Music expresses that which cannot be said - Victor Hugo

19th February - 20th February 2014 - We'll be burning up like Neon Lights

After having booked tickets to see Demi Lovato in November of last year, this Wednesday the day I had been waiting for had FINALLY arrived!! The only thing standing in the way of the concert was a four hour drive across a state line. We were coming Texas.

How many people can you fit into the state of Texas?

That lone star is taken very seriously!

We arrived eventually, and the concert was amazing. I have been wanting to see her live for years and this is another amazing thing that this year abroad has allowed me to do. My favourite song - Skyscraper - was played which, I will admit, made me very emotional! 

Skyscraper moment.

We (which I should specify included Nikki & Megan) stayed in Texas overnight, at Megan's aunt's house which should only be described as mansion as house doesn't do it justice. I slept in my own room (oh privacy, how I have missed thee) in a bed so comfy that I forgot where I was when I woke up! I fully expected to go straight home the next morning but we spent the day in Texas. We were taken to a British food market in which Megan's aunt treated us to goodies - I have more squash AND more chocolate! We went for pedicures and for authentic Mexican food, again we were so kindly treated by Megan's aunt!

Here at LSU, Baseball season has started. Nikki and I took a very warm Sunday afternoon away from our desks to visit Alex Box Stadium and watch a game against Grambling. LSU won - but the highlight of the game has to be the group of guys sitting in front of us. Their commentary was hilarious and the grief that they were giving the player standing closest to the student area (who I assume they knew because it was friendly [I hate this next word] banter) was very funny!

Thumbs up if you enjoy Baseball!

It is for this reason that most of us would rather love than be loved - Carson McCullers

12th February 2014 - Tale as Old as Time, Song as Old as Rhyme

I do apologise for my lack of posts of late. Alas, the workload has resumed which leaves little time for pleasure. We've had no more "snow" days which means full weeks of work (I know, it's a very hard life!!) I'm enjoying my classes which is a good thing but ask me again when the essays start! In a shock twist of fate, I've also started going to the gym.

I decided to blog because this evening I saw the Beauty & the Beast musical. It is a touring production and they stopped by at the Union theatre. I really enjoyed it!! Okay, the Beast had a bit too much of the 'comic relief' role, far from his 'tortured soul' role in the film, but the costumes, dancing and singing were all so great. I loved the guy who played Lumière - but I love his character in the film too. I am now even more excited for Walt Disney World; 2 months today.

Nikki may be pulling an...interesting face, and this may be a snapchat picture, but here we are waiting for the show to start. We were on the second row which was fantastic! 

In other news, it is Valentine's Day in 2 days. I'm breaking my life rule of 'not acknowledging that day exists' for the time being to explain how big a thing it is here. Everything is either pink or red in the supermarkets, themed food suddenly starts appearing and my RA has a little gift planned for all who live down my hall. I will further break my rule by posting a picture my friend Carrie put on my Facebook wall.

ONLY VALENTINE'S DAY CARD I COULD EVER WANT IN LIFE!!

May all your days, not just Friday, be filled with some sort of love but for all the women who wish to follow my path into spinsterhood, you're welcome [I suggest you click it ;)] Until next time.

A snowball in the face is surely the perfect beginning to a lasting friendship - Markus Zusak

28th January 2014 - Do you want to build a snowman?

Supposedly my second semester at LSU has started. I say supposedly because I am yet to have a full week. The first week started on a Wednesday, last week gave us Monday off for MLK day & Friday for a 'snow day,' and this week we've had today off AND we're getting tomorrow off - again, due to icy conditions!! It is rather funny to see the reaction here to cold weather! I thought England was unprepared for the cold (I am aware that this weather is very unusual for the state but still!!)

Apart from the disjointed weeks in which I'm finding it hard to get motivated to do any work (I have discovered 30 Rock on Netflix and frankly, it is brilliant and would much rather watch that), the classes I have had have been good! 

1. Tudor England is a course by the same professor I had for Stuart England and I enjoyed that so much I decided to travel back in time.
2. Science Fiction & American History - it is only once a week so I've only had one class but we had to read War of the Worlds and I'm so happy to finally have the excuse to read some H.G.Wells.
3. Women in 19th Century America - I've not had a class for that yet as the professor has been ill but the reading I have to do is interesting!!
4. Comic Books & Graphic Novels of the 1980s - the professor is funny and rather adorable and he got the seal of approval when I noticed he had a copy of Walden in his office. Anyway, some of the books we have to read look weird, some look like classics but I'm excited! I get to read Maus - once more, finally an excuse to read this!

