With much love to all,
Meagan
Monday, June 11, 2007
Jet lagged, nostalgic, and singing sad songs
Well, its all over. I'm back in Tosa, back to "real" life, and utterly confused about it all. I won't bother any of you with the strange convoluted thoughts that are running around my head, but I know that I'll be missing Taptonville and all those who lived there this past term very much for a very long time. On the last night most people were there, June 8, we had a party, and it was lovely. The best possible way to say goodbye, the best possible way to celebrate my birthday (a little early but eh) and the best possible way to remember the best parts of being a young student in Sheffield.
With much love to all,
Meagan
With much love to all,
Meagan
Thursday, June 7, 2007
The return of the vacuum seal
I'm packing for home! Strange as it may be, I think everything is going to fit very neatly into my two suitcases; the part I'm most worried about is the carry on since it contains two (2) laptops. The broken dead one and the working alive one. Grrr. I am hoping to have the dead one resuscitated soon! Hooray!
Packing is hard work! I don't like it much, especially because I never know what exactly I will be needing. I only have two days left, and then Sunday--but that is all traveling so it should be easy enough. Just a few changes of clothes to leave out and the rest to cram in. This is made much easier by some handy dandy vacuum seal bags and our friendly vacuum cleaner, Henry. This is Henry:
(Photo credit Natalie)
Many people still have a final tomorrow, so not a lot is happening around Taptonville lately. I am looking forward to the party tomorrow to celebrate, and then Saturday Nicole and I are saying goodbye to Sheffield with a visit to the Peaks. Then its off to Manchester for a night in the hotel and Sunday morning a long flight with a much desired destination--home!
I don't feel like I'll be reflecting on my time here anytime soon (at least not publicly), as I will need some distance and the passing of time to truly understand any effects it has had on me. Until then I'll remember it fondly and will just be happy it happened. Ah Sheffield.
See you all soon!
Packing is hard work! I don't like it much, especially because I never know what exactly I will be needing. I only have two days left, and then Sunday--but that is all traveling so it should be easy enough. Just a few changes of clothes to leave out and the rest to cram in. This is made much easier by some handy dandy vacuum seal bags and our friendly vacuum cleaner, Henry. This is Henry:
(Photo credit Natalie)
Many people still have a final tomorrow, so not a lot is happening around Taptonville lately. I am looking forward to the party tomorrow to celebrate, and then Saturday Nicole and I are saying goodbye to Sheffield with a visit to the Peaks. Then its off to Manchester for a night in the hotel and Sunday morning a long flight with a much desired destination--home!
I don't feel like I'll be reflecting on my time here anytime soon (at least not publicly), as I will need some distance and the passing of time to truly understand any effects it has had on me. Until then I'll remember it fondly and will just be happy it happened. Ah Sheffield.
See you all soon!
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Finito!
The last exam has been taken (sat? I don't know what the British would say). I am finished with school for three glorious months. I am so excited.
The exam process here is frightening. You go into this HUGE room (ours was in the Goodwin Sports Center, so basically a giant gym) where there are just rows and rows of desks lined up. Each class (multiple classes in one exam period) are assigned certain rows. You sit down and fill out all these sheets with your registration number and name and course and all sorts of things. Then you write. For three hours. Yeah. At the end you have to lick part of the booklet and stick it down. I felt really silly doing it, but you have to.
They are (is anyone surprised?)really anal about exam procedures. They have these people called invigilators who walk around constantly, are monitoring noises etc and go to the bathroom (toilet, sorry) with you if you have to during your exam period. It freaked me out. I think I only would have used the bathroom if I was about to explode. I was afraid of them.
School is over, leaving me with just over a week to hang out, pack, laze around Sheffield, party in Taptonville and the other usual stuff. I'm also heading to London tomorrow with Emily which should be a riot. It is my first time--I sort of left it to the end, didn't realize how little time was left-- and so I will be doing all the touristy things. I am looking forward to it!
The exam process here is frightening. You go into this HUGE room (ours was in the Goodwin Sports Center, so basically a giant gym) where there are just rows and rows of desks lined up. Each class (multiple classes in one exam period) are assigned certain rows. You sit down and fill out all these sheets with your registration number and name and course and all sorts of things. Then you write. For three hours. Yeah. At the end you have to lick part of the booklet and stick it down. I felt really silly doing it, but you have to.
They are (is anyone surprised?)really anal about exam procedures. They have these people called invigilators who walk around constantly, are monitoring noises etc and go to the bathroom (toilet, sorry) with you if you have to during your exam period. It freaked me out. I think I only would have used the bathroom if I was about to explode. I was afraid of them.
School is over, leaving me with just over a week to hang out, pack, laze around Sheffield, party in Taptonville and the other usual stuff. I'm also heading to London tomorrow with Emily which should be a riot. It is my first time--I sort of left it to the end, didn't realize how little time was left-- and so I will be doing all the touristy things. I am looking forward to it!
Saturday, May 26, 2007
The first time
Today Becca read "On Chisel Beach" by Ian McElwan. WOAH. This book is the tale of two virgins wedding night, and besides being really graffic and disgusting, it also is startlingly how English they are. I think that after living here, I can appreciate little quirks of English life that are presented in books, movies or television more than before; in this book certain mannerisms or behaviors of the characters made us laugh out loud as we realized how they eerily remind us of things our English acquaintences do. It is always exciting to pick up on little things like that. In the movie Layer Cake, for example, there is a line "Even drug dealers don't work weekends." Before coming here I would not have appreciated that at all! (Many places, including shops, are closed on weekends here. It can be frustrating, but its kind of relaxing, knowing that certain things just can't be done til Monday and you simply have to make do. It isn't just time off for the employees, its actually time off for us too!) Little things like that are quite exciting.
It is also the first of many goodbyes. James is leaving tomorrow. It seems unreal that he is leaving. We will all miss having him pop around so often. He is technically a "neighbor kid" on the Flat 47 portrait, but in reality he is like a cousin who we might be legally adopting. I don't want to say goodbye!
The first goodbye is going to be hard to say. I never wanted this to happen! I hate goodbyes. Isn't it strange that after only 4.5 months, saying goodbye is just as hard as it was to say to all the people we left back at home? With a compressed time frame, the people I have met skipped many of the formalities and slow progressions that usually make deep friendships. They are markedly different than many of those I have at home, but in no way are they less important to me or lacking closeness. I'm turning so sappy. This is what goodbyes do to me.
It is odd that our time here is almost over, and that it was such a short period of time. I think the length of time I was here has been good, and has whetted my appetite for more. I cannot wait to travel again! Living a much simpler life--dial up internet, no real phone, no TV or radio, and limited resources have made me, and I think others here, focus a lot more on relationships here. I'm excited to travel more, and hopefully get to see more of the US than I have. If anyone is interested, we should plan a trip. Once, you know, we all get jobs and our bank accounts recover and our credit cards are paid off.
It is also the first of many goodbyes. James is leaving tomorrow. It seems unreal that he is leaving. We will all miss having him pop around so often. He is technically a "neighbor kid" on the Flat 47 portrait, but in reality he is like a cousin who we might be legally adopting. I don't want to say goodbye!
The first goodbye is going to be hard to say. I never wanted this to happen! I hate goodbyes. Isn't it strange that after only 4.5 months, saying goodbye is just as hard as it was to say to all the people we left back at home? With a compressed time frame, the people I have met skipped many of the formalities and slow progressions that usually make deep friendships. They are markedly different than many of those I have at home, but in no way are they less important to me or lacking closeness. I'm turning so sappy. This is what goodbyes do to me.
It is odd that our time here is almost over, and that it was such a short period of time. I think the length of time I was here has been good, and has whetted my appetite for more. I cannot wait to travel again! Living a much simpler life--dial up internet, no real phone, no TV or radio, and limited resources have made me, and I think others here, focus a lot more on relationships here. I'm excited to travel more, and hopefully get to see more of the US than I have. If anyone is interested, we should plan a trip. Once, you know, we all get jobs and our bank accounts recover and our credit cards are paid off.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Today was about 24 Celsius and sunny, meaning I was awoken by Danielle coming over and enlisting me in the tanning party. She, Emily and I wore bathing suits, didn't freeze, listened to music, ate food, read trashy magazines and generally indulged for a few hours in the sun. Of course, I didn't tan (or burn, thanks to liberal application of sunscreen) but it was nice to warm up. I got a few freckles. All I can ask for I suppose.
It was nice enough to wear a dress (finally!) and just mary janes, no jacket or tights or anything. Carl and I went on a hunt for daiquiri mix, because that would have been the ultimate ending to our night...but we settled for this thing called "Carribean Twist" which is a cheaper take on Bacardi Breezers. Eh. Not so great. We made steak and Lincolnshire sausages, garlic bread, and some cucumbers for dinner, followed by ice cream outside! It was so lovely! The first real summery feeling day.
Needless to say, I have not yet started work on my essay for Irish Writing, but it is not due til Tuesday--giving me plenty of time. I finished both of my essays for Early American Lit, meaning I just have that one Irish essay and then a sit in final for Modern Lit-and then I am done! I'll be back in the States in two and a half weeks. Nuts, isn't it?
My plans for these next two weeks are pretty tame. I have to finish this paper, obviously, and then turn in all three next Tuesday. That afternoon, my former spring break immersion leader Teri will be arriving in Sheffield. She is volunteering/living in Liverpool for the year and is coming to stay for two days. My hope is that the weather will stay warmish and we can go out to the Peaks District. She leaves Thursday. The next day is my Modern Lit final, and the day of Liz's flight home. What a shit day. Saturday June 2nd, however, I am going to London! Emily, her friend from home, and myself are going for the weekend. If you have any suggestions on what to see/do/stay whatever, let me know! After that it is back here for about four days full of packing and cleaning and goodbyes. Eeek.
Because Sheffield is this boonies backwater place, there are no trains running to Manchester airport on the morning of the 10th. Instead we are taking the late train on the 9th and sleeping in a terminal (or the rail station at the airport, whichever is open). I'm not looking forward to this, as I have so much stuff to haul around, and because it is my 21st birthday. When I envisioned my 21st, it never involved sleeping in an airport terminal on top of two large suitcases with a backpackers pack as a pillow, believe me.
The sun is just starting to set (although it is 9 pm) which is something I love about summer. Because England is fairly far north, the sun sets really late in spring/summer. I wish I could be in Europe for Midsummer's-- I would definitely have to go to the Arctic Circle and see the 24 hours of daylight!!
Well, this has been a long rambling pointless post, but was bored and wanted to say hello.
Love,
Meagan
It was nice enough to wear a dress (finally!) and just mary janes, no jacket or tights or anything. Carl and I went on a hunt for daiquiri mix, because that would have been the ultimate ending to our night...but we settled for this thing called "Carribean Twist" which is a cheaper take on Bacardi Breezers. Eh. Not so great. We made steak and Lincolnshire sausages, garlic bread, and some cucumbers for dinner, followed by ice cream outside! It was so lovely! The first real summery feeling day.
