Mmm... Obama Burgers

Is anyone else as excited about the election as I am? I am just about ready for all this campaign bull to over and done with. I just want to know who's going to be my next president and whether or not I need to get a visa to live in Canada or Edinburgh! Apparently the UK is very much into our election as well. This coming week has been dubbed "Stars and Stripes Week" by the Edinburgh student association. They're featuring food inspired by the candidates (the Obama and McCain burgers which have ingredients based on each candidate's background e.g. pineapple for Obama's Hawaiian roots and BBQ for McCain's southwestern home) and one of the student unions is staying open all night long on election night so we can see the results. Official results are supposed to come in around 5 am Edinburgh time. I'm so ready. I plan on drinking highly caffeinated beverages to keep me wired. I don't have class until the afternoon so I should be GOLD when it comes up to staying up all night. You, like my father, may ask why I insist on staying up all night. Why not just wake up at 5 to get the results? Frankly its because of the 2000 and 2004 elections. To quote a dear friend of mine in Claremont "I went to bed thinking one guy was going to be the next president and I woke up the next day and it was the other dude (Viv)!" So I'll be pulling an all-nighter but I feel like I've mastered the art of keeping myself awake and alive for almost 48 hours. I've decided that two things are going to definitely happen after I know the results, not matter who wins:

1. I will cry... out of a combination of exhaustion and a) elation or b) shock and horror.
2. I am partying very hard the next night to either a) celebrate or b) drown my sorrows.

This week God has stuck me down with a truly awful sinus infection. Now I know it doesn't sound so bad when you're reading that but think back on those times when you wake up in the middle of the night because you can't breathe or when you make those really awful noises with your nose whenever a room happens to go dead quiet. Yeah, it is no fun. I've pretty much been sick for the past 3 weeks on and off but this week has been the worst by far. I finally broke down and decided to see the doctor. I don't know how this works exactly but for some reason we American students qualify for national health care while studying here in the UK. So I called the student health center and made and appointment. I went in that afternoon and saw the doctor within 10 minutes of entering the building (how often can you say that about service in the US?). He assessed my illness and prescribed me some antibiotics and then sent me on my merry way. I got my medication for 5 pounds (which amounts to about $8) and am well on my way to healthy times! This is why the US needs national health care... things would be so much simpler and ten times less annoying. My ailing body will probably make a full recovery around Friday which means I will actually start going out again tomorrow (Thursday). Not the wisest choice, I know, but we're supposed to go to a ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) which is a Scottish bash with everyone wearing traditional dress, drinking lots of booze and dancing around to amazing Scottish tunes. Did I mention that by traditional dress I mean tons of KILTS?! It is going to be superb.

This past week was mostly uneventful because I spent most of my time in bed trying to stop being sick. We did make it to The Tron on Saturday to see our favorite band but that was about the extent of it. Tonight my friends are enjoying a pub crawl via a party bus but I opted out so that I could (hopefully) feel up to going to the ceilidh tomorrow. And, of course, Friday is Halloween so I am going out. I have devised the perfect costume: American tourist. Not only will I be extremely comfy (because I will be sporting tennis shoes, sweats and a Hawaiian shirt) but I think it will be exceptionally amusing - if not for others then definitely for myself. I plan on walking up to people and asking obnoxious questions that completely uniformed tourist often ask. This may actually be somewhat offensive to some but its all part of the character; American tourist have serious potential to offend natives. I'm still on the lookout for a visor and fanny pack (which are called bum bags here because fanny is a euphemism for a certain part of the female genitalia in the UK - I almost found out about that the hard way). Basically, the coming days should be some of the most exciting for me in Edinburgh... I'm ready for it.

That Cute British Boy In The Corner Distracted Me

Well it has been an entire week and I haven't blogged anything! I know, I'm shocked too. I guess I'll recap using a "day-by-day" approach. So here it goes.

