Notes from an Anglo-American Man

So It’s been a while since I’ve posted, but I’ve been busy (honest!)
I’m really enjoying the classes, they are thought provoking and some are pushing me further than I thought, but only because I let them. One of the things I realised when I decided to finish off my degree was that I wanted to learn, not just to get a bit of paper which told me that I knew something, but to understand and comprehend all the subjects that I took. A tall order as I am taking such a varied load.

I think that without my friend Melissa I would be having a very different experience, she works at the college that I’m going to, and so she knew the professors, and which ones would suit me. I told her what I wanted to do and she helped me sort it out, and boy did she do a great job.
I love all of them! it is very rare for this to happen, especially within a relatively small college (though it is growing very fast!!!) but it makes such a difference.
I want to do well not only for my own benefit, but I want to see the professors help those who are around me, so I speak up. I share my thoughts, something that I would normally not do until I knew the people around me, and felt more comfortable. But I want to make the person who is up front trying to teach job that much easier. I will play devils advocate if I need to, I’ve not had to yet, as I’ve felt very passionate about the things we’ve been talking about.

Onto talking about math.
For those of you who know me, and have known me for while, you will know that I had my ability to do higher math seriously damaged through multiple concussions. To the point that trying to do it now, literally hurts me. But I have the full support not only of my teacher but also of the math dept and their tutors. It will make such a difference to me. I once loved math, to the point that at age 8 I was doing GCSE level (that’s end of high school for you yanks) algebra. It was a game, it was fun. I thought of it like a child thinks of candy (I was an addict). When I started doing the math, I wanted just to pass and be done with it, but if I can get back to the point where it is fun again, well I can’t even begin to tell you how much that would mean to me.
So all you out there who pray, pray for this, pray that I get my ability not only to do it, but to enjoy it, back.

As for the social side of things, it’s great to be seeing my old friends again, and soon I hope to be making new one, but my main focus is on finishing this semester with the best possible result, not in terms of grades, but in terms of understanding.

Peace and love my brothers and sisters out there
Ben

Ok so this weekend was great, went to my old church. Saw some old friends. Drank some Dew… good times.
I’m sitting here in the atrium of MMCC and am waiting for my second class to start, theories of personality. This is going to be an interesting class I think. The book could be used as an offensive weapon if you put your mind to it.
Got a cellphone yesterday so I finally have some means of communication, and I picked up an international calling card so that I can call the UK (landlines only I think) from the cell. If you want the number drop me a line and I’ll decide if you merit getting it or not. *Insert smirk here*

It looks like I’m going to have to spend more time at the college than I originally thought (mostl ikely 1 extra day per week)but that’s all good as long as I get the grades that I want I’ll put in the work needed.

I really missed my “kids” this sunday but didn’t let it bother me too much, I know that htey are in good hands with Jess, Laura and George. and of course my mum.

Anyway gonna shoot off as I’ve not got a whole lot left to say and when I get to rambling it aint pretty.

Peace and love be with you guys.

Went to Mid Mich today picked up some of the books, was good to spend some time with my friend Melissa. Though weird to be back in college.
Other than that not a whole lot to say.

Peace
Ben

My flight to the US was supposed to leave at 10:30 am from Manchester, however the airport was closed to arriving and departing planes until 12pm. So at 2:30 PM (approx) we took off for Chicago. Now I have a thing about flying into Chicago, I don’t like doing it, if I can avoid it I will, but this time the difference between flying into chicago and anywhere else was $200. Why do I have a thing about flying into Chicago? Because I have never had a good experience flying into it. This was not to change this flight.
THe flight was long and hard, and due to various things, which I won’t go into on the net but if you know me well you’ll know what, I was in a very bad state by the time I arrived to Chicago, HAd the plane been on time I would not have had the problems that I did (I think) but as it was it didn’t.
About an hour before landing I had to take some medication, now about 10 minutes after that I rushed to the bathroom to be sick, as the med can hit me hard even at home, but I was already feeling bad. Unfortunately there was someone in the bathroom so up goes my hand and i manage to hold it in until I get a bag. Now i didn’t think about it at the time, but the contents of my stomach would have had the residue from my medicine. This would cause me a problem later.
I was feeling mentally and physically unfit, to the point where I honestly doubted my ability to get to the gate I needed to, the med makes me dopey at times, so I had wheelchair assistance.
I go through customs, no problems We find the gate that I need to get to and I go through security.
The pat me down and swab my hands (see I told you the med would cause a problem, even though i had thoroughly washed my hands)
I set their machine off, it alarmed on most of my carry on, anything I had touched since being sick.
To top this off customs had failed to stamp my passport… so there I was 8 TSA agents, many experts going over everything. One hour later they realise they have a totally innocent guy and I am free to go.
Of course allthough they are qualified to take all of my stuff out of my carry on’s I have to repack everything.
Now I’d already missed my origional connecting flight but was booked onto the last flight into Grand Rapids, MI of the day. So I sit down, ask a woman who was waiting for the same flight if she could wake me up if I fall asleep. I get on the plane, fall asleep and wake up just as we’re landing in MI.

It’s not 10:38 PM MI time, 6 hours after I was supposed to land. it is almost 4am UK time and I am TIRED. Instead of going straight to Evart like I was supposed to, I go to my aunt Norma’s for the night. Which was nice as I got to see her on her birthday. But I wake up at 4am MI time y body telling me I’m a lazy sod for sleeping till 9am… stupid time differences.

I arrive in Evart at around 2pm and go to place where I’m staying with my cousin Angela and her husband Keith. (who I may or may not refer to as spatula and barkey.)
I spend a bit of time unpacking pick out my copy of the water babies that I am giving to my good friend BJ (who owns the local book store) and walk over to the shop. Where I proceed to spend the next 2 1/2 hours talking. Good times, How I have missed those stimulating and fascinating discussions with BJ. I can’t think of any of my other friends who I can talk to about half of the things we discuss. It is good to be back.

Here I am on the beginning of day 3, woken up again at 4am but happy, and ready for the day ahead.

Peace and love be with you guys.