Socially, I've been doing....well. I've been out every weekend so far (WHAT IS THIS?) and because this is my blog, I hold the right to not expand on this! :D But below are some pictures of non-bar activities I associate myself with!!

I have discovered I'm terrible at bowling without the barriers (you can only have those if you're under 7).

We watched the gymnastics.

And I played a very tense game of Jenga with Nikki. Oh the lifestyles of the rich & famous.

Anyway, I hope to find my motivation soon as I feel it is needed. I have booked Spring Break - WALT DISNEY WORLD & UNIVERSAL STUDIOS - so it's nice to have something to work towards!

I lived alone, in the woods, a mile from any neighbor, in a house which I had built myself, on the shore of Walden Pond, in Concord, Massachusetts - Henry David Thoreau

30th December 2013 - 9th January 2014 - The Spirit of America

What could I possibly say about Massachusetts? For a state that proudly declares on it's license plate that it is 'the Spirit of America', from what I saw, it is a state very proud of it's literature, history, culture and overall 'American-ness'. This blog will be slightly different from my previous entries - instead of going through by days, I will instead go through by places (because some days we simply played in the most snow I have ever seen in my life, or simply had a slow relaxing afternoon playing backgammon!)

Boston - We did the entire Freedom Trail. Picture that. The entire thing. I can't complain, Abi did what I wanted to do in Concord (see end of blog) so as a good friend, I returned the favour.

Got tired of walking so went the rest of the way by donkey.

The great thing was the end of the day - I tried Boston Clam Chowder. IT WAS AMAZING. How is this not a thing at home?

The last day, just Abi and I went into Boston. We finished the freedom trail (walking to Bunker Hill) but the inside was closed...great (notice this, it will become a theme for the trip). She also wanted to go to, which I admit sounded fun, the Tea Party Museum in which we could have thrown tea into the harbour. Arrived - 'the museum is closed due to a frozen pipe, sorry for the inconvenience'. A frozen pipe. It is New England...in winter...WHAT WERE THEY EXPECTING TO HAPPEN, GLORIOUS SUNSHINE?! Abi got herself peppermint hot chocolate (revolting on several levels 1) mint and 2) hot chocolate) to make herself feel better. We then went back to Quincy Market before returning to the Boston Common and going for a little walk. We got chased by a demon squirrel. Those things should be hibernating or something.

 People were playing ice hockey and others were also risking life to stand on the ice. This is the closest I got.

Cambridge - After being snowed in for 2 days...

I thought I'd help out shovelling the drive way.

we decided to brave the temperatures (even though the roads were surprisingly clear; England take note!) and trek to Harvard! It's a lot smaller than I was expecting, saying that, I'm not sure what I was expecting but definitely bigger. If it was pretty in the snow, it must follow suit when it's green.

Hillary and I attempting a 'clever face' - because that's what people in Harvard look like all the time...right?

We didn't do much while there apart from look around Harvard, quickly circle the town and eat Mexican food at Border (so good!) but hey, it was a good day out!

Salem - Unfortunately nothing was open. By nothing, I am excluding the spooky spirit shops because all of them appeared to be open but the witch museums and even the house of Seven Gables were closed! It was a very Hawthorne-y place because there is a statue there of him in which people mistake for a warlock and we saw the house in which he wrote The Scarlet Letter. Still, walking around the town in what must have been -17 degrees Celsius with the windchill was interesting. It must be so lively in the summer and I hope to return at the end of the year to confirm that prediction.

Concord - BEST DAY OF BEING IN AMERICA SO FAR. Was that too enthusiastic? Or was that not enthusiastic enough? It was like all of my dreams had come true. The day started at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where we were met with a 'Cemetery closed sign' - the world started to collapse around me, my breath quickened, I HAD BOUGHT FLOWERS so naturally we stepped over the sign and walked to Author's Ridge.

Abi morbidly put it as; 'this is the closest you're ever going to get to him, 6 feet under ground'. I didn't cry here...but I did get a bit emotional.

Flowers delivered, we made our way to Walden Pond. Prepare yourself for the happiest photos of me you will ever see in your life.

Because his arm is outstretched, Abi thought it would be a good idea to do a 'dramatic dip' pose. It went well for her. However, there is a bit more of me bulky wise so it made me chuckle!

In case you haven't figured out from these photos, Thoreau is the love of my life (sorry it's not a real, breathing man mum!) I just loved the recreation of the cabin. When I return in the summer, I plan to visit the actual site he stayed at plus go swimming in Walden Pond. It was rather frozen over when we went - however the people ice fishing probably liked the conditions.

