this should be kept short as i am supposed to be writing right now. 800 words in and i've lost motivation... should be a fun rest of the weekend.
the train ride back from montpellier was incredible. if i could take trains everywhere, i probably would (rather than fly, that is). the journey itself started at 6:20 am (hello 4:45 wake-up) and was relatively uneventful. i watched the sun rise and the mist roll off the french fields.
i arrived in Paris around 9:50 and had to make it to the next train by 11:15.. shouldn't have been an issue except that the subway line i was supposed to take wasn't operating (damn!!). some very nice gent drew me a map of how to get to the next station, and i figured it out from there. from paris to london, i sat next to a very nice brit who kept me company by telling me stories about his friends that worked in museums (he worked in tourism) and talking with me about my essays. he was also able to tell me all the regions we were going through as well as any particular areas of interest, which was really quite fun to listen to. he also showed me how to get from one station to the other and eventually just walked me most of the way there. i was really worried about missing the next train, but ended up getting there with 20 minutes to spare since i had been through customs and all that in paris. the train from london to manchester was quick and uneventful, and i managed to get some essay work done. S met me at the station, where is was cold and windy and blessedly northern. i went home, changed and showered, and went to lunch/dinner with S, N, and D. i had to cut dinner short because i was exhausted, but it was so nice to be able to see them all. i took a nap until 8, and was woken up by M putting his freezing hands on my back (his logic was that i would be too awake to keep sleeping... it worked). i edited one of his three essays and then went back to bed at a more appropriate time.
wednesday i went to the library, grocery store, and for a run, then watched the new LOST episodes and finished editing M's other two essays. thursday i hung out with D for a bit, then met N and S in the park for some tea and cake, which soon devolved into lifts&holds (see previous video or the clips on youtube). friday i walked around town with D and L, eventually ending up at matt&phred's jazz bar for pizza. saturday i spent some more time in the park, along with some more essay research and reading. sunday we (N, S, and i) went to see how to train your dragon in 3D... and it's even better the second time. see this movie.
monday i went to N's class to teach the lifts and holds, which was loads of fun. her students thought my height was especially funny, and now refer to me as the Tiny American. after class, N and i grabbed falafel sandwiches and coffee. when she went back to work, i headed home to get some writing done, but ended up at trof with D and my laptop. that worked out well though, since i ran into one of my friends that i haven't seen since winter. it was nice to catch up, and i did end up getting some work done.
tuesday started off with a meeting at the international office. i explained to the lady that i would like citizenship, and she replied that she really couldn't help with that but i did have some visa options. i was apprehensive (usually visas require sponsorship or something of the sort), but apparently there is a visa i can get simply by graduating from an institution in the UK. so i'll be shooting for that... hello 2 more years the UK assuming i can get a job. i celebrated a little (by calling N and telling everyone else in the house that was up... and M, who was indeed asleep), and then headed to class. that night, i went to a gig and hung out with S and F, good fun all around.
wednesday was class, writing, and N's students' first play (crucible- very very good). thursday was writing, hanging out with N, and another gig (also very good). today is more writing, more writing, and more writing. later on is N's second play and drinks afterwards. will probably be less interesting for the next few weeks as i'll be writing until may 18... joy.
4.30.2010
4.22.2010
my thursday
N had us in the park practicing moves to put into her play, so i thought i'd share. this one turned out well (it was M's idea).
4.19.2010
4.05.2010
easter and procrastination
i've actually been working on things that need to be done, so i feel like it's time for a short break. in summary, the past week has been marginally productive and very fun. on sunday, i went to breakfast and trof and then to see how to train your dragon with S. definitely a good choice, the movie is amazing and the food was edible (as always). i also went for a run sunday night- first time in three years, definitely not a bad idea but i certainly wasn't prepared for the soreness the next day.
monday i took M to the library so that he could find more than one book to use for his essay. after that, i headed into town to pick up a couple things for france (one week from today, i'm actually getting a bit excited about it) before heading over to D's flat for dinner (D from AGMS). he invited a bunch of people from our course over, 6 of whom showed up. it was an excellent evening. D cooked lamb and mint pie (moroccan inspired) and some of the others brought dessert (first taste of rock cakes for me). we played scattegories and were generally rowdy, but unfortunately i had to duck out around midnight.
tuesday morning (with a wine hangover, erg) saw me at the museum at 10:30 for a meeting about the visitor survey internship. i'm on to the analysis phase, so we just touched base on what needed to be completed by when. i've been working on the surveys since then (kind of). that afternoon, L and i watched Lost and cooked. he's gone for the rest of the break so i'm missing out on our wednesday afternoon new-episode-watching until i get back from france. i also worked on the surveys on tuesday night... yep, my life is exciting.
