Sighting

Approximately 30 young men dressed up as Oompa Loompas walked, stumbled and careened past my window Friday night. Decked out in white pants, white crossed suspenders, orange facepaint and green wigs, they were a merry bunch, undoubtedly intoxicated and (I believe) attempting to "sing."

First Day of Class: A Series of Unfortunate Events

To begin.... I thought I hit the snooze on my alarm but apparently turned it off, which wasn't a big deal because I was leaving lots of time to get ready anyway. Still, it was a sign (#1) that today was just going to be weird. Morning was pretty normal, breakfast, went to gym, got a blister on my right hand from rowing, came home.

(#2) Had to wait for shower because staff was cleaning them at exactly the same time I needed to shower. Upon arrival at campus, I had extra time so I took my book to the cafe in Charles Wilson to read, finished Admirable Crichton, btw it was really good, and started Peter Pan.

Arrived at class early and went to the Seminar Block of Attenborough because it wouldn't make sense to have class in the tower (small rooms, etc.). (#3) Discovered after waiting for 7 minutes that I was probably in the wrong classroom, so took a chance on that tower. Voila! Class. Last person to arrive: me.

After class we needed to purchase readers, which are pre-copied packets of the reading material for class sessions. These could be purchased from the History of Art Department on the 17th floor but (#4) paternoster* was broken, which means all traffic regulated to one tiny elevator or taking the stairs. Took the stairs. Not fun.

Got to 17th floor and everyone there to sign up for a topic, which I'll do later, but one other American also trying to buy a reader. When we finally got the secretary (#5) only one reader left, so I told the other girl to go ahead and buy it. Which meant I had to go to the library to check out book.

Got to library, but discovered (#6) both copies of book were in the reshelving process, so were not in the places they usually are. So had to (#7) go obtain pin from help desk to put a hold on book. Unfortunately (#8) cannot place hold on books that are being reshelved so was directed to reshelving area to (#9) rummage through slightly disorganized books and find book.

Thought I would be a nice classmate and make copies of the pages I needed so others could use the book, but due to trial and error process with copier making large, tiny, sideways and backwards copies of pages (#10-14) I gave up and finally checked the book out, having used up a good part of copy/printing money on my account. Rode home triumphantly with huge book and slight headache.

Welcome to academia.

*paternoster: A paternoster or paternoster lift is a passenger elevator which consists of a chain of open compartments (each usually designed for two persons) that move slowly in a loop up and down inside a building without stopping. Passengers can step on or off at any floor they like. See picture below. Compliments of Wikipedia.

Everything's got a moral, if only you can find it

Was logging onto my computer this morning and heard really loud banging on the door into our Block. At first I thought one of the girls accidentally got locked out last night, but there is no spy hole to peep out of. Banging became really ferocious, so refused to answer door in danger of becoming known as the stupid American who invited the crazy serial-killer in. Finally another girl let the person in, and I heard a guy's voice. He was pleasant enough, but they were talking too low to hear anything.


When ancient computer finally uploaded, got a message saying I should expect a package today. Then thought, "OH! maybe that was the mailman!" Opened my door to check the drawer in the kitchen and nearly stepped on my "package." Here is a picture of it taken from a website.







See what I get for trying to stay safe? Stupid American.

Oadby

Time difference prompted a 3am wake-up to talk to very important persons overseas. Fortunately no pressing appointments to keep today, so slept in until the sun (or rather, brightly overcast sky) woke me. Birds round here chirp at 5am though, probably hoping that they can force the sun to come up faster. Poor things.

Went on a small trip to Oadby after buying/loaning books at the University. Decided to walk past the ASDA (gasp!) into the actual town of Oadby to see if there was anything worth seeing. Bought two cards at an Oxfam store, which will be mailed Monday if I feel brave enough to use a Post Office. Picked up a box of cherries and ate top layer which exposed an unfortunately fuzzy individual... threw him away in hopes that have saved remaining fruit. Town also boasts confectionary shops, a cafe, and a Free House that looked pretty good. Had some ridiculously long title in the style of "His Master High Excellency Keeper of the Prominent Seal of SomethingOrOther." Very excited to try.

