The Three Muskateers!

This last week has been so awesome! Rosie, Hannah, and I have been hanging out a lot. We call ourselves the 3 Muskateers (2 Muskateers + Hannah when she is being "too weird")

Us girls went to Quiz night down at the Elehouse on Monday. We posted up at our table and ordered our drinks with the sole intention of totally dominating the night's trivia game with the team name UK Babe + 2. (Hannah and I would be the +2, the team name was totally Rosie's idea) Well we got our paper to start filling out these word games, and we did surprisingly well:

Example: 4 and 20 BB baked in a P = 4 and 20 Black Birds baked in a Pie

(DUH!! Thanks, Mom for teaching me my nursery rhymes!)

8 T on an O: 8 Tentacles on an Octopus

Well at this point we were feeling rather confident, especially against the boys! Then the actual questions started...

"If you were to lay twin bed mattresses end to end, how many would it take to go around the earth?"

"If Jack and Jill went up the Hill, where is Ben?"

"Which country capital city is Ouagadougou?"

"What is the square root of orange?"

Okay, maybe made up a couple of those, but still. Just a few examples of the many worthless questions that they asked. By this point in the game, I found it much more enjoyable to drink my cider and pretend like I wasn't hearing the questions to avoid the fact that I had absolutely no idea of any of the answers. This did not damper our moods though, the game wasn't even fun anyway! Ha!

Well we went to London for the evening with a few of our American friends the next day: Bo, Dan, Tim, Hannah, Viraj, and I. We hopped on the train and spent the evening walking around London, we eventually found ourselves pub hopping. It was pretty enjoyable, probably the best experience was club 'FuDge' I knew something was a bit different when we walked in, but I just couldn't put a finger on it.

Me: "Was that guy wearing sparkles on his eyes?"
Hannah: "Is that a boy or a girl?"
Viraj: "Dude, where are all the chicks?"

Aha! We were totally in a gay bar. Looking back now, many jokes could be made in reference to the name of the bar, but I will just leave that alone entirely.

Wednesday, we all decided to go out to BONK! which is a indie-night at the Fourum. It was a blast, after many games of Eff-the-bus (or 'see how much we can make Jane drink in one sitting') we were ready to go! We met up with the other Americans and had a good time! I have made a pretty valid discovery: The more I drink, the better I think I can dance. Yeah, that needs to stop.

Yesterday I spent all day in Hannah's flat. Hannah and I were cooking up eggs and bacon, which I didn't think you could mess up really. I couldn't be more wrong. Ryan and Stu, who evidently are professional egg connoisseurs were horrified at the way we "scramble" our eggs. I actually think Stu gagged at one point. Ryan actually left the room when he saw that we put bacon, eggs, and mayonnaise on toast to make a sandwich. I think they were genuinely offended. However, I did not take it personally after I saw that Stu's breakfast consisted of baked beans, runny eggs, and mystery sausage.

Later, us girls decided it was a good day for ice cream (which if you know me at all, you know that I would say everyday is a good day for ice cream, but still) We got Ben & Jerry's pints of Chocolate Fudge Brownie. Well, obviously within the first 15 minutes of receiving my tasty treat, my container was empty. Many of you might see this as "appalling" "disgusting" or "repulsive" however, I see it as a skill. Hannah and Rosie however disagreed, and Hannah proceeded to let me have the rest of hers! She obviously supports my love of ice cream which I totally appreciate.

Well today, I went to class and now let the 5-day weekend begin again! Stu actually works as a party planner for clubs in Central London, tomorrow he reserved us girls a table at this upscale club! Our names are going to be "on a list" and we will receive a free bottle upon entry! I am so so excited! =)

PS Berlin next week!

cheers

Bird

Week 3: Valentine's Week

Well the majority of the last week was pretty low key. Hannah and I finalized our trip to Dublin, Ireland for St. Patrick's Day Weekend (March 19-24) To say that I am excited is quite the understatement. About 10 other American exchange students are going as well, should be a good time!

Hannah's parents feel pretty sorry for us when we tell them about the quality of food that we receive, (or lack thereof) so they decided to send a package with tons of snacks from America! We got that on Friday! -Cheez Its, Pop tarts, Trail Mix, Beef Jerky, Candy bars, M&Ms, Ramen Noodles, Grahm Crackers, Hershey chocolate, and Marshmallows (for S'mores!) Ryan will literally do just about anything for marshmallows, I have never seen a young adult react to the puffy goodness quite like he does. It is his own personal cocaine I feel. He offered me money if I could get my mom to send a box from the states filled with only marshmallows ("uhh but make sure they are the tiny kind, those are my absolute favorite!") and Twinkies. The people here sometimes get so desperate for a Twinkie, they purchase them on eBay. I feel like I might just start a smuggling business, and start bringing Twinkies into the country, I'll make millions.

