Traveling companion

Crash
Was just on my way to pick up Jenny (Chris' girlfriend - favour to him) when someone didnt break and basically crashed into the back of my car. This is my first crash and to be honest I'm really quite shaken up. I'm not hurt except a bit of neck pain. and it's not like my car is badly damaged - a loose light and some square of metal which has stuck onto the offending vehicle's number plate. it was wet and we were going downhill and i had to break pretty hard (the car in front of me had done) so it simply was an accident. i guess i'm just in shock although i suppose it was going to happen sometime coz thats the nature of driving in cities. wish i could stop shaking though.

Current Mood: numb

Not an April Fool
I'm back in the States and absolutely loving it. I spent 6 hrs in DC and immediately felt at home again. Arriving in Charlottesville was no different. My friends all made the effort to come find me as soon as I arrived which was unexpected. I didn't manage to stay up and talk to them for too long though as by 11pm (or 5am British time) I was shattered. I had basically been travelling for 23 hrs and needed to lie down (sleeping in chairs is just not the same). Despite waking up at 5, managed to stay in bed until 10 so I could feel so much better.

Friday was spent reading, working and chatting in the sun. Everyone here is in the thick of tests and papers, which is why I didn't mind bringing some of my own work to do, but it has been lovely to find out that my friends have organised themselves to make time to see me. It's great that I can pick up where I left off 3 months ago, although I know that it's not exactly the same. It's also been fun surprising people, especially those in the IRC. Everyone knew I was only studying for a semester so the confused look on people's faces was common, but as they turned into smiles, I was happy. Haven't got a great deal planned for the next week: a few parties tonight, shopping on monday, meals with different ppl etc, but I really like that. I wanted this to be a holiday as well as a catch up and with the amount of sleep I'm getting and the amount of time for reading and chilling, I definitely feel relaxed. It's also hot and sunny, making my already good mood improve. Although I did get sunburnt from sitting in the sun for an hour yesterday, so I might have to go easy...

Current Mood: happy
Current Music: K-Ci and Jo Jo

Being Home
Oops! I haven't updated for weeks. There's so much about Virginia and the end of my USA trip which I want to describe but it seems a little redundant now I'm back. It was much harder settling in at home than I had expected. Nothing has really changed, especially at home; it was more a sense of just feeling disconnected from things. Part of me was still in Virginia while the bigger part of me wanted to be happy to be home. Yet I couldn't get excited, all I was was melancholy - which I hated. Luckily things are getting better and last night helped even more. My fantastic school friends had organised a surprise welcome home party. Although the thought had previously crossed my mind, I didn’t really think they would organise one so I was duly surprised. (but I didn’t cry!) It wasn’t massive, just my closest friends all sitting around drinking wine, eating food, catching up and laughing. Perfect. I do feel so blessed to have such people in my life and be able to spend time with them. I may get confused or depressed sometimes but I know where my home is. Thanks guys.

Current Mood: content
Current Music: Oasis - Masterplan

Finals
So I have finished my final paper of the term and now only have one killer exam left. But it's not until the last day of Finals (next Friday) and therefore I'm going to take this time to sleep, eat properly, relax, pack and say goodbye. My room will be an oasis of calm and noise, due to the strict quiet rules everywhere else in the residence and generally stressed feeling everywhere you go. I have complained in the past that Virginia takes working too seriously but I knew nothing until I experienced Clemons Library at 2am. These people are crazy and have even come up with a poem, which I thought I'd share with you although I know most people don't have exams until after Christmas...

Twas the night before finals,
And all through the college,
The students were praying
For last minute knowledge.
Most were quite sleepy
But none touched their beds,
While visions of essays
Danced in their heads.

Out in the taverns,
A few were still drinking,
And hoping that liquor
Would loosen their thinking.

In my own dorm room,
I had been pacing,
And dreading exams
I soon would be facing.

My roommate was speechless,
His nose in his books,
And my comments to him
Drew unfriendly looks.

I drained all the coffee,
And brewed a new pot,
No longer caring
That my nerves were all shot.

I stared at my notes
But my thoughts were all muddy
My eyes went a blur,
I just couldn't study.

"Some pizza might help,"
I thought with a shiver,
But each place that I called
Refused to deliver.

I'd nearly concluded
That life was too cruel,
With futures depending
On grades had in school.

