Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?

I've decided to start our AP class this year with Paul Gaughin's painting Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going? (1897).  The title of the painting asks some of the major questions that we will be seeking answers to in our reading this year.

Do You Want to Go to Oxford?

What's nice about the Oxford Summer Experience is that it's really all about the experience!  You choose a class that you're interested in and complete several reading assignments before the class.  Once you get to campus, it's all about learning in your class in the mornings and then exploring the colleges and city in the afternoons.  Then it's back to your room to dress for dinner and prepare for the evening's activities.

If you're interested in taking a class at Oxford next summer, I recommend reading more about it on their website at http://www.conted.ox.ac.uk/courses/summerschools/oxex/index.php.  The website currently has up the 2012 program information, but I received a 2013 summer program plan while I was at Oxford, so I assume their website will be updated shortly.

In terms of cost, the tuition this past year was 1135 pounds, which is about $1800.  The $1800 includes your class, three meals a day in the breath-taking dining hall, and your lodging in a dorm room at Christ Church.  I found that once I was on campus I didn't need to spend any money with the exception of six pounds for a walking tour of the city and thirty pounds for the afternoon excursion to the manor house of Basildon Park.   My plane ticket from Milwaukee to Toronto to London on Air Canada was $1283 and that included insurance.  The cost of the flight was a bit bumped up over the normal cost because of the Olympics, so I think you would need to budget about $1100 for a flight from the Midwest.  The bus ride from London to Oxford cost about $40 roundtrip.  I bought my bus tickets online ahead of time from "The Airline" bus company.  I went to Oxford two days before my class began and spent $75 a night at a bed and breakfast called the White House View Guesthouse (I booked it through www.booking.com). If you go early or stay later, it is very easy to stay within a small budget for dining in the city of Oxford.  There are many small cafes, restaurants, and stands on the street where you can get a meal for under $10, plus grocery stores like Tesco are easy to find.  There are also plenty of higher end restaurants if you would like to go that way, as well.

I thought that going to Oxford this summer was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but now that I have been there I know that I need to go back.  So many of the people there who take courses in the summer return year after year.  I will definitely take another class there as soon as I can!

My Olympic Dream Came True!

On Saturday, August 11th, I went to the Olympic Games at Olympic Park in London!  After about an hour and a half total on the subway, I got to the park at about 4:00pm so that I could soak up the atmosphere of the whole experience, and then the Gold Medal round of Men's 10 meter platform diving started at 8:30pm.

Here is the scene entering the park.  Tears kept coming to my eyes because it meant so much for me to be here.  I was so overwhelmed and excited.

That's Olympic Stadium behind me.

The Orbiter, an observation tower.  Because the flame was inside the stadium, I think this stood in as on outdoor symbol of the Games.

The line to get into a store to buy official London 2012 merchandise.

So many British people dressed up to support Team GB!

Crazy large McDonald's. 

Beautiful gardens throughout the park

Picnicking and relaxing in the grass was very popular.  It was a perfect day in London, about 70 degrees and clear.

Water Polo Arena

Racing Wenlock

Looking back towards the Aquatic Centre

Similar to "The Bean" in Chicago

Nice view of the Orbiter and Olympic Stadium

Kids playing a bean bag toss game very similar to the one we played in our backyard the night that the local news did a feature story on our family's Olympic parties.

A tunnel of notes that British schoolchildren made to encourage the athletes.

Holding my ticket in front of the Aquatic Centre

Heading to my seat inside the Aquatic Centre

This was during practice time before the competition.  There was very much a pep rally atmosphere before the event began with music and interviews with people in the crowd.

Zooming in on the judges

The twelve divers being introduced.  They each completed six dives and within about twenty seconds of their dives, the judges' scores were posted on the scoreboard.

Handstands were scary every time.

My Olympic Guardian Angel, Ren, who sold me a ticket to this event!  Without him, I couldn't even have gotten into Olympic Park.  Thank you, Ren!

Freaking out after the USA's David Boudia took the gold!

England's Tom Daley won the bronze.  The crowd went wild for him every time!

Qui Bo of China took the silver.

Gold Medalist David Boudia

It was a powerful moment when the flag was raised and the "Star Spangled Banner" was played.

Olympic Park was beautifully lit at night.

Standing in front of the BBC press area

Heading out through a new mall created as part of the redevelopment of East London.

Definitely one of the best nights of my life!