Revision *sigh*

My history exam went fine.  And then I spent all afternoon trying to figure out if I could apply for a scholarship, and it doesn't look positive right now.  I tried.

I've been trying to study pharmacology/data analysis all evening.  Each time I study, I wonder why I decided I could handle a final year class in a major that's not my own.  (Which reminds me of a funny conversation I had with a British girl before my history final -- she couldn't believe I was an engineer and in the class, haha.)

Studying, especially when everyone else is done, makes me homesick.  The rainy weather and cold might also have to do with it.

I go home in 23 days.

Am I taking my O.W.L.s?

I had my first exam today, and it was definitely a different experience.  I was totally expecting a style of testing similar to UIUC, but it was so different it was kind of creepy.  First of all, I'm not allowed to use pencil at all, which is okay, because that means no one can change my answers.  However, I also took my music exam in the same room as 400 (or another huge amount) of people.  My seat number was 270, and it was in alphabetical order by module.  There are several exams going on in the same room.  There are proctors that make sure you're not cheating, and none of them were anyone I recognized.  It was like taking a giant version of the ACT or SAT.  Or my Hogwarts O.W.L.s.  I had to keep my ID on my desk so proctors can double check it (and they do), and before the exams start someone goes by with an instrument to detect any type of cell phone or pager.  Leeds is DEAD SERIOUS about cheating.  There were even posters about cheating and the consequences in the area where you put your bag down.

The first picture is of the Sports Hall, which is where I took my exam today.  I also take an exam in the Great Hall (I'm not kidding), which is the second picture.  I have another exam in the Sports Hall, but luckily my others are in regular classrooms since my class size is so small.  What's kind of nice about the Sports Hall, though, is they put carpet down for exam period, so I don't have the weird gym floor.

My exam today went pretty well.  I'm more nervous about my others, but having the little time between each exam makes me feel a little better too.  I can't handle loads of time to revise.  Stress helps me focus.

I will (hopefully) not post for awhile because I'll hopefully be studying dutifully.  It's very possible procrastination will occur.

Geeky baking

This might become my favorite blog this summer.  Lots of recipes and pictures for geeky baking.  Not all science, but I definitely favor those.

http://notsohumblepie.blogspot.com/2009/12/science-cookies-gel-electrophoresis.html

Food to eat before leaving and at home

I feel so unmotivated today, that I can't even play a video game.  So, while Skyping with a friend, we started talking about food we wanted to have again. So, here it is (in no particular order).

Food in Urbana and Champaign
1. Coco Mero -- frozen yogurt
2. Custard Cup -- snowstorm
3. Woori Jib -- Korean barbeque
4. Courier Cafe -- milkshake, burger, pesto
5. Art Mart -- cookie
6. Noodles and Co. -- pesto cavatappi
7. Jamba Juice -- duh
8. Evo's -- Indonesian rice and milk tea
9. Cunetto's -- spaghetti (St. Louis, but close enough)
10. Dos Realas -- mmm... real Mexican food

I also just want to have some real hash browns. I am getting a little tired of potatoes here, but it's just not the same.

Food to eat before leaving UK
1. Gourmet Burger Kitchen -- delicious burgers
2. Nando's or Charco's -- peri-peri chicken
3. Gregg's -- sausage roll?
4. Shaky Jake's -- milkshake!!
5. La Cafetierre -- Mediterranean food and smoothie!
6. Either Dry Dock or the Library -- screamburger
7. Fish and chips in a pub
8. Old Bar
9. Strawbs
10. Flames

I like food.

Library chaos

My plan of action already failed a bit when finding all of my library materials turned into a scavenger hunt.  I went between the two main university libraries more than I'd like, because you're not allowed to reserve an available item and the collection is split up between the two.  I also couldn't study there because it's packed, plus the wireless internet was so slow I couldn't even listen to one guitar solo for more than 10 seconds.

