Well, nothing terribly exciting has happened lately, but I figured I would keep you guys updated on the lack of anything notable occurring... EXCEPT THAT I FOUND A SUPER SECRET TUNNEL TODAY.
Yes. Between the two main buildings there is an underground tunnel that links them. I'm pretty excited.
This should be the first of many tunnel excursions for me. A lot of the Nottingham tunnel portals have been covered with earth, rubbish, bricks, locks, ect., but I think I can figure out a way to infiltrate and explore.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Visits
It's been a busy weekend for me! Best to outline for organizational purposes.
- Uncle Doug's visit to Nottingham: After a lot of last minute planning, Uncle Doug made the long drive from London to Notts and picked me up at my dorm. Queue a slightly unnerving first drive in a car for me over here and a quick wander around the city centre. We finally decided on visiting the "oldest inn of the UK" that I mentioned before and settled in for a pint of Old Trip ale and a meal chock full of calories and, for me, a ridiculous amount of goat cheese. I've noticed they are really freaking into cheese over here and I positively love it.
We finished our cozy meal and brew and made our way back to the car. On our way though, we encountered a local hero: Robin Hood.
Overall, it was a great visit and I am really glad he could make it up to Notts and treat me to a dinner that wasn't mass produced.
- Ocean: Once Uncle Doug dropped me off, I headed over to Gen's and had a Guinness at Rutland's bar and since we were both pretty knackered we had decided to stay in. However, after listening to a really upbeat dance tune, our minds were changed and we were in a taxi in less than half an hour. Things were going pretty well until we discovered a young girl completely passed out in the toilet face down in various bodily fluids. It was really attractive. Long story short, it took us and the managers of the club about an hour and a half to locate her silly drunk friends and get her conscious. It was pretty gross and ridiculous, but Gen and I got six drink vouchers out of it. After we were sure she was fine, we hit up the dance floor again and decided to save our vouchers for another night and had a pretty good sober night out.
- Coaches and Site seeing: The next morning, Gen and I caught our half eleven coach to London and spent about four hours trying to sleep off our inexplicable hangovers.
We arrived at Victoria Station and began to walk around trying to get in a few sites and shops before the sun set.
- Dinner and corkscrews: Gen and I met up with her friend, Leah, who was staying at our uncle's flat and graciously let us stay there.
We caught a subway and then a bus and got started making a really great dinner of cheese (I told you I've been consuming loads of it), bread and oil, ravioli, and wine. Once dinner was over we broke open a bottle of champagne and started to get ready for going out. There was a minor problem with a cork screw on the fourth bottle of wine we tried to open, but the only casualty was the top of the bottle. (:
- Night out: We caught the tube to get uptown and we met up with a few exchange students who were also visiting London, but sketched off to explore more bars. I'll leave the quantity of alcohol a mystery (for dignity's sake and the lack of memory from all parties, but I'll say we did London right).
Around four we decided we were completely knackered and the bars were closing anyway. Catching a taxi proved to be impossible, but Gen took control and found the right bus line to get us home for an early breakfast of bacon, orange juice, and, the highlight, fried bread.
- Dorm, sweet, dorm: Needless to say, Sunday's hangovers were more easily explained and the return coach ride was borderline miserable.
I am home safely now and getting some schoolwork done. It was a truly legend weekend though and I hope to visit London a bit more intensely at some point.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The True Idea of American Consumers
So, I was perusing the beer aisle in Sainsbury's today and among the delicious lagers and beautiful blonde ales was a case of Budweiser. I was slightly concerned at the fact that someone would innocently try "The King of Beers" instead of the European brews that they offer, but I almost laughed out loud when I saw the package next to the Budweiser. On a separate rack directly beside it was "AUTHENTIC BEEF JERKY."*
Now, I haven't found any true American food brands since I arrived, and the fact that the sales manager thought to himself, "Well, surely anyone that desires Budweiser would be interested in buying this terrible dehydrated beef. Best put them adjacent so the silly Americans don't get confused," was simply hilarious.
I just thought that was entertaining and wanted to share.
Now, I haven't found any true American food brands since I arrived, and the fact that the sales manager thought to himself, "Well, surely anyone that desires Budweiser would be interested in buying this terrible dehydrated beef. Best put them adjacent so the silly Americans don't get confused," was simply hilarious.
I just thought that was entertaining and wanted to share.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Okay, I have more time for a proper post now.
Thus far, my study abroad has been mainly focused on becoming integrated into the social aspect of Nottingham: Pre-lashing and clubbing. I know, Daddy, you're proud.

I've yet to go to a proper pub, but I hope to do that this weekend, no one seems too interested in just chilling out with a beer when there are clubs available. I definitely have to hit the 'oldest pub in the UK,' Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalum and drink their home brew:
Thus far, my study abroad has been mainly focused on becoming integrated into the social aspect of Nottingham: Pre-lashing and clubbing. I know, Daddy, you're proud.
Athens has trained me well and Pre-lashing/gaming/drinking/night is nothing new. The clubs however, those are a bit different for me. The busiest one in Nottingham is called Oceana (not to be confused with Ocean, of course, which is more 'seedy' and 'sticky') and it is freaking massive. http://www.oceanaclubs.com/nottingham/ <--- if you want to check it out, click that.
Add mediocre bar service and this picture pretty much describes the clubs in my opinion.

I've yet to go to a proper pub, but I hope to do that this weekend, no one seems too interested in just chilling out with a beer when there are clubs available. I definitely have to hit the 'oldest pub in the UK,' Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalum and drink their home brew:
It looks wicked dark and even more tasty.
I've been going out with a lot of first years and they have been a lot of fun, though more... rambunctious than I'm used to.They are really fun though... the girl in the lower left corner is Gen... She's the Australian I've been hanging out with a lot and she's a freaking blast right along with the British guys. Once I remember to take my camera around, I'll post some pictures of the campus and the town.
Hope you're all well and that you enjoyed my pictorial tour of drunkeness.
Hope you're all well and that you enjoyed my pictorial tour of drunkeness.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Hello all of the people that care about my trip!
It snowed here in Nottingham today... I was miserable and no one really comprehends that. I really blame my hatred on those years in Michigan wearing snowsuits, but it could be that I just am a wuss about being wet and cold.
I've been having a ball in England thus far. I'm still getting a bit settled... I've made a lot of friends in another hall, but not many in my own. I'll work on that at some point. Or not. It depends how active I'm feeling that day I suppose.
I'll update more later, but we're about to head out for a friends birthday...
Love and miss you all!
It snowed here in Nottingham today... I was miserable and no one really comprehends that. I really blame my hatred on those years in Michigan wearing snowsuits, but it could be that I just am a wuss about being wet and cold.
I've been having a ball in England thus far. I'm still getting a bit settled... I've made a lot of friends in another hall, but not many in my own. I'll work on that at some point. Or not. It depends how active I'm feeling that day I suppose.
I'll update more later, but we're about to head out for a friends birthday...
Love and miss you all!
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