(no subject)
I have been trying so, so hard.
England became much easier for me in the past month.
The first day of orientation I stepped out there, put on a smile, introduced myself, took initiative to get phone numbers and meet people, and went home worn out from the exertion of trying to fit in with people. I hate doing that. It's just not me. I have friends...and most of them have been my friends for at least 6 years now, some, like Susan and Kristi, have been my friends for 10 years. I'm not used to do doing the high school game of trying to get "in" with a crowd, and yet here it was either force myself into doing that or be lonely for four months.
Thankfully, some of the people I've met have been awesome. And most of them aren't Americans, which was my goal. My "closest" friends here are German. I am grateful for that because even though I am in the UK, a country in which I am very familiar, I am experiencing different cultures.
My classes are interesting: The UK State Politics and Policies, Comparative Politics of Post Industrial Societies and The Idea of Europe. The teaching style is very different as are the expectations.
As usual money has been such a struggle. But...I don't often worry about money. And I get annoyed at Alex, who freaks out if we're not "comfortable". I don't mind being broke, I tell him, we are living abroad and experiencing LIFE while we're young...get over it!!!
His mom really pisses me off. I love her...but am not sure how much I like her. I don't even want to get into it.
I feel really guilty about some of the things I think sometimes. Is everyone like that?
England became much easier for me in the past month.
The first day of orientation I stepped out there, put on a smile, introduced myself, took initiative to get phone numbers and meet people, and went home worn out from the exertion of trying to fit in with people. I hate doing that. It's just not me. I have friends...and most of them have been my friends for at least 6 years now, some, like Susan and Kristi, have been my friends for 10 years. I'm not used to do doing the high school game of trying to get "in" with a crowd, and yet here it was either force myself into doing that or be lonely for four months.
Thankfully, some of the people I've met have been awesome. And most of them aren't Americans, which was my goal. My "closest" friends here are German. I am grateful for that because even though I am in the UK, a country in which I am very familiar, I am experiencing different cultures.
My classes are interesting: The UK State Politics and Policies, Comparative Politics of Post Industrial Societies and The Idea of Europe. The teaching style is very different as are the expectations.
As usual money has been such a struggle. But...I don't often worry about money. And I get annoyed at Alex, who freaks out if we're not "comfortable". I don't mind being broke, I tell him, we are living abroad and experiencing LIFE while we're young...get over it!!!
His mom really pisses me off. I love her...but am not sure how much I like her. I don't even want to get into it.
I feel really guilty about some of the things I think sometimes. Is everyone like that?