Good Day!

I've been a bit busy this week, between trying to get my accommodation paid and getting my phone to work. Had a bit of a fright when I realized that when I went shopping on Friday, I left my coin purse with my Wisconsin State ID and a credit card in the cab. Didn't realize it until Monday evening, and freaked out because my phone wasn't working yet and I didn't know what to do. The next day I set up my phone and called the cab company - the purse wasn't turned it, but luckily no charges have been made. The card can be canceled and a new one sent to my house. Wish I hadn't lost the I.D., though. Means that if I want to go out to a place and I might get carded, I have to bring my passport. I'm more worried about losing that than any credit card.

I've been trying to pay my accommodation but there was a limit on how much money I can charge to my debit card per day. I was able to call my bank to have it raised, but maybe it didn't go through yet - I tried paying again the next day and it still said "not authorized." Looks like another phone call to the bank is in order. The good news, though, is that my accommodation is half of what I thought it would be. Awesome.

Last night I went out with some friends after one of my lectures. We went to a restuarant called "The Red Lion" where I got to try the English version of American BBQ Chicken ... totally not same thing. While not bad, it's more like ... baked chicken with BBQ sauce on top. And generic BBQ sauce at that, not the really good stuff like Ray's or Jack Daniels'. After eating, we went to a pub to play the English version of pool - not too much different than American, except American is what they call Billards. Anyway, I've never really played before, and I'm quite horrible at geometry and physics and can never predict where the ball is going to go when I hit it. Imagine my shock and surprise when I won the first game I played. I think my bad shots were making it difficult for my opponent to get good shots, turning my bad shots into good shots after all. If that makes sense. Then we played doubles, and my team won again. The third time? Not so lucky, but I'm happy if I hit what I'm aiming for, regardless of whether or not the ball goes in the pocket. I'll take what I can get.

The lectures have been fine - interesting and boring at the same time. I have papers coming up, so I have to get a move on. I did laundry again, this time on a Wednesday. It was totally dead until the last 15 minutes I was there. I'll have to remember to do laundry then and not on weekends.

Next weekend I'm hoping to go to Liverpool with a friend in one of my classes. We'll see if it works out. I've also been invited to a birthday party that will take place in April. It's a "Ladies and Gents" theme, which means I'll have to find a really nice dress to wear. On Feb 20th, I have an invitation to a dinner with the other history majors at some place called the "Slug and Lettuce," I kid you not. I don't know where it is; hopefully I'll be able to find it before then. Interesting name, though.

Still no camera :o(

Hope you all are doing well, Shabbat Shalom!