On Nottingham's campus there are fourteen bars. That fact alone is a bit mind boggling hailing from a Bible belt state where a campus is more likely to be dry than not.
Of course, give students somewhere to drink and we'll figure out a way to take it a few steps further than humanly healthy. It was through that mindset that the Campus 14 was born.
The rules are simple: One pint or two shots at every bar.
The time constraints and location of all the bars are where things get tricky. The hall bars do not open until 7:30 pm and all of them close at 11:00pm. Considering there is a good bit of walking between some halls, there tends to be a lot of to-go drinking and chugging to finish on time.
When Jason was in town, we attempted it with Gen and only got five bars in before we got distracted.
Last night however, Gen and I completed our first full Campus 14 with some Rutlanders and I don't know whether to be proud of myself or a little disgusted that there was so much alcohol consumed in one night by everyone present. I think I'll just go with pride.

So, I just realized that I had a slightly wrong idea about being truly involved in a study abroad experience. Gen and I recently hung out with a bunch of other exchange students from all over and we had such an amazing time! This whole trip I've been trying to get really integrated into the British culture and hanging out with people from here, but this past weekend made me realize how great meeting people from my own country and others while I'm here. Not only was it great fun to hang out with people from other countries than the UK, but it was incredible being able to associate with kids going through the same situation as myself. We all understand the confusion of a different grading, miss food from home (good sushi and nachos... I could not be more excited), and our mixed emotions about leaving Nottingham for home.

I might be getting a little too deep about meeting all of these kids, but I was shocked how much I realized I miss American humor and company (my sarcasm does not translate as well over here, sadly). I'm a bit bummed I didn't start hanging out with these guys before now, but am so glad I got to meet them at all.

Here's most of the group on our way to a bonfire in a cave next to the lake.
Partying outside in the woods really took me back to high school.

So exams are in full swing at uni right now... even though I haven't had a single one yet. Everything is pretty quiet though and will be until the 5th of June. Gen and I have had a lot of time on our hands and we have taken advantage of it to the fullest degree. By fullest degree, I of course mean that I have now watched a ridiculous amount of downloaded television and films, along with rereading the Harry Potter series.
I have also taken to running and walking in Wollaton Park a lot in the evenings. Below is documented proof:

It's going to be weird leaving Nottingham and possibly never seeing the people I met ever again. I'm not usually one for nostalgia, but leaving this place may do the trick.
Anyway, next up on the agenda is planning the trip to Spain before I head back to the states. I'll leave you with this link that I'm sure will fill the 'rents with confidence about me traveling there.

AHHHHHHHH! So I'm almost done with my essays for this semester... one more to go for my Viking Age class.
I've pulled waaaaay too many all nighters lately and I'm really excited to be done with this semester. After the last essay, I have two exams (June 2 and 4) and then I will be done... finally. And I'll be a senior... wow, getting old, yeah?
Oh, yet another reason I feel old, Tricia and Bryce are now engaged. (Parents, you remember them right? Tricia was the tall, bubbly blonde, went to prom with Mark senior year, went to UGA for Chemistry & Bryce was the tall one with shaggy hair (: hah.) Anyway, they've been dating for three years and he proposed about two nights ago. They are incredibly happy together and I just am in awe that I have friends that are planning a wedding.
So yeah, I'll talk to you soon family and I hope everything is going swimmingly.

I heard something very British today: "It's called Great Britain for a reason, everything here is great... Except the weather."
Granted, it's a bit pompous, but even the last part of that opinion was proved wrong the past few days. The weather here has been amazing... like, Spring in Georgia without the humidity amazing. I actually smelled fresh cut grass yesterday. I haven't experienced these things in months! Some friends and I laid about on the Downs in the sun this afternoon after lectures.
Speaking of lectures, I looked up my timetable and I think my lectures are ending soon. I only have one week of Philosophy of Religion lectures left and my others seem to be winding down too. I have about four essays due between next week and May and then two exams in early June.
It's nice to have the semester coming to a close and summer getting closer.
Fewer classes means more free time to lounge around and bask in this beautiful weather... I can definitely see myself enjoying these next few months.

Back to School

So I'm back safely in Nottingham. The visit home was fantastic, but I kind of wish I had left more time to hang out with people. Some visits were sacrificed and others were cut short, so that was unfortunate. I did get to meet and hang out with some cool new people from the Grille House though and Becky and I got some good quality time together.
Working back at the Grille House was interesting... I've gotten used to being unemployed here and being thrown back into a job where your interests and well-being are not the main concern was a little exhausting. The money should be pretty good though.
Classes start back next Monday and I have two papers due next week that I haven't started, but hopefully will tomorrow after Gen leaves for a few days.
Thanks again for hosting and feeding me, family, I had a fun time and will see you all again in July.

Ireland & Scotland

Dublin, Wicklow, Limerick, Cliffs of Moher, Edinburgh, and back to Nottingham via London.