and usually lots of Pims and champagne...) and going to my book club (aka embracing the inner geek). In fact, my inner geek loves Oxford and wants to stay here forever... she particularly loves the fantastic celeb spotting (little sample of people I've met here: Toni Morrison, Stephen Hawking, and Kofi Annan--the night before the terrorist attacks).





But don't worry about me! Despite the obscene amounts of reading (13 books in 7 weeks), the inner geek is still 'inner' and the party girl exterior has her fun too... There have been a fair share of crazy nights in Oxford... In fact my group of friends reflects this dichotomy exactly--an even mix of PhD students and bartenders (you know I love my bartenders).





Well I'm actually off to visit some of the touristy attractions in Oxford this afternoon, I'm trying to fit in all that stuff in my last few days... And I guess I'll be seeing most of you in NYC next week!