Hello Dear Friends,

I remembered that there was a blog and thought maybe I should use it! :)

Hilary Term has come and gone and with its close I returned home to Kansas to visit my wonderful family and try to see as many friends as possible. I was so happy to return to a place that holds so many warm and comforting memories, as well as so many inspiring and impactful people that have been a part of my life. It was truly a beautiful time and I was very grateful to have it.

Now that I am in my last week of the Easter Vacation I am immersed in researching and writing my thesis, as well as revising for exams. The thesis is becoming more and more fascinating as I uncover new articles that have something to contribute. I am very excited to see what the finished project will yet uncover.

My exams will be in mid-June and so revising for the four of them is going to be inter-mixed with essay writing and the like. The most thrilling part is going to be when my friends finish their final examination and I am waiting outside to partake in the traditional "trashings" that involve milk and flower. Dignified is not what the end of examinations is supposed to look like, or so I gather :P

Given that the final date of the program is nigh upon us, the next step is weighing heavily over my daily activities. There are so very many options in the world, and I am finding it difficult to charter a path with sufficient reasons to satisfy my stringent process of choosing. However, I have become increasingly convinced that regardless the choice, that destination must have a few requisite qualitites. For instance, I am adamant that it must have an environment which elicits compassion and empathy for the immediate community and those that branch out from it. I also am going to request that it promotes a world of greater connection and meaning in the lives of people involved. And finally, I would enquire as to perhaps allowing pursuit of my other projects :P Because, lets face it, I do not do one thing at a time!

Two particular options that are open at the moment are staying in Oxford to begin a social enterprise and doing a second master's degree. The three barriers to remaining in Oxford are a salary upon which to live, the existence of a social enterprise which needs running, and a UK visa which allows me to remain in this location. The other is returning to Kansas to do another master's degree. The barriers involved in this are entry into the program, my willingness to take that particular step, and paying for the experience.

But enough about all that. It seems to run through my mind like a cheeta chasing cheetos, so perhaps more ink need not be spilt over it at this point :P

I do hope you are all having a magnificent Sunday, and I will try to write an update next week!
Will

Back in Oxford

Hello Dear Friends,

Already it seems January is coming to an end and I wanted to put a post up before the first month of 2013 passes by!

Since my last post a great deal has changed for my family. With Dad's passing I went home for some time over Christmas and New Years to share grief with my mother and brother. My return to school has seen a whirlwind of events and Oxford seems to demand that one maintain a certain focus. But it is impossible not to feel deeply the pain that has occurred. I think for me it has given a perspective of value (of what is positive and of what is negative) in all of our actions, and to be cognizant of what gives life meaning. I cannot understand death, and will not pretend that I have come to learn great lessons. But more than ever, I am reminded to be appreciative for little kindnesses and goodness in people.

This term has already been a flurry of activity. We are beginning the third week of Hilary and I am attempting to maintain some resolutions about the term. I want to complete all my readings and to have taken notes on them; I would like to write one term essay per week; I am resolved to take up a sport (tennis!); my diet will become healthier (Mom made a list :D); and there are a few more. With great good fortune, and a bit of "will" power on my part, these can all come to be.

There are a few projects which I am particularly keen to pursue. These relate to social entrepreneurship and creating organizations. I have not given up on my idea for a research institute on sustainable capitalism, and it continues to morph into new forms. Some help in this area comes from a social enterprise class with Pamela Hartigan, director of the Skoll Center. We are learning about the theory behind various models as well as undertaking to design a business plan addressing a particular subset of a world problem.

Wishing everyone the greatest of happiness.
Will