A lot has happened since the last time I wrote, it seems like. Mike’s birthday party was a blast. We successfully surprised him, which I didn’t think we could pull off. That day Grayson and I went to Asda and bought some snacks, drinks, and a cake (the others paid us back later). My fingers almost fell off from carrying all those bags back to campus, but it was worth it! Then later that night I went over to the other campus, Dehav (where he lives), and Zhen (or Zed, since she is adopting the nickname Tyler gave her), Grayson, Andrea, and I waited with his flatmates. I have to say Mike has the sweetest, coolest flatmates. They decorated the kitchen for him and everything.
We started making the food and setting everything out, all the while anxiously checking out the window to see when he’d get back. He was so flustered when he walked through the door and we yelled surprise—he doesn’t really like anyone making a fuss over him. Then he just immediately went back to his usual self—rushing around giving people drinks and food, making sure everyone was accommodated, at his own party! Funny. At some point Andrea and Mike’s female flatmates—Becca, Phoebe, and Steph—insisted on straightening my hair, so I was rushed off to Becca’s room. I had a girl on each side of me with a straightener. I felt like quite a celebrity. The girls were thrilled, but the boys weren’t as excited by the hairstyling endeavors. They eventually came out of the kitchen to find us and I distinctly remember Phoebe’s boyfriend saying in disgust, “Is this what the night has come to?” Haha. Anyway, they did a good job. Of course, with all the damp in the air it was curling by the end of the night, but oh well.
Then we walked to McDonalds where I had my first English “Macky’s,” as they call it. (“Do you want to have a Macky’s?”) It’s good…not the same, though. The McChicken is really different. It’s more just like a big chicken nugget with bread and lettuce and then the mayonnaise is sweet. The fries were good though, and we can get a free burger or McFlurry by showing our student ID. Win. Anyway, when I got back I was treated to an unusual sight—most of my housemates sitting on the floor of the hall, having a chat. This also includes two housemates from The Upstairs—I barely ever see anyone who lives up there so it was a big deal. So I finally got to talk to Ollie and Steven, two housemates who I rarely see. They are both pretty nice. Ollie is a self-confessed recluse so I guess I won’t be seeing him much. Tom, Cameron, and Chelsea were there too, so we had a long talk…or mostly Tom monopolized the conversation talking about stuff that annoys him because that’s what he does… Yeah. They complained about the Polish at length. Apparently the English think that the Polish come in and steal all their jobs and whatnot. It was really kind of interesting/entertaining to listen to.
What else? On Wednesday I went with the Family and some of Andrea’s flatmates to the Forum, which is the night club on campus. It was fun because they play plenty of American music too. I met some new people, including a Scottish guy with whom I got into an argument about the Revolutionary War. The other night I also got into a debate with some people over Native Americans. I have no idea why I’m so interested in discussing American history lately. Or why so many British people think they understand it better. Hmm.
Anyway, when I got back to my house that night, I ended up getting lectured on the Notting Hill Carnival by Tom. This is apparently a festival in London in September in which people just go completely insane for two days. He kept showing me videos of policemen beating unruly drunks, and despite all this he was still trying to convince me that it was a good time. Huh, thanks, but I think if I were there in September I’d still pass.
On Saturday I went to Windsor Castle. It was very cool. We got there in time to see the changing of the guard. Their uniforms are gray. I always thought they were red but oh well. Anyway, I wish I could’ve gotten pictures of the inside of the castle, but alas, they wouldn’t let us. We saw the Dollhouse and toured the state apartments, which were the best part. You know you’re among grandeur when you stop being impressed after seeing the 15th gold and crystal chandelier that’s taller than you are. After a while they just become old hat haha. There was also a photograph gallery celebrating all the years of the Queen’s rule, which has been going on since 1952! Apparently she loves horses, so there were many pictures of her riding horses and a lot of pictures of her with her beloved Corgies. One thing I’ve learned about the royal family here—they love their dogs! There was a huge statue of Queen Victoria in Windsor Castle that included her beloved dog looking up at her adoringly. Anyway, the only weird thing about the photo gallery was that they included a picture of the Queen meeting Lady Gaga. So glad that is how we Americans are being represented! (That was sarcasm, if you can’t tell.)
Anyway, the other cool thing was that the Queen was in residence while we were there! We actually went up to one of the workers (who wear navy-and-red cape-like garments…it was pretty sweet) and asked if they ever get to see/talk to the Queen. She said not usually, but every year at Christmas the Queen gives all of her staff a gift. Everyone has to stand in a line while she walks in, and if she comes up to you and chooses to speak to you personally, you have to call her “Your Majesty” the first time you address her and “Ma’am” after that. Anyway, we ate some delicious Cornish pasties for lunch—I’m addicted to those things—and had a pretty good time.
Tuesday was Pancake Day, a lovely tradition in the UK in which the celebrants…well…make and eat pancakes all day. My housemates and I were going to make pancakes that night, but everyone was running errands and it got to be too late so they called it off. I despaired of ever getting any pancakes, but the next day Enda popped his head into Chelsea’s and my room, saw that we were here, said, “Lovely” and then left without further explanation. A few minutes later he and Tom came in with plates of pancakes they’d made for us. It was really nice. They weren’t American-style pancakes though…Here they make them more like crepes. They’re thinner, wrapped in a roll-type shape, and filled with something. Enda put Bailey’s ice cream in mine. It was really good!
I think I paid them back because I shared some of the candy Mom sent over from the US. They are really enthusiastic about American chocolate. They’d never had Reese’s PB cups before…proof that this country is backward and savage… It was funny because the black wrapper around the outside of the Reese’s really puzzled them; you could tell they weren’t sure if it was part of the candy or not. I really considered letting them bite into the wrapper before I nicely explained that you have to peel it off.
(Oh, and in case you’re thinking, gee, it doesn’t sound like she is doing anything school-related over there—well, in between all this I managed to write a 2,000-word essay for my History of the English Language class. Booyah.)
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