LIVERPOOL PICTURES!!

Liverpool was so amazing and had lots of culture! It's a lovely city and we had lots of fun there :)

The Cavern Club

So I went to the Cavern Club and it was AWESOME!!!! It was underground, not to well ventilated, kinda dark, all brick, with a little tiny stage... and it was just amazing! Although it is only a replica of the original where the Beatles played... it looked just like I imagined it would. it was very small and therefore very crowded- and there were quite a few drunk people screaming and dancing around (especially when the band played Twist and Shout! whoo hoo!) Overall though- it was a very cool place. The Beatles are ALL over Liverpool! It's awesome but also a bit wearing! Its hard going into a shop and liking every shirt, poster, snow globe, mug, etc. It was very cool though. Oh the Beatles... they were so good... I am so glad I got to go to Liverpool. I also went to the Beatles Story museum the next weekend which was pretty much amazing! I wasn't so sure how awesome it would be but it definitally exceeded all my expectations! It was so much fun! You have on headphones and you press buttons and then you get to hear all kinds of different interesting facts and interviews...it was soo cool! After I got home that night I set my IPod to Beatles and cranked out the tunes for an hour or two :) I will always have a speical place in my musical heart for John Paul George and Ringo. :)

CHESTER BASKETBALL!!!

So I am on the women's basketball team for the University of Chester!! I went to my first practice today! It felt so good to play! I don't know if many have the girls have been playing long but they seem alright! It will be fun at least - and I think i get a cool jumper that will say Chester Womens Basketball. Anyways I am supppeerrr excited about playing competitve basketball again- we don't have too many games left but thats fine! I had my first practice today and realized how out of shape I am! there were only 4 girls there so we ran pretty much the whole 2 hours! Tomorrow we have a fitness day and so we will see how that goes (going good would equal me not passing out!) I am really excited about this opportunity though! I am so glad I get to play! YAY!! We have a game Wednesday - I'll let you know how it goes!! Sorry I'm behind on the postings- So many things have happened I haven't had much time- but I have a few experience to tell you all about! Untill then - cheers!

First trip to Liverpool- first half of the day

So many things have happened since the 14th! I should have kept better track. Well not too many exciting things have happened... but the best was definitally my first English adventure to LIVERPOOL!!!!!
Okay so-- i am way behind and have now been to liverpool twice but this entry is dedicated to trip # 1!

Deanna and I got up early and headed out to the train station! We got there and got our tickets, which was weird becusae there were so many ticket things to pick up! After that we got some coffee (well i got a smoothie De got coffee) and headed to the platform. When we got the gate thingy to put our tickets in though I realized I hadn't grabbed all my ticket things so i was like shoot! I didn't have my ticket that was Chester to Liverpool but I had my Liverpool to Chester one so I just showed the guys and they were like "hmmm okay" and the some other guy was like oh yea I found your ticket in the machine so- disaster avoided!

We got on the train and it was a lovely ride into Liverpool. Deanna and I just talked about theater and high school- it was good. Then we were there! YAY! So we got out of the station and walked down the street in search of a garbage can. We came up to a main intersection and the view of everything was just amazing! Liverpool is a lovely city! on our right we had some massive buildings... and we had no idea what they were but they were cool! And then ahead of us was the port and it was just perfect. We walked down to the water and took some pictures, then headed to our first stop - Albert Dock! We got there and it really is just spectacular!

On Albert Dock the first place we went was a free museum and it was soo cool! Except they had this ship exhibit and had a bit that was decorated to look like an old cobble stone street and a scary ship and Deanna was to scared to go through it ... okay i was a bit freaked out myself. they had creepy statue people all over it! They also had some really fun iteractive parts of the exhibit that we played. there was this one and you had to steer a ship and i accidentally crashed with another boat! :) oops! Deanna did better.

Then we went to the Tate art gallery. They had a really cool interactive exhibit at the time called the fifth floor. it was fun- there was a chalk wall and games and a guy named Ben who we talked to about finances and then got two pounds from the front desk after telling him the password Ben gave us.
Then we just dillydalleyed around Albert dock popping into little shops- and I was completely overwhelmed by all the AMAZING beatles merchandise! It was all sooooo cool! I have never seen that much beatles stuff (untill this weekend when I went to the Beatles Story Museum... wow). Anyways- that was our first half of the day.

International Bowling!

