It seems a little unfair that just as we have settled down and really started to understand what direction our courses are taking us (the total opposite to whatever the syllabus or course description says FYI) that we now have midterms. Midterms, for those of you not familiar with American TV, are exams midway through the term to test you are staying on top of the courses. They seem a little less intense than end of year exams but still…they are exams all the same. I was told on Sunday, I had two papers in for Thursday and I have a Spanish midterm exam on Wednesday AND I have an editing project in for Monday! So much to do! 

It's very different to Warwick. In Warwick you would be told far in advance that you had an essay due Week 4. You would be given the possible titles at the beginning of term and therefore could easily prepare in time. Not in America. Instead, you know you will have a paper due but you do not have a clue what questions you might be given or as in my Caribbean Literature, if the teacher will just give you free reign to do as you please.  And all of the courses set their midterms for the same week. It is very hard and means that this week I will be a bit of a recluse! 

At the same time, my lovely friend Laura who was coughing her lungs out last week has managed to pass the bug onto me. I have started waking up with a sore throat and a slight cough and I know what is coming. Spoiler alert - it isn't pretty! Thank god, for Day Nurse. Yes thank you Mum, I found a packet at the bottom of one of my suitcases. I never been so happy to see a small packet of paracetamol in my life.

Paracetamol. A foreign word to Americans. I offered my friend paracetimol when she was ill and I received a blank stare. No one in America has heard of it. Almost all of the medicine is locked up behind counters in Doctor's offices. This is very odd for me, particularly coming from a girl's school where everyone carried paracetamol with them. 

"Anyone got any paracetamol?" 

*10 people in a nearby radius turn around and began scrambling in their bags" "Me!" "ME!" "No, I've got it." 

^That was a usual day at Watford Grammar School For Girls. 

So whilst sounding like a frog, I also have a walk to match it. I went to Zumba again last night and the instructor focused the session on our inner thighs and bums (aka we did lots and lots  of squats). We did a whole three minute dance whilst squatting and moving our legs, thrusting body parts and jumping up in the air. It was so much fun but today, I resemble the walk one Sandra Bullock in 'Miss Congenilaty' when she has just had a bikini wax. 

So I am not feeling my prettiest this week…

Another clue for Halloween -