Reflections on Truths Universal, Oxford Edition

So, the past few days have not been particularly eventful, but I feel I owe you all an update. I have felt oddly philosophical today, so it is my attempt that this update will try to hit on some of the major truths that I have stumbled upon whilst being here. However, as I am also feeling rather lazy, it will come in list form.

1. Just because I have ventured halfway across the world does not mean that I have become any more studious. Sure, I can still rattle off scholarly-sounding phrases like "Another major theme which this text addresses is the cyclicality of the generations," but when push comes to shove, I'm still going to start my 6 page essay the day before it's due.
2. In a rather inexplicable way, it is possible to look at a person and tell almost instantly whether they are local or a tourist. I think it's something about the way they walk, but I can't explain it, really.
3. When someone points out a window to you and says, "That room belonged to JRR Tolkien when he was a student," despite all assumptions to the contrary, the window still just looks like every other window on the building. Furthermore, the student who is currently living in that room probably doesn't think twice about the fact that Tolkien lived there. To him, it is simply his window.
4. Groups with all girls make decisions and interact with one another completely differently than mixed-gender groups. There is a very heavy emphasis on making sure that no one is left out. Most of the time I appreciate this, but sometimes it has its drawbacks.
5. Being the place that you've always wanted to be, but not in the same capacity that you had imagined, can be difficult. It has its amazing moments, where you look around and think "How lucky am I that I'm here? It's more beautiful than I could have imagined." But then it also has it's disheartening moments when that little voice in the back of your head reminds you that you didn't deserve to be here for real. When sneaking around in the middle of the night to try on the academic robes that are hanging on a hook in the hallway can't just be fun and frivolous for you like it is for everyone else, because you feel that pang of guilt that says, "You didn't deserve to have your own; why do you think you have a right to try these on?"
6. At the same time, I am so blessed to have all of you in my life, and would not trade it for the world. I spent part of this afternoon before dinner rewatching random videos that are on facebook -- Em's Brooks videos, or the Collins cafeteria conversation, or Elisha's laughing video. I love you guys and am genuinely blessed to be a part of the Brooks community with you. I wish you were here to experience this with me.
7. No matter who you are, it is fun to be able to flash a pass and walk past all of the signs that say "No Entrance." This is even more fun between the hours of 11 AM and 4 PM, when dozens of tourists start flashing evil eyes at you for being able to walk where they cannot.
8. I am much more productive when my laptop and I sit beneath a tree in the Meadows than I ever am sitting at the desk in my room.
9. I have a very difficult time not eavesdropping on conversations that I am rather jealous of and wish I could be a part of, particularly if they involve slightly attractive British guys.
10. Being and becoming can still apply to every book you read pretty much ever. And while, it gets fairly monotonous after a while to write a comparison between allegiances to the things of this world and the things of an eternal world, that moment when it clicks in your brain "Ooo, this is being and becoming" never gets old.
    
11. And finally, because it happened to me this morning, things always, always look better in the morning, and God is good and will calm our worries and take care of us no matter how much we worry about the insignificant things. All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.