When all of a sudden,
Our door opened wide,
And Patron Saint Put It Off
Ambled inside.

His spirit was careless,
His manner was mellow,
He looked straight at me,
And started to bellow:

"What kind of student
Would make such a fuss
To toss back at teachers
What they tossed at us?"

"On Cliff Notes! On Crib Notes!
On Last Year's Exams!
On Wingit and Slingit,
And Last Minute Crams!"

His message delivered,
He vanished from sight,
But we heard him laughing
Outside in the night.

"Your teachers have pegged you,
So just do your best.
Happy Finals to All,
And to all a good test.

Current Mood: relieved
Current Music: Tainted Love

So I'm still crazily busy, lacking sleep and getting ill. Good news though is that my computer seems to have sorted itself out (thankfully) AND it has started to snow! they reckon it should be about 4 inches and as its finally started settling, that looks a gd estimate. That means I'll be able to make snow angels...a fact I am sooo excited about as I have never done them before. Snow ball fights, snowman formation etc are great ways to de-stress and just the thought of them have given me a very necessary kick of adrenaline so bring on the fun!

Current Mood: bouncy
Current Music: beautiful south

I hate technology
I can not quite believe it. My laptop has crashed yet again. The new (and costly) hardrive has therefore survived being used for just over a week. If it broke in another week and I'd be ok, irritatied but ok. By then I would have handed in the papers and written the first of my final exams. I would have only needed the laptop for email. I don't think I can face more days in the computer lab. Anyone who saw my entries during that period saw what it did to me. So why the blazes did it have to stop working now!!!!!!!

Current Mood: angry

Day in the Country
International Students in Charlottesville (ISIC) organised the day and Jae and I decided that it would be a good way to spend the first day of the break. We left at 12.30pm and drove west of Charlottesville for 40mins (stopping off to get some more food and drink). Arriving at Star B Ranch, we met the others in our group and waited for the hay to be put on the wagon. We drove around the country lanes, but not around the 200 acre ranch which would have been more traditional, but it was fun all the same. When we got back we met the other group briefly before mounting our horses. I was on a lovely mare called Socks. He may have been a little slow and liked taking the odd shortcut but was the gentlest pony I've ever been on and the first to not want to eat all the time. He also was the first to cross the creek so I'm proud of him for that. We rode around the ranch for an hour which although was cold gave me time to reflect and admire the beautiful scenery and the quiet stillness around me. There is a certain elegance about forests which have lost the majority of their leaves. After dismounting, we went down to where the others had built a large bonfire. We left soon after as the sun was setting, but we managed to warm ourselves sufficiently first. Drove home again with Patrick and Christy-Lynne who were kind enough to stop off at Harris Teeter (supermarket). All food outlets on grounds have closed for the week and so it was important that Jae and I actually got some food. So all in all, a tiring but memorable day.

Note on the weather: at the beginning of the week I was still walking around in T-shirts, averaging as it was 24C. The cold snap came on Thursday and so on Saturday it was beautifully sunny and clear but incredibly cold. There was still frost on the ground at 3pm when we were horse riding! I was wearing hat, gloves, scarf and 4 layers for the first time in a long time and yet by the time I finished I couldn't feel my fingers or toes! Getting back to my room wasn't much better as Jae and I hadn't got our heating fixed so I spent most of the evening watching films in the TV lounge downstairs.

Current Mood: content

Virginia vs Virginia Tech
I have written about the American Football games here before. They're crazy but none of them compare to this last home game of the season. Tech and UVA have a mutual loathing. UVA think they're superior in many ways while Tech have the better football team. We have an unbeaten record at home this season and although we weren't going to get through to the bowl we could stop Tech from doing so. Also bragging rights were up for grabs. Students have been camping outside the gates since Tuesday, 63,000 filled the stadium, it was mad. My hall mates and I went as it was the last chance for the year. They took our water bottles, which annoyed me but they didn't find the salad I had bought so that was lucky. We got there in time to see the marching band's opening routine, the cheerleaders, the adventures of 'CavMan' (as in a guy on a live horse, called Cav because UVA are the Virginia Cavaliers) and parachutists jumping out of plane into the stadium. I don't think that happens at the average university sports match in England...
The shouts from the student section were hostile and drunken (it was 12pm but people drink copious amounts beforehand at tailgates and there is something called the the fourth year fifth for the last game of the season, which is when leavers (4th years) drink a fifth of a bottle of spirits before the game. many end up in hospital from what I've gathered.) I've said before that the atmosphere was what made the games good but this time it was uncomfortable. One guy behind me shouted that his dad worked for an oil company while Tech students are lucky if they're parents work at a gas station! White Trash was also a common shout. It's one thing having a go at the team but I just don't think it's necessary to have a go at the people, also in such a snobbish manner. People might say I should lighten up but I just felt it was indicitive of the part of UVA which I dislike. Anyway, Jae and I only stayed for the first half hour as we were off on our day trip (which will be discussed in the next installment) which was lucky as we ended up being thrashed 52 - 14 by the 'Hokies'. No 'Wahoo Wahs' here.

