Happiness

Ah... faster than the last post, for two reasons, really:

1) I half wrote this entry with my last one, but decided to keep my posts to less than two pages in Word before I post them on my blog and

2) I am having an exceptionally good day today which is attributed to:

a) my dongle working on my entire journey into work (however, it is characteristically not working on the way home)

b) the enjoyable music of Florence and the Machine (love it!)

c) my public transportation connections are ahead of schedule... let's see if this lasts. I have decided that my mood is directly influenced by my travel day. See graph for further explanation.

Continuing with my most and least favourite things, here are 5(ish) things I don't really like about this place...

1) The weather. I am cold! It's damp, which gets in your clothes and your linens and you don't seem to ever warm up. And you use your heating sparingly because it is expensive.

2) There is a lack of rubbish "bins" in public places. This leads to quite a lot of litter on the side of the road or in wooded areas or on the train. I think someone once told me that the reason for this was because people used to put bombs in the bins. Don't quote me on that because I am sure how accurate that is.

In many parts of Europe this is also the case and I remember (seeing it first hand) and learning about it in a cultural nutrition class that in general, Europeans aren't the type to eat on the run/walk, thus leading to a slimmer population. However, seeing the number of "crisp" bags, choccie bar wrappers, and empty pop and lager cans near the side walk is direct evidence to why the UK is just as fat as North America. The only difference here between Brits and N. Americans is that we have a magical hole to hide our gluttonous evidence on every single street corner.

3) Along with the acceptability of drinking in the afternoon and in public in the UK, it also poses as something that I don't like about this place: young lads (generally) drinking in the park, on the street, etc who feel the need to get lager-ed up as soon as they get up. Groups of them who have nothing better to do because not many employers are hiring this category right now, get together and get drunk, and usually cause a ruckus. This leads to the next two peeves...

4) You are able to leave school at the age of 16 in many parts of England where the onus is on you to apply to a "college" and gain the necessary skills that will help you to gain a job or further your education. From what I can tell, the two main reasons why these youth don't further their education is because cash-strapped employers are not hiring this demographic, so why would you bother investing the money in training if you know you won't get a job? This is changing in many parts of the country where it is now mandatory for students to remain in school for 12 years. I am not entirely certain on the situation and it will be something I look into further.

5) The money and living accommodations doled out by the government seems to cover the price of booze, drugs, and junk food. Yes... LIVING ACCOMMODATIONS! Although, not the nicest digs, you apply to the government when you are 18 and it is their obligation to find you a home. In cases where you are a single mother with multiple children, your government benefits are better than a wage you would earn if you were working (in a low-skill job), which feeds into the "why bother" mentality... if you aren't educated, then you don't get a descent wage so why bother working? You don't build your job skill profile, thus are still not hireable. Why not take a course if you are unemployed? That costs money, although there are subsidised programmes available, they aren't exactly teaching expert skills. And again, unemployment for low skill jobs is high and is forecasted to remain high for the next few years and again, why bother working if you make more money sitting on your ass or having babies?

These are all big boos for England, but I have fully considered them and will continue to throughout my Adventure until they play into my final decision (whenever that day may come).

On a better note, I have been up to some great things this month:

I completed a 10km race in 54 minutes. For only running once a week, I'd say that is not bad. My friend Tracy also started running this year and finished in 57 minutes! Great for her and it is also exciting because her running group was featured in their local newspaper ( I was a teammate by association). We went out afterwards to celebrate, which ended up an experience in itself... all for the next blog entry.

www.redditchadvertiser.co.uk/sport/local/5055830.New.runners.do.well/

Apart from the news that our pickled onions turned out really really well (spicy zingers), I hope that the likes of spring are starting to touch you wherever you are just as it is here. Stay tuned for my next entry where I talk about parties and my picture diary.

Peace out!