Goodbye USC

Although I have not been as up to date as I perhaps intended with this blog over the year I hope it has proved somewhat informative to those interested in what I’ve been up to.

The time came on Wednesday to pack up my room and say goodbye to USC and South Carolina. It has truly been a life changing year. From the people I’ve met and experiences I’ve had to the places I’ve visited, there has not been a dull moment in the past nine months. I am still as infatuated with the American culture as I was before (how some might say, but each to their own). I’ve drank beer with red necks and tanned with sorority girls, debated politics and recited the words “Harry Potter” and “cheerio” until the cows came home. I’ve survived a hurricane, an earthquake and dodged a tornado. I’ve eaten grits, okra and a whole load of corn bread and lets not forget the numerous times people have tried to “save” me.

Although I leave the Bible Belt, the chivalrous gentlemen, the Sirs and Ma’am’s and not to mention forty degree weather I still have a lot to experience as I head to the north west, starting in Chicago.

I cannot wait for mum to come out and to finish this amazing year with her, although I’m sure she’ll remark on my adoption of American English. From trash to cell phone, gas to store I hope it won’t take long to lose these Americanisms.

But here’s to the next set of adventures and with my last night in the South I can only hope you all have a blessed day.

Rocking The Rodeo

This week the Cowboys came into town and my friend and I went to check out the talent... and by that I mean experience a real southern rodeo.

It was such a fun night with lots of country music, cowboy hats and real southern rednecks. It also gave me no desire to take up this sport as all I can say is OUCH!

Operation Meet Obama: Failed

The start of second semester has bought the Republican primaries right to my front door, which unfortunately meant no Obama. Instead we were visited by Republican hopefuls, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich.

www.postsecret.com

Could this be the reason behind Gingich’s surprising victory in the South Carolina primaries this week?

Writing a post about politics may not be a wise decision but as I’m writing about my experiences in the States here goes.

Living in the heart of the American South gives me little diversity among Republicans and Democrats but does make for some lively and interesting southern studies lectures. Without getting into the nitty gritty debates on Obama, healthcare, economy etc. I do want to comment on the fact that the first of the primaries took place in South Carolina this week and their outcome was somewhat surprising.

All I’ve read about for the past two weeks here in South Carolina, whether in the State Newspaper or the Daily Gamecock, has been about the South Carolina primaries. It seems many Politian’s, especially those attempting to take on Obama for the Whitehouse, see South Carolina as very important. Statistics have shown that since 1980 the candidate who wins in South Carolina goes on to win the party nomination and therefore will go head to head against Obama as republican nominee this coming November. Thus many were a little worried to hear that Newt Gingrich took the victory with 41% of the vote.

So let’s all give a cheer for man of the hour Newt Gingrich... or let’s not. Apart from his uncanny resemblance to Dwight Shrute from The Office in his earlier days (see picture below) and this recent win in South Carolina there is little else going for Gingrich and his campaign. The fact that following his role in the governments shut down in 1995 – 96 there were 84 ethics charges filed against him or the fact that Clinton received higher approval ratings than Gingrich following his Lewinski scandal in the 1998 which subsequently led to his resignation as speaker of the house should surly be indicators that perhaps Presidency is not for Newt. Oh and let’s not even talk about his name. Not only was there his past history within government which went against Gingrich but there were numerous personal attacks thrown around the public platform to try and deter voters, all of which had seemingly little affect.

I’m not saying that had I been eligible to vote that I would be willing to vote for any of the other candidates, I am merely suggesting that out of the four Gingrich could have quite possibly have been the worst choice.

Being present during this political spectacle it has become clear that American politics is a dirty game of slander, personal attacks and live TV debates during with the nation watch on, waiting for public embarrassment or the opportune moment to delve into a nominees personal life. I have to admit there was a terrible curiosity to watch Rick Perry forget his own plan during the GOP debates, and watch again in disbelief when he forgot both the voting date and age. But for Gingrich it seems that not even a last minute attack from an ex-wife over his alleged desire for an open marriage could bring him down.

The rest of the primaries will be interesting to follow and you never know it could be President Newt Gingrich, 45th President of the United States, being sworn into office a year from now.