Other than that, it's raining. All the time. Was told this keeps up until March. Awesome.

Mobile Phone

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhrrrrrrrggggghhhhhhhhh! Absolutely hate hate HATE cell phone. I know Mom, hate is a strong word, I'll stop using it. But it is impossible for any international visitor to set up an account with stupid, terrible, horrible black lump of coal which is currently sitting on my desk next to me. I think this is what the Study Abroad staff were meaning when they talk about the second stage of culture shock. Amusing excerpt from our Pre-Departure handbook reads:

"I often tell people that culture shock is walking out the door, being greeted by a neighbor and wanting nothing more than to shout obscenities at them."

In this case, I wanted to smash little black phone with a hammer, screaming at the kind automated British woman: "You are LYING to me and I DETEST you!" In reality, she probably recorded these messages years ago, and now works with a psychiatric hotline, calming all of the poor souls who tried to set up with the Orange network. Awww... I'll bet her voice occasionally triggers a break-down.... hahaha. In an informal and very unlikely way, I'd like to apologize to said woman for my being so extremely angry. Eventually I was put through to a real person who worked wonders and fixed all of my problems. Whew.

On a personal note, love everyone at home and miss them bucketfulls. Personal PERSONAL note to Gaidos: beep, beep.

Orienting London and Leicester

Suspicious country, streets seem to force one in the opposite direction of where one desires to be. Beginning to think the hill in Through the Looking Glass must somewhat represent public toilets in London... head in the opposite direction and you may arrive within half-an-hour. Peace demonstration in front of the National Gallery, which we visited (gallery, not peace demonstration) after walking tour. Saw original paintings by Da Vinci, Michelagelo, Monet, Renoir, and lots of other famous dead guys. Really wonderful painting of the beheading of Lady Jane Grey, pre-chop. Name of the artist has completely vanished from memory. Definitely going back to London as we didn't have much time to do anything else.

City Centre of Leicester equally confusing. Thank heavens tall black signs point with helpful markings, though signs are not always pointing down roads. Occasionally the pedestrian will be directed to walk straight into a wall.

Hazard: Contrary to evidence suggesting otherwise in Harry Potter, England does not make walls one can walk through.

Lovely meal with the Catholic Student Association after mass at Holy Cross. Called "spaghetti and bolognase" but probably more like bolognase on something that used to be a noodle and has disintegrated into a mash. Bit sticky, but filling and tasted nice. Served wine with dinner, which is always acceptable. Came from a box! No ice cubes in it though... Grandma would be disappointed. Found myself pitching in with dishes and getting to know members. Rowdy, fun group. We were two of three Americans there, the other being another female student studying archaeology full-time at the University.

Fun fact learned at dinner: After his death, Richard III's body was in transit through Leceister. During the procession, his head was accidentally smacked against a road post and he was decapitated. Rather nasty but painless.

First incident of British humor

"Please feed the litter bins, provided as the floor is on a diet."
(14 January, interior of shuttle to Leicester)

Packing

According to official pamphlet from the university, am constrained to taking only one 50lbs-or-less luggage piece in transit from Heathrow to Leicester. Impossible as hair product must weigh at least 20lbs alone due to nasty bird's nest syndrome inherited by unknown ancestor. Lovely, obliging mother put in rare advice for a full speed ahead, torpedos-be-damned attitude and encouraged bringing two suitcases, as former students at informational session called said rule poppycock, balderdash and fiddle faddle. Think some of them have too much of the revolutionary spirit that put us at odds with England in first place.

Will stay the course and instead cram lovely shirts and pants into tiny hot-dog size shapes, as rolling was deemed the best possible solution by thoughtful elder sister. Definitely no revolutionary spirit on her account... experience at Oxford must have had some effect on intellect and respect for strict guidelines.