Actually have some free time today, so I figured I'd keep ya'll updated on my life as it stands right now.
About the University: Oxford is actually composed of 39 distinct colleges. The program takes place at Lady Margaret Hall (one of the colleges) which is way nice. It's set about a mile outside of the town center, and is beautiful (pics will be up later on). Harry Potter was filmed at Christchurch (another of the 39 colleges), apparantly, which was news to me, but people have been going fairly nutty over the fact since they got here. Our dining hall at LMH actually kind of looks like the one in the movies, which makes sense I suppose.
The students moved in on Tuesday, which was a pretty hellish day as it required me to be up at 3:45 to meet them at the airport. The planes ended up getting delayed so we sat around and ate a huge breakfast in Heathrow (on ASA of course), then got crackin'. Things went relatively well, despite some bottlenecking that occured when we tried to get 200 kids onto 6 buses in one of the busiest airport terminals in the world. I was going more or less non-stop for the rest of the day, hauling a large number of heavy suitcases all around campus and up many flights of stairs many times. As Oxford is old as hell, there are no elevators; needless to say, I got a pretty decent workout on move-in day.
The kids were all jetlagged, and I felt like I hadn't slept for a day after hauling all that luggage around, but there was still more crap to do. We took an open bus tour of Oxford which I didn't get a whole lot out of, just cause the amount of information thrown at us was mind-boggling. We had to do orientation and then floor meetings with the Spain vs. France game squeezed in. We have about 10-15 Spaniards in the program, so there was a source of conflict when it came time for the mandatory meetings (and a whole lot of disappointment when France won too).
In a program that is a minefield of brats (lots and lots and lots and lots of Manhattan trust fund babies) I managed to get a floor of very good kids. They all listen (so far) and are the complete opposite of jackasses, which not all the RAs are lucky enough to be able to say. It is only the first week, but we're definitely off to a good start.
Yesteday we did a photo scavenger hunt around Oxford with our respective floors, which was actually a lot of fun. The guys got really into it so it didn't feel like a chore or a lame activity. Afterwards I brought them to a pub that had great food so they could get the authentic pub cuisine experience in early. It went over extremely well, so all were happy.
So basically I'll be going a mile a minute at this job. The entire staff is all really nice (RAs and senior staff) and I can't forsee any sort of conflicts arising on that front. It's great to have such a good team of people to work with since it makes life so much easier in this kind of job. Everybody is always willing to jump in and help as much as they can, which is definitely necessary when trying to create a fun and activity-packed environment for teenagers. This is turning out to be a much more interesting experience than I was first expecting. I'm basically "on-duty" 24 hours a day, which can definitely be tiring. I can't even go somewhere to grab a pint if I have a free afternoon. Even when I'm out on the town without a specific task, I need to be acting responsible and all that for when the students might see me. Like I said, I only have 2 days off this month, and they told us to get the hell out of Oxford if possible since we won't want anything to do with ASA. They still don't want us drinking or doing anything illicit if there is a possibility of being spotted by our residents despite not being on duty. Damn. I guess I'll be hitting London for my first day off (the 5th). I've yet to decide how I'll spent my second (the 14th).
For now, I'm off. Gotta go develop my pictures from the scavenger hunt, and get planning some activities for later this week. Always more to do.
Love, Peace, Chicken Grease
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Monday, June 26, 2006
Briefer than Tighty Whities
In Oxford, starting as an RA officially tomorrow. Orientation was good. We'll see how this goes. I suppose there is a ton I could talk about but my time is extremely limited. In general I won't have much internet access at all. When I do, it will be for very short periods of time, most likely. I only have two days off for the entire month of July. Too bad. It's gonna be extremely busy but should also be pretty fun too, I think.
The velcro shoes still hurt to walk in. What a bad purchase.
Ok, gotta go. Maybe more soon, but probably not.
The velcro shoes still hurt to walk in. What a bad purchase.
Ok, gotta go. Maybe more soon, but probably not.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
For the Record
I bought velcro shoes at ASDA (Wal-Mart) for £10 yesterday. The saddest part is that I definitely overpaid.
Monday, June 19, 2006
So Long Southampton, Hola Oxford
So I ship off to Oxford on Thursday to start work as an RA. Whoop. Oh yeah, and I got the Cambridge gig too, so I won't be home until after August 13th. The second program doesn't pay as well as the first since it's a week shorter, but oh well.
I've definitely enjoyed my time here in Southampton, just being able to relax and not worry too much about anything, but I really am starting to feel like a potato. I attended a (personal) record 4 barbecues in one week, and completely made up for being seperated from my precious internets in Spain by spending a sad number of hours crawling around the web and playing stupid online games. I've also managed to watch at least one World Cup game per day which has been an excellent diversion. Side note: The US managed a whole hell of a lot better facing Italy than when they played the CR, despite being down 2 men for half the game. But anyway, I don't think I've gone this long without being employed since my work career started 6 or 7 years back and it feels weird.