Current Mood: indifferent
Current Music: iTunes, though not my own

On a break
As of 10am today I was free. Said goodbye to Jude and Ben (who ironically is going to London and Scotland for the break) and sorted out my annoyingly-messy room. At 3pm our hallway gathered at the cinema to watch Harry Potter 4. I had been over-excited for ages mainly because it was the light at the end of a horrible tunnel so it was good that we got some great seats and I was with other hp enthusiasts. The film was a decent adaptation although I still overwhelmingly prefer the books. Picked my laptop from the computer repair shop (wooo!) and spent the evening just hanging out with Jae, Emily etc eating, chatting and watching more movies. Just what the doctor ordered after writing 6000 words in 4 days.

Current Mood: relieved
Current Music: Mix Radio

Papers finished!
I did it and survived. Printed out the last paper at 9.25 this morning. Managed to get an hours sleep at 4.30am, when I realised that even if I wasn't tired, I wasn't actually making any sense. Thats what 18 hours in a computer lab does to you. But its done so I'm happy. Probably should get to my next class though...

Current Mood: accomplished

Going quietly insane
I feel my current msn name does justice to what I'm feeling. I won't go into details as it's not terribly interesting or necessary but things have been going on which are making my head spin so that I just wish that I could stop, breathe, and remember who Lizzie actually is. Hopefully that is what Thanksgiving Break will be. A time to sleep, a time for less pressured working and a time to get away from Charlottesville and its "work hard, play hard" attitude. Still have to survive 3 more days though.

However before I go back to essay writing, I just wanted to apologize for not being very communicative recently, either via email, msn or LJ. In case I don't say it enough, my friends are really important to me and I'm thinking about you all even when I'm not in touch. Take care, Love L xxxx

Current Mood: stressed

Trip to DC - 3
Megan and Courtney picked up Yohanna and I at 8.30am, gave us bagels and then we drove up to Rosslyn (which is officially in Virginia but it's just outside DC.) Finally found a car park and we got on the metro. Arrived at Arlington Military Cemetary by 11.15am and met Patrick and Sarah. Us three were concentrating on war memorials for our paper and how they relate to citizenship, race and gender issues. We interviewed some really interesting people and the memorials themselves were moving, although I think the 'Women in Military Service' one let our gender down somewhat. It was an absolutely beautiful day (26C, sunny, clear skies) so we walked from Arlington to the Lincoln, Vietnam, Korean, World War II and Washington monuments/memorials on The Mall which may have taken over an hour but it was worth it. We took the metro from the Smithsonian to U Street, which is the heart of the African American neighbourhood. We ate lunch in the famous Ben's Chilli Balls restaurant, although not because the food is outstanding. Most people in England probably haven't heard of it, but it was a centre for Black Activism in the Civil Rights Movement and all Presidential candidates visit it as part of their campaign trail. You feel like you're sitting in history which is cool. We then had to find our final memorial which was to the African American soldiers in the Civil War. I found this memorial the most moving as it is understated and yet the names, without rank, age, or hometown, just go on. During the hour which we were there only 3 people came and saw it. The other memorials were teeming with people, one even admitted to going to Arlington just because it was good weather but few were remembering the African American sacrifices. Maybe that is too political, and I have a whole 2000 paper to write about the significance of who came and where the memorial is placed but I just wanted to note it here. By this time it was 3pm and we weren't meeting for dinner until 7. However, Patrick is from DC and I was not up for doing any more sightseeing so after having a brief look around the Post Office Museum (or really the shop) we went to the cinema. Met the others, who had been looking at museums, and Pensri, our professor, and ate a good chinese dinner in Chinatown (paid for by Am Studs dept). However the original four of us were going back to Charlottesville that night so said goodbye at 8.30pm. But I didn't get back to my room until 12.40am because it was the journey from hell.

