Weeks 5 and 6: MI5, Blenheim, and the Festival of Lights

Week Five (November 10-16) included some similarities and some significant differences from prior weeks.  Sunday, November 10 was British Remembrance Day, a day of respectful observance for the contribution made by service men and women who made peace possible for Britain.  Very similar in spirit to American Veteran's Day.  One outward symbol of support for veterans and their sacrifices are the red poppies people buy and wear to honor them; funds raised go to supportive charities. 

Monday was a research reading day, with Christ Church Evensong service that evening.  If you get the chance to attend Evensong service at one of the churches in Oxford, I strongly urge you to take the opportunity.  I am not Anglican, but I find the services very spiritually uplifting, and the music is really beautiful.  As an American, I rarely get the opportunity to hear classical hymns anymore, let alone sing them as I do in the college choir.  The services only last an hour, and are a combination of music, short prayers, and small readings of excerpts of the Psalms or other Scriptures. In honor of Remembrance Day this week we sang a song called, "For the Fallen."  Here's a link to the Westminster Choir performing this song.   http://youtu.be/qOpnRAOxpLE

Tuesday- Thursday were major reading, research, and writing days, as I had to get this week's essay on "Media and Politics" by Thursday at 4 pm.  Friday was the tutorial with Dr. Finlay, which went well.  Once again, we had an interesting time of discussion that covered not only the essay topic, and the readings, but correlations to current events and social conditions. 

Friday night, I had a most unusual opportunity occur that I quite enjoyed.  As a member of the Oxford International Relations Society (http://irsoc.org/)  I was able to attend a talk given by Sir Jonathan Edwards, who was the Director of MI-5 up until this April, 2013.  He shared a very unique perspective on global politics, terrorism, national sovereignty, and international interaction.  Unfortunately, I cannot divulge everything he shared (we were sworn to secrecy, or, well, you know). 

Saturday, I went along with my fellow CSU housemates (all except Kelsey, who stayed behind to study for three papers due this week!), to see Blenheim Palace.  This is the home of the Dukes of Marlborough, and was the birthplace of Winston Churchill.  Being a world history hobbyist, this was a tour I could not pass up.  Unfortunately for us, it was also the week of a major Christmas arts fair, so there were HUNDREDS of people present.  Note: check the schedule of the venue you plan to visit to ensure you aren't one of a huge crowd. 

Despite the numbers, Blenheim Palace is incredible to behold, and the good thing is your ticket is good for an entire year, so you can return and visit as much as you wish during that year.  The bus from our nearest stop in Summertown costs about  £3.50, so it's very reasonable to get there for another visit.  The bus ride only took us about 30 minutes to the town of Woodstock, which is quite nice to walk through.  We enjoyed tea and scones at a local restaurant.  Here are some photos of the visit to Blenheim. 

This the front of the palace.  Too much to get in one photo alone!   The property was a gift to the Duke of Marlborough from Queen Anne, for winning the battle of Blenheim against the opposing German army. Technically, the land still belongs to the Crown, and every year the current Duke appears before the Queen requesting continued use of the land.  The palace, however, belongs to the current Duke!

 

(Right:) Some of the exquisite grounds around the Palace.  Truly breathtaking, even here in the end of autumn.

 

The photo to the left is the room where Winston Churchill was born. Technically, the families' last name is Churchill, which was relinquished due to a female heir inheriting the property, but later re-instated as the last name of the inheriting Duke.                  

Week Six, November 17-23rd, held a bittersweet experience: my last tutorial with Funda Ustek.  I have really enjoyed learning from her; she has a unique approach to teaching, and she has definitely had me questioning some of my previously held concepts of social policy, welfare state typologies, and how the political process impacts those most marginalized - especially women.  She is originally from Turkey, and has a perspective of a regional culture so different than my American background - that has added to the dimensions of what I've learned as we have engaged in conversation about each essay.  After our tutorial, we had lunch together at her college, St. Cross, along with my other tutor, Dr. Finlay. 

Wednesday during the day was reading, and writing, and choir practice. Wednesday night, I was privileged to hear British historian, author, professor, and BBC documentarian Simon Schama speak at the Sheldonian.  One of the good AND bad things about Oxford: there are so many worthy events to participate in! 

 

Thursday was spent writing like a fiend, and turning in my essay for Dr. Finlay's tutorial on Friday.  This week's topic:  the intersection of economic development, religion, and politics.  The challenge was in choosing what to include in a 2500 word essay with such a plethora of research material to use.

 

Friday night began the official start of the Christmas holiday season in Oxford, with the "Festival of Lights."  St. Giles street and the City Centre were closed down, food, craft, and entertainment vendors set up, and the entire area became a Christmas carnival.  Luckily for me, I was accepted as a volunteer at the Ashmolean Museum, which simultaneously held a Folk Music evening.  I got to assist guests as they played replica instruments from the Bate Museum Collection, and I heard some outstanding Gaelic vocal performers.  This was a lovely ending to my week, and a lovely beginning to the Advent Season.