Needless to say, I have not yet started work on my essay for Irish Writing, but it is not due til Tuesday--giving me plenty of time. I finished both of my essays for Early American Lit, meaning I just have that one Irish essay and then a sit in final for Modern Lit-and then I am done! I'll be back in the States in two and a half weeks. Nuts, isn't it?
My plans for these next two weeks are pretty tame. I have to finish this paper, obviously, and then turn in all three next Tuesday. That afternoon, my former spring break immersion leader Teri will be arriving in Sheffield. She is volunteering/living in Liverpool for the year and is coming to stay for two days. My hope is that the weather will stay warmish and we can go out to the Peaks District. She leaves Thursday. The next day is my Modern Lit final, and the day of Liz's flight home. What a shit day. Saturday June 2nd, however, I am going to London! Emily, her friend from home, and myself are going for the weekend. If you have any suggestions on what to see/do/stay whatever, let me know! After that it is back here for about four days full of packing and cleaning and goodbyes. Eeek.
Because Sheffield is this boonies backwater place, there are no trains running to Manchester airport on the morning of the 10th. Instead we are taking the late train on the 9th and sleeping in a terminal (or the rail station at the airport, whichever is open). I'm not looking forward to this, as I have so much stuff to haul around, and because it is my 21st birthday. When I envisioned my 21st, it never involved sleeping in an airport terminal on top of two large suitcases with a backpackers pack as a pillow, believe me.
The sun is just starting to set (although it is 9 pm) which is something I love about summer. Because England is fairly far north, the sun sets really late in spring/summer. I wish I could be in Europe for Midsummer's-- I would definitely have to go to the Arctic Circle and see the 24 hours of daylight!!
Well, this has been a long rambling pointless post, but was bored and wanted to say hello.
Love,
Meagan
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
News
I don't feel like doing a real post, but some big things have happened:
--Liz (one of my flatmates here in England) and I will be moving in together in Chicago. We have yet to find a place, but once we do, expect it to be the best apartment probably ever. I know, I know--how many times will I say I'm living somewhere and then change my mind?! This time is for real. This plan will not fall through. We are serious about this.
--Essays season is upon us! I have three essays due on May 29. Yeah. Haven't started yet.
--Emily, Natalie and I have decided to read Ulysses. We are going to work very hard and then meet once a month or so in a different Irish pub each time (in Chicago) and talk about it. We will see how this goes.
--Less than a month here in England. I can't believe it's almost over.
Oh: Have people in the US been hearing about Maddy, the British girl who was kidnapped in Portugal? It's all over the news here, headlines everyday and on TV constantly.
--Liz (one of my flatmates here in England) and I will be moving in together in Chicago. We have yet to find a place, but once we do, expect it to be the best apartment probably ever. I know, I know--how many times will I say I'm living somewhere and then change my mind?! This time is for real. This plan will not fall through. We are serious about this.
--Essays season is upon us! I have three essays due on May 29. Yeah. Haven't started yet.
--Emily, Natalie and I have decided to read Ulysses. We are going to work very hard and then meet once a month or so in a different Irish pub each time (in Chicago) and talk about it. We will see how this goes.
--Less than a month here in England. I can't believe it's almost over.
Oh: Have people in the US been hearing about Maddy, the British girl who was kidnapped in Portugal? It's all over the news here, headlines everyday and on TV constantly.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Tea without milk? Fascinating.
The event I NEVER thought would happen happened:
British kids asked me to join them in a post-class hangout.
I keep hearing all these stories of Brits going to the pub after class, in between class, during a 15 minute break from class-- but have never seen it or been invited along. I assumed this was due to my crippling shyness, which generally has me leaving seminar with the pod firmly planted in my ears and my feet beating the long path back to Taptonville. Today was my last Early American Lit seminar (what a joke) and afterwards a bunch of kids decided to go to Interval, one of the cafe/bars at the union. And lo and behold they invited me along. I bet those kids, who will probably never think of it or me again, have no idea how excited I was for that to happen. I feel rather pathetic saying that, but it really made my day. It was really sweet of them. They are nice kids, and I wish we had done this at the beginning of the term instead of the end.
It also showed me, once again, that being shy is BAD NEW BEARS. Especially when in a foreign country.
Also: I finally got my Sheffield city library card, instead of just stealing books from my flatmates or using Becca's card. Hoorah. Liz is coming home tonight, releasing the garbage bags, garlic salt, and ipod speakers that have been locked in her room since Friday evening. We are all looking forward to it.
I leave for Ireland on Thursday evening (tomorrow) and am sure I will have strange stories to tell upon my return. Hopefully the literary pub crawl and biking around the Aran Islands will be fruitful.
Love,
Meagan
British kids asked me to join them in a post-class hangout.
I keep hearing all these stories of Brits going to the pub after class, in between class, during a 15 minute break from class-- but have never seen it or been invited along. I assumed this was due to my crippling shyness, which generally has me leaving seminar with the pod firmly planted in my ears and my feet beating the long path back to Taptonville. Today was my last Early American Lit seminar (what a joke) and afterwards a bunch of kids decided to go to Interval, one of the cafe/bars at the union. And lo and behold they invited me along. I bet those kids, who will probably never think of it or me again, have no idea how excited I was for that to happen. I feel rather pathetic saying that, but it really made my day. It was really sweet of them. They are nice kids, and I wish we had done this at the beginning of the term instead of the end.
It also showed me, once again, that being shy is BAD NEW BEARS. Especially when in a foreign country.
Also: I finally got my Sheffield city library card, instead of just stealing books from my flatmates or using Becca's card. Hoorah. Liz is coming home tonight, releasing the garbage bags, garlic salt, and ipod speakers that have been locked in her room since Friday evening. We are all looking forward to it.
I leave for Ireland on Thursday evening (tomorrow) and am sure I will have strange stories to tell upon my return. Hopefully the literary pub crawl and biking around the Aran Islands will be fruitful.
Love,
Meagan
Sunday, May 6, 2007
Driving Me Mad
This Monday is a Bank Holiday here in England, meaning school is canceled and most businesses are closed. I am not sure what the bank holiday is for, but I don't really care, as it allows me to have a four day weekend.
My flat is empty at the moment: Liz is in Ireland visiting her parents and Becca, Nicole and Jenny are in Scotland, hopefully not being bitten by any rabid animals. I have had the flat to myself, which mostly means I'm not here--its creepy all alone in these little shoeboxes!
I spent Friday night at Natalie and Emily's watching Chocolat and eating tons of it. We gorged for the second night in a row (Thursday was a huge Polish dinner made by Eva and her friend who was visiting from Poland, along with tons of chocolate and ice cream. Oh, and Lambrini. Of course.) It was a lovely night.
Liverpool was our Saturday excursion. A rather large group--6 people-- journeyed out and we went on the Magical Mystery tour. We got to ride on the Magical Mystery Tour bus! It was really neat. We saw all that stuff Beatles fans see in Liverpool--their homes, their schools, places they hung out, the church where Paul and John met, things like that. We also saw Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane. The tour ended at the Cavern Club. We went to the Cavern Pub across the street for a drink and then wandered around the Cavern Club. It is not the actual building they played in; in the early 80's the city of Liverpool was incredibly dumb and filled the original club in, claiming they had to run a sewer line through it. They actually ran the sewer line around the corner, and so it was pointless for them to have ruined the club. However, they actual rocks from the club had beens salvaged so the place was rebuilt basically in the same spot, and you can now go and see it and lots of live music. They still have bands playing everyday of the week.
In the Cavern Pub, they have one of the coolest Beatles things I've ever seen or heard of-- an original Yellow Submarine jukebox. It is really beautiful (I will put some pictures up on facebook, but others have better ones) and only 100 were made. Four went to the Beatles, their management and friends, one to the Cavern Club, and the rest were sold. It's so neat. The machine is loaded, of course, with all the Beatles albums, and it also contains albums from other bands that have played live at the Cavern Club.
We also went to the Tate museum in Liverpool, which was really well done and a nice relaxing way to end the day. One of the freakiest exhibits is this 7 foot tall sculpture of a young girl that is incredibly life like. In the brochure, the photograph actually looks like just that--a photograph of a real person. To turn around and realize she is actually a 7 foot tall piece of plaster is a bit startling.
After a train ride home populated by leg kickers and obnoxious screamers, plus a smoker and someone with a boom box, we made our way home to Taptonville. The night was ended with reading, recovering from the excessive sweet eating of the past three days, and a bit of Pride and Prejudice. Overall, it was a lovely English day.
In good Chicago news: I have an apartment! It's at Halsted and Armitage, so it is pretty close to campus and Oz Park... plus all of the tantalizing shops of Armitage. Everyone will have to come over for a party after I move in (probably mid-June), and again in July after one of my fantastic roommates returns from her study abroad. Now I just need a job...
This weekend is also Beerfest at the University. Yes, the University has Beerfest. For four days (Friday-Monday) there are huge beer and cider tents in the Raynor gardens and lounge and people can drink to their hearts content beer from many many local breweries. There are all sorts of different kinds of beer: ales, lagers, bitters, etc. There are only four imports, so its really an English festival--kind of a good way to get a taste of the local flavor. Ha. Oh. That was a bad pun. Anyways: Beerfest. I will probably be attending this afternoon/evening with one of those fantastic roommates I mentioned above. Steph is visiting Sheffield this weekend and she, Britni and I will have to go out, perhaps to celebrate the acquisition of the apartment!
My flat is empty at the moment: Liz is in Ireland visiting her parents and Becca, Nicole and Jenny are in Scotland, hopefully not being bitten by any rabid animals. I have had the flat to myself, which mostly means I'm not here--its creepy all alone in these little shoeboxes!
I spent Friday night at Natalie and Emily's watching Chocolat and eating tons of it. We gorged for the second night in a row (Thursday was a huge Polish dinner made by Eva and her friend who was visiting from Poland, along with tons of chocolate and ice cream. Oh, and Lambrini. Of course.) It was a lovely night.
Liverpool was our Saturday excursion. A rather large group--6 people-- journeyed out and we went on the Magical Mystery tour. We got to ride on the Magical Mystery Tour bus! It was really neat. We saw all that stuff Beatles fans see in Liverpool--their homes, their schools, places they hung out, the church where Paul and John met, things like that. We also saw Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane. The tour ended at the Cavern Club. We went to the Cavern Pub across the street for a drink and then wandered around the Cavern Club. It is not the actual building they played in; in the early 80's the city of Liverpool was incredibly dumb and filled the original club in, claiming they had to run a sewer line through it. They actually ran the sewer line around the corner, and so it was pointless for them to have ruined the club. However, they actual rocks from the club had beens salvaged so the place was rebuilt basically in the same spot, and you can now go and see it and lots of live music. They still have bands playing everyday of the week.
