Umm what did you just say?

Today was not a good day. There were a number of reasons for this, but I'll cut it down to the only one that is entertaining enough to rehash.


I finally found a bookstore in city center. Unfortunately, I couldn't enjoy it because of the author of a certain book...

It's probably important to mention here that the author was a Middle Eastern Islamic man and the book was about a man who tries to escape from his arranged marriage by trying to flee the country wearing a burka.


Basically, he asked me to buy it. I said no. He asked me again, I again said no. We went back and forth, and our conversation evolved into a discussion of America (this frequently happens here when people hear my accent), where he told me he lived in Kansas City for awhile, but had to leave because "people there were just so awful after 9/11"...I told him I didn't think the evil that occurred on that day was a reflection of the true Islamic faith, and I apologized for Americans who are ignorant enough to believe otherwise. I also told him that most people I know don't believe otherwise, and are very accepting of other religions.

He then thanked me for my open mindedness, told me I was a lovely girl, "so unlike other Americans" and continued to trash the US until he finally offered to let me make amends for "the terrible actions of George Bush" by buying his book.

Not. Even. Kidding.

Pre-Conceived Notions and Misconceptions

I'm pretty sure my tutor thinks that American "states" are just like European "states" in the sense that they're soveriegn, only voluntarily banding together as a union.

Also, a lot of people here think that we refer to our language as "American" instead of "English"


....These are just two of so many misconceptions I've encountered while I've been in England. Don't even get me started on the things they think about Kansas.

Then again, we're just as bad. Americans all claim that English people have bad teeth, when in fact the majority of them have very nice, straight teeth, thanks to their wonderful health care system. Also, they don't have tea and scones everyday at 4.

SNOW!!!

It's funny how it snows almost everyday here, and yet everyday it all completely melts. These pictures were taken within a half hour of each other. This country can't decide if it wants to be freezing or not.

This crazy weather makes me feel a little less homesick.

Absence

You may be wondering why I haven't written in four days.

Well, I have no news that would really be interesting to anyone.

I will say though, that the bathrooms are so nice here compared to the US. However, they are lacking in paper towels and soap dispensers. That's been a pain.

Also, I miss having a productive life. I should have gotten a work visa.


I'm sorry that this is the best I can do right now.

Mardi Gras in the UK

Mardi Gras in Leicester was a total bust. The only people who were wearing beads were in the group I came with, and everyone else at Red Leicester was either wearing campaign tshirts (student elections are this week), or was pretending to be pregnant.


Apparently, Mardi Gras is more of an American thing.

Eating Properly

Last night we made pancakes in my block. They came out more like crepes, but were still very delicious. It aways astounds me how properly English people eat. They use silverware....for everything. They even eat chips (french fries) with a fork! And the way they do it is so neat, so formal...not anything like my technique, where I stab my fork down and wrap my whole hand around my knife, sawing feverishly until I break apart my food.

I kind of feel like a neanderthal when I eat here.

Last night I asked one of my friends about this and they said proper dining etiquette was something they learn in grammar school here.

I'm not gonna lie, I'm kind of jealous.

I'm also kind of confused, because although they all have perfect table etiquette, the dining hall doesn't have any napkins.



I'm feeling much better! This nasty flu has evolved into a tolerable cold. Yippee!
.

The Most Romantic Day of the Year

Valentine's Day.

Hmmm
Not so much.


Try
"Laundry Day"

Coupled with some
"Sick Day"


And there you go!