Speaking of monkeymakin', I'm inquiring into the BBC this week about what I might be able to do to augment my prospects of becoming one of their cameramen (or whatever sort of donkeyworker they need) after I graduate. I understand it's a ridiculously competitive company to try to get a job for, but I think I'd make a decent candidate with the amount of experience I've amassed these past 4 or 5 years. Plus I can add the whole American dimension on things, which everyone is dying to get a piece of.
Tomorrow I'm headed to Matt's parent's place for yet more BBQing and the England/Sweden match. Should be tasty good times. Last chance I'll get to hang out with the Harding family before I head off to work. It's worth noting that they are good people and have been very cool to me since I've been here. Wednesday night we'll be headed out for a curry and a couple beers, then it's off to the Ox the next morning.
It's been a rush to get all my forms and crap filled out for the job since ASA waited 'til the absolute last minute to send them along. I guess it's because I'm a last minute hire, but still, my getting paid depends on whether or not I can get my W-4 and I-9 and whatever else faxed to them as soon as possible.
Looking over my responsiblities and the rules/regulations of the program has led me to feel slightly apprehensive about this whole thing. I have been away from the "holy-shit-we-need-to-put-a-protective-bubble-around-everyone-or-someone-might-get-a-splinter" mentality that seems to be all-pervasive in America and is strangely absent throughout Europe. Despite ASA's claims that they don't wish to create a "police state" or "military environment" within the program, the sheer number of offenses that I personally could be dismissed from the program for (sans paycheck) - on the basis of nothing more than a rumor - are a bit staggering. Gossip apparantly plays a very large role in how things are decided by the staff. This is at least what my Resident Advisor Handbook is telling me. I've yet to see how things are actually run on the ground as it generally is never quite like they play it up in the instruction booklet. We do, sadly enough, have to go on "Town Patrol," and make sure the kids aren't causin' a ruckus off-campus during their free time. I'm gonna chalk all this up to part of my re-introduction to American culture and hope it only helps to further decrease the inevitable culture shock I'll be feeling upon my return to the States (ha!).
Oh, and I got a kick out of this. Included in my packet-o-info was a Packing Suggestions sheet that spends 2 paragraphs explaining the importance of travelling light and then recommends that you bring no less than:
8-10 pairs of underwear
8-10 pairs of socks
5 pairs of jeans or casual pants (I don't think I own this many)
5 pairs of shorts (again, don't own this many)
8 casual shirts
2 dressy outfits
2-3 sweaters/sweatshirts
1-2 pairs of sweatpants
1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of "sturdy walking shoes" (quotes added for effect)
1 pair of dress shoes
swimming trunks and athletic gear (as necessary)
a rainproof jacket
2 large towels
a bath robe
[and this is just the clothes list]
Pack light?!!? Is that a sick joke? I mean, it's a 4 week program and there are laundry facilities on site. What the hell is packing heavy to these people? I couldn't help laughing at that, especially since I don't have half that crap and am wearing the same ratty ass clothes I brought with me to Spain (most of which I've owned for a long time before that). My sneakers (which will double as my "sturdy walking shoes") have both almost split in two because they have so many holes in them (which reminds me I need to buy some duct tape or get myself some sweatshop puma ripoffs at ASDA) and my jeans are doing that whole "gaping-knee-hole-that-keeps-getting-bigger-because-I-forget-it's-there-and-jam-my-foot-into-it-tearing-it-even-more-every-time-I-put-my-pants-on" thing. Nice outfits are a straight up no, so I'll have to figure something out before we head over for our tour of Parliament. I actually think I might have one button down white shirt, but it's currently crumpled up in a ball at the bottom of my [19kg overweight by easyJet's standards] duffle bag.
So I'm not sure what internet access is gonna look like during this thing. The handbook keeps talking about my "day off" but whether this means I have one day off for the entire month, or per week is beyond me. I'm praying it's the latter, of course, although "day off" is always referenced in the singular, and never once in the plural *shiver*. I would assume I would have some sort of access to the internets somewhere on campus during the day, but this hasn't been explained to me in any sort of detail yet. I know I will have office duty about once a week, so I should have a computer in front of me then, but as for leisure time, I don't yet know what this is shaping up to be like. I do have a British SIM card for my mobile now so if anybody wants to give along a friendly hello (and can afford the long distance charges) I can be contacted at (011 44) 7927 004 722 (if calling from the States). Texts are also welcome, of course. Oh, and the spacing I used for that phone number is completey arbitrary because I still can't figure out how the hell they do that here. Regardless, I'll try to slide an update in every once in a while and keep up with emails and whatnot.
As an added feature, now that I've had some time to reflect a bit, I've decided to add a couple things I miss about Spain in each post (or as I remember them). Here's a couple to get us started
Things I miss about Spain:
- Random explosions and loud crashes during the night - I can't explain this, but they became comforting after a while. They spice up your dreams like a jalapeno pepper does your peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
- The fashionably executed mullet (seriously) - There were so many of them, the ones that were actually well kempt (or entirely way over the top) really did stand out. If I ever see one in England (the British have adopted the same policy of ridicule towards the hair"style" as America has, therefore sightings are rare) it's usually greasy and wily like the Amazon. I think I miss the gel-spiked-highlighted-faux hawk-with-rat-tail-modifier the most. A rare beauty, indeed.