In the Cavern Pub, they have one of the coolest Beatles things I've ever seen or heard of-- an original Yellow Submarine jukebox. It is really beautiful (I will put some pictures up on facebook, but others have better ones) and only 100 were made. Four went to the Beatles, their management and friends, one to the Cavern Club, and the rest were sold. It's so neat. The machine is loaded, of course, with all the Beatles albums, and it also contains albums from other bands that have played live at the Cavern Club.
We also went to the Tate museum in Liverpool, which was really well done and a nice relaxing way to end the day. One of the freakiest exhibits is this 7 foot tall sculpture of a young girl that is incredibly life like. In the brochure, the photograph actually looks like just that--a photograph of a real person. To turn around and realize she is actually a 7 foot tall piece of plaster is a bit startling.
After a train ride home populated by leg kickers and obnoxious screamers, plus a smoker and someone with a boom box, we made our way home to Taptonville. The night was ended with reading, recovering from the excessive sweet eating of the past three days, and a bit of Pride and Prejudice. Overall, it was a lovely English day.
In good Chicago news: I have an apartment! It's at Halsted and Armitage, so it is pretty close to campus and Oz Park... plus all of the tantalizing shops of Armitage. Everyone will have to come over for a party after I move in (probably mid-June), and again in July after one of my fantastic roommates returns from her study abroad. Now I just need a job...
This weekend is also Beerfest at the University. Yes, the University has Beerfest. For four days (Friday-Monday) there are huge beer and cider tents in the Raynor gardens and lounge and people can drink to their hearts content beer from many many local breweries. There are all sorts of different kinds of beer: ales, lagers, bitters, etc. There are only four imports, so its really an English festival--kind of a good way to get a taste of the local flavor. Ha. Oh. That was a bad pun. Anyways: Beerfest. I will probably be attending this afternoon/evening with one of those fantastic roommates I mentioned above. Steph is visiting Sheffield this weekend and she, Britni and I will have to go out, perhaps to celebrate the acquisition of the apartment!
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Strap on yo skates
Friday night was the night. The night of hot pants, leggings, silly dresses, a tie as a headband, and plenty of Lambrini. It was roller disco night.
Through the genius of Natalie, who discovered this roller disco, a group of 7 got dressed like crazies, downed FOUR bottles of Lambrini in about an hour and a half, took a loud and long bus ride (during which we discussed not only favorite founding fathers, eyebrow plucking, but also which president you would sleep with)and finally arrived at the roller disco.
It smelled quite like a zoo in the waiting area/stairwell--which did not bode well. Once we got in, however, we found a place packed with hipsters drunk on skates. It is about as wacky and fun as you are imagining. They had two bars, a coatcheck/skate hire that took half an hour, and several live bands. It was so much fun! Skating on roller skates (not blades) is a lot harder than I had remembered! I managed to only fall once, but wow did I fall hard! I think a bruise is developing on what the British would very sweetly call my bottom.
Through the genius of Natalie, who discovered this roller disco, a group of 7 got dressed like crazies, downed FOUR bottles of Lambrini in about an hour and a half, took a loud and long bus ride (during which we discussed not only favorite founding fathers, eyebrow plucking, but also which president you would sleep with)and finally arrived at the roller disco.
It smelled quite like a zoo in the waiting area/stairwell--which did not bode well. Once we got in, however, we found a place packed with hipsters drunk on skates. It is about as wacky and fun as you are imagining. They had two bars, a coatcheck/skate hire that took half an hour, and several live bands. It was so much fun! Skating on roller skates (not blades) is a lot harder than I had remembered! I managed to only fall once, but wow did I fall hard! I think a bruise is developing on what the British would very sweetly call my bottom.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Soon, my friends, too soon
I know that many of the readers of this blog (if there even are any)have heard me complain, a lot, about Sheffield and England and generally how I am looking forward to go back to the States. While it will be really nice to see friends and family and familiar sights, it has struck me in the past few days that I will never be back here and how much I really will miss it(and especially the friends I have made here).
I will miss sitting in the kitchen, watching Taptonville TV with my flatmates as we eat dinner, leaning out the windows to talk to friends and neighbors, and watching the Aussie boys devise silly games out of boredom. Tonight, Kiernan came over for dinner, which soon morphed into a big gab fest with random neighbors who saw us in the kitchen and called up through the open windows to be let in. These people came and went, getting kabobs and chocolate (the best friends of any student in the UK) and new ones took their seats; flatmates drifted in and out. Our dingy little flat is truly a home. We've made it a place where neighbors feel comfortable bringing food over to cook simply so they can hang out with us, where people come if their shower is misbehaving, a place to just crash and enjoy themselves. The fact that it is so accessible is just one of its many charms. We've all grown so close. I find myself qualifying my friends, saying "Oh [insert name of Sheffield person here] is one of my best friends here" and I realized that no, they are just some of my best friends, period. I will miss people so so much. The short few months we have here (less than two!) are going to fly by. I can't believe that in a few short months, we won't have James popping his head in to ask if we want to go to the 24 hour store, and we won't be comparing the values of the Co-op, Tesco, Somerfields and Fultons. We won't even have those grocery stores! It is just so strange.
This all started to form in my mind yesterday, when I walked in on Jen and Liz talking about it. Then earlier today Becca and I made a run to the 24 hour store, and we saw a kid in jeans and a white shirt on the street. Becca thought it might be James; it wasn't but I realized I will probably never just run into James on the street again. So strange. Ah! I know this is all really odd and repetitive to read--but I guess I've only just realized how settled into this life I've become in such a short time. Humans can adapt so quickly! It is quiet astonishing.
It doesn't hurt that it feels like a summer night. To sit in your kitchen, eating popsicles and candy with good friends, laughing and chatting idly, hearing people doing the same out of open windows, and smelling the grass and dirt and flowers is truly a good way to live. For all the annoyances and inconveniences of Sheffield, the slower life and comfort of Taptonville is really wonderful. I will miss my Taptonville family very very much.
Meagan
I will miss sitting in the kitchen, watching Taptonville TV with my flatmates as we eat dinner, leaning out the windows to talk to friends and neighbors, and watching the Aussie boys devise silly games out of boredom. Tonight, Kiernan came over for dinner, which soon morphed into a big gab fest with random neighbors who saw us in the kitchen and called up through the open windows to be let in. These people came and went, getting kabobs and chocolate (the best friends of any student in the UK) and new ones took their seats; flatmates drifted in and out. Our dingy little flat is truly a home. We've made it a place where neighbors feel comfortable bringing food over to cook simply so they can hang out with us, where people come if their shower is misbehaving, a place to just crash and enjoy themselves. The fact that it is so accessible is just one of its many charms. We've all grown so close. I find myself qualifying my friends, saying "Oh [insert name of Sheffield person here] is one of my best friends here" and I realized that no, they are just some of my best friends, period. I will miss people so so much. The short few months we have here (less than two!) are going to fly by. I can't believe that in a few short months, we won't have James popping his head in to ask if we want to go to the 24 hour store, and we won't be comparing the values of the Co-op, Tesco, Somerfields and Fultons. We won't even have those grocery stores! It is just so strange.
This all started to form in my mind yesterday, when I walked in on Jen and Liz talking about it. Then earlier today Becca and I made a run to the 24 hour store, and we saw a kid in jeans and a white shirt on the street. Becca thought it might be James; it wasn't but I realized I will probably never just run into James on the street again. So strange. Ah! I know this is all really odd and repetitive to read--but I guess I've only just realized how settled into this life I've become in such a short time. Humans can adapt so quickly! It is quiet astonishing.
It doesn't hurt that it feels like a summer night. To sit in your kitchen, eating popsicles and candy with good friends, laughing and chatting idly, hearing people doing the same out of open windows, and smelling the grass and dirt and flowers is truly a good way to live. For all the annoyances and inconveniences of Sheffield, the slower life and comfort of Taptonville is really wonderful. I will miss my Taptonville family very very much.
Meagan
Lemon powders
Natalie and I ventured to Manchester for a Camera Obscura show on Friday. The trip up to Glasgow became nearly impossible to put together (especially since we both have essays due this week) and so we opted for the show in Manchester instead. It was a good show, but ended quite early (9:30). The curfew for all ages shows is apparently 10 pm? Way too early if you ask me, but oh well. These silly Brits.
I have gotten sick, just when I have to crack down and do some real work. Essays are due this week and next, and then its a bit of a break before the onslaught of exams in late May. I have three papers due on May 29, and one sit in final (four hours, write two essays basically) on June 1. After that I have ten days to hang out, travel?, and pack up my Sheffield existence for the flight home.
Here at University of Sheffield, all students are required to submit two copies of each essay. These are marked by not only one marker but two, and an aggregate score is used to give your final grade. I am very nervous, since my essay thus far is crap. Oh well. That is what I get for putting it off I suppose. For my Modern Lit class, a third year (or final year here) module, this paper is worth 50% of my grade. The sit in final is worth the over half. It is on the representation and function of race in Conrad's Heart of Darkness. Yeah. Fun. I know.
If anyone has any ideas for a summer job I could get, let me know. Or if you want to just support me for the summer, I am open to the idea of a rich benefactor.
Okay, back to the essay/research/avoiding the internet and the copious amounts of tea and water I keep pouring down my throat. I really want to focus, but the phlegm is making it hard. Ew.
I have gotten sick, just when I have to crack down and do some real work. Essays are due this week and next, and then its a bit of a break before the onslaught of exams in late May. I have three papers due on May 29, and one sit in final (four hours, write two essays basically) on June 1. After that I have ten days to hang out, travel?, and pack up my Sheffield existence for the flight home.
Here at University of Sheffield, all students are required to submit two copies of each essay. These are marked by not only one marker but two, and an aggregate score is used to give your final grade. I am very nervous, since my essay thus far is crap. Oh well. That is what I get for putting it off I suppose. For my Modern Lit class, a third year (or final year here) module, this paper is worth 50% of my grade. The sit in final is worth the over half. It is on the representation and function of race in Conrad's Heart of Darkness. Yeah. Fun. I know.
If anyone has any ideas for a summer job I could get, let me know. Or if you want to just support me for the summer, I am open to the idea of a rich benefactor.
Okay, back to the essay/research/avoiding the internet and the copious amounts of tea and water I keep pouring down my throat. I really want to focus, but the phlegm is making it hard. Ew.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
To Paris and back to Steel City
Ah Paris.
I am back in Sheffield after a three week journey across western Europe. As detailed in previous posts, I traveled to Scotland, Italy, Germany, and Paris. Paris, which I have not yet written about, is beyond words. I really can't tell all that we did (and it would be really boring for you to read I am sure) but it was a really fun time. I traveled there with my friend Carl, and Kiernan and Amy joined us for two days. After spending so much time with people who are not Sheffieldites it was nice to see them again! I missed my flatmates (and neighbor kids) far more than I thought I would. It is really strange how close you get to people when you are thrust into such a wild and unknown situation such as study abroad. I know that even though I will not see all of them very often (if ever again) it is a great thing to have them in my life. Ugh. So sappy.
