Tue 15 Apr 2008
On this continent at least. For the time being. Naomi, after much thought over the past few months, has decided to turn down the full scholarship from Columbia. And the full scholarship from Stanford. And the the one from Oxford. And has instead decided to take up a full funded PhD position in the Classics department at UC Berkeley! As my supervisor said, “she’s too smart for you, Sam.” While she’s planning on moving out there in August, I will likely be staying on in Oxford until I have my final viva (oral exam) for my DPhil. . . probably around Christmas. If anyone knows of good postdocs in the Bay Area focusing on international affairs and technology, do let me know!
I will miss Oxford, but I am looking forward to getting out for a while. As I have mentioned before, Oxford is the longest I have lived anywhere, and I gladly call this city of dreaming spires ‘home’. Intellectually and culturally, this environment fits like a well-made leather driving glove for a TR4. I’ve never had a place that I would like to come back to like Oxford. Minnesota certainly endeared itself to me during my years there, and of course the 2- and 3-year stints in Hawai’i were quite enjoyable as well (though the first one is a little hazy, as we left when I was 5). I have always wanted to get back to Washington State, the place of my birth, as from all accounts I would love it there too. But Oxford holds a very special place.
So. America. Bring it on.
April 15th, 2008 at 10.52 am
Man, the Bay Area can! bring it on…There is so much natural beauty there, it hurts. The valley is a psycho richie bitchie place, but the Berkeley side is alright.
I wish you the best in finding something there, close to Naomi, cause there are definitely worse places to spend a few years (like…ok, never mind)
I also think Naomi showed uncommonly good sense to choose Berkeley, even though it would have been my first choice, too. But that’s at 40! I don’t know that I would have made that choice at 20 somethin’ especially in view of some of the offers she received. At the same time, I suppose there’s a freedom that comes with having so many offers, and one can always shrug and go ‘eh’ and pick what “feels” best.
Anyway, rock on, both of you!
April 15th, 2008 at 4.03 pm
I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that you and Naomi will be “within shouting distance” of us. When the pressures of the big city get to be a little…well, pressing (!), you are welcome at our fire anytime. The scotch is good, the horses are pretty, the dogs are friendly (we won’t even discuss the sheep and goats) and, it’s been said the caretakers of the Crooktail Ranch can put out a “mean” meal from time to time! Ya’ll come! Grin…
April 15th, 2008 at 5.13 pm
I need to meet this person who’s too smart for you, otherwise I’m dubious.
April 15th, 2008 at 5.23 pm
Have you told your Mom yet that you would like your Audi back?
Here’s a phrase you need to learn for when someone suggests going to Tahoe to ski.
“Screw Tahoe, let’s go to Park City the snow is better there”
April 15th, 2008 at 5.45 pm
I can’t believe how quickly life courses can change! The road ahead looks very very exciting….
Love from a certainly not “too smart” Naomi
April 15th, 2008 at 5.50 pm
Mom says “possession is 9/10’s of the law”.
And really, the Audi would never make it up the mountains to Tahoe….convincing? Didn’t think so.
We are so pleased that Naomi has chosen my alma mater. A bit misty-eyed over Sam leaving Oxford, though; it has been a marvelous experience for all of us to share.
On to new adventures…
April 15th, 2008 at 6.19 pm
Hey Mom, as I recall, the license plates still say ‘At Oxford’. . . Mrs. Evans didn’t raise no dummy
And Chris, I’m looking forward to it! Can it really compare to the Alps, though?
April 18th, 2008 at 3.01 am
Oh, pooh! on the Alps and bah! to Park City! Tahoe is great for skiing and it’s only a 3 hour drive from Berzerkeley, where it doesn’t snow, it’s sunny all the time, the weather is perfect, the East Bay people are the best, the food is even better, the scenery is gorgeous and the politics are liberal in the extreme! Park City, indeed! Hah! Besides, we’ll have Naomi and the Alps won’t…