I was silently sitting at dinner pondering what to do for the evening. I turn to Deanna and inquire after her plans, " I dunno yet?" hmmm THEN memory does it's job and Deanna says in an almost panic stricken voice, "Hey? Aren't we going bowling tonight?" I feel my eyes widen and I scan the cantene for a clock...5:30... that is way to eary to be going bowling. I relax as I realize we hadn't missed it ( we had after all made a 3 pound deposit!). We can't figure out what time we were meant to go so Deanna and I head out of dinner early. We get back, freshen up, and then go out for out evening of bowling!
We walked to the alley which was nice. It was a warmish night and it wasn't cloudy which was a pleasant change. I met a german boy, a Finnish girl and boy, a french girl, and a german girl. There were a few others there but I didn't get to meet everyone. I ended up bowling with the Finnish girl and the german girl who were already friends. They were very nice!
We bowled- and I did horendously bad. It was pitiful. I who have gone bowling about 30 times in my life did way worse than everyone else who had gone maybe four times? I got a 41 my first game! I know it's embarassing but just so you know how bad it was. My second game i got a 73 so I improved at least. ANYWAYS- it was fun watching people's bowling habits. One noteworthy one was the German boy. He was on the lane next to us and it seemed, to me at least, that everytime he got a strike he would swing around and flip off his group with a sort of "yyea! in your face!" kind of thing. Everytime.
The most interesting part of evening though had to be the music videos. My friend Jordan was in the UK and I read his blog and he made an entry about this channel they watch in the UK that just plays awful music videos- one after the other. I was trying to imagine this and couldn't- how could it be that bad!? I don't know if this was the same channel or not... but it was that bad. The music sounded okay- it was sort in the back ground- but on every lane and a projection screen on the back wall- they were playing these music videos that were just... ridiculously awful in pretty much every aspect. Most of them looked like they were from 80's early 90's... but who can be sure.
There was one that I wrote down becuase it was just so bizarre I didn't want to forget it. It started with a scene of some sad/bored looking party goes standing..on a roof I think. THEN there is like a shooting star/comet thing coming towards them and it turns out to be ... you guessed it- A Dairy Truck!! (??????????) So I am gawking at the screen wondering what in the world could happen next and then the side door of the truck opens and a little dwarf man wearing a tye dye shirt, jacket, and sailor captain hat hops out and invites the party goers inside. Once in- there is a party going on! It's like a rave with crazy lights and dancing. Then everyone piles back out and the truck takes back off into space and you see a few guys squashed against the glass in a Bill and Tedesque sort of way... and thats it. Wow.

JIVE! and silliness

So coming over I was quite sad because (among other reasons) I didn't know if I would get to go dancing at all! Well other than club dancing which doesn't really count... anyways, I just happened to ask exactly the right girl on my hall "do you guys go dancing here- like swing?" and the answer was YES. After going I feel like she is like one out of four people on the entire campus who would have had that answer because once we got there I think that there were about 10 people there under the age of thirty and most were probably well into middle-age. The setting was ideal though! The architecture in England is so unbelievably amazing! I always take my time and gawk over everything and my friends don't understand. They can't appereciate it like people from elsewhere can because all of these old fantastic structures are part of the everyday for them. Anyways - it was in a very old beautiful chuch. I read outside on a plaque that it had been used as a Church for a long time and was now a meeting hall and back in the day had been used to put on the Mystery plays! Soooooo cool! Anyways after we walk through the abanoded streets of Chester ( that was odd- every other time i've been it in town the streets have been packed!) we make it too this beautiful hall. Things got going pretty quick and there was a short lesson and then we just danced! It was only a little frustrating because Jive is different than the Swing I know- but overall it was just amazing! Sooo fun! The picture is of Sam and Rachel. They are both pretty good! Anyways- I got a free pass and I think I am going to go again! Maybe bring some more chaps from our hall- dancing with 50 + year old men is okay but it's not quite as ... quick paced maybe... Anyways- yay for Jive!
ON yea- and the silliness- so afer we came back from Jive I thought it would be fun to make a music video! So... we all pile in my room and start beling out don't stop me now!! With the music in tbe background and it sounded terrible becuase we were to loud for the microphone- so we decide lip singing is better- but thats awkward to do in front of a bunch of people... so... we all took turns making our own "music video"s!!! :) they are very silly and have made great memories for me to carry home with me. Jenna sang Say a Little Prayer, Sam did Hungry like the Wolf, I did Wannabe, Sarah did I'm a believer, Rachel did Fight for your right, and Jack did Fresh Prince of Bel Air. They are brill :D we were like dying w/laughter. So good. so good. If you wanna see them let me know. These Brits really are insane :) but I like them!

Tourist (?) in Chester!

So Deanna and I ( she is another American student from Chicago) decided we needed to be touristy and take some photos around Chester! Well- as it turns out- most of the gang hadn't done this yet either! So off we were! Our plan was to walk around the walls, and look at all the "chestery" stuff. So we braved the chill weather by bundling up and headed out to the tourist center! On the way we stopped to take pictures in those cute little red phone booths!