Liz is playing some song called "I whooped spiderman's ass" in the kitchen. I love being back.
Sheffield has bloomed in my absence. The trees are full of leaves and flowers, the air is scented with flowers, and the grass is green. The sky is even blue too! It is amazing.
This weekend Emily, Natalie and I are going up to Glasgow for a Camera Obscura concert. We are very excited! Trips to Ireland (Aran Islands and Dublin) and Norway are also in the works. Many things to look forward to (and papers to write) in a very short two months. Hopefully they will remain lovely and pretty.
Oh gosh, now the song is about Chuckie, the murdering doll. Oh my.
I think it is time to go join the roomies and then fake my homework (as usual.)
Love,
Meagan
I am back in Sheffield after a three week journey across western Europe. As detailed in previous posts, I traveled to Scotland, Italy, Germany, and Paris. Paris, which I have not yet written about, is beyond words. I really can't tell all that we did (and it would be really boring for you to read I am sure) but it was a really fun time. I traveled there with my friend Carl, and Kiernan and Amy joined us for two days. After spending so much time with people who are not Sheffieldites it was nice to see them again! I missed my flatmates (and neighbor kids) far more than I thought I would. It is really strange how close you get to people when you are thrust into such a wild and unknown situation such as study abroad. I know that even though I will not see all of them very often (if ever again) it is a great thing to have them in my life. Ugh. So sappy.
Liz is playing some song called "I whooped spiderman's ass" in the kitchen. I love being back.
Sheffield has bloomed in my absence. The trees are full of leaves and flowers, the air is scented with flowers, and the grass is green. The sky is even blue too! It is amazing.
This weekend Emily, Natalie and I are going up to Glasgow for a Camera Obscura concert. We are very excited! Trips to Ireland (Aran Islands and Dublin) and Norway are also in the works. Many things to look forward to (and papers to write) in a very short two months. Hopefully they will remain lovely and pretty.
Oh gosh, now the song is about Chuckie, the murdering doll. Oh my.
I think it is time to go join the roomies and then fake my homework (as usual.)
Love,
Meagan
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Ostern
Hello all!
So far in Germany I have:
slept. a lot.
showered two days in a row (something new on this trip)
climbed a very small mountain/very large hill
ridden the largest cable car in germany
hiked around the top of a mountain in the black hills
been told by a small boy i bought something from that i speak poorly
watched seasons two and three of arrested development
realized my german is not as bad as i thought but definitely not as good as it should be
gone to a german football game
eaten lots of german food
danced like a maniac at the student bar
it is easter and jacob is cooking a feast for myself and one of his german friends who is here for the holiday. happy easter everyone!
So far in Germany I have:
slept. a lot.
showered two days in a row (something new on this trip)
climbed a very small mountain/very large hill
ridden the largest cable car in germany
hiked around the top of a mountain in the black hills
been told by a small boy i bought something from that i speak poorly
watched seasons two and three of arrested development
realized my german is not as bad as i thought but definitely not as good as it should be
gone to a german football game
eaten lots of german food
danced like a maniac at the student bar
it is easter and jacob is cooking a feast for myself and one of his german friends who is here for the holiday. happy easter everyone!
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Jacob's Ladder
Hey hey hey!
I am in Germany! Freiburg (or the tiny tiny tiny portion of it which I have seen) is really pretty. A total difference from the bustling world that is Rome.
As for Italy, I felt amazingly comfortable there. George and I barely skimmed the surface, but that surface is beautiful and rich in history and very friendly. Time after time, we encountered people who were friendly, kind, incredibly helpful and generally good. It was a nice change from the polite but distant British. While it is nice to live in a country where people are never rude, a little passion and feeling was nice to encounter once again.
It is pointless to detail all the things we did in this forum, so contact me if you really want a blow-by-blow account. Instead, I will list a few of the things we did that made my heart skip a beat and make me smile thinking back and are already memories I cherish.
1) St. Peter's Basilica. I have never encountered something so truly magnificent. The fact that human beings can create something so ingenious (the dome) and beautiful (all of it) is really remarkable. As far as I'm concerned, one of the most inspiring and spiritually invigorating places I have ever seen.
2)The Roman Forum. Big. Giant. Old. Freaking cool.
3)George and I spent one night in Rome sitting on the rooftop terrace of our hotel eating fresh mozzarella, some fresh Italian sausage (pepperoni??), bread and a red Italian wine. Cliche? Yeah. Simply wonderful? Of course!
4) The kind old lady at the bus stop in Florence. She tried so hard to help us, although we don't speak a word of Italian and she doesn't speak a word of English, and through some smiles, pointing, and basic words and names, we were able to get directions from a cute lady. With a well maintained bike, as Jorge will tell you.
5)Exploring. Being a tourist is something we all like to think we aren't when we go to new places, we like to think we are just these cool hip young kids who are really getting a true cultural experience. But we aren't really, and I think accepting that made it possible for George and I to just enjoy what we did see and absorb what was going on around us. Small things, like buying a panini and wine from an old Italian man, figuring out a foreign bus system, and finding our way around a large, complicated old city are things that I'm glad to have done and will remember fondly.
Having a chance to do these things, and so so much more, with a good friend and great traveling companion was an amazing opportunity that I am very grateful for. It was a magical two weeks, and made me realize just how lucky I am to have friends like George (and all the friends I got updates on from him!) in my life. To all you in Chicago, it is two short months and a few days before I fly back, and I am excited to have adventures with you back in the States. We have so much of our own country left to explore and see, and I want to do it all with you.
As I'm now in Germany, it is back to trying to understand the German kids on Jacob's floor (so far so good, they are really nice and I like them!) and seeing a fairly average German town and college life. A week of relaxation will be great. Seeing Jacob from the bus window was rather surreal. Comforting as all get out, and possibly the best feeling I had all day.
To all you back in Chicago, I love and miss you dearly.
To all you scattered around the world, I am so happy that we are getting these opportunities and I hope things are going well for you. Please keep in touch and let me know.
To my fellow Sheffield kiddos, I can't wait to meet up in the kitchen, make some fries and pasta, share stories, cuddle in Jenny's bed, and laugh as we finally get together once again.
Sorry I'm so sappy today; it has been a long and emotional day with a lot of time for thought.
Love,
Meagan
I am in Germany! Freiburg (or the tiny tiny tiny portion of it which I have seen) is really pretty. A total difference from the bustling world that is Rome.
As for Italy, I felt amazingly comfortable there. George and I barely skimmed the surface, but that surface is beautiful and rich in history and very friendly. Time after time, we encountered people who were friendly, kind, incredibly helpful and generally good. It was a nice change from the polite but distant British. While it is nice to live in a country where people are never rude, a little passion and feeling was nice to encounter once again.
It is pointless to detail all the things we did in this forum, so contact me if you really want a blow-by-blow account. Instead, I will list a few of the things we did that made my heart skip a beat and make me smile thinking back and are already memories I cherish.
1) St. Peter's Basilica. I have never encountered something so truly magnificent. The fact that human beings can create something so ingenious (the dome) and beautiful (all of it) is really remarkable. As far as I'm concerned, one of the most inspiring and spiritually invigorating places I have ever seen.
2)The Roman Forum. Big. Giant. Old. Freaking cool.
3)George and I spent one night in Rome sitting on the rooftop terrace of our hotel eating fresh mozzarella, some fresh Italian sausage (pepperoni??), bread and a red Italian wine. Cliche? Yeah. Simply wonderful? Of course!
4) The kind old lady at the bus stop in Florence. She tried so hard to help us, although we don't speak a word of Italian and she doesn't speak a word of English, and through some smiles, pointing, and basic words and names, we were able to get directions from a cute lady. With a well maintained bike, as Jorge will tell you.
5)Exploring. Being a tourist is something we all like to think we aren't when we go to new places, we like to think we are just these cool hip young kids who are really getting a true cultural experience. But we aren't really, and I think accepting that made it possible for George and I to just enjoy what we did see and absorb what was going on around us. Small things, like buying a panini and wine from an old Italian man, figuring out a foreign bus system, and finding our way around a large, complicated old city are things that I'm glad to have done and will remember fondly.
Having a chance to do these things, and so so much more, with a good friend and great traveling companion was an amazing opportunity that I am very grateful for. It was a magical two weeks, and made me realize just how lucky I am to have friends like George (and all the friends I got updates on from him!) in my life. To all you in Chicago, it is two short months and a few days before I fly back, and I am excited to have adventures with you back in the States. We have so much of our own country left to explore and see, and I want to do it all with you.
As I'm now in Germany, it is back to trying to understand the German kids on Jacob's floor (so far so good, they are really nice and I like them!) and seeing a fairly average German town and college life. A week of relaxation will be great. Seeing Jacob from the bus window was rather surreal. Comforting as all get out, and possibly the best feeling I had all day.
To all you back in Chicago, I love and miss you dearly.
To all you scattered around the world, I am so happy that we are getting these opportunities and I hope things are going well for you. Please keep in touch and let me know.
To my fellow Sheffield kiddos, I can't wait to meet up in the kitchen, make some fries and pasta, share stories, cuddle in Jenny's bed, and laugh as we finally get together once again.
Sorry I'm so sappy today; it has been a long and emotional day with a lot of time for thought.
Love,
Meagan
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
On the hunt?
Why hello my friends!
I am now in Glasgow, home of Scottish industry, an amazing Cathedral and necropolis, and, of course, Belle & Sebastian. George and I arrived this morning after the easiest bus-catching of my life (we literally walked into the bus station, heard a fat Scottish man yell "Glasgow" and got on the bus) and have checked into our hostel, where we have to pay for TV but have our own bathroom. So. We shouldn't be watching TV anyways, although last night did provide us with the most hilarious show ever broadcast.
So you know Chippendales? The male strippers? You know people with physical disabilities, who are sometimes cruelly referred to as cripples?
Ladies and Gentleman, may I present the Crippendales.
Disabled men with the desire to be male strippers work towards their dream--and then it is broadcast on TV, nasty bits and all. Yes, that is right. Genitalia was on television. It was shocking and horrid and hilarious and the funniest thing on TV just about ever.
So far in Glasgow not much has been done; just a lot of walking and the Cathedral really. We had a really good lunch, and are walking to Glasgow University (former school of many B&S members!) and generally enjoying the FREEZING COLD WEATHER.
Oh! We went to Loch Ness yesterday. Nessie totally came and hung out with us. She's a cool prehistoric monster. She told me how she ended up in Loch Ness, but its kind of embarassing and she's shy, so I promised not to tell. I can tell you, however, that the Scottish Highlands are breathtaking. Sheer rock for miles and miles with heather everywhere and goats and tiny villages along perfectly still lochs. It was awe-inspiring. A ruin of a castle sits on Loch Ness and we were lucky enough to explore it before going out on the boat. It was really neat.
In food news: I finally ate a bagel. Apparently, the UK is bereft of bagels as well as Mexican food, but Glasgow has the good sense to have this shop called Bagel Mania. It's a chain, but who cares, its bagels. A wide variety too. Delicious. I told the girl at the till that I was really excited and hadn't had a bagel in over two months and she was like, ohhh okay and thought I was nuts. But really--two bagel-less months for a food obessive like myself is quite difficult.
Glasgow is charming. At first we thought it was a bit rough looking, but its not. It's lovely and sweet and makes me want to walk down the streets on a warm night wearing dresses with my best friends, laughing til our sides hurt. Maybe some other time.
Love,
Meagan
I am now in Glasgow, home of Scottish industry, an amazing Cathedral and necropolis, and, of course, Belle & Sebastian. George and I arrived this morning after the easiest bus-catching of my life (we literally walked into the bus station, heard a fat Scottish man yell "Glasgow" and got on the bus) and have checked into our hostel, where we have to pay for TV but have our own bathroom. So. We shouldn't be watching TV anyways, although last night did provide us with the most hilarious show ever broadcast.
So you know Chippendales? The male strippers? You know people with physical disabilities, who are sometimes cruelly referred to as cripples?
Ladies and Gentleman, may I present the Crippendales.
Disabled men with the desire to be male strippers work towards their dream--and then it is broadcast on TV, nasty bits and all. Yes, that is right. Genitalia was on television. It was shocking and horrid and hilarious and the funniest thing on TV just about ever.
So far in Glasgow not much has been done; just a lot of walking and the Cathedral really. We had a really good lunch, and are walking to Glasgow University (former school of many B&S members!) and generally enjoying the FREEZING COLD WEATHER.
Oh! We went to Loch Ness yesterday. Nessie totally came and hung out with us. She's a cool prehistoric monster. She told me how she ended up in Loch Ness, but its kind of embarassing and she's shy, so I promised not to tell. I can tell you, however, that the Scottish Highlands are breathtaking. Sheer rock for miles and miles with heather everywhere and goats and tiny villages along perfectly still lochs. It was awe-inspiring. A ruin of a castle sits on Loch Ness and we were lucky enough to explore it before going out on the boat. It was really neat.
In food news: I finally ate a bagel. Apparently, the UK is bereft of bagels as well as Mexican food, but Glasgow has the good sense to have this shop called Bagel Mania. It's a chain, but who cares, its bagels. A wide variety too. Delicious. I told the girl at the till that I was really excited and hadn't had a bagel in over two months and she was like, ohhh okay and thought I was nuts. But really--two bagel-less months for a food obessive like myself is quite difficult.
Glasgow is charming. At first we thought it was a bit rough looking, but its not. It's lovely and sweet and makes me want to walk down the streets on a warm night wearing dresses with my best friends, laughing til our sides hurt. Maybe some other time.
Love,
Meagan
Monday, March 26, 2007
Scotland!
Okay--
We're here. We're alive. We're having fun.
Edinburgh is fantastic, a really beautiful city that is easy to get around. We've walked approx ten miles today (ten billion according to george) and it has been really fun. Edinburgh Castle is beyond cool. GO THERE.
There is so much history and so many stories in each stone and building. It makes you feel very small and young and helps you realize what a long story these places in Europe have. Wowzers.
Tomorrow it is off to Loch Ness and the Highlands!!! HOORAH!!! I will find Nessie for all my loves back home, no worries!!
We're here. We're alive. We're having fun.
Edinburgh is fantastic, a really beautiful city that is easy to get around. We've walked approx ten miles today (ten billion according to george) and it has been really fun. Edinburgh Castle is beyond cool. GO THERE.
There is so much history and so many stories in each stone and building. It makes you feel very small and young and helps you realize what a long story these places in Europe have. Wowzers.
Tomorrow it is off to Loch Ness and the Highlands!!! HOORAH!!! I will find Nessie for all my loves back home, no worries!!
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
It has all but begun
I turned in my first Sheffield essay just now! I am a bit nervous about it, but it should be fine. I was informed yesterday by my professor for Modern Lit that the British system "prefers hard work over any sort of creativity or original thought." Sounds a little bitter to me.It is true, however, that they are very interested not necessarily in what you as a student have to say. They really just want to see that you've studied what OTHERS have said and are able to research/reference/quote the shit out of actual scholars. The lack of creativity is a litle depressing to an ex-OMer, but it is one of those small (and annoying) cultural differences you never expect. You also do not turn papers in to your professor. All papers are turned in to the department office by a certain time and must be processed by the office before they reach the marker (grader). You have to sign some forms stating word count, that you didn't plagiarize, etc. It's all rather formal and intimidating. It is a very different style, and I don't think I quite got it right for my paper. We shall see.
Tomorrow George is arriving! This marks the effective end of any work being done by myself, and so is really the beginning of Easter break (forget freedom from religion, they don't do things PC and call it spring break over here, nope, it is allllll about the resurrection of Christ) and with Easter break lots of fun plans!
George will be arriving Wednesday, and then Thursday I will briefly have my Irish Writing seminar on (gasp) ULYSSES! Ahhhhh. Yeah. Fun. I looove Joyce. Otherwise lots of Sheffield exploration and hangouts will be taking place. On Sunday we leave for Scotland and will be there for about four and a half days, then its off to Italy, on April 3 George and I split ways and he heads back to the US and I head to Germany. There I will see my friend from high school, Jacob, and hike around the Black Forest, eat some good food (FINALLY) and generally revel in being in Germany again. Then it is off to Paris with Carl, and hopefully Becca my flatmate will be joining us. The chance to see so many places is really exciting and I can't believe this is actually happening. I will be sure to send lots of postcards when I can, and will upload pics to facebook once i get back. Hoorah!
I won't be able to check the nets much, except while at Jacob's, so I apologize for any tardiness in answering emails or any of those other internet ways in which we communicate. Please still send them, however-- I love to hear about all of your lives and adventures! Send me some encouragement as well: when I get back I have several more essays to write and very little time to do so. Part of this is my own fault, as I am going to Glasgow with Natalie and Emily to see Camera Obscura in April. I may have posted about this already, but I am very excited, and so gush about it. A lot.
Love,
Meagan
Tomorrow George is arriving! This marks the effective end of any work being done by myself, and so is really the beginning of Easter break (forget freedom from religion, they don't do things PC and call it spring break over here, nope, it is allllll about the resurrection of Christ) and with Easter break lots of fun plans!
George will be arriving Wednesday, and then Thursday I will briefly have my Irish Writing seminar on (gasp) ULYSSES! Ahhhhh. Yeah. Fun. I looove Joyce. Otherwise lots of Sheffield exploration and hangouts will be taking place. On Sunday we leave for Scotland and will be there for about four and a half days, then its off to Italy, on April 3 George and I split ways and he heads back to the US and I head to Germany. There I will see my friend from high school, Jacob, and hike around the Black Forest, eat some good food (FINALLY) and generally revel in being in Germany again. Then it is off to Paris with Carl, and hopefully Becca my flatmate will be joining us. The chance to see so many places is really exciting and I can't believe this is actually happening. I will be sure to send lots of postcards when I can, and will upload pics to facebook once i get back. Hoorah!
I won't be able to check the nets much, except while at Jacob's, so I apologize for any tardiness in answering emails or any of those other internet ways in which we communicate. Please still send them, however-- I love to hear about all of your lives and adventures! Send me some encouragement as well: when I get back I have several more essays to write and very little time to do so. Part of this is my own fault, as I am going to Glasgow with Natalie and Emily to see Camera Obscura in April. I may have posted about this already, but I am very excited, and so gush about it. A lot.
Love,
Meagan
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Word counts and window cleaners
Hello all!
This is the time where Sheffield students snap out of their reverie and partying ways (or at least the international students do) and start the hard work. The library suddenly is always full, computers are in high demand, and the flats are suprisingly quiet at night. This is when the essays are set. (They say set, not assigned.) In my American lit class, the questions were just emailed out to our Sheffield accounts (which I barely check) and not a word was said about them in class. Luckily a girl mentioned it and I ran to look at my email. Yup, I have an essay due next Tuesday by noon. Not to exceed 1500 words, including footnotes, or I will be up for review and can fail for not folling the rubric restrictions. These Brits do not mess around. My essay so far is crap. Whatevs. I just want to get it in.
To give you all an idea of the work assigned here, I will give you the work I was supposed to have done this weekend:
Read Women in Love-D.H. Lawrence: 542 pages
Read Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man-James Joyce: don't know pages, but long and dense
Read Scarlet Letter-Nathaniel Hawthorne: pages unknown, but sort of long
Start paper for Early American lit.
Do weekly WebCT (Blackboard) assignment.
Come up with 6 questions on Scarlet Letter.
Make notes on role of water in Portrait.
This wasn't even a bad week. Just a normal one.
I only read part of Portrait, did the 6 questions for Am Lit, and finished Women in Love. Oh well. I just started the paper today. I am hopefully going to be done by Friday night/Saturday morning, as Saturday is St. Patrick's Day, and my roommates are planning to go all out. Three of them are Irish, so its a huge deal to them.
My plans for the week:
homework
homework
paper
hangouts
St. Patrick's Day madness
final spring break planning/booking/prep
clean room
do laundry
freak out
A week from today George is coming to visit me! He gets in Wednesday morning while I am in seminar, so it will be an exciting run up the hill after to see him. I am really looking forward to it. It will be nice to have a face from home around.
Today the window cleaners came to Taptonville. Liz and I sat in the kitchen and laughed as they cleaned the kitchen windows of the opposite flat and James skittered around trying to avoid them. Karma does exist, because while I was changing my pants, the cleaner came up to my window. Luckily he didn't see anything, I had finished. Thank goodness. So lesson learned: if window cleaners are here, remember to shut your blinds.
It is beautiful here in Sheffield. The weather has taken a huge upturn. It has been warm spring days for awhile, with the sun warming your hair and everything. I've been able to wear just a light jacket! Hopefully the weather will stay nice and George and I will be able to go out into the Peak District for some "hiking" as they think of it. It really is just extreme walking.
The attitudes of British kids towards school is hard to identify. They always go out (like 5 nights a week, no joke) and claim to have never done the work, but they are lying. The kids in my classes have been really insightful and made good points. I can't keep up. They look at different things in their analysis as well. In the States we seem to do much more character analysis and close reading, while here there is a lot of talk about theory and the literary tradition pieces are a part of in the classes. It is hard to adjust, but I think it is making me at least aware of these different ways of looking at literature.
Love and kisses to all my dearies in Chicago.
