Thanksgiving was really good, was nice to get out of Flagstaff and go somewhere warm, ie. Phoenix. It's now well below freezing in Flag except it's dry cold so I don't notice it so much then I nearly catch hypothermia by sitting outside in the cold at 9.30pm with my friends waiting to see "Harry Potter". Ending up in hospital really isn;t on the to do list right now especially since I have to pay and stuff.
The meal was basically like a British Christmas dinner - turkey tastic! I made sure I took a smaller portion yet I still felt absolutely stuffed afterwards! Everyone around the table had to say stuff that they were thankful for, luckily nobody really minded what you said (I believe I was thankful I still had all of my toes). The pumpkin pie we had for pudding was much nicer than the pumpkin pie I had helped to make with the find a family people a few weeks ago - bonus!
Whilst down in Phoenix, we also went to see "Rent" with Zach and Eric. I'm not usually a musical type person but I really liked it. Zach and Eric, who are both Musical Theatre majors, both said that they liked it and they are fans of "Rent". We also went on a mall crawl the day after Thanksgiving, one of the busiest American shopping days of the year. We only managed two malls and I wasn't really in a shopping mood but it was good fun anyway. Zach and Eric hosted a mini fiesta on the friday night which was really cool, got very drunk though so I can't remember much. I do remember the entire room breaking into song at one point (everyone there was a music student except me, Antonia and Amber).
Tuesday, 29 November 2005
Monday, 14 November 2005
San Diego
As it was Veterans Day (a bank holiday), my friends and I decided that a trip to San Diego was necessary. After all, I had never left Arizona since arriving here, it was about time I went to California.
We drove there. Yes, drove. Nine hours of car fun! We drove to Phoenix first to change cars (Amber's dad lent us his very comfy Chevrolet Impala for the trip). We (well I) managed to make the CD player jam withing ten seconds of leaving the car park of the mall where we swapped cars. I felt bad about that the entire trip! On the journey from Phoenix to San Diego, I saw no less than three dead cows and several really big cacti. We were all knackered by the time we reached San Diego.
We stayed with Amber's grandma, Nonnie so free accommodation! Bonus! She was really nice, a combination of my Gran and the old lady who used to live diagonal to me when I was living in a maisonette (back in the day). She was born and grew up in Britain so welcomed me and Antonia (the other Brit on the trip) by playing "Rule Britannia" on the piano and forcing us to sing! Doesn't help that I don't actually know many of the words to that song!
On saturday we went to Seaport Village which is on the San Diego harbour front. There were loads of really cool shops. Including a hammock shop!!! Unfortunatly I don't have anywhere to put a hammock and I don't have the tropical island with whale music yet. Nevertheless, it was definately my favourite shop! There was also a really nice seafood restaurant. I had fish and chips, probably the nicest chips I've had in the US - they actually had some potato content!!
On sunday we went to Mission Beach. There were so many hunky surfer guys, it was fantastic to just lie there watching. There was this random guy called Ryan from Georgia. He was really flirty and very pervy, it took me absolutely ages to get rid of him! That kind of thing never happens to me normally, but we don't do younger (he was 19) and we certainly don't do guys with tattoos saying "Mom" on their chest!! I went into the sea with him (before I realised how pervy he was) but got soaked so had to go buy some dry clothing for the remainder of the day. He left once he realised that I wasn't really that interested and none of my friends were either. Apparently he found a more willing (and nearly naked) sixteen year old (by this point I had gone to buy dry clothing).
Note to self, next time someone digs a big hole in the sand, DO NOT volunteer to be the one buried up to the neck in sand. Whilst it was incredibly funny, it was also quite painful and really really difficult to get back out again! I had to go jump in the sea fully clothed in order to get the sand off me! Once again I was soaked, bad idea!! The sunset over the Pacific Ocean made up for being drenched and slightly cold though. Really really pretty, took some amazing photos even if I do say so myself!
The journey back on sunday wasn't half as exciting. We were all knackered, I slept for almost all the journey between Phoenix and Flagstaff! Going to San Diego was exactly the break I needed though. Right now I am trying to type up my research project from hell so it's back to earth with a bang. Fortunatly my alternating essay with this has kept me motivated until now so my happiness level is still comparitively high - yay!
We drove there. Yes, drove. Nine hours of car fun! We drove to Phoenix first to change cars (Amber's dad lent us his very comfy Chevrolet Impala for the trip). We (well I) managed to make the CD player jam withing ten seconds of leaving the car park of the mall where we swapped cars. I felt bad about that the entire trip! On the journey from Phoenix to San Diego, I saw no less than three dead cows and several really big cacti. We were all knackered by the time we reached San Diego.
We stayed with Amber's grandma, Nonnie so free accommodation! Bonus! She was really nice, a combination of my Gran and the old lady who used to live diagonal to me when I was living in a maisonette (back in the day). She was born and grew up in Britain so welcomed me and Antonia (the other Brit on the trip) by playing "Rule Britannia" on the piano and forcing us to sing! Doesn't help that I don't actually know many of the words to that song!
On saturday we went to Seaport Village which is on the San Diego harbour front. There were loads of really cool shops. Including a hammock shop!!! Unfortunatly I don't have anywhere to put a hammock and I don't have the tropical island with whale music yet. Nevertheless, it was definately my favourite shop! There was also a really nice seafood restaurant. I had fish and chips, probably the nicest chips I've had in the US - they actually had some potato content!!
