More first-day-type stuff

I was astounded to wake this morning to my roommates alarm. It was 8:35! I haven't had a need to set an alarm in, I don't know how long. It was funny; I woke up and thought that I had a great night's sleep and then I looked at the clock - it was 11:11 pm. I hadn't even been asleep for two hours! I probably slept 9 hours after you take out the 2 or so hours that I was awake from beginning at about 2:00.


We had a mandatory orientation meeting at 10:00, which was not very exciting, although those speaking were quite amused with themselves! It was all good and necessary; I just wasn't in the mood. I left that meeting determined to do something worth journaling every day. I headed towards the British Museum (pictured) and was overwhelmed! I spent an hour and a half and think that I need to do that each and every day if I have a hope of seeing it all!

Today's visit was cut short by the fact that I had to attend a mandatory "alcohol awareness" meeting at 2:00. This makes sense since the drinking age here is 18 and many of the students are not yet 21. Add to that that beer, for example, has a much higher alcohol content than in the state. I had hoped that as someone who had been legal to drink for over 30 years that I might could have been excused, but age was not a good enough reason, so I went. The woman who presented must have wondered why I was there since she made a point that no staff would be in attendance, but she didn't ask so I didn't tell. She actually did a really good job, not preachy and very matter of fact about all the stupid things that people who have "had too much" tend to do.

After a brief rest, I took for the streets, being lead around on a "practical walking tour." An hour and 15 minutes later, I flopped down on my bed wondering if I would ever walk again, let alone, learn my way around this place! My mom thinks that Tallahassee is confusing? She should see this! I can't ever count how many intersections we went through that had five, six, or even seven streets! Tallahassee had to re-rounte five points and the Meridian/Thomasville road thing. I don't know how they do it here. I can say that they do it fast. In spite of the narrow roads, cars, busses, firetrucks, all go flying down these streets! This is compounded by motorcycles becoming popular as well as cycling. it is crazy!

There are a lot of familiar places. Tonight I had dinner at a place comparable to Panera (and we know I like Panera). Walking back from the Museum, I noticed a Baskin Robbins! The prices are high (which is a good thing), but they did have an interesting flavor of the month! I wonder what wedding might have inspired this!

All this walking was made possible by beautiful weather! I guess we were about 72 and sunny. The director of the Study Center keeps telling us that the stereotype that the British always talk about the weather is true and it is because it changes so often. We'll have to see what tomorrow brings!