- Goofy Spaniards. The British take themselves too seriously. I miss the Spanish way of taking everything with a grain of salt: from STDs to terrorism to embarrasing leg hair.
On that note, Goodnight!
Oh and I almost forgot, check out this pure ridiculousness. I can't stop marvelling at it.
I've definitely enjoyed my time here in Southampton, just being able to relax and not worry too much about anything, but I really am starting to feel like a potato. I attended a (personal) record 4 barbecues in one week, and completely made up for being seperated from my precious internets in Spain by spending a sad number of hours crawling around the web and playing stupid online games. I've also managed to watch at least one World Cup game per day which has been an excellent diversion. Side note: The US managed a whole hell of a lot better facing Italy than when they played the CR, despite being down 2 men for half the game. But anyway, I don't think I've gone this long without being employed since my work career started 6 or 7 years back and it feels weird.
Speaking of monkeymakin', I'm inquiring into the BBC this week about what I might be able to do to augment my prospects of becoming one of their cameramen (or whatever sort of donkeyworker they need) after I graduate. I understand it's a ridiculously competitive company to try to get a job for, but I think I'd make a decent candidate with the amount of experience I've amassed these past 4 or 5 years. Plus I can add the whole American dimension on things, which everyone is dying to get a piece of.
Tomorrow I'm headed to Matt's parent's place for yet more BBQing and the England/Sweden match. Should be tasty good times. Last chance I'll get to hang out with the Harding family before I head off to work. It's worth noting that they are good people and have been very cool to me since I've been here. Wednesday night we'll be headed out for a curry and a couple beers, then it's off to the Ox the next morning.
It's been a rush to get all my forms and crap filled out for the job since ASA waited 'til the absolute last minute to send them along. I guess it's because I'm a last minute hire, but still, my getting paid depends on whether or not I can get my W-4 and I-9 and whatever else faxed to them as soon as possible.
Looking over my responsiblities and the rules/regulations of the program has led me to feel slightly apprehensive about this whole thing. I have been away from the "holy-shit-we-need-to-put-a-protective-bubble-around-everyone-or-someone-might-get-a-splinter" mentality that seems to be all-pervasive in America and is strangely absent throughout Europe. Despite ASA's claims that they don't wish to create a "police state" or "military environment" within the program, the sheer number of offenses that I personally could be dismissed from the program for (sans paycheck) - on the basis of nothing more than a rumor - are a bit staggering. Gossip apparantly plays a very large role in how things are decided by the staff. This is at least what my Resident Advisor Handbook is telling me. I've yet to see how things are actually run on the ground as it generally is never quite like they play it up in the instruction booklet. We do, sadly enough, have to go on "Town Patrol," and make sure the kids aren't causin' a ruckus off-campus during their free time. I'm gonna chalk all this up to part of my re-introduction to American culture and hope it only helps to further decrease the inevitable culture shock I'll be feeling upon my return to the States (ha!).
Oh, and I got a kick out of this. Included in my packet-o-info was a Packing Suggestions sheet that spends 2 paragraphs explaining the importance of travelling light and then recommends that you bring no less than:
8-10 pairs of underwear
8-10 pairs of socks
5 pairs of jeans or casual pants (I don't think I own this many)
5 pairs of shorts (again, don't own this many)
8 casual shirts
2 dressy outfits
2-3 sweaters/sweatshirts
1-2 pairs of sweatpants
1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of "sturdy walking shoes" (quotes added for effect)
1 pair of dress shoes
swimming trunks and athletic gear (as necessary)
a rainproof jacket
2 large towels
a bath robe
[and this is just the clothes list]
Pack light?!!? Is that a sick joke? I mean, it's a 4 week program and there are laundry facilities on site. What the hell is packing heavy to these people? I couldn't help laughing at that, especially since I don't have half that crap and am wearing the same ratty ass clothes I brought with me to Spain (most of which I've owned for a long time before that). My sneakers (which will double as my "sturdy walking shoes") have both almost split in two because they have so many holes in them (which reminds me I need to buy some duct tape or get myself some sweatshop puma ripoffs at ASDA) and my jeans are doing that whole "gaping-knee-hole-that-keeps-getting-bigger-because-I-forget-it's-there-and-jam-my-foot-into-it-tearing-it-even-more-every-time-I-put-my-pants-on" thing. Nice outfits are a straight up no, so I'll have to figure something out before we head over for our tour of Parliament. I actually think I might have one button down white shirt, but it's currently crumpled up in a ball at the bottom of my [19kg overweight by easyJet's standards] duffle bag.
