After weeks of unseasonably amazing weather, the Northern England chill has finally arrived in all it’s flurry. It’s cold, quite cold actually, and it’s just getting started.  Which is bad news for me, you see, I am in the middle of a war with the heating company. The imperialist swine wish to charge me $60 a month for very rarely using my gas heat.  I fight back by wearing a coat, scarf, and hat while I’m at home, with the occasional bit of scotch when it’s particularly cold. 

As I explained my situation to my English friends hoping for moral support they only retorted with: “welcome to a country that doesn’t use oil like water!” and further proceeded to recite facts and figures about how the US consumes more oil than almost all other countries combined.  So much for brethren to my cause… It is amazing though, how much we take for granted the price of oil and gas in the States. Here a gallon of gas would cost you on average around $7.50-8.00.  A gallon!  It makes $3.10 a gallon seem much, much, more affordable somehow.

 I found solace however after watching Withnail & I, an English cult classic comedy about two out of work actors. I delighted to see them bundled in their own home, going out for tea and staying far too long just to enjoy the free heat, etc. And as I clanked around on the keys of my typewriter I couldn’t help but feel like I was actually living the English adventure I had imagined before I came. I wanted to be poor and scrounging for ideas to make the best of it. And not only am I living it, but I’m loving it. I know that may sound crazy, but I think when you don’t have much you really appreciate what is more important. And here I can keep my focus.

That is not so say however that my focus isn’t exactly always where it should be. Currently I should be focusing on French because quite frankly I’m rubbish at it. I even went as far to get a tutor who, as politely and innocently as she could muster, suggested that I learn Spanish instead. I also tried watching French films so as to hear the language more but after a few I had to be honest with myself in knowing I was watching them for entertainment and not actually learning from it. It’s just that there is so much that I view as an adventure. I love going out and exploring different parts. Or trying the heavenly seasonal goodies from bakeries like: mince pies with a large dollop or brandy butter, or marzipan teacakes, or burnt toffee pudding. With so much to see and learn about the English culture who has time for French?

Fear not though Grandma, or mom, or anyone else who would lecture me on my academics, I am doing great in all my other classes. And I’m not going to give up on French! After all, how could I sweep Audrey Tautou off her feet if I can’t even speak the language?