Avebury, Stonehenge, and Rain ... oh my!

Blogging is not as simple as most people think.  Each week when I sit down to blog I have a million and one things I want to discuss but all I ever talk about is me!  Believe it or not, I really have a lot of other things I would like to blog about as well - mostly what is going on in the world of politics, our failing economy, and current events in Europe.  However, since everyone probably reads about all that other stuff on (somewhat?)reputable news sources (my drug is still cnn.com) I guess I will save those topics of discussion for another time!  Or via email if anyone is so inclined ::grins::

So this past week has already whizzed by!  I completed my first week of classes at UWS, tried my hand at fencing, and went to Avebury and Stonehenge on Saturday.  As can be expected, my classes involve A TON of reading and discussion.  On average I will be devouring about 2-3 novels a week - plus small snippets here and there.  The most enjoyable class will be Ironic Romantics primarily because we are reading Jane Austen and Lord Byron.  I have read most of Austen's novels, but not all, so I finally get the chance to read the rest and have discussions on them!  My Romantics class is not so involved - mostly because it is lecture based not a seminar - and the teaching style is very different then in the states.  With lecture based classes students write notes and teachers do not ask for student participation.  This is because they have a lot material to get through and questions tend to slow things down.  With seminar classes (two of mine are like this) the class is ONLY student discussion with the teacher doing very little lecturing.  I enjoy the mix.  It will be a very unique and awesome experience, I function so much better through independent study.

My first day of fencing practice was very hard!  For an hour we literally RAN around the gym, exercised and did stretches.  Then for 2 hours we started footwork, stances, and tried on all the gear for lunging, thrusting, and parrying.  I had a slight advantage over some people because I am use to standing "like a dancer" with my feet at a 90 degree angle, however, I am not use to staying like that for 2 hours so my legs and groin muscles were very sore afterwards.  I will probably attend practices each Wednesday and Saturday unless I have events planned.  After 10 months I'm going to have thighs and buns of steel!!! =)

Yesterday we ventured to Avebury and Stonehenge.  Avebury is protected by the National Trust in the UK because it is the world's largest neolithic monument and henge.  I suggest Googling Avebury to learn more about its history, it really is amazing!  It was absolutely FRIGID in both places, which is why we are so bundled up!  I am thankful I remembered to wear my waterproof hiking boots, warm fleece, rain slicker, and my gloves and hat!  I stayed relatively toasty, but many people were under dressed and freezing.  

And yes, RAIN!  You can't really tell but it was raining at Stonehenge!  It was raining all day Saturday after we left Avebury actually.  It is nice out now but it'll start raining again soon until thursday.  My umbrella broke so I'll need to purchase another one soon (it was crappy anyways).  

Besides school, I will be attending an international party and pub quiz on thursday and friday is bowling night!  Should be fun!