Me
This is the time where Sheffield students snap out of their reverie and partying ways (or at least the international students do) and start the hard work. The library suddenly is always full, computers are in high demand, and the flats are suprisingly quiet at night. This is when the essays are set. (They say set, not assigned.) In my American lit class, the questions were just emailed out to our Sheffield accounts (which I barely check) and not a word was said about them in class. Luckily a girl mentioned it and I ran to look at my email. Yup, I have an essay due next Tuesday by noon. Not to exceed 1500 words, including footnotes, or I will be up for review and can fail for not folling the rubric restrictions. These Brits do not mess around. My essay so far is crap. Whatevs. I just want to get it in.
To give you all an idea of the work assigned here, I will give you the work I was supposed to have done this weekend:
Read Women in Love-D.H. Lawrence: 542 pages
Read Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man-James Joyce: don't know pages, but long and dense
Read Scarlet Letter-Nathaniel Hawthorne: pages unknown, but sort of long
Start paper for Early American lit.
Do weekly WebCT (Blackboard) assignment.
Come up with 6 questions on Scarlet Letter.
Make notes on role of water in Portrait.
This wasn't even a bad week. Just a normal one.
I only read part of Portrait, did the 6 questions for Am Lit, and finished Women in Love. Oh well. I just started the paper today. I am hopefully going to be done by Friday night/Saturday morning, as Saturday is St. Patrick's Day, and my roommates are planning to go all out. Three of them are Irish, so its a huge deal to them.
My plans for the week:
homework
homework
paper
hangouts
St. Patrick's Day madness
final spring break planning/booking/prep
clean room
do laundry
freak out
A week from today George is coming to visit me! He gets in Wednesday morning while I am in seminar, so it will be an exciting run up the hill after to see him. I am really looking forward to it. It will be nice to have a face from home around.
Today the window cleaners came to Taptonville. Liz and I sat in the kitchen and laughed as they cleaned the kitchen windows of the opposite flat and James skittered around trying to avoid them. Karma does exist, because while I was changing my pants, the cleaner came up to my window. Luckily he didn't see anything, I had finished. Thank goodness. So lesson learned: if window cleaners are here, remember to shut your blinds.
It is beautiful here in Sheffield. The weather has taken a huge upturn. It has been warm spring days for awhile, with the sun warming your hair and everything. I've been able to wear just a light jacket! Hopefully the weather will stay nice and George and I will be able to go out into the Peak District for some "hiking" as they think of it. It really is just extreme walking.
The attitudes of British kids towards school is hard to identify. They always go out (like 5 nights a week, no joke) and claim to have never done the work, but they are lying. The kids in my classes have been really insightful and made good points. I can't keep up. They look at different things in their analysis as well. In the States we seem to do much more character analysis and close reading, while here there is a lot of talk about theory and the literary tradition pieces are a part of in the classes. It is hard to adjust, but I think it is making me at least aware of these different ways of looking at literature.
Love and kisses to all my dearies in Chicago.
Me
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Paws Please
Today my flatmate Liz and I ventured to a pet shop down the hill and around the block to see the guinea pigs, dogs, and fish. We were suprised with bunnies and birds! It was lovely to see and pet and smell animals again. The dogs were these big ole nasty mutts that just wanted love. The younger, more active one (my favorite) was the strangest looking thing, and its tongue was too long for its mouth. Adorable. It was good to have animals around again. THey really do make life easier.
The reason Liz took me there is that my computer is basically dead. It freaked out on me late last night and will not turn on. I did lose it for awhile, but I am now much calmer about the whole situation. I really only use the computer to check email and to write papers. Luckily, I have wonderful flatmates who have done their best to make this easier and are letting me use their computers. I am in the library right now, and am sure that I will be able to find a way to manage without a computer for three months. Once I get home, there is always the Student Center until I can afford a new laptop. In my attempt to see this in the best possible light, I now have a reason to get the new cute little baby Mac I've been coveting for quite some time. Before I couldn't justify it, but thanks to screwy English voltage and the outlets that you have to turn on and off (or apparently kill your computer, but then again, I still don't know what exactly has happened) I will be able to justify it.
So in June, if you're thinking, man, what should I get Meagan for her 21st birthday, don't buy me some bottle of alcohol or some tshirt. Just hand me twenty bucks and wish me luck with technology.
THanks loves. I hope everyone is having a good day. Suprisingly, for having a nasty cold and no computer, I am.
Hope all is well wherever in the world you may be,
Meagan
The reason Liz took me there is that my computer is basically dead. It freaked out on me late last night and will not turn on. I did lose it for awhile, but I am now much calmer about the whole situation. I really only use the computer to check email and to write papers. Luckily, I have wonderful flatmates who have done their best to make this easier and are letting me use their computers. I am in the library right now, and am sure that I will be able to find a way to manage without a computer for three months. Once I get home, there is always the Student Center until I can afford a new laptop. In my attempt to see this in the best possible light, I now have a reason to get the new cute little baby Mac I've been coveting for quite some time. Before I couldn't justify it, but thanks to screwy English voltage and the outlets that you have to turn on and off (or apparently kill your computer, but then again, I still don't know what exactly has happened) I will be able to justify it.
So in June, if you're thinking, man, what should I get Meagan for her 21st birthday, don't buy me some bottle of alcohol or some tshirt. Just hand me twenty bucks and wish me luck with technology.
THanks loves. I hope everyone is having a good day. Suprisingly, for having a nasty cold and no computer, I am.
Hope all is well wherever in the world you may be,
Meagan
Sunday, March 4, 2007
This is not a hot dog.
Yesterday was a very eventful day, starting at about 7 am when I dragged myself out of bed and to the Give it a go trip to Stratford upon Avon. This is, of course, the hometown of William Shakespeare. It was beautiful, a perfect example of what an idyllic English village would look like. The skies were blue, it smelled like summer (summer, not spring) we got to walk through nice quiet neighborhoods, and saw sheep, dogs, ducks, and a horse. It was beautiful. We didn't even go into the Shakespeare houses (too expensive, and just old houses) but we did go to Holy Trinity Church where he was buried. It was a really lovely church. Unlike some of the cathedrals and such that were in the other places I've been, it wasn't restored and made to look perfect. The outside was crumbling in places, it still looked authentic, and it was set in the middle of a beautiful, peaceful cemetery looking out over the River Avon. It was my favorite place in Stratford. I really like cemeteries. It tells a lot about a culture, I think, to see how they care for their dead. We also stopped at a cemetery that was just off the road--no famous poets, no special frills. Just a normal, English cemetery. The graves weren't that old (at least in the areas we went) but stretched from the 1920's to today. It was really beautiful and touching to see them.
On a far less depressing note, last night was the dance party madness known as Poptarts. Poptarts is a huge dance party at the Union every Saturday night. It has two rooms: 60's/70's and 80's/90's. If you don't like a song in one, you just go to the next room. The music was fantastic. All night they just kept throwing out songs you couldn't help but bop along with, fling yourself around at times, and sing at the top of your lungs. It was odd too-- in the States, when people go out dancing they generally start dancing with members of the opposite sex that they meet there/run into/think are cute. Here, no one was dancing with/approaching/talking to the people they didn't come with or did not already know. I was sure that a large group of girls, all dressed up fancy and pretty, would get some dance partners (or offers of such). Nope. Not a single guy approached us or any other girls I saw and tried to dance with her. The English reserve I suppose? Small little things like this are so strange to notice. People don't approach each other in bars either or just randomly start talking to you. Even when you bump into someone, which often leads to a short conversation, merits nothing here. Sometimes not even an "Excuse me" or the English's third favorite phrase "Sorry." I can see how people think of Americans as very forward and obnoxious, seeing as we start conversations with total strangers often. Oh well. Different strokes for different folks. At least we didn't have unwanted creeps hitting on us. I went with a bunch of people from Taptonville. Everyone, I think, had a really great time and got a great workout. Some people opted for a taxi home, but Natalie, Emily, Carl and I braved the long, uphill walk home. Our feet were killing us, but I think the extra exercise was worth it. Plus, the chats and laughs on the way were priceless.
Something I learned last night: The English cannot make hot dogs. They just can't. We paid 2.20 pounds for a hot dog each (Kiernan and I split one) and those things just were not good. I don't know what they were. But not hot dogs, as Emily will tell you.
On a far less depressing note, last night was the dance party madness known as Poptarts. Poptarts is a huge dance party at the Union every Saturday night. It has two rooms: 60's/70's and 80's/90's. If you don't like a song in one, you just go to the next room. The music was fantastic. All night they just kept throwing out songs you couldn't help but bop along with, fling yourself around at times, and sing at the top of your lungs. It was odd too-- in the States, when people go out dancing they generally start dancing with members of the opposite sex that they meet there/run into/think are cute. Here, no one was dancing with/approaching/talking to the people they didn't come with or did not already know. I was sure that a large group of girls, all dressed up fancy and pretty, would get some dance partners (or offers of such). Nope. Not a single guy approached us or any other girls I saw and tried to dance with her. The English reserve I suppose? Small little things like this are so strange to notice. People don't approach each other in bars either or just randomly start talking to you. Even when you bump into someone, which often leads to a short conversation, merits nothing here. Sometimes not even an "Excuse me" or the English's third favorite phrase "Sorry." I can see how people think of Americans as very forward and obnoxious, seeing as we start conversations with total strangers often. Oh well. Different strokes for different folks. At least we didn't have unwanted creeps hitting on us. I went with a bunch of people from Taptonville. Everyone, I think, had a really great time and got a great workout. Some people opted for a taxi home, but Natalie, Emily, Carl and I braved the long, uphill walk home. Our feet were killing us, but I think the extra exercise was worth it. Plus, the chats and laughs on the way were priceless.
Something I learned last night: The English cannot make hot dogs. They just can't. We paid 2.20 pounds for a hot dog each (Kiernan and I split one) and those things just were not good. I don't know what they were. But not hot dogs, as Emily will tell you.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Okay, sorry, here is the edited version for the overbearing parents
I need a roommate for the summer and next academic year. If you know people let me know. Thanks.
I'm going to Stratford upon Avon on Saturday, and then the pre-poptarts-party at Flat 43, and then Poptarts, a dance party at the Union. Should be a good time.
I'm going to Stratford upon Avon on Saturday, and then the pre-poptarts-party at Flat 43, and then Poptarts, a dance party at the Union. Should be a good time.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Thanks Simon
So! Today was the big "book hostels for George and I in Scotland and Italy" day. And it went swimmingly! Here are the solidified, set in stone, charged to the credit card plans:
March 21-25: George arrives in Sheffield. We hang out, he gets grilled by roommates, Carl, etc all while recovering from jet lag. I laugh, and don't let him nap (it's for his own good!)
March 25: Leave for Edinburgh
March 25-27: Edinburgh with a day trip to the Highlands
March 28: Glasgow! Stalk Belle & Sebastian, drag George along.
March 29: hang out in Glasgow, fly to Rome
March 29 (late evening): Arrive in Rome
March 20-31: Rome
March 31: Train to Florence
April 1-2: Florence, catch late train back to Rome
April 3: George leaves for Chicago. I leave for Freiburg.
