Randoms

Sooooo, I apologize. I haven't posted in forever, and I'm sorry. I do have a nice long post planned, I just have to write it (an ode to Sherlock and Doc Watson *girly sigh*). Also,my Spring break is coming up, and I plan to spend it exploring the city, hopefully with daily updates! (*Gasp!* *Swoon!*) And I have a cold, so a little slack and pity wouldn't be remiss.

Therefore, this is going to be a quick little post, full of random bits, to tide you over until the juicy stuff comes. Mostly, these are just miniature observations that aren't coherent enough for one big post. Here goes.

Improv Abroad
As part of my practicum class, I get to sit in on a Drama class. Last Monday, my teacher let me lead warm-ups, so I taught the British kids how to play Admiral's Tea Party, a very energetic, competitive game something akin to Simon Says. I loved it, and I will probably get to lead more tomorrow! (Not everyone will understand how big a deal this is to me. Admiral's Tea Party was our absolute favorite game at highschool, and we joke that it will take over the world. Sarah Faust already taught it to some kids in Australia.)

Daffodils
I was on the Tube, and I noticed several people wearing little daffodils on their coats (not real ones, silk ones). Finally, I asked a gentleman about it (I know, I broke the no talking rule) and he told me that they were for Marie Curie Month (March) and that people who had lost someone to cancer or knew someone struggling with cancer wore a daffodil in their honor all month. I think this is a beautiful tradition, and I thanked the gentleman for sharing it with me. I think he liked that I asked.

Narwhal Tally
For whatever reason, I keep seeing narwhal tusks everywhere (remember the one in Warwick Castle in my second post?). I have decided to keep a tally of all the tusks I have seen. So far: 6.

Canadian Tally
Partly inspired by my narwhal tally, I am also keeping a tally of how many times little British school children ask me "Are you Canadian?" No. No I am not. Canadian inquiries so far: 8.

Elevator Doors
The doors to the elevators (sorry, lifts) at the Tube station Elephant and Castle make noises like toy ray guns when they open or close. This amuses me immensely.

Brits Kick Ass at Cake
'Nuf said.

Ground Turkey
Can't find it anywhere. Ground chicken is also hard to find, and when found, very expensive. I'm not entirely sure what to make of this, but my nachos taste different . . .

Conserve?
British grocery stores just puzzle me in general. I wanted jam, and the closest thing was "Strawberry Conserve." Actually very tasty, but of a consistency closer to what a southerner would call "preserves" than jelly or jam.

Orange Bits
The orange juice carton says "No Bits" instead of "No Pulp." This makes incredible sense linguistically (I mean, pulp is just bits of orange) but still one of those things that makes you stop and say "Wow. I am in another country."

Doorknobs in the Middle of Doors
I didn't know that was real! I thought it was made up for Hobbiton! But they're all over the place in London.

Well, that's all for now. Hope it was mildly entertaining.