The UK rips the US a new arsehole

OK...so a few updates.  First and most importantly, I'm still homeless.  Tomorrow I'm viewing a place about a 20 min walk from the University by Highstreet.  I REALLY REALLY want to find a place more permanent.  I guess I must have sounded desperate on the phone, because the guy I spoke with chuckled at me when I offered to pay the first 6 months rent upfront and quickly added "or more if needed".  Keep your fingers crossed!  As an alternative, I'd be happy to move into the library.  I've found my "nook" where I can sit with great views of Meadows sipping on coffee (side note-the Starbucks here is WAY better than ones in the states.  Everything is less sweet, though I'd still choose the Coffee Bean over pretty much anything.)  I'm embarrassed to say I'd rather spend an hour in the library than at a pub.  I guess it's true what they say, as you get older, you become your mother.  Though, I consider myself lucky, since my mom is a great woman to aspire to become.

In other news, today was my first whole day of class.  I came to two very important realizations 1. I can never work on Wallstreet cause I suck at trading, and 2.  the UK thinks very highly of themselves and thinks we (from the US) are incredibly inept.  To elaborate on point number 1.  Not only do i possess an inchoate knowledge of economics, I'm awful at negotiating, and am too ready to settle (ironic, since in life I tend to do the opposite).  In the lecture, the professor kept referring to classical economics as a point of reference.  As I sat there, trying to rack my brain for any smidgen of classical econ, all I could think of was laissez-faire, that in turn got me thinking about the tea party(bag)ers.  Not very helpful.  For the group part of the class, we were separated into two groups, buyers and sellers.  Each of us had a individual reservation price, that we could not go above/below, the point, obviously being, to make the most profit by selling high or buying low.  I, not aided by my low reservation price, made a profit of .08 cents, where as other people were making way over 1 dollar (or rather quid).  On to point 2.  Also in the class discussion part of the class, we went over an article written last year talking about the US healthcare system and reform.  The Brits were very quick to point out that the US is both prodigal and selfish, savoring ideas of "choice" and "individuality" over what is more economically sound.  And although this is a rather apt description, I had to kindly remind them that not all of us are like that.  The media plays a huge role in Americans inability to think for themselves, on top of which, the insurance and pharmaceutical companies, afraid of loosing their monopoly, pour tons of money (our money) into convincing the public that a single-payer health system is a breach of American ideals.  Americans choose not to think for themselves and do research, but instead opt to be lazy and repeat whatever they hear on FOX news, or other news sources for that matter, which unfortunately use rhetoric to confuse their listeners, forcing them to focus on "patriotism" etc. instead of the true underlying issue.  Which, to be fair isn't all the media's fault, or the insurance companies funding the nonsensical and misleading adverts/campaigns.  I personally blame lack of education (why I'm in favor of changing the voting laws, requiring a BA/BS degree or a US politics and economic proficiency test to vote).  Anyway, I felt like a child being scolded for making poor decisions.  I just wanted to cry out apologetically, "It's not me!  I'm one of the smart ones!"  or in defiance, "Well just remember who kicked your ass in 1776 and had a democratic government when you were still paying tithings to the monarchy."  At least we can agree on one thing:  Thank god we're not French!

Official!!!

Rainy First Day

Ahh the glories of jet lag.  I was up at four this morning ready to head off to the University, though I settled for eating a "Cheese Toastie" with fries (side note, the menu read "fries" and not "chips"...odd).  The morning was clear, until about 7, when it started to pour rain.   I left for the University around 8:30, plenty of time to get to George Sq, only a 10 min walk.  Unfortunately I have a bad sense of direction, and first headed the wrong way down High Street.  Once I figured that out, I set out on South Bridge towards the University.  On the way, I asked someone if I was going the wrong direction, and they say yes and to turn around, which I did.  Alas they were wrong (as I noticed when South Bridge turned into North Bridge).  Finally I arrived, very late and very wet.  My advisor, Nathaniel, is actually from the San Francisco, and know of Ukiah!  He's an avid hiker and loves the outdoors (so much for bonding over a common interest) and therefore goes up north a lot.  I signed up for three classes "Health Policy Analysis", "Economics of Health Policy", and "Anthropology of Health and Healing".  Then I headed off to my first lecture.  I was planning on doing some errands around the campus (getting a student ID and registering) but instead opted to go back to the hotel since it was pouring and my jeans were soaked and my feet bleeding (my new flat boots turned out to be very uncomfortable, ironic...from now on I'm sticking with the low heels).  Now, after peeling off my pants and wringing out my raincoat (not as effective as one would expect), I'm giving my feet a rest, hoping to wait out the (in my opinion) anomalous weather (which is, according to locals, "mild at best").  Then of to the arduous tasks of trying to open a bank account, figuring out a cell phone plan, dealing with University bureaucracy, all while being rained upon.  Maybe I'll add buying an umbrella to that list.