So I'm not sure what internet access is gonna look like during this thing. The handbook keeps talking about my "day off" but whether this means I have one day off for the entire month, or per week is beyond me. I'm praying it's the latter, of course, although "day off" is always referenced in the singular, and never once in the plural *shiver*. I would assume I would have some sort of access to the internets somewhere on campus during the day, but this hasn't been explained to me in any sort of detail yet. I know I will have office duty about once a week, so I should have a computer in front of me then, but as for leisure time, I don't yet know what this is shaping up to be like. I do have a British SIM card for my mobile now so if anybody wants to give along a friendly hello (and can afford the long distance charges) I can be contacted at (011 44) 7927 004 722 (if calling from the States). Texts are also welcome, of course. Oh, and the spacing I used for that phone number is completey arbitrary because I still can't figure out how the hell they do that here. Regardless, I'll try to slide an update in every once in a while and keep up with emails and whatnot.
As an added feature, now that I've had some time to reflect a bit, I've decided to add a couple things I miss about Spain in each post (or as I remember them). Here's a couple to get us started
Things I miss about Spain:
- Random explosions and loud crashes during the night - I can't explain this, but they became comforting after a while. They spice up your dreams like a jalapeno pepper does your peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
- The fashionably executed mullet (seriously) - There were so many of them, the ones that were actually well kempt (or entirely way over the top) really did stand out. If I ever see one in England (the British have adopted the same policy of ridicule towards the hair"style" as America has, therefore sightings are rare) it's usually greasy and wily like the Amazon. I think I miss the gel-spiked-highlighted-faux hawk-with-rat-tail-modifier the most. A rare beauty, indeed.
- Goofy Spaniards. The British take themselves too seriously. I miss the Spanish way of taking everything with a grain of salt: from STDs to terrorism to embarrasing leg hair.
On that note, Goodnight!
Oh and I almost forgot, check out this pure ridiculousness. I can't stop marvelling at it.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
My place of employment, odds and ends
I shall be working in Oxford for the months of July (Starting June 22nd). I was really hoping to be in Barcelona, but I am still happy to have something to do here in England for the summer. As explained before, I'll be an RA for American teenagers in a cultural immersion program. They will be taking classes for half the day. The other half of the day they will partake in activities and excursions. That's where I come in. I will be creating/running these activities and staffing the excursions. I'm actually kind of psyched about this, because looking through the program website, I will get to see a good amount of interesting stuff free of charge in and around Oxford. While I have seen some of the attractions (like Stonehenge), I've never actually been to Oxford so there is a whole millenium and a half or more of "new" history (like every city in Europe) for me to take in.
I get fed three meals a day (lunch being a stipend that I get to spend wherever I want) and free housing. This is wonderfully excellent as it will bring my general expenses down to somewhere slightly above zero. Besides the various "bits and bobs" (<--- one of many anglicisms I've picked up since being here) like souveners etc., I doubtfully will have much time to get out to the pub for a drink, and even if I do, won't be able to spend anywhere near enough money to get inebriated since my job is technically a 24-hour one. I need to be ready to spring into action at the drop of a hat (or a blacked-out student).
I'm not too certain about the possibility of staffing an additional, albeit shorter, program in Cambridge after the Oxford one is completed. I'd like to, but I haven't received word yet if they will put me on or not.
So enough about work. The strict barbecue/house party regimen I've been on has left me a bit drained and *gasp* tired of barbecue, but that's only because I've been doing it so much in such a short period of time. I think a few days of recovery will have my mouth watering for kebabs and wings again in no time. The weather thus far has been friggen fantastic, although the forecast predicts a week of meh-rainy starting Sunday. It seems rather serendipitous that these two weeks of sunshine have coincided so perfectly with the completion of exams period at the university, especially since it's following on the heels of an entire month of rain. Somehow, however, England still manages to find itself in a drought this year. Go figure.
Matt has to start working at ASDA (Wal-Mart) as much as he can to save up some cash this week. He's been unemployed (or rather not putting in any hours) for the last couple months and wants to buy a car soon since his got wrecked not too long ago. He only works graveyard shifts since he says it's the only way the money becomes worth it. Consequently, I'll be chilling at his house without him, while he lives at his parent's place (which is walking distance from work) putting in as many hours as possible. I don't mind being on my own, as that's what I was doing the first week and a half I was here. Plus, Matt is generous enough to let me stay with him in the first place, so I can't expect him to suspend his life for an entire month just to keep me entertained. I'm quite grateful just to have a free place to stay this entire time.
Being in England has gotten me a bit world-cup crazy since everybody here seems to get obsessively involved. I watched the USA get their asses handed to them in minced up pieces by the Czech Republic yesterday. Considering how well the US fared in 2002 (making it to the quarter-finals), it was pretty pathetic watching them play their first game. They had no strategy, no playmaking ability, and seemed to lack the willingness to pass to their own team. Sure, the three goals the CR scored were all fantastically executed, but the US didn't exactly offer up any sort of offensive resistance. If they have any hopes of making it into the knockout rounds, they are more than likely going to need to win their next two games. Not what I'd call terribly likely.
