'Tis the Season

Even though the Brits don't celebrate the marvelous holiday that is Thanksgiving, Black Friday still marks the beginning of the Christmas season here in Oxford. Yesterday evening, the whole of Broad Street was blocked off for Christmas Light Night. The street became a mini-fair, with tents selling trinkets and food, a concert stage, and small carnival rides for children. As part of the event, theatres and museums around town opened their doors after hours and hosted special events. The main attraction, as the name of the event would suggest, is the official lighting of the Oxford Christmas tree, which sits right on Broad Street (suspiciously close to where the three martyrs were burned, might I add).

I, of course, missed all of these festivities as I was too busy working on my applications for graduate school (and, to be honest, procrastinating on that very task). But in my nightly quest for food, I did manage to get out tonight and take a photo of the tree in all its glory.

The Oxford Christmas Tree

So, believe it or not, Christmas is upon us. It always surprises me how quickly these things seem to creep up on me. Before I know it, I'll be sitting around our tree early on Christmas morning, munching on orange danishes and unwrapping gifts. But before then, I need to make it through the last (!) week of Michaelmas Term, and survive four applications to grad school. I think I can, I think I can.

Speaking of, I should probably return to my scholarly duties. I hope everyone is doing well back home. Stay warm!

Alyce