What's been up

Gwen's here and everything seems alright. I've got 3 exams which I'm simultaneously extremely nervous about/couldn't care less so I'm turning into a grumpy bear but once exams are over it'll be good. In 4 hours upon arrival (took TWO hours to clear custom!!!) Gwen's 1)rearranged my room b)cleaned up Jess's flower display 3)tidied up the kitchen and God knows what else when I wasn't looking. It's like she's channelling the spirit of Auntie Daisy!!! I foresee many fights about who'll be cleaning/cooking.....God it's like Gowri v. 2. :P

Dinner with Mike and his dad turned out to be ok. The food was extremely good though I didn't taste anything because I was nervous but all in all I think it went off fine. Mike's dad is a very educated guy (I don't know him well enough to see if that translates into smart) who has a very nice habit of opening doors and hanging up jackets and pouring wine first and other little niceties for girls. I can see where Mike gets his good manners from. Aside from that dinner was a quiet occasion.....I just felt weird. I haven't done this whole English dinner thing for a long time. As much as Gwen loves to call me a gweilo I was still raised by my mother who is as western as chicken rice. I don't do formal! The first time I met Graeme's parents (ALSO under coercion) we had salad and dinner in the backyard on their lawn table surrounded by hedges and flowers with bees buzzing around. And of course two little brothers to even out the tension. Ok, I'm just complaining I just hate formal in every single sense. Except for the nice clothes.