Posted on by Holly

OCTOBER 2017 | Wrap-Up

Hello! I hope you’re all having a lovely November day now that October has come and gone. Though I’m sad to see it go, I’m even more excited to welcome in the new month– November may be my favorite! The leaves are falling, the air is getting colder and crisper, and it’s time to talk about what I was up to during the month of October.

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In October I read a total of 3 books:

  1. Light in August: A Study in Black and White by Alwyn Berland
  2. George Eliot by Simon Dentith
  3. The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur

I think this short list is kind of hilarious when compared to all of the snippets and chapters of books my nose has been stuck in over the past month for my course work. I do so much reading each week in order to research for the essays I have to write, but it’s rare that I actually read an entire book because usually it’s not all relevant to my essay topic. However, I’m really pleased that I was able to squeak in two full books… and one for FUN?!?!?!

The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur is definitely the best book I read in October. I’ve been eagerly awaiting this second poetry collection from Rupi Kaur ever since I finished reading her first one, Milk and Honey. This collection has a similar vibe and the words are as raw, intense, emotional, genuine, and beautiful as ever. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone, even if you have never read her previous poetry collection.

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Someone once told me that after spending a certain amount of time in a new place, no matter how grand or new or different, it will eventually start to feel like less of a Place and more of simply a place. Now that I’ve lived here for a month and a half I’m starting to look at Oxford from a different perspective. It is the magnificent place of my year abroad, but it’s also just another city in which people live and work and go grocery shopping and commute and do the normal tasks we do every day. It’s actually refreshing to see the city this way because it feels more real and less like I’m walking around in a dream. There’s a shopping mall next to buildings that have been there for centuries and a cyclists that whizz by you on their way to and from work and people walking down the street in black formal gowns on a Tuesday night and somehow it’s all become my new sense of “normal.”

I’ve definitely felt myself settling in more during October. Not only did I join more extracurricular activities (I play football now, joined the Oxford Student Union, and was elected as the Visiting Student Representative for my college) but I also feel more connected to the people here. Sometimes it’s strange to think about the fact that after June I might never see some of these people again, but we’re all trying to just make the most of our time while we are here. Fortunately the matriculated students at my college are incredibly friendly and welcoming, so they definitely make it easier to feel a sense of belonging.

Tutorials have been interesting and great but still very different from the style of education that I’m used to back in the States. The food is delicious but I’m also craving a big homemade pumpkin pie. Everything is absolutely beautiful here and I’m convinced that I will never, ever get used to being surrounded by so much gorgeous architecture and scenery. Long story short: I feel very, very lucky.

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As I mentioned in my last monthly wrap-up, finding time to blog in my hectic schedule is a challenge. Every day I thank past Holly for having the foresight to schedule so many posts in advance! Though it might take me a while to respond to them, please know that I greatly appreciate every single comment left on my posts! ❤

Here are some notable posts from my blog this past month:

Here are some posts that I loved reading this month:

How was your month of October? What was the best book you read? Did you do anything really fun or exciting? Let me know in the comments section below!

Yours,

HOLLY

27 Replies to “OCTOBER 2017 | Wrap-Up”

  1. October was a weird month for me because I came back from travelling and then left again, to live on my own and do an internship in a totally different city. But I am getting used to it! It feels like it went super fast. I’m glad you’re settling in to Oxford and getting used to it..it’s nice when you start to belong somewhere!

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  2. Hi Holly! I’m enjoying your stories about studying abroad. I love seeing the pictures of your beautiful campus! It’s wonderful to hear the many you’re getting more comfortable where you are and I think, being a part of some outside activities really help with that.

    My October was a hectic month with academics and also having to manage my blog. My bookstagram posts haven’t been as consistent as I would have liked but since my blog is my first priority I didn’t mind so much. Hmmm I only just finished this book but I really loved East of Eden by John Steinbeck.

    PS. I love all the posts you write on classic books especially the classic couple ones.

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    1. Thanks so much!! ❤ I have a difficult time balancing school work and blogging as well, especially reading and commenting on other blogs. There's just not enough time in the day!

      I actually don't think I've read anything by Steinbeck…. I'll have to add East of Eden to my list! 🙂

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  3. I’m so glad you’re starting to settle in well in Oxford, funny how after a while, a new place just becomes…well, part of your routine, even if you still notice how beautiful it is, it’s just…your new normal, for a little while. that’s such a great feeling 🙂 I hope you’ll have a fabulous November, Holly! ❤

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  4. I’m glad Oxford is starting to feel more normal to you. Congrats on being the Visiting Student Representative! 😊 I was definitely not that involved during my study abroad year, haha.

    That sunset is just gorgeous!

    YES, omg, I’m craving pumpkin pie, too! Are you going to have any sort of Thanksgiving dinner? I’m supposed to be hosting one for my boyfriend’s family, and it’s stressing me out. I know it won’t be the same as back home, so I think I’m going to end up disappointed. I’d almost rather not try to replicate it at all. 🙈

    I had a really nice October. Here’s my recap. 😊

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    1. Thanks so much! I’m used to doing a lot of extracurricular stuff at my college back home, so I like the familiarity of having a busy schedule.

      And YES to Thanksgiving! I think Mansfield College is putting on a formal Thanksgiving dinner for the visiting students, but I’m also trying to organize a more informal potluck for us all where we can cook our favorite dishes. I adore Thanksgiving, so I’m definitely going to miss it! ❤

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  7. Glad to hear things are getting settled at Oxford! That picture does look so beautiful. Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur has been on my TBR for so long, I should really get to it and The Sun and her Flowers soon, so happy to hear you enjoyed them both 🙂 Thanks for the shoutout and hope you’ll have an amazing November!

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  8. October was a good month. I think I read 13 books, including The Sun and Her Flowers, so that was probably the best book I read…though I did reread Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban because the illustrated edition was released.

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  10. I was pretty disappointed with Milk and Honey…so I’m not sure about picking up The Sun and Her Flowers. I love poetry, but this style felt lackluster to me.

    I hope your time at school continues to go well, and I’m glad to hear that you’re becoming more comfortable at Oxford.

    Happy November. 🙂

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    1. The style of The Sun and Her Flowers is basically the same as Milk and Honey, so it might be best to hold off on the former if you didn’t enjoy the latter. Thanks so much! 🙂

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  11. I really liked reading this wrap up! It’s great that you’re settling in, that always takes a while. Getting involved with a lot of activities must help though :D) This month I was in 7 different countries (europe is all so connected, haha), turned 18, chose a university (and got a really good scholarship! yay ! ), saw some long-lost (and short -lost, and medium-lost) friends, learned how to milk cows, and a lot of other things I can’t currently think of!

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