Autumn (or Fall, if you’re in the US, like me) has well and truly 'touched down' here in Iowa. This week has passed in a blur of Thunderstorms and Hawkeye’s Homecoming fervour- much of the city being on high alert for both of these events (closely followed by ‘The Shutdown’ and Miley Cyrus...) In fact, when I was at the checkout in Walmart yesterday, even the cashier’s thoughts were focussed on little else, asking; ‘Have you heard how the hawk’s are goin’?’ and ‘Any Stormclouds brewing today?’ (My answers? ‘No, thankfully.’ To both.)
This week I have signed up for the University of Iowa’s Ski and Snowboard Club, as well as their annual trip to the Rockies. And if I’m being honest? I’m looking forward to the 15 coach ride across the Great American Plains almost as much as skiing in Steamboat Springs (providing I take those travel sickness tablets this time and don’t just rely on the bands, right Em?!?)
I’ve been trying really hard to be healthy this week- even more so than usual. I’ve avoided eating out AND the temptation of muffins and cookies at the various open lectures I have attended- and then my wonderful, loving family send me a huge food and cosmetic care package, unfortunatly including a supply of my favourite choccies and biscuits from home. Suffice it to say, I haven’t kept to the diet quite so well since then! On friday I treated myself to some homemade American Blueberry pancakes, and, am quite proud to admit, I think I have them pretty much mastered! They tasted GREAT! Definitely one aspect of this placement that I’m intently bringing home with me, for sure!
And the science? Again, a little slow this week, but definitely ramping up in the very near future, which is both exciting and nerve-wracking. Though I’ve only been in the lab five weeks, Its obvious even to me how much I have already learnt and this has definitely been really encouraging to note. Though possibly my greatest realisation this week had NOTHING to do with biology or chemistry or science of any sort. American/Iowan people (in general, obviously not every single one of them) seem pretty miserable. People don’t smile back at you in the street, don’t hold doors open for you if you’re behind them, don’t say thank you to bus drivers etc. etc. This is both strange and frustrating.
My American experience aside, just for the moment, I have to mention that as I write this, I am watching the newest ‘Much Ado About Nothing.’ The black and white Joss Whedon scripted and directed version, filmed in his LA home in only 12 days and starring Nathan Fillion. Now, Much Ado is most definitely my favourite of all Shakespeare’s work by a long way, so I guess I went into this pretty biased and most assuredly expecting to be disappointed. But was I wrong! One of the BEST films I have watched in a long time- if you’ve got a few hours free sometime, I highly, highly recommend giving it a shot, even if you’re not the biggest Shakespeare fan!
Well, that’s pretty much the extent of my week- unless anyone wants to hear about the Gym/Cleaning my flat/reading the new Meg Cabot novel/listening to (and subsequently being deeply, deeply disappointed by) the new Panic! album? Haha, I guessed not....
Have a great week, everyone!
Love love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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