Milestones in Manchester

Hey mates and ducks,

Lots of excitement going on in Manchester since the eventful Fakesgiving! We're in our last week of classes (though we have essays and such all due after break, so we're still going), experienced the famous Manchester seasonal markets, I brought an American tradition to England, and England received a flummoxing amount of snow. According to perceptions here. Let's begin!

So snow. Not a big deal unless it's more than half a foot, right? Well, half an inch here is actually cause to shut down the city. Hmm. Because Manchester doesn't get *much* snow, there is universal befuddlement when any appears (which still happens-every year). Even by the first snowfall, they were out of salt. Not sure how that was managed. Also, there seems to not be any plows, and while this fervent hoping for the snow to melt is undoubtedly an effective method, it is not as effective as some. So, for almost 4 days, many people stopped travel of any sort to jobs, school, or in my case, a day trip with the International Society to Lincoln, England. Big thumbs down. Ah well. I did get a chance to check out Manchester's market, which is apparently quite good as they go, and it's really fun. There's a lot of stands where you can get a variety of specialty foods and gifts, and if you don't go on a Saturday night, you might actually be able to walk around.
The picture is very seasonal, with each little hut lit up and carolers singing, with a big singing reindeer head perched above it all. I would like one for my room in case anyone is thinking about what to get me

After discussing the concept of S'mores with both my American friends and my non-American friends, who haven't heard of this lovely invention, I brilliantly decided to have a S'mores party. A bit of a challenge to pull off in a country that doesn't manufacture graham crackers, but we got creative . Due to my culinary expertise, I envisioned fulfilling the role of orchestrator, rather than the Gordon Ramsey of this operation. However, somehow, I ended up in charge of the marshmallow cooking. After an hour, and realizing how to turn the oven back on, we were really in business! I gave a S'mores tutorial for my friends (particularly those who haven't done this before, but with such a complicated process, even the veterans probably benefitted from the clarification of s'mores assembly). It was so great. In summary, if s'mores become the next big thing in Italy, Canada, Germany, and Spain, you'll know why.
We're going to do some sort of party soon because it was so much fun. Any ideas? There was talk of a historical dress-up party, but we all know how well I do history. (If not, it's on the same level as directions.)

In the holiday spirit, I thought I'd share a couple things about England that I find quaint, since at times my appraisals can be a bit critical. One thing that I'm growing to love is that nearly every elevator I've encountered has the courtesy to tell me what's happening at every moment of our journey together. Not sure if it's a public structure law, but it should be! I'll tell ya, if the voice didn't tell me "doors opening", "doors closing", and "going up"/"going down", I would have NO idea what to expect. Are we gonna take off into outer space? Is the elevator going to go sideways to our destination? So much uncertainty is thankfully avoided with this convention. I don't think I can bear to return to regular non-narrative elevators after this.
Also, people are really good at holding doors here. It's a little thing, but it's really a very nice gesture, and everybody does it! Maybe it's to make up for the whole walking thing. Gah! Oops.

I'm so excited to see everyone at home in 13 days! Again, best if we can figure out plans ahead of time since I'll need to do more coordinating than usual. It's so weird, because at Thanksgiving I was counting down the days, but I've been so busy that it seems to have popped up out of nowhere. So excited though. Big hugs to everyone!

Word on the street:
Skive/wag= skip something school/work related
Sledging= verbal taunting used in cricket to distract the opposite team
Centenary = centennial
Take the mickey out of someone= give someone a hard time
Manky= inferior/worthless