On sunday we went to Mission Beach. There were so many hunky surfer guys, it was fantastic to just lie there watching. There was this random guy called Ryan from Georgia. He was really flirty and very pervy, it took me absolutely ages to get rid of him! That kind of thing never happens to me normally, but we don't do younger (he was 19) and we certainly don't do guys with tattoos saying "Mom" on their chest!! I went into the sea with him (before I realised how pervy he was) but got soaked so had to go buy some dry clothing for the remainder of the day. He left once he realised that I wasn't really that interested and none of my friends were either. Apparently he found a more willing (and nearly naked) sixteen year old (by this point I had gone to buy dry clothing).
Note to self, next time someone digs a big hole in the sand, DO NOT volunteer to be the one buried up to the neck in sand. Whilst it was incredibly funny, it was also quite painful and really really difficult to get back out again! I had to go jump in the sea fully clothed in order to get the sand off me! Once again I was soaked, bad idea!! The sunset over the Pacific Ocean made up for being drenched and slightly cold though. Really really pretty, took some amazing photos even if I do say so myself!
The journey back on sunday wasn't half as exciting. We were all knackered, I slept for almost all the journey between Phoenix and Flagstaff! Going to San Diego was exactly the break I needed though. Right now I am trying to type up my research project from hell so it's back to earth with a bang. Fortunatly my alternating essay with this has kept me motivated until now so my happiness level is still comparitively high - yay!
Monday, 7 November 2005
plans
Guess who's off to San Diego, California next weekend? Yes, that would be me! Not only that, but will be cheap cos all I'll have to pay for is a share of the petrol (or 'gas' as I should say) and food cos we are staying at my friend's grandma's house. Bonus!
I'm never in a writing mood when I update this these days. Sorry for that but I will do my best anyway and I'll see how I get on. If this entry seems disjointed etc, then we know why.
Last week was Homecoming at NAU. Festivities started with a huge bonfire outside my hall of residence. I went with a few of my American friends. We took loads of photos (let me know if you want the link), I've even got a photo of me with some firemen - woo! On saturday there was a parade. The theme was 'Return to Mount Olympus', in other words anyone who was anyone was wearing a toga. In fact, it was toga-tastic! There was also an American football game, this time NAU's team was really bad and by half time I was truly truly bored so I left early. I was later told that things did not improve and NAU lost very very badly in the end.
I went to Sunset Crater again yesterday with my find a family. They also baked pumpkin pie, an American tradition apparently. I suppose as pies go it wasn't too bad but it definately isn't on my top five pies list or anything like that!
I'm never in a writing mood when I update this these days. Sorry for that but I will do my best anyway and I'll see how I get on. If this entry seems disjointed etc, then we know why.
Last week was Homecoming at NAU. Festivities started with a huge bonfire outside my hall of residence. I went with a few of my American friends. We took loads of photos (let me know if you want the link), I've even got a photo of me with some firemen - woo! On saturday there was a parade. The theme was 'Return to Mount Olympus', in other words anyone who was anyone was wearing a toga. In fact, it was toga-tastic! There was also an American football game, this time NAU's team was really bad and by half time I was truly truly bored so I left early. I was later told that things did not improve and NAU lost very very badly in the end.
I went to Sunset Crater again yesterday with my find a family. They also baked pumpkin pie, an American tradition apparently. I suppose as pies go it wasn't too bad but it definately isn't on my top five pies list or anything like that!
Tuesday, 1 November 2005
more adventures
Halloween is a big thing in the States. When I stupidly revealed the fact I have never been trick or treating, my friends decided that we would go. Me and fancy dress are not that well acquainted (aliens and pirates aside) so the whole prospect of dressing up was very daunting to me. In fact I didn't know what I was going as until the last minute.
Who did I go as, I hear you ask? Well, I dressed up as a typical all American cowgirl ( maybe I will upload the photos onto my MSN space). Amber dressed as Hermione Granger but Theresa decided she was too old and that she would be our chaperone. Anyway, we found a suitably residential area and off we went. My attempts at an American accent never got any better but then again, Amber's British accent made no improvements either. We got loads of sweets - enough to last a month if not longer seeing as I'm not a big sweet eater.
I had an appointment with my adviser yesterday. She dressed up as Minnie Mouse. It was very amusing and slightly surreal to be advised by Minnie Mouse. Not that it was particularly helpful seeing as I still have no idea what to do my dissertation on...
Went to Sedona on saturday on another trip with the NAU international office. It was actually really nice. The whole thing was a lot more relaxed because there was only twenty of us going so the lady running it was a lot more relaxed about everything. Sedona is really really nice. My photos of the place look almost like postcards. Of course, I did buy a few postcards for the obscure relatives I barely speak to just in case they are concerned about me. It feels weird that it is still sunny and warmish in late october, early november.
Who did I go as, I hear you ask? Well, I dressed up as a typical all American cowgirl ( maybe I will upload the photos onto my MSN space). Amber dressed as Hermione Granger but Theresa decided she was too old and that she would be our chaperone. Anyway, we found a suitably residential area and off we went. My attempts at an American accent never got any better but then again, Amber's British accent made no improvements either. We got loads of sweets - enough to last a month if not longer seeing as I'm not a big sweet eater.
I had an appointment with my adviser yesterday. She dressed up as Minnie Mouse. It was very amusing and slightly surreal to be advised by Minnie Mouse. Not that it was particularly helpful seeing as I still have no idea what to do my dissertation on...
Went to Sedona on saturday on another trip with the NAU international office. It was actually really nice. The whole thing was a lot more relaxed because there was only twenty of us going so the lady running it was a lot more relaxed about everything. Sedona is really really nice. My photos of the place look almost like postcards. Of course, I did buy a few postcards for the obscure relatives I barely speak to just in case they are concerned about me. It feels weird that it is still sunny and warmish in late october, early november.
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