Ok, even a few weeks after the event, I don't think there is any way that I'm going to be able to write about my going away party without getting all teary and emotional (like I was many times throughout the evening). All I want to say is that I am so incredibly thankful and so incredibly blessed to have had such amazing friends throughout my time in Oxford and I cannot thank them enough for all they did for me over my time in England and for coming to say goodbye. I love you all and miss you like crazy, but I can't wait until I get to see everyone again!!
Next up in my final amazing week of my time in Oxford was the Manny Road Christmas party. As with every Saturday this year, I went to watch the men's team (with Kim) and got to enjoy a win in my last game as the number one Manny Road supporter. After showering and changing I met up a bunch of the guys and Kim at the Uni Club for a drink before heading over to the Cape of Good Hope where the party was being held.
We got to the Cape a bit early because Simon was in charge of the event
and needed to make sure everything was good. Once we were allowed
upstairs we were greeted by Christmas decorations and costumes,
including a lovely pair of reindeer antlers. Adam put them on my head
and then told me that I couldn't really pull them off so of course I
spent the rest of the evening trying to prove that I not only pulled
them off but can do so with aplomb.
The buffet food was really good and as we were eating we were watching
the Army-Navy (American) football game and were enjoying watching Army
keep up with Navy in the first few quarters. Once the Classico (game between Barcelona and Real Madrid) started we switched over to that and watched in bits and pieces as Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 3-1 after giving up a goal in the 21st second of the match. Apart from the television entertainment it was great to just get to chat with the mens teams, the women's team, and friends of the club. I'm so glad I've been a part of this great club over the past year and a half.
At one point in the evening Simon got on the microphone and thanked everyone for coming and talked about the season so far. He then called me over and embarrassed me by talking about me and saying goodbye on the behalf of the club. Completely unbeknownst to me, everyone had signed a card and the girls had gotten me a Manny Road t-shirt that had Southern Region League Champions and a list of all the players on the back. It was really sweet and it made me feel incredibly appreciated.
After we were kicked out of the Cape we went on to the Half Moon and hung out there for a while longer. All in all it was a great night, it was nice to see all the football people one more time before I left, and at final count, the score for "pulling off the antlers" versus "not pulling them off"was 12-1 so take that Adam, I win!
Last year my first real introduction (apart from a few Sunday night indoor football games) to the amazing boys of OUS was the Varsity Rugby match and ball. If you want to read my recap of last year's match/night you can find it here: http://roniyadlin.blogspot.com/2010/12/varsity-rugby.html.
I had an amazing time last year and, considering how close I'd grown to these guys over the course of the year, I was even more excited for the match this year! Britta came along this year as well (unfortunately Bonnie couldn't make it) and when we showed up at the Oxford train station to go into London I was really stoked for the day ahead. Oh yeah, add on the fact that I had turned my thesis in the day before and therefore had absolutely no work related stresses, it was bound to be an incredible day.
The trip out was much better than last year because the train didn't break down somewhere between Reading and Twickenham. Our huge group (myself, Britta, Matt, Leon, Tommy, Danny, Jack, Andy, Sarah, Abi, Phil, Rupert, Harriet, Indi, did I forget anyone?) sat together on the train and then got a drink and some food outside the stadium before heading in for the game.
The game was really good and ended with a resounding Oxford victory! The first half was pretty even and included an epic fistfight between the two number 8s (resulting in the Oxford captain needed stitches and having the most amazing black eye I've ever seen) and a controversial penalty try awarded to Cambridge. The score at halftime was 13-10 but Oxford took over in the second half, ending the game with a final score of 28-10. Any time an Oxford player was down injured we would give a little cheer as Gemma (who was working physio for the game) would run onto the pitch to do her thing.
After the game we took the tran into London (everyone made it on to the correct train this year), and walked from the tube station to our hotel in Chelsea, getting some drinks along the way. We had dinner at the hotel restaurant and then got ready for the ball. Perhaps the greatest thing that happened pregame was this incredible display by the one and only Jack Meeks. I only with I could have witnessed it in person!!
After a few drinks at the hotel, we jumped into some taxis and drove over to the Clapham Grand, the club where the ball was held. It was, in my opinion, much better than last year because it was a bigger place, much cheaper in terms of drinks, and a more laid back atmosphere. The DJs weren't great but regardless of where it was and what was happening, getting to hang out with the amazing people I was with would have made the biggest dump enjoyable.
After we were kicked out of the club we went back to the hotel where, on the way in, Matt ran into a delivery guy from Ringo's Pizza. Despite the fact that none of us truly wanted pizza, we ordered some and then proceeded to wait what felt like hours (was probably only about 30 minues) for Ringo's pizza to arrive. This was punctuated by Matt calling Ringo every 5 minutes to complain about how hungry we were and offer everything from thousands of pounds to his firstborn child just to get us some food.
The next morning (everyone in various states of disrepair) we had breakfast in London before getting back on the train and heading back to Oxford. On the whole another great day and night with an incredible group of people. I'm so blessed that these guys welcomed me into their circle with open arms and truly made me feel like a part of the family. Hopefully this won't be my last Varsity and I'll be able to figure out a way to make it to another one in the near future!!
Its that time of year again-- the holiday season where fun things happen one after another. First up, Thanksgiving with another iteration of our traditional football team Thanksgiving dinner at my house. Once again, I was in charge of the turkeys, and once again, I found myself injured on Thanksgiving (although thankfully no crutches this time, just a knee the size of a cantaloupe).
Everyone brought a side dish and there was enough food to feed a small army. Which is a good thing because our team can eat like a small army!! There were about 20-25 people crammed into my living room but the food was amazing and the company even better.
I am going to miss the football girls (and Tommy and Nath) like crazy when I leave so it was great to have the chance to have everyone together again before I leave.
Up next, the OUWAFC Christmas Party next week. Looking forward to that!!
In other news, I have finished my thesis and am just waiting on my supervisors to give me the thumbs up to submit. I feel like I should be working and don't quite know what to do with myself....
My friends know I'm not a huge dancer. Like, at all. However, this song will always remind my of the Varsity Rugby Ball last year because it played at least 3 times. I had such an awesome night hanging out and dancing with Bonnie, Danny, Tommy, Leon, Matt, Jack, etc that I will always be able to dance to this song.
Figures I'm falling behind with this. Anyways, here are 3 days worth.
A song that reminds you of somewhere: Angel by Shaggy. I know it seems a stretch but this song reminds me of Israel. One of the summers we were there this song was on ALL THE TIME!! This video is absolutely horrible... the suits? Really??
A song that reminds you of a certain event: Shewolf by Shakira. This song reminds me of the Cup Final by 1st year in Oxford. This was on our pumpup CD for every game and it did the job needed: got us to the final and we won! I'm pretty sure several of our cheers at halftime were actually just the howl from this song...
A song you know all the words to: We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel. Love this song!!
A song that reminds you of someone: Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie.
This song reminds me of Kristen and Kimothy. We were all at the Academy 2nd summer period before our 2 degree year and this song was on the radio all the time. The number of drives to Chick-fil-A spent listening to this song was more than we could possibly count. Makes me think of them any time I hear it.
