A Few Random Bloggy Notes

Hi-ho...(kermit de frog here...j/k)...

Well, not much to report right now. We're back in class after a lovely bank holiday weekend. I've already blogged about my enjoyable Saturday night, and as for Sunday...well, after walking home at 4:30am and watching the sunrise (yes, the sun DOES rise at 4:30 over here), I took Sunday to chill out and do my school work. I finished the project portion I had due while I was here, which is due today, so no worries really.

Monday, which was bank holiday here, I stayed close to where I lived. I went to lunch with my friend Greg, then he retreated to do his project and I wandered into an area called Wood Green to do some shopping. I wound in and out of little boutiques and came out with two cute tops and the worlds most comfortable pair of linen cargo pants. It was rather fun.

After spending entirely too much money, I headed home for a bit. Then I headed out to the pub with my friends where we drank, chilled, and chatted. It was quite fun -- I love these guys, we have lots of laughs and just generally enjoy each others company.

In other news...I've learned so much about English and European culture while I've been here. I really like it. English people are pretty cool. However, their image and the image of this country is presented quite askew in the US. Thus, I present to you...

MYTHBUSTERS: LONDON EDITION
So, here are a few myths I'd like to dispel about the English and English culture.

1. Everyone dresses much more formally for everyday things -- MYTH -- think New York...everyone wears jeans and such just like we do, the style is slightly different, but the dress code is the same.

2. Beer is served room temperature -- CRAP -- I cannot for the life of me figure out where they do that. In every pub I've been to, the beer is cold. As a matter of fact, in most pubs, you can get your Guinness cold, or Extra cold. How about that?

3. The "stuffy brit" -- BS -- I might call these guys "hurried" but hurried in the same way people are in any major city. They've got places to go and things to do and have to fight their way through mass transit to do it -- of course they're a bit curt. But man, these guys know how to party -- the clubs and bars here are hoppin!

4. They English don't like being called "British" -- TOTAL CRAP -- I've read that in so many books...but its total crap! They call themselves British. It's a common term that is used all the time.

5. Tea and crumpets -- MYTH -- they drink plenty of tea, but I don't think most of the younger generation even has a clue what a crumpet is. I haven't seen one yet.

6. HORRIFIC dental hygiene -- PRETTY MUCH MYTH -- in some of the older folks, you can tell that dental care was not readily available when they were younger in that they're missing a few teeth, or that their teeth are crooked, but in the younger people, they look just like us. I've even seen a few with braces.

And there you have it! Some prominent English myths dispelled. That's really all I have for now. Included above is a picture of the entrance to the British Museum, which my roomies and I wandered through last week. I don't really have much else for pictures right now, but we have the Tower of London, Tate Modern Gallery, and a trip to Stonehenge and Salisbury coming up this week, so there will certainly be more to come.

Cheers!

UK words/phrases of the day:

Till = cash register
Bloke = guy
Bird = slang for girl (like chick)
Quid = slang for money (like bucks)