Then I went to the Leeds Central Library (in the city centre) to check out a CD, and it turns out that for every CD I want to check out, I have to pay 1.70.  It also took awhile to find the CD because EVERYTHING in the library is not in order.  Sure, it's in alphabetical order by author, but that just means all the As are in a section, and complete chaos within the As.

The plus side to the library at the university -- it has gates (with the turn thing) that you can't get through unless you swipe your card.  Grainger library needs this.

Plan of action

So now I enter revision week (aka reading week).  This next part is totally not necessary for this blog, but I need to write this down as many places as possible to remind myself.... here is my plan of action:

Monday - Wednesday: Guitar
Thursday - Saturday: History
Sunday - Monday: Chemistry
Tuesday - Thursday: Data analysis
Friday - Sunday: Guitar review

I have 2 weeks to prepare, and then 2 weeks of exams, but I only have 5.  They're decently spread out, so I plan to do my genetics studying after my last exam in that first week and then any time I go crazy from studying a different subject too long.  I'm not terribly worried about it because our lecturer reminded us that to pass the class, (for my current grade) only 10% is needed on the exam.  ...I'm pretty sure I'm not going to fail, and if I prepare well I can get a good grade.  Unless I somehow sleep past 1pm in the afternoon on the day of my exam. *knock on wood*

Seriously, where did the time go?  Some of my friends are already back in the States.  I actually miss home a lot.  I miss my family and friends, and I miss Urbana.  When I get home, I'll have 2 jobs ready for me this summer, and I miss working and the satisfaction of a paycheck.  I feel so poor over here, but it's good motivation for exercise since I walk or run places now.  I ran to Bodington Hall the other week, and it felt nice.

On that note, the gym here is horrible -- they charge for everything, so now I can't really work out too much, and some of the classes I liked before don't really exist for me unless I pay more to get a different membership.  Without working out regularly though, I still registered for the fitness competition (shuttle run, leg press, bench press, bleep test).  There were 15 girls registered, and I came out 6th overall, which I'm pretty happy about since I didn't train.  Also, one of the scores was strength index (both presses into account with height and weight), and I actually came out being #1.  I was totally amazed.  So, I didn't lift the most, but apparently for my size I did.  So yay!  I bench pressed a puny 30 kg, but leg pressed 200 kg.

For my audition for UIUC, I also got waitlisted for the Marching Illini, which is a little sad and happy at the same time.  Sad because I wanted to get in, but happy because that's better than my first audition 3 years ago.  That means I'm still improving as a player!  Whoo!

And now I'm going to sleep, because it's almost 1am... which throws off my plan of action a bit, but I least I have a guideline, right?

Nearing the End

When meeting people around Europe over my Easter vacation, I got used to saying, "Oh, I go back to America in 2 months."  Someone in Leeds asked me when I was going home the other day, and I was about to do my automatic reply, when I realized that it's no longer true.  I go home in a little over a month.  Today is my last day of class, then I enter the official revision week (aka Reading Week), then 3 weeks of exam period.  However, I got lucky and I have 2 weeks of revision then 2 weeks to do 5 exams.

Where did the time go?

I was talking to one of my American friends here, and we agreed that a semester is too short, but we both feel a year is too long (for a short term study abroad).  I also think the month long break in the middle of my semester also contributed with time passing. 

I don't want to do a full-blown analysis of my time here yet, simply because I'm not done.  I still have 6 weeks left.  In that time I will have finished my exams, attended the Leeds Union Summer Ball, the Devonshire Ball, and then miscellanious other Leeds-related activities that I need to figure out after exams.  I want to explore Yorkshire a little more.

Last weekend and this coming weekend have been/will be great.  Two of my friends studying in Vienna booked tickets to visit me, and it's been great so far finding all of the things I want to show my friends about England.  Something I should've done more with this blog.  I've been getting a little behind adding pictures on facebook, adding pictures on here, finding the small nooks and crannies of England.

Well, I must be off to class now.  My last Drug Design class, and my last lecture in England. 

P.S. -- Blogger in Draft is awesome.  I changed my background (for now) to be a rainy background.  It seemed fitting.