Cheerios

It's morning, I'm done with classes, it's much too early to start studying for finals, and no one else is up. What to do, what to do. There's only one thing. Grab a bowl of Cheerios and watch Indiana Jones. Strangely enough, plain Cheerios in the UK are the equivalent of "Multi-Grain Cheerios" back in the States. It's one of those little things about this year that I will always remember. I've never been much of a cereal person, but Cheerios have become a staple of my morning diet. It's become a bit of a running gag with Mark on the weekly shopping list. Every single week, without fail, "multi grain cheerios" is scrawled on the list, leading to any manner of little comments.

It's been another fairly humdrum week, partly consumed by finishing up classes. I spent mostly all day on Monday creating a banana nut roll for dinner. Tuesday was involved with the last American History lecture, which was somewhat bittersweet. We learned about George W. Bush, Paul Wolfowitz and neoconservatives, which sort of made me feel ill, but that's beside the point. The last class of a class you enjoy is always a little sad. I'll miss the hilarious British attempts to pronounce "Ronald Reagan," my quirky seminar tutor/American economic historian who looks like my grandma, and my status as resident expert in my seminar, simply for being American. Maybe if I wear a cowboy hat I'll get a better grade on the exam.

Anyways, the flat is a bit dispersed right now. Kate and Emily left yesterday for Norway. It made me realize that my days of globetrotting are over (this year), which was sort of a bittersweet recollection to make. I guess I've sort of gotten addicted to traveling, which is better than getting addicted to crack or heroin, I suppose. I'm still planning on spending a weekend in London, or perhaps some other major city I haven't seen (Liverpool?). But let's be honest, it will probably be London. There's so much more to see though (Highlands, more of Wales, Cornwall, the South in general). Good fodder for a return trip I suppose.

Even as I sit and complain, I really can't sit and complain. Mary and Kevin have been in the midst of creating a group slideshow of the year, mainly consisting of photos from Nottingham and the various house trips around England. This in turn inspired me to look through my own photos, which led to a realization. I've seen a ton of stuff. A ton. But more importantly I think, in the process, I've come to intimately know this country. Or as Kevin put it, "this quirky-ass nation." I like that description. England is sort of like your crazy uncle, you just can't help but love him. For all the tea drinkin', chip eatin', football riotin', and shoe buyin' ridiculousness, I love this place.

I think that's all for now. I'm going down to the city centre today, just to sort of hang out. Probably grab coffee sans Emily, look around with Ryan or Mary, do whatever. It will probably also be a pretty chill night here at the flat. Everyone's gearing up for the insanity that will be the double blow of Kevin and Hilary's birthdays next week. In the meantime, I'll just sit around and seeth in raging frustration at the Twins' 17-17 record and their inept and inconsistent play. I might as well play left field, or at least pitch for Sidney Ponson. Mr. Ryan and Mr. Gardenhire, you know I respect you both, but really? I'm going to take my mind off this unpleasant subject by making tea and grabbing some toast with our newly purchased jar of Nutella. Later.