Alright, I've been lazing around all day so far and need to get up and do something with myself. I shall keep updates as to what my plans are looking like. I still need a new name for my blog since the current one is becoming terribly dated. The sad lack of audience participation has saddened me. Oh well.
Later
I get fed three meals a day (lunch being a stipend that I get to spend wherever I want) and free housing. This is wonderfully excellent as it will bring my general expenses down to somewhere slightly above zero. Besides the various "bits and bobs" (<--- one of many anglicisms I've picked up since being here) like souveners etc., I doubtfully will have much time to get out to the pub for a drink, and even if I do, won't be able to spend anywhere near enough money to get inebriated since my job is technically a 24-hour one. I need to be ready to spring into action at the drop of a hat (or a blacked-out student).
I'm not too certain about the possibility of staffing an additional, albeit shorter, program in Cambridge after the Oxford one is completed. I'd like to, but I haven't received word yet if they will put me on or not.
So enough about work. The strict barbecue/house party regimen I've been on has left me a bit drained and *gasp* tired of barbecue, but that's only because I've been doing it so much in such a short period of time. I think a few days of recovery will have my mouth watering for kebabs and wings again in no time. The weather thus far has been friggen fantastic, although the forecast predicts a week of meh-rainy starting Sunday. It seems rather serendipitous that these two weeks of sunshine have coincided so perfectly with the completion of exams period at the university, especially since it's following on the heels of an entire month of rain. Somehow, however, England still manages to find itself in a drought this year. Go figure.
Matt has to start working at ASDA (Wal-Mart) as much as he can to save up some cash this week. He's been unemployed (or rather not putting in any hours) for the last couple months and wants to buy a car soon since his got wrecked not too long ago. He only works graveyard shifts since he says it's the only way the money becomes worth it. Consequently, I'll be chilling at his house without him, while he lives at his parent's place (which is walking distance from work) putting in as many hours as possible. I don't mind being on my own, as that's what I was doing the first week and a half I was here. Plus, Matt is generous enough to let me stay with him in the first place, so I can't expect him to suspend his life for an entire month just to keep me entertained. I'm quite grateful just to have a free place to stay this entire time.
Being in England has gotten me a bit world-cup crazy since everybody here seems to get obsessively involved. I watched the USA get their asses handed to them in minced up pieces by the Czech Republic yesterday. Considering how well the US fared in 2002 (making it to the quarter-finals), it was pretty pathetic watching them play their first game. They had no strategy, no playmaking ability, and seemed to lack the willingness to pass to their own team. Sure, the three goals the CR scored were all fantastically executed, but the US didn't exactly offer up any sort of offensive resistance. If they have any hopes of making it into the knockout rounds, they are more than likely going to need to win their next two games. Not what I'd call terribly likely.
Alright, I've been lazing around all day so far and need to get up and do something with myself. I shall keep updates as to what my plans are looking like. I still need a new name for my blog since the current one is becoming terribly dated. The sad lack of audience participation has saddened me. Oh well.
Later
Thursday, June 08, 2006
Found a Job
Got myself some employment!
It came from a somewhat unexpected place, left field I suppose you'd call it, but it came nonetheless. I had a phone interview with ASA (www.asaprograms.com), the Barcelona RA job I applied for god knows how many months back. As it turned out , somebody backed out last minute on them, and they contacted me saying they wanted to interview. I sat (actually I was pacing) through a 45 minute phone interview thinking I was just barely hacking it and not caring that much, but at the end she told me I already had the job. They didn't know at that point whether or not I would be working in Barcelona or England, so the details are a bit hazy. If I work in England, apparantly it'll be two programs (@ Oxford and Cambridge University respectively) consecutively. I think I'd rather work in Barcelona, just because at this point I've grown really attached to Spain, even though it would be less money and a shorter time span. If I end up in England though I wont compain much.
Basically, my job will consist of being a mentor type to the kids, giving them advice and helping them adjust to a new and unfamiliar culture. There are lots of activities every night that I am to help create, modify, organize, and run. I'm kinda interested to see how that goes. I'm also supposed to lay down the law as necessary, but I was told they aren't trying to create a "police state atmosphere," so despite the program's "no tolerance policy" on drugs and alcohol, I'm assuming there is a lot of gray area when it comes to dealing with kids that will come home after a night of indulging in the benefits of a culture whose attitude is a bit more lenient towards the topic of consumption than the one they are used to. Of course, I'll know about all of this once I get there and go through orientation and talk to staff and all that, blah blah blah.
So Matt finally finished with his exams and has been liberated from the shackles of acedemia. That means I have a lot more to do during the day. Tuesday night Pub Golf was supposed to be going on, yet didn't because people ended up just wanting to save money instead of hitting up 9 different pubs. The result was finding 3 or 4 relatively budget places to drink, and staying at each for long enough to get the Job done. I didn't take part in any of it really since I seemed to have contracted some sort of stomach bug. I joined everyone for a little while to hang out, but wasn't able to imbibe quite like the others. I did manage to learn a small handful of (interesting) British Drinking Games which will be fun to bring back to the States, but for the most part the night seemed to be one huge absurdity. I'm sad I had to miss out on it.
