Nessie Trip

This weekend I went on a trip with the Scenic Club from school to Inverness. We had a hilarious tour guide that would laugh at her own joke, tell funny stories and play traditional Scottish music randomly on the bus. She also had a crush on the bus driver… haha. The trip was great except we stopped every five minutes… so it took all day to get there when it should have only taken 3 hours! Each stop was at least 15 minutes and sometimes people didn’t even get out. We stayed in a youth hostel that was not the greatest, but we were only there for a night. They gave us “sleeper sheets” that was like a sleeping bag with a pillow cover attached… so you know they didn’t wash the regular bedding much…ugg. On Sunday we saw Loch Ness and the Urquhart castle. It was beautiful and mysterious with the light rain and fog. We also got some great pics with the Loch Ness monster: Nessie.

Tonight

Tonight was a fun night. I went and got Chinese takeout with some friends then we came back to our flat and watched “Ps I love you,” which is filmed in Ireland. Then, my friend Kari was heading to The Links Bar for a karaoke night with some of her drama club friends and I joined them. We had fun singing the night away.

St. Patrick's Day

Went on a field trip to a distillery to see how wiskey is made. We also visited a couple small villages and went on a hike to a waterfall. It’s starting to look like spring around here. The crocuses are blooming purple, white and yellow in the meadows and birds are singing in the trees! Tonight I hung out with international students in “the golf” and had fun singing karaoke.

Primary Schools

Today I went to James Gillespies Primary School to help out and observe. The children were so cute in their uniforms and Scottish accents! They were very well behaved; I was impressed. It will be interesting to do more research and read up on the Scottish education system for the paper I am writing.

Football Game (the kind of football where they use their feet)

Went to a big Glasgow Rangers game! They played against Dundee United. It was fun to go to a big game like this. There were crazy fans cheering and tons of security in florescent vests. And we got cute little meat pies to complete the experience.

Aviemore Trip to the Mountain

This weekend I went up to Andy’s cabin to go snowboarding! It was a nice and cozy and his parents told us funny stories, with their heavy accents mainly about “granny.”
In the morning, we had a typical Scottish breakfast of poorage and bacon-rolls, then headed up to ‘the mountain’ (more like a hill). Now that it was daylight, we could enjoy the gorgeous views of the highlands and snow.

The main difference of the day was the tram/train thing that took up to the top of ‘the mountain.’ It was like a roller coaster because at times you couldn’t see where it was going next! It was a good system, except there were no seats. We all crammed in and held our boards and ski’s in front of us. I did not realize how nice chair lifts are because you get to sit down and get a break. I was even more exhausted than I usually am after a long day boarding!
On my way up I had mentioned how fun it would be to drive “on the other side of the road.”

Now, I got my chance to drive when we went from the cabin to the pub (because the guys just had to watch the rugby game, haha). It was quite the experience. You wouldn’t think it was that hard… just do everything opposite because they don’t drive on the right side of the road… they drive on the left! Overall it went fine. I didn’t smash the tiny little car or anything. It just felt weird driving on the left side of the road and being able to turn left on a red (instead of right on red).

Dinner

I had a great time when Pastor Reese and wife invited me over to their house for dinner. We had a yummy fish pie, salad, potatoes, and bread. I didn’t realize that they have four children. It was fun to see some kids and see what a Scottish household is like. They welcomed me, but at the same time continued doing their own thing; a couple of the kids were doing homework, one was watching tv and the other running around. They are pretty Americanized because they have lived in Spokane the last 7 years (what a small world). But the kids still have adorable little Scottish accents.

Roma

*recommended listening: Bad Romance by Ladyy Gaga (because it was stuck in our head like the whole time... its a new catchy song that says Roma!)

Our flat mate trip to Rome was planned about the third week when we were here when Megan shouted “hey y’all, I just found these really cheap tickets to Rome for a weekend.” (Then we booked them and forgot about it because it was way in the future.) But then the future turned to present and we left at 4 am heading for Rome! We flew with Ryan Air, a very cheap airline that goes around Europe. We didn’t have assigned seating; we just got on the plane. No food was given to us either, but that’s ok because airplane food is gross anyways. They did try to sell us food though and other things like jewelry and perfume… pretty weird! Another reason why it was cheap was because the airport was 15 miles outside the city center. You wouldn’t think it was a big deal, right? But we don’t have a car! So… we took a shuttle bus to the train station, the train to the subway station, then a taxi to our hotel….then a bus and subway to get back to the city. Now it was about 1:00 (9 hours of travel)!!! By now we were a little exhausted, but super excited to be in Rome. When we came back into the daylight from the subway the first thing we saw was the coliseum: bam! It was amazing! Our next mission was to find some pizza… we shortly did and it was so good! We sat outside under umbrellas enjoying Rome…when it started to rain… and rain some more. Soon enough it was a torrential downpour! We couldn’t believe it! What happened? But this was not going to ruin our day! It was kinda fun walking around Roma with our bright umbrellas! Saw a few sights and got some gelato!







