seriously. downton abbey was so off the hook good this season. since neither toni or i have actually had a proper tv in years and years, we've mastered the art of watching the best of tv online (i.e. parks and recreation, QI, outnumbered, and bien sur, downton abbey). the 6th and last episode of this glorious bbc series just aired this last sunday, and AH! AH! all i have to say is i am in all seriousness so grateful that toni or matthew or elliott or lincoln or dad or mike or neal aren't conscripted into war. what an amazing blessing and luxury that is. sigh.*
i also made this cake last week, it was so delish and i was renewed in my gratitude to mom for lugging a massive jar of grandma's molasses over the pond for me - i really don't think it exists outside north america, and how on earth do all those non-north-americans survive without it this time of year? it boggles the mind, truly.
my old-oxford-oddity of the week involved donning my graduate gown and popping by the master of my college's fancy lodgings to sign the college register and gawk at the former signatures of university college alums, like stephen hawking, shelley, and yup - bill clinton. at least i could sign my declaration of enrollment in the college in english - it was in latin up until the late 60s. also i had to mention i came from "villa park high school and brigham young university," as "daughter of david and lauren p*", hehe! so funny to think villa park high is now listed in this massive old registry book with 8 centuries of latin entries before it. i think mr. barrett would be proud :)
the main event of the week though is preparing for ethiopia !!! toni and i fly off next wednesday, and i admit i'm terribly nervous. this trip will be huge detective work to see who is around addis that knows anything about the first maternity wards and midwifery practices in the country from 60+ years ago, and if there are any archives or records on those hospitals/practices anywhere to be found... eep! i have to fill 100,000 words with research, and this topic is quite literally a field of freshly driven snow it is that untouched... which is a great thing when you think about the whole point of a PhD, but a really scary thing when considering the practicalities of research! anyway. it'll be lots of running around the city, with lots of yummy ethiopian food scattered between. mmm.....! can't wait to report back once home in oxford.
i'm also skyping sadie on sunday and can't really wait :)
love you guys.
jooj.
*post-edit! i erred! 2 more episodes to come - hurrah!
7 comments:
Jooj! First of all I'm so glad to hear that the new episodes of Downton are online. There goes my weekend!
Second, have you read Hospital by the River? About an early Fistula hospital in Addis. I just started it and it made me think of you. xoxo!
yes! jordan that book is wonderful, and in my dream scenario i'll meet and interview catherine hamlin next week... ah! so rad you're reading it.
and ps:
http://www.sidereel.com/downton_abbey
the megavideo links are usually the best bet :) have fun! episode 5 is amazing.
Wow we need to catch up on Downton. I am worried about too much WWI stuff though. That's so cool about registering at Univ! Did you do that at st cross? And yes I hope your time in Addis is worthwhile. I'm sure you will find a plethora of sources. Talk to you soon. Mom
mr. barrett would totally love it! so awesome, jooj. we want to skype you, too!
have fun in ethiopia. be safe.
love you jooj, life sounds fab over there! tell toni hi. ;)
Last night left me screaming at the tv
just started watching season 2 last week. loved it. I hate thomas and I hate the horrible ex-wife (sort of) and I love Daisy's yorkshire accent...and I hate the sister evilness...sigh..
I miss you...its so sweet to catch up on your blog. I hope you know that I live my vicarious second life (mike says everyone lives three lives...being grounded/responsible person with your family, being a soldier..and something else I can't remember)...you are living my second one -- studying at Oxford, traveling the world, reading a ridiculous amount of books that puts the Beauty and the Beast library to shame..)
Love you Joojiep.
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