Quick Update

I've been busy studying, our final three exams start on Tuesday.  It's coming along pretty good, just hope I'm studying the right specifics!  I have been enjoying the gym which has provided a nice break each day.  Bought ingredients to make a burger from Sainsbury's this afternoon, so I'm looking forward to that. Going to keep studying while streaming the NFL games until I get hungry.  It's really hard to believe that I'll be home in less than a week, these 3 months have flown by.

It has been a bit warmer this weekend, and sunny, which was nice.  It's always good to not have to completely bundle up to walk anywhere.  Minnesota sounds like a mess right now though - can't believe what happened to the Metrodome!

More Studying Today

Back at the library after an early morning workout at the gym.  That was super nice because there were only like 4 people in there.  I've been studying hard in the mornings, and finding that I can't concentrate after say 4pm.  It gets to a point where I can tell I'm just kind of blankly staring at the notes, which is pretty unproductive.  I think I've been making good progress though.  Need to get some vehicle dynamics equations on some flash cards though, have to know those.

It was a much prettier day yesterday, though it was colder.  The sun was out and all the trees were covered in frozen fog.  Today it's just cloudy and still cold.  Amazing how much the sun helps when it is out.  Random - but all of the apples here are tiny - just an observation.

I did break down for a Krispy Kreme this morning, definitely not "Hot Now" like from Person Street, but still tasty.  How much is a dozen back home anyway?  It was 7.95 here, just curious to compare.

Today is also the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's murder.  Quite a big deal here, they spent nearly 10 minutes on BBC this morning talking about it.  I wonder if the event was as traumatic to so many people in the US as it was to the people over here?

Oh, and I'm glad I'm not in Scotland right now! More specifically I'm glad I'm not trying to drive or go anywhere in Scotland, the roads are a mess and it doesn't look like they will get any better any time soon.  I guess salt doesn't do anything at -18C...

Hello from the Library

Nothing too exciting, just getting some studying done.  Didn't realize that most of the stores here close at 4 on Sunday's, so I didn't get my shopping done yesterday.  I used it as an excuse to get breakfast out this morning, I got eggs florentine from a place in the mall near the library.  Not quite sure my plan for the rest of the day, but it will be some combination of shopping, walking back home for lunch, and possibly the gym.  Still trying to decide on that one.

Ah...Studying

Is going ok.  I feel like these subjects are much broader than the last exams we had, so I'm kind of struggling to develop a strategy for studying them.  There are just so many aspects to focus on.  Today I'm going to start going through the old exams we have.  However I don't want to totally focus on what those focused on, because obviously that should change!  The vehicle dynamics one is particularly equation intensive, so it might be flash cards for that.  The engine one is open note, so it is more about understanding, and knowing where to find the equations you need for each problem.  

The snow is all gone, it was misting from late afternoon on yesterday, which melted and washed away all the snow.  It is back to freezing today though.  I have one more day on my bus pass, and discovered that the ASDA in Bletchley is on a bus route that comes very close to my house.  After lunch I'm going to take the bus and some things to study down there and see if I can find somewhere to spend some time studying.  I'll do my shopping afterwards, I don't need a whole lot, just some lunch stuff for the week really.  I just can't do it all here, and I'd prefer to be out during the day when it is light (and the sun might stay out - I'll cross my fingers).  I also found the library by the mall - not sure why I couldn't find it earlier - but it is closed on Sunday.  I'll plan on spending other time this week there though, assuming it is comfortable inside.

I may join the gym too.  I got a free workout when I stopped by the other day, and it's been on my mind ever since.  Just don't know how much I'll use it after Christmas.  It is open till 10 each day, but I don't know if I'll really feel like it after the days at campus.  I'm also not exactly sure of our schedule for the group project, and whether that will make it easier or harder to find gym time.  So anyway, it's a 3 month contract at 30 GBP per month, so not the end of the world if I wound up only using it a couple times a week.  

Snow Cream!

My creation

I decided to make some snow cream before I got into studying yesterday.  Didn't use an egg, and didn't have any vanilla, so I used some cinnamon instead.  I think it turned out very good!  I got in some good studying before walking to dinner, where I got a lamb shank with minted gravy and potatoes, peas and carrots.  I'd been needing a break from cooking and having to wash dishes after every meal, and it really hit the spot.  I can't really find how much snow we got, but I think it was probably about an inch total over the few days, with some melting in between the "bigger" snows.

It is finally supposed to get above freezing this weekend, if only by 3 C.  We'll see if it actually happens.  At least the wind seemed to be much better last night.

I might try and see if the gym up near the mall does week-long or guest memberships.  That would be a great diversion from studying which I will need.  

Chocolates from Newport

The small ones have various hard sugar insides, the white one is blueberry creme, the red circular ring is a dark chocolate truffle, and the other one is a maple brazil nut.  

Done early again today due to the snow.  I think there will be more waiting for me at home, it was snowing much heavier on the walk to the bus than it was at school.  My jacket was basically covered in snowflakes by the time I got to the stop.  Our guest lectures and hands on data lab will happen next week.  That will cut into study time, but I'll have to make up for that with this afternoon and tomorrow.  Wasn't mentally ready for that, but I'll make it work nonetheless.  

I might have enough snow back home to attempt some snow cream, we will see when I get back home.

Snow Issues

Well part of our lecture (a guest presentation) today was cancelled because of the snow.  Our group has been well organized this week and we were able to finish our presentation before lunch too.  So that left me the afternoon free, which was both unexpected and nice.  I spent my time in Newport, studying on the laptop after buying some chocolates from a store there.  I wanted to try this little bakery I've seen, but they seem to close around 1pm every day unfortunately.  It was an enjoyable and relaxing afternoon, until waiting for the bus back home.  I got to the stop a couple minutes before a bus was scheduled, with another a few minutes behind.  Either would have gotten me home.  15 minutes later two buses turned up at once, the same route too.  I got on the first one, which I guess was the one that was actually on time, because he continued to wait at a couple stops as if he was late.  Then when we finally got to MK, the bus that was behind us in Newport was ahead of us and already at the stop.  I really wish I understood.  It's even more frustrating now that waiting 10 minutes means that I'm almost frozen to the core.  And the heating on the buses doesn't seem to work as well now either.

So it would've been nice to not have that frustration, but overall a good afternoon.  Trying to decide if I want to actually cook tonight or use a frozen meal.  I had kind of decided I'd go out tonight, but since I did have the afternoon off and spent a little money then, I changed my mind and will do something with food I have here.

I did kind of sleep through my alarm this morning, by about 40 mins actually, but was still able to get to the bus stop in time.  Forgot to set my backup alarm, and I usually like a leisurely morning, no sense in rushing things.