Everything is an Excuse to Drink

Hey all!

So one thing that I have come to conclusion on here is that everything is definetly an excuse to drink here. Like during orientation they had wine...and they were like 'after this we will head to the pub to get something to drink!' And then on the walking tour they were like 'And don't worry because half way through the tour we will stop at a bar and get something to drink!' Its kind of getting ridiculous!!

I forgot to tell you last time about the lady who runs the exchange program here she is quite eccentric. Shes a little frantic and really disorganized (everything here is extremely disorganized...i miss US service)... and she wore all PINK on the walking tour. She had a pink top, pink shoes, pink umbrella, pink butterfly necklace, pink butterfly bracelet and a silver butterfly brouch. I kept wanting to take a picture when she wasn't looking because it was a little funny to me. The next day I saw here it was a different set of butterfly jewelry with a red polka dot theme. On the walking tour I asked where I could get nice jewelry from Manchester and she pointed out a store that she LOOOOVED...it was like all feathers, costume jewlery and butterflys! i was like cuuuute?

I am dying to go to an Indian restuarant and get some good curry or something. On the way to school there is a mile called 'Curry Mile' that is all Indian, Afghan and just Middle Eastern shops and food (you would think kind of random but actually there are a lot of people from there in the UK).

Last night I went out with the Bentley people to a bar called Footage. It was only two pounds to get in and one pound pint of beers. I only spent a couple pounds to go out that night and was really excited about it! This place was like half dancing half bar style and it was in an old high ceiling place that was really pretty. They had big screens everywhere where people text to it and it puts your text up on the wall. People would put stupid random stuff up all night like 'I love boys' and stuff. I did get really upset at these two boys though because they were so incredibly rude to me just because I was American. Like they kept asking me really uncomfortable joking-like questions about owning a gun, and how mtv says racist words about black people as a joke and just making fun in general. I tried to be polite but they wouldn't give up until I left that area...I just don't understand why some people legitally HATE americans just for the sole reason of being american. Like I would never hate anyone because of where they were born if they were friendly to me? It really is like all over the place and I guess I didn't really believe that some people really do hate me because of where I am from...its too bad.

I still don't have internet but I found out of all places McDonalds has WiFi and there is one like five or six blocks down Oxford Road. So I went last night and skyped with Aaron and it made all the difference in my mood. This little bar right across campus has WiFi too but I can only go there during the day otherwise it would be too loud.

In like twenty minutes I am going to meet up with some people from Boston, NY, Denmark and probably some other places at the Cafe Student Union to plan some trips. I met this girl yesterday, Helen, who is from NYU that is a planner like me so we organized this... it was really an answer of prayer because she told me her list of places she wanted to see ..'UK, Ireland, Paris, Barcelona, Italy' SAME AS ME!!! except I want to see Scotland and Amsterdam too.

I split a bunch of pasta on my bed yesterday and have a bunch of other laundry to do and I went looking for the launderette room in my dorm. I finally found it this morning and I went in to find two sinks and some handwash soap. I was like HELL NO! They don't use machines?! Luckily across the courtyard there is a place you can pay like three pounds for your laundry (kind of expensive but o well what can you do?)

Anyways I have been learning a lot a lot a lot here everyday and I have begun to start enjoying myself. I no longer feel like a loner (us exchange students like to talk about how we have no friends) and I am beginning to get the hang of some stuff. I can't wait for this weekend because I joined the International Society here and get to go with them to the place that Shakespeare lived for like twenty pounds. I've already been last time I was in London but the best parts about being here is when I get to be a tourist so it will be fun to go again.

Schedule for Today:
12:30 Meeting with Friends
Then go to the cash machine...I just spent my wad on a weekend trip to Edinburgh with the International Society and this Shakespeare trip.
3-4pm Some dumb lecture
4-6pm: Stand yet for the 7th day in a row in the line to get internet help
Laundry and Dinner
Fix classes
skype a little and sleep!

US to UK words:
-downtown -city centre (people laugh at me when I say downtown here)

Natalie