Election 2012

Election 2012 

(Don't let the title mislead you - no in-depth political analysis will be taking place - however much I wish I could articulate that serious stuff).

After spending the majority of Tuesday tweeting the day away whilst turning our apartment 

into a CNN studio space, I was more than ready to experience an American election.  And 

how lucky I was to be here in Iowa, a swing state, to take in the Democrat/Republican

battle.

So, we all woke up this morning with Obama still as the president and, for most of the

students at least, there was a large exhale of anxiety - people (including me) were 

genuinely worried that the Buzz Lightyear businessman was going to attempt to run 

America Inc.   

After being told explicitly in my International Orientation that any talk of politics was 

strictly in the don't-mention-to-Americans category, I quickly got fed up of the 

more acceptable topic of weather and gathered some thoughts (and sometimes ignorance) 

on Iowa's political stance.  I watched the Hollywood movie/gameshow-esque debate 

nights with intent AND pleasure, as, for once, there were NO COMMERCIALS - getting 

intense, eh America?!  It made for a much more interesting election night.  

From the Americans I have spoken to - mostly students and two random, silver haired men 

(sounds worse than it is - totally innocent situation) - there was an overall eagerness for the 

election to be over.  My excitement could simply not be translated, as the Yanks had been 

enduring the election hype for almost two years!  Nonetheless, Iowa holds a special place 

in President Obama's career and so there was still a couple of butterflies left in the 

belly of Iowa.  

For the most part, the students of the University of Iowa were ready and raring to cast their 

votes, and, with early voting taking place, there has been a rare moment in the past two 

weeks where I haven't been mobbed by encouragement to vote (on the streets of Iowa city, 

phone calls from Obama's little helpers and texts and emails from Barack and Michelle

themselves), I even got a free Snickers (Ok, it was snack size, but who cares?!).  

Yet despite all the efforts on both sides, I was overwhelmingly surprised by the number of

students NOT voting and just plainly uninterested in their right to vote.  This week, as I've 

watched from the sidelines, I have heard truly tragic reasons for not going to a polling 

station - polling stations which, I may add, are situated as conveniently as the Main Library 

on campus.  Now, I'm not going to rant - I promise - about why one should vote (especially

as a woman, ahem suffragettes - I know, very near ranting stage) but I have to show both

sides y'know.  The excuses were all too familiar, including: "I was too busy", "I don't know

enough" and - this is THE worst - "It doesn't really affect me as a person".  

If I could have voted, I would have. With a big tick next to Obama. I couldn't justify Romney 

after giving him numerous appalled looks and words via the TV screen.  I'm truly thankful to 

have experienced an American election this side of the pond - to get a taste of the hype 

state-side.  Having an outsider's view has also made me realise how important it is to take 

an interest in your own country AND other countries' politics; it really does matter and I'm 

left intrigued to what the next four years will bring for America. 

One last thing - GObama!!!

P.S. This probably didn't help Romney.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTCRwi71_ns

Update on American Antics...In Pictures

I thought an update was needed to share my shenanigans from the past few weeks. I've 

taken a lot of pictures, captured a lot of goings on and so here is me sharing through the 

wonder of the digital camera (photographer skills not included).  

P.S. This is going from now and moving backwards in terms of sequence of events!

Road trip to Nashville, Tennessee...

Our white steed which drove us 20 hours there and back. A long drive, but worth it!

The sun set, yet we carried on driving.

A good hearty breakfast in downtown Nashville (complete with 'biscuits and gravy') - true country style.

Broadway - the main street in Nashville.  I wish I could capture the sound with this picture; all day everyday there is live country music coming out of each of these bars.  A city with a small-town feel.

Because we did a family outing to see him last year :).

Because I have a secret love for Taylor Swift. Not so secret anymore, but I have reasons...look at her dress and guitar - she's cool.

Included in our visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame was a performance by a song writer. Value for money or what?! Excellent guitar player and his voice wasn't too bad either :). 

Because me and my dad love a bit of Lyle Lovett and his Stetson.

Johnny Cash's guitar, pretty snazzy.