And on the bombshell (in the words of Clarkson) the Politian’s move on to Florida to begin the drama all over again.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2089497/Separated-birth-Uncanny-resemblance-young-Newt-Gingrich-The-Offices-Dwight-Schrute.html

A Severe Case of Wanderlust

Term is rapidly coming to an end here in South Carolina and if I could sum up in one word the past few months here it would be Wanderlust…

In that I seem to have a severe case of it. The absence from this blog has been in most part due to my inability to stay in one place for more than a week or so. Since leaving you last I have been to Washington D.C, the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia and Tennessee. I have become very aware of my desire to be on a constant voyage of discovery, to visit new places and meet new people. Whilst I am thoroughly enjoying my studies here at USC they are not what have shaped my time here in America so far. It has not been the fact that I can recite the history of the past 20 Presidents or being able to engage in a debate on whether reconstruction and race relations have succeeded or failed since 1864, but it is the travels I have gone on and the people I have met who have made this semester some of the best months of my life.

Anyhow enough of the sentiment and onto the real deal, where I went, what I did and who I saw.

Washington D.C

So a few months ago I travelled with three friends to the Capital City itself. We visited all the touristy places along the Washington Mall; the State Capitol, Lincoln memorial, (If there is one thing Washington does well its erecting some of the most beautiful and thought out memorials and monuments ), American History Museum (I can still geek up whilst travelling!) and my personal favourite the White House. Although we were a little disappointed that there was work being done on the water feature between the Lincoln and Washington Memorial. At least it didn’t say “closed for refurbishment” and we could still get the view from both.

My favourite part of this trip however was exploring Georgetown. A small, compact and walkable district with a distinct European feel. Some shops brought me right back to London and even the British highstreet with Zara, H & M and even Jack Wills! I was in my element and had a lovely afternoon shopping and browsing, okay more browsing than shopping... I hate being a student, especially one abroad!

The prize for restaurant of the Semester, or should I say Café, goes to La Madeline. A traditional French café, we stopped here for a coffee but could have stayed all afternoon. It was continuing the European flare with quiche and pastries and had a lovely atmosphere, something which I have missed among the sports bars and rather generic grills that seem to define American dining. Sometimes I don’t want to watch sports, look at license plates and drink soda... finding a bit of class in America is like being in a thrift store, you have to look past all the tack to get to the good stuff.

Blue Ridge Mountains, GA

My next adventure was a spontaneous weekend trip up to the Blue Ridge Mountains although I’m not sure you can really call them mountains, more like rolling hills, but with the leaves starting to turn golden it was b.e.a.utiful! Ten of us stayed in a lovely cabin complete with pool table, fire pit and hot tub and although not a particularly busy weekend we did fit in a walk to the waterfalls. In general though we just enjoyed a relaxing weekend away. Highlight of the trip was finally getting to try a smore (biscuit, chocolate and roasted marshmallows) downside of the trip.. realising I really don’t like smores!

I would like to point out (for the purpose of my parents reading this) that although I have had some great trips and travels over the past few months I have still been working hard… okay disclaimer in I can now continue..

Oak Ridge, TN

Lastly this past week I was invited by my friend Kate to celebrate Thanksgiving at hers in Tennessee. Although I was not feeling so great on the car ride up due to a very well celebrated 21st birthday the night before once there I had a great time! I would also like to interject at this point and say we stopped by a Southern staple, Cracker Barrel, on our journey... I had heard only great things about this place, their breakfast in particular and I must say it wasn’t bad!

Anywho back to the week.

Kate lives in a real mountain home complete with veranda, rocking chairs and stone fire place, it was great to be in a homey environment and sit on a proper comfy sofa! Her parents, Pam and Hal, treated us to some great home cooked meals and made us very welcome. For Thanksgiving itself we ate a hearty dinner at her grandparents which her grandmother had made historically traditional in light of us international visitors. A decision which did lead to a in depth debate as to whether potatoes could be served as whilst not traditional to the first pilgrims dinner a great side dish to turkey... unfortunately the potatoes lost out this time but despite this the meal was delicious! Other than Thanksgiving we toured downtown Knoxville, ate at a “British Pub” and visited the Museum of Appalachia. All in all a fabulous week!

And that brings us up to date where now I am in the midst of finals and spending my days in the library wishing away the days ‘til my next adventure a Christmassy visit to New York City with the brother!

But that will have to wait for another post which I hope won’t be as late as this one!

Boarder Retreats

As ever life at here in Columbia has been as hectic as ever! Not that I’m complaining I absolutely LOVE it but I have been a little MIA from campus as Mum and Dad came to visit, so this blog post will be a quick catch up on the past two weeks and our travels to the boarders of South Carolina.

