Adventures in America Part 7: Reflecting on two months here

I arrived in this country on the 25th May, 2011. Suddenly I'm sat in the lodge surrounded by 40 new friends and it's the 24th July, and I honestly have no idea where the time has gone to.

Already I find myself thinking about how little time I have left at Storyland, I think it's around 6 weeks. The days now go by so quickly here - even though I'm working for 9 hours a day it honestly doesn't feel like it at all. I guess the proverb is true, "Do a job you enjoy and you will never work a day in your life". Looking back on the time I sat in my room and thought about this, it's odd that it finally happened.

The whole thing has already given me so many memories, I consider it an equal learning curve to starting university for the first time. Working with Americans and living in a completely different culture is great. I can't help but think however that I have only seen the good side to this place so far.
I realise that life for many of the natives is very hard, many work 2 jobs for 7 days a week just to keep running. I have been given a very cushy life here so far with cheap rent, plenty of friends, things to do and people to look after me.

Thoughts about going home are already beginning to encroach on my mind. I wonder how I will adapt after living for so long in this place, especially hitting the floor running with my dissertation - yet already I know I will miss this place and the people within it.

But not to put too much of a downer on things. As they say, "the best is yet to come!"

Adventures in America Part 6: The things I miss from home

I actually can't believe it. I've been through 2 years of university - living away from home, under constant pressure and drinking heavily yet I never experienced it. So it's odd this morning that I woke up and felt a sudden desire for home. I've now been in America for 47 days and I did pretty well until now. I decided to use this as the starting point for my next blog, hopefully it will make me feel a bit better!

1. Family and friends

With this one it really is a case of "you don't know what you've got until it's gone". Being the social animal that I am, I spend a lot of my time in the evenings seeing how everyone is getting along. It's much harder for me to talk to friends back home because I usually finish work at 11:30 UK time. Out here, I've made about 50 new friends - but I've known them for only a few weeks. I also strangely miss people calling me "Joho" since nobody here knows what that means.

Seeing the photos from Lincoln Pride really made me realise about the life I'd left behind.

Miss you all!

2. The cooler weather

Make no mistake, out here it is seriously hot. The weather is a minimum of 20 degrees every day - and quite often as much as 30. Working out in the sun can get particularly unpleasant because of the high humidity too, since the sweat doesn't evaporate as quickly as it would usually. I actually wore an ice vest on the pirate ship yesterday because it was so warm out in the sun.

3. The NHS

Never have I appreciated this great institution more than when I got a hospital bill for $600, bringing the cumulative total for my three visits to around $1,000. The NHS may be badly managed, underfunded, and creaking at the seams in some places - but it will always be better than the US system which relies on your ability to pay unless in an exceptional emergency. I am so glad our forefathers had the insight to set up a welfare system that generally works

4. Non processed food

As I have previously mentioned in my blog - there is an abundance of crappy foods here. From fried oreos, to "slim jims", a meaty treat which looks like a dog treat (containing mechanically separated chicken and other meas) I really do miss relatively healthier meals in the UK.

5. My records

I seriously miss them! Call me a bit odd - but it was nice to come back after a stressful day of university and fill my room with the sounds of the 1920's. That being said, I've got a nice pile of records waiting for me when I return. I also really do miss updating my youtube channel - it's nice to know that I can bring a little happiness in to so many people's lives through the music I share with them.

Finally, and in no particular order - the following:

• Seeing the queen on banknotes every day - American money is too green and boring. What's the deal with dollar bills? Too fddly for me.
• Looking the other way to cross the road
• Hearing people say "Cheers mate" rather than "Thanks buddy"
• Watching Wimbledon without the annoying commentary
• Watching TV without the annoying adverts
• The BBC
• Tesco. My clubcard points are crying out to be used!

Adventures in America Part 5: Independence Day

Well yesterday was Independence Day, as if you didn't know already. For me, it was a chance to discover the real America and the patriotism within it. I've already seen the million and one flags that are proudly hung outside houses, schools - we even have to raise a flag every morning on some rides.

It's odd for a Brit to see this. Back home, there's an awkward sense of embarrasment when the national anthem comes on - that droning long winded song, heard amidst small shuffles of people looking around to see if everyone else is getting up or not. We Brits don't do patriotism very well at all.

Patriotism is everywhere in this country, and especially so yesterday. And you know what? I couldn't get enough of it! I do realise that most of my British friends reading this now will be disgusted, but I really felt a sense of belonging when I stood for the national anthem last night. It kind of gave me a sense of unity, the fact that I belonged to this vast nation of people who were so proud for their country.

The carnival atmosphere was an interesting one, I have never been to a proper American carnival and this was pretty authentic. The carnie folk, the games which roped me in and sucked my money away, the cotton candy and slushies - it was wonderful. It had a real sense of community, the whole town had gathered on the grass to watch the fireworks and listen to the music. This was small town America at it's finest.