One of my favourite people in Nashville.  Nyla (imagine this said in a Southern drawl) was our extremely enthusiastic tour guide who idolised Dolly Parton.  Look forward to some pretty poor impressions of her on my return home.  

Our little group just sitting in the studio where Elvis and Dolly Parton among an array of artists who have recorded at Studio B.

Not buying cowboy boots was the hardest task in Nashville.  I fell in love with one pair which I will forever mourn over leaving. On the upside I am very happy that I still have $400 dollars in the bank. 

Incongruous to our setting we had falafel and shisha (hooka as the Americans call it).  A nice break from the intense honky tonk :). 

We went, we saw and we conquered. Well not quite, but it was just like the movie and was, well, an experience to say the least!

Great view of Nashville.

From the waterfront looking back to Nashville.  I loved the old-time look of the buildings!

 

The school spirit has arrived - I LOVE FOOTBALL (and kind of understand it!)

Being a football player is THE coolest thing ever. Even I want to be one.

I also love the band (and their hats). 

We went to the windy city - why not?!

One of my favourite attractions in Chicago. Known as The Bean, but actually called 'Cloud Gate'.  Gives a great reflection of Chicago and is in the atmospheric 'Millennium Park'

Inside/underneath the Cloud Gate

There were SO many wedding parties around here.  This was the most erm...extravagant dresses. Big Fat Gypsy Wedding anyone?

The historic baseball stadium at night

The 'L' - our form of transport for the weekend.

And we had to experience the city bars...

Living the true Chicago life, we rented a house!

The bus journey back was a success! This is compared to the bus journey there, which I won't get into BUT over booking is a silly, silly concept that the Americans have not-so-cleverly come up with.

Hannah x

 

The Iowa Life... 

So, I have been well and truly ‘trash’ at writing on my blog recently.  But good news! (or bad 

news depending on your preference of this)  I’m back on it like a car bonnet, as my geordie 

friends would say.  I am actually proud of my excuses for not posting anything as they 

include galavanting to Chicago, gettin’ low to T-Pain (yes, I am half a gangsta now) and 

seeing President Obama. From about 10 metres away. Yes, the ACTUAL President of the 

United States.  He practically high fived me.  Well not really, but I still have the allowance of 

about a year to brag about this. 

OBAMA! Four more years please!

ANYWAY it’s been 1 month, yes ONE WHOLE QUARTER of my time here has passed.  So I 

feel like I am allowed and almost obliged to make at least a few judgements/observances 

about the American, and more specifically, Iowan life.

I was pretty sure that before I came to the U.S. that culture shock would not be on my 

agenda.  I sat back with a smug grin on my face in orientation when we were having talks on 

how ‘shocking’ the Americans could turn out to be. Pfft, I’ve lived up ‘ull for 2 years of my life, 

I thought, surely the shocking things of Hull (which I like to call ‘the charm of Hull’) have 

eased me into any sort of behaviour that could be considered ‘surprising to one’s nature’?!

But, yes, to some degree I have experienced the dreaded culture shock.  Here are my top 

shockers...

Grinding. Even the name of this dance is horrific.  

So, my roommates and I decided last minute to go to a U.V., glow in the dark party (also 

code for not-wear-much party) at a bar downtown.  As soon as we got in (fully equipped with 

an under 21 wristband, boo!) we headed for the dance floor.  On the floor, ready to throw my 

normal/wacky moves out there into the Iowa atmosphere, I heard “d’ya wanna dance?” 

behind me.  Then I realised that every student of Iowa was paired up in an instant to partake 

in some very hands-on grinding.  Needless to say, I was NOT ready for this.  I kindly 

declined the random guy, feeling that it was way too early on in our 2 second relationship to 

dive into this grinding/groping business - things were moving too fast.  Everyone else didn’t 

see this and I realised that this was total normal behaviour. I preceded to partner our gay 

friend and teach him some totally uncool British shapes.

Workload.  From grinding to...school work. Sorry about the juxtaposition.

There is a lot more school work here than in the U.K., or than in Hull at least. A LOT more. 

The Americans seem to have a greater sense of their progress at uni and really want to 

make a good impression on their prof.  Unlike at home, I haven’t missed a class yet (this is 

not counting missing class to see Obama, which is an amazing excuse if I ever saw one!).  