Anyways we went to the tourist center, sort of stood there... grabbed some little pamphlets... and left. We then decided a trip to the cathedral was in order! So we go in and think you know- its a chruch so its free or donation right? wrong. It was like 4 pounds so we just wandered around the gift store ( I saw some cute knight pj's I think iam gonna get isaac- they were so cool!) and left. That was the one and only tourist stop we made. After a few days of anticipation of our great journey out... we saw the gift store at the cathedral.

I just realized- look at my pictures- we did also take some pictures infront of the much famed second most photographed clock in England- we see this clock everyday when going into town- but we did the touristy thing and took way to many pictures of it :)

We then just walked about Chester and stopped at a restaurant and I had some breadsticks and some people got coffee drinks. Great tourists we make eh?

Are you okay?

Oh I just love the British style of the English Language. It’s so much fun! I remember one of my friends telling me they ask “are you okay”, in a casual sort of way. Yet, still- every time someone asks I feel as though they are very concerned. My first encounter with it came from one of the lovely cleaning women. She had a very thick accent and said to me as I walked out in the morning, “You okay luv?” and I was very confused and said “ yea. Yea, I’m totally fine…” in a sort of quick and awkward way. She and the other lady began to laugh uproariously as I felt the blood rush to my cheeks and I hurried out the door.
Then- it was everywhere! People are constantly asking “are you okay?” or “are you alright?” Even though it’s “casual” it always sounds to me like they are very concerned for my well-being. I have probably heard it about 50 times since I’ve been here and even though my gut reaction is still to assure them that I am perfectly well and ask “why- do I not look okay?” I have somehow managed to usually respond with a “fine- and you?” Some of the girls on my hall are especially accommodating and have taken to asking “How are you?” like we Americans do. J
It’s so much fun to learn to start to use the sort of slang that they do. I’ve already adopted “brill” into my vocabulary. I like that one a lot “brilliant” and “brill” are both very fun! They say “ace” and “mint” as well all meaning cool or neat. There are so many funny little differences I will have to write more later. The “are you okay?” one has just been the hardest one to get past. Every time! They like it of course, and think I’m silly and weird when I am like “yea? What why? Are YOU okay? Is everything alright? Ladeda.” But I am sure that I will soon grow accustomed to it and return to you all asking if you’re okay.

Oh – on a side note- Christian reminded me to remind you that sending mail here costs … oh no… I think it’s 94 cents maybe 95… But if you send me mail I will send you mail!

Wales!!

So I went to Wales yesterday. I must say though it was very anti-climatic. A few girls and I went to Tesco (kinda like their walmartish) because one girl is studying milk and had to look at a bunch of different types... and we needed some snacks for our rooms. Anyways- we shopped around for abit then after trudging across the black ice covered parking lot, gettin in the passenger seat ( on the left side)- we took off from Tesco. I was just bewildered by being on the other side of the car I had no idea what else was going on. SO we ended up driving out and taking a wrong turn! I had no idea it was wrong- I was just looking at everything this side of Chester had to offer! All the cars were parked half on the curb- there was a jaguar car store... la de da... eventually someone in the back calls out "Hey- I think we've gone the wrong way!" Sure enough - we had gone the wrong way- right into ANOTHER COUNTRY!! Kate's like- oh yes- we're in Wales. Of course at this information I freaked! I was like AH! I'M IN WALES! IT was like nine oclock and i couldn't see anything... but i was in WALES! That adds country number four to my list! We eventually turned around- with a bit of difficulty- and made our way safely back into England eventually finding the Uni. But I will never forget those brief and beautiful moments in wales. The moon was shining, the grass was green, car lights were passing, and the world seems good. Everything goes a bit slower in Wales you know? After my time spent there i realized there is nothing quite like that Welsh air in your lungs. Okay that last bit is rubbish... but i really have been to Wales now and I hope that was exciting to you as it was for me.
Cheers!

My room!

I have my own room en suite- so i have a bathroom too! here are some pictures! I also put one on it of a few things of Chester I think... anyways- here is where I am living and these are some girls on my hall who are very sweet :)

French Patisserie!

Okay so I wrote this one in the airport in France about one of the best things I have ever eaten.

