Big ones, small ones, some as big as your 'ead: Meteors and Pumpkins

Again it is Sunday, end of week 5. Another busy week of studying and random American-ness!

At the beginning of the week I, and another friend, were dragged by my roommate to a ballroom dance class. I have to admit it was really good fun actually! We were taught how to rrhhuuummmbbaa and  American tango (what makes it American I don't know!) and I definitely got into it! A real mix of people there. We kept swapping partners throughout the class so sometimes you were dancing with a tall, dark haired, dancing Ben Affleck, other times, you were not. Got my dancing shows ready for tomorrow:)

Each college on campus has a college night about once a month where the dining hall is given a theme and they serve food and provide entertainment etc. Cowell's college night was a medieval night and I have never seen turkey legs that big before! Seriously they were like the size of my arm! They put loaves of bread on the tables to share and candles and crowns. They even served bread pudding and apple cider while we watched sword fighting and juggling! It must of cost the University a shed load of money but we paid nothing and enjoyed an evening of ye olde feasting and festivities!

On Friday night we heard rumors of a meteor shower happening between midnight and sunrise so we bundled up, stopped at Safeway for snacks and beer on the way, and headed down to Natural Bridges beach at 3am to lie on the sand and watch shooting stars! It was ffrreeezzziinngg cold but we saw lots of shooting stars, made lots of wishes and we were the only ones on the beach which made it the setting for some cheesy horror film (especially when Kelsey kept  'seeing' things moving). Having never seen a shooting star before it was pretty cool and though it wasn't the biggest meteor shower I don't care that I almost froze to death!

Two friends and I went to a pumpkin patch and corn maze yesterday (in the 30degree heat btw!) to pick out our pumpkins for Halloween which the Americans go crazy for! When I ask people what they are doing for halloween they reply by telling me what they are dressing up as. I say 'I'm guessing you are going to a fancy dress party then' and they reply with 'oh no, I don't know what i'm doing yet'....and yet you are dressing up regardless? I'm not a massive halloween fan but the pumpkin patch was fun! I have never seen so many pumpkins and you just walk down loads of rows of them, all different varieties and colours, to pick out the ones you want, put them in your wheelbarrow and wheel them up to the hut where you pay! I have great plans for the carving of my pumpkin however i'm pretty sure the image I have in my head will not translate onto the side of a pumpkin. The corn maze was hard, we found our way back to the entrance thinking it was the exit, but at least we made it out!

 In other news, I have booked my plane ticket to the OC to stay with a friend at the end of term! On our itinerary is Disneyland, LA and Laguna Beach so I am very excited for that! Ok, I will leave it there as I have an exam tomorrow that I have to revise for. It is ironic that back at Warwick week 6, for a humanities student, is reading week. A week off basically. At UCSC it is mid-term week. A week of exams, papers and altogether will be no fun. Though at least it is hot and I can revise outside in the sun! ahhh the silver lining. Perhaps I will order a take away...Dominos? No. Nite Owl cookies...Yes!

Would you like a microphone to go with that California Roll?

Busy couple of weeks as per usual. Though it is Sunday so blog day has been upheld!
Many deadlines coming up in the next few days which is stressing me out somewhat. Two spanish exams, a presentation and a paper due ah! I've already had 1 spanish exam and got 88.5 out of 100 which I was really happy with however in America that only is a B! At home that would have been the highest First ever! I wonder how Warwick transfer the grades hmmmm.

Something I have noticed recently is the amount of people who just don't wear shoes. Or socks. They  walk around barefoot. They walk into lectures barefoot, they jog round the track barefoot, I've even seen a few people in the supermarket barefoot! I wondered why there were signs in front of the dining halls saying 'No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service'! Santa Cruz is quite a hippy town and university but the people who are practicing this 'freedom' so to speak are not your average hippies. Quite the opposite in fact. My strength training teacher started talking to us about this...how shoes, if worn for long periods of time, can actually be bad for your feet! Walking or running on natural surfaces is how we lived for thousands of years. She has a point but still, we are living in the 21st Century. I don't want to be sitting next to some guy with his feet in my face during a seminar. If you want to get your feet back to grass roots then do that outside! There is no grass or sand or mud in this lecture hall! This is one thing that I won't be participating in at UCSC. I like shoes.

