I also went to the university bookstore and spent $250 on merchandise and clothing. I was able to transfer this from my meal plan as I had too much money left in it, and it was non-refundable. I got a jumper, trousers, a back-pack and loads of other stupid wee things with the university logo on them - pens, 2 mugs, a football, a baseball, a clock, a keyring, a baseball cap...you know what I mean! Still, I enjoyed spending it!
I was also able to bulk buy some drinks, so now I have 5 foot stack of bottled water, Pepsi and orange juice. I don't even have the space for it, and haven't a clue as to where I'm going to store it. I don't even have access to a fridge! I guess I'd better start drinking it...
I felt a bit humbled at this, especially since I'm not paying for this and the other students are, but felt terrible when a graduate student next to me gave in his form and was informed that all those classes were full. He was considering dropping out until next year to try to get those classes again, since education here is so expensive and there was nothing else he wanted to do. I think there's a lot of irony in this, which I feel terrible about: I'm here for one year, and received preferential treatment for my insertation into the classes I freely chose, and a graduate student paying excruciating fees was refused entry into his classes. He had arguably more right to be in those classes than me.
BEI, once again, thank you. I don't know what else to say...
Downtown, we were going to this really upmarket club called "The 11th Hour", but it had a long queue outside. I (naively) thought we were going to find another place to go with a shorter queue, but no, one of the guys marched up to the bouncers at the door, had a wee quiet word, and then they opened the rope allowing us to walk straight in the club past the very envious queue of people - oh the power surge!! As if that wasn't enough, we weren't charged any cover, and our coats were taken off us and put away as soon as we got inside...these people had connections, big connections! The drink was very expensive inside, but once again, that was taken care of.
It was then that I had a good look around me, and realised that I have never been a place as classy, nor will I probably ever be again. These people were dressed up to the hilt in what was obviously expensive dress, and they all looked like models. Talk about feeling out of place? I most certainly felt like it. However, that all quickly disappeared after a few Coronas, and the girls discovering my Irish accent. That meant even more drink, heh heh! Then before I knew it, the night was over, and we went to get some food, and when I say food, I mean a LOT of it. Oh, and why should the VIP treatment stop there?
George's Chicken. Doesn't sound very exotic, does it? But you should have seen what I was given - half a bloody chicken AND chips (free of course 'cause the boyz have connections), and no one was satisfied until the Irish guy had finished his half chicken. Dont get me wrong, it was easily the most beautiful chicken I have tasted, but my belly just wasn't big enough. Thank God I managed to get it down me (I was last of our group to finish by a long shot) and then we went home. What a night...can we do it again please?
We were just standing at the kerbside waiting for a taxi to come, and were chatting away to each other (we were quite well oiled) when from across the road, this strange fella came running over and rugby tackled one of the lads in our group over...he flew about 4 feet backwards and hit the ground hard with this stranger on top of him. And the stranger was NOT light. The next thing we knew was that there were at least 7 other guys pushing us around asking us for a fight. We were so surprised and shocked that we just backed off very quickly. We were outnumbered, outweighted and quite drunk...not the way you want to be when bigger boys are picking fights. We managed to get the other fella off the ground and clambered into a taxi before any of the other crowd decided to throw a punch. On reflection, they must have been on something other than alcohol - we didn't even see them never mind provoke them. Typical, huh?
I finally pulled into London, Ontario (my final destination) and was met by my uncle, who proceeded to drive me around the city in this really cool convertible Jeep. I was then brought to their house (which is mucho nice) and met my cousins for the first time in about 4 years. That night was very special not only because of the company but also because it was my first real home-cooked meal since I came here - thats over 3 months!! Mmmmm...
The plan so far for Christmas has been split up into two categories - the definate, and the not-so-sure. The definate plans are that I have booked a Caribbean cruise from the 16th-23rd December, going from Miami to Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands on this really big boat. Itll be a first for me, so I'm looking forward to it a lot. Thats all my definate plans for now. The not-so-sure plans are that I'll spend 4 days (23rd-27th December) in Miami with a lot of other BEIers and kip on their floor (if any BEIers are reading this, please treat this as a sincere request!) and then from the 27th December - ? January I want to go to New York City. I don't know if it'll work out, but I'd love it if this happened. If it sounds like I'm made of money, this is NOT the case! I have the BEI to thank for this in terms of my Christmas allowance...thanks guys!
