I was trying to be so good about posting on Tuesdays because Wednesday is an empty day for me, but this week I've been very bogged down by reading (grrr school!). But hopefully I will be back on track for next Tuesday

Ok, what do I need to talk about?

The traditional English roast dinner we had (see the end of my last post) was so fantastic! I mean, absolutely delicious, and so many veggies. I was very impressed that my flatmates were able to convince our oven and stove to make such an exciting meal. Since I was pretty much useless in the making of the food, I helped wash up. Our kitchen is surprising clean considering that 5 people live here with no dishwasher and a tiny sink. But I have gotten into the habit of eating the meals my flatmates prepare and lovingly offer me, and then doing the washing up as my part. It's a trade I'm definitely willing to make.

As far as classes go, it's about the same. I'm frustrated because I had been waiting to hear from a woman answers to some questions and after a week I sent her an email today as a follow up and she still told me she wasn't sure but that I should contact this guy, who incidentally is the FIRST person I contacted about this situation. So I've been given the run around basically. But I might go back to the second person I saw because she actually seemed to care about my situation. This is really the only thing I hate about schools, they are such institutions; no one can give you a definite answer about anything.

Anywho… Thursday was actually really cool because they were broadcasting the last presidential debate in one of the lecture rooms on campus. I went with my flatmate Hannah, 3 of the people who live in our building and Athena and we got there and the place was PACKED. There were probably between 75 and 100 people there (it was a small room not meant for that many). What was really cool about it is that most of them weren't the American exchange students, but people from all over the world. And there is a Fulbright scholar from America studying politics here at Western who came and led discussions after each segment. We actually didn't get to finish the debate because we all spent so much time doing the discussion. She explained all kinds of things that are confusing (ie American healthcare, the British were flabbergasted that we have such a complicated system, they literally were like "… but, why??"). And it was really cool to be seeing the debate from a different point of view (and to be in England as McCain insulted the NHS… that was classic). The election is a huge topic of conversation these days, I talk more politics here than I ever do at home (although it'd probably be different if I was home right now). It was an exciting day when I got my ballot and voters guide! The politics society is throwing an election night gathering on election day in one of the bars on campus… from 10 to 6 am (about the time the actual results should be coming in). But I don't have classes on Wednesday, so I will probably be there for most of it. And I think all my flatmates will be there too. I'm going to print out those electoral coloring maps (color blue the states Obama gets and red for those McCain gets). It should be good fun, unless things go terribly awry...

Friday was the first time that I actually got to go out with my flatmates and our friends. We went downtown and went to a pub and then we walked down to the beach and went to one of the clubs on the water. We got there and it was 60's night, we were a little skeptical, but it ended up being great fun! There weren't many people there (since it was 60's night) but I knew all but one song the whole time we were there. I enjoyed it. There were some issues on the bus getting there, but all in the all the night was a success.

Saturday we all felt very lazy and hung around the house doing homework and all that. Boring boring boring… productive though. That night Sarah (flatmate) and I made brownies and I taught the 5 or 6 of us in the kitchen how to play Nerts. People came and went and I think I ended up teaching about 8 people how to play. Everyone loves it. We played Nerts and ate brownies for like 4 hours or so. I'm glad they like it, and that I brought 5 decks of cards J

Sunday Athena and I decided to explore our surrounding area. We went west (instead of east to Brighton) and explored this tiny old town called Lewes, which is famous for having Anne of Cleves house (although she never lived in it) and having been the birthplace of Thomas Paine. That's about it. It was small and since it was a Sunday everything was pretty much closed. But it was quintessential England. Old town built into a hill, cobblestone paths, a castle, sprawling public gardens- it was very cute. And it was a really nice day, so we were lucky. We also were able to get some pizza, which we had both been craving (oddly enough).

This week I have been trying to be ultra productive in terms of school and other things. I sent off my ballot, and something that was due at the IRS a month ago (oops?). I also have started researching for my essays. And, most fun of all, I have started planning the trips I'm going to try and take while I'm here. I want to make the most of being this close to everything. I'll be going to Wales in November. And I'm going to the Isle of Wight this weekend with Sarah (that's where she is from, a tiny island of the southern coast of England). But when and where else am I going to go? I have a wonderful plan in the works, but I don't want to jinx it (it will only work if I get my butt in gear and get some essays written). These travels will probably be worked on soon and you will be able to hear about them in the near future.

For now, that is all. Tuesday I will update about the Isle of Wight and hopefully have some beautiful pictures to show!