Last night we barbecued at Butcher and Sam's place. This was a great deal of fun for me just because it was the first English barbecue I had been to (not to mention the first of any kind of barbecue since last summer). Basically it was a hell of a lot like an American barbecue with the same delicious results one comes to expect from such an affair. Ironically, this happened to be the most excessive, gluttonous barbecue I've ever been to. Despite the fact that there wasn't over 10 people present, we were grilling for over 3 hours straight. I have no idea where all the food came from, but there seemed to be no end to it. In any case, I had a great time and was finally able to sit back and relax without the responsibility of having to find a job or make the decision to find my way back home hanging over my head.
Tonight there is a house party at Gruber's we are charged with attending, and tomorrow Gemma is having a BBQ at her place. It seems to be a general time for summer celebration as college is out until October and everybody is enjoying the incredible weather that has become all-pervasive as of this week. It's actually starting to feel like summer here. Incredible!
I'm sad I'm missing the Zappa concert I wanted to attend, but oh well. Maybe if it goes well enough they'll do another one next year. I'm also sad I don't get to see Bill before he heads off to NH, but I will make it a point to catch up with him before he's off to Cali. It's interesting - albeit not exactly surprising - how life continues to go on seamlessly in my abscence. It can be tough to keep up with everyone all the time but I've been trying the best I can. The internets make this much easier on the whole.
So now I'm just loafing around, waiting to find out where I'm working for July, and generally just trying to enjoy some summer break whilst keeping costs relatively low. I keep forgetting to bring my camera out, but I will try to remember for tonight. I'm interested to see what a British House Party is going to look like, and am already figuring it's going to be worth having some pictures of. These people are insane.
I've decided to keep the blog up for as long as I see fit. If I figure it's getting ridiculously monotonous or a waste of time I can always take it down. I do need a new name however, since I'm no longer in Spain.
Any suggestions?
It came from a somewhat unexpected place, left field I suppose you'd call it, but it came nonetheless. I had a phone interview with ASA (www.asaprograms.com), the Barcelona RA job I applied for god knows how many months back. As it turned out , somebody backed out last minute on them, and they contacted me saying they wanted to interview. I sat (actually I was pacing) through a 45 minute phone interview thinking I was just barely hacking it and not caring that much, but at the end she told me I already had the job. They didn't know at that point whether or not I would be working in Barcelona or England, so the details are a bit hazy. If I work in England, apparantly it'll be two programs (@ Oxford and Cambridge University respectively) consecutively. I think I'd rather work in Barcelona, just because at this point I've grown really attached to Spain, even though it would be less money and a shorter time span. If I end up in England though I wont compain much.
Basically, my job will consist of being a mentor type to the kids, giving them advice and helping them adjust to a new and unfamiliar culture. There are lots of activities every night that I am to help create, modify, organize, and run. I'm kinda interested to see how that goes. I'm also supposed to lay down the law as necessary, but I was told they aren't trying to create a "police state atmosphere," so despite the program's "no tolerance policy" on drugs and alcohol, I'm assuming there is a lot of gray area when it comes to dealing with kids that will come home after a night of indulging in the benefits of a culture whose attitude is a bit more lenient towards the topic of consumption than the one they are used to. Of course, I'll know about all of this once I get there and go through orientation and talk to staff and all that, blah blah blah.
So Matt finally finished with his exams and has been liberated from the shackles of acedemia. That means I have a lot more to do during the day. Tuesday night Pub Golf was supposed to be going on, yet didn't because people ended up just wanting to save money instead of hitting up 9 different pubs. The result was finding 3 or 4 relatively budget places to drink, and staying at each for long enough to get the Job done. I didn't take part in any of it really since I seemed to have contracted some sort of stomach bug. I joined everyone for a little while to hang out, but wasn't able to imbibe quite like the others. I did manage to learn a small handful of (interesting) British Drinking Games which will be fun to bring back to the States, but for the most part the night seemed to be one huge absurdity. I'm sad I had to miss out on it.
Last night we barbecued at Butcher and Sam's place. This was a great deal of fun for me just because it was the first English barbecue I had been to (not to mention the first of any kind of barbecue since last summer). Basically it was a hell of a lot like an American barbecue with the same delicious results one comes to expect from such an affair. Ironically, this happened to be the most excessive, gluttonous barbecue I've ever been to. Despite the fact that there wasn't over 10 people present, we were grilling for over 3 hours straight. I have no idea where all the food came from, but there seemed to be no end to it. In any case, I had a great time and was finally able to sit back and relax without the responsibility of having to find a job or make the decision to find my way back home hanging over my head.