On another note, the Brazilian Formula 1 Grand Prix 2002 is on March 31st. If I was able to somehow acquire a ticket to Sao Paulo for less than $400...
The plane was due to leave at 12:00pm on the Friday and because I didn't have any form of E-ticket, just a code, I wanted to get there as early as possible in case of any difficulties. To do this, I decided to leave at 8:00am...plenty of time, giving that it only takes 1 and a half hours to get from where I live to the airport. However, I didn't bank on the sheer volume of rush hour traffic in Chicago, pushing me back at first half an hour. I met up with Olivia, another BEIer downtown, and together we made our way to O'Hare airport as she was on the same flight as me. When we got to the airport, we were nearly an hour behind schedule. We got to the correct place where we were supposed to check in, but learned that we first had to go to some other desk in an entire other building to explain about the internet mixup and why I didn't have the ticket. (We were flying with United Airlines) When I eventually arrived at the correct place I went to the appropriate desk and explained my case, but I wasn't in that computer. I was starting to get worried at this stage, but the fella told me to go to yet another and go through the same procedure. We then had to queue for just over half an hour, with me getting all the more nervous about our missing the flight completely. When we were seen, I explained myself once more, and thank God, I was in the computer! Yipee!! Our bags were checked in, and we were told where to go (half an hour to liftoff)
Just to let you know how detailed the security is now after the events of September 11th, there were queues everywhere for all the international flights (something had happened when we were there because there were television crews everywhere), but we didn't have to queue up at all for where we were going. It was exactly like Belfast International - we put our carry on luggage on an x-ray machine, and walked through a metal detector. No queues, no hassles, no bother. Encouraging, eh? Ths is the same airport where they found a guy trying to bring on knives, etc.
When we got to Indianapolis airport, we had to get ourselves to the hotel, called 'Best Inn'. So we went out to the taxi rank where the buses left from also, and right in front of us was a large building called "Ground Transportation Center". So in we went in enquire about how to get to the hotel. This lovely woman asked us where we were going and then told us that her company could get us there in 10 minutes for only $16. That sounded good to us! She also said that we might be sharing and that our driver would be here and would call out our names. Sounds like a taxi comapny right? When the car and the driver arrived we found out that we were travelling in a...limousine!!!!! We went into hysterics of laughter right away, and continued until we got to the hotel. We even asked him to pull up 200yds before the hotel so that we could walk the rest and not let anyone we knew see us. Thank God, they didn't. Looking back, it was a very nice limo; we got a photo of it, so I'll post it up soon.
Anyway, moving on slightly, we met with all the others, got a carry-out, drank until about 4:00am (received a complaint from a grumpy oul man), and conveniently forgot the fact that we had to give presentations the next day.
We gave our presentations, I was happy enough about mine, but my smile soon disappeared when everybody, and I mean everybody, including the lecturers, Irish and American said that it was obvious I was going to be a teacher, and that I had all the 'teacherisms' as they called it - the voice, hand movements, delivery etc.
That afternoon we all went back to the hotel to rest and get ready for our dinner during the evening in a Greek restaurant, and I discovered that my wallet was missing. That morning I left it by my bedside, and was last out of the room. I know this because I was trying to decide if I needed it during the day or not. When I had chosen not to take it, I left it by the bedside (forgetting about room service) knowing that nobody would in the room until we returned. Yeah, right. When I got back, it was gone. $120-130. Boy, I felt sick. I reported it to the management, but we had signed a disclaimer when we checked in, so there was nothing I could do about it. The other boys sharing in my room (Shane and Peter) both confirmed that the wallet WAS there before we left, and both agreed (as did I) to our room being searched by the management. No wallet. Anyway, I don't want to say any more about that unpleasant episode. I was very pissed off. (By the way, a big thanks to the BEI who booked twin rooms and put 3 people in them!! Thank God, I got a bed to myself, heh heh!)
That night we went to the Greek restaurant which was very nice, and then on downtown to go out. Unfortunately, not all of us were 21, which is the legal drinking age, so half of us weren't permitted into any clubs. This caused a break up in the group as some people went to one place and others went to another. The place I ended up in was really nice, but I forget what a lot of it looked like. We didn't go to sleep until about 5:30am last night, and had to be up for 12:00pm to check out. Needless to say I'm a bit tired! However, it was a fantastic weekend, I met loads of cool people, and stored up so many hilarious memories. I just wanna do it all over again!
