American Christmas Extravaganza!

With Christmas drawing near, it has become apparent to me that this is the first holiday where I am not with my family. At least the first holiday I care about. This is yet another new experience for me, and yet again it is another new experience that I am loving. As much as I love spending Christmas with my family, fortunately I have been brought into Conner's family and they are treating me like one of their own. So even though I am not with my family I still feel as though I am with family.

I have been here for the last week now and we are staying entertained, we have done a wonderful array of things all week, including the general Christmas shopping, Christmas parties and of course the obvious teenage sleeping... all the time. In fact i think we may be turning nocturnal... I'm falling asleep at around 7 every morning and waking up at about 4. As wonderful as this sleep is, it is slightly messing with me. This all because conner and I caught the flu, and were very ill the other day which resulted in no sleep. I never knew throwing up together could be so funny. We laughed at each other the whole way through. This did make the whole feeling like dog shite much better.

On my first night down here in Macon we decided to go for dinner at a Japanese restaurant with Conner's younger brother Spencer. We decided to go in suits just for the fun of it. On arrival Conner and his brother decided to tell them that I was the Ambassador for Wales and that it was my birthday. They therefore cleared a hibachi table for us and gave us a wonderful show with fire and knives and brought me a cake with a candle.....which Spencer blew out. Spencer blew out my candle. I was not impressed.

So Christmas is shaping up to be a good one this year and I am very excited to get to spend it in another country and with Conner's family. I hope everyone else has a most marvellous Christmas and Has a swell new year. Christmas wishes from across the pond.

Merry Christmas

Love, Peace and Laughter,

C

And the Winter season begins....well, It's more like Summer, but they call it Winter

So, it turns out that Wales really is missing out on some things. Thanksgiving for instance.Thanksgiving holiday is not really something I have ever thought to celebrate or even thought about how to celebrate, but this year, as I am gracing America with my presence I have had the honour of celebrating one. This is not just a day over here, oh no, but a buzzing 5 day weekend with the Thursday being the day for the festivities. I ate a lot of brilliant food (for America), put up Christmas decorations...in November, they like to start early over here, and got to hang out with some really cool people. I got to spend my first American thanksgiving with My host dad, Tom's family. Another great first experience and one I will remember until I'm dead old...at least 43 or something.

After thanksgiving I had a day to relax, otherwise known as time prepare for another wonderful weekend with the GRSP's. The plans were, Friday night Atlanta, Saturday night Athens, Sunday night Home. The big thing about all of this was the fact that UGA were playing Georgia Tech, the Rivalry of Georgia. That was our excuse for getting together. After a very swell time tailgating, with food and friends, people started to head off to watch the game. Everyone was very organised, getting tickets to the game but some of us, in all honesty didn't want to watch the game. So the four musketeers, Alex Duthie, Anders, Anton and I set ourselves loose on Athens. Poor them. We promised to never speak of what happened on this night again. It was AMAZING! Probably one of the best/weirdest/funniest nights I've ever had. Those guys are just the best. After everyone came out of the game we regrouped and headed into down-town Athens for a fun night partying, the Europeans took over the dance-floor and showed those Americans how you're are supposed to dance in clubs, none of this stupid 'grinding' business. One hell of a night, only to be expected from the GRSP's though, then finally back to UGA, where all the guys hung out a little longer. Eventually we all passed out. Fortunately I had found myself to be sleeping in Sara's room, meaning I got a huge double blow up bed. I slept like a baby. Only issue was, I was heavier then the person I was sharing the bed with...Meaning they regularly rolled downhill and ended up on top of me...this wasn't a bad issue though, GRSP loving is always a pleasure. 

Then It was back to hearty old Reinhardt where I began the week of finals. I've never seen so many people stressed out in my life. Kinda funny really considering I wasn't...at all, no need to be, I only had one final, and it wasn't really a big deal to me anyway, lets face it of course I was going to be chilled, I'm me, the least stressed guy on the planet. After finishing all my things, there was not much more to do then sleep, watch movies, hang out with friends and go to the gym (and get MASSIVE).

This Monday just gone by, Chalky's host Dad, Bob Hope had provided another excuse for the re-grouping of the GRSP's. A Hockey game. Sounds perfect to me, a nice occasion for everyone to see each other and hang out one last time before Christmas. We watched the Hockey game from a Box...Yeah, it was immense, food, drinks, great view and it was with GRSP's. oh and free. DEAL!