I am greatly anticipating the arrival of my own care package filled with American treats! (THANKS MOM!!!)

For Valentine's Day, I reluctantly accepted Hannah's request to be her Valentine. (I really didn't have much choice though, she was pretty much my only offer besides my mother) We spent the day in Watford. We went shopping and I bought a couple new things at Primark and H&M. I was pretty excited!

For dinner, I wanted to take my Valentine to dinner somewhere that would show her how much she meant to me and the value that she has. And everyone knows there is only one place to go eat when you think of 'value'. Ah yes, we ate beneath the golden arches at McDonalds.

When it was time to leave, we go to board the bus. Right away, the bus driver pin points us as "Americans" He went on to ridicule us mercilessly, dogging on America and us. He called me "unintelligent" due to my honey-blonde hair color and that there was no way that I could be 21 because I looked much closer to 16. It was now Hannah's turn, he bluntly told her that it looked like she had a "rough day." I just stood there with my jaw dropped, just doing my awkward laugh that I use when I literally have no words to say. However, I knew exactly what I wanted to say..."Dude, you are a frickin' BUS DRIVER!!!" However, after totally tearing us apart, he did inform us that our teeth were very pretty. What a nice guy.

We went to the Elehouse that night and had a few drinks. I got nominated to play "Blind Date"! It was hilarious. I had to ask these 3 guys behind this huge screen questions, and based on their answers I had to pick the bachelor which I would like to go on a date with. Well 3 questions, a strip tease, and the cheering crowd's advice later, I chose Bachelor #3, Fabio Gois from London. I was probably choosing between the 3 dorkiest guys in Hatfield. It was hilarious, I loved it! It was a great Valentine's day, shopping, french fries and milkshakes, jerk bus drivers, and a nerdy date.

Yesterday, I was convinced that it would be fun to go to the Girl's Rugby practice just to learn and see what it was about. I honestly didn't know what to expect. We started off just doing some warm up drills, it reminded me of my soccer practices, so I was loving it! We threw the ball around and played some 2-hand touch Rugby, it was fun!
Then, the coach proceeded to tell us to partner up, and I was the odd one out so I was partners with a stalky girl, outweighed me by a good 20 pounds, that we're going to wrestle. "Come again?" was my reaction and a slight look of terror.
So I spent the next 15 minutes of practice being thrown on the turf and being man-handled by, Helga. (I will call her that for the sake of the story) At one point, this haas got me on all fours, straddled my back, and exclaimed "Yee-Haw" in front of the entire team. It was at that exact moment that I knew rugby was not for me. Sadly, there was an entire hour left in the practice.

Next, we moved on to learning how to tackle. Helga was also very good at this. She laid me out many times and I would have to get up, remove the grass and dirt from my mouth and ears, and take another hit.
After the tackling practice, we actually got to scrimmage, this time full-contact. I actually did very well at this and was able to blow by girls like Helga and break their tackles. I didn't get laid out once and scored multiple times. I felt like Forrest Gump, just put the ball in her hands and tell her to run, so that is what I did.

Big Mistake there.

Now, the team has my email address and has extended an invite to me to play for them.

I have never been one to turn down an invite that involves sports, however, I have never been made into someone's pony before either, might have to sit this one out.

To celebrate my ribs being bruised and being sore as hell. Hannah and I set up Beer pong in her room last night, it was a blast. We just set up 10 cups on either side of the room and sat behind them on the floor, and played for about 3 hours. I was 6-0. I feel like I earned back some dignity after my degrading Rugby experience.

Well that is all for now! I'm off to do laundry and find someone who can pop my back, I feel like I have been hit by a bus, I mean Helga.

cheers.

Jane

Weekend at the Fourum

The past few days have been SO much fun!!

Thursday, February 4th Chaz-D DJ'd at the Fourum, so Hannah and I bought tickets for our first Drum and Bass concert. It was amazing! It was a pound/pint, so naturally Cider and Black was involved...The Fourum is the huge dance club that is located on the upper floor of the Student Union here at school.

