A student housing vignette
When one of your circuit breakers blows, you need to go ask your landlords for the key to the cupboard where the switches are. When the light bulb in one room burns out, you use candles until the college replaces it.
The first, you can really do very little about. The second reflects the transitivity of the whole experience.
Author: Milan
In the spring of 2005, I graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in International Relations and a general focus in the area of environmental politics. In the fall of 2005, I began reading for an M.Phil in IR at Wadham College, Oxford.
Outside school, I am very interested in photography, writing, and the outdoors. I am writing this blog to keep in touch with friends and family around the world, provide a more personal view of graduate student life in Oxford, and pass on some lessons I've learned here.
View all posts by Milan
You should take pride in your home: even if it is only temporary. Judging by your plans, you will be living in temporary homes for many years, yet.
you’re lucky that you’re not in france. you pretty much need to sign a waiver before you cross the street.
example: as it stands today, i’m not going to be able to open a bank account until mid-june.
Mike,
It did take me six weeks to open a bank account in England. It can also take the same length of time to transfer money from Canada, because they think we’re all wicked money launderers.
Nevermind that Britain is the preferred place to pay mercenaries, due to the structure of banking regulations.
Better than on Darkness:
“And men forgot their passions in the dread
Of this their desolation; and all hearts
Were chill’d into a selfish prayer for light:
And they did live by watchfires–and the thrones,
The palaces of crowned kings–the huts,
The habitations of all things which dwell,
Were burnt for beacons; cities were consumed,
And men were gathered round their blazing homes
To look once more into each other’s face”
Learning about that poem of Byron’s is one of many reasons for which Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia is such an excellent play.