a{meri}can parent's weekend

Myself, David, Johanna and Harrison

So it was Parent's Weekend for Tri Delta!

When my mum first told me that she might come for Parent's Weekend, I thought 'haha, yeah sure.' But then she actually did come across the pond...

Parent's Weekend is not like 'Parent's evening' at school. No you do not go and talk to your teachers about your classes.

Yes you do go and party with your parents.

On the Friday night we had a cocktail event held at the Carolina Inn and most of the parents of the girls in the sorority come, and you can bring a date as well. The English gals didn't manage to branch out to American guys - I took a Dane, David, Olivia took an Aussie, Tom, and Blanca took a Brit, Cameron. Myself and Philly headed off to Johanna's for supper and a few proseccos down, we headed off to the Carolina inn to meet up with everyone. There was dancing, a band, drinks, it was like being back at Leaver's Ball 2k11. We were there only for an hour or so, and proceeded to get a golf car-style ride to He's Not Here (a bar named so, legend has it, because if people rang up asking if Micheal Jordan was there, they would reply - 'He's Not Here'). Madre got a round of beers in (which they serve in HUGE cups), and the band was jammin' and we were chillin'.

We got Carolina spirit!

Saturday was Game Day! So after a bit of a palaver, Mother managed to find herself a ticket off a random dude on the side of the road. Slightly worried that the ticket wasn't legit, we headed to the game, following a sea of Carolina blue clad people. We found some pom poms on our seats, and none of us having a clue what was going on (especially as the ball is so small and the players so big, it's hard to keep up!), we just followed what everyone else was doing. Luckily the screen tells you when to make noise. It literally just says 'NOISE', then everyone goes nuts. The game is pretty long, about 4 hours, and is very much stop-start. I know a touchdown is when you score but that about it. I guess it's like rugby but you can pass forwards? (And you can wear padding and helmets - v. safety conscious Americans! In rugby you only get a gum shield!) The cheerleaders were amazing. Think Bring it On. It may as well have been Kirsten Dunst herself cheering away. The whole experience was a lot of fun. 

NB: People from UNC are called 'Tar Heels' because tar, pitch and turpentine were some of North Carolina's leading exports. Our mascot is a ram. Apparently there was a real live ram riding round in a car that day and when people saw it went crazy. That's America for you!

We had a BBQ at Tri Delta where Philly Stew got to meet a few more of the parents and check out the house. Also indulged in her first 'hush puppy' - deep fried corn bread. Southerners just love fried food! Can't wait 'til the State Fair (on my 21st!) to try deep fried butter!! In fact, maybe I should ask for deep fried butter with a candle in, instead of a cake?

Yeah we did! Got the cheesy pic!

All in all a great weekend with Philly Stew, who loved the American college experience (even the driving, though sometime on the wrong side of the road...) Until next time...more on adapting to American phrases. Y'all have a good day now! xxxx