Tonight there is a house party at Gruber's we are charged with attending, and tomorrow Gemma is having a BBQ at her place. It seems to be a general time for summer celebration as college is out until October and everybody is enjoying the incredible weather that has become all-pervasive as of this week. It's actually starting to feel like summer here. Incredible!
I'm sad I'm missing the Zappa concert I wanted to attend, but oh well. Maybe if it goes well enough they'll do another one next year. I'm also sad I don't get to see Bill before he heads off to NH, but I will make it a point to catch up with him before he's off to Cali. It's interesting - albeit not exactly surprising - how life continues to go on seamlessly in my abscence. It can be tough to keep up with everyone all the time but I've been trying the best I can. The internets make this much easier on the whole.
So now I'm just loafing around, waiting to find out where I'm working for July, and generally just trying to enjoy some summer break whilst keeping costs relatively low. I keep forgetting to bring my camera out, but I will try to remember for tonight. I'm interested to see what a British House Party is going to look like, and am already figuring it's going to be worth having some pictures of. These people are insane.
I've decided to keep the blog up for as long as I see fit. If I figure it's getting ridiculously monotonous or a waste of time I can always take it down. I do need a new name however, since I'm no longer in Spain.
Any suggestions?
Monday, June 05, 2006
Insomnia Post
Regardless of the fact that I didn't get much more than 4 hours of sleep last night, I'm not feeling particulary tired at 3:30 in the morning so I decided to throw up (hehe) a post giving everyone a general idea of where I'm at.
My search for employment in Southampton has thus far been mostly a fruitless endeavor. There is still a few possibilities, although they hardly seem worth waiting around an additional 2 or so weeks to follow up on. This exchange rate is like a hard knee in the crotch of my already castrated bank account. I need some goddamned employment. Gonna go have one more chat with the assistant manager at the Jazz Club I applied to earlier, and pops has a friend who lives around here that is looking into finding me some sort of sketchy under the table work, but I can't say I'm holding out very much for either. I did get an email from the Barcelona RA job I applied for months ago, and they have an opening now, so I set up a phone interview (which should be occuring tomorrow), although -once again- I'm not so sure I want to sit around on my ass for another 2 weeks waiting on a maybe. They did say they have several people to interview, so I have no idea what my chances are looking like as several could mean 3 or 13. I'd also need to wrangle two letters of recommendation out of former employers, which would not be an easy task considering my last two bosses' respective daily workloads. Still, I'll give it the old college try and see if anything comes of it. I'm just about ready to book my flight home, though, so I can see friends, family, and the Zappa concert (!!!) which I have a ticket being held for me for by Greggy (of Spring Break fame).
I've been in email contact with a handful of friends that have been wondering where the hell I've been, so it's helped to remind me (along with regular email and online coversations with family) that I do in fact have a life back in Massachusetts and it's looking pretty attractive right now after sitting on my ass for two weeks, unemployed. Bill is moved off to NH and will soon be gone to LA, and is throwing a party Wednesday at the Pour House (site of my 21st birthday extravaganza, as well as countless other less-eventful yet more toothful nights), which I would like to be there for. One more reason to be home.
That's not to say I haven't liked being here. Matt's been busy with studying for his exams pretty much constantly since I've arrived, but his willingness to let me stay in his house has been awesome. Plus I've been hanging out with his friends whom have made me feel really welcome and have given me something to do when not job hunting and not sitting on my ass all day. Despite earnest attempts to nourish myself adequetly, the inherent terribility of British food has still seemed to have its sleazy way with my GI tract.
So England has been my sort of buffer zone for cultural transition back to the United States. Along with a very noticeably sharp decrease in the general attractiveness of the overall population, I have also begun to be re-introduced to bits and pieces of "modern Americana" and other rather un-Spanish behaviors that us English speaking folk take so warmly to. Examples include an over abundance of ready-made food (not to mention a ridiculously wide array of junk-food), young people getting bombed out of their minds in bars (as opposed to in the street, or just not getting all that bombed at all), and way too many dick and fart jokes. I already miss the warmth and general goofy emphatic attitude Spaniards have towards absolutely everything. It's all Cold Fish Salad and Get the Hell Out of my Business here in the UK (I know this won't be quite so bad back in the States). Gone are my days of huge lunches, sensible dinners, lenient (if not non-existent) deadlines, and starting the night around midnight, rather than thinking about having to go home not long after it hits. Also I miss eating and drinking on the cheap. Even after considering exchange rates and all that crap, food and alcohol just straight up cost a lot more here than they did in Alicante. In the street markets you could get 2 kilos of oranges for a euro, but here it averages closer to 2.50 pounds for one kilo. We won't bother getting into alcohol, but even after the dizzying number of drink specials everywhere you go, I'm still a lot lighter in the wallet than a typical night out in the 'Cant. Oh well. That's what I get for choosing to study in the number one budget tourist town in Spain. I can't say any of this is really setting in huge culture shock at this point, but it is making me realize how attatched I was becoming to the Mediterranian lifestyle. I'm certainly not looking forward to my arrival back into American culture, but I'm not quite dreading it either at this point.
