Skating, Sport and Tea

I apologise for how massively neglected this blog has been. I have been pretty busy integrating a little bit more into America. I've been spending more time with American friends that last semester (seeing as I had to spend last semester actually making them.) In the process I've tried a lot of new things that I wouldn't normally, like, for example, folk dancing. I was skeptical about going along to a folk dancing class, and I can't say I'm ever going back, but it was fun.

 On the same night as the folk dancing I then went roller skating for the first time. It was difficult and I spent most of the time holding onto the side, then a couple of weeks later I went ice skating which is somehow easier but more terrifying. I think the ice and the blades make it scarier. Everybody I was with was better at it than me, and I was tempted to lie and say we don't have skating in England to explain why I was so bad. I don't think I'll be joining roller derby or an ice dancing team anytime soon, but I really enjoyed myself.

 Last weekend I went to an Indian dance competition in the IU auditorium, which was between competing American universities, and last night I went to a basketball game. Apparently it wasn't an important game (and IU lost) but the amount of fanfare surrounding games is insane. There was a packed stadium, cheerleaders who did a different dance during each time out, a band, IU flags, screens which showed the players, the game and the music video for the Indiana basketball song. During half time they were handing out prizes to spectators and throwing t-shirts into the crowd. I missed the beginning of the game, but at a women's basketball game I went to a few weeks ago a choir came on stage and sung the Star-Spangled Banner, so I'm sure that happened at the beginning.

One thing I really don't understand is cheerleaders. They can do about five backflips in a row from standing. At least I can officially now say I have been to watch sport and enjoyed it, although everything surrounding the game is a lot more interesting than the actual game.

 I hardly ever drink the English Breakfast tea here any more because it's disappointing, so I've started drinking stuff like Earl Grey and Chai. Today I decided to try a Chai Latte from Starbucks and it's basically spicy, watery coffee-tea milk which I wouldn't recommended to anyone.


Americans have, at last, learnt my name and no longer think I'm called 'Adam' or 'Alan', but this may be because I always get food from the same places.