A Long Awaited Update

I know that you all have been disappointed about the lack of posts (sorry mom...). So, I decided to take a break from studying/interneting to write. I can't really describe Kalamazoo in one word. Some days are extraordinary, but most are ordinary. I guess I'm just getting used to living here, which only took two short years. I have been going through the w-curve pretty hard lately though. I miss my friends! But while they get to hike the alps, visit Mexico City, and farm in Thailand, I have been able to get some midnight Steak n' Shake. So it's definitely a draw. I have also had the opportunity to make new friends (shout out to my pet rock Larry) that I would normally not talk to if my food crew was around. School is hard, but rewarding. Nothing says "I love learning, I want to develop my mind!!!" like freaking the fuck out on a semi-regularly basis. The most exciting thing to happen to me recently was that I heard this one Cage the Elephant song that I liked on the radio but didn't remember anything about it or who it was by. But then yesterday it turned up on my Pandora! My life in Kalamazoo is oh so exciting!!!

Day 2

Hey everyone! It's Ariah. I know that this blog is fairly new, so I've decided to post a list of  things that Rachel and myself are excited to do this year. We are trying our best to integrate ourselves into the culture, so here are some typical "American" things that we're really hoping to do:

• Shop at Wal-Mart
• Eat a "Baconator"
• Shotgun some PBRs
• Grill Hot Dogs and/or Ham-burgers
• Learn to walk to class without looking up from iPhone screen
• Take a scenic tour of some local "strip-malls"
• Buy a rifle 
• Participate in an eating contest
• Recreate "Supersize Me"
• Get "turnt"
• Binge-watch "The Voice"
• Push our religion onto others

...Any other suggestions??????

Day One

Hey it's Rachel, and I arrived in Kalamazoo three weeks ago with my friend Ariah. It wasn't until today at lunch at a local cafe called the Welles Dining Hall that we realized we should document our experiences. Some may be wondering what this blog will entail. Well, it's merely a place to write down our thoughts as we experience American culture in a little town we're studying in called Kalamazoo. Personally, I'm interested in the cuisine, while Ariah is interested in the wildlife, but we are certain that we will discover other new aspects along the way!

The first few weeks have been an unusual cultural experience. There are a lot of really stressed people on weekdays, and really drunk people on the weekends. We are immersing ourselves in the native dialect by watching classic American television shows such as Louie and Parks & Recreation. We will try to write again soon, but we are busy studying, people watching, and learning how to navigate our new home.