Aright. It's getting awfully late and even though I'm still not so tired, I really should be getting some sleep since tomorrow will be sufficiently ridiculous. Matt is finished with his final exam at 4:30 and expects me to be waiting for him at the pub. Apparantly it's going to be a huge game of Pub Golf with most of the people in his Physics class. I would explain the activity now as it has been conveyed to me by Matt, but I'm sure after the combination of personal experience and good ol' fasioned head-shaking hindsight, I will be able to do the sport/art much more justice in my next post than is currently possible. Needless to say, I'm expecting an extremely long night ahead of me.
Pray for my liver, folks, these limeys sure know how to put them down.
My search for employment in Southampton has thus far been mostly a fruitless endeavor. There is still a few possibilities, although they hardly seem worth waiting around an additional 2 or so weeks to follow up on. This exchange rate is like a hard knee in the crotch of my already castrated bank account. I need some goddamned employment. Gonna go have one more chat with the assistant manager at the Jazz Club I applied to earlier, and pops has a friend who lives around here that is looking into finding me some sort of sketchy under the table work, but I can't say I'm holding out very much for either. I did get an email from the Barcelona RA job I applied for months ago, and they have an opening now, so I set up a phone interview (which should be occuring tomorrow), although -once again- I'm not so sure I want to sit around on my ass for another 2 weeks waiting on a maybe. They did say they have several people to interview, so I have no idea what my chances are looking like as several could mean 3 or 13. I'd also need to wrangle two letters of recommendation out of former employers, which would not be an easy task considering my last two bosses' respective daily workloads. Still, I'll give it the old college try and see if anything comes of it. I'm just about ready to book my flight home, though, so I can see friends, family, and the Zappa concert (!!!) which I have a ticket being held for me for by Greggy (of Spring Break fame).
I've been in email contact with a handful of friends that have been wondering where the hell I've been, so it's helped to remind me (along with regular email and online coversations with family) that I do in fact have a life back in Massachusetts and it's looking pretty attractive right now after sitting on my ass for two weeks, unemployed. Bill is moved off to NH and will soon be gone to LA, and is throwing a party Wednesday at the Pour House (site of my 21st birthday extravaganza, as well as countless other less-eventful yet more toothful nights), which I would like to be there for. One more reason to be home.
That's not to say I haven't liked being here. Matt's been busy with studying for his exams pretty much constantly since I've arrived, but his willingness to let me stay in his house has been awesome. Plus I've been hanging out with his friends whom have made me feel really welcome and have given me something to do when not job hunting and not sitting on my ass all day. Despite earnest attempts to nourish myself adequetly, the inherent terribility of British food has still seemed to have its sleazy way with my GI tract.
So England has been my sort of buffer zone for cultural transition back to the United States. Along with a very noticeably sharp decrease in the general attractiveness of the overall population, I have also begun to be re-introduced to bits and pieces of "modern Americana" and other rather un-Spanish behaviors that us English speaking folk take so warmly to. Examples include an over abundance of ready-made food (not to mention a ridiculously wide array of junk-food), young people getting bombed out of their minds in bars (as opposed to in the street, or just not getting all that bombed at all), and way too many dick and fart jokes. I already miss the warmth and general goofy emphatic attitude Spaniards have towards absolutely everything. It's all Cold Fish Salad and Get the Hell Out of my Business here in the UK (I know this won't be quite so bad back in the States). Gone are my days of huge lunches, sensible dinners, lenient (if not non-existent) deadlines, and starting the night around midnight, rather than thinking about having to go home not long after it hits. Also I miss eating and drinking on the cheap. Even after considering exchange rates and all that crap, food and alcohol just straight up cost a lot more here than they did in Alicante. In the street markets you could get 2 kilos of oranges for a euro, but here it averages closer to 2.50 pounds for one kilo. We won't bother getting into alcohol, but even after the dizzying number of drink specials everywhere you go, I'm still a lot lighter in the wallet than a typical night out in the 'Cant. Oh well. That's what I get for choosing to study in the number one budget tourist town in Spain. I can't say any of this is really setting in huge culture shock at this point, but it is making me realize how attatched I was becoming to the Mediterranian lifestyle. I'm certainly not looking forward to my arrival back into American culture, but I'm not quite dreading it either at this point.
Aright. It's getting awfully late and even though I'm still not so tired, I really should be getting some sleep since tomorrow will be sufficiently ridiculous. Matt is finished with his final exam at 4:30 and expects me to be waiting for him at the pub. Apparantly it's going to be a huge game of Pub Golf with most of the people in his Physics class. I would explain the activity now as it has been conveyed to me by Matt, but I'm sure after the combination of personal experience and good ol' fasioned head-shaking hindsight, I will be able to do the sport/art much more justice in my next post than is currently possible. Needless to say, I'm expecting an extremely long night ahead of me.
Pray for my liver, folks, these limeys sure know how to put them down.
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