Did I have a productive day?
I'm not sure.

I

• Tidied my room (making the top of my desk visible for the first time since I landed)

• Vacuumed the same room

• Bought and applied Mr. Muscle Sink and Plughole Unblocker!

• Washed all my dirty dishes.

• Replied to 4-5 personal emails from far-off friends (this is a big one because I'm notoriously bad at staying in touch with friends long-distance)

• Went to the library and was able to check out one of my textbooks (the other one's only copy has been checked out. I may need to buy the bugger after all).

• Searched for job openings to apply to.
  

I did not

• Do any laundry

• Actually do any reading

• Actually apply to any jobs.

• Get any form of exercise.

I am thinking of picking a destination in Central London and forcing myself to go there just for the sake of getting out of the house and at least experiencing something if I'm not going to get anything done. Or I could stay home and do my laundry and reading. I also need to get organized in terms of explicit goals and to-do lists/weekly schedule, but I might still do that tonight.
- posted by k @ 12:38 PM

 
The only problem with crumpets
is that it's hard to get excited about buttered toast after experiencing them. I guess the other thing is that one must resist the temptation to put too much in the way of toppings on the crumpet for fear of interfering with the inherent crumpetygoodness. Butter is welcome, of course, but even a seemingly benign suitor such as marmalade must be used with discretion, even parsimony.
- posted by k @ 12:32 PM

 
Just when I thought it was safe to do groceries



I really couldn't believe this item, so I googled it.










Here's a review from a housewife: "As I sat down to enjoy my meal I took a few seconds to work out what they looked like. A cross between mince, meatballs and haggis is probably the best way to describe them. As I dived in I noticed they were very moist - some people would probably say soggy, but in a nice sort of way. They tasted similar to mince but with quite a strong (but not overly so) onion flavour. You could actually see the pieces of onion through them. They were not in the least bit sickening. The gravy was of a perfect consistency and once again had an onion flavour. They were extremely filling and I have to say that two faggots were sufficient for my meal."

So there you have it. This stuff cannot be made up.
- posted by k @ 10:49 AM

 
Stuff

Just got back from the student union where I was having a drink (diet coke) with the other two people in my program who are living on campus. Two more are commuting, and one we haven't met yet. She arrived after the registration day or something.

Today was the "Fresher's Fair" which is like "Calapalooza" at Berkeley. The most useful thing was the Hillingdon Library table was making library cards right there which was convenient because when I had been at the library on Friday I asked what I needed to get a card and there were many forms of ID involved. Now I have the card already, without having to drag all my important papers up into town. The only problem was that the library closed at 5:30 today, but 3 days a week it's open until 8pm. I wanted to check out a book to read; some sort of fiction that's good before bed. But I probably won't have to worry about that much longer because...

Tomorrow is my first day of class. I bought some school supplies in town today, and think I know what I'm going to wear, but beyond that there are many mysteries.

So, speaking of mysteries, here are some local foods I am thinking of trying soon:

• Vegetarian Toad-in-the-hole

• Red Leicester cheese (A link to the British Cheese Board! I don't know why that always cracks me up, but it does)
  

• Wensleydale cheese

• Beans on toast (I've had beans, I've had toast, I've had beans near toast, but not yet on.)

• The traditional British breakfast (2 eggs, bacon, sausage, beans!, toast or fried bread, mushrooms and cooked tomato). Really, except for the bacon, sausage and mushrooms I think that's kind of an ideal big breakfast! I'm still looking for a place that's traditional without being dodgy or vegetarian un-friendly, and I'm looking for someone to go with me (someone who likes mushrooms). And maybe an occasion, since it doesn't seem like an everyday sort of thing.

Any advice, suggestions, warnings, anectodes, or experiences you would like to share on these items is very welcome! (And no, I don't think I'm going to make my own Yorkshire pudding from scratch.)
- posted by k @ 2:28 PM

 
Interesting Facts

• I think they call shawarma "doner kebab" here, and you can get it in chicken flavor/variety!

