have sufficiently filled my alone time for a while I think. Haven't been to a bar *except to work* for a while. Yep folks that's right, I got the job. My brother would be proud. The only real problem is I pour beer without any "head" but the brits like a little foam on their drinks. So I have to unlearn my clever drink pouring skills to accomodate people here. It's a cruel world I know.

So since last I wrote several things have been going on. I got the job. I got sick again. I ruined our trip to italy because I couldn't miss a class, I discovered a passion for watching the Rugby world cup and cheering alone in my common room when "my team" (whichever one I pick to root for) scores or gets close to scoring. Lots of double entendre in this here entry. None intended. I had a fantastic dinner with Oli and his friend Isabelle who is french and encouraged me to try to speak french more. After a few seconds of uncomfortable mumbling in half french/english and probably a little italian, I rediscovered my voice. It's good to know other languages- makes me feel wonderful. It was great when I had to cancel the hostel reservation in Italy- When the gentleman answered the tele he said "Buona Sera" (we'll pretend that's how it's spelled) and I said "Buona Sera, Parli Inglesi" which is my best guess at how to say do you speak english *in italian* and he responded and we spoke in english and I ended the conversation with Gratzi! I'm so proud of myself.

My classes have been extraordinary. My creative writing class is incredible- we discussed the problem of "self" when one writes. For example,should the author be present in the text, or should you have absolutely nothing to do with your writing. This problem has made the past few days painfully perplexing and wonderfully philosophical. I do love splashing around in perplexity. I was a philosophy major at one point. Oy.
an added bonus is the small class- it's very different but I can't imagine a better way to learn. Instead of being told to leave ourselves out of our writing *like I learned early in my english career* we are expected to bring as much of ourselves as possible to the table. Oy it' wonderful.
AND My poetry class is the absolute best. Imagine reading a good book, or seeing a good film and sitting around talking to your friends about it.....this is what this class is like. We read the Waste Land by T.S. Eliot first, and I just have to say I love that poem. It's so heavy and rich and full of layers- I get so excited when we talk about it. I am a geeky literature major- aren't I.

OH my explorations in lit class is so powerful and we've only had one lecture. This year academically is alright ripe with so much potential for me, for learning and growing and becomine. Cliche, eh? I'm just happy to be here. I really wish I weren't sick, though. Oy

and have I mentioned that people here have rediculous haircuts....like one half short the other slightly longer...and the tips of hair as different colors (but only in sporadic patches- nothing uniform). It's quite funny for me. I'm glad people feel free to express themselves. I haven't taken nearly enough pictures- I'll be sure to soon.

oh and today was aweful because all I kept seeing were bunches of 10-16 month old kids, who of course remind me of my neice who is growing so fast while I'm not there.

I didn't cry though. good for me.

I hate to do it- but really guys if you feel the slightest urge to write me a letter or send me a care package or anything really I'd greatly appreciate it.

shavawn smith
22B Paddock Field
University of Brighton, Falmer
Brighton, Sussex
BN19SF

or call me from america 011447906625105

from elsewhere I don't know.

hi alice.

I'm quite tired now, as I haven't slept yet. So I'm off to cook dinner- Burritos. Oh of all the food I miss, I miss mexican the most. I've resolved to 1)never eat a hamburger over here and 2) never to eat mac and cheese over here. I'm branching out...yep yep. I'm actually falling asleep at the computer. Good thing I'm not driving round here. Oh and did everybody get my postcards? Do write and let me know

shavawnmarie@hotmail.com

peace, take care of yourselves.

-s

so dani finally went home this afternoon. Oh did I mention that we uh missed her flight on monday morning- sure did. That sleeping in thing, I tell you. I went to two of my classes today. They seem interesting. There are only three students in the first one and two in the second so they should be quite intimate throughout the semester. Oh and I've discovered that for about a month I will only have one class. Interesting situation here.

I'm immersed (why did I never learn how to spell) in fresher's week here, although I think I'll abstain from several of the activities. I am really glad to have settled in before everyone else got here- I think it would have been awful to show up and be moving and acclimating while everyone is getting pissed (drunk) and being loud.

Because of the nice weather we had when I first arrived and the quick transition to rain and wind I was afraid that england might not have seasons, or at least not the four distinct ones that I enjoy back home in nevada. But I'm looking out of the computer pool room window and watching the leaves on the trees gradually morph from green to orange to yellow to hints of red and so on.

and I'm deeply in love with the word autumnal.

I've got laundry and grocery shopping to do but I can't seem to pull myself away from the computer or out of the computer room. I'm watching people- students- listening to their various conversations in their various accents. wondering what they're writing or reading or looking up. engaged in thoughts about what they're thinking. wondering how much of myself is me and how much of themselves are them.

wishing my mother would write or call me. I think i've given up hopes for india- at least for now.

right now I feel like there is more than an ocean separating me from people at home, more than the language barrier from people here, more than just a body isolating me from all that is outside. but "it" doesn't have a name.

I'm anxious for some alone time, time to think about me and only me.

...

I love and miss everyone. Hope all is well wherever you are.

Oy!

usefull fact for everyone: there are more pubs in brighton than there are days in the year.

I think I may have a job soon. I have to work a "trial shift" the evening of the 11th at the bar on my campus, and if everything works out I'm pretty sure I have a job. Yay. These past few days I've done very little. Dani and I went to van morrison and then hung out with all the students who are just arriving on campus. This coming week is "freshers" week where everyone gets their classes and has lots to drink. I've met some lovely people and some interesting people. Dani seems to be having a jolly time. we ended up not going to salisbury or to stonehenge, because we slept in. Clever girls we are. I start classes this wednesday and I'm excited. I've been out of school for far too long. It's really quite unnerving- being out of school for almost 4 months. June- now. I'm not used to that. I hope I haven't lost all my "smarts". This evening should include another trip to the bar- I swear ma I'm only going to survey what the bartenders have to do so I can do well on my trial shift. *wink* I think if I hurry up I'll be playing a game of football with some boys we met last night. Paul and Daniel. They're quite nice and both very young. hehehe. Oh and I've made lots more friends. It's strange though- feels like they know a part of me, but that no one here really knows me. I guess that's what I have dani and this blog for. The blog does smell better though. And for that. i'm going to let dani write something in here because she's asked so nicely....

*notice: the following comments do not express the opinion of the owner of this blog, but are rather just mere nonsense- enjoy or ignore, whichever you prefer.*

Let's get some things straight....

First- of the 3 nights that I've been here shavawn has not come home before 6am for two of them. So, when she says ''we'' slept in it was really just her. She is the one that was so ''entranced'' by the young men last night she couldn't get her happy butt home in time to sleep for more than 3 hours.

Brighton is a crap hole. Everyone here seems to have a ''big issue''. All I have to say is ''do I look like I want a big issue?'' The Carnival rides on the pier suck because Shavawn is too afraid to go on them with me. yes- I know I could go alone but what is the sense in that? If I'm going to die, I want to do it with shavawn so I can laugh at her while she is plunging into the ocean.

Hi Mrs. Smith. I hope you are doing well.

Brighton ain't crap compared to Cork. Represent- what! Fo shizzle my nizzle.

Brighton is actually a nice city and I do love it here.... Shavawn has some wonderful friends that I am paying so they will be polite. Just kidding.

_____________________________________________________________

and that was all for dani. Thank you everyone- she'll be here all week.


that's all for me too- later I'll explain some of the jokes she's made, but for now--football and soup.

peace yo.