Went to a sushi restaurant, appropriately called 'I Love Sushi' for a friends birthday on Friday night. It doubles up as a karaoke bar so while you are served your Red Dragon Roll and Miso Soup there are a group of girls who have had a bit too much Sake belting out classics like 'I Will Survive' and 'Gangster's Paradise'! Highly entertaining even if it does make it a bit hard to talk to people. There were 27 of us at this meal and there was one guy, from Britain, who is the twin of James McAvoy (with his english accent, not scottish)!!  I got very excited! I hope to bump into him again:P If I had been allowed some alcohol then maybe I would have considered getting up there (in a group of course!) but alas, I was not. I'm looking forward to my ID arriving!

Along with the deer and racoons on campus (both cute, furry animals) the flat had a bit of a shock at 1am a few nights ago. I was fast asleep when I kind of came too when I heard screaming from my roommate. I was still half asleep so I just incorporated it into my dream however when I heard the word 'Tarantula' being yelled, I jumped out of bed so fast (not an easy task seeing as the beds are like 6 feet high!) that I almost fainted! I ran into the kitchen where a number of people were congregated around a tupperware box with the biggest, hairiest, scariest spider ever in it. Now I'm pretty good with spiders but this was insane. We called the Campus Security Officers (CSO's) who came at 1.30am to tell us how it was not a tarantula but a distant cousin of one. I don't know if that was reassuring or not. Anyway, we named him Alfred and kept him to show people for a few days before releasing him a long long way away! I was quickly reminded that there are poisonous and dangerous animals living in the woods of California and are usually spotted on campus. I miss the sheep of Warwickshire.

Oh to be under the influence of a crowd mentality!

Ok, so I know that I said that my blogging days were Sunday's but I just have to write about this!
UCSC has a tradition where on the first rain the students celebrate by running naked through campus chanting, singing, playing bagpipes, screaming etc etc. And tonight was the night!
The Naked Run started in 1989 during an earthquake where students of Porter College (one of the 10 colleges on campus) slept outside in the quad and played truth or dare...of course the dares included nudity!
Now one can't just start a naked run as soon as it starts drizzling. There are rulesfor the event set by students themselves
1) It has to rain continuously for at least 7 hours straight
2) It has to be on a school/ term day
3) The run cannot start until 10pm
4) It has to start at Porter College
5) You don't have to be naked to join in but you look a bit silly if you aren't
 6) There is a traditional route taken by the runners hitting all the colleges before running down to East Field, breaking into the pool and jumping in!
7) A drum circle will follow the dip in the pool
etcetc

You can hear the runners coming...tooting horns, spectators cheering (yes people do stand outside the dorm buildings and cheer the runners on!), chants of U-C-S-C, cries of "NNAKKKEEEDD RRUUUNNN"!
Peering in a not pervy way out of the window, hoards of  people streaked past to go join up with the swarm, in the rain, naked, except for shoes, while we sat here in the warm, fully clothed and dry.
The noise gots louder and louder as they approached Cowell College...
A shot of jaegarmeister later, we joined them!
10.30pm, completely naked, running with 1000 strangers through the campus, is the oddest feeling ever! Lets just say 'the awkeward moment when you bump into a guy from 2 of your classes'...i have to see him at 9am tomorrow!
That was quite an introduction to UCSC! It is funny how hysteria just sweeps you up and carries you along. I never, ever, would have done that. Or at least I thought I never would. I find it really uncomforatble in public showers when people just walk around naked! I guess I have to get over that so as not to appear hypocritical (though it was dark on the run!)
 Unfortunately no pics of the actual run, that would be wrong! However I do have this little gem for you...the after shot of me and my roommate; wet, cold, but clothed!

Pelicans, Seals and Deer oh my!

Sunday evening is shaping up to be a pretty good blog writing time. Nothing much goes on at this time; homework would have been done by now if it was every going to get done today, there aren't any dining halls or coffee shops open on campus to go spend the imaginary flexi dollars, nothing good is on TV and apart from mentally preparing yourself for the coming work week, you are sedentary and that is how you are going to stay until tomorrow.
Only seems like yesterday that the previous post was being written at the end of week 1, and now week 2 has vanished into the abyss. What is there to report? Initially, it feels like nothing has happened so why do I feel so tired? The first week back after summer holidays is always a shock to the system. For starters, I know I am usually a pretty early riser, but this is voluntary. When I have to be up at 8am five days in a row, it is hard. Really hard. Especially as on two of these occasions it is to go to a swim conditioning class where the instructor took great joy in announcing at the first class that it was "part of her job to make us throw up" from sheer exertion. Swimming is the only cardio I can do at the moment because of my foot so me being me, i've taken it to the extreme. When life hands you lemons, make lemonade, or lemon cake! I've forgotten the proper saying. Swimming caps are a must in this class too....sexxyyy. A friend has lent me hers for the time being and so I look like a purple egg, literally. At least the pool is outside and so that intense chlorine smell that usually hits you as you walk into any leisure centre isn't as prominent!
I have been spending quite a bit of time at the pool this week. I've joined the Kayak Club and our first session on Wednesday took place at the pool where we all got into wet suits (again seexxxyy) and practiced rolling the kayaks and escaping from them. Not a fan of that feeling that you are about to drown and 'which way is the surface?!' but hopefully in time that will improve and I will soon be bombing down 40ft waterfalls and river rapids like in that video they showed us at the start! Perhaps not.
The legal drinking age is grating really thin now. I thought that it wouldn't bother me but it has only been 2 weeks and it rrreeaalllyy is! It isn't so much missing the alcohol (though there are times especailly because the weather is really nice that you just want a nice glass of pimms, or 'other interesting white wines')

