An experience worth a fortune

Classes started this week. Blah. I wish I could just sleep in and hang out with all my international buddies all day like I did last week. But, alas, responsibilities are always present. Without them, we wouldn't relish the good times. I really shouldn't be complaining too much though...I only have class on Monday and Tuesday. That means I do NOT have class on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday (plus the weekend). It's sooo different than America. I just meet with each of my classes once a week (plus a one hour tutorial with my History professor) and that's it. In America we have five classes that meet 2 or 3 times a week. That means we have class every single day. Not here. This might be harder though because you really have to be self driven. Even though I only have class on two days, I've already been assigned to read 3 essays by Emerson, 2 chapters in the textbook, and one full length autobiography. In addition, we were assigned presentation and essay topics the first day. Meaning, there's always some work to do. I just have to be super disciplined. Unlike America where you're forced to do everything, here you have to choose to do it. I think I like this way better. People are more serious about their work. It's hard to explain. I always felt like a nerd in America for actually reading the textbook and taking notes, but here, if you don't, then you fail. I finally fit in! Sort of...

I actually thought I'd be kind of special when I came here. Unique. But...Being an American isn't much of a novelty as I thought it would be. Americans are running rampant on campus. We're everywhere. You just can't hide from the USofA. However, even though I've met more Americans than Scotts, I am the only American in both of my classes.

But...I'm not quite sure if that's a good thing...The first day of my 60's Cultural Revolution in Britain class, my professor apologized because he's horrible with names. He's had some of the students in my class for multiple semesters and still can't remember their names. My first thought is that this place is definitely different than Berry where the professors know practically everything about you. So he was in the middle of a lecture about some of the popular music in the 60s. He started talking about Cliff Richard, explaining Cliff's unique background and current sexuality. Suddenly, he stopped talking and turned to me. In front of the whole class he says, "Bethany, do you know Cliff Richard?" My heart stops. Am I supposed to know him? Did he do something I should know about? Is there a song that I should know him from? Oh dear, I'm horrible with matching songs to the musician. Of course my professor will remember my name and single me out as the ignorant American. I thought I wanted to be unique, but this is just embarrassing. I can't say anything so I just shake my head. He nods, understandingly and explains that Cliff Richard was the Elvis of Britain (or really, the Elvis of Europe). He said that I'm the only one that has an excuse to not know him, and that everyone else should have heard his name. One of our assignments for next week's tutorial is to read an autobiography about someone important in Britain in the 60's. And by george, you better believe that I got Cliff's book from the library the very next day. I won't be uninformed about him ever again!

I opened the first page of his book, and there's his signature. I don't know that much about Cliff (at least not yet), but if Elvis had signed a book, it'd be worth a fortune.