Wow. So I wanted a croissant. That was really all that I wanted from France. One flaky, doughy, light as air, croissant. So when I spy the airport eatery with some kind of very organic name,I start to thinking- this is my chance! I called my parents after about twelve failed attempts (I kept putting the credit card in upside down) and informed them that I was alive and well. Even though it was two in the morning their time, they sounded bright and chipper- I don’t know how well they were sleeping knowing their little girl was thousands of feet above the Atlantic at negative 60 degrees Fahrenheit. After the too brief phone call, I regain my focus- croissant. I spring up the steps as best I can with my ridiculously handicapped carry-on (the poor thing is missing one of its stands, so I usually put my foot under that side to hold it in place) and am face to face with the small food shoppe. I glace over all they have to offer- water, juice, pastrys, pizza… dread clouded over my elated dreams as I followed the ten foot long bar of food back and forth. Then reality was upon and I realized that this FRENCH little food place thingy, did not have that which I had longed for. Dejected I placed my eye on the cheapest water they had (it was still 2.50 Euro or something ridiculous like that). It bore the brand of Nestle, which was happily familiar. Then I headed over to pay. But before I got to the line, something sparked in my memory. Pastry’s… French Patisseries… were very… French! Eureka! Magnifique! I had my answer. Really who likes croissants anyways when you can have a delicate, sweet, and oh so French raspberry tart. I hurried back to the small plate- noticing also a bowl of fruit- knowing it would be the healthier choice- yet my insides screamed TART! I impatiently waited behind a balding Frenchman to get my delicacy. I almost shoved him out of the way just to ensure that one of these perfect little morsels could be mine! Finally, I got it, paid, and am now sitting in an orange airport chair looking at the bright red and orange carpet and admiring the French voice over the loud speakers totally enjoying my tart like there is no tomorrow. I don’t think I have enjoyed eating something so much in a long while. It is like… cheesecakey but not so rich but more delicate. It is perfect. Well- I still have a good four bites left, and Scarlett O’Hara is waiting for me to get back to her too. Au Revoir! Vive Le France!!

Library

Hm. I have written a post of two for you all to enjoy but they are sadly on my computer. I have been having to sneakily get on the computers in the library. I have to ask other students to sign me in and they usually are a bit leary about doing so. It's working out okay though. There are a lot of technical problems. The library is fine though. I usually hop over with another american girl and we figure out how to sneak our way on as best as possible. I don't think this secret agent act will have to go on much longer though.
I am so excited about being here! The city of Chester is amazing!!! Its soo compact and friendly. I have been into town soooo many times! The campus is extremely close and it makes for a nice easy trip. My room is quite lovely too- no roommate which is nice- but I do miss Jill :).
My card isn't working for meals either. There is one nice lady who remindes me a bit of Lauretta who just seems to want to make sure i get some food. Then there are two british men who seem to take it as a personal offence that the system has not entered all my information as of yet. It's all getting sorted out though.
There is just a quick update! I am mostly over any sort of jet lag- the only thing really waking me up anymore is the sound of hollering freshman boys after they have had a few too many! It's really a lovely place. I can't wait till I can get some pictures up!
Miss you all!!
OHH! And my address isn't what i said it was
here it is:

Tamara McGough
University of Chester
Astbury House
Parkgate Road
Chester, England UK
CH1 4BJ

that should do it! Please write me if you can! I have bought postage stamps today and if I get a letter from you I can almost ensure a response! Miss you all! Hope everything is well with everyone. :)

Paris and Chester!

Yay! So I made it!! It is lovely! I never did get super nervous like I thought I would. Like I did when I first went to college. My stomach made it fine.
I got on the plane and there was a nice american man sitting next to me. We said Hello and he went to watching mamma Mia and sex in the City while i cruised through almost four whole movies ( Eagle Eye, Mrs. Doubtfire, Scoop, and Ghost Town) it was not a bad flight but my backs a bit sore. 11 hours. THEN I was in FRANCE! It was the funniest landing experience i've ever had. We get on the ground and instead of going to a docking station... we drive aroud for like 20 minutes!!! it was sooo funny. I was like "there's the airport!! and.. oh there it goes.... again..." Also, i saw the cutest little bunny... right in a feild inbetween two runways!!! i was like run rabbit! get out of here! it was odd. Then as we drove around, we went over the freeway a few times... that was very strange. they have runways that overpass main traffic roads! oh france. The airport was nice- and very big- and there were a lot of people speaking french! I coundn't understand a lick of it. but it was fine.
Anyways i might right more abotu what i have done in the first two days later but this is mostly so you all know I am at chester and am perfectly safe. it is cold here but nothing compared to spokane! I wore a sweater and my cardigan and have been fine. Anyways- i dont have my computer up and running yet so i am at the library and the shift key is in a odd spot so I think i will be done for now! but know that i miss you all.
WRITE ME PLEASEEEE!!! i will write you too :)

Tamara McGough
University of Chester
Parkgate Road
Chester, England UK
CH1 4BJ

there it is! email is always pleasant too: tmcgough11@whitworth.edu
hope to hear from you all soon!