April 3-10: Hang out with Jacob in Freiburg.
These are the tentative plans post all of that:
April 10: take train/plane to Paris. Meet Kiernana and Carl.
April 10-13?: Soak up as much Paris as we can get. Be giddy.
April 13 or 14: get a plane back to Sheffield, trudge up Tapton Hill, collapse in our beds, shower properly, do tons of work.
This will be the craziest, busiest, most hectic three weeks of my life. I can hardly wait.
March 21-25: George arrives in Sheffield. We hang out, he gets grilled by roommates, Carl, etc all while recovering from jet lag. I laugh, and don't let him nap (it's for his own good!)
March 25: Leave for Edinburgh
March 25-27: Edinburgh with a day trip to the Highlands
March 28: Glasgow! Stalk Belle & Sebastian, drag George along.
March 29: hang out in Glasgow, fly to Rome
March 29 (late evening): Arrive in Rome
March 20-31: Rome
March 31: Train to Florence
April 1-2: Florence, catch late train back to Rome
April 3: George leaves for Chicago. I leave for Freiburg.
April 3-10: Hang out with Jacob in Freiburg.
These are the tentative plans post all of that:
April 10: take train/plane to Paris. Meet Kiernana and Carl.
April 10-13?: Soak up as much Paris as we can get. Be giddy.
April 13 or 14: get a plane back to Sheffield, trudge up Tapton Hill, collapse in our beds, shower properly, do tons of work.
This will be the craziest, busiest, most hectic three weeks of my life. I can hardly wait.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
UPDATE
I've figured out how to change the time on my blog, and so it now says the time here in Sheffield at the bottom of each post. Lame update, I know. But apparently some people didn't see the part where I explained that the blog was on Chicago time previously and thought I was at pubs blogging at 6 am. Some people are dumb and miss small details, which annoy me slowly throughout the night until I am forced to get out of bed and change it first thing in the morning.
In other news, the booking process for Easter break has begun. Check back for an itinerary within the next week! Hooray!
In other news, the booking process for Easter break has begun. Check back for an itinerary within the next week! Hooray!
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
How I spend my days
I'm in the Source right now, a computer "lab" on campus. There are 16 computers for student use. 16! It is crazy. People here aren't nearly as tied to their computers as Americans are, which I suppose is nice, since it allows them to be more connected to the truly important things in English life, like family, friends, pubs...
Anyways. I went to York on Saturday, which was fantastic. THe York Minster (cathedral) is huge and gorgeous. It has half of all the stained glass in Britain in its windows. Quite impressive, eh? Pix are up on the book for all yall to check out if you are bored. I've never been as much of a facebook stalker as I have been since I've been here. We have NOTHING to do at night except go to pubs (everything else is closed by 5:30) so we spend a lot of time sitting in each other's rooms talking or going on the nets and being bored. We've also spent lots of time figuring out spring break. I think some of my friends here are going to Egypt! I'm really jealous, but I know that my trips will be fun as well. Right now it looks like I will be going to Scotland (Edinburgh, Glasgow, maybe a day in the Highlands???), Italy(Florence and Rome), Germany (probably just Freiberg, the Schwarzwald, and Koeln) and Paris. Not much out of the ordinary tour of western Europa, but stuff I have never seen and would really like to. I am also planning some weekend trips to Oslo, Dublin, and London. Oh! And Madrid! I am planning on seeing Sara Higley and Alison Flatley while I'm there, so hopefully I will be able to stay with them and save some cash.
I'm really excited for this weekend. I'm going to Stonehenge and Bath. Although they don't let you go right up to Stonehenge anymore (booo) it will be amazing nonetheless, and Bath is supposed to be on eof the best cities in England. I am pumped. I do have to be at Bar ONe at 6:30 am to make the 5.5 hour bus ride, but I figure it was worth it for £20.
Everyone please send me lots of emails about what you are up to and your summer plans. I am hopefully going to be back in Chicago, but I am still searchingfor a job/apartment/roommate. Let's talk!
Have a wonderful day!
Love,
MEagan
Anyways. I went to York on Saturday, which was fantastic. THe York Minster (cathedral) is huge and gorgeous. It has half of all the stained glass in Britain in its windows. Quite impressive, eh? Pix are up on the book for all yall to check out if you are bored. I've never been as much of a facebook stalker as I have been since I've been here. We have NOTHING to do at night except go to pubs (everything else is closed by 5:30) so we spend a lot of time sitting in each other's rooms talking or going on the nets and being bored. We've also spent lots of time figuring out spring break. I think some of my friends here are going to Egypt! I'm really jealous, but I know that my trips will be fun as well. Right now it looks like I will be going to Scotland (Edinburgh, Glasgow, maybe a day in the Highlands???), Italy(Florence and Rome), Germany (probably just Freiberg, the Schwarzwald, and Koeln) and Paris. Not much out of the ordinary tour of western Europa, but stuff I have never seen and would really like to. I am also planning some weekend trips to Oslo, Dublin, and London. Oh! And Madrid! I am planning on seeing Sara Higley and Alison Flatley while I'm there, so hopefully I will be able to stay with them and save some cash.
I'm really excited for this weekend. I'm going to Stonehenge and Bath. Although they don't let you go right up to Stonehenge anymore (booo) it will be amazing nonetheless, and Bath is supposed to be on eof the best cities in England. I am pumped. I do have to be at Bar ONe at 6:30 am to make the 5.5 hour bus ride, but I figure it was worth it for £20.
Everyone please send me lots of emails about what you are up to and your summer plans. I am hopefully going to be back in Chicago, but I am still searchingfor a job/apartment/roommate. Let's talk!
Have a wonderful day!
Love,
MEagan
Friday, February 16, 2007
Finally
We finally found a pizza place that delivers!! At night! A total rarity here. We got FOUR pizzas and a free garlic bread (which here is basically a pizza but without cheese...) for only 13 pounds. It was well worth it. Our whole flat chipped in and it was the best night. Becca regaled us with stories from the show Scare Tactics, we shared babysitting horror stories, and gushed about our pizza. A night of roommate fun. Jenny, Becca and I snuggled up and watched Zoolander afterwards; the perfect ending to today. So great.
It was so exciting (although it sounds pretty tame, I know) that I just had to share it with the interweb.
It was so exciting (although it sounds pretty tame, I know) that I just had to share it with the interweb.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Give it a go!
There is this really great program here at the University of Sheffield called "Give it a go." They organize activities such as Irish dancing classes, self-defense, beer and wine tasting...things like that. They also have wonderful day and weekend trips that are really a great deal. They drive you, by bus, to wherever you are going and provide transportation between sites and home. If you are going to a place where you need an entrance fee, they also have that provided! It's such a good deal. I have already bought tickets for four Give it a go trips. This Saturday I am going to York and the Viking Festival there (they are having a Viking parade AND a battle! I can't wait!) Then, on Feb 24 I am going to Stonehenge and Bath. That should be amazing; while you can't walk right up to Stonehenge anymore it will still be cool to see, and Bath is supposed to be lovely and wonderful. On March 3, I am going to Stratford-upon-Avon for all you literary nerds like myself. Shakespeare mania has taken over the town, so I am expecting a tourist trap of sorts. That being said, ahhh I'm looking forward to it! At least there I will be one among many silly tourists instead of being the one stupid foreign girl. And then, finally, on March 18 I am going to Chatsworth House and Gardens. It is a beautiful old English manor, the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. I read a book about Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire around the early 1800's, and she seemed like an amazing woman. Also, the recent film version of Pride and Prejudice used Chatsworth as Pemberley, and some literary historians believe it was the actual inspiration for it in the book as well. SO. I'm pretty excited.
Tomorrow is shopping/movie/dinner with Becca, Nicole, and our new British friends. I can't wait!
PS. I've realized that the clock setting is still on Chicago time. I am too lazy to change it, but please realize that I am 6 hours ahead of Chicago.
Tomorrow is shopping/movie/dinner with Becca, Nicole, and our new British friends. I can't wait!
PS. I've realized that the clock setting is still on Chicago time. I am too lazy to change it, but please realize that I am 6 hours ahead of Chicago.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Aloe vera juice anyone?
Well well well.
The girls of flat 33 had a dinner party tonight. Since no one has that much flatware/dishes/chairs/anything you need for a dinner party, we ended up gathering cups and plates from various flats, pots from one of the guests after we ruined one pot, and even made Matt and Aiden, the Australian guys, bring a table and chairs over from their flat. It was a wonderful meal, however, with lots of laughter and conversation. Everyone there was really fun and hilarious. So much laughter. The Italians, of course, brought tons of wine over, but it was actually Australian wine. What an international affair we had. Yue, the Chinese girl who studies in New Zealand, started passing out little cups of aloe vera juice. I declined, as it smelled pretty gross and others warned me about it. Apparently it is really good for you.
It's been so fascinating to get to know people and start hearing their stories. It's made me realize how similar people really are, despite our differing languages, customs, and backgrounds. Even if some people do drink aloe vera juice. Ew.
I am very excited about a few things:
1)I might get to see Teri next weekend.
2)We had a snowball fight last night with various members of Taptonville Flats, and it felt like being a kid again.
3) I really like my roommates.
and last, but certainly not least...
4) George is coming to visit! He is going to be here for almost two full weeks, and we're going to Scotland and Italy together. Hooray!
Love,
Meagan
The girls of flat 33 had a dinner party tonight. Since no one has that much flatware/dishes/chairs/anything you need for a dinner party, we ended up gathering cups and plates from various flats, pots from one of the guests after we ruined one pot, and even made Matt and Aiden, the Australian guys, bring a table and chairs over from their flat. It was a wonderful meal, however, with lots of laughter and conversation. Everyone there was really fun and hilarious. So much laughter. The Italians, of course, brought tons of wine over, but it was actually Australian wine. What an international affair we had. Yue, the Chinese girl who studies in New Zealand, started passing out little cups of aloe vera juice. I declined, as it smelled pretty gross and others warned me about it. Apparently it is really good for you.
It's been so fascinating to get to know people and start hearing their stories. It's made me realize how similar people really are, despite our differing languages, customs, and backgrounds. Even if some people do drink aloe vera juice. Ew.
I am very excited about a few things:
1)I might get to see Teri next weekend.
2)We had a snowball fight last night with various members of Taptonville Flats, and it felt like being a kid again.
3) I really like my roommates.
and last, but certainly not least...
4) George is coming to visit! He is going to be here for almost two full weeks, and we're going to Scotland and Italy together. Hooray!
Love,
Meagan
Thursday, February 8, 2007
nets!
I finally got nets at my flat! For the past few days, I have not been able to connect at home because they did not provide us with the correct cord. (Note: I only have dial-up. Skype does not work on dial up, so I will not be able to use Skype at my own house. Boo town, ya know?)So today I was able to purchase the correct cord from the University and am now happy to report that I am able to waste time and avoid homework in the good old fashioned way.
