Zoo-Drinking and Boat-Burning

Okay, so, you have to say that it's an intriguing title. I mean, "zoo-drinking" is just a weird concept. And boat-burning? What kind of shenanigans can I be getting into over here? Well, although very exciting, no I'm not some felon of miscreant... yet. Just living like a college kid, enjoying life, those kinds of things. So, Friday- woke up, got my final out of the way, proceeded to hit the gym as I have been doing on a pretty regular basis (go me?), and then had a lovely outing with Vivian in which we gorged upon delicious asian food from my favorite (probably sketchy) asian food restaurant. Seriously. Those sketchy, on-the-corner ones are definitely the best. Following that, our house went on a tour of Parliament, which was really neat, considering that you normally have to be British to get in there. I mean, you can wait in a ridiculously long line of Saturdays, but it doesn't mean you'll get in. So, thanks to Jenny, we were able to make it in, have a lovely tour, see the House of Lords, House of Commons, and all sorts of other rooms in between. Parliament is ridiculous- it's like Versailles, all paintings and gilded and fancy, based off those earlier years. It amazes me that people work and go there on a daily basis.

Following our tour, Vivian and I broke off from the group and headed out to Camden Town, where we partook in the "Zoo Lates" phenomenon. Basically, they open the zoo after hours for adults to run around like crazy children, see animals, eat, drink, be merry, the likes. It was actually a pretty fun, albeit silly, experience. We enjoyed airplane-cheap wine, saw some animals, and rode a Carousel. Yes, we did. It really, really amused me how many adults were actually lining up to swing aboard some plastic animal and bounce around for a minute or two. I guess that's what intoxication does to you. Vivian and I thought it was fun enough sober, but maybe that's the college kids in us. After the Zoo, we made our way home and decided that we were exhausted from the final week of classes, and so instead of going out or hitting a pub, merely retired into our house. I decided to once again be a grandma and go to bed at a reasonable hour, which worked to my benefit considering my early morning for Saturday.

Saturday was.... an adventure. Let's just say that. It all began with my getting up fairly early (though not as early as class), getting ready, and heading out to the train station. But, of course the Circle line was down (when isn't the Tube having some sort of issues on the weekend?), so instead of taking a 15 minute trip to the station, I had to take a roundabout 40 minute one, missing the first train that i'd wanted to catch. But, no worry, there was another one! Except for the people in line before me had no idea how to work the ticket machines and... made me miss the second one. But, again, no worries, the trains were coming everything half hour. Oh, wait, except... there was vandalism on the line and the signals weren't working and the next train was cancelled. Right. Perfect. Exactly what I needed when I was trying to get into Oxford to meet some friends and have a full day of fun and adventuring. So, I decided to improvise, hopped a train to Reading, transferred there to another train that just so (luckily) happened to be going to a place that had Oxford as a stop on the way. So, instead of arriving at 10:30 as planned, I made it to the pub by 1:15. Great. Just a little delayed.

Anyhow, it was fantastic seeing Jenny Martin again- we hadn't really spoken since High School, so reconnecting made for a fun few hours, especially over a delicious pub lunch. After lunch (well, more of a late lunch- "Linner" kind of thing), we headed out through Oxford to meet up with James, a graduate student at Oriel college in Oxford. We hung out in his apartment complex with some of the other grad students while they made pitchers of Pimm's, and then we headed out to the river for the final day of the boat races between all the Oxford colleges. It was basically between Oriel (James' school), Pembroke, and Christ Church. They were all the forerunners, vying for the title of "Head of the River" for this year. Being that Jenny and I were with James, we were able to hang out on the Oriel boat house roof, cheering along with the rest of the students as their boys rowed into victory for the first time in about 19 years. I've gotta say- it was an absolutely surreal, and exciting, experience that we wouldn't have been able to be a part of without James' invitation, so I feel incredibly lucky to have witnessed such an event.

After the win, we headed back to the college, where Jenny and I were once again able to hang with everyone due to our "in" with James. We watched the team members bring in an old boat, throw it to the ground repeatedly as they broke it, and then stuffed it with newspaper for the later burning ritual. While the members went to their celebratory dinner, a few of us hit an Indian food place for an absolutely delicious dinner for ourselves. Around 9:15, we all congregated back in the main Quad for the actual boat-burning ritual- something that you definitely don't see everyday... or at all. I can't explain how awesome it was being able to be a part of that! It makes me wish my school had some sort of thing like that. So, we watched them light of the boat (which is like... 25 feet, by the way- it's massive), and the flames literally roared into the sky. It was insane! And made me want marshmallows... Just saying.

Following the burning, I headed back to the train station to make a train so that I might catch the tube on the other end before it closed. Luckily, there were any more transport issues and I made it home safe and sound, having had an absolutely brilliant day! After a shower, I made friends with my bed, which felt amazing after all my walking around. Seriously, I hadn't worn flip-flops in forever and my feet HURT. I'd forgotten how much it hurts to walk in those after not wearing them for many, many months. Oh well. The weather has been so nice and I'd wanted to feel like I was in some California sun, if only for a day. Looking out the window now, it's probably a good idea that I did that, because it is pouring. But that's also okay, because honestly, it's Sunday, and I enjoy relaxing and being lazy while it pours down rain. It rationalizes my current laziness as I sit in bed and write/read/watch a few episodes of shows.

But I guess I'm allowed to have a lazy day before my intense month of internship begins tomorrow. I can't explain how excited I am for this! It's going to be a full-time job, and probably a tiring one, but i'll be working in a literary agency, which can do SO much for me and any further career in writing. So, fingers crossed that it all goes well. I'd absolutely love to be able to return next summer! And, I mean, if this can help me publish a book, or at least get my foot in the door to the publishing industry/get me another internship when I return to Malibu/LA area, then that would be absolutely amazing, too. I feel like I should be nervous about all of this, since so much is riding on this intenrship in regards to my later "career" as a writer, but as of now, I'm just excited. I guess that's good, too. As for the rest of the day, well, I plan on being lazy since I already worked out, maybe being a bit social towards dinner time... and then going to bed at a decent hour so I can wake up, hit the gym, and then start my work tomorrow fresh and ready! Yahoo!