Now it's Christmas time and the festivities are beginning. I am looking forward to it. I'm spending the next few days at my Host's as I have a few Rotary functions to attend this week, and then I am lucky enough to be going to stay with one of my best buddies Conner in Macon over the Christmas period. I cannot wait. The only thing that could out do that is if I was somehow going to Miami for new years as well. Oh wait. I am. The word 'Excitement' does not even cover how I feel about this. It will be awesome. 

Love, Peace and Laughter.

C

Facial hair has never been my forte.

So it may not seem like such a big deal to most people, but growing facial hair has always been a big deal to me. Probably because I've never been able to do it. Being in America means that I am away from my mother. Being away from my mother means she doesn't know when I don't shave. Bonus. This consequently means I can go longer between shave periods therefore resulting in an upper lip of hairy goodness. 

Check this out!!

I even got a cheeky video of the horrible event where I had to remove it. I cried afterwards, but manned up for the purpose of this vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn7X7CiO4pw&feature=player_embedded

Hope you enjoyed, but firstly, I hope you realise the pain this caused me. I nearly felt like a real man. Almost caveman like, it was EPIC!

Love, Peace and Laughter.


C

Ever heard of living the dream?

The unnoficial conclave mark II could not have gone better. No seriously. It was incredible. 40 out of the 60 GRSP students met up in Ellijay, just north of Atlanta for a fun weekend of mischief. And oh boy mischief was caused, I took the drive down with another Welshman, and Scotsman and a Frenchman and a Swede, life could not be better. As i was driving with the organisers of the trip it meant that i arrived first, which gave me plenty of time to run around the house screaming. This place was da bomb, jacuzzi, pool table, T.V's, Huge beds, a bazzilion rooms but most importantly, a crackin' place for a weekend long shindig. After all 5 of us finally settled we regrouped on the rocking chairs on the porch where we awaited the other 35 scholars.

Somehow everyone arrived in the right place and then, the festivities began. Obviously being the civilised people we are, the night consisted of many ravenous tasks, including, chess, milk, pizza and sleep. This is no word of a lie, I'm just not including most of what actually happened...Such as all the chess pieces being broken, and the vodka in the milk....The pizza and sleep was genuine though...well at least the pizza was.

The weekend was an epic success, everyone was left pining for the next one. I don't think I have ever met a group of people who I have connected with so well before.  It was also a little depressing once I got back to my room in little old Reinhardt...Until I realised, 'Wait, I live in America, Wahoo'.

After another fun week of classes Thursday night soon came around. This is the night the lads had been looking forward to a lot, the plans were to get absolutely sloshed,steaming and wankered. They fully achieved this goal...some better than others (Aussie). We then proceeded to head off to a bar for the night called Sidelines. Apparently this is the place to be, where all the cool kids hang, a bit of a party, and a cheeky wee dance. I had high expectations. Then I entered. All expectations out the window, two huge mingers trying to be sexy on the dance floor, four guys standing on the edge, one hand in pocket, one on their diet soda (they were all too young to drink) a guy and his lass smooching over a pool table and that was it. Safe to say this place sucked. But we stuck it out. Stayed for 2 hours or so, where I attempted to learn how to dance like an American. Ever heard of EPIC FAIL...I have after that. I could not do it to safe my life. Was funny though, and then after looking after the extremely drunk Aussie for a while, we trailed back home. All in all, a very successful night.

This weekend just passed, I decided to get out of Reinhardt for a little while so went to stay with the "tall Christian" in Atlanta. Yes that's right, all 6"1" of me is known as the short Christian in GRSP. Must be the easiest distinction. This was a great weekend because a few other GRSP students were in Atlanta for the weekend too so we had a small regrouping. The weekend was spent hanging out with Chalky, Chuck, Q, Andrew, Sara, Freja and Tony. What a group. We had a right good time laughing at each other, getting arrested and playing 'Never have I ever'. Now that is a fun game. 

It is now finally Thanksgiving break where we get a week of school. I'm now just doing a few months worth of laundry at my host dads before we head out for lunch and conquer the world. This week has much in store and I can't wait. 

That's all for now, I'll let you know how thanksgiving turns out. Overly joyous I'm sure.

Love, Peace and Laughter,

Chris.

I live for GRSP.

This weekend was another reunion of the 60 GRSP students. As much as I love America, and love Reinhardt, This year would just not be the same without the GRSP group. They are what make this year so special.


