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Monday, March 28, 2011

In The Words of My Buddy: Shit Gets Real.

Hey everyone. I know I haven’t updated you all in a while and I’m sorry about that, but things have been really crazy around here for a while. I’ve been getting sick a lot lately. I even feel kind of sick right now. I don’t know why, but oh well. Things happen. I will tell you that I have rolled my ankle while here, which I’m surprised I haven’t done more than once. The roads and sidewalks are made out of bricks and stone….flat surfaces beware. Anyways, it still hurts every once in a while, but I don’t think I broke anything.

I should tell you about my doctor’s visit when I rolled my ankle. I woke up the morning after I have rolled my ankle and it was a bit swollen, which wasn’t normal for me at all. So I talked to my host mom and she took me to the minor injury unit at the hospital here in Canterbury. The nurses and triage people were very nice. They actually smiled, which is kind of shocking since they don’t get paid really anything and have to deal with hung-over and old people almost 24/7. Yes, hung-over people, because a hangover is an illness over here now. Haha.

Well the nurses took x-rays of my ankle and then sent them to the doctors’ area. I then saw a doctor who I am pretty sure didn’t even know that x-rays had been taken. She proceeded to tell me that if I really wanted to I could have my ankle x-rayed…..Um what? Anyways, she pretty much told me in medical speak that I had wasted her time and that I should just not walk on it for a while. She’s a lovely person isn’t she?

I’m not sure what’s worse; a doctor that doesn’t care about their patients or a teacher who can’t teach without insulting their students….repeatedly. I will admit I have had some very nice teacher while I have been here in Canterbury, England. The other though I feel like I have to brace myself for the whiplash that comes with their classes. Not to mention the grading system over here is very odd. I understand that it is different than in American, but is it really normal to give a person who work on their paper for a full week or two a C and then a person who works on their paper for a day and turns it in five days late a B+. Maybe it’s just me, but that doesn’t seem right.

Now it is paper and exam time. Two of my classes have exams and papers that I have to do before I leave and the other two just have papers. I am not sure how well I will do, but I hope I at least get a passing grade.

This past weekend I went to Scotland with 10 other American students from CCCU (Canterbury Christ Church University). It was very eventful and the country is extremely beautiful. If it wasn’t freezing cold ¾ of the year then I would be dying to live there. I would definitely recommend going on a tour with a company called International Friends. It’s a three day tour and you stay in Edinburgh during the night. The first day is a tour of Edinburgh and the guide may even take you out to try some Haggis and Whiskey. I didn’t try either because the place was very crowded. So two of my friends and me went and got our own food and watched movies.

The next day is a tour of the highlands and Loch Ness, both of which are amazing. Nessy is adorable and if you give her cookies she will give you a ride. Not just any cookie though, they have to be double chocolate chip. The third day is either a free day or the Da Vinci Code tour; which you have to pay for. I got a free days with some of the others in my group and we went shopping and to the Hard Rock Café. I encourage you to go if you can. I will be going back when I am able to.

Today is the day after the Scotland trip and I am very tired and, once again, sick. I did get one of my papers done though. One down and two to go. This will probably be the second to the last blog post I will do before I am back in the states. I have very mixed feelings about coming home, but I am definitely ready to be home. See y’all in 12 days.