But why am I doing this? It's all part of the BEI scholarship programme. I only have two things that I MUST fulfill during this year - a 3.0 GPA to be maintained over the year, and presentation of a given topic which happens to be this weekend. There are going to be about 30 Irish students all on this programme, and they have to do exactly the same. In addition, there are going to be some Irish lecturers, the management team of the BEI and some American lecturers, or professors as they are called over here.
Last night I booked my airplane ticket over the internet, but even that couldn't be simple. I put in all the required information and pushed the 'purchase' button, but instead of a confirmation page, I got the 'This Page Cannot Be Displayed' thing instead. Typical! So I phoned them up and they said that yes, I am in their computer records and then gave me my code to recite when I get to the airport. Hopefully that'll work. I had an interview with one of my American lecturers about the Education System yesterday, and also went to the library to glean whatever information I could, but the whole concept seems to be loads of different things to different people. The thing is that I have to get something comprehendible into writing, start learning it, fit it all into 15 minutes, produce a paper for everyone in the audience and have my overhead transparencies. A mean task, giving that I have only 2 days left in which to do it. Why am I such a procrastinater?
Today's show was basically more of the same typical Jerry Springer - each of the guests had a secret they wanted to tell their loved one. The first was a guy (about 25 years old) who secretly dressed up in his sister's clothes because he actually wanted to be her. That was quite strange watching it actually because she just started howling on stage and got even worse when he turned up wearing her outfit. Her makeup was everywhere by the end of it. We all did the 'normal' Jerry's audience stuff like chanting "You are gay", and other equally intelligent sentences.
The next set was a woman who wanted to tell her husband that she slept with his brother on their wedding night. That was funny because the two brothers were ready for killing each other (understandably). The bouncers stopped them though. After they went off a quite attractive (by attractive, I mean more so than the usual Jerry Springer calibere) woman came out wanting to tell her boyfriend that she now had a new lover. Jerry asked for the lover to come out, and...yes, I'm sure you've all guessed it...she was a lesbian. The two of them stripped and pranced about the stage for a while and then the boyfriend came out with the biggest grin on his face you have ever seen. He couldn't believe his luck!
After the end of the show, we were asked to stay for audience involvement for the Christmas show which consisted of segments of extrra stuff they couldn't fit into the regular shows. It meant nothing to us...we didn't get to see anything, but were told to cheer and shout at the appropriate times. Pretty stupid, but its amazing the things you'd do to get on TV...
After the very end, we were able to get a photo of the studio and finally with Jerry himself, so theres no doubting that I was there, bought the T-shirt and the complimentry picture!
In true Irish style, we had the drink bought and stashed away the day before, and started drinking at 6:00pm yesterday. The buses weren't due to leave until 10:30pm, so we had plenty of time. A couple of hours (and bottles of vodka) later, the 8 of us were in flying form - one of the fellas even dressed up as a pirate, and he looked really good too. Once we got onto the boat, we had to file past the Chicago Police, show our ID's and get this purple wristband on, proving that we were of legal drinking age. Beers cost $5 each, but after 2 rounds, the barman either felt sorry for us poor students, or liked our accent because he started talking to us about Ireland and how he was Irish, and setting up these free drinks. He then started mixing these anonymous cocktails which tasted terrible, but hey, they free so we weren't complaining.
I have no recollection after this point, but woke up this morning with a sore head and a queasy stomach. It was 1:00pm before I was able to move, and then I remembered that I had to play the organ (Bach's D minor Toccata and Fugue) at a children's charity Hallowe'en concert beginning at 2:00pm. I got myself sorted out as fast as I could (which was NOT fast at all) and rushed (ok, crawled) over to the hall where it was to be performed 15 MINUTES BEFORE IT BEGAN! God love Alice the poor organiser, she was getting really worried about my turning up at all. I apologised most profusely and then discovered that I was at the end of the concert anyway. Still, I'm glad I was there for the whole thing, as it was quite enjoyable.
However, I have heard a few rumours about what I got up to last night, and already I've been given 1 photograph confirming one of these rumours. I think couple of apologies are in order...
We arrived at the NBC Building 11/2 hours early, and there was already a queue. We had to show our passports and empty our pockets, before walking through the metal detector. We were then taken up this huge lift to a different part of the building and herded into this corridor with seats where we were told we were in the audience holding area. At that time another show was being taped, and we could hear the screams of laughter of the audience.