The next day we got up bright and early so that we could make the most of Rome! We started off at the Vatican and Sistine Chapel. We were thrilled that there were gorgeous blue skies! Then we saw Castle St. Angelo and the bridge leading to it that is lined with statues. We then walked to Piazza do Popolo, which I hadn’t seen before. Then the Spanish Steps, shopping area, Trevi Fountain, ruins, coliseum, more pizza, more gelato, more shopping. It was a great day. I love Rome! This really brought me back to when I was 16 and on a tour with a group from high school. We had chaperones and guided tours. This was my first big trip and I was just learning how to drive, and I lived at home. Now, 4 years later things have changed a little. We planned a trip of our own, and did what we wanted to! Coming to Scotland is my 3rd big trip now, I have been driving for a few years now, and I live on my own! Crazy! I wonder what life will be like in 4 more years!? …I’ll be a teacher!

Culross Field Trip

Saw a cute small town with an old Abbey, garden, a ‘castle,’ a few houses and a pub. After we walked around for awhile and saw everything we stopped in the pub and got some chips. Pretty much our whole class was in there because it was the only place to eat in town. Then we see our professor come in and order a beer! I couldn’t get over it. It was so weird. This would never happen back home!

I need to get out

“Not all those who wander are lost.” – J. R. R. Tolkien

After a few days of being sick, I needed to get out of the flat! It was a gorgeous day, so I went on a walk through the meadows (the city park) heading toward the city. I went to a couple museums and stores then stumbled upon the childhood museum, which was amazing! Tons of old toy trains, planes, dolls, dollhouses, puppets, and all the other classic toys. Then I ran into a friend and I joined her at a pub to watch the big Rugby game: Ireland vs. England. It was hilarious watching fans get so into the game and listen to their cheers and songs!

wow

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

This quote is very true. Just the other day on a field trip I was thinking: “wow, this waterfall and these evergreen trees are not any different from Oregon” but the cultural differences are what make Scotland different from home. I have really been enjoying getting to know and understand a new culture and see life from a new angle! There are more ways of doing some things than I ever would have thought! I am learning so much through this experience; every day I am amazed that I have learned so much. (and most of this happens outside Uni)

Differences:
Sense of time: professors are late, students are late… they get there when they can


I could get used to:
My 4 day weekends
Fresh food

Church

I am so glad that I found a church that I love and that I have gotten to know some amazing Christian people here J Before I came, I was a little worried about finding a church I liked, and if I would make any Christian friends… but I have! I go to the Napier Christian Union (called CU) on Tuesday nights, and church at Charlotte Chapel. And believe it or not, the pastor has just spent the last 7 years in Spokane and now he is back in Scotland… talk about a small world! And on Sundays after church, there is a student lunch and Bible study, which has been great.

Last weekend, I went on a retreat with the students to Comrie Croft in the Highlands. It was so fun to get away from the city and relax in the beautiful countryside. I had fun meeting and getting to know more people, learning to play rugby and listening to the speaker. The car ride was fun too because I got to ride on the left hand side of the car without driving; it was so weird! And this trip really made me think…. What are my dreams? What gifts has God given me? Being a Christian How am I different from people who don’t follow Christ? And how do I spend my time?

Football, you know, the kind where you use your foot!

Went to a football game; Hearts vs. Falkirk! It was so much fun… I really wanted to run out there and play! And Liz and I got jerseys and scarves to cheer on the team! And how could I forget…. My new most embarrassing moment occurred here… but it’s too good to write about, you will have to tell you about it later.

Another Ceilidh

Another Scottish Ceilidh Dance (pronounced Kaylee). It was with the Napier Christian Union, so this time I knew a good amount of people… and there was no awkward encounter with a random old guy.

Life

I’m so comfortable here, I feel like I’ve lived here for years! I no longer carry a camera and a map everywhere I go and follow the sound of bagpipe music blaring out of the tourist shops! I live here… in a flat and go to Uni here! I am getting used to the Scottish way of life. I feel like a local here (until I open my mouth, I could fool anyone into thinking I’m from here). But everyone seems to be able to recognize my American accent. I blame it on the movies and tv. And I’ve learned that when people ask where are you from, they mean what part of America are you from. It's werid to say "I'm from the USA" becuase I've never had to say that before! And its werid to think that I am foreign, and that people think I have an accent... it all depends on perepective.

field trip time:)

It’s been awhile since I’ve been a student on a field trip! But it was so fun! My Scottish culture class went and toured the castle! It was a beautiful (but cold) day! It wasn’t like I expected it to be: it was like a whole town once we were inside the walls. And there were great views of all of Edinburgh!

Day Trip to Glasgow

These pics are from our trip to Glasgow. We took an hour long train ride there one Saturday!


