England

So I've been in England not quite a month so far and, if you haven't figured out, have been both lazy and busy with school work. But not so lazy and busy that I shouldn't have been sharing some of the amazing things we've done so far. The speaker list is amazing for this program (IU at Oxford) and we've had a lot of fun so far.
We spent a few days in Bath England as seen here in a photo of the Roman Baths. Just makes a girl want a massage and a hot tub. Near Bath is...

Tada! Stonehenge. The worlds largest henge (though Wikipedia disagrees). We got an inside the rope fence tour. At sunset. Pretty awesome. And filled with sex jokes.

We hit Cambridge for a few days in order to hear some speakers. 8 hours worth of speakers. Please note- U-shaped table arrangements are not cool. They make your neck hurt. In our free time 11 of us rented bikes and went cruising through some fields before having tea. Tea meaning lunch and scones but tea sounds better. And more English.


Found this in London.
We hit London Friday for another 8 hour round of lectures at the London School of Economics. I didn't do much as we have a lot work to do for next week. I did however manage to get sassy with Big Ben.

As most of you know, I turned 24 the other day. We had midterms but luckily they finished at five. A large number of us headed into Oxford for happy hour, dinner, and some fun.

Pics from Oxford

Punting on the River Cherwell.
Trashing of an Oxford student. This means they've just finished their last exam (ever) and it's time to celebrate.
Oxford University Church.
Common land just outside Oxford.
Goat.
St. Margarette's church Oxford. I think.

The Radcliffe Camera.

The men I've met.

American men are assholes. This gross generalization is more often than not true. Sadly. However, I have been greatly surprised in the past months by the men I've met, mostly European but with a scatter of Americans. I've been impressed. They're polite and have made it a habit to exhibit small gestures that take no effort but say more than words. They've walked between me and a questionable stranger. They walk between me and the road. They hold open doors, taking them from me. They offer their arms when walking together. They walk you home. I never knew such men existed in my generation. To those of you mentioned- Thank you. You've reinstated my hope.

To the majority of men I have met in my life, expectations have been raised. Yes, I'll discuss sex with you and laugh at your poop jokes. I'll tell you I can take care of myself (and damn straight I can) but this doesn't actually give you pass to be the assholes you are. Man up. Grow up. Or get some damn manners.