• Even though the stations are called BBC Radio1, Radio2, Radio3, Radio4, Radio5--are you ready for this?--they are not in that station on the dial. Who knew? I think it goes 2-3-5-1-4 or something.

• There are 40 Priyas at my school, including 2 different Priya Malhotras and 4 different Priya Patels.

- posted by k @ 1:24 AM

 
Well, that answers my question.

'Che' Guevara's iconic image endures

- posted by k @ 4:16 AM

 
Jon Carroll, God Bless 'Em

• Monday Sept 18: The supernatural may be a wonderful way of thinking about the mysteries of existence, but as a way of understanding daily events, it's just not useful -- and sometimes dangerous.

• Tuesday Sept 19:
  

  The idea I'm promoting today is "conservation of outrage." In these troubled times, outrage is a limited commodity. There are only so many hours in the day. Outrage is also physically fatiguing, and people who overindulge are likely to stop altogether for weeks or months. And yet outrage is necessary, because it gives us the strength to fight back.

  So we need triage. We need risk assessment. We need to remember that just because the herd is running some place doesn't mean that we have to run that way too. Even if it's our herd. [...] Make your own outrage. Accept no substitutes for homegrown scorn. And get some sleep -- you're going to need it.

- posted by k @ 12:22 PM

 
One of those email thingies
1. FIRST NAME? Priya

2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Not that I know of.

3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? Probably Tuesday. Definitely Sunday.

4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Depends what pen I'm using.

5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Yves meatless salami or Tofurky slices

6. KIDS? Not currently, though I hope someday to get 2nd-parent adoption on Heidi's cats.

7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Sure.

8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? I have a Top Secret Blog that my mom reads.

9. DO YOU USE SARCASM? Do *I* use sarcasm?

10 DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yup.

11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I thought about it when I was 15ish, but now I don't see the appeal.

12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Raisin Nut Bran, Total Raisin Bran, Oatmeal Raisin Crisp...something like that. Or oatmeal with nuts and dates or raisins.

13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Untie? Shoes?

14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I hope I am strong enough to deal with the challenges given to me, but that question is just tempting fate!

15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? mocha almond fudge, pistachio, Breyer's Rocky Road, and if it's my birthday, New York Super Fudge Chunk.

16. SHOE SIZE? 8 1/2- 9

17. RED OR PINK? For what?

19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Heidi, duh. (sorry mumma)

20. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Yes!

21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES YOU ARE WEARING? Plaid pajamas. shoes?

22. LAST THING YOU ATE? Toast & tea.

23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? BBC Radio 3

24. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Forest green. I don't know why.

25. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SMELL? Clean laundry or rain in the summer.

26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO? Kiki, my Nigerian flatmate.

29. FAVORITE DRINK? Hot tea, iced tea, diet coke.

30. FAVORITE SPORT? I'm thinking about taking up Capoeira...otherwise, cardio kick boxing.

32. EYE COLOR? brown

33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? nope

34. FAVORITE FOOD? hmm....pizza or spaghetti probably. Is that too pedestrian?

35. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? Happy ending!

36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? hmm....I don't remember. Whatever the last thing Heidi and I saw together was. What did we see after "Citizen Kane"?

37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? grey. of course.

38. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer.

39. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs if you have permission to be in my personal space.

40. FAVORITE DESSERT? Anything dark and chocolatey, just about. With nuts.

41. WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? I do not know.

42. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? see above

43. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? Just finished "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell" and "Trailblazing: The true story of America's first openly gay high school coach."

44 WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD ? mouse pad?

45. WHAT DID YOU WATCH LAST NIGHT ON TV? Wow, I don't think I have watched TV in two weeks!

47. ROLLING STONE OR BEATLES? Beatles, duh. I don't understand why this question even gets asked.

48. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Either where I am now, or India. Depends where home is, I guess.

49. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I like to tell people how they could do things better, but I wouldn't call that a talent.

50. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Buffalo, NY
- posted by k @ 1:33 AM

 
News and more news
Good news:

• Tuesday night I slept like a baby, from about 11pm to 9am.
• I'm starting to feel more settled (suitcases emptied, most necessities present) though a girl who stopped by my room today said I looked like I still unpacking (oh well). The clock radio really helps.
• Bought a phone card today that should help me make affordable phone calls. Also talked to international students who have been here longer and it looks like I might be able to get a second SIM chip for my existing phone and run a local pay-as-you-go thing from it. I think.
• Yesterday when I was cranky and whiny and was going to the computer center to write a cranky and whiny blog because I was having a lot of problems with my laptop, I found that I had left my logon and password back in my room, and by the time I got back to my room the walk had calmed me down. This is good news for you because you didn't have to read the whiny blog.
  

Lots of things happened yesterday (Wednesday):

• I met 4 of the 5 other people in my course. I am the only international student and I have the median age (2 younger, 2 older, 1 I don't know). One girl is even a flatmate of mine! They seem nice, and it was nice to have people who understood what I want to study and could commiserate about other people not understanding. We went and registered together. I hope none of them are geniuses or psychos (psychoes?).

• Registration was exciting! I got an official ID (my hair looks awful in the picture*), an official network logon, I bought a gym membership,
  

• and I registered for the National Health. The FREE National Health. The one that comes with a National 24-hr. advice nurse, a FREE on-campus drop-in "surgery," FREE appointments with GPs (who can refer to specialists), and subsidized prescriptions medicines. w00t! Score! If you know me, you know that advice nurse is going on speed-dial. I can also get a FREE meningitis vaccination next Wednesday if I can figure out whether or not I've had one already. I wonder what other free vaccinations I can get.

• Then I went to the Arts Center and joined for 15 pounds. The membership is good for the whole year and makes any number of weekly classes (e.g. Brass workshop, music theory, cartooning and more pottery than you could shake a stick at) FREE. So I did some binge signing-up, but don't worry, I will drop most of it and only keep one! (Heidi the Wise and Beautiful said to me "You know you're not there to study music, right?!" I know--but it's FREE.)

• While I was there, they told me that there's a system where if you pass an audition that proves you're not a complete novice, the university will pay for your music lessons (so for you, they will be FREE). So I went to the library to xerox some music since I had "forgotten" all my piano music at home. Surprisingly, I found everything I was looking for except the Haydn sonatas (They only had volumes 2 and 4 of those in the library and I needed vol 1). But I found my old Grieg waltz (!) and the Mozart Fantasia I used to be almost decent with for Mr. Ricker. (Thank goodness he's still alive and kicking, at least. Maybe I'll send him a postcard.) Today I practiced a little but the building closed early.

• THEN, finally I went to a 6-9pm orientation for new international students (a 3-hour tour?) which was somewhat reassuring because there was just enough information that I didn't know before, so I got some questions answered, and I got the orientation out of the way so I could cross it off my list.

Phew. That was just yesterday. Today was possibly even more exciting! because we went to the Southall, Indian/South Asian part of London. But I will post that later so you all have a chance to catch up. Your comments are always welcome (unless they're obnoxious).
- posted by k @ 12:50 PM

 
Before I forget--Yarr! Avast, ye landlubbers!

Ahoy, me hearties! Today be yon Talk Like A Pirate Day, yarr.

In honor of this swashbucklin' occasion, here be a picture of a fine booty (treasure!) of a lass where she be dressed like a pirate. Myself be wearin' a large, great hat and lookin' like a very dork. Yarr.

I says to you, Yarr!

I can't hear ye!
- posted by k @ 1:12 PM

 
A "Strange" Night
I will not disclose do you the exact hours I slept and did not sleep last night, but I can't really find a pattern. The worst part was after I decided to get up and try to get some things done since I felt alert. I wanted to charge my phone and use my laptop at the same time, so I tried to plug in my power strip (using the adapter, of course) but there was a scary popping sound and a spark and I blew the circuit, so I had no more power in my room for the rest of the night/morning.