 but the fact that you aren't even allowed into the bars or pubs. You can be in restaurants but only until 10pm! (the above photo was taken at 8pm lol) The majority of the friends that I have made so far here are over 21 too which is annoying as when they want to go out, I can't go! So lets just say i've taken steps to make sure that I can go next time which should arrive in the post within the next week!
So much reading. So so much reading. I don't want to read anymore. That feeling bodes well for the next 2 years of my humanities degree! Took a nice break from the reading this afternoon/evening and went with my roommate for a picnic at the beach. Sat and watched lots of pelicans and a very lively seal (i was convinced it was a whale) before spending hours in the supermarket deciding whether peanut butter oreos were such a good idea!
Well a riveting book on racial formations and theories beckons so I will leave it there. Some random pictures of the pelicans and seal from the beach and deer on campus for y'all to enjoy!

Week 1. Check.

I have now been here a full week! In some ways that has gone really fast, in others not so much.
Now that classes have started and the homework and reading assignments are being thrown at me from every direction I know that I shall soon find a groove and routine. Speaking of reading, the grand total of books that I have purchased just for 'Fall Quarter' has reached the dizzy heights of $300!!!! That is insane. I'm trying to remind myself that that figure is not in pounds but that is still ridiculous! I don't think I spent the equivalent on books in the first 2 years at Warwick and that is what I have spent for a little over 10 weeks at UCSC! Next quarter I am NOT taking a literature class!
All the clubs that I signed up for at OPERS have their first meetings this week so I am really excited to get involved in them and meet some more people:) Everyone that I have met have been really friendly which can be a bit off-putting actually as it is quite forward. Us Brits tend to ignore everyone and wait for the other person to introduce themselves, and even then, their gesture is greeted with a smile and a "Hello", not "Oh my ggodd you have an accent! Where are you from? Why are you here? Oh that's cute" etc etc. I have shaken so many hands in the past week. I am not complaining at all, in fact, I think that we could learn something from the Americans in this department, it just takes a bit of getting used to. Same with the whole "Hey-how-are-you-have-a-nice-day" thing in shops...
I have been having a bit of trouble with my foot which flared up before I left England. I had been told to rest for 6 weeks and while some of you may not believe that I have been resting (I have tried as much as possible truly!) it has been getting worse so i decided to go to the health centre to get their advice. Well, i walked in and came out with a foot bandage, ice packs, crutches and ushered into the on campus disability van that drove me the 100feet back to my apartment! I have this van at my disposal for the next week which I think is so funny! They take very good care of you here!
Other things that have been going on...an outside screening of Toy Story 3, a trip to Capitola Mall, copious amounts of frozen yoghurt consumed, game nights, night time wanderings (gently obviously;)) aanndd I found a Body Pump class close to campus that I went to today! Also, for the first time, it is raining today which I am concerned about. If it rains solidly for 7hours straight then that means tonight, at 10pm, the annual Naked Run will commence! I shall explain more if that happens!
This week is going to be BUSY. So many meetings, classes, homework etc etc. Hopefully I survive! Some more photos: Bookstore and SU, Monterey Bay from my college's dining hall, and an interesting painting..points to the person who can figure out what's going on!

Oh and if anyone knows who went out of The Great British Bake Off, if they can let me know that that would be great:D

That Sunday Night Feeling

I arrived in Santa Cruz safe and sound on Sunday and have now been here 4 days and what a crazy busy 4 days it has been! I have been to Target 3 times and spent over $200, opened bank accounts, bought a phone ($50 a month on top of the crappy handset, are you kidding me?!), had an international oreinetation where we were taught how to correctly respond to 'How ya doing?' and what 'sick' and 'boss' meant, signed up to pretty much everything from Habitat for Humanity to Women's Rugby at OPERS Festival and spent this afternoon hula-hooping and, with the help of my roommate, convincing the guy at the frozen-yoghurt place downtown to give me extra stamps on my loyalty card!

