Annapololis, MD
Thursday, December 6th, 2007
Super Prize Grab Box!
Oh, man, I am so sorry this took such a long time to get off. I know I've been busy, but really, I just didn't budget time for it. I don't know if any of you care if this arrives with any particular regularity - but I do!
Incidentally, I've tried to upgrade this missive with some sweet pics. Check 'em out:
Snowy sunrise from my dorm window. [Ed. note: Because Roxanne works two different jobs several days a week, she rises earlier than most other students -- especially on days when has to get to West Annapolis Elementary School, on foot, by the first bell.]
[Ed. note: Remember in grade school how many of us were taught to draw a turkey by tracing around our hand, with fingers splayed, onto a piece of paper and then "embellishing" it? Roxanne revived the tradition this Thanksgiving and got a bunch of other Johnnies to participate. Here are a few results.]
How to begin! There's so much marvelousness to describe. First of all, Thanksgiving was so phenomenal, I honestly don't have space here to give much detail. Anna's parents took care of all the travel arrangements (thatnkyouthatnkyouthankyou!!), and so I felt like I was on a tour. After a scenic trip through southern New England we hopped off the train in New York City and dropped our luggage off at her parents' office. Equipped with coats, bags and money for food, we took on The City.
Our first stop was the Strand - simply the best bookstore in my experience. We didn't make it past the discard piles and dollar carts for the first hour! Really, the Strand is just . . . actually, heavenly. In a very strict way, with brotherly love and common purpose and praising of the Lord, and constant unwearying joy. Actually, the joy is a bit wearying, but that's because we're only mortal and haven't achieved transcendence. I thought about dying and having my ashes buried in the walls. That's what 18 miles of hugely discounted used-and-new books does to me.
And of course, shopping . . .
A huge farmer's market in the middle of the city. (Sides of lamb! Wheels of cheese!)
An outdoor crafts fair (Animal-shaped hats!)
Shoes (Shoes!)
Street vendors (Sketchy-looking sugared almonds!)
Art at the Met!
The best cheesecake I've ever had!
Delicious café coffee!
Thai food!
Sushi!
. . . and we hadn't even gotten *home* yet!
After that it just gets ridiculous. Anna's parents were so welcoming, I felt like a part of the family - a family I got to meet very often in the next few days! I was invited *everywhere*, saw *everyone*, got to do *everything*. Her father cooked a divine feast straight out of the Best Recipe cookbook - a fascinating tome that I hope to examine in great detail soon. There was always lots to eat, books everywhere, plenty of movies, and plenty of company. We took walks in the surrounding forests (they live in a rural area) and drove out on errands. I couldn't imagine a more pleasant Thanksgiving.
And then we got back to SJC and hadn't written any of our papers, and that kind of took up the next weekend (which is why you didn't hear from me!). But everything has really been quite successful, despite a slight panic attack at 1:00 pm the day before a calculus paper was due, the which I had not yet begun to think about. Since then there've been jodo lessons, crew workouts, the most delicious bar cookies ever, Einstein study sessions, intense performances of the Requiem, and above all lots and lots of planning for fun stuff to do in the time before the holiday break! There are so many fun gatherings and parties planned. I feel as if I'm reaping the harvest of having been so active and outgoing this semester; I'm welcome at all of the end-of-semester celebrations!
Classes have been going fine, and physics and precept [Einstein] have been exceptional. A 9:00 am physics class could be torture, but this one's a treat. Mr. Casey makes us coffee, the Lab Ass(issant) shows us demonstrations that as often as not are both dangerous and strobe-lit, and the mysteries of the world are opened up and laid at our feet. It's kind of cool.
Obviously, I could go on. I'll try to end . . . soon. One more ridiculously great happening was Anna's godfather and his girlfriend inviting she and Lucy and I to her house for dinner last week. Driving us door-to-door was only the beginning! They were both absolutely charming, so interesting to talk to, and gratifyingly curious and approving both of St. John's and of the somewhat unusual lives each of us leads. What with wonderful cooking, excellent wine and good company, each of us would have been more than satisfied had the evening ended right there.
But before we left, said godfather told us about a trip he'd made, last year, in northern Spain; specifically, to Santiago. He'd actually gone on a pilgrimage, using the old European pilgrim's road (which is hundreds of miles long), and staying in hostels and churches along the way. The pictures he had and the stories he told were moving and inspiring. The beauty of the area, the diversity of the travelers, the challenge of the trail and the aura of paying homage to something old and secret - not to mention the allure of an exotic walking tour - totally captured us. We immediately wished to do it ourselves, and that's the new plan: to follow the old road ourselves, all four of us (including Miranda, whom we called ASAP), the summer after our senior year. Miranda has folks in Croatia; we can visit them for a few days, then head for Espagne. It's a pipe dream at the moment, but we have the time, and definitely the impetus, to make it reality. Plus, it would "totally check the box" of my desire for both more international travel and continuing adventures.
So here's to adventure, excitement and the Super Prize Grab Box of life. See you next time!
Roxanne