Tragedy Strikes: The U.S. Government Shuts Down and My New Coffee Maker is Broken

Hello, dear readers!  If you have ears, you know that the American government shut down a few days ago.  I picked a really good time to go abroad, just saying.  In addition to this calamity, the coffee maker that my fellow caffeine-addict-flat mates and I bought yesterday is broken.  We paid £12 for it.  *Sigh* Obviously, I’ve had a trying few days.  No caffeine AND my government is shutting down because it can’t decide how to spend money it doesn’t have.  Talk about a rough life.

On to happier subjects – earlier today I took my morning exercise along Great Stour Way, which is a scenic path that captures the beauty of the countryside.  I left at 7:30am and came back an hour later.  It was a wonderful start to my day.  I wish I had taken my camera!  It was absolutely beautiful.  The path follows a river that is teeming with wildlife; I saw many different types of birds, fish, some cattle, and a few rodents.  As I ventured down the path, I pictured myself as Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.  Kinda silly, I know, but the breathtaking view reminded me of Lizzie’s walk to Netherfield to visit her sister (at least, that is what I imagine the view to look like). The English countryside is so peaceful and serene.  I was fortunate enough to see it at sunrise, when the sun comes lightly upon the land, and the trees seem to soar into the distant horizon. The shadows are hardly shadows at all, but more like vapors that melt into the sunlight.  Dew drops highlight intricate spider webs woven into the country fences.  When the sunlight first touches the river, it glistens and glows like a shimmery piece of fabric.  Okay, I’m getting carried away…

 

This is how I felt this morning... except I wasn't trying to read and walk at the same time.  And I wasn't in a dress.

I felt lonely without Riley, my dog who always accompanies me on walks back home.  So many people have dogs here, but they are usually mutts and they are rarely on leashes.  The residents of Canterbury leash their children more than they leash their dogs, I’m completely serious.  I’m still getting used to it.

While I’m on the subject, I should talk about the way I’ve been pronouncing “Canterbury” or the way everyone in the U.S. pronounces “Canterbury.”  A few of my British friends have corrected me on this so I’m trying to be more conscious of the way I say it.

Americans:  CAN-er-bear-ee

Brits:  CAHNT-bur-eh

Somehow, the second syllable disappears when the British say “Canterbury.”  I can’t explain why, but it just sounds right when they say it.  I suppose our pronunciation of the word is offensive because we’re changing the way it’s traditionally spoken. 

Speaking of offensive, yesterday a group of us Americans were coming back from class together.  We were walking through the subway and apparently we were walking too slowly because some British chick went past us and muttered “F-ing Americans!  Go back to f-ing America!”  (Just to clarify, she said the actual swear word, but I don’t want to write that out here) Yiiikes. 

Anyway, I have nothing else to report.  Today is going to be pretty chill.  I have to make an Aldi run with a few of my friends, then get ready for the International Students’ party tonight at Chill, a local nightclub.  Tomorrow, the weekend begins!  I couldn’t be more excited to travel to London and then Wales! 

Oh, and I finally bought a blow dryer.  Finally.  Best investment of this trip so far.  Hopefully it lasts longer than my coffee maker. :(

R.I.P.  Wilkinson’s Coffee Maker – We never made a cup of coffee with you, but it was nice to know that you had a reusable filter.  You will be missed for the caffeine you never produced. 

 

Caffeine-deprived but still alive,

– K

 

 

BRITISH WORDS OF THE DAY:

barmy - mad, insane, or crazy.  It's your call.

cheeky - saucy or sassy