Fish

Is it strange that I find myself thinking in an English accent? And I say English as the English population of students here at Bangor outweighs the Welsh 60% o 40%. I can only name about 5 Welsh students I've met. In addition to these number, Tecwyn says the International students (meaning here everyone not from Wales) make up 85-90% of the Bangor U population...or was it the Bangor city population? Either way, his point was that because of these numbers, Bangor is losing it's "Welshness", as it were.

Why do people use that phrase "as it were"? I don't even entirely understand it but I stick it places anyway...

Back when Tecwyn was in school at Bangor - since he's "32" now that would have been just a few years ago, right? lol - Bangor University wanted to let lots of International students come here so that they could blend with the Welsh community. However, what actually started to happen was that since more English people came, the Welsh language and traditions slowly began to die out. Now rather than 100% of the population being native Welsh speakers, the numbers have dropped to a mere 50%. Luckily, the surrounding smaller towns still hold the language firm...for now. With more English students coming in, the increase in interest of living in a house rather than a hall has resulted in students searching for places outside of Bangor. So as you see, eventually and very sad as it is, the Welsh land will be taken over by English so that they can study in a Welsh school and the Welsh language will no longer exist. What I find ironic is that many of the English claim to hate the Welsh...so why do they come here to study? It makes no sense!

Anyways, I figured I'd start the routine of gathering questions from family members so they can better understand what life is like here. My grandma asked the following:

1. How many in a class?
Depends on the class...as it does at Central. They will let you into a class and make more sections/times/groups/whatever you want to call them to fit everyone in who is interested.

2. Mostly male or female instructors?
As far as I know there are more males. But that's just from looking at pictures. All of my instructors will be male I think.

3. Are the class rooms like yours at Central?
No. They are more lecture style or stadium seating. We only have like 2 rooms like that (that I am aware of) at Central. In addition to that, they don't have the super cool camera and radio studios I get to work with while I'm here!

4. How long is each class?
Well there are different types of classes. Lectures/Seminars, which are 1-3; Practicals which can be 1-8...as one of my classes is 8 hours long; and fieltrips, which can last all day.

5. Are any of them from the USA?
Are any what of who...what? Who/what are from the USA? I don't have anyone in my 8 hour Essentials of Media Production class. All of the USA kids are in Tecwyn's Introduction to Welsh History and Culture ("Over Here") class and will be in Outdoor Pursuits, and I am not sure about my Cellular and Molecular Biology class because I haven't had that yet!

6. What are some of the Welsh names that are not common here?
So far I've run into Gaz, Tiddid (I think? I can't spell it), Owain (Owen), Tecwyn (obviously), Daz, Illtud...that's it.

In addition to these lovely and thoughtful questions, my uncle wanted to know if I'm anywhere near High Castle. Am I?

Let me look it up...

No. Can't find it. Sorry.

Well I'm knackered...or as Dani and I would say, "naked"..even though it's only 9 AM, I think I will head back to bed for a bit before I go out to get my railway pass with some friends later.

Cheers! xx

p.s. Don't let Welsh-speaking Japanese tycoon billionaires tear down Bangor U buildings to start a casino.
p.p.s. I don't expect you to get that. ;)