We were kept waiting for about an hour, which was NOT funny, especially when there was nothing to do, and nobody was about to tell us what was going on. However of course, we waited impatiently until the security guard came and took us into the studio, row by row. When our turn came, once we had gotten into the studio, this lovely lady asked us if some of us wanted to sit in the front row � (hmmm, as if she had to ask!)
So, there we were in the front row, playing the waiting game once again. This time however it wasn�t too bad, partly because the atmosphere had begun to build up, and also because we were watching �Jerry Springer: Too Hot for TV� on these large screens on display.
Then this sound guy came out, told us what we were and weren�t allowed to do (swearing, going to the restroom during taping, etc.) and rehearsed the whole �Jea-ree� and other associated chants.
Then the show started with Jerry coming out, and as he was talking, didn�t 2 sound men put out a huge table of food on the stage!! We were in the front row of the �Holidays from Hell� show where there was obviously going to be a food fight! Anyway, this woman came out and said, �im here today to tell my husband that i don' wan' him anymore cause im in love with my.....sister! God, the screams of laughter from us! The husband (mullethead) came in and started shouting abuse, while we were all chanting, �INCEST WHORE, INCEST WHORE�. But wait for it, Jerry called out the sister who�..was���.a�������.MIDGET! She was picked up by the sister, put on the table, and they began to kiss!! The mullethead husband was having nothing of that and thew a whole bowl of punch over the pair of them! Well, that started round 1 of the food fight. Thank God we were able to dodge most of the wet food and just got a light splattering of sweetcorn around us. Can you picture this? We were in stitches laughing, the guests were killing each other and getting covered with food, and the audience were chanting even more obscenities! The rest of the show was in the same thread � a 60 year old 20 stone prostitute who thought she was beautiful kept on flashing to the audience (not something you want to see by the way!). Her family hated what she was doing, and food fight #2 quickly ensued followed by some good oul violence. The bouncers got in on the act, and got promptly covered in food. In fact, the poor oul fella got a faceful of some sort of gravy stock, and had to run of set to throw up. But didn�t the camera follow him, and show us all the gory details of the poor mans vomit!!!!! Outrageous or what?
Anyway, that was Jerry Springer (who kept well out of harms way). Anytime he asked a question, he was beside us, so the top of our heads will probably be on TV. I�ll keep you posted on that one. When the show was over, we all filed out and shook Jerry�s hand (no photos)
What an experience! I think I�m still in shock by what we saw � it was something you couldn�t have imagined no matter how hard you tried. What a day!
So we had a couple of pints each and before we knew it, sure it was time to go. Two toilet stops later, and we found ourselves at the United Center pleading with the security people to let us in with our bags. Little did we realise the extent to which the crack down on security was going to be. Thank God they relented - we got in and promptly found the bar ($5 for a beer!) I went to buy my T-shirt (my eternal legacy of proof of being at these places) and then off we went to try to find our seats. Eventually we found them and discovered we were at the very top of the building and had a fantastic upper view of everything. We were positioned just to stage right, and there was nothing obstructing our view. Garbage who were supporting them came on first, and they were good, but they were playing to a house which was only about a third full, and then towards the end of their set one of the amplifiers went on the blink. God love them. When their set ended, the house lights went on and we were able to see exactly where we were. The sight was absolutely breath-taking. The venue was so huge with so many people. It's really difficult to descibe the concept of space. You could have fittied at least 6 Waterfront Halls into this space. (Hard to imagine, huh?) Although we were high up, our seats were much closer to the stage than the vast majority of people - happy days! The rigging was really impressive too, with lights, TV screens and speakers everywhere, but as I said, our view of the stage was totally unobstructed.
Now, how cool is this? U2 came onstage with no warning whatsoever, and the house lights were still on. We didn't realise that happened unti the crowd started going ballistic - we looked down and realized that the group were donning their instruments and tuning up. The lights only went down when they were half way into their second song. This gave us plenty of photographic opportunities, but they're not developed yet, so I don't know how they came out.
The roar of 20,000 people in an enclosed space is deafening, especially when coupled with some very loud, very cool music. The lighting guys outdid themselves with a fantastic light show which complimented everything the boys did. They played most of their old stuff, which really got the crowd going, and a few of their newer songs, which for some reason didn't go down as well...maybe it was the audience, I don't know. For Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bono walked out to the front row of the crowd and took an American Flag from one of them. You can inagine the reaction of the crowd. However, instead of waving it around the place, he just clutched it closely to himself while singing the rest of the song. You have to hand it to that guy.