I finished unpacking and read more of "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell." Let me tell you, if you are awake and disoriented in the middle of the night in a strange country, you do not want to be reading the last third of that book. Gets very dark and has a frighteningly convincing view of what it's like to go crazy. However, I did like the ending very much and am looking forward to the two parts that I have heard are to follow. I hope that's true.

Just as it was getting light outside I crashed and slept too late to go to the orientation that was this morning (don't worry, there are two more this week). I did manage to turn in my check-in sheet to the housing office and fill out a repair form. I went to see if I could use the on-campus computer center, but I can't until I've been through registration, which is not until tomorrow for my program. But I was able to buy virus protection software for 3 pounds (!!!) since the school has a site license. How cool is that? And in my change I got my first 2 pound coin, which was pretty interesting. I think the design has something to do with Sir Isaac Newton. Anyway I spent that on a breakfast of samosas and tea, and just as I was finishing that in my room the repairman came and all he had to do was flip the circuit back on. My hero!

I am a little afraid now of my laptop melting or exploding and of being cut-off again because I am still clinging to emails from friends and family. At least if something happens after tomorrow I can use the computer center.

Still, after breakfast and the repair man, I think I feel the most optimistic that I have since I got here. Now if I can only stay awake...
- posted by k @ 5:06 AM

 
Sequel to Munna Bhai MBBS
This unnecessary movie now has an unnecessary sequel! But the good news is that

• a) this movie can be seen at our local cinema in Uxbridge

• b) it's only 144 minutes.

I thought it was pretty cool that Bollywood movies are right there. On the plane one of the on-demand movies was Rang Di Basanti which has been highly recommended to me by a reliable source, but I just didn't think I would be able to concentrate for the 2hrs 50 minutes required.

In other somewhat related news, the Indian girl from Portugal who was showing us around town today gave me a good lead on a person/place to get threaded by. So that's good news.
She also recommended getting a phone contract for here instead of pay-as-you-go, so now I have to investigate. blast. I have Skype, though. Anybody can try skyping me anytime.
- posted by k @ 12:08 PM

 
Attitude/adjustment
Today I

• Went to the International Center to get my arrival pack full of information! It was a mob scene.

• Checked in with the administrative person for my program to make sure I had the right time/place for the introduction and enrolment (with one L!). It's Wednesday and apparently involves standing in a long line with your ID.

• Thought I would still be somewhat on California time, but the good/bad news is that I think I am now in no-man's-land in terms of circadian rhythm.

• Had lunch at the "refectory" (dining hall). Yesterday I had a sandwich, fries (chips), diet coke and tea for 4.05 (incl. 20p ketchup), and today I had pizza, salad, tea and water for 3.65ish. Finding I don't have a lot of appetite but eating enough to keep up the strength. If my portion size stays down that's actually a good thing because I can save both $ and calories.

• Met a nice vegetarian German postgraduate math student at lunch. She's in her second year and gave me some good advice about catching the bus into town/getting to London. I think her name was Nicole. She seemed shy and geeky, so maybe we'll be friends, though I didn't get her contact info.

• Found out there's an LGBT choir in London. I am looking at their website and thinking about joining. They don't require an audition. I wonder if there's a band, too? But choir would be fun.
  

• Went to a free capoeira workshop/demo and even participated a little. I figured it would be good for me and my jet lag to get the blood pumping. I just might join the club; the people had a good attitude and the movements look like fun.

• At the workshop I sat by a "contact" (2nd & 3rd years in bright t-shirts who help with new student orientations) named Jay who told me that he lives in my hall, that the noisy inter-hall competitions would be over this week, and that his sister's name is Priya (I'm the third "Priyer" he's met today).
  

• Went by the gym and picked up a flyer but didn't sign up. Might do that later. They have aerobics classes, a weight room and a rock-climbing wall (among other things). But it looks like possibly the renovation is still going on and it won't be open for another month??

• Saw flyers for martial arts and general sports. Keeping those in mind. There *is* women's rugby, but I already have a girlfriend.
  

