Winter is on its way.

I finally broke down and bought a proper coat, the $20 pleather jacket that I brought with me was not doing so well against the winds and rains of Norwich, and winter is certainly on its way. Frost on the ground this morning, and I could see my breath on my way into campus. Also it gets dark around 4:30 so my days seem so much shorter. Because there is no Thanksgiving here everyone has already begun Christmas, and trees are going up and music is playing in the shopping malls. On Thursday night we are going to the city center where they are lighting the tree and there are roasted chestnuts and toffees and carolling and fireworks (the English LOVE their fireworks). Did you know that at 23 meters high Norwich has the tallest Christmas tree in the UK? I'm so proud.
I just got back from Costa Cafe where I heard three different versions of Jingle Bells. Richard and I went to write papers. The Vanilla Lattes there come in soup bowls and are the most delicious things. I was working on a story for creative writing. The assignment is to write a story with the first line "So much depends upon..." and ends with "Beside the white chickens," lines of course from the William Carlos William's poem, which happens to be one of my favorites, and with a prose story in between. I'm stepping out of the box with my writing style on this one, trying something new, which scares me a little. Maybe I'll let you read it when it's finished.

Marley, I'm so impressed with your art! Someone in this family is artistically inclined, I find this surprising! Especially love your self portrait, the photo of Athena's Spider hair (so cool!) and the picture of the swings at the fair.

Also I never commented on the little red-headed boy, who's just the cutest thing. He looks British, there are so many gingers over here. There is an elementary school near by and the little boys always run me over with their bikes on their way home. They have to wear uniforms and are always a little bit wrinkled and askew. The girls have bows on their shoes. The other day I saw a little girl walking her bike and crying, her entire left side was covered in mud. She'd clearly fallen off her bike. I wanted to give her a hug and a cup of hot chocolate. Hopefully her Mummy did when she got home.

One month and 5 days now! So soon until I come home, and still so much to do over here!