Next, we visited Orchard House, the home of the Alcotts. Visitors are not allowed to take photos inside but it was really cool to see where Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women. Finally, we went to Concord Museum - I wished to go to see the Thoreau collection (including the desk he did many of his writings on) and Emerson's study. I'm planning on coming back - I want to see Thoreau Farm and go inside Emerson's house (which are closed for winter). If I had a spare $800,000+ lying about, I would move there. Maybe in a few....forty years.

To conclude..

This is Abi, on her way to steal your man.

Eventually, I think Chicago will be the most beautiful great city left in the world - Frank Lloyd Wright

Monday - Two plane journeys later and I had arrived in the Windy City! O'Hare airport must be the most complicated complex I have ever been in so once I'd managed to find the exit and thereafter make my way to the train station, I waited for a certain individual...

After being reunited with this girl here (more or less 5 months is too long!) we made sure Chicago would be ready for us. We took the train from the airport to our hotel managing to walk around in circles in the process and lose all feeling in my fingers. We braved the cold once more in order to find food and go to the cinema. You must see Saving Mr Banks - a brilliant, emotional movie. Leaving the cinema at half ten, the temperature had dropped to minus 17 degrees Celsius. I thought I was going to die. No normal human being should be living in a place that gets this cold, it's just cruel.

Tuesday - Get up early, we said. Set an alarm for 9am we said. 10.45am is when I finally surfaced for the day, ready for a grand adventure. First, we went to the Willis Tower and the famous Skydeck. 100+ floors later and a lift that makes your ears pop, I finally witnessed amazing views.

For someone who isn't all that keen on heights, I found this to be scary!! But not too scary that I couldn't sit and have my photo taken!!

Next, we went to the German Christmas Market to have a look around.

I got myself some hot mulled wine (so sweet and delicious and Christmassy). The guy behind the counter was clearly expecting me to be caught out when I ordered so he was all 'ID?' and I was all 'BAM'. Abi, not yet being 21 - must not laugh even if I find it a tiny bit funny - could not get the mulled cider she very clearly wanted and had to settle on hot chocolate. I gave her a bit of my wine as I am obviously a kind hearted human being (okay fine, but it's Christmas...) Naturally it all went straight to my head and when we found a Nativity scene and Abi asked who 'those random people were', I broke out in hysterical laughter. It appears the shepherds, the Wise Men and Joseph are all absent in her version of Christmas. I got to keep the mug as a souvenir!

Next we went to look around the Macy's store and I found a Topshop and all was right on my Christmas Eve. We then walked to the John Hancock Tower. I preferred the views from this one.

I took lots of photos but here is just one. Lake Michigan was all icy! You could also see Navy Pier.

Finally, we finished the evening by going to the Rainforest Café. Abi had never been (not even to the Piccadilly Circus one!!) so I felt like she needed to go.

I found it funny that she was freaked out by my medium cooked burger (her crazy meat cooking rules) and the server asked us if we were from Ireland. This morning we were asked if we are Australian - at least this was a bit closer to home! 

We sat next to the fish!! 

We were the oldest people in there (excluding parents) but I just think it is SO COOL although when the 'thunder storm' happens in the middle of eating, it is hard to see your food! I was MADE TO STAY UP UNTIL MIDNIGHT - I didn't have a choice - to, in the words of Abi, 'see in Christmas'. Here, she suddenly asked 'who is going to bring in the new year?' My confusion was coupled with 'thanks you bastard, I was going to celebrate it with you' but it turns out her family brings in the new year with a tradition called 'the first footing'. Felt like I'd gone back in time - if you don't know what it is, Google it but she was confused I didn't do it and I was confused that anyone did it at all. You learn something new every day. 

Wednesday - Woke up to a white Christmas (proving that they do not just happen in the movies!) We started with the morning skype conversations to family before going on a morning walk.

The morning walk saw a very frozen Michigan Lake.

Morning walk selfie!

We eventually reached Millenium Park, and saw the Bean.

So arty because I'm such a cool individual.

I didn't wish to do this because I knew I'd look like an idiot but Abi wasn't taking no for an answer so note my grimace.

We also went ice-skating in the park. The people who worked there were a bit funny about people taking pictures on the ice so we didn't want to risk it, so here is a photo of me post ice-skating!

I've finally had a Dunkin' Donut now - as we needed warming up after ice-skating with coffee (and food!) - and it was rather yummy! We returned to the Hotel for an hour or so because we had time to kill before dinner. This way, we walked to the restaurant. And walk to the restaurant we did...35 minutes, in the snow...and Abi insisted we walk back; except I sorted of trudged myself back instead. Dinner was really good! They brought me the wrong food to the table to begin with and were all lovely and apologetic. Abi said 'so your line at British politeness no I'll just eat it anyway is drawn at ribs?' Yes. I hate ribs. Don't bring me ribs. Anyway, the rather dishy manager brought my food over this time, he asked if I needed anything else and part of me wished I had any form of confidence so I could have simply replied 'yes, your phone number!' Alas, I am not. 