wendesday through friday i stayed in west kirby with the spruces. it was a wonderful trip to break up the monotony of manc. i got in wed afternoon a couple hours before S got back from cambridge. J and i went to the store and cooked dinner that night (caprese eggs benedict, it went over well), then spent the rest of the day/night studying and watching cartoons. thursday the three of us went for a walk around the marine lake. i got to take a bath (!!!) during our afternoon down-time before i started on the dinner prep. we cooked tacos for dinner, and S made some amazing guacamole. we had a nice chat after dinner, then more studying and cartoons. friday was an amazing breakfast of homemade hot cross buns, i could definitely eat those any day of the year (and not just in the run-up to easter). i caught an train back around 1:30 and was home in manchester by 3:30. of all modes of transportation readily available i enjoy train travel the most, particularly when i get a seat by the window and can just watch the landscape fly by.
friday afternoon i got coffee with N and heard all about her trip to the peak district with F. they survived a hale storm and some serious rain, but in good spirits i think. friday night i went to sandbar with M, which was loads of fun: strawberry beer, jukebox, drunken cyclists... the bar itself is nice as well, it has several levels with cobbled or wooden floors and brick walls. very nice night in all.
saturday i worked at the museum gathering the last of the surveys. i struck out again, only collecting 5 in over two hours. the gallery is particularly difficult because it's in the middle of the museum and no one remembers to come back for the second part of the survey; that or they just say no outright because of the children in tow. in short, it's just very disheartening to work in that gallery. i came home with a headache and S was kind enough to watch movies with me while i did more survey work. we watched sherlock holmes, which was... well, forgettable. i went to bed early-ish, but missed out on PYT's night at night&day cafe (D and his girlfriend H make up PYT, a dj'ing duo). i was a bit sad about that, but i did get some good sleep.
sunday i cooked easter breakfast for S and myself before S went back to sleep. i cleaned and worked on some of the surveys, then watched Fantastic Mr. Fox with housemate D. we also went to trof for easter dinner, which consisted of a panini and seasoned fries (yum!). after the movie, we went out to the deaf institute (don't get confused, it's a bar) for their 1920s night (actually 1940 sock hop). it was loads of fun and i am definitely getting more dressed up next time!
today is back to serious work- essays and surveys. but not before coffee with N in about half an hour!
monday i took M to the library so that he could find more than one book to use for his essay. after that, i headed into town to pick up a couple things for france (one week from today, i'm actually getting a bit excited about it) before heading over to D's flat for dinner (D from AGMS). he invited a bunch of people from our course over, 6 of whom showed up. it was an excellent evening. D cooked lamb and mint pie (moroccan inspired) and some of the others brought dessert (first taste of rock cakes for me). we played scattegories and were generally rowdy, but unfortunately i had to duck out around midnight.
tuesday morning (with a wine hangover, erg) saw me at the museum at 10:30 for a meeting about the visitor survey internship. i'm on to the analysis phase, so we just touched base on what needed to be completed by when. i've been working on the surveys since then (kind of). that afternoon, L and i watched Lost and cooked. he's gone for the rest of the break so i'm missing out on our wednesday afternoon new-episode-watching until i get back from france. i also worked on the surveys on tuesday night... yep, my life is exciting.
wendesday through friday i stayed in west kirby with the spruces. it was a wonderful trip to break up the monotony of manc. i got in wed afternoon a couple hours before S got back from cambridge. J and i went to the store and cooked dinner that night (caprese eggs benedict, it went over well), then spent the rest of the day/night studying and watching cartoons. thursday the three of us went for a walk around the marine lake. i got to take a bath (!!!) during our afternoon down-time before i started on the dinner prep. we cooked tacos for dinner, and S made some amazing guacamole. we had a nice chat after dinner, then more studying and cartoons. friday was an amazing breakfast of homemade hot cross buns, i could definitely eat those any day of the year (and not just in the run-up to easter). i caught an train back around 1:30 and was home in manchester by 3:30. of all modes of transportation readily available i enjoy train travel the most, particularly when i get a seat by the window and can just watch the landscape fly by.
friday afternoon i got coffee with N and heard all about her trip to the peak district with F. they survived a hale storm and some serious rain, but in good spirits i think. friday night i went to sandbar with M, which was loads of fun: strawberry beer, jukebox, drunken cyclists... the bar itself is nice as well, it has several levels with cobbled or wooden floors and brick walls. very nice night in all.
saturday i worked at the museum gathering the last of the surveys. i struck out again, only collecting 5 in over two hours. the gallery is particularly difficult because it's in the middle of the museum and no one remembers to come back for the second part of the survey; that or they just say no outright because of the children in tow. in short, it's just very disheartening to work in that gallery. i came home with a headache and S was kind enough to watch movies with me while i did more survey work. we watched sherlock holmes, which was... well, forgettable. i went to bed early-ish, but missed out on PYT's night at night&day cafe (D and his girlfriend H make up PYT, a dj'ing duo). i was a bit sad about that, but i did get some good sleep.
sunday i cooked easter breakfast for S and myself before S went back to sleep. i cleaned and worked on some of the surveys, then watched Fantastic Mr. Fox with housemate D. we also went to trof for easter dinner, which consisted of a panini and seasoned fries (yum!). after the movie, we went out to the deaf institute (don't get confused, it's a bar) for their 1920s night (actually 1940 sock hop). it was loads of fun and i am definitely getting more dressed up next time!
today is back to serious work- essays and surveys. but not before coffee with N in about half an hour!
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