So this weekend we went down to stay in Sandy Springs, located just outside Atlanta. After a rather dashing evening chilling with Krzysztof the group re-connected at 8am for a fun day experiencing down town Atlanta. We all went to the Georgia Aquarium where we got to stare at fishes for four hours. I think this could have potentially been boring if not for the fact GRSP's can make the most of everything. We then ate a magnificent cuisine of sandwiches, chips and water. After that we spent another four hours in the World of Coke which involved more than just fish, this involved polar bears, 4d picture showings and Beverly. The worst tasting drink ever!We then ventured back to the wonderful YMCA. The Village people were right, It is fun to stay at the YMCA. After a cheeky dance off on the dancemat we did bit of rock climbing, had a jolly old swim and a pleasant dip in the jacuzzi. This jacuzzi was a billion degrees and (after being pushed in) I was caused to jump out screaming due to the excruciating pain the heat of the water caused me. It seemed that I was the only person affected by this though, which made me seem like a massive pansy.


After all the official activities had ended we decided to create some fun for ourselves. As the YMCA had a gymnasium we managed to get a hugely fun game of football going, followed by some basketball, volleyball and gymnastics. Where I typically had to show off, being the person that I am with a few cheeky backflips. 


Then people started to drift off to sleep, but being the huge hyperactive insomniac that I am I remained awake wheeling wheel chairs past sleeping peoples faces with the beautifully French Quentin.. I was very close to ripping Freja's face off. I was millimetres away I swear. Come to think of it, I'm not even sure where we got that wheel chair from....


Finally, after dragging some crash-mats into the sleeping room, everyone finally went to sleep at about 5am. Being the fool who broke his sleeping bag, I unfortunately had to snuggle up to the Scandinavian girls for warmth. What a shame that was.... :D


I didn't really get much sleep, so once I returned to the beloved Reinhardt I crashed, slept for five hours, woke up, ate dinner, slept for 5 more hours. It was great. And to top it all off I found out my soccer team made it to the Semi-Final of our cup. Elated! Go Eagles.


And to top it all off, we're doing it again next weekend. Get In!


Love, Peace and Laughter
x

So, it turns out that I have disappeared.

Okay, so I know that I have been living in America for three months as of tomorrow but I have been very busy honest. Hence the extremely late American blog.

I've had complaints from people telling me that I have disappeared off the face of the planet as barely anyone has heard from me and even fewer people actually know what I've been doing. As this is the case I have decided to embrace the fact I'm not sleeping tonight and give you all an insight of my new life.

Anyway now that I have explained myself I can divulge. America is bloody awesome. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into but boy was I wrong. It was one of those few times in my life where I am glad I was wrong. Although I have been here a few times before, this experience is not even remotely similar to what I have experienced before. I live in the middle of nowhere..., civilisation is hard to find around here and sane people are even harder to find. Don't get me wrong, I love the people I'm with, but sanity is definitely an issue.

As I'm on the topic, I may as well tell you about American's. From my point of view anyway. They are different. Almost everything about them is different. This is a word which I have used a lot since moving here. People often ask me the question "Is America better than Wales?". As I am repping Wales I don't just say "Hell yes, this place is the bees knees". I always answer the same way: "It's Different". You'd think us similar from a distance but dear lord, they talk differently, they dress differently, they act differently, they even smell differently....okay, I know that sounds creepy, but seriously they do.
Alas, asking me whether America is better than Wales is not the only question I've been asked since being here though. Talk about stereotypical American's stupidity. I've heard them all, but here are a few of my personal favourites.

- "Do you have electricty in Wales?"
- "Do you have cars in Wales?"
- "Do you have cell phones in Wales?"
- "Do you have Christmas in Wales?"


Oh, and the best one yet,


-"Can you speak English?"  - I'd been speaking to the girl for a good twenty minutes before she asked me... I couldn't help but just turn around and walk away after being asked this. Bloody ridiculous.
I'm not saying all of them are like this of course. I met some of the best people I have ever met here. I don't have a single regret about leaving home. I see people's status updates about what an amazing time they are having at University.... not once have I thought, I wish I was back home with everyone, partying in University. I mean, for cripes sake, I live in AMERICA! You may be having a good time, but what can I say. This place really is the bees knees. I'm living the dream.

From now on this is where I can keep people updated. At some point I may try and recount the first three months, but I'm not going to try right now or I may be up all night.

Love, Peace and Laughter,

Chris/Dickie/KitXuanKit