So, a lot has happened since my last update. I'm finally starting to settle into life here (minus the cold weather). First of all, a few thank yous. First, my mom and dad, thanks for running around back in the states trying to help me get ever thing set up and sending me packages of warm clothes. Dad-thanks for the candy corn, I'm eating some right now! Mom-thanks for the House updates. I look forward to them on Tuesday mornings. Josh-thank you so much for being there when I need to talk, even if it's 3am for you. And finally Anne and Shruti, you both called me when I was needing a little love and words of encouragement. You have no idea how much you helped me keep going, you both mean the world to me.
So what have I been up too? Basically, just loads of work. I won't bore you with the details, though, interestingly, I went to a seminar on 'how to write an academic paper' thinking, oh duh...I got this in the bag. To my surprise, however, writing at Scripps is nothing like writing here. I feel so boxed in by the parameters they set. Oh well, other then that, my first set of classes is over next week, which means goodbye 'public policy analysis' and 'economics of health' and hello 'epidemiology' and 'global politics of healthcare'. That is, after I finish my two essays...snore. I'm continuing on with my anthro class, which means...wait for it...MORE FOUCAULT! God, he follows me everywhere. I also discussed Marx, another one of those pesky stalkers, today in seminar.
I did go to an interesting lecture given by a Professor from Kings College on the Tea Party (baggers). He looks at the Scot-Irish, their work ethic and morality, as one of the reasons our country has so many problems, which I have definitely seen first hand. He pointed to education as the best way to rectify this situation, though easier said then done...right? Especially with all our budget cuts. Though, I did want to tell him that my mom pointed this all out to me a few years ago, so he's kinda late in his theory.
On to the fun (social/drunky) things. So I've finally made friends!!! Yesterday I went out with a group of British women, one who really loves California, another who works at Harvey Nichols and gets a discount, and one more (I would write girls, because that's habit, but they are all over 25, so definitely have to write women) a German guy, and to rather boring British guys. They are so nice, and invited me to a birthday celebration this weekend, meaning, I really have to be on top of my work. I've also been talking a lot with a few North American women in on my course. They are also really nice, though in pretty serious relationships (one is married) with guys here, so it's been hard to hang out with them. I've also become semi friends with two of the guys I did my Econ presentation on, turns out I misjudged them a bit and they aren't CMC douchebags, just British. One of them, the male nurse, like to read a lot and one of his favorite authors is Gabriel Garcia Marquez (brownie points!) but also likes anime (bye bye points), though he's currently reading East of Eden...so I guess he can have a few points back. The other is a lobbyist for the British Heart Foundation, kinda a big deal.
I've also started going to a dance studio down the hill and around the corner from my flat (which makes it a very unpleasant return trip). I just got back from a class called 'dirtee pop' in which you learn routines from music videos. I'm also doing yoga there and going to the gym, which is fucking amazing!!! Just saying...it is like I am in heaven (Josh'll understand this reference).
The food situation has also gotten better. I've found a great place for Iranian food (shawarma) and hookah. Also, many places with good falafel (thanks Anne!). Also a great steak place. I'm also going to make beans tomorrow, thanks to a recipe from Jamie. Yay for homemade Mexican food, sin torillas, cause I can't find any.
Ok...so that's all for now. I've got to go back to reading about competitive tendering in Bangladesh.
