Army Girls, Flappers, and Tutus.

Well, this week has been very relaxing. Other than the fact that I had to turn in my term paper on Wednesday, my homework load has been relatively low. This gave me the opportunity to lay around and not do much. But, we did have something to look forward to: The Costume Ball.

I wasn't too thrilled about my costume, going as someone from a masquerade ball. It seemed unoriginal and I didn't have a good dress to go with the mask i'd bought. Meg and Jess had gone into town earlier in the week, and said they found a really cute green dress. So, on Friday afternoon we all went into town and I went looking for a dress.

Yes, I admit that looking on Friday for a dress for that night was a little...well, unlogical. But I wasn't too worried about it. I already had a dress that I was fine with wearing Everyone was convincing me that my outfit would be fine but I didn't believe them. But they still said I needed to check out that green dress, so we did. I didn't like it too much, it didn't fit very well. However, I did find a really cute silky black and white dress which I fell in love with. It was 10 pounds off, too! Then, we found a pair of peep-toe shoes that I could use for a variety of things. All of that together was only 30 pounds, which roughly translates back to $45. Good deal!

We went into another store and bought me some thigh high stockings, and elbow length black gloves. I was getting pretty excited about my costume at this point. So, we went to celebrate at the Goose. I had a strawberry flavored Cider, and everything else got a variety of things. I had to get back early so I only had my one drink while they stayed and "pre-gamed."

I rushed back, turned in my travel writing paper, then took a shower. I had to walk over to the Carriage House so Sara Hilber could do my hair. After she'd done everyone elses, she started curling mine. Then Merrissa did my makeup. I wanted my eyes dark to look mysterious behind my mask...haha! But finally it was time to go.

At 7, they had drinks in the Great Hall, so everyone was talking to each other, drinking what some people said tasted like champagne and sprite. I didn't drink any. Everyone was marveling at each other and their costumes. There were knights, mimes, more masquerade ladies, flappers, army girls, prom queens, greek gods, crayons, stay at home moms, and a lot of others. It was really fun to see the different ideas people had come up with, and their costumes that matched so perfectly!

A little before 7:30, the cat walk began. Joined with this Costume Ball was our Date Auction. A few people were selected to be a part of it, and during the course of the night we could silently bid on them to raise money for the British Royal Legion. So, at this point, those selected had to catwalk down the aisle in front of all of us so we could decide who we wanted to bid on.

After that was over, we all filed into the State Drawing Room, to collect our food and head towards the Long Gallery to eat. The meal was pretty good and the tables were set up very nicely, like those set up on a cruise for the evening meal. It was a nice treat! Everyone ate, drank, and took pictures. I even got a picture with my british professor, Dr. Green, who dressed up like a pirate AND it was his birthday!

It wasn't long before the disco started. We had a DJ and everything. They turned out the lights in the Great Hall and had the music going, with lights bouncing off the walls. It was a lot of fun. That lasted for a few hours. Quite a few people stayed the whole time which I was surprised. Even the british professors danced!! Dr. Owen danced for a majority of the night, with the students! It was hilarious. And Dougie, who is our 65 year old shuttle driver was dancing with us. he is the sweetest old Scottish man you could ever meet! (he was in the date auction as well).

People were bidding on who they wanted to buy. A few of us went in together as a group and wanted to buy Team Brad: Brad Joyce and Brad Wade. They are two guys we hang out with quite a bit. we ended up buying them for 71 pounds! Ahh!! By the time the night was over, we had raised more money for the charity than any other semester in Harlaxton history! Woo hoo!!

It was great fun and i'm glad I went. Harlaxton is the best!!

On Saturday, no one did anythign. Everyone was relaxing from the fun from the ball. I watched movies all day...well 4. It was marvelous!

This next week they are having Thanksgiving Dinner on Thursday, to make us feel more at home, and then that night i'll be sleeping in an airport on my way to Lisbon, Portugal!

Have a great Thanksgiving!

27 days til I'll be home...