When they finished their set and went offstage, of course we went wild again, and they came out for an encore. When they went again, the house lights went up for a final time, and we knew it was over. Absolutely buzzing, we made our way outside with the other 20,000 people and went home. Another classic experience in the US!
Anyway, I got off the bus, and went inside the bus station, where there were remarkably few people but no Irish. I then went in search of a map and while I was pouring over its contents and wondering what I was going to do - i.e. where to stay for the night, how to get to the circuit which was 11 miles away, etc, the public address system announced in a real heavy American twang if there was an Irish student in the building, to come to the information desk. Thank God I fitted the bill, and thank God, there they all were...PHEW!!!!
After introductions were made, we all went out into downtown Indianapolis, which was absolutely buzzing! The atmosphere was like nothing else I have ever experienced, and it was really brilliant. Downtown is quite small, (but very picturesque), so there were thousands of people all happy, and all carrying different flags and wearing the different team colors. We somehow found an Irish pub called 'The Claddagh', and they had actually blocked off the entire length of the street and converted the car park into a massive beer tent. We went in there, got to the pumps and paid $4 for 1 beer! I didn't mind too much as somehow I managed to get a free Foster's baseball cap (Foster's are the official sponsors of F1) and some flashy light-up badgy things to pin on myself. People thought it was cool that an Irish person had come all the way from Ireland just to see the F1 Grand Prix. Of course, I wasn't going to tell them any different...
As well as the usual following of Ferrari and McLaren fans, there was a huge contingent of Williams fans, as they were all rooting for Juan Pablo Montoya - there is a large Hispanic population here, and the amount of Columbian flags far surpassed any other nationality. This made the entire city and later the circuit a blaze of carnival color since the Columbian flag colors are red, blue and yellow - beautiful.
All in all, I got free Guinness (which tasted dreadful!), whisky, vodka, and some other unidentifiable liquids, as well as a baseball cap and lots of these badges. Wahey!! Funny, I also met many Irish people as well, who were out here working. Now I know why we only have 5 million people at home - they're all living over here.
D-Day, Sunday morning, 7:30a.m, and we were all nursing sore heads. We had prebooked a taxi to take us to the circuit, and that cost $40 - not too bad when split between 6. When we were still just under a mile away from the circuit, we were able to hear the scream of the F1 engines practicing. They had started warming up at 7:00a.m, but were to stop at 9:00a.m. We entered the Speedway, and did the usual touristy thing by buying programmes and t-shirts. We then went in search of our seats. (Oh yes, our tickets cost $80 each, the equivalent of $53...read that and weep..hahaHAAAA!!) When we found our seats we were absolutely delighted as they were only about 20 feet from the actual racetrack! We couldn�t believe our luck. And even more, we were being bathed in the morning sunlight. Life couldn�t have got any better. There were 2 races previous to the F1 race, (Pirelli Porsche and Ferrari Challenges) so we sat through those, and were surprised at how loud they were. Then as part of a celebration of F1 coming to America, there was a parade of the F1 drivers in old classic cars, meaning that we were actually only about 35 feet away from ALL OF THE FORMULA ONE DRIVERS!!!! You name the driver and I saw him! I even got to see Eddie Jordan too. I took loads of photos, but they were from a disposable camera, so I had no zoom. You can recognize them, but only just. When M. Schumacher and JP. Montoya came out, the crowd went practically ballistic, and it was easy to see that the drivers were enjoying every minute of it. Then another practice ensued, and we clambered back into our seats to watch. One lap of one F1 car however sent us scrambling back to the concession stands to get earplugs. The noise was like nothing I have ever heard before. They were the loudest and most wickedly raw engine sounds I have experienced, and it�s very hard to describe them. They all sounded the same (high pitched shriek accompanied by the low engine sound, except the poor old Minardi team, whose engines lacked the high pitched sound) Believe me, they sound massively different live than on TV. When we returned with our ears well and truly blocked up (it was hilarious trying to talk to each other) the noise was still extremely loud, but more bearable, even when two or more cars passed at the same time. It was then though, that we realized our seats were not as good as we had originally thought. The seats were on the straight, and at that point the cars were clocking up speeds of 200mph. Being 20 feet away from a very loud object hurtling past you at speeds in excess of 200mph is indeed an experience so fast that I couldn�t even see what color the bloody thing was, defeating the whole point. Action was called for.
