London, lazy scruff, and Gothic spleandour

So first of all Ross apologizes if any ladies were offended by our ignorance of what the term "knickers" meant (apparently it doesn't mean knee socks). If it makes you feel any better, Ross biffed it on the gravel yesterday while riding his bike. I only caught the aftermath, but was close enough to hear Colby state matter of factly "And down he goes" as it was happening. Don't worry Aislinn, he doesn't even have a scratch, and was still able to bust out our nightly workout routine of push-ups and crunches.

By way of update, last week was more orientation, along with a fieldtrip to London on Saturday. The day was magnificent, and included attendance of a Shakespeare play at the Globe Theatre (Timon of Athens). Somewhere in the midst of strolling through leaf-laden Hyde Park and soaking in Evensong at St. Paul's Cathedral, though, the three of us realized we were more than a little lonely. Valerie, Aislinn, Kat: we miss you! Just so everyone else will keep reading, however, we won't elaborate publicly.

So far this week we've been buried in our books; pausing only to gaze in awe in the dim lighting at the stately mahogany bookshelves and domed Gothic ceilings that surround us while we study in the Radcliffe Camera lower reading room; pictured below. Or maybe to the side; I'm not sure how attached pictures work on blogs. To be honest it'll be nearly impossible to set foot in Kresge Memorial Library next semester.

Our ridiculously solid work ethic in the library, however, doesn't always transfer over to...every day life, as pictured below (or to the side).

When it comes to mundane issues like scruff, for instance, we choose to reserve our strength for more worthwhile pursuits...like eating dark chocolate digestives and needlessly racing up the steep Headington Hill on bicycles after a large meal (this was nearly tragic). Actually Colby and I did finally shave today, satisfied that we had proved to everyone that we were men (lazy).

Tomorrow we're heading on a field trip to Hampton Court, the royal palace of Henry VIII and two of his six wives. Apparently the largest maze in Britain is there; a real maze, complete with tall hedges and a genuine fear of getting lost for hours. It's probably what Rowling envisioned when she penned the tri-wizard cup finale in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Good thing the three of us have a phenomenal natural sense of direction. Actually only Ross and Colby have a good sense of direction. If I don't post again, you'll know why.
Let me close for now by relating to you all how solid Ross and Colby have been; both as a constant source of joyful fellowship and as encouraging brothers in Christ. We have worshipped together and been in the word together regularly, and, most vital to me lately, they have not hesitated to kneel next to me and offer up prayer for me when they sense something is going wrong. By their example, I'm confident I'll look back on this semester and see spiritual fruition I have needed and not prayed for nearly enough. Aislinn, Kat: you should be very proud.

Cheers!