NB Everyone mentioned is in my American Studies class.

Current Mood: tired
Current Music: the better 107.5 Fm

Change in mood
Yesterday I was frustrated. I found out my laptop is properly broken and that I'm in danger of losing everything on it. Now, before people start going "why didn't I back up things" etc etc, my answer is that I did...in part. All my academic stuff is saved, in various places even. BUT, I was just a tad busy this summer and so did not have time to copy all the photos and all my music to CD. I know I can find most of the music again but these photos are of last year from Nottingham, which are really important to me. So I was annoyed with myself and the computer and depressed at the thought of the cost of repair (it is fixable apparently) and the prospect of spending hours in computer rooms writing papers and reading articles. There were also other things going on which made me grouchy.

However today: I had had a decent sleep; I knew that whatever happens I could deal with so there's no point stressing; I'm actually not as far behind with work as I had anticipated; my discussion was cancelled; I got a good grade in a paper; and the weather has changed so I even had a class outside in the amphitheater: Sun/heat = happiness.

And I'm now off to share tea and biscuits with my fellow residents. :)

Current Mood: chipper
Current Music: Sound of cricket being played outside

Numbers
7 - # of Weeks left in the States
3 - # of Research Papers due in 2 weeks (total of 6000 words)
3 - # of Weeks until Thanksgiving Break - woo!
200 - # of Pages left of the book which I have a quiz on tomorrow
0 - # of Classes missed
3 - # of Times I have fallen asleep in classes *
0 - # of Assigned articles which I have not read *
4 - # of Assigned articles which were only skimmed through *
22 - # of Faces I painted white with black designs for Pippin
6 - # of Boxes I painted with a 5 different woodgrain effects (equivalent of 6*6*5=180 sides)
80 - # of Hours spent doing play-related activities *

I've mentioned FYP/Tech/Pippin on various occasions and it's because, as you can see, it has truly consumed my time. It was mainly over the last 10 days, and so it became the equivalent of a full-time job, except I didn't get the weekends off!!! I may have got little sleep and put academia second (making me a little stressed now) BUT I'm so glad I joined. I can honestly say that without FYP I would not be enjoying UVA as much as I am. Ok, so there was a 'little' tension between the director and the technical staff (over scenery, staging, make-up, costumes...) and I got on with some people better than others, but that is to be expected in a theatre group. And not that I'm biased, but I think Tech is great; Hard work certainly but the people make it worth it. Some special techies are (in no particular order) Kelsey, Sarah, Genie, Kris, Michelle, (other) Sarah, Spatz, Tamaira, Jessie, Jamie, (other) Laura, Kathryn, Catherine, Kyle, Lesley, Kate and my big sib David (he got me flowers). They involved me in what they were doing and we definitely managed to have a laugh regardless of what was happening - our dancing backstage even freaked a few of the Casties out. But now it's over. We'll still have socials every now and then but after spending so little time in my room, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself the rest of the time. Oh yeah, I remember...work.

* from the past fortnight

Current Mood: impressed
Current Music: Computer Room's Air Con Unit

Hallow'een
I'm in America (in case you hadn't realised) and Hallow'een is a huge deal. People have been dressing up all weekend but due to Pippin, I didn't have a chance to get a costume together (well unless I borrowed one of the Casties leotards...but no). However I have managed to experience this 'holiday', despite my actual feelings on the day as a whole and general busy-ness. After Saturday's show and before the party a few FYPpers and I went to "Hauntings" in Brown Residential College. It was scary enough that I didn't feel I had wasted my money but not so scary that I had nightmares. Basically it was just a fun walk through tented 'rooms' with students doing various scary things: jumping out of you, banging on the walls enclosing you etc. Then yesterday we carved pumpkins on the patio which was cool and much easier then when we have tried in England because there are special carving and scraping tools! We carved a cat and I must admit the years of only drawing cats when I was younger came in very useful. But today was just mind-boggling. People were dressed up to go to classes, and in all types of costumes from dark fairies to 'Cats in the Hat'. Then this afternoon was trick-or-treating on The Lawn. Literally thousands of children from around the city go around the Lawn rooms and the student residents give them 'candy'. The IRC organise for refugee children in Charlottesville to come and get their face painted and decorate pumpkins before we take them around the Lawn. I looked after Elsat, from Russia, although keeping track of him was incredibly difficult in the mele of people, but luckily he stuck close as he was just as overwhelmed as I was. Poor boy though, he got back laden with sweets and was dropping off to sleep on one of the sofas. So "Happy Hallow'een" everyone but more importantly "Happy All Saints Day" and Pinch-Punch for tomorrow. :D

