SPRING BREAK

Spring Break. A much anticipated American experience.
What happens in the DR will stay in the DR - so this blog post, I'm afraid, will be brief.

We decided to hop on the Punta Cana bandwagon in the Dominican Republic with a bunch of girls from Tri Delt and some guys from Chi Phi and Pi Lam. There were probably about 50 of us in total. We stayed in an all-inclusive resort. We were expecting an up-scale Magaluf 2k11, but this really blew our minds. It was beautiful. The beach was sandy white and the sea, crystal clear.

We chilled, we had Fifty Shades story time, we had mojitos in the pool... the expected. On one morning we took a morning trip on a catamaran to go 'snorkelling'. I saw, perhaps, one fish. To be honest, I was too busy taking selfies on Olivia's GoPro in the sea.
After we swam around for a bit, we moored up in the sea and drank mamajuana, a local spirit brewed from red wine and rum. The result of this was some serious twerking from the Dominican guys on the boat, and some pretty excited guys on the boat..

The resort had some great restaurants, from gourmet to seafood...and of course an all-inclusive list of cocktails. We certainly made the most of that, storming our way in the evening, and Bloody Mary's in the morning. Some of us - no-names-mentioned-Olivia-Ball- maximized on the free drinks a little too much in the swim-up bar. If only this was caught on GoPro...

We didn't end up staying in the resort in the evenings. If anything, the resort wasn't quite trashy enough for us...probably the wrong thing to say, sorry Madre. We went to the Hard Rock club, Oro, one night which was sweet, and a club in a cave called Imagine. Bats and springbreakers both welcome.
The biggest drama I am afraid was down to one Irish gal who went missing.
The course of events went as followed:
1. Blanca wakes Olivia and Meri - running round like little blind men so confused.
2. Freaked out. Frantic texts.
3. Called police (chugged drinks).
4. Called American/Irish Embassy.
5. Skyped parents warning of extending trip in DR.
6. Caused a huge commotion in the hotel (drinking more).
7. Freaking more out about missing flight. Getting some cocktails in.
8. Nearly killing Emma as she strolled into the lobby.
9. Missed flight - Emma detained in Miami airport .
10. Caught flight. Finally in CH. The end.

Anyway, we were all alive and well, (actually not really 'well' - lost voices and a lot of recharging to happen in Asheboro at Liz's house...) All in all, a top trip, dramas aside. Back to Chapel Hill for 2 weeks of grind and Formal, then onto the next trip.... Ultra.
Here's a selection of pictures for your perusal.....

xoxoxoxoxo

Hola - it's been a while

Yep, I am alive.
Sorry been pretty MIA for the past 6 weeks on the blog - been so busy! It has flown by.

My, my it's good to be back. Chapel Hill feels like a second home. Or third, not sure how many I'm on now, 4th including the Boardman residence.

Aside from that.... So what's new in Chapel Hill? 
Well, I must start with a weather update, especially for those Northerners. It has been hot, cold, snowing, freezing... all within a day of each other.  We have had tornado warnings
There was the Duke Vs UNC basketball match which was crazy. It had to be postponed a week because of the snow, which just increased the anticipation for the big match. To give you an idea of the rivalry, Duke had won 42 games and UNC, 43. Anyway - I didn't have tickets to the actual game so I went to a bar to watch it, and when we won (oh hell yeah), we took Franklin Street by storm. I've never been so into a game, even if I was calling the 'baskets', 'goals' and the 'game' a 'match'... really need to get in there with the technical chat. It was mad. Right in the thick of it, there were people jumping over fires, chanting, people standing on lamp posts - you name it. Here are some pictures to give you the idea...

Tri Delt wise, we had a pancake dinner to raise money for charity- got ma flippin' on in the kitchen, Philly Stew taught me the art well, not gonna lie. #pro

People and weather: I've come to understand how they are linked. Of course people are not going to be friendly in the rain!!!!! Whyyyy would I stand in the sleet holding the door open for a rando behind me in England? I'm just not going to. Whereas here, of course, you do. In fact you probably go out of your way to open it, even if you aren't going in the same direction. Why? - because sun makes you happy. And in England/Scotland we are seriously Vitamin D deficient.
Granny, I know I said I will definitely come back, and I will, but I might have to emigrate later in life.

