Going home/back to TCU may be the most bitter-sweet moment of my life. I really, really, REALLY love this city and the people here, and have come to the conclusion that if I had a steady job, I could easily live here. Sure its really crowded and sometimes that gets to you, but there's always ways to escape the crowds for a few sweet moments. And culturally, I belong here, and fit in so much better than I do at home. But thats not to say that I don't miss things. In particular: My car and driving, my dogs, my friends and family, having money, being in theatre, and video games. Yet if I had the option to stay.... it would be a really hard decision.
I love people's attitude about body image here. It just doesn't matter nearly as much here as it does in the States! People pay just as much attention to their clothes and fashion (which is fantastic), but as far as their actual body goes, its just not a big deal! There are very few gyms here, and the ones that are here are pretty tiny. Very few tanning salons. In fact, the girls who are tan stick out and just look ridiculous! Even more so than they do in the States because here they're few and far between. The stigma to have the perfect body just isn't here.
That being said: I CANNOT WAIT TO GET BACK TO THE GYM, if for no other reason than to have some sort of physical outlet! There is no room here for physical activity unless you go to the park or something. But I was dumb and didn't bring running shoes, and therefore get no physical activity other than walking. A few years ago, I could have cared less. But the me that has developed over the past year or so, especially over this past summer, is dying for some kind of physical activity and the feeling of well-being that comes with it. Because really, when you take care of yourself physically, you feel so much better about yourself.
Speaking of bodies and that kind of thing, here's something that the States can learn from the Brits: Eating habits. America is Fat. Fat fat fat fat fat fat fat fat fat. You know why? FUCKING MCDONALD'S, WENDY'S, TACO BELL, AND KFC. Now, they have McDonald's and KFC here and they're moderately popular. But the biggest food chain here, by far, is called Pret a Manger (French for Ready to Eat). They are EVERYWHERE. Like, you can't walk 5 minutes without coming across 3 of them. And I'm really not exaggerating. But you know what they sell? Pre-made sandwiches, salads, paninis, wraps, fruit cups, and coffee. And its really good! And cheap! They only have 2 types of soft drinks: Coke, and Diet coke, and I never see people buy them. Ever. Its always either water, coffee, or tea. America... do you know how many callories you could save if you ate this every day instead of the fast food shit that we eat??? Laura and I keep saying that we are going to open a Pret with a drive through window at home and make a killing.
School is actually picking up here towards the end. I'll have a lot due between now and January 6th. I've only gotten two grades here so far: An A+ and a B, which is quite exciting. But in general, school here is really easy. Like, REALLY easy. Maybe its because i'm taking freshman level classes? But even so, I feel like my freshman classes at home were a lot harder than they are here. Oh, and did I mention that I only go to class on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and I only to each class once a week? Baller.
I like 3 out of 4 of my classes. My sociology class is really interesting as is my History of Victorian London class. I'm also taking a class called Art and Society where we go to lecture for the first hour, then go to museums for the second part of class. Badass, right? Yep. Totally. My theatre class however.... is cool in some respects. We were required to see a lot of good shows that I would have never seen on my own. But the last few shows we've had to see for that class have been absolute crap. Like, BAD BAD BAD BAD BAD. And my teacher is an absolute idiot in every single way. I hate her. She hates me (I think). But I think she's just jealous that Laura and I know more about theatre than she does. So whatever. She got mad because I hadn't started the paper for her class A MONTH before it was due. This paper is only 2000 words! Why on earth would I start it that soon???
There is a little Asian girl that keeps running through the library past me. Literally, running. Back and Forth. Chill out little Asian girl!
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and while it wont be the traditional thanksgiving, I'm still pretty pumped. A few of us in our hall are going to have a feast. My contribution? The Stove Top Stuffing that my parents shipped me (THANKS!), possibly sweet potato casserole (Mom, can you e-mail me your recipe?), and then a recipe I found on the internet for BAILEY'S CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE. Om nom nom nom nom. But since its thanksgiving, I'll list a few things I'm thankful for:
Eternally grateful to my parents for letting me come here and helping me out of the financial side of things. Even though I worked my ass of this summer, I never would have been able to afford this on my own. Thanks!
I'm thankful for great friends. Annie and Andrew came into town this past weekend to see Harry Potter and for a few other activities (Hyde park, Harrods, etc.), and seeing them always reminds me that I have some incredible friends both here with me, and at home.
We went on a pilgrimage to Mecca... I mean Platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross Station.
Notice the poster above us. We're running from the Death Eaters in our custom made shirts.
And I'm thankful for the people that I've met here. I'm very rarely without something to do or people to hang out with. I ended up with an awesome roommate who I get along with great, even if he does steal my chocolate. Bitch.
And on that note, I should actually get back to this paper. Edit, reference, bibliograph (yep, just turned bibliography into a verb), print, turn in. Bam.
Sorry this post was kinda boring. I'll be sure to blog about more exciting things next time.
...I'm gonna be sad to go. But in the interest of my rising credit card balance, I think its for the best. See you in 26 days!
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