a{meri}can Frat Parties

Frat parties are just like in the movies.
They are pretty wild, grimy and most curiously, free. A Frat hosts a party or a pre-game (which is pre-drinks) and any girl (sorry guys..) can just walk and get drinks and chat/dance/hang out/ play beer pong (though it is usually the boys who play). This isn't to say there are far more girls, because each Frat might have about 170 boys in it already. There are huge vats of 'PJ' - Party Juice, which is meant for the girls, with hundreds of red cups beside it so you can help yourself. There are big bins full with ice and beers as well. You can just wander from one to the next, especially in Frat Court as there are 5 houses in one quad. 

Ah yes, and Frat boys wear a sort of unspoken uniform (similar to the Nort-wearing girls). Chino shorts, loafers, shirts and maybe a snap-back. Girls seems to wear anything from heels to flats. My converse/shorts look was met with one girl telling me I was 'working that grunge look' - not really my aim but I'll go with that. 
We went to this one party the other night which was wrist-band only entry (if you have a British accent you don't need a band), and you went downstairs it was like a club. There was a band and a dance floor  and a drinks bar (of free drinks). It did smell a bit like vomit, but you can't win everything I guess. Was very cool. 
[Side note: boys British accents work for them too. In class behind me was an English boy and this American girl who was shameless in her flirting. The conversation went as follows. 
Girl: 'You aren't wearing glasses today'
Boy: 'No, I'm wearing contacts'
Girl: 'I like a boy in glasses. You really suit your glasses. I like your watch. I like guys who wear watches, it's cute.'
Boy: unsure what to say
Me: Bahahahahah (inside) ]

Dancing: so everyone here does one of 2 extremes. Either fun twirling dancing with a boy partner (which amazingly is called 'shagging' - can you imagine the look of horror when a boy comes up to you and just goes 'do you wanna shag?'), or grinding. And the former usually leads to the latter. There is no in-between like in the U.K where we are all politely dance in a circle. Am yet to brave this new cultural shock. 
Yesterday we had a Darty (Day Party...I don't know why they like shortening everything?) at Chi Psi, with a band out in the garden. 
Because boys can't get into other Frats unless they have a friend in it, they tend to go to bars. It felt like I was back to being 17 last night using my sister's I.D, as obviously you have to be 21 to drink over here. It's more etiquette than anything, as they know so many people just have fakes.
For the Northerners: Weather wise, it has been 30 degrees plus - boiling. Luckily my halls has a pool...
Rush week for sororities this week, which means No Booze, No Boys...
Love and all that xxxxx

a{meri}can campus

On the first day of 'school', it is tradition to drink from the Old Well to bring luck in exams; people chiming "let's hope it gives me a straight 4.0!" in the line. I queued for maybe 20 minutes, until the girl who was next to me in the queue, got to the front and literally went, "Nahhh, I'm gonna split and go to class I don't have time for this" - What? We have just waited for 20 minutes, and you are the NEXT one?!! Baffled, I got my pic and 'split'. 

The campus is huge. Picture Nate and Hayley wandering through big green quads in series 1 of One Tree Hill and you wouldn't be far wrong. (Though haven't met any boys who look like him...yet). Every stereotype seems to meet my expectations, and the campus certainly looks picturesque. It is certainly different from being in Edinburgh and being able to nip in Zara on the way to uni, as you have to get a car to any shop, or Target (which they LOVE - it's like a superstore Tesco), and Michael's which is basically TK Maxx. But luckily it seems that a lot of people have their cars here, as most people are from NC as it is cheaper to go to college in-state. It isn't unusual for people never to have left the States either. I am still waiting for someone to ask me whether I was friends with K-Mid though...

However - there is one thing that Americans have got wrong. Yoga class. 150 people in a huge sports hall, doing 'downward facing dog' to Disclosure and Rudimental is not O.K. The instructor was bouncing around with her microphone, giving what some might call inspirational encouragement, while others, myself included, were simply bewildered by this mad yoga session. But, on the other hand, at least everyone was looking stylish in their 'Norts' (Nike shorts). (I have also learnt that you have to stay on-brand for trainers too.) 

Weather Update:
The weather in North Carolina is erratic. One minute it is 30 degrees, the next it is a downpour. And we thought it could rain in Manchester - oh no, this is a different level of rain. (I'm not complaining - at least it's still hot which is more than can be said for England). 