What's next on the cards? Saturday- much anticipated Spring Break trip to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic... followed by Formal Cocktail the weekend after... followed by Ultra music festival the weekend after that. March is going to be a mad one. Sophie Stew and Gareth are coming out to Miami as well which I am sure will prove a lethal combination to join for Ultra.
Moves to make, plans to execute.  

And sorry to disappoint y'all that I don't have a Southern American drawl, maybe by June....

Love to all back home, will try and update more often! xxxx

and some more random snaps .......

sunset - so American: coffee, trainers and backpacks...

Thrift shop cocktail --->> Fifties

UNC Vs Boston College Basketball game

Red cups n flags

What does it mean to be in a sorority?

Yes Meri, what does it mean?

Friends are constantly asking me, 'What's it like?' 'Is it really weird?' 'Is it like the show 'Greek'?'
No. Yes. Yes. No.
(NB: The sorority that I am in might be very different from others)
What is the sorority house like?
It's like a boarding house at school but maybe 10 times nicer. It's a proper home. Tri Delt has got a few living rooms which are always so cosy and people just chill/watch tv/work in them any time of the day, even if you don't live in house. I generally go for lunch every day, Javier is a cracking chef. It's very casual, just come and grab your food and sit wherever, or you can take it away. (Some houses have more strict meals where you have to dress up and there are waiters and stuff..) Tri Delt is split into 4 houses, which is unusual, they are usually one massive house, and any one in any year can live there.  The little houses are really cute actually because it feels more like your own home rather than a huge boarding house. You share with maybe 2/3 girls depending on the rooms. There is a 'House Mom', who is a bit like a Matron. She's really sweet, just sort of bobbing around the house.

What do you have to actually do?!!
Well we have 'Chapter' every week which is like a meeting basically for the whole sorority. Sororities are much bigger than frats which might only have 50 people in, whereas there are just under 200 of us. Chapter is like notices. We have a handshake and a password so that you know it is 'Delta's Only' in the meeting.
We have philanthropy events which are actually really fun. You usually join with a frat and have some sort of event to raise money for your chosen charity - for example we had a 'Low Country Boil' at Chi Phi the other week where there was loads of prawns, rice, sweet tea and band...very southern country music.
There are some events that are 'required', such a Chapter, and you get a point for going. The points system is for 2 things - if you want to live in house you need points, and also you need points to go to Socials (Mixers and Cocktails, which I have explained before). It also works the other way too, so you get a point for going to the social...
There are some rules, which are pretty understandable. I have said before that we can't have parties in the house or alcohol, for obvious reasons. Even now I am 21 we still can't drink there, it is a dry environment. So that means you also can't have 'letters' in photos - so no top with your sorority name on it and a beer in hand as they can't be seen to condone drinking regardless of being over 21. What is probably most strange is that it is all self-regulated. There are no adults telling you what to do, more like one of your mates.

We did have to do a composite picture the other week which was pretty amusing. (Our official pictures haven't come out yet, so I've found this image to give you the idea...)

The 'dress' that you can see in the photos is actually a bandeau of black velvet - you pull the straps of your top down past your shoulders and then wrap it around. There is a string that you pull down in the centre to create the V (see photo) - unfortunately I didn't realise how far I was pulling mine down...creepy photographers, cheers for that. Of my choice of 5 photos, only 1 was decent. Didn't fancy going down in history as the slutty Delta thanks. (Also this was the morning after our Christmas cocktail, the photos are going to be pretty horrific. Looked about as good as I felt which was *not ok*.)

