tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13915974.post-1124597358283939762005-08-20T23:08:00.000+01:002005-08-21T05:09:18.290+01:00<b>Log Entry 50: Farewell to Shadowlands</b><br /><br />And now, readers, we reach the part that I have been putting off for far too long—the conclusion to this grand adventure. <br /><br />You will recall that this blog was begun as part of an experiment. Blogging itself was new to me, and I wish, therefore, to comment on a few things I have learned. <br /><br />After nearly two months of posting on this blog, I can see the allure of blogging. Blogging is a great tool for keeping in touch with people about your experiences in something, or for distributing information. But it is very easy—as I often have done—to degenerate blogging into just random blabbing about your everyday life. It’s addicting. But I think people often forget that these blogs are readable on the entire internet. Though it may feel as if you are keeping a journal, you are effectively telling everyone in the world about your personal life. Therefore, I feel blogs should be restricted to special occasions or uses, like this one; for this reason, I will not continue to update this blog. This will be the last post. I hope you have enjoyed reading and following along.<br /><br />Now, on to the trip itself. The impetus for this trip was to complete the BIC Capstone course in only 4 week, as opposed to an entire semester. And, quite obviously, I succeeded. But the actual BIC class was only a small part of the trip; in fact, save for the last few days, when I retreated to my cave for a fit of essay writing, I hardly thought about BIC at all. This, of course, made the trip much more enjoyable.<br /><br />This was my third time in the U.K. I remember after the first time, I was ready to come home in about 8 days. This time, they had to drag me back kicking and screaming. I love England. I love nearly everything about it. I love being able to hop on a train and just go somewhere—something you just can’t do here, even with the atrocity that is Amtrak. While waiting in DFW for my short little commuter flight back to Waco, I pondered that it would have been so much easier to just get on a train. But I’m getting off topic.<br /><br />Whilst sitting in church this Sunday, I flicked my hearing aids to the “T” position—and was promptly reminded that I wasn’t in England anymore. Everywhere—EVERYWHERE—we went had loop systems fitted for the hearing impaired. Cathedrals. Taxi Cabs. Museums. Heck, even department stores had the loop system. I suppose this must be some part of government legislation. Why can’t we have the same here? <br /><br />A word about religion: every trip thus far to the U.K. has been branded a “pilgrimage” of sorts, and this was no exception. However, this was the first time that I was able to experience a wide variety of locations for services. I love being able to go anywhere in England and still attend the same service, day in, day out. Though the English people themselves may think the Anglican tradition is antiquated, I find it quite soothing—though I wonder how much longer this will be true, as more and more ministers turn to more evangelical means of worship in order to attract the youth.<br /><br />As I re-read the above, I realize that I am merely repeating things that have been said elsewhere. I had thought that I would write some sort of grand conclusion to this tale, but like Iris Murdoch, I find it hard to quit. For the Baylor in Oxford experience is not something that comes to a complete halt. The experiences I had in Oxford and elsewhere in the U.K. are some of the most memorable in my life; they have changed me, and they will influence my thinking and doing for years to come. But that is something that I am not willing to elaborate upon—at least, not for public reading. <br /><br />I have been home a little over a week, and I already miss the Oxford mindset, culture, and the people very much. I would go back in an instant. Ever since I went to Hawaii during High School, I have felt that a small part of me would stay there forever, and that I would have to go back to reclaim it. I feel the same way about the Oxford trip. Part of me will always dwell over there.<br /><br />I have been heavily procrastinating finishing this post, because it brings a moment of finality to the entire experience. But all good things must come to an end…So it is with a heavy heart that I, like Lewis, bid farewell to Shadowlands and say goodbye to England and Oxford. <br /><br />I hope that you have enjoyed reading this blog. I regret to announce that this is the end. This will be the last update; sorry if you are disappointed by this. It is simply against my principles to post the mundane activities of my everyday life. And so, readers, I bid you adieu. <br /><br />“And he lived happily ever after until the end of his days.”<br /><br />-CRT<br />-Oxford Logs: July 6th - August 20th, 2005Cameron Talleynoreply@blogger.com