Unexpected Milestone

I did my first reading in Chapel yesterday. I believe it was my first active participation in any religious service. This is what I read:

A reading from the second letter to Timothy

You then, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus; and what you have heard from me through many witnesses entrust to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well. Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving in the army gets entangled in everyday affairs; the soldier's aim is to please the enlisting office. And in the case of the athlete, no one is crowned without competing according to the rules. It is the farmer who does the work who ought to have the first share of crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.

It's oddly apt and appropriate for me. I wonder if Leanne (our Chaplain) deliberately assigned me to it?I didn't get the chance to ask her after the service. Either way, I enjoyed reading it, and was secretly thrilled to hear my voice echoing off the walls of the chapel.

EDIT: The very next day, I was asked to say Grace at the Waugh Dinner, which I readily agreed. But when did I become one of those "religious, authoritative" people you go to in order to get these things done? I am surprised.

The life and times of Graduate Wardening

A new year, a new college and a new job. I'm now Graduate Warden at Brasenose College, and it's been hilarious so far. Two days on the job and I've had to deal with non-working keyfobs, burnt toast setting off fire alarms and a string of tripped fuses. Will there be a day when nothing goes wrong in this place?

Funniest incident so far was when I helped a student whose keyfob wouldn't let him into his staircase. He and his father were trying to move in, and were frustrated by the door. I let him in using mine.

"I'm not surprised something has gone wrong," his father remarked in a superior tone, "Things seem to go wrong around here all the time. This is Brasenose College, after all." He paused significantly, and with the poshest accent continued, "I'm a Balliol man myself."

I restrained myself from bursting out laughing and held the door for them as they went by.

On his way out, he thanked me for helping them but couldn't resist mentioning again how this college had so many problems. "I went to Balliol, you know."

I think he made that clear enough...