My first party

I had the BEST time last night. Halloween party at the Berkeley ward mansion - So. Good.

Great music, great costumes, amazing people, great venue, brilliant vibe.. Loved it.

USA Lesson number 1

At YSA fireside, and in jest, I didn't return this guys high five.

Quote of the day.. (he said with a totally straight face):

'You cannot ignore an American's high five. It physically hurts us.'

Hilarious!! Noted my friend, noted. 

Never have I ever

.. Seen this much food in my L I F E.

Thankyou Berkeley Bowl, for schooling me on food.

Also thankyou for the Brit aisle.
But get some milk choc digestives asap, what are you trying to do to me?

The Right Side

Today, I drove.

As in, the right side of the road. 

On the left side of the car. 

Insanity.

My instructor: 

'So you've driven before? 'Yea, in England. We drive on the left so..' 

'How long you been driving?' 'Well since I was 18 so 4 years, but that was in England.' 

'So you're a good driver?' 'Yea, in England!' 

'Ohh, no big deal, you'll be fine, you get right behind the wheel!' 

Clearly she wasn't understanding the gravity of the situation..

Turned out she was a great instructor, very chill and put me at ease. I was fine! 

There are, of course things I need to work on (intersections for example - the right of way is based on who gets there first. Seriously. Like musical chairs) but overall I was ok. I need lots of practice and I'm sure I'll pass the test. 

Unfortunately, I'm ridiculously competitive and hate not being good at things immediately.
Who is there to compete against? Myself.
Yep, its that bad. 

I can't wait until I get good at it, the day it doesn't freak me out, I don't have the urge to turn into oncoming traffic and I don't get lost, will be the day I know I've made it as a CA driver. 

Bring it onnn!    

'You saand like you iz from Lannndannn'

.. That's what I heard today about 5 mins before I sat my drivers permit test..

Thank you Russel Brand for that gem.

It was quite funny actually, a huge, black american dude putting on a (terrible) 'English' accent, presumably to make me feel at home! 

More importantly, I passed the theory and got my permit! I had to wait in a setting disconcertingly similar to the visa building debacle in London, but it was worth it - woooo! 

So I have my 1st driving lessons tomorrow. Blaeguuhhhg hfsdfhipsfhonsn I'm scaredddd.
But I shall man up & power through. 

Tonight I went to Target, and found, to my surprise, a whole Boots aisle. It made me feel right at home, who knew that little blue symbol could mean so much.

Speaking of, my host dad bought me Ribena, as a 'home comfort'. Ribena?! Don't they have that everywhere?! 

Then I saw the label - 'Made with British Blackberries' - Who. Knew. Perhaps everyone, but I've never noticed/read/cared about that little label before.  

Vimto too, as if Americans don't have Vimto in their lives, EVERYONE needs Vimto in their life. 

And do not even get me started on digestives. And hob nobs. Seriously.

Anyway. Loving life, 2nd day of proper work tomorrow, there's lots to do, but it's all about routine I guess. I got this y'all
Lots of love to good ole En-ger-land!! 

Newbie at the Student Ward

Guys, I went to church today. (I walked for half an hour. Again, without getting lost or run over, wooo)

And I Made. Friends.

Yayyyy!!

Going to a fireside later, with some really nice girls in my ward, should be fun!

Hay Y'all

Today marks 2 momentous occasions:

1. I went for my first solo walk in the neighbourhood.
This is way bigger than it sounds, since I managed to avoid getting run over, and also did not get lost. As you all know, both are a huge deal for Nicole.

2. My first hay ride. Also the first time I've sat on a bale of hay. Or gone through a hay maze, or heard country & western live. And picked a pumpkin.. All of these things simultaneously equal..

A Pumpkin Patch!!

We drove maybe 30 mins out of town and suddenly I'm in deep midwest. Ok obviously I wasn't but we did go to Marin County. Everyone goes for Halloween prep (that's right, actual weeks in advance) to select from tons of pumpkins on this ranch thingie in the middle of nowhere. It was very cool!

I repeat: Middle. of. Nowhere 

Legit American yo