Yes that is mascara down my face

Next blog post: Frat party. (I know I said it would be this one, but on Tuesday I didn't quite get enough footage of my American Pie dreams coming true). 
Until then, 
xxxx

a{meri}can life

Here are some shots of my room as promised in Granville Towers. 

NB: This panoramic view makes the room look enormous.

I am sharing a bathroom with Kyuwon, who is from China, and am yet to meet.

Last night we went to Fall Fest, which is basically Fresher's Fair, but crammed into one night, from 9pm-2am. There are all the stalls of the societies out, giving SO much free stuff, as long as you sign your email down (or fake email...) to the mailing list. Literally corn dogs, doughnuts, bags, frizbees...you name it. The whole street was shut and some rappers, dancers, singers took to the stages either end of the road - it's like a festival, about 20,000 people go. Everyone is very keen to get involved, and so helpful. For Brits it's kind of overwhelming when people stand so close to you, so excited to talk to you and hear your 'cute' accent...or is that just me?  Some phrases are met with curious looks, such as 'nip to the loo' (not OK), and 'what a palaver', are two that spring to mind.

As usual, everyone was wearing Carolina blue, so myself and Olivia took ourselves off to the shop the next day to get the 'Tar Heel' look. (Tar Heel is someone who goes to UNC) Apparently there are some clothes that must be 'on brand' - shorts MUST be Nike. My Asics trainers quite frankly do not meet up to the mark. 

Well the plan tonight is a Frat party, so will see whether my visions of American Pie madness live up to expectations. I have already been warned not to drink the PJ ('Party Juice') at Deke frat - it makes you party that little bit more if you get what I'm saying...

Love from a Tar Heel xxxxxx

arriving in A{meri}ca

Stepping onto the plane with a few girls from other unit going to UNC, we discussed whether there would be good film choices and we could text each other on those walkie-talkie handsets only to be met by a crushing realisation. This plane was probably 30 years old. There was no TVs, and certainly no handsets. The air stewards, who usually have immaculate hair and uniforms, looked like they could feature in a 1980 Betty Crocker magazine, wearing aprons with permed hair. I kid you not. However 8 hours later, and after (only the Americans on the flight) clapped the captain to touchdown, we were there.

Bored: couldn't even
make mates on the plane

We crammed out bags into the Honda Civic of the girl who was collecting me and one other. My halls are called Granville Towers, which are round the corner to a row of frat and sorority houses. Literally like how you see in the movies with the signs of Delta Delta Delta above the door, or whatever they are called. After being chuffed at unpacking my room with some fairy lights and a set of bunting, I went next door to greet my neighbour. Suddenly my decoration looked meagre at best. She had a complete apartment to herself with paintings, rugs, storage boxes, trophies, the lot. I have boys bed sheets which don't fit the bed. I will post a picture of my room when it isn't...6.30am like it is now.

Particularly fond of
the UNC garden gnome. 

Ah yes, and everyone was wearing sports clothes. In jeans and leather jacket I stood out like a sore thumb. After inquiring whether people had been playing sport, my answer was met with a furrowed brow, and 'No, this is just every day wear'. I suppose it is practical.

After a humid and wet arrival, I hope it doesn't thunder storm as predicted at the 'Fall Fest' today. Off to buy my Carolina t-shirt, which I have been told is necessary for a meeting with my floor tonight. 

So strange, but great, to actually be here.

Love to all xxx 

not long until A{meri}ca

This August I am off to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to study abroad (English Literature) for one year. At Edinburgh University in your second year you can apply abroad for third year to Australia, Canada, or the States for any subject, then you come back for your final year to complete your degree. This means 100% of your degree rests on your fourth year scores if you go abroad. I only applied to the States purely because I wanted sun...couldn't hack another year of blistering wind and rain that we experience in Scotland! 

And with just over 1 week until I go to North Carolina, I have a lot of people asking me if I am nervous, excited, scared...

My checklist goes as follows

1. Join a sorority
2. Reply: Yes, I do know Prince Harry
3. Ask for a 'rubber' in an exam 
4. Go to basketball/baseball/soccer games
5. Buy all UNC merchandise possible
6. Get skilled at beer pong and flip cup
7. Try a corn dog

I am hoping to tick all of the boxes.

And as to my cherubs back home; I'm gonna miss y'all.