A Room with a View

This is the view from my bedroom window. Top that, Endcliffe.

Building in City Centre.

British School Boys chucking snowballs at random passersby during a break at school. Literally.

My Buds (L to R): Monique, Lindsay, Me, Carly, Chelsea, Genna, Kohan, Alexandra.

Now that my calves are sore and huge from all the steep uphill walking, I can finally sleep at night. I haven't "worked out" for real since Monday, Feb. 2, which is a long time for me. Chelsea and I are planning on joining a gym this weekend, but it's always so cold that we lack the motivation... and having to walk that far back from the gym in the cold has not yet been appealing. Guess what?! It rained today! And than it rained, hailed, and snowed all at once. It's amazing... and it's 70F in Chapel Hill and sunny, but this place is so amazing that the freezing weather can keep it coming. Mmm... I'd just like to make a random shout out to my mom for buying me this fabulous Natural JIF peanut butter before I left to cross the pond because it is the best PB I've ever had. Basically, I sit here and eat spoonfuls while on the computer. Then, I go walk 9 miles to Endcliffe Village where all my buds live, so I don't feel too bad about it.

I have had all of my classes already; just have a few lectures and seminars tomorrow and one friday and then I'm done for the week. So far my favorite class is Irish Literature, hands down. I'm nearly positive that not even my beloved UNC offers a native Irish man to teach Irish Literature, so I feel pretty good about it. Not to mention that he's one of the few professors that actually treats you like a human being and not some apprentice to be bossed around. My "Development Economics" (there are so many better ways to phrase this module that it urks me, but I can't bring myself to argue with the original authors of our native language) professor decided to tell us today during our first class that there would be 3 lectures per week instead of 2. We originally had Wednesdays at 9:00 am, Thursdays at 12:00 pm on the schedule, but now we're adding a lecture on Thursday at 4:00 pm on top of the noon lecture... these are the kinds of things the Brits spring on you out of nowhere. I'm getting used to that though. They like to beat around the bush and tell you only half truths- c'est la vie. As far as Shakespeare and Renaissance Drama goes, I struggled to stay awake this afternoon, so needless to say, I didn't get too much out of it. Once I get into the swing of things, I'm sure it will be a little bit better. We have to read a play a week, which should be interesting to say the least. This whole "socratic" teaching system seems a lot better than the American system, but it could be even better if the Brits told you straight up what was expected of you instead of giving you a list of 9 "recommended literatures" instead of a textbook. What the frick does recommended literature mean anyway? Beating around the bush.

Enough with the academics... let's move to the goods. Shef students really know how to party. I swear you can find something to do every single night here and never ever be bored. Tonight I was invited to a party called "Roar" by two American guys (hahaha), but I declined due to my need for some downtime. I did, however, pay a visit to the Tapton Bar (bar in my hall) with Chelsea tonight and got a Snakebite, which was once again a never-ending pint. We shared some laughs and she really wanted to play pool with someone more skilled than myself (earth to Lindsay Saladino, the beginners pro). Also, today the Union offered a "Refreshers" shindig where all of the new Sheffield students get to go and learn about all of the club offerings. This student union far surpasses that of both CofC and UNC. I can't explain it to you... it just does. I'm signed up for a Volunteering Club (where I naturally found my sweet Sara-Jade), Cocktail Society, Cricket Team, Hip-Hop Dance, and a girl's Brownie leader (umm... Genna?). I think I'll be pretty busy. Other than that, the only real interesting adventures I have partaken in this week is a 4 or 5 mile walk to Hope City Church with Lindsay in the middle of the ghetto on Sunday morning. We thought it would take about 20-25 minutes, but no. I believe it was Sunday night that Genna, Chelsea, Monique, Linds and I sat in Kohan's room and complained for an hour about all of our misadventures thus far... we were hungry and depressed because Kohan wouldn't make us spaghetti w/ meatballs and pour us a glass of red wine. Kohan, is both a blog stalker and a jerk for not offering to give me his sleeping bag... just wait. We were just complaining about how things close so early around here. You see, we keep trying to meet up with each other for dinner and stuff, but always show up just a few minutes too late to the dining hall. Like 7 or so and BAM it's closed. It's a major bummer, but it's been quite the source of humor over the past week since the women are experiencing some significant weight loss and we can't always find a place to eat. Not to mention the fact that everytime we ask for directions from an Englishman, you have to ask at least 3 people before you get the right answer. The answer is always, "up the hill about 5 minutes," which after only 1 week of living here I know means, climbing a steep mountain for half an hour in the bitter, icy cold. Hence, the starvation. One night we went to Nibbles pizza and were given two boxes of free breadsticks on top of our order because we were so hungry. So far, I haven't had too too bad of experiences with British food. It's just very salty, so you're even more thirsty than your average American. Linds and I think that the two worst things about living in England are that we are always hungry and our thirst never goes away... it's unquenchable. I'm not kidding. I'm never taking free refills for granted again.

Yesterday, Chelsea was so kind as to give Linds and I manis and pedis. It was beautiful. Then, Kohan came over and we discussed the 3 things we'd like to do before dying. And also, Kohan was the object of Chelsea's 20 questions about what kind of woman he is looking for... hahahaha. I could delve deeper into that topic, but I'd need a copyright title first. On Monday night, Chelsea had me go sit on Lindsay's desk and then proceeded to sketch a picture of me. It's phenomenal. I have it on my wall, which you may think is vain, but I don't. I think I look so much like my mom in this picture that it's crazy. I truly see a resemblance between my mom in her twenties and me in this picture, so naturally, I cling to it. Coming attractions for this weekend include, speed dating with Chelsea, Monique, and Genna on Valentine's Day followed by a Stoplight party. Kohan advised against wearing a red top with green pants. I simply rolled my eyes and walked away. Tomorrow we have an International Students party at a Tequila Bar... hahahahaha. These parties are ridiculous... and awesome.

Well, that's all for now. I must prepare for slumber. Miss and love you all.

PS Pops-- Cider is good.