Pace Yourself

There are these two feet attached to one body. One foot is content to be firmly planted on solid ground, because it feels comfortable with the pace. It feels safe. It feels secure. It is content. The other foot does not share his partners sentiments, and so jumps rank. This foot finds a treadmill, turns it to high speed, hops on, and just keeps going. Both feet are now content, but unfortunately these feet cannot simply create their own little perfect worlds and give a sigh of relief, because they are attached to a body- my body- which is now exhausted.

I have one foot in Charlbury, the other in Oxford, and it makes life very interesting. Tuesday to Thursday in Oxford might as well be whirlwind days involving trains, classes, shopping, feasting, classes, and more trains.
I hustle, the group hustles, the hordes of people that storm the streets hustle-- it's like everyone is in one giant race on a circular track that has no end. Oxford is one busy place. Now- I am not a city girl, nor will I ever be- hopefully. But I love Oxford. I love the business, the crazy drivers, the open markets, the cute shops, the cobblestone streets, the street musicians, the pubs- the excitement. It's just an exciting place to be a part of.
But one problem I do have with such a busy crowd is that noone ever looks up! And let me tell you- Oxford is the kind of place where you should definitely look up! The sky is framed by pointed Cathedrals, towering monuments, and architectural masterpieces. I passed a wall the other day that was built in the 14th century! But I suppose for the people actually living in Oxford, the novelty wears off, and it's just another city. I haven't reached that point yet, but I know I will. A bit of a shame, I think, but understandable.

So my feet must scamper all over Oxford for a few days, and then they find the train that carries them into a weekend. The weekend involves Charlbury, and once you enter the quaint, old fashioned, strangely silent town, slow motion begins. Replace the business with a park bench. Sit on the park bench. Look around. That is Charlbury. Nothing really happens here. Nights are very dark, but homes are very cozy, and it is at this point that my two very tired feet take a breather. I love the old fashioned peacefulness of Charlbury.

Althought the two paces and places balance eachother out, I can't help but feel I've got myself very attached to each- and although my feet are sore and I am a little tired, I am quite content. The trick is flexibility. I have never really realized before how easy it is for me to adjust. After chapel today, a lot of the students mentioned they are having a very tough time adjusting- mainly being away from friends and family. I, in no way, could contribute to this conversation. Now, don't get me wrong- I really love my friends and family, but this place is very exciting! And I know what home is like... and I know I will be back there soon enough, and I just want to enjoy this! But I feel strangely guilty that this is my attitude compared to most others. Perhaps I'm not so homesick because I have Tim here to talk to about Redeemer, and the girls to laugh with during the busy day, I have an incredibly cozy home to come back to, enough food to keep me satisfied, and Beccy- one fantastic hostess. She went out and bought the Office DVD's, so that we can work our way through them for the next few months. How great is that? I also have been able to stay connected with James almost every day- and that just tops it all off. Plus- it has only been 13 days, which is not a substantial amount of time no matter how you look at it.

So I guess to sum up this little rant I will say this. I think that life moves at Oxford pace, and if you don't look up, you're going to really miss out. Looking back all the time is just annoying, but looking up allows you to grab those opportunities that strangely help to slow things down. It's like grabbing onto Charlbury. In spite of what some of the students here may be thinking, I don't think any of us here will ever regret grabbing onto Charlbury. Although some people think the first week felt like an entire month, I would never argue that's a bad thing! Hooray for slow motion! In years from now, this trip will still be secured in our minds- like one firmly planted foot. And no matter where the other crazy restless foot wants to go, I think it's very important to have these experiences to draw and learn from, because let's face it- the memories are fixed. And so perhaps this is where I'm different. My "solid ground" is not found on 1918 King Street, where I live in my own comfort zone with my family, but it's wherever I go and expereince similar fellowship with people of the same faith! I really think is why I've adjusted in the past in random New Zealand homes, and culture-shocking South African orphanages. This is why I love Redeemer, and this is why I am fully embracing this ABU Oxford program. It is the people, it is the history, it is the hands on acquired knowledge, and it is purely the fact that life is thrilling. Why not enjoy it to the fullest? And as it picks up the pace, I'll make it my job to set it.