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.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
