Elections, Earthquakes and Exams

The title definitely sounds more exciting than it actually was!

First of all, today Knoxville had an earthquake, everyone who were in the halls felt it and the beds were shaking, but I was out at the football match and it certainly wasn't strong enought to be felt in a stadium of 80,000. Either way, today I survived my first American earthquake, even if I was totally oblivious.
Secondly, the election was this week! People really got into it around campus (of course, they love giving their opinions). As a non-voter it was quite funny to see how hyped-up people got about it, but I enjoyed listening to the debates and getting a slice of Obama cake and a Romney lolly - I've got to say, Obama won it for me on that part. There were 10 of us squeezed into the living room to watch the election show, all 4 hours of it. We managed to get chatting and missed the actual point where the votes went over 270! Haha but it left us with two happy Americans and one unhappy. It seemed that way all over campus the next day, even though Tennessee had a massive Romney majority.

Thirdly (is that even a word?), I've got so much work due in at the beginning of next week, as well as an exam, that I've been having to knuckle down. But, I'm still doing welll and even the test I thought I'd epically failed turned out to be ok. Everyone had complained that it covered things we hadn't learnt in much detail, so the lecturer felt bad and turned up to the next lesson with Dunkin Donuts for us all. Only in America.

All that being said, I've still managed to loads this weekend including going to a basketball game and a football match... I've changed!

The Basketball game on Friday night was the first of the season for the men's game, so Shannon (sports mad) talked me and Georgia into going early with her to get front row seats.

First in line for the UT vs Kennesaw State basketball game

There's only one other game whilst we're here so I went just in case we don't get another chance. We arrived mega early and got Shannon's top seats that were literally court side right behind the net, we even got filmed for some sports channel, thank God you don't get it at home!


Best seats in the house - Thompson-Boling Arena

It's similar to the football that there's a student section that is really lively and gets all the chants going. They also have cheerleaders and their own band (no wonder it costs so much to go to Uni in America, they spend a fortune on sports events!) so that's always fun to watch. Tennessee Vols were play Kennesaw State and we won, can't remember the score 60something - 50something.

Chatting to Smokey at the Basketball

Unlike the football game today where we lost against Missouri 51-48.


Jade, Annabelle, Michaela & Shannon at Neyland Stadium

Nervous as it goes to a next touch-down wins

It was so close and went to over time, was well intense but I was just shattered by that point and couldn't really care less who won! It was 25 degrees with the sun on us for 4 hours. Lovely, but I'd had enough by the extra time.


25 degree sunny day in November

Highlight of the day was the British accent once again working a treat and helping me to bag a picture with two of the cheerleaders! haha it had to be done. I've managed to get one with the cheerleaders, Smokey the mascot and a band member now... think I am a true VOL.

T - E - Double N - E - Double S - Double E - Tennessee!