Long Live

SO FINALS ARE DONE!!!! Junior year is half over. I cannot believe it. I feel as though this year was kind of easy, and next year my load is heavy, which scares me. Next semester I will be taking Cognitive & Individual Differences in Middle and High School, Critical Theory (English), Woman's Literature, and Islam. I'm also suppose to be doing a internship as well. I am really excited about my Woman's Literature and Islam class.


So, since I officially have two days left in Bath I thought I'd dedicate this post to things and aspects of Bath that I would miss most. Here goes! 

1. English Breakfast Tea. Since Diet Coke is pretty expensive here, I have substituted this addiction for another - TEA.  Alright, confession... I do buy Diet Coke, but I only drink about 6oz of it a day (SHOCKING, right?!) Not really when you learn how much tea I'm drinking. Its sad. Yet, England sure does know how to brew tea, and I cannot get enough of it. Plus, its healthier for me, right? 


2. Cider. This is not the New England Apple Cider that you are thinking of. This cider is a fermented beverage made from apple juice. Its possible my favorite drink here, especially when you add some blackcurrant cordial to it.

3. Pubs. I really wish we had Pubs in the United States. When traveling, pubs are your savior, for there is always one around the corner, and they always promise the hungry traveler a solid meal and a pint a cider. The local pubs are the best for the have the most genuine homey atmosphere. Its like your in the living room and the whole neighborhood is there having lunch! Some pubs I went to even give one the feels of time having stood still for a couple of centuries. Its going to be weird going out to eat in a Chillies or a Bertucci's now.


4. Castles. Do I have to say anything here. Seriously, Founding Fathers! Why didn't you build any awesome castles?!


5. Amazing Indain Food. I had never experienced Indian food until I came to England. My perfect meal? Chicken Korma, with a side of Nan and Veggie Samosas. (This is a hint for you Grandpa, so you can either make it for me over break or find an Indian restaurant for us to go to!)




6. Pasties. More food that I'm going to miss. My favorite type of Pasty is the traditional Cornish Pasty, which is pasty case filled with beef, sliced potato, and onion. Basically it taste like Beef Stew stuffed in a dumpling! 


7. Conference Pears. The best pears I have EVER tasted. They are soo sweet and delicious!!!


8. Living so close to everything, especially grocery stores (especially M&S). It was really great to be walking distance from everything, grocery stores, bus stops, movie theatres, clothes stores, book stores, pubs, etc. It was really nice not having to drive anywhere and search for a parking spot, or drive 20 minutes to a grocery store. I am also going to miss M&S (Marks and Spencers) terribly. They had an excellent bakery, where I would get bread for dinner. They also had a great homemade soup selection (my favorite - leak and potato), and an amazing cake selection where I got Erin's birthday cake from. 
 

9. The cafes on every corner, where you can get tea - seriously I'm addicted! 


10. The train systems. I think we need railroads throughout the United States. I really enjoyed riding the trains throughout the United Kingdom. You could use these trains to get to anywhere! We traveled from Scotland to Bath, Bath to Cardiff, and so many more places!

Jane Austen Dancers

I know what everyone is thinking with that title. Seriously, Kathryn?! You’re in Bath, England and your spent your time learning 18th century dancing. Well, yes I did. And to sum up my experience in one word: Brilliant!
Last night, Erin and I, along with three other girls from the programme headed to a small Church where the event was being held. I have to admit, upon entering the church and seeing the eleven or so grandma and grandpas, I was skeptical that this was going to be any fun at all. In fact, I was pretty sure I was not going to be coming back next week. However, the dancers were thoroughly excited that they had American youngsters joining their session. These dancers have been practicing these dances for five to seven years and were so enthusiastic to teach them to us. When we messed up (which I did pretty frequently in the beginning) they laughed along with us, and then at the end when we were starting to get the hang it, my partner would clapped after I rightly completely a dance without any mistakes (which I did twice!). We danced for two hours and learned a number of difference dances and moves. However, none us expected us to sweat as much as we did. 18th century dancing is much more difficult than it look in the movie Pride & Prejudice. In that movie, those actors and actresses made dancing look like a piece of cake. That is not that case. My legs were killing from standing on tip-toes the whole time. It was honestly a great work out and such fun! I cannot wait to go back!

On another note, I had my first day in the classroom at my school on Tuesday and it was absolutely lovely. The kids are adorable and cannot wait to spend ten Tuesdays with them. This Tuesday I presented an all about me PowerPoint which I believed went well. The students asked a ton of questions about me and the teacher wants me to continue my "PowerPoint" lessons about all aspects of America. I am going to do next Tuesdays on the big sites in America. I'll put in Florida (Disney World), Washington DC, Washington, California, New Hampshire, New York, Nevada (Las Vegas), and Massachusetts. One lesson will be on American money, one student wanted American history (though that will be hard to do), American food (if there is no allergies, I will be bringing in Chocolate Chip Cookies!), one student wanted American Hollywood stars. I will be spending ten classes with these students, so I need ten PowerPoint lessons, so anyone who has any ideas, let me know!!!


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Tonight, I went out with some girls and got Indian take away (to go). We had a lovely dinner with the girls up in flat four. I got samosas and chicken korma. It was absolutely delicious! It was sweet and mild (not spicy at all), and had a yoghurt/cream base. I would most definitely get it again.