Thursday - The walking continues. Note to Abi's future boyfriend/husband - you had better be energetic because unless it's the tube in London, this girl has no interest in public transport!!

First, a quick visit to Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears! They may not be my team, but mum wanted a picture as it is hers!

We went to the Planetarium - I've never been a student of the sciences but physics was my favourite out of the three, probably because space is included in this section (no-one can take that A* from this module away from me!) We got to watch a show in which we toured the stars and it was visually stunning. Abi had no idea that there were so many planets out there among the stars. Hey, who knows, somewhere out there, there could be a parallel universe in which I'm married to Tom Hiddleston!

In the evening, we went to dinner at an Italian Restaurant where they basically just give you the indoor equivalent to an Oyster card in which you go to the correctly labelled stations, scan your card and they cook your food for you! 

Theatre ready!

Afterwards, we went to see 'A Christmas Carol'. It was great apart from the TERRIFYING GHOST OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE! It suddenly appeared, this tall hooded figure - Abi screamed...which took away from the next 5 minutes as I was too busy chuckling to myself! The show was really good as were the English accents even if they did say 'potatoes' really weirdly.

Just ending the day on this picture because I have no words for it either...

Thursday - We rose bright and early(ish) in order to see the new Hobbit movie. I'd seen it before with. Katelyn but didn't mind seeing it again. If you have Richard Armitage, Lee Pace, Aiden Turner and the voice of Benedict Cumberbatch in one movie, I'm obviously not going to say no to watching it again!

We then walked (are we surprised? I'm actually hoping to lose weight this week) to Navy Pier which had great views when you stood at the very end (it didn't beat Brighton pier however!) 

All this walking has been worth it to enjoy a guilt free slice of cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory (FINALLY!) I chose my favourite flavour in the whole world, white chocolate and raspberry. Unfortunately it came with cream on top...so I soon scraped that off and gave it to Abi!

Saturday - Today we visited the Lincoln Park area. First, we visited the Chicago Museum. One of my courses this term focused on the 1910s and 20, and a lot happened in the city during this period so to see it in one museum was cool.

Dressing up by the suffragette section of the museum...well, I wasn't going to just stand there was I?

We then had a walk through Lincoln Park in which a game of 'spot the statue' begun. The only ones I recognised however, were Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin! It was also time for the zoo!! And there was a POLAR BEAR which...is part fascinating and part cruel for being kept in a zoo where, although the weather in Chicago is cold, it's not quite arctic conditions!

Although wolves are my favourite animals, I have a soft spot for meerkats and giraffes...but here is a bowl of meerkats for your viewing pleasure!

Afterwards, we went for a final walk downtown as we are unfortunately, not heading in that direction again. There were obviously many people...it was a Saturday after all.

This evening we had Indian food...INDIAN FOOD! A rarity down South, I couldn't leave the North without having it at least once!

Sunday - Our last day in Chicago. The temperature has dropped again so we saved the inside activities until last. We went to Shedd Aquarium which was very cool, my favourite HAS to be the beluga whales - the cutest creatures ever! I really wished we had more time here so I can swim with them...but perhaps I will come back in the future (or so I wish to!) We also attended an aquatic show in which the dolphins and beluga whales did tricks! I had to buy a postcard of the whales because they were adorable (I thought, at 21, I was too old for a stuffed toy even if IT WAS ADORABLE!) 

Then, we went to the Field Museum - it was a very big Natural History museum! I like how well the museum was done; it just looked cool and was very easy to follow rather than getting lost. We also saw a 3D show about a t-Rex dinosaur; Sue as she was so named! 

We headed back to the hotel for one last time to pack and check into our flight for tomorrow.

So, this week is over and looking back, it has been brilliant. I've done so much, seen so much and have certainly been made to walk so much!! Chicago is a great city. I wasn't expecting the people to be quite so friendly! However, Christmas break isn't over yet and another place lies just around the corner...Massachusetts here we come!

Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure - Jane Austen

The first semester - a summary

Where to begin? Well, first I can't believe the first term here is actually over. It has gone ridiculously fast! If I were to have one problem with the way this term has gone, is that I have dedicated my life more to work than to fun. 

And how do I feel about this? My grades have never been so high. If this work continues next term, I will go back with a first. (for the rest of this rant, please see the 'overall results' section)

Anything else? Well, I've not really travelled. I am aware I have six months left but I can not BELIEVE I have been here four months and have only travelled to DC! But, it is now Christmas - I can practically feel the snow in Chicago and Massachusetts. Come January, I am sure I will feel less upset about my lack of travelling.

