So Random

Warning - this is not a remotely exciting post today (are they ever?! ;-)) Been in a bit of a funk the last couple of days - technically known as 'overtired.' Going to bed at 3am, getting up at 9am, sitting out in baking heat all day has thrown me all off. Cue MAJOR GRUMPINESS. Bet your glad there's an ocean between us now!!

Things I don't love about my adventure so far:

• Calling people at home doesn't work well. Typically you are asleep when I'm about to dial/skype y'all ;-(


• Not hiring a car in the US also doesn't work. ALTHOUGH bus drivers here are so friendly: it's basically like having a private chauffeur and it's a great way to meet other tourists. Only tourists ride the bus and NONE of us have a clue how to work the crazy magnetic swipe/ ticket insert/ cash slot ticket machines ;-))


• Actually going places here will require me to drive BUT the prospect of driving a car in the US freaks me out - their traffic laws and lights are 'open to interpretation' and no-one signals as far as I can tell.


• I am so not adventurous. I like having some sort of routine. It's only been a week but it feels weird not having a job. I feel like a hobo. I hate to admit it but I have no real interest in touristy things - museums BOREEEEEEEEEE ME to death and they are like freezers. Today I had to go outside to defrost for 20 mins before heading back in. That's not right.


• Tipping drives me crazy plus tax gets added to everything at the till - cue major fumble trying to work out the money and typically dropping everything on the floor.


• Tried to get a pedicure yesterday but the nail bars are staffed by chinese/ mexican male nail technicians and not good looking ones. That freaks me out. Cue equally dodgy home pedicure.


• There's not a whole lot going on in Nashville now that the Country Music Fest has left town. In fact there's just a hay bale rolling down the street. ;-))

Well time to turn that frown upside down - things I'm loving about my adventure so far:

• I love the heat, the sun and seeing lightning bugs in the evening - so pretty. Though I still have my 'farmer's tan' as everyone calls it here.


• I have had the most amazing apartment all to myself for a week - indoor and outdoor dining room anyone!


• I have met some amazingly kind people this week - I got invited to my first tailgate BBQ pre-concert party in the parking lot. Not the classiest do but hilariously good fun.


• I have fallen in LOVE with Chris Powell of Extreme Makeover Weightloss Edition. He is a GOD - talks so much sense and is total eye candy. These programmes are amazing and UBERinspirational although I always have to rehydrate afterwards (from the hour of sobbing whilst watching the programme then from the run I feel compelled to do to prevent becoming 300lbs and ending up on Chris' programme)


• I have survived this far, despite having no real plan, no map or clue what I'm doing most of the time and despite encountering some of the most horrible taxi drivers on the planet. There's a reason I take the bus.


• US libraries are AMAZING and warmer than the museums and galleries - I did warn you that I'm not adventurous. Best reads so far: Marta Stewart's Rules and Meg Cabot's ENTIRE back catalogue for adults


• I have YET to consume my body weight in Chips Ahoy - the US equivalent to Maryland cookies but somehow better


• I still have weeks to perfect being a better and more daring traveller. Infact I want to set myself the challenge of doing a road trip through California in September either starting or ending in San Fran. I'm just not convinced I am brave enough yet. But I have three months.

Wait I still have three months left!!!!!! Tomorrow I head to Texas. CUE MASSIVE SMILE xx