Not only this, but most students, my roommates included, have to balance this with a job.  

And I’m not just talking about a small Saturday job.  I’m struggling - I have no idea how they 

cope!  But my work-ethic has gone American and I’m glad about it. 

Books for just 2 of my classes

Lifestyle.  Eat lots of crap, then work out.

I’m sure nearly everyone’s  image of the american lifestyle includes fried chicken, 

McDonald’s and a whole lot of ‘chunky’ people.  Iowa has wiped that slate clean for me - 

everyone is so damn athletic! I feel that the culture here is eat what you like, in the form of 

VERY unhealthy fast food including pizza rolls, grilled cheese sandwiches and burgers 

washed down with a distinct lack of water and THEN work out.  For a long time.  Everyday.  

I’m sure it can’t be good for you, but most people in Iowa are lookin’ goooood. 

Fashion. This has baffled me.

The University of Iowa, I’ve been told, is a bit of a ‘jock’ school.  This means lots of parties 

(2nd best party school in the U.S. woooo - Go Hawks) and in terms of fashion it means that 

everybody looks like they’re going to the gym, all the time.  Even when they’re not.  Yes, 

Nike trainers are the main accessory here, which, teamed with gym shorts/yoga pants and 

often a hawkeyes top makes up the university of iowa fashion (sad face).  I’m often told by 

my roommates that I’m ‘dressed up’ for university, which I reply to (in my head) with: No, I’m 

juuuust wearing normal clothes.  I have even been taken to the mall with the main objective 

of my roommates being ‘Make the Brit girl buy yoga pants and make her look normal’.  To the 

disappointment of my housemates, I’m not buying into this ‘trend’. This is still subject to 

change, though, and I may be returning to the U.K. looking like some sort of fitness freak - 

burger in one hand, energy drink in the other.  

I hope I haven’t bored you too much with some little views on Iowa.  I’m sure there will be 

much more quirks that I will bore you with.  All these differences I take with a pinch of salt 

and I’m actually finding them quite endearing! 

One more thing...Everyone has been asking me with vigour: “Can you drink?!”  Theoretically, 

no.  In reality, yes.  But only at house parties, where shots of vodka are essential (been 

killing me). It’s OK though - my 21st birthday is less than a week away, so I can be trusted 

with alcohol again soon. I can assure you that I will be ordering a HUGE glass of California 

wine - a glass that could constitute as a bowl.

Hannah x

Iowa City in Pictures

A taste of what I see daily in Iowa City - a place full of culture, with an almost small town feel.  I love it!

 Campus...

My newly Americanised feet, rocking the Sperry's - a must have on campus (I'm told). And so I HAD to buy them. 

The front of campus and one of the many green areas to chill or read and a good meeting place!

Walking to class with the Old Capitol building in the distance. 

I HAD to take this to show how busy it is!! Never have I experienced so many backpacks in one place.

The view of the other side of campus, which doesn't look out over downtown Iowa City.  This leads out to Coralville, across the Iowa river.

I did not expect a Museum of Natural History ON CAMPUS! 

I'm not the only one who rides a bike!  A bit like Amsterdam, but without the canals and erm...stuff

Hmm. I wonder if this is the fraternity Ashton Kutcher was part of? I wonder if he visits....

 We're Going Downtown...

View from the main street to Campus

Clinton Street 

Moving into a fairly cultural quarter of the city...

I guess you'll have to visit if you want to know the story!

I've seen two pianos so far, just placed around the city for people to play. This guy was pretty damn good!

I love the shops here!!

I wondered if they were catering for the international student audience?

This was old school inside and out. I wish I had a record player.

My favourite thing in here was a shirt saying "Midwest is Best".

The Englert Theatre

Starting to look like a shopaholic here...BUT this another cool vintage shop I came across.

Dubuque street. Good books and sandwiches are both found here!

Prairie Lights - Iowa City's bookstore.  One of the most successful independent bookstores in the U.S.A. They have regular literary readings from well known and not so well known authors.

Some very believable street art.

Literature is everywhere...resonating the fact that Iowa City is a UNESCO city of literature; it really is the place to study English!