Wednesday: Nothing much really happened during the day besides me going to lecture. That night three girls and myself decided to have a "haggis experience" (this is the term we have dubbed to that epic night). The haggis was surprisingly good and came with traditional tatties and neaps (that is mashed potatoes and turnips). It kind of tasted like meatloaf. We had been informed that if we finished a whole plate of haggis, tatties and neaps we would have Scottish accents. To our dismay, this was not the case. After this epic meal, we decided we could all do with a drink and bought large quantities of cider and wine (which we polished off fairly quickly). Slightly inebriated, we then made our way to Vodka Revolution - a trendy club near my friend's flat. We stayed for a bit but were informed that a better shindig was going on at Lava Ignite (known as "Cav" by the locals). So we caught a cab there and enjoyed the fabulous music, dancing and awkward British people. Finally, we left the club only to discover that we had no idea where we were (because we had taken a cab to get there). Instead of getting a cab, which would have been practical and smart, we walked about a mile trying to figure out what was going on (I should note that shortly after leaving the club I removed my painful new boots and walked in my socks which are now disgustingly dirty). It soon became apparent that we were REALLY far from our respective homes and hailing a cab was a must.

Thursday & Friday: I went to my one lecture Thursday during the day. I also went out these two nights but not a whole lot happened (at least nothing of the proportions from Wednesday night) aside from the fact that I didn't get back to my dorm until almost 4 am. Thank God I didn't have class the next day(s).

Saturday: I slept most of the day and recovered from the previous nights of having very little sleep. Three girls and myself (all the same girls from Wednesday except one) went out to dinner at the famous The World's End (a pub and bar). It is famous because the furthest part of the wall around the city (built sometime in the 1500s I think) reached this bar and, according to the back of the menu, "as far as the people of Edinburgh were concerned, this was the world's end." Hence, the name. Click here for the best pictures and review of this fabulous place. We then made our way to The Tron which is more like a bar than a pub and has 3 levels! There was a spectacular local band playing called "White Heath" but all the band members looked like they were between the ages of 14 and 17. However, they were all drinking so I guess they are all actually 18 or older... hmm. They mostly played "alternative rock" or something along that line. On our way down to the lower bar I completely embarrassed myself. So, I make it through the door and I'm automatically distracted by a cute British boy standing near the bar. Unfortunately, because my attention was entirely directed towards the cute boy, I neglected to see the two steps in front of me (I think you know where this is going). I proceeded to almost face-plant in the middle of the bar and yet another cute boy sees this and asks, "God! Are you alright?!" I tried to look really nonchalant and cool by getting up quickly, leaning against one of the unoccupied tables and sweeping my hair out of my mouth and face. I'm pretty sure I failed miserably. It was another late night because I went back to my friend's flat and we talked until almost 5am.

Sunday: Sleep and homework. I also took a break and went to a screening of the vice presidential debate. How many times can Sarah Palin say "maverick" in one minute? I can't believe she winked (3 times!) and gave a "shout-out" to those third graders. What is this world coming to?

Monday & Tuesday: These are my most jammed packed days academically. On both days I have two classes and one tutorial (which is like a discussion group for the lectures). My tutorials went well and its safe to say that American History is my favorite class. I like all of the people in that discussion group and they all seem quite smart. The same is not that true for my Criminology course but I have feeling a lot of it may have to do with our discussion leader (who, by the way, wore a lime green dress and leopard print leggings today! So fabulous!). Today (Tuesday) we had our Butler Reunion Dinner which was for all the American study abroad kids from the Butler program. We got free, decent Italian food so I loved it. I also got my absentee ballot! I just voted in my first presidential election! So exciting!

Overall, a lot has happened. Well, now that I say that not a lot has happened. I mean, nothing really substantial, life-altering or incredible has happened but its definitely been fun! This weekend I am going to Inverness and the Highlands where Loch Ness is! Did you know that if you get a picture of Nessie (the Loch Ness monster) the scientists studying the loch will give you 250,000 pounds (that's almost half a million dollars)? If I do get that picture I'll give one copy to the scientists for that half a million and then I'll sell another picture to the highest media bidder for 10 times that amount. I leave you with some pictures from the past week.