After a load of rejections from the security, we finally made it up to the top deck of the stadium (playing the whole "Irish ticket") where I later found out, seats cost $140...wahey! Our view had improved too as I was slightly further away from the track, looking down, and able to see the cars as they sped past.
Our seats were just behind the starting line, and directly in front of M. Schumacher�s car. One of my favorite photographs (and memories) is of just before the race when there is a sea of color around each car getting it ready. That was awesome. Then the countdown to the race. Everyone in the circuit was standing up trying to get a better view of the start and the frantic race down to turn 1. The teams one by one left the grid, and soon just the cars were left. The anticipation at this point was indescribable. 5 lights, 4 lights, 3, 2, 1 light, out, then GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Oh My God!!! The scream of 22 of the fastest cars in the world was phenomenal! Necks stretching to see the results of the first turn � the earsplitting noise, even with earplugs getting quieter, and all eyes then glued to the gigantic TV screen to see who was in the lead. It was a strange feeling � hearing the roar of the cars just behind the building in front of us, and at the same time watching it on screen. Then, after nearly a minute, to the right of us, M. Schumacher�s car led the pack around turn 13, and down the straight, faster than anything I have ever seen so close up. Looking back, it was very funny, like a tennis match � we were all standing up and looking to the right to see the cars come around the bend and enter the straight, then as they went past, heads went to the left, and as the cars went out of sight, eyes to the screens, and we all sat back down again. That went on for 73 laps!
We were also extremely fortunate in that we were opposite the pits as well, in fact, directly opposite the Prost and Minardi pits. McLaren and Ferrari were at the other end. So we were able to see the pit changes as well, and it was at that point that I felt really sorry for poor Minardi � they just couldn�t get it together, and their pit stops lasted such a long time.
Of course, we all know the result of the Grand Prix � Hakkinen, M. Schumacher, Coulthard, Trulli, and both Williams out. I also got to see the presentation ceremony which was just to my left � unbelievable when you add the live atmosphere to it.
So that was the Formula One Grand Prix in Indianapolis, 2001. I loved it! I�ll not bore you with the incredibly long journey home, from 12:50 a.m. until 7:00a.m., and the fella who sat beside me on the bus, and wouldn�t shut up talking, and my landing in the ghetto which was NOT funny, but sure I got home safe and in one piece, and with both fantastic memories and memorabilia.
If you ever get the opportunity to go to a Formula One Grand Prix, I hugely recommend it!!
The flight over to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport from London Heathrow took just under 8 and a half hours, but we flew over some beautiful scenery in Northern Canada. There were four of us on the flight from the B.E.I. group, and it was really funny that we were the only ones to be walking up and down the airplane every hour to combat those dreaded blood clots! Everyone else on the plane just slept, or watched T.V on the little screens on the back of their seats.
When we arrived into Chicago, one of our bags was unexplicably missing, so there were panic stations for a while. The (very uninterested and unhelpful) assistant said that they would probably arrive on the next flight and they would send them out to the address of the poor girl to whom they belonged. All she could do was give them the name of her university, get on her connecting flight and pray. Her bag arrived the next day, much to her relief!
I meanwhile went to try to find the university representative who was to greet me and take me to the campus. Thank God I found her easily enough, and we went to the uni (St.Xavier's) to let me move in. Moving in. Sounds easy, doesn't it? Of course, the room I was designated already had 2 residents who were totally unaware that they were in the wrong room. So, another room was found for me and that is where I am currently living. As luck would have it, I very quickly discovered that my room-mate smokes like a train. I'm a non-smoker, so wasn't too pleased at that, but was prepared to put up with it until he put on his hi-fi. It was then that I found he loves death metal. Thats right, not even ordinary heavy metal, but DEATH METAL. I suppose I should have guessed that when I saw his shaved head and beard and the posters over his bed. Oh, and of course, one doesnt get the full meaning of death metal until it is PLAYED AT FULL VOLUME!!!!!!!!! He must have known that I was apprehensive about the whole thing, and that it showed on my face because his first words to me were..."Oh, you don't like this type of music?" No shit.
If you want my phone number and address, you'll have to email me - I'm not prepared to put all that information on the web...just yet!
