Update from Arizona

Its getting near the end of the first week of classes - just another 15 to go before the christmas break!
All of them are really interesting (no schist!) but Geochemistry is definately the hardest. Those who go to the Geology Dept at Leicester will know what i mean when i compare the lecturer to Norry. He likes to talk randomly about things which have a rather vague connection to the class topic and breezes through things like there elimentary! Sound like Norry?

My other modules - Introduction to Exploration Seismology, Geology of the Solar System and Regional Tectonics look pretty good. We have NO exams in Geology of the Solar System but instead assessed entirely on "homework" assignments and a end of semester report/presentation. Regional tect should be great - Dickson's stuff from last year has prepared us well for this.

Last night we had a special recognition dinner for all the exchange students here at the UA. A pretty posh affair with an amazing meso-america buffet. They invited people to show off some skills and share various experiences with the group.

One Aussie told of how he got stuck in Mexico when stopping over in San Diego on his way to Tucson. He and 2 mates (a fellow Aussie and German i think) walked over the border one evening to go to a few pubs etc but, with the exception of the German guy, were refused entry back into the USA. This is because he didnt have a travel signature on his Visa which basically says you can come back into the US on that Visa as often as you want until it expires (you get them easily enough off the Uni). They tried once to cross the border and failed. A local Irish pub down the road heard of their issues and the barman lent one guy his shirt and crossed the border with him - no problems. 1 Aussie through, another got refused again and threatened that if he tried again, he'd be deported back to Australia! Thus the Irish guy came back to Mexico, lent the remaining Aussie his shirt, dyed his hair with Sprite (aparently it can be done!) and through shear luck he got through, despite walking past the guy who had refused him twice before!

Other entertainment highlights that evening included the Aussie contingent singing Waltzing Matilda, a solitary Kiwi performing the Hacker (upmost respect for him) and some people from Munich wearing the traditional Bavarian Lederhosen! It was a class evening! Other lively debate started surrounding the Rugby World Cup with Wade (the Kiwi) adament that they were going to reclaim the trophy after 20 years of hardship! Let me just remind them who won it last time! (With little chance of retaining it - i admit!)

Anyway, ive got to find a Geochemistry book and try to unscramble the ommlette of equations floating around my head into a bite size chunks shortly followed by meeting someone for lunch.

Take care now y'all!