What are the myths?
I haven't actually seen that show Greek but anyway, sometimes life is like a film, but sometimes it's not... Here are a few things to dispel...
1. That initiation is this crazy event. It's not really, more of a ceremony. (But this does depend on which one you join).
2. That we have weird pillow fights - what movies are you actually watching?
3. That we are a replica Elle Woods army, fighting force of pink
4. That everyone dates frat guys and have lovely Greek babies
5. That sorority girls are fake and superficial

Well I hope that clears a few things up!!
And this will be my late post before the Christmas holidays!
Thank goodness we are still over in the States for next semester, there's so much planned...Spring Break...Miami...road trips round the south...Lara coming to stay, fingers crossed Bermuda with Paige...
Thanks to everyone back home for keeping in touch, means a lot, I have missed you all so much.
And to everyone at UNC, thank you for being so welcoming the gals from across the pond. Had such great support - had over 8000 view on my blog, so thank you!

Happy holidays everybody
xxx
...........Meri Christmas

how to fake an a{meri}can accent

How to fake an American accent:

It is not only specific words that are different, but the way you say things that mark the difference between an average fake American accent, and a legit accent.
I mean there's the obvious - items of clothing are probably the most different (sweater, pants, button down, romper...) Then there's stop-lights, beets, rutabaga (turnips - I was confused on Thanksgiving), trash, gas, trunk...the list goes on...

But subtle differences include:

1. 'You want a ride?' not 'You want a lift?'
You ride a horse not a car.

2. 'He's named Trent' not 'He's called Trent'
Just sounds a bit weird to me.

3. 'I'm going to go study' not 'I'm going to go and revise'
Study = revise. Revision would be revising over a paper, editing it.

4. 'It's 8.30' not 'It's half 8'
(Ok so we say this too, but the abbreviation of half 8 is met with baffled exchanges)

5. 'It's October 3rd' not 'It's October [the] 3rd'
Ref. Cady Herren (Mean Girls; 2004)

6. 'Let's take shots!' not 'Let's have shots!'
If you said 'take', I would just hold the shot. Not consume it.

And if you want to be understood, steer clear of the following phrases:
 - 'Can't be bothered'
 - 'Taking the piss' (a friend once said, so I could say, 'I'm just taking a piss'?....no. No you can't.)
 - 'Give me a buzz', you know, a call ... on the phone
 - 'Nip to the loo'.. it's the restroom/ bathroom

Then there's the writing. Fellow Brits suddenly assume a great sense of pride in writing 'grey', 'colour' 'aluminium', 'aeroplane' (airplane - what?)... the list goes on.

I tried to explain Cockney rhyming slang to a friend. I may as well have been speaking gibberish.

Language barriers hey, who would have thought, we are speaking the same language but it's just a different kettle of fish.

xoxoxoxoxo

a{meri}can 'Dead week'

It's 'Dead Week' - aka the week before exams

In Edinburgh, the library is a bleak setting. The blistering cold walk doesn't exactly set you off in good revision mode. 

Here, however, with 'Finals' looming, and with average 20 degree weather check, there are worse places to be.

In fact UNC offers a host of activities that are on offer to relive stress..

1. Massages by the canteen (but seriously, do I want a massage right where everyone is queuing for food?)

2. Petting puppies in the Student Union

3. Build your own gingerbread house

4. Free bagels and hot chocolate in the library
5. Craft sessions with a projection of a documentary on cats (that part was a bit odd)

There is a whole calendar of events to get you through exam stress.

spotted: caffeine addict roaming the UL. I have too many photos of this girl.

On a weirder note - there is a naked streak. On the day after LDOC (Last Day Of Classes) there is a tradition of people to get naked and run through the library at midnight. Seriously. I thought everyone was joking so bailed on the library at 10pm...is it weird to say I wish I had stayed until midnight?!! Perhaps. I will be leaded the masses come Spring LDOC! Watch this space!!!  (Totally joking Granny, don't panic, your granddaughter has  not become a naturist.) 

I couldn't include video footage unfortunately as it was too explicit and this blog is strictly PG rating.

