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!

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!

Don't All Rush At Once: Bid Day @ USC

Being in a sorority or fraternity are big deals here at USC. The Greek Life has a big presence on campus and over 1000 girls began the process of rushing this year.

If none of this makes sense, don't worry I had no idea what a sorority, rushing or bid day was until about 2 weeks ago when my housemate told me she would be rushing this year.

A brief overview; a sorority or fraternity is a group of guys or girls who have common interests and who organize social events, charity fundraisers and parties.

To be in one of these groups you have to "rush" which is a two week process where each rushee will view the Greek houses (where the richest of the sorority or frat members live) and talk to each group at various functions. At the end of the two weeks the girls (frats are far to cool for this kind of event) find out which sorority they have gotten into and attend Bid Day. Just a note, not all girls make it and can be dropped from the process if none of the groups want them.. its quite a harsh and judgmental process and to top it off you have to pay for the privilege of both rushing and then joining. Its not a cheap way to make friends!

Finally at the end of the process you have Bid Day where the girls adorn their new Greek letters and do the historic run through the horseshoe here on campus.
It is a crazy event with lots of screaming, cheering, singing and whistle blowing. I've never seen anything like it.. luckily my housemate got into the sorority she wanted (Phi Mu) and we got to see her Bid Day run!

Here is a video I took of Bid Day at USC 2011:

To view in HD click the 320 icon at the bottom of the player and select 720.

News Flash: Irene Is Raging

First an earthquake and now a hurricane, the east coast is getting a real battering from Mother Nature this week. No sooner had the excitement of the earthquake abated but serious weather warnings and talk of evacuating coastal regions of South Carolina became the new topic of conversation. Hurricane Irene was approaching and was heading right for us.

Yet it would seem that luck (for us anyway) was on our side as Irene has narrowly missed South Carolina and headed north, hugging the North Carolinian coast. The city of Charlotte, a mere 2 hours from Columbia, has experienced severe flooding and seen the first three victims of this raging storm which occurred due to falling debris. North Carolinas outer banks have been greatly affected by 8ft storm surges which have flooded most of the low lying banks.

With a hurricane so close by there has definitely been a change of weather here in Columbia, the blazing summer heat has been dramatically softened by cloud cover and although no rainfall there has been a swift wind filling the air. The only real physical sign has been the clouds over head racing by at an unbelievable speed. It is hard to imagine the destruction being caused so close by.

It was a close call but thankfully here at USC we have not been affected by the weather. I sincerely hope Irene begins to lose momentum before destroying anymore cities in her path.

It is safe to say that nature has definitely welcomed me to the States and reminded me that we may complain about the rain in England but at least we don’t have to contend with super storms and seismic activity!

I am clearly not in England anymore!

News stories covering Irene s destruction:
http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/saturday-morning-reports-hurricane-irene-va-nc
http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/08/27/tropical.weather/index.html?iref=BN1

Destination: USC

The time has come, the wait is over and after a night of contemplation at the prospect of spending a year of my life at the University of South Carolina, I can safely say that I am VERY excited. There is a saying that, "If you can’t change your fate, change your attitude" and whilst it may have been my third choice, and not one which I made easily, I am confident that South Carolina is the place for me! Well that and the fact that I’m going there now so I just need to man up and start getting excited for what will undoubtedly be the most amazing year of my life thus far.

The University of South Carolina (or USC) is in the heart of the American South, with colonial charm, a beautiful campus and southern hospitality it will surely be a year of cultural and enriching experiences.

The countdown has officially begun and with only 244 days to go (not that I'm counting!) there is so much to plan and organise to make my time in the US incredible. Follow my blog and my adventure to see how my year unfolds.