essays and some good news

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.