We saw the Gasgow Cathedral and Necropolis (grave yard)




This is an old bridge


Us infront of the gate to the graveyard


After that we went shoppin’ and went to a great cheap store called Primark! I got a couple shirts, a scarf and a tank top for only 25 pounds! There was also so great street performers; a flame thrower, some gangster kids dancing, and a bagpipe and drum combo!


This is a fountain that we saw in a park.


This is a market

Scotland is a lot like I predicted

Before I came I decided that it was a good idea to record record my predictions about coming to Scotland so that I could look back and compare what I thought to what it was really like. I wasn’t too far off…
I predicted that:

“I will have international roomies,
Food will be expensive and a pain,
I will take a bus everywhere, but will get used to it and figure it out,
And lots of drinking. ”

I do not have international roomies; in fact 90% of our building is America girls! Why they did this… I don’t know. It was really comforting at the beginning because we were all figuring things out together, but it would have been nice to get away from America for a little bit. But it is what it is, and my flat mates are wonderful people!
The food isn’t too expensive. I just try to keep in mind that 1 pound is actually $1.60 and not just a dollar. Food shopping however can be a pain. First of all, you have to rent a cart if you want one, and the smaller shops don’t even have them at all. I guess this makes sense because it helps limit what you purchase, which is important because you have to bag it up yourself and carry it all the way back to your flat. But sometimes the journey is farther, like if I go to a bigger store. I went to ASDA once, and it was great, but you will see why I have not been back yet: …
When you go to a bigger store (you buy more) and it’s more like; carrying all your groceries down the street, wait for the bus, haul all your crap up the stairs, sit on the bus, try not to fall down the stairs, walk to the flat, walk up the stairs to the flat, and then collapse on the couch and wonder why you bought so much.
My third prediction was dead on. I do take the bus everywhere. And I am finally getting a hang of it. I also walk a lot too.
And lastly; drinking. I’m not gonna lie, I was a little scared about this one. Being the 20 year old innocent girl that I am, the thought kinda terrified me. And it’s true; they do drink a lot here. They are called one of the most alcoholic nations for a reason. But the drinking I have encountered has not been super crazy. People casually drinking is just what they do here. It’s a big part of the culture to go out to a pub and grab a pint with you mates or order wine with dinner.
I know that people here tend to drink a lot, but it’s not so much abusing alcohol. Late at night you will see a few drunk people wandering home, and sometimes asking you things. But they are harmless; they can’t even walk straight.
They also drink a lot of pop called "Iron Bru." It's bright orange, taiste a lot like bubble gum, and its real suggary.

It's how big?

Population
Britain = 60 million
Scotland = 5 million
Oregon = 3.5 million
USA = 308 million

Area
Britain = 137,745
Scotland = 30,414
Oregon = 98, 466 sq mi
USA = 3,676,487 sq mi.

So, Oregon is over 3 times the size of Scotland.
The USA is over 120 times the size of Scotland.
This might explain the stereotype that Americans don’t know much about other countries…

Some other stereotypes include being:

Loud
Informal
Friendly
Wasteful
Always in a hurry

new vocab

It’s amazing how many different words are used in another place that speaks the same language. Sometimes I feel like they are not speaking English… but it all depends on one’s perspective

“There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

Here are a few words I’ve learned:

Adverts = advertisements
Car park = parking lot
Cheers = thanks/goodbye
Flat = apartment
Football = soccer (who would ever call a sport that uses ones feet FOOTball?)
Jumper = sweater
Lifts = elevators
Loads = many/ a lot (It will be loads of fun!)
Marks = grades
Mates = friends
Mental = crazy, weird
Mobile = cell phone
Modules = classes
Pudding = dessert
Quid = slang for pounds
Rubbish = horrible, trash
Take away = to-go food
Trackies = sweatpants
Uni = University
Wee = a little (a wee cup of tea)
Whilst = while I/you/we were
Wicked = sweet/tight/sick (that was wicked!)

UV Headphone Disco

You wouldn’t believe the amount of junk mail that we get! Most of them are flyers for bars and clubs that have a picture of a girl with a serious face and bright colors. The one for the UV Headphone disco sounded really fun, so we decided to check it out J. We went shopping and bought colorful tights, face paint and glow sticks. There was a “pre-club crawl,” which meant that we went to a bunch of places before the UV disco. We got shirts and went from place to places as a big group. Finally we were at the Disco! It was so awesome. There were lights and bright colors everywhere! When we walked in it was really funny to see people dancing because we couldn’t hear their music. Then we got out headphones and got to pick what channel we listened to.

Sterling

We took a day trip to Sterling. We saw the Sterling castle, the bridge and the William Wallace monument. Then we ventured off into the Scottish countryside full of rolling hills! We were in search of a 16th century grave yard.

Liz's Birthday

January 27th was my flatmate Liz’s birthday. We baked Liz a cake in the flat next door and she was so excited and surprised! We had a few friends over then went to a nice classy place called vodka Revolution.