Two Weddings and a Birthday

There's a jumble of handwriting on my hand with reminders of what to say in this blog post, but there's a few I feel I'll leave out, like my cousins treating me to birthday drinks, or how many cupcakes I ate. Not that interesting, really.

My cousin got married yesterday to his beautiful bride, and so now I have dozens of new cousins. Was chatting with one of the sons of the bride, and mentioned we are now cousins. As I walked away I heard his friend go

"Hey, you've got an american cousin now! Cool!"

Yes, honey, you do.

Met a lady who had taken a gap year for 18 months round southeast asia and then the oceanic countries. She spent six weeks in the boonies of australia cooking for rodeo guys and washing up. She told me this hilariously scary story about how in the mornings and evenings when it was dark she would go down to the canal/river to get water. Apparently you never go to the same spot twice, because the crocodiles in the canal will remember and be waiting. And then they would eat you.

Good motto for life. Gotta be mixing it up.

I got sung to by 300 people, which was very sweet. The whole evening I had people wishing me happy birthday. The funny thing about british accents is that I keep thinking they are faking it, and waiting for them to revert to their "real" accents.

Best story ever. So in my family runs a ginger-gene. Not a ginger-ish gene, but a flaming orange, knock you socks off ginger. I've got a two year old cousin who has this gift. Following convo.

Uncle: So what color is your shirt?
Cousin: Orange/owange (british lisp kid... yessss)
Uncle: What color is your hair?
Cousin: Ummmm, uhhhh, ginger?

Brainwashed from an early age.

Yesterday I had so many convos about why 19 was a good age to be. The best story was from the receptionist, who told me about how he had gone to Afghanistan for two months on the hippie trail, back before the Russians and Americans and the Taliban. He said it was the most beautiful place ever. I hope it goes back that way one day.

Went for a walk (british pronunciation) this morning and slipped on a boat dock. Huge butt bruise: sitting has never been this fun.

Had a profound (it felt pretty profound) thought last night. Education is similar to religion, in that in some religions you have an intermediary (such as a priest, or professor) who aids you in the attainment of whatever higher power you seek. In others it is a self-directed process, and thus the learning and spiritual power you find is found by yourself.

Elle me dit danse danse danse...

Travels

Woke up this morning, went on a jog (30 minutes, of which I jogged 20...), caught my train, forgot to compost my billet, composted my billet with 2 minutes to spare.

Trains make me anxious. Luckily there was a kind woman sitting across from me who calmed me down, told me I was on the right train and guarded my bags while I composted my ticket. What a sweetheart :) I owe you one, karma.

Was picked up by two wonderful and sassy grandparents.

Granny Peppa- When we come pick you up on monday, we may be covered in blood. We're visiting our lawyer that morning.
Me- Her blood or yours?
Granny Peppa- Hers.

Nuff said.

Then took a plane (AN HOUR LONG FLIGHT... BEST TIMES EVER) to south hampton, where I saw my beloved father for the first time in six weeks. It'll be another eight months after this weekend before I see him again. Sad times. But knowing I have such a loving support base at home means I can venture forth freely. Plus adventuring takes up a lot of emotional capacity. If you notice me acting more like a robot in terms of affection, chances are I had an adventure. It happens to the best of us.

Currently on the Isle of Wight, place of unmarked roads and british accents. I tried my hand at a fake british accents. My cousins shut me down. But they've been teaching me, very kindly.

"Would you like a cup of tea?"

I've been responding and speaking in french by accident here. Greeted my cousin I met today with "salut mec" (what's up dude). We (all those under the age of 18 and 364 days) had a little show off with all the weird flexibility double jointed things we can do.

Me-You have too much free time.
Cousin Ned-No, just badly spent time.

Tomorrow we dance until three in the morning.

Elle me dit danse, danse, danse, danse.

YAY FOR BEING NINETEEN THIS WEEKEND!