• At 3pm (so in a half hour) there's a trip into town (Uxbridge) for international students and I'm going to go. I was thinking about walking by myself, but I didn't want to get lost, so when I saw the flyer I thought it would be a good idea. Plus I think I got enough exercise for today at the Capoeira demo. I will shop for an alarm clock/radio and maybe some basic food (bread, fruit, already have tea bags)
  

- posted by k @ 6:28 AM

 
*sigh*
I thought that "postgraduate housing" meant I would be living with adults who sleep at night so they can get up and get things done in the morning. I know I'm extra grumpy because I'm jetlagged and I need to give things another chance here since people are still moving in and classes haven't started yet, and to be fair it's only just now 10pm, etc.--but what is it about the ubiquity of hysterical high-voiced Asian-language shrieking girls who slam doors in the middle of the night?
- posted by k @ 2:03 PM

 
Here I am.
In my dorm room now. Arrived without incident. Flight was fine (cramped, long), immigration was fine (I think), I had nothing to declare so I walked right out and there was the representative for the school and just then the car they were waiting for arrived. So that all seems to have worked itself out. It is 8am? on the East Coast now so I might call over there, but I'll wait a couple more hours I guess before calling anyone on the West Coast.

I am exhausted and I feel unprepared for being here. Did I tell you about how I ordered a book on moving to London from Alibris and blah blah blah it took them 3 weeks to figure out they didn't really have it even though they said it had shipped and so I bought it from B&N (:-() but it turned out to be useless, so I bought a Lonely Planet London book which turned out to be used so it was half off (2004; probably mostly good). But I think by the time I actually got that book I was blocked on actually reading it.

It smells funny here and the dorm isn't quite as clean as I had imagined. Everything smells different. I don't know how to convert Centigrade to Fahrenheit in my head and I'm not sure about the spelling. And it's kind of freaky to see all the traffic coming straight at you since they drive on the wrong side here.

Against my better judgement I think I am going to lie down for a while now. Hopefully I will get up, take a shower and get something to eat. If anyone reads this, go ahead and call me.

TTFN
- posted by k @ 5:08 AM

 
And now for something completely different
So in case anyone is unclear on the concept, I am in New Mexico right now with Heidi's family (mom, dad, sister & nephew). Today we went to the NM State Fair near Albuquerque. Interestingly, the site exists all year round and has permanent buildings (including those for Hispanic Art, Indian Art, and an African-American art/history pavilion). The fair goes on continuously for something like 3 weeks. Today was the perfect day to visit since the weather was sunny and warm but not uncomfortably hot, and since it was a Tuesday most people were at school or work so it wasn't uncomfortably crowded. It also happened to be State Schools Day and Firefighters' Day, which resulted in a lot of short people on field trips in plastic firemen's hats. It's a good thing.

Some highlights:

• Sheep shearing ("Sheep to shawl") and cow milking demonstrations.

• Early morning 4-H competition.

• Remote control NASCAR racing (I was tempted but saved my $4 for fried foods).

• Demonstration of Aztec Indian (yes, from Mexico!) traditional dance.
  

Food.
One thing I am appreciating about New Mexico is that you can get "green chile" (ortega-like, methinks) on just about anything, and any southwest/tex-mex food is offered with a choice of "red or green" (salsa/chile) and no one blinks if you want both (which you can request by saying "Christmas!:)

At the State Fair e had (between the two of us)

• a green chile corn dog (axial slice),
  

• green chiles on a pizza,

• and the 2004 & 2005 blue-ribbon-winning Indian Taco

• (I also had roasted corn on a stick; here is a picture of Heidi's mom enjoying the treat):

However, we accidentally missed the storied chile relleno dog, to my great regret (in fact, when we got the green chile corn dog that's what we thought we were getting). And then we were not even able to take a picture of it when we found it because we felt too foolish and some of us who eat meat were afraid we would be coerced into eating one by some of us who did not eat meat.
- posted by k @ 9:41 PM