As I mentioned before, I’ve been hunting for a society to join, so I went to a society fair at the university. But the damn photography society didn’t show up, and it was basically all about politics, foreign country societies, and things like astrology and techno (possibly two of the most appalling things I know of). I did talk to a few groups like the filmmaking, comedy and real ale society, so who knows. The idea of taking the train to a nearby village, invading all the pubs and sampling ale is, of course, strangely appealing. Katrine was considering the horse riding society, but the membership fees and other costs were a bit too steep, unfortunately. The school choir she joined is maybe also a bit too much at the moment as the drama seminars she attends have proved to be so popular that they are continuing, and, what with her upcoming drama auditions, she’s rather invest time in that.
I am also happy to report that I have enjoyed my first fish and chips today. It is one of those things that seems a good idea at the time (especially for us lovers of fatty foods with crunchy bits) but turns out sort of... greasy and floppy? The bag was transparent by the time I got home, which is always a good sign, but meh. At least I got it out of my system. For those who by now may be concerned about our eating habits (mums), I must say that we (read ‘I’) manage to cook quite tasty and healthy meals. Fish and veggies are much cheaper here, and now we’ve even found a nice, little shop with lots of different fruits and vegetables on our route to school (chestnuts, sweet potatoes, lichees etc)! Oh, and we discovered it only takes half an hour to walk to campus (past 6-800 year old defensive walls and guard towers, through gatehouses (or ‘bars’), dodging traffic, which still surprisingly drives on the wrong side of the road (I nearly panicked when my taxi driver drove away from the station on my arrival to York), and finally past a rolling field with horsies), saving us bus money and love handles.
Yesterday we went to the cinema and saw ‘Precious’. My gods, what a film! Absolutely gut-wrenching, yet heart-warming at the same time. If you are going to see one film this year, see that one. We are amazed by the acting. It has received a few Oscar nominations so far, and I hope they win some. It’s about an African-American, overweight, teenage girl living in Harlem, who gets pregnant and is kicked out of school. Struggling with a horrible family life she is offered a chance to do something with her life by entering a special school. See it. Of course, being a linguist (I guess), I spent the first minutes involuntarily analysing the ‘salient features of African American Vernacular English’ (thank you sociolinguistics class).
On that note: As I am here for my linguistics master studies I find myself noticing a lot of that sort of stuff here. For example, my landlady (from Yorkshire) says ‘mooneh’ (or [mʊnɪ] ;-)). On the bus to university the conductor approached me with ‘Hiye! What can I getche?’ Followed by a cheery ‘Taaa!’ once I paid. Another one to a girl who apparently had problems: ‘miluv, are you alright?’ They say a lot of ‘my love’ or even duck here. Not so strange, as there are probably more ducks than people here... The university is infested with them. Arrogant, waddling bastards! And they’re protected too (and they know it). They are like the holy cows of India, it seems. A pity, there’s good eating on one of those... Especially the geese.
Well, I suppose that’s it for now. Scroll down for some pics! I’ve been meaning to post some here. Taaa!
The horsies. This is right next to campus.
Katrine kicking it in our feng shui pensioner's cottage. We love the décor and will try to copy the style in future flats.
York Minster! And free admission for residents!
On Skeldergate Bridge. Two old geezers are feeding the seagulls. Ouze Bridge, our quickest route to the city centre, in the background.
Clifford's Tower in the city centre. This 13th century keep was built atop the mound of William the Conquerer's fortress.
