"the college experience"

Every time I talk to adults about my studying abroad in the UK, they always ask something along the lines of, "So where do you think education is better, here or the US?" To which I always want to respond with, "Well, I'm here aren't I?" but rather choose to go with, "Well, I wouldn't know." Because I don't know. I've never gone to college in the States so what do I have to compare to?

Expectations, that's what. It's hard to explain what I mean by 'the college experience.' It's just all the experiences and adventures and learning and living that I imagine characterizes your uni years. Walking across campus late at night just for kicks. The establishment of a Human vs Zombies game. Sitting out in the quad, the common room, the lounge, anywhere where all the students were at. Roaming the quaint streets of a college town. Always having something new and interesting to attend, a night out, a film showing, a cultural event, an art show, a constant feeling of being alive and new and part of it all. I don't know what 'it' is but that's part of my problem, I think. That I don't have 'it' to be part of. Maybe I've not been looking in the right places. Or maybe I'm just not looking enough, or at all. 

There's just those inherent expectations of what university is going to be like and I feel like I'm still waiting for those expectations to realize themselves but I can't imagine how long it's going to take. Or maybe I need to get up off my ass and do something instead of sit back and wait. But what do I do? I don't want my college years to be filled a constant pressure of the fear that I'll never get into grad school, I'll never be hired, this is all worthless. I want them to be some of the best years of my life. But I won't know if they are until I'm way past now and I think that bothers me most, that I can't trust in the unknown. 

I wish my brain would shut up about these things and just let it go.

rainy days

As much as I love being tall, it does have its inconveniences. I spend every rainy day dodging the threatening edges of low umbrellas held by average-sized people.

whew

I am finally mentally free! For now.

I've just finished the most horrendous piece of work I've done in my life ever -- bar my AP Euro exam -- which materialized itself in the form of my lab write-up. It was disgusting and I never want to think of it again ... until I have to do several more of them next year.

I celebrated by doing absolutely nothing today, after going to a lecture and then handing in my assignment. I just roamed campus with my friends, promoting our week of fundraising for Children in Conflict. We went around everywhere, every cafe, every lounge, every whatever, asking for loose change, handing out flyers, and just hanging out. Then I went to the writing society meeting which was excellent as always and tonight, we're off to the Slems pub quiz.

A quick note: I've submitted a couple old pieces to the writing soc's first collab mag thing and hopefully a couple will go through! One of the girls on the editing committee told me she had been hoping I'd submit a particular piece (Kindergarten, of course) which made me smile and she says she's pushing to have it put in. Also, I'm reading The Virgin Suicides which Anisah bought me for my birthday. I think I'll be putting off The Savage Detectives until I can sit in some sunny grass barefoot to read it. And Becca and I are definitely on to Dr Who season two with our beloved Tennant -- it's amazing. Lastly, Kanye's 808s & Heartbreaks is GLORY and I am also currently obsessed with 3OH!3 for whatever reason. They've been playing in my head all day ... 

"I said, shush girl

shut your lips --

do the Helen Keller

and talk with your hips."

Much recapping of the past couple weeks to come ... 

the fray

Last night, pretty much everyone I know in Manchester went to see the Fray. Not really, but seriously, there were quite a few people I knew there, they just kept showing up. 

The Fray, was, as always, superb. They're not one of my favourite bands but I saw them live at the Greek Theatre a couple years ago and liked them enough to see them again this year. I just love them. They're the kind of band that, if you just kind of liked them before, you'll adore after seeing in concert. Dunno, must be their charm. The guy who opened for him was some randomer from CALIFORNIA, WOO. Yeah, I definitely gave him a good cheer, scaring half the people around me as I erupted. It's Californian pride, people, get with it.

still kicking

... but barely. I've got to tell yous about last weekend's Ball and how I lost the Life Sciences Committee Secretary position and how we're going to see the Fray tomorrow! But I am not mentally free until Tuesday afternoon so I'll get back to you on all that. Ugh. And I just rolled over the glass of a frame and cracked it and I needed that pane and dinner is going to be crap and I have beaded keychains to make and fml.

At least I got all the superglue off my hand. And a 2:1 on my history essay! And the second season of Dr Who sitting on my shelf! Sigh.

beeteedubz

Did I mention I was going to die this week? Just informing the world, in case.

my eyes itch

There is a guy in my psychology class who has a full handlebar mustache.

Another guy at my creative writing meetings is the spitting image of Robert Pattinson / Edward Cullen, except bathed.

I survived my essay, clearly. I only hope I passed. On the way is a rush of lab assessments, lab write-ups, a data analysis crap worksheet, a fundraising week I have make arts&crafty things for, and exams. 

In other news, Becca and I are slowly making our way through "Doctor Who" season 1 which is pure awesome. Christopher Eccleston is the best doctor of my life. As much as I know I'm going to love Tennant (because I already do), I'll be so sad to see Eccleston go.

This Saturday we've planned a pancake morning. I say we, I mean me. My mom has a recipe for the best pancakes in the world (I'm not biased) and I'm introducing this world of tastiness to my friendsies here.

And now, I nap. Can you tell I need it?