But there are some positives. I have met some absolutely amazing people - both fellow exchange students and Americans. My classes, although work load top heavy, have been really interesting and my professors have been lovely people. Louisiana is still a lovely place to be - I'm not wearing a coat yet, I am however, wearing a light jacket to fight against the wind (day of publishing edit - I just saw people sunbathing.) And the food, the food is still fantastic (even if most of it is fried!) Now that this first term has finished, I feel like I should have savoured more of it and at the time, the work seemed to be the most consuming thing in the world but looking back, this term was really enjoyable.

Overall results. I never brag about my results. In fact, if I see people putting their grades on facebook, twitter, other forms of social networking that replaces actual conversation etc, I think those people need to take a sit down and think about how that status may affect someone who worked just as hard yet the results never show because they aren't EFFORTLESSLY CLEVER *takes a deep breath*. However, I have made 4 As. That translates to roughly 75%. I am not a 75% student. I am not a 70% student. Heck, I'm not even a 65% student!! If I scrape 60% I get down on my knees and thank God I am still getting a 2:1. So why have I suddenly improved? Is it my lack of social life? Is it the fact you can actually get 100% here rather than failing to move higher than 64%? Do they simply mark nicer here? I was told I'd 'get high 2:1s and firsts' here and I pretty much scoffed that idea. I refuse to argue with the results, hence my one chance to brag. I will simply be happy and aim to try just as hard next semester so that I can go back to Sussex in a strong position for fourth year.

A week to relax. I have a week before I go to Chicago and it is really nice to be able to stay here doing nothing but watching Netflix (I CAVED) and reading books (I read a fictionalised novel about Louisa May Alcott and have read Alcott's 'Moods' which has to be one of my favourite books EVER - so delicious for 19th century literature!!). I'll stop this post now before it gets any longer - off to see The Hobbit and stay at Katelyn's for the night because we are decorating Christmas cookies!

A few pictures of the purple and gold tree!

Christmas cookies we decorated!

Merry Christmas readers!

I am grateful for what I am and have - Henry David Thoreau

25th November 2013 - 28th November 2013 - Thanksgiving week!!!

Monday - I saw Catching Fire. It was very close to the book, so I'm impressed! 

Tuesday - Went to 'Friendsgiving' at Jono's house. It was 'bring your own dish' so naturally, I made yorkshire puddings (as I miss eating them so badly.) Even though it wasn't 'cooking' as such, I realised how much I have missed this activity (had to be careful how I worded that - putting "I have missed being in the kitchen" opens me up to stereotyping!!!) I tried American biscuits which are basically just scones. Also witnessed sweet potato mash with marshmallows on the top - it looked and smelt revolting; no way was I even going to try it!

Wednesday - Went to see Frozen today!! Haven't seen a Disney film in the cinema since Tangled came out so naturally, I was very excited. It was amazing - the detail was spectacular, it was hilarious and the music was great (however, I am a sucker for a good Disney love song, Alan Menken style and it wasn't delivered, but female power ballad 'Let it Go' was my favourite. Talking of female power, after the release of Pixar's Brave, I'm guessing it was simply time for the main branch to follow suit with bamf princesses. 

I loved Olaf (the snowman) for the comic relief, but Elsa had to be my favourite. Her dress is SO COOL. Yes, I realise I am 21.

Thursday - Had lunch with Katelyn and her family - I have experienced an American Thanksgiving!! It was very good, complete with cranberry sauce and I even tried pumpkin and pecan pie (I have discovered that I do not like the flavour... I am a savory pie kind of person instead of a sweet one). The rest of the day was relaxing - have two 10 page essays to complete this weekend so I wanted to have one day off! No rest for the wicked.

However, 2 weeks until the end of term and 3 weeks until I go to Chicago. I can do this!

Edit: I realise I forgot to blog about the last of the football games. Homecoming game was great - this was the only game we attended as a big group.

I borrowed Austin's hat - became a bit attached to it.

Cheeky pic of Mike dressed as Darth Vader in the background!

GROUP PHOTO! (Minus Alice, she wasn't looking in the right direction...)

The final game I saw was against Texas A&M - THE GAME WAS AMAZING. Ridiculously cold and drizzly (it shouldn't be like this, it's Louisiana!) The football games have really made my time here enjoyable - it has been a proper American college experience.

Spot the drunk participant *coughs* Austin *coughs*

After all, Saturday night in Death Valley is the 'best time you will ever have with 92,400 of your closest friends.'