The campus itself is gorgeous. I have never seen a place quite like it. It is situated on a hill behind Santa Cruz town meaning that in the right places you get the view over the town and Monterey Bay! I have yet to take any good pictures, but when I do, I will post them here:) We are surrounded by Redwood trees giving much needed shade.. There are wooden walkways to get to classes that cross over ravines and hiking trails. There are deer everywhere and they are definitely not scared of humans! All in all, it is pretty amazing!
That being said, it comes with a weird feeling. There isn't anyone to really share it with. The friends that I have made are mostly seniors or sophomores and so they have already had a number of years of this environment. I'm still awed by it all but there is no-one to show it too or appreciate it with. It's strange how you can feel lonely even though you are with people. I know this feeling will disappear, it is already decreasing and it is only day 4! I'm just used to having familiar faces around me, or people to fall back onto when something gets too much but this isn't really the case here. Not going to lie, the first day or 2 were really hard as I hate that initial meet and greet thing with new people and it is all very pleasant and friendly etc but you know nothing about them at all! Again, that changes the more you see of people and hang out. In some ways I feel like I am on holiday, it will kick in in a few weeks that this is actually my home for the next 10months! 
My apartment on campus is pretty big and spacious. I share a bedroom and a living room area with one girl and then we share the bathroom and kitchen with two guys. We are right in the centre of campus so couldn't be a better location! The senior who greeted me when I arrived on campus had pinned everyone's names outside their apartment doors and still remembers my name and says hi to me now! There is definitely more of a friendly, community atmosphere on campus than at Warwick (sometime a bit too friendly, as a Brit, we don't tend to be over the top and forward when meeting new people. The Americans are not like this, they go straight in for the hug or enthusiastic handshake and the story of their mothers brothers girlfriends cousins friend who once visited London).

Classes officially start tomorrow hence the Sunday night feeling! The idea of having to write essays and do homework and quizzes is not appealing in the slightest. It has been months since i've written more than a few words with a pen and I know my hand is going to cramp up in my lecture tomorrow! Not looking forward to buying the books either. One Spanish text book just for now until Christmas costs $90! I am going to be so broke by the time I come home! That being said, you do feel like you are getting things for free here. Your uni card lets you ride any bus for free, gets you into all the dining halls and some cafes on campus, gets you into the gym for free and many other things. As long as you have your uni card, you don't really need money when on campus! Yes, Americans have to pay thousands and thousands of dollars to go to University but I feel like they get a better deal than we do...more contact hours and opportunities for a start. I mean, when can you play in a quidditch tournament and get all the equipment and gear for free?! The Quidditch stand at the OPERS festival (their version of sports and societies fair) was pretty busy so i'm looking forward to this tournament! The festival was held on east field overlooking Santa Cruz and the bay. It was crazy, people and exhibitions everywhere-frats and sororities to organic farming and salsa dancing. Needless to say, me and my friend bypassed all this and went straight for the food sourced from local, organic companies (UCSC is a very liberal, organic, environment conscious uni. It even has it's own organic farm!). The chicken and apple sausages were to die for!

Ok, this has been a long post. I shall leave you with homework: learning the correct procedure for handling anything from earthquakes to bomb scares. Erm, i'm sorry, what now?!

'Funtivities'

Currently in Seattle airport waiting for a flight down to San Jose (the nearest airport to Santa Cruz).
Enjoying watching people eating copious amounts of Mac an' Cheese at 7am! I'll stick to my Tuscan scrambled eggs!
Had a great few days in Seattle with my sister. We did loads of fun stuff that she called 'funtivities'!
Tour around a local Indian Reservation and Museum where her friend works and who gave us free blankets with whales on them! Their tribe symbol is an Orca. I want to be a part of this tribe. They have this massive casino on the reservation (see pic below).

We also went to Theo Chocolate Factory for a tour and got to sample chilli chocolate, bread chocolate, coconut curry chocolate and basil chocolate. YUM. We had to wear sexy hairnets and though pictures were taken, I won't be posting them.
Kayaked around Lake Union which was hilarious seeing as we didn't realise we were rowing the boat backwards for around 30mins!
Sampled the local frozen yoghurt and Vietnamese Pha:)
Boarding the plane soon. May throw up a little. See you in Santa Cruz!