Current Mood: sleepy
Current Music: Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway

Cold...but not miserable
Suddenly Autumn has enveloped C'ville. As I wrote in my last entry, I was sitting outside in the warm, feeling very lucky but knowing that it wouldn't last. However, I didn't know that by Monday morning I would be desperate for a coat. I mean it didn’t help that I had to wear just a long sleeved t-shirt under my 'Pippin' shirt (to advertise the show) whilst waiting to be picked up at 7.30am to go on the FYP Bagel run, and then selling tickets (for Pippin) outside for two hours, but 5C is cold whatever you are wearing!!!

Nevertheless, it has meant the leaves are changing to gorgeous colours. On Sunday, Ben, Jude and I went "leaf-peeping" - the American tradition of driving around looking at the pretty leaves. We drove along the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park and it was so beautiful. It's pretty high up so you could see the hills and the settlements in the distance. It was also a crisp clear day so we were very lucky as it even meant we had a chance to hike one of the trails for a bit. Personally though, I just appreciated being out of the SAB where I had been spending much of the last few days helping with Tech for Pippin (ie the show FYP’s doing this week). But more about that later when I have time (ie when the show is finished)… as now I’m off back to the SAB to finish painting!

Current Mood: cold
Current Music: C'ville local radio "light rock" apparently

To clarify...
Today's journal entry serves 2 purposes:
It will most likely be the last time for the next fortnight that I will have the chance to update and it gives me a chance to save for posterity why since Friday my msn name has been 'Happiness...'
* It was going to a concert in the Downtown pavillion. So there were screaming girls and Jason Mraz, (the artist, who's pretty popular over here) was a tad boring but he was a good dancer, the atmosphere was cool and the warm up act was AMAZING.
* It was when UVA beat 4th in the country, Florida State. Ok, so it was at (Am)football, and i had left at half time because I personally didn't care that much, but it made everyone else happy which has a knock on effect. Also my msn picture is now of the sea of orange which descended onto the field at the end of the game. So Cool!
* It was having the sun shine and the temperature rise to 27C so we were able to chill outside in strappy tops. Today was just as good! :)
* was finishing my mid term and my paper with time to spare and without stressing, despite only having 2 days in which to write them. (Questions were only given out on Friday)
* was having an interesting discussion with the Transgender Panel on Saturday afternoon.
* and finally, knowing that I am ready for the start of Tech Week
- sleep, eating and work are optional. But FYP are great so its going to be sooo much fun. :D

Current Mood: cheerful
Current Music: C'ville Radio

The day gets better
Afternoon snack of bread and butter AND a drink of Ribena. And this is all after a half hour nap and warm shower. :D Off to Lil' sib* dinner soon...YAY!

*My Big Sib, David, is a veteran FYPer who basically shows me the tech ropes and is generally lovely. His Big Sib is Spatz (who's also a star) is cooking for all his lil' sibs and grand sibs tonight, to help spread the "FYP love". - in the non-romantic sense.

Current Mood: chipper
Current Music: Charlotte Church on Capital - hmmmm

Post Office
Officialdom gets everywhere. I went to the Post Office because I needed to buy some stamps and send some cards, simple enough you may think, but no. Apparently I can't write England, it has to be UK. Square cards cost extra as the machines can't handle them and I have to write my name and address, understandable especially after the Anthrax problem, but it shouldn't have been on the back, but in the front top left hand corner. I felt useless as I hadn't a clue and had been doing it wrong all this time. I made myself feel better by buying this gorgeous aubergine silk skirt (on sale-bargain!) and then after essential grocery shopping, eating the best lunch ever: Fresh Bread (and butter), chedder cheese and pate. Oh how i have missed it.

Current Mood: content
Current Music: Capital FM - finding new British Music

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