Haggis, tatties and neaps. They didn't do the haggis in the "traditional" way which would have meant it was served in the stomach of a sheep. I'm not kidding.

My crazy friends, Kara and Noelle.

Maggie and myself.

This couple was really going at it on the dance floor. I saw this as a perfect photo-op.

I ALMOST FORGOT! Grandma - I am so excited that you read my blog! Your comment made my day. I think you and my friend from school (who will remain unnamed) are my most loyal followers! I love and miss you all.

Wet is the New Dry

Let's see. The last time I updated you I had had that crazy encounter with the girl from College Heights. Now it is Saturday and I must say that not a whole lot of exciting stuff has happened. I officially registered for classes which was really easy because I don't even DO anything except tell my Director of Studies (the equivalent of an adviser in the UK) what I want to take and then he does all the work! Awesome! Why don't they do it like this in the States? So, I've registered for 3 classes, which is the typical semester load in the UK, and they are: American History 2 (should be interesting), Identity War and Revolution in Europe 1789-1918, and Foundations of Criminology (I'm really excited about this one!).

I also signed up for a few clubs and societies. The first was the Music Society. I joined the choir part of that and the rehearsal was okay but definitely not up to Atteberry or Kamm standards. I'm not sure I'll stick with it (though I did make a friend by joining in the first place - yay!). I also joined the Women of the World group which is kind of self-explanatory in that it is a group of feminists at Edinburgh who are of the world. Their first meeting is this Monday but it conflicts with my class time so I'll have to figure out when the next one is. Finally, I joined the Film Society which doesn't seem very sociable in that most of their activities are just screenings of different movies. The girl at the Film Society kiosk said they were going to try to arrange more events to make it more "group-y" rather than just a bunch of people who come out to watch film screenings.

I think tonight is the official end of this crazy freshers week. Really, this whole week has been very bizarre. I feel so OLD! Seriously, most of the freshers are 18 but I've met a lot who are still 17! I feel like an old fogey. Being 18 here is like being 21 in the States; everyone can finally drink, smoke, get into clubs/pubs/bars, and all the other privileges that come with being a legal adult in the US (obviously excluding drinking). So, being 20 is a little bit weird because now you have nothing exciting to look forward to on your birthday aside from receiving presents. In addition to feeling old, I also feel a bit like a pedophile when I think a guy is cute and then I discover he's 17. Slightly disturbing on my part.

I have to say, one of the things I love about this country is the dancing - the vast majority of people here aren't exactly what one would classify, in the US, as "good" dancers . Actually, I'm pretty sure even the worst dancers I know (mostly family members - I think you know who you are) would look like rock stars on the dance floor. You think I'm kidding but I'm not. I think they're below the American standard of "good" dancing because they mostly use only the shoulders, arms, and occasionally the hands (they're fond of pointing their index fingers then swaying side to side from the waist); therefore, they neglect to use nearly half the body! I don't mean to offend anyone who possibly uses these methods as regular dancing technique but I was just amazed that I, for once, felt like a decent dancer. Now, don't get me wrong, there are people here who can dance but I'm happy to say I feel on par with them. WHOO-HOO!

Okay. I guess since I complained about it so much on my facebook status I should probably inform everyone of my "laundry situation." Let me start by saying that my dorm does not have laundry facilities; therefore, I have to take my stuff to the next closest dorm. I was unaware that instead of using 1 pound coins we had to use tokens that cost 1 pound a piece to do laundry. However, they have placed the token machine up in the Reception Center (which is only close to one dorm really and that dorm doesn't even NEED tokens to do laundry - WHAT??). Anyway, I must have trekked back and forth to the Reception Center at least 4 times for various laundry related reasons. And to top it all off, my stuff wasn't even dry when I took it out of the dryer and I didn't have enough money to do another dry cycle. So now my room is draped with semi-wet clothing which is refusing to dry because my heater never comes on and my room has about 85% humidity. Sorry to go and vent all of my laundry woes and sound like a whiny baby but I had to get it all out at some point. Needless to say, I have to rethink this whole laundry thing. Boo.