Up and At 'em, Tiger

It is quarter past seven on a Saturday morning. Some may wonder why in the world I am up. I assure you, this act is entirely voluntary. In about 90 minutes, I shall depart The Vines with my ultra fast walking Junior Dean and all the other Vines people who wish to catch the coach to London. At least, I think that's what I'm going to do. I currently cannot breathe out of the right side of my face so the temptation is to lie in bed. Hmmm...

This week has been very good. It has been full of walking and biking. Unfortunately, I blistered the first few days so that even my blisters had blisters. Luckily, I was able to pick up my bike on Monday afternoon from King's Cycle and have been riding it around ever since. In England (or at least in Oxford), a lot of people ride bikes. I have seen people in all sorts of attire cycling down the roadway, usually as they pass me. Here, there are bike lanes on almost every road (although not all) and all the drivers are used to dealing with people riding on bicycles around their cars. This is not to say that I am necessarily used to riding my bike in and among the cars. I'm getting there but I'm not wholly used to it yet. I did, however, manage to make it to Wycliffe Hall without a single moment of panic yesterday--a sweet success in my book.

Yesterday, I actually took an inventory of all the things that I am doing a bit different here. It has actually been just over a week since I have consumed soda or coffee. I have watched only one full movie and no TV. I have not procrastinated in working on my assignments and I have attempted to be more social than normal. I forced myself to face my fear of heights and actually climbed the tower at Salisbury Cathedral. The view was amazing,by the way.

In essence, England has been amazing right now and has already changed me. I am so pleased. I supposed I ought to get ready to go now though. Off to London!