I am getting a little nervous for some of my classes; kids here are smart. In my Irish Writing seminar today, this kid named, I kid you not, Daniel O'Brien was just throwing things out there that I did not understand. However, I felt smarter at the end of class when he spilled that he had just heard of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Seriously. Who doesn't know that.
My class schedule is pretty easy compared to DePaul. I have a lot of time to myself, but that will be consumed by the tons of books I have to read each week. Profs here are demanding. I'm excited though. I think I will learn a lot more than I would if I was at DePaul for these classes. While there are a lot of things that I have yet to discover and understand about the English university system, I have already learned that the British politeness extends to assignments. Profs will say things like, "You might want to have a look at these poems for Thursday" which means "Do a close reading of each of these poems and analyze them according to various literary theories before you even think about coming to seminar." Ahhh. Our professor today also made fun of Americans for saying "z" not "zed."
It snowed in Sheffield last night, just a slight dusting. It has been snowing lightly all day, but nothing that you even really notice. Everyone here is complaining like crazy, as if they've just gotten hit by a huge blizzard that wiped out three counties. I honestly heard less complaining in December when Milwaukee got hit with about a foot or so of snow. My goodness.
Not much else to report. A fun night of karaoke at Stephenson with the international students gang was a blast, with Carl (New Zealand), Natalie, Emily and I dominating. We belted out Bryan Adam's "Summer of 69," No Doubt's "Don't Speak," and a lackluster John Mellencamp. The hit was an English guy singing "I'm So Excited." It got crazy loud in that place. The Spanish girls were pretty into it too. Only the Spanish girls, Americans, Carl, and a few Aussie's would dance. No one dances here! It is something all the foreign kids have noticed. Maybe British people should all move to that town from Footloose.
I am getting a little nervous for some of my classes; kids here are smart. In my Irish Writing seminar today, this kid named, I kid you not, Daniel O'Brien was just throwing things out there that I did not understand. However, I felt smarter at the end of class when he spilled that he had just heard of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Seriously. Who doesn't know that.
My class schedule is pretty easy compared to DePaul. I have a lot of time to myself, but that will be consumed by the tons of books I have to read each week. Profs here are demanding. I'm excited though. I think I will learn a lot more than I would if I was at DePaul for these classes. While there are a lot of things that I have yet to discover and understand about the English university system, I have already learned that the British politeness extends to assignments. Profs will say things like, "You might want to have a look at these poems for Thursday" which means "Do a close reading of each of these poems and analyze them according to various literary theories before you even think about coming to seminar." Ahhh. Our professor today also made fun of Americans for saying "z" not "zed."
It snowed in Sheffield last night, just a slight dusting. It has been snowing lightly all day, but nothing that you even really notice. Everyone here is complaining like crazy, as if they've just gotten hit by a huge blizzard that wiped out three counties. I honestly heard less complaining in December when Milwaukee got hit with about a foot or so of snow. My goodness.
Not much else to report. A fun night of karaoke at Stephenson with the international students gang was a blast, with Carl (New Zealand), Natalie, Emily and I dominating. We belted out Bryan Adam's "Summer of 69," No Doubt's "Don't Speak," and a lackluster John Mellencamp. The hit was an English guy singing "I'm So Excited." It got crazy loud in that place. The Spanish girls were pretty into it too. Only the Spanish girls, Americans, Carl, and a few Aussie's would dance. No one dances here! It is something all the foreign kids have noticed. Maybe British people should all move to that town from Footloose.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Superbowl
Last night we watched the superbowl in the union pub. It was crazy! A lot of people were there, although it may just have been because the bar was open much later than usual. The gaggle of Americans I sat with were, perhaps, obnoxious, but only after the game started (and plenty of British people had decided to choose sides. Mostly with the Bears I am happy to report)
THe game didn't start until 11:30 pm here, which meant that I was up until 4 am! It was incredibly fun, however: imagine a ton of people screaming at American football in British accents. It really is an experience that is soemthing very special. It was strange to do something so "American" in this world. I will admit that I have never cared about a superbowl so much before. I felt like I HAD to care about it, not only due to the Bears (we aren't going to talk about the end) but also because I knew more about football than a lot of the other people in the room! It was something I will never feel again...
Anyways, it was a great time. THey decorated the bar in American flags, kind of weird, but it was just really festive and fun. I hope allthose back in Chicago were keeping warm, even if they were depressed. I heard Chicago is freezing.Just to add injury to insult, not only am I in Europe, but it is about 50 degrees here.
Love
Meagan
THe game didn't start until 11:30 pm here, which meant that I was up until 4 am! It was incredibly fun, however: imagine a ton of people screaming at American football in British accents. It really is an experience that is soemthing very special. It was strange to do something so "American" in this world. I will admit that I have never cared about a superbowl so much before. I felt like I HAD to care about it, not only due to the Bears (we aren't going to talk about the end) but also because I knew more about football than a lot of the other people in the room! It was something I will never feel again...
Anyways, it was a great time. THey decorated the bar in American flags, kind of weird, but it was just really festive and fun. I hope allthose back in Chicago were keeping warm, even if they were depressed. I heard Chicago is freezing.Just to add injury to insult, not only am I in Europe, but it is about 50 degrees here.
Love
Meagan
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Little metal bottle caps
Hello from Sheffield! I have been here for a few days, but the nets blow. MAJORLY. So far things have been alright; we are all living in hotels until later today, so suitcase life has been a bit annoying. The town itself is pretty; it was an industrial town early in the 20th century but has made a large effort to become very green. There are over 50 parks (none of which seem to be in/close to the city center or the dorms....hmmmm...) and there are trees and moss everywhere. It is crazy warm here. The first day was about 50 or more degrees Fahrenheit. People here are really nice. Everyone has helped us out as much as they possibly could, and the people we just run into in shops and stuff are always kind and friendly. As we were told that people would be cold and rude, this was a very nice suprise!
Lots of nice study abroad kids are here from the Midwest. Only one kid is from New England, but he goes to school in PA...so I don't know if he really counts. Illinois dominates the program. The two largest contingencies are DePaul and Uof I. The kids from Europe (Erasmus program) are really cool too. So far, friends are being made. My new English cell phone has only a measly 5 numbers, but those numbers are gold to me.
Today I am moving into my flat, which is rather dismal. I got to see it yesterday by randomly knocking on the door, and it is rather small, cramped, and just plain gross. The only way I can describe it is to say I am camping for four and a half months. Wooo hooo. I think it will be alright after we set up shop and decorate, but these first few nights are going to be interesting at best. We've been told to never leave our windows open or doors unlocked because over 100 laptops were stolen last year. Great. Add that to only dial up internet and you are looking at the total opposite of the deal that DePaul told us about when we were looking at the program.
Well, time to hang out and stuff. Maybe drink. People here drink every hour of the day. I guess they really hold to the "it's five o'clock somewhere" thing.
Love,
Meagan
Lots of nice study abroad kids are here from the Midwest. Only one kid is from New England, but he goes to school in PA...so I don't know if he really counts. Illinois dominates the program. The two largest contingencies are DePaul and Uof I. The kids from Europe (Erasmus program) are really cool too. So far, friends are being made. My new English cell phone has only a measly 5 numbers, but those numbers are gold to me.
Today I am moving into my flat, which is rather dismal. I got to see it yesterday by randomly knocking on the door, and it is rather small, cramped, and just plain gross. The only way I can describe it is to say I am camping for four and a half months. Wooo hooo. I think it will be alright after we set up shop and decorate, but these first few nights are going to be interesting at best. We've been told to never leave our windows open or doors unlocked because over 100 laptops were stolen last year. Great. Add that to only dial up internet and you are looking at the total opposite of the deal that DePaul told us about when we were looking at the program.
Well, time to hang out and stuff. Maybe drink. People here drink every hour of the day. I guess they really hold to the "it's five o'clock somewhere" thing.
Love,
Meagan
Monday, January 29, 2007
Vacuum Seal
I am leaving tomorrow. I am almost finished packing and very ready to get out of Wisconsin! I will probably be up all night with a combination of nerves, excitement, and a delirious need to cram all my stuff into my bags before the trek down to O'Hare.
I heard from a friend who is doing a post-grad volunteer year in England and she is going to try to come visit me in Feb. Hopefully that will work out. It will be nice to see a familiar, friendly face over there.
Must go! Lots to do!
I heard from a friend who is doing a post-grad volunteer year in England and she is going to try to come visit me in Feb. Hopefully that will work out. It will be nice to see a familiar, friendly face over there.
Must go! Lots to do!
Friday, January 19, 2007
Pre-hop nerves
I am leaving in about 12 days (11? Now that today is mostly over?) I have mixed feelings about this. I'm leaving a lot of things, places and people that I love, and I am also leaving some things/people/situations that I think should be more resolved prior to disappearing for 4-5 months. However, I am looking forward to a new set of challenges and adventures. Hopefully I will be able to deal with them in a way that is productive and doesn't make me crazy or an alcoholic.
So far, my biggest worries are: no mexican food, running out of money, not making friends, packing, signing up for classes, missing peeps here, and potentially not having a shower in my house. Those are not in any particular order. At this point I cannot say what my biggest worries are, to be honest. Oh! One of my biggest worries is that study abroad here at DePaul (which blows) will abandon all of us once we are gone and cease to help us in any way.
On a lighter note, I had a lovely day hanging out with some wonderful friends that I have not seen in awhile today and am working a crossword with George. It is marvelous.
So, hopefully these last several days will go well, and I will be prepared (as much as is possible) for the big trip.
So far, my biggest worries are: no mexican food, running out of money, not making friends, packing, signing up for classes, missing peeps here, and potentially not having a shower in my house. Those are not in any particular order. At this point I cannot say what my biggest worries are, to be honest. Oh! One of my biggest worries is that study abroad here at DePaul (which blows) will abandon all of us once we are gone and cease to help us in any way.
On a lighter note, I had a lovely day hanging out with some wonderful friends that I have not seen in awhile today and am working a crossword with George. It is marvelous.
So, hopefully these last several days will go well, and I will be prepared (as much as is possible) for the big trip.
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Testing 1, 2, 3
This blog will eventually be a record of my adventures in jolly ole England, where I will be studying from January 30- June 11, 2007. I hope it helps us all keep in touch and prevents me from having to tell stories over and over and over again when I get back.
It also serves the handy purpose of fulfilling the journal requirement that Study Abroad here at DePaul has, so some of these "blogs" will be edited and included in that project.
Okay. This is weird. We'll see how this grand adventure in both England and the world of blogging turns out!!
It also serves the handy purpose of fulfilling the journal requirement that Study Abroad here at DePaul has, so some of these "blogs" will be edited and included in that project.
Okay. This is weird. We'll see how this grand adventure in both England and the world of blogging turns out!!
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