And basketball season is on the horizon! Quite looking forward to it because I will actually understand what's going on. Basketball is a huge deal at UNC, it's our best sport. Lots of the players are actually famous as they will go on to play in the MBA when they graduate. You can spot a basketball player from a mile off. They are inhumanly tall. It is a bit awkward actually standing behind them at a bar because it's like standing behind a huge wall. I'm talking 7ft tall or something. Anyway, should be fun, can't wait for the game season to officially start!

One week to go at UNC Fall semester, let the count down begin..

xoxoxoxox

a{meri}can Thanksgiving

Turkey shaped butter

Turkey veggie appetizer

So for Thanksgiving I stayed with Clayton and her family in Wilmington by the beach, thank goodness she took me under her wing or else I would have been stranded in Granville Towers, pretty bleak for the holidays! Getting the real Southern experience!

So what have I learnt about Thanksgiving?

1. The story? Nope. Something about Pilgrims and Indians and a big meal.
2. Everyone is obsessed with turkey - its turkey mania

yup, that was just first servings

3. You eat a lot and then have a food coma for the rest of the day
4. Have some quality family time

On the menu at the Freeman household:

Turkey (obviously)
Stuffing
Sweet potato and pecan bake
Mashed Turnips
Green Beans
Squash casserole
Gravy
Cranberry Sauce
Pickles

Pecan and chocolate pie
Honey and sea salt pie

Wine 
Sweet Tea


Most of the chat round the table is how good the food is, mainly because, well it is so good! It's going to be leftovers for a good few days. Javier in Tri Delt had made us a cracking Thanksgiving Dinner in the house for nearly 200 girls which was very impressive, but this was the real deal.

On first arrival in Wilmington, JD (Clayton's brother) was making deer jerky. He had shot this deer with a bow and arrow... felt like I was in the Hunger Games! Casual hunting in the south!

Thanksgiving involved a lot of sleeping and eating and recharging the batteries before we go back for exams. Just as it should be! I can't believe it's only 2 weeks to go before the Christmas holidays... it's been a whirlwind of a semester! 
xoxoxox

Wilmington

Christmas cocktail gals, lots of reindeer in the knocking about

pimped up turkey hat 

a{meri}can Extremes

I have realised what it is about America that is so different from England.

Extremes.

Everything is either one or the other. There is no in-between. 

Let's take a look at some examples...

Food-
America: a deep fried Oreo OR a salad.
Britain: a rather lovely Sunday roast with plenty of roasted vegetables and correct condiments. 

Going out- 
America: getting v.v. drunk at a frat party OR a night out in the library.
Britain: social drinks leading to a club somewhere on George Street, you know everyone there so it's just the same old Moonshine on a Monday or Opal Thursday.

Fashion- 
America: getting really dressed up in astronaut outfit for a Mixer OR nike trainers and UNC jumper
Britain: the library is as much of a catwalk as the clubs.

Cars-
America: huge 4x4 automatic BMW OR not at all.
Britain: Golfs are darn good cars (definitely a manual though).

Drinks-
America: multiple tequila shots OR just a diet coke.
Britain: a rum and coke/ vodka lime and soda usually goes down a treat. For pub sessions stick to beer and cider or a glass of red.
(NB there is one 'Irish Pub' here in Chapel Hill, so they say. No no, my friends, pubs do not have a dance floor and nowhere to sit, the only think Irish about this is the name, 'Fitzgerald's')

Boys-
America: either they are on the football team AKA 'hot as hell' OR they're not, therefore not worth it.
Britain: an abundance of average looking guys
I'M TOTALLY KIDDING ON THIS LAST ONE!!! 

I've said it before but it's true, you Go Big or Go Home in all aspects of life. But there is something to be said for going to extremes, (obviously I am exaggerating most of this); it both exhausts you and gives you energy. Work hard play hard, y'all.

So there you have it. It's a different ball game out here. (Well, literally as well - Oliver Pearson, I dedicate this pun to you).
xoxoxoxox

and a shout out to all these crazy kids, miss you all xxx