We ran into Gretchen, who is this crazy he/she here at Uni. It has blue, Cookie Monsteresque hair with stripes shaved into the side of her head. It is kind of a mystery as to her gender, but the majority of people concluded that he is a boy who was raised as a girl and the result is Gretchen.

Well there was a sort of mosh pit that broke out, so that was interesting, yet very fun! Hannah and I definitely sent Ryan through a few times, he was loving it! By the end of the night, Hannah and I were basically tearing up the dance floor. We had a circle of people around us cheering us on, under normal sober circumstances this would have embarrassed me to no end, however at this point, I was having a blast! haha

The next night was a themed party at the Fourum was PIMPS and HOeS. Everyone always raves about the themed parties, so Hannah and I decided we wanted to go! But don't worry, I would not dress like a ho. Hannah and I took a much classier route, we G'd up from the feet up. We wore baggy basketball shorts with boxers and sagged, wife beaters, bling, a band aid on our face, bandana on our head, and to complete my outfit a rocked an 8 inch clock around my neck. It was hilarious. We looked absolutely ridiculous. Right as we walked in the door, the stares we received were priceless. There probably wasn't a person there who didn't know we were American.


We stuck out so badly next to all of the scantily clothed "ho's" but we did not care. We once again, just danced the night away. I actually gained a sort of "admirer" out of the whole deal. Andy, a 6'10 guy who followed me around like a lost puppy. My flat mates have not let the whole thing go, and the note that I woke up to outside my door from 'Andy xx' did not help the situation at all.

Last night we all stayed in, ordered pizza and played UNO. It was nice to have a relaxing night and just hang out. We all wanted to be well rested for the SUPER BOWL party that kicks off today at the Elehouse. We will be up until 5am today watching the game due to the 6 hour time difference. I'm pretty excited, they will be serving hot dogs and nachos and we plan on setting up a beer pong table as well!

GO COLTS!!!!!!!!

This week, Hannah and I are probably going into London for a few days to do some more in depth sight seeing, so we're pretty excited about that!

Well that's all I've got for now, I need to clean my room and hop in the shower!

cheers.

jane

Week 1: Getting Settled In

WHEW!

So I have been at University for about a week now! It has been so much fun! I live in Telford Court at the University of Hertfordshire, Flat 39. I have 5 other flatmates: Amelia, Jade, Will, and David. They are so awesome! They have been so welcoming and outgoing.

Most nights Will comes in and we just hang out, listen to music and he gets to talk to my family and freinds back home on Skype. It's pretty great. Seeing as a week ago when I first got here, I was trying to get into my flat around 8 in the morning when this half naked boy stumbles out of his room and started walking towards me. I was TERRIFIED! I was fumbling with my keys and could not get my door unlocked. Then in this scruffy just woken up voice, he goes "HI. I'm Will." and that was our first introducation, I had a minor freak out moment in my room. But turns out, he's actually pretty cool.

Hannah and I are adjusting nicely, we both get along great with our flatmates and they have been so sweet including us in their nights out to the Elehouse or the Fourum which are a pub and a dance club located in the Student Union which is a 4 minute walk from my front door =) convenient.

We have already established our favorite drink here, Cidar and Black. I am seriously considering smuggling some back to the US and making a fortune. If this cidar made it to the states, sorority girls would never be the same...it's that good. I've already started constructing a pyramid of cans in my room (I'm desperate for decorations and damn proud of my first week's accomplishments)

Hannah and I both have gotten our schedules finally, we both have classes on Thursdays and Fridays (ONLY) Perfect for TRAVELING I can't wait!!

The guys here are hilarious, they are always giving us such a hard time for our accents, which I find amusing. Their favorite line to call us out on would definitely have to be "OH MY GAAWWWD!!" Which sadly, they do quite well. They are also working on teaching us a bit of their lingo as well, I suck at it I've been told.


Last Thursday, Hannah and I went on our first official pub crawl. It was nothing short of fabulous! Well we went to 2 pubs...it was more of a stroll I guess. However, I did learn that American girls dance a bit differently than what they do over here. I felt like Beyonce. hahaha

On Sunday we went to London, it was amazing! We had so much fun! I saw Buckingham Palace (my favorite!) Big Ben, London Eye, Parliament, Piccadilly Square, the guards with the fuzzy hats (highlight), had a roast dinner, visited the Art Gallery and saw Van Gogh's Sunflowers (beautiful!) and a work of Picasso, AND got the famous telephone booth picture! It was definitely a Successful trip! I will post my pictures on facebook soon!



Well it's late here, but I will post more soon!

cheers.

love,

jane