Week three of my time studying with the British American Drama Academy at Oxford is complete and there is only one week left to go! In some ways it has flown by, but I have taken in so much incredible information that the program has felt very dense. I will definitely have a lot of processing to do when I get home and read through all of my notes, which I'm really excited about. There are so many plays I want to read and films I want to watch after hearing about them from my classmates and professors. I will also be doing some hardcore napping, also very exciting.

Classes got turned up a notch this week since we are deeper into our classes and will be showcasing our work on the final day, Saturday, July 6. We're really getting into the nitty gritty of our scenes, which is really fun and educational. We started doing mask work in our physical class with our teacher Mick Barnfather this week. You pick out a mask and then follow your impulse to take on the physicality and voice that the mask sparks in you. Then our teacher improvs a conversation with us to take us to different extremes of tension- anywhere from extreme happiness to distress. It's hilariously entertaining to watch the other students. You never know where a situation is going to go. I had a lot of fun doing it! It really takes you out of yourself and allows you to just play with a character of your own creation.

In Movement class with our wonderful teacher Mick Barnfather. Can you spot three masks?

On Wednesday we had a master class with English actor, musician, writer and theatre director Simon Callow. Students performed different Shakespeare scenes he had assigned and we compared the different musicality among them.

Friday evening, I saw a production of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" performed by the Siege Theatre as a part of the Oxford Shakespeare Festival. I am very fortunate to be studying in England during the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare's death because there is a surge of Shakespeare productions taking place here. The play was held outdoors at the gorgeous Oxford Castle Courtyard. It was a delightful performance and I enjoyed it with a warm mocha and two of my BADA friends, Jabari and Catherine. :) (click photos to scroll)

Saturday, I was in for a fairytale when some of my gal pals from my class, Davin, Sarah and Catherine invited me along to tour Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. It is the principal residence of the dukes of Marlborough, and the only non-royal-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of "palace." I never imagined how exquisite it would be not only on the outside, but especially the inside. Every room was so ornate and rich in art and baroque decor. I can't explain it, so I will just try to share some of its beauty with these photos. It's astonishing that something so massive and intricate was built in 1722. (click photos to scroll)

We enjoyed lunch on the back lawn by beautiful fountains (shared a yummy piece of cinnamon coffee cake) and then went for a lovely stroll along the river to visit the lovely English rose garden (the loveliest rose garden I have ever been to). It was such a magical day for a group of dreamy girls, filled with lots of sighs and laughs. That night we went out dancing, like a lot of other nights I have failed to mention on here... ;) #WhenInEngland (click photos to scroll)

Sunday, I enjoyed afternoon tea with my all-together beautiful friend, Andrea, who is also in my class "Wilson." We went to "The Rose" tearoom on High Street close to our Magdalen College campus. The high tea was scrumptious with finger sandwiches, scones, and a cake of your choice- for which I chose carrot walnut cake :). I had the Yunnan Gold Pearl tea: easy-brewing black tea pearls with hints of plum and caramel- with added cream and sugar of course. It was the best tea I have ever had. Seriously. :) (click photos to scroll)

That evening, we had a master class with the one and only Fiona Shaw, famously known as Mrs. Dudley in the "Harry Potter" movies. She gave brilliant advice on approaching text and workshopped monologues and scenes that various students volunteered. She was incredibly delightful and down-to-earth. Nothing like Mrs. Dudley ;).

“It’s not what you do to the language, it’s what the language does to you.”

— Fiona Shaw

I will be so sad when the program is over and I have to say goodbye to this magical city and my sweet classmates. I could never have imagined how much I would love my group. I can't help but think that we were all meant to meet and experience this together. Writing this post, I am realizing even more how special it is that we spend nine hours together each day in classes, and still, we choose to spend our weekends together. Acting bonds people in a way I'm not sure anything else can. There is joy and power to be found in collective storytelling, a virtuous task of giving and receiving that intertwines people to strive for something bigger than themselves. I wish I could rewind and relive every minute with my classmates. They are each wonderful people- diligent, talented, caring, funny, and full of great potential. It's exciting to think about all the things people in this program will go on to accomplish in their lives.

I'm so excited for two of my closest friends, Lexy and Emerald to arrive on the final day to watch our performances! It's felt a little strange being so far away from those I love, so I think I will feel more anchored to the earth when I hug these girls! Not that long ago, I was praying for one of my friends to be able to come share this adventure with me. As usual, God over abundantly blessed me in double portion. The three of us are going to London for five days to sightsee and watch shows! :) We will also be doing some other adventuring around Europe.... :) Stay tuned!

And I couldn't be remiss to leave out my five weekly woes. Here's my slice of self-deprecating humor for the week.

1. A strapping young man, George Spencer-Churchill, the Earl of Sunderland is heir of the Blenheim Palace. He is only 24. Two of my icons are in his family tree, Princess Diana and Winston Churchill. He plays polo with Prince Harry and has blue eyes and flowing blond hair. He's basically prince charming. But he has a girlfriend. This throws a wrench in my plans of living in that palace.

2. One of my classmates met J.K. Rowling and got her autograph on Saturday at the "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" play premiere in London!!!!!@#%&#&%@^#^@&#%&& I'm so happy for my friend, but I'm so jealous it burns. (maybe even more jealous than I am of George's future wife)

3. Everyone from here asks us Americans about Donald Trump. It's embarrassing to be known for that. I quickly close the conversation down with a laugh, shake of the head, and few choice words.

4. Although I was borderline hating on English food in one of my previous posts, I have to say that the bread here is amazing. It doesn't have all of the sugars and preservatives our bread has. It has a fresher, lighter quality. In general, their foods are much fresher and healthier, store-bought and restaurant- with less preservatives and unnatural junk in it. Also, their desserts are so delicious. The carb/sweets struggle here is so real. But #WhenInEngland right? This time last year I was preparing for Miss America and living off egg whites, chicken and broccoli, so I'm going to shamelessly indulge myself. (or atleast as shamelessly as possible)

5. There is seldom an obligation to tip over here. Which sounds amazing, but the food services are a lot slower because they aren't working for tips. But most people are so sweet over here, it's hard to get too "hangry."

Stay tuned for the last chapter of my Midsummer Dream at Oxford- what a beautiful installment to the book I'm living.