Contrary to popular belief, nobody here really cares about people being Irish. I could be Australian, Brazilian, or French, and I doubt they'd batter an eyelid. Not that I mind, in fact, I think I prefer it like that. I've been told that we are in the middle of an Irish neighbourhood, but to tell you the truth I haven't really explored locally yet.
I am one hour away from the city centre or 'downtown Chicago', and I must admit that it is beautiful. All the skyscrapers in the CBD are relatively new, and are scrambling among each other to be the highest. They are all unique, and impressive in their own right. Chicago is home to the 2nd, 3rd and 4th highest buildings in the world, (or something like that - I forget now) and they truly look like it. There are many open spaces here too, and some beaches, so the next time I write, I'll hopefully have vegetated on one of them and swam in Lake Michigan!
So far, the weather has been "HOT, HOT, HOT!!!" Temperatures have been consistantly around 29C, but today was 33C. It sounds lovely doesn't it, but we have humidity too, which makes it feel much hotter, and the air feels damp, even though it's dry. No sooner than you take a shower, and get dressed, than you are all sweaty and sticky again. (No smart comments, please!!) It's really noticable during the night time, as my halls have no air-conditioning, and so getting to sleep is quite difficult, but I always manage it!!!!
On Saturday morning though, at about 6.00am, we were woken up by a huge thunderstorm, bigger than any other I have ever heard. I saw forked lightning hitting the ground very close to the halls, and the rain wasn't taking time to come down. It was most excellent!!
I have been given my timetable, and am doing: Computer Applications, Marketing, Management, Macro-Economics and Music. I was given a booklist, and so went to buy them. The total price came to....wait for it......$471!!!! Thats about 320 Pounds. Contrary to popular belief, very few things come cheap here; the students are paying $22,000 a year to study here too. Even the food on campus is expensive. An average meal costs about 4 pounds, and sandwiches are through the roof! It costs 3 pounds for 2 slices of bread, and the cost goes up for everything that goes in between. You have to laugh at the cafeteria! The selection is nil, not that it tastes any different. We eat on polystyrene plates, drink from polystrene beakers, and use plastic cutlery. Why? I have no clue. We're getting used to the taste though! On 2 occasions so far, when I tried the mixed vegetables, I had to pick out some soggy little bits of cardboard that had somehow got in. It must be their idea of fibre. And what's worse is that other people have been finding the same in their food too!!
Another thing I've noticed is that most of the students over here look a lot older than they actually are. The American football players are unbelievable - they are in actual fact all under 21, but look about 26 or 27. They are really tall, and weigh about on average 15 stone. You could fit at least 3 of me into any of them!! It actually gets a little intimidating when you see 6 or 7 of them walking down the corridor. It's like being in first year secondary school and seeing nothing but 7th years all around you - AND I'M OLDER THAN THESE PEOPLE!!!!!! I have also noticed that multiple tattoos are common in both sexes that I have seen. Oh, if you want to speak Americanese, just say, "Hey, sup dude!", and you'll go far.
I know that this sounds like a huge long complaint, but please don't treat it as that. It is just my own thoughts, reflections and experiences that I wished to share with you all. You know, it's more difficult being on your own in a foreign country than I thought it would, and suddenly, the words 'a year' take on a whole new meaning. It's amazing how one misses simple things like a familiar accent, idioms and sense of humour. Still, I'm looking at it as an ongoing adventure that although is slow to start, will quickly increase in velocity. I am meeting more and more people by the day, and am becoming accustomed to hearing and understanding their accents. This Thursday, I have been invited to a student party, and next week, we are going to a baseball game. Soon, I'll even be skipping lectures!!!!!
As I say, I'll try and email you all again sometime next week, and fill you in on the ongoing saga. I hope you are enjoying it.
I have finally packed everything (and unpacked to check if I packed something, and then packed again, and then unpacked in order to pack something else) and all we have to do now is wait until tomorrow. My parents are downstairs and we'll probably sit until the wee hours of tomorrow morning, get a few hours kip, and then wake up at 5:15a.m. We have to be at the airport for 6:00a.m. and the flight is at 7:00a.m. I am flying from Belfast International to Heathrow, and then to Chicago. I know that another B.E.I'er, Christine McCann is flying with me, so at least there'll be someone else there too.
Ok, I'm going now to spend a bit of time with my family. I'll see you some time in the near future in a place 3,500 miles away...