Oxford...check

Me with graduating seniors Tara and Jason.

Graduation was a beautiful event. The smallest I have ever attended, with only 17 graduating seniors, it was wonderfully pleasant. The chapel provided architecture and art to keep your eyes occupied, although the speeches were extremely engaging. However, with commencement (which ironically means 'to start something') comes good-byes and I had to bid farewell to many new friends.

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With classes and Bread Loaf Oxford sadly completed, Bea I headed to London via the Oxford Tube...a relaxing bus ride with views of the countryside. We then parted ways and I headed to Tom and Carolyn's (who I began my England trip with...refer to earlier posts). We all had busy weeks and decided to eat Sunday dinner at one of Tom's restaurants, Ruby Grand, a delicious end of the weekend English tradition of roast, potatoes, veggies and Yorkshire pudding, then relaxed with hot chocolate and a movie.

I am now checked into The Mayflower Hotel and waiting for Shana to arrive this afternoon. We'll spend two days in London before heading to France to explore the Loire Valley and Champaign Region.

Ironically, The Mayflower is only blocks away from the hotel (hostel?) Matt, Andrea, Brent, Salvatrice and I stayed in last summer. Blocks away...yet much more comfortable. At least Shana and I will enjoy an in room fan, working outlets and the safety of keeping our door shut and locked.