The best thing about having the parents come out and visits (other than the lovely restaurants and little shopping trips) is having a car! Whilst the campus itself is walkable and in a city, having a car to go off easily and explore was great and definitely helped with food shopping too!

Mum and Dad flew in and for the first weekend we headed up to Table Mountain on the boarder of North and South Carolina. There we stayed at The Table Mountain Inn where the lovely inn keeper Karen had made freshly baked cookies and apple cake upon our arrival. There were also other little touches such as handmade soap and knitted quilts. It was a lovely home away from home and something different from the bog standard Holiday Inn.

Although a little on the chilly side as Autumn decided to peak a little early we were able to do some walking trails. Whilst we skipped on the six hour hike up to the top of the mountain we took a three hour hiking trail down along the valley floor that ran parallel to the creek and saw the spectacular waterfall. It was great on the way down but I was very glad to see the car after we climbed back to the top! Whilst the scenery was beautiful and the hospitality unfaltering the surrounding towns were lackluster with little character and few restaurants. We spent an hour driving around trying to find something nice for dinner... only to end up one mile from the Inn at “Aunt Sues” which wasn’t the best.

For the second weekend we headed south to the boarder of Georgia to the historic city of Savannah. Established in 1733 it had a lot of significance in both the Revolutionary and Civil War (the history buff in me loved this!). During our day here we did a Segway tour, which was such a great way to see the city and very fun, as well as toured one of the historic houses. It is not as pretty or scenic as Charleston and is full of more touristy gimmicks and overpriced restaurants but still a good day out.

On our last day we headed down to Hilton Head Island which looked a little like Centre Parcs to me but is the more exclusive area of the State. Picture houses amongst the pine trees, tennis courts and quite a few people cycling around. Dad was happy as there was a habour and although it was only a brief stop we climbed the lighthouse and even saw some dolphins in the bay on our way out.

All in all it’s been a great two weeks and I’ve now pretty much covered all the main places in South Carolina. Next weekend is Fall Break so I’m moving further afield with a trip up to Washington DC with some friends, I can't wait! With all this traveling though I think maybe this weekend I should catch up on some work!

Fire Ants: The Red Devils

The Fire Ants was a nickname for South Carolina’s football team in the late 1980s, nicknamed due to their garnet colours and fiery defense they would "swarm the field like ants defending their turf".

This was an interesting fact that I happened to stumble across earlier this week, yet unfortunately it was not the football team that I was trying to research.

Coming to South Carolina I had been warned about the cockroaches. They usually come out at night and if you’re wearing flip-flops they will crawl over your feet. I had heard the stories my first week of the girl who found one in her shower and the ones that crawl into your sheets and under your doors. However gross they are I seem to be coping well and at least they aren’t spiders! I have probably seen around 50 cockroaches yet only one spider, life was going well on the insect front... but not for long, it seems I was not warned about the fire ants!

These little buggers have created some serious issues for me this week. It was Monday evening, I was just returning from class and I bump into a friend on the path home. Not wanting to be in anyone’s way we step to the side to continue our conversation. Approximately two or three minutes into the conversation I start to feel my feet burning as if they were on fire, no joke! To my horror I look down to find my feet covered in fire ants. After screaming and running to the grass on the opposite side of the path and frantically swiping at my tootsies (I'm going to admit I was FREAKING OUT!) I had to return for my flip-flops which were now also completely covered in ants. With my feet on fire and my friend trying to help me brush the rest of the ants off the realization came that alas I had been standing right smack bang in the middle of the fire ants nest. Needless to say I cut our conversation short in desperation to get to my antihistamine!

Two days later my feet are very red, very sore and itch like CRAZY! Each fire ant will bite several times and release venom which causes the intense burning sensation. My week has consisted of a lot of antihistamine, sleepless nights and left some very unattractive welts. Only native to the Southern States of the USA I should have considered New England and gotten as far from these nippers as possible!

I guess spiders really are the least of my worries here!

This One Time at Band Camp…

Oh yes it’s an American Pie reference, arguably (and I use that term loosely) the most authentic film to American college life there is with its portrayal of the college band no exception. Football here is huge but so is the band and don’t I know it. My room happens to be located next to the bands practice field and let me tell you they practice a lot! Nothing can describe the experience of studying and falling asleep to sleep to the sound of a 100 man marching band.. so here is a video: