Tired

6/25 (cont.)

So Saturday night...Our little group of friends came over until it was time to head over to the Med (where the club was at). It was a fun evening but interesting. It was a neat experience but I not really for me. I had fun dancing and hanging out with my friends, but being the sober one I also had to make sure we got everyone back okay. I did have some help from two of the girls who were not completely gone. Unfortunately we had to take one guy (who wasn't a close friend of ours home) and he starting smoking on the way back, so I was having a hard time helping cause I was coughing. And I had to help my flatmate alot when we got back and stayed up till around 330 so yeah...interesting evening .

6/26

Sunday I did nothing... okay that's a lie. but I didn't get up until 1230 and then I just laid in bed reading/dozing until i finally heard my flatmates get up. Then I ended up doing some work while we hung around and ate food. We ordered Chinese at around nine last night for our dinner and then just hung around till bed.

6/27

Finished my paper this morning. Went to class. did some more work. Chelsea brought up another friend that was visiting here sat around eating dinner and playing cards while I read for class. Now we are going out to the med for another pub quiz night. oh also I got tickets for the Doctor Who Experience when I am in london.

Thats it for now, nothing real excting save for Saturday night!

TARDIS!!!!

6/22 (cont.)

Wednesday I went to the highland dance display. It was really neat, unfortunately I forgot to put my memory card back in my camera...=(. But we got to actually learn some of the highland dances. One of which I don't know at all, my the other one I

can still remember the first step of (because that is all we learned). Then My flatmates and I went swimming and hung around for a bit before they went out and I went to bed.

6/23

Thursday was another day trip this time to Glasgow. We took the morning tour again and it was a very interesting tour to say the least. Glasgow isn't that old so we were basically seeing semi newer buildings that had been converted into other things and we went to some odd parts of the city, our tour guide was a little off...Anyways so then as we were heading home Julia and I spotted this

WE FOUND THE TARDIS!!!! (actually we found two tardi =]) So we spent a good amount of time taking pictures of it. We then went back to the square to have lunch and wander around for a bit before my experiential excursion for my Religion and Conflict class.

We went to Glasgow Cathedral and the Museum of Religious Life and Art, both of which were very interesting. Especially the museum which had all of the major religions side by side and even intermingled to show comparisons and differences. It was a very unique experience. When we were done Jordan and I met back up with Julia, and I wanted to go see the Tall Ship but we didn't think we had enough time so we wandered around the shops and showed Jordan the Tardis before getting on the bus to head home. I didn't like glasgow as much as St. andrews, mostly cause it was bigger and not as old. Also there wasn't that much stuff to do and be able to be back to the bus in time. So maybe if I had more time I would have liked it better.

When we got back Jordan Julia and I made a delicious dinner while watching Doctor who and I was writing my reflection on the Museum. Julia made a rack of ribs, Jordan the corn and I made the garlic bread. It was a really good evening. I came back to my room and just kinda relaxed for the evening, my flatmates were out on a pub crawl for someone's birthday.

6/24

Friday was really boring....I tried to write my history Paper on Charles the first, but ended up procrastinating and sitting around on my computer. Finally I just gave up and went out side and read by the Loch and stalked some ducks, you know the usual =). Then I came back and we went to the Med for dinner, but I wasn't really hungry and their prices changed for the summer so I just got their nachos which were actually really good. We came home and they went to plan their london trip (which is coinciding with mine a bit) and then Vinny and I (mostly vinny) made the rest of our noodles. They ended up leaving eventually and I continued to procrastinate, talked to Chris for a bit. Read the autobiography of John Barrowman that Julia passed off to me and then went to bed.

6/25

Today I woke up to Julia texting me about going into town so she could find nice shoes and I needed groceries so I tagged along. I got myself some more digestives ( I might have a slight addiction =]). Then I came back and actually worked on my paper (700/1000 words done!) while my flatmates explored the sites in the city I had actually seen.

Then julia and I went on a small adventure for my flatmates. Remember how we won the pub quiz night monday well we won a case of beer, so I told them i would go get it for them (since they were gone). So Julia and I went and got the whole case (24 bottles) of Corona and had to carry it back. And we just laughed about what would happen if someone we knew saw us, because neither of us drink.

And now I'm back to procrastinating... my flatmates should be back soon and then they plan on going out to the club at the med and I will be going with them....so this should be interesting.

Rain and More Rain

well its been a couple of days, lets see if I can remember everything.

6/19

Sunday, My friend Julia and I decided to take a day trip to aberdeen, this involved a lot of bus rides. We didn't originally know what we were going to do when we got there, but then I found out that they were having their highland games that day! So we finally get to Aberdeen and get the bus out to the games only to realize julia left her wallet on the bus, so we had to wait 45min for it to finish its loop so she could get it back. Then we finally got to the games. They were so cool. There was a huge center ring where all the events were happening and then booths along the outside and Fair rides and the like. We got to see Pipe Bands perform, highland Dancing, the triple jump and of course Caber tossing among other things. I don't have that many good pictures because we were kind of far away. About half an hour before we were going to leave it started raining, so we huddled under the accordion band tent, till it was just misting. Then we went and got ice cream and headed back to the bus. At the bus station I got a delicious cheese scone for dinner. On the bus ride back we got to see some great views, because we were coming out of a dark cloud and into the sun just as the sun was hitting that magic hour. I got back to find my flat mates were home from their Isle of Skye Trip, so we stayed up and played cards for a bit before I went to bed.

6/20

Monday I slept in cause I didn't have class till two. I had my Religion and Conflict class. This class is interesting for me because it is very ambiguous and I have discovered that I don't do well with ambiguous when I am also taking a class based on facts at the same time. But the class is still interesting, especially during our seminar time where we just sit and discuss different things about what we have read and know personally about the different aspects of religion and conflict. I got back from class and did my reading, before everyone came over to eat dinner before going out. It was our friend Kevin's Last day because he was just visiting a friend at the school, not actually apart of it. So we all went to the Med agian, and it was pub quiz night! And WE WON! we won a case of beer, and because i was the only sober one they gave the sheet to me. So I know have a sheet in my room for a free case of beer, that they are going to redeem later this week. After the quiz was over most of the people left the pub so we basically had our own private dance party. It was a lot of fun! Then they all came back to our flat to continue the dance party and hang out, it was definitely interesting, I finally went to bed at one and almost everyone else was still up in the common room.

6/21

Tuesday I got up early to go with Julia and Jennifer to the National Wallace Monument, unfortunately none of us looked up how to get there. Fortunately, you can see it from almost any where and we don't mind adventures. So we ended up walking through a forest trying to find a gap in a wall while it is raining a lot. Eventually we get there and climbed the 246 steps to the top where we didn't have such a great view but it was still good. Also we learned a lot about William Wallace and the monument as we went up. Then I had to head back to school (following the road this time) because I had class at one. Tuesdays I have my scottish history class, which I really enjoy. We have been learning about the Reign of James the VI (and First) and his son Charles and the Covenantors. Actually I liked my textbook so much I started reading other parts of it. For both class I have an essay due in the last two weeks and a reflection on our excursions. The worst one is a 2000 word essay for Religion and Conflict.

Anyways so afterwards I had a bunch of errands to do and I had to go to Tesco for more food. Then I came back to find out everyone was going to get chinese for dinner and then to tesco, so I decided to go with them. We went to a really nice Chinese place and I got some delicious sweet and sour chicken and had a great dinner. We finally got back around 1030-11 and decided to watch a goofy movie cause we had been quoting it all day, but being us that didn't get started until midnight...

6/22

Wednesdays are long.... I have three hours of class in the same room, and I really have to start thinking about my essay now. I went to the library and have six history books now that will hopefully help me. Also I did laundry, and now we are debating food and a swim, oh and there is a highland dance display tonight.

Tomorrow we go to Glasgow!

Rain and Monsters

6/17/2011

Friday it was raining a lot and we didn't have anything going on so I didn't leave my building at all... I did however do all my reading that I didn't do during the week and then about mid afternoon Julia messaged me to see if I wanted to watch old doctor who. So we watched Robot and then the five doctors when Kim showed up. Then we all separated to eat before i went back down to meet up with Julia to plan our day trip Sunday and we ended up talking until later in the evening. This time also involved throwing food at the ducks outside her window, and by throwing we mean trying to hit them. =) When I finally wandered back to my room I ran in to my flatmate Ayana and we talked for a good hour before I finally decided it was bedtime.

6/18

now onto more interesting stuff, although it was still raining. We took a day trip to Loch Ness and Glencoe and made several other stops along the way. It was a very interesting if long trip. We also got to see these guys:

And we got to explore Castle Urquhart alongside Loch Ness. Also Loch Ness is huge! did you know that once you are down about 15 feet i think that you can no longer see anything? crazy! Anyways so after a long day on a bus I am now relaxing at home and looking forward to tomorrow.

My Birthday (cont)

To finish up my birthday, we went to Stirling and explored for a bit and then to Tesco where we bought a rocky road cheescake. We all came back and made a lasagna for dinner and then ate the cheesecake for my birthday. After we were done we sat around till almost ten before heading over to the meadowpark for Karaoke night. So we get there and the guy in charge comes around finding out who wants to sing and he makes a comment somewhere along the lines of if its your birthday you get to go first, so of course everyone starts staring at me. So after much twisting of my arm (and Chelsea agreeing to do it with me) I was forced to do Karaoke.... We sang Bohemian Rhapsody and it wasn't too bad, and everyone was really proud of me for doing it. Then we just hung around, listened to music, other karaokers, and danced before finally heading home about 11:40.

6/6/2011

Today we woke up really earlier and got on a bus to St. Andrews. upon arrival we went on a tour of the city with a cute older british lady and learned a lot about the city, cathedral and castle (the later two are mostly in ruins.) Then it was lunchtime so Julia and I ran into two boys from our group and we went to a fish and chip shop. I had packed a lunch so I only got a Fried Mars Bar.

It was so disgustingly good, but I don't think I could ever eat more than one.

Anyways so we all sat outside eating on a small hill overlooking the sea. Then we went and explored a nearby pier and the East Sands, in which I went and played in the water abit. I didn't go to far in because it was really cold. Then we found a park which was really for really little kids but we played on it anyways. We continued our wander about today via and ice cream shop and a bakery (where all four of us split a fudge donut so we could all try it). Then we explored a museum about the history of st andrews university and then headed back near where our buses were but got distracted by some rocks that we could climb out to.

Finally we met back up with the buses to head home. I haven't done much this evening and it was nice to relax for a bit. My two highly social flatmates are gone for the weekend, but i have some stuff to keep me busy....like my reading.... and random trips and possibly some classic doctor who watching.

It's my birthday!

But first yesterday. I woke up at 7:30 ish to meet up with julia and two other girls. We took the bus into stirling and walked to Stirling Castle, where we spent the whole morning just exploring. And I got some delicious ice cream with a flake bar in it from the ice cream man outside the castle. Then i had to head back because i had class at one. It was my scottish history class and I don't know much about scottish history, but i found I could answer some stuff just based off of the knowledge i had learned from being at the castle earlier. That was mostly and James V and we were talking about his son James VI.

Anyways afterwards I went to the library with sarah so I now have three books on Scottish history and then I sat around for a bit waiting for vinny to get back so we could eat and go to Tesco. However he got back and we found out that a group was going hiking, so we were like sure lets go. Stupid us, we all thought it would be an hour hike maybe and not too difficult. well we started going up this 45 degree (we called it) incline an

d so the group ending up splitting in two. I was in the back group. Eventually we go off that hill and onto a road that lead to a series of hills and mountains, that we decided to walk on. In the end we ended up walking up to the top of a mountain, which was pretty crazy seeing as we made it our goal to get there by the end of the trip because we thought we were gonna give up earlier.

Along the way we ran into several furry friends:

We came back absolutely exhausted. They all ordered pizza while I ate some Mac and cheese i had around. Then I headed to bed.

MY BIRTHDAY!

Today I woke up to the cleaning crew coming into strip our beds and make them again and clean the flat. So Annie Vinny and I all sat in the common area bleary eyed and eating our breakfast. Then I got ready to go to class. I had both of the classes today, so I was in the same room for three hours , but it was good. Came back found the the ISS had left us our first "taste of Britain" Just a little british snack they do every week , it was shortbread, yum. Anyways so now I am waiting for Annie to get back so we can go to Tesco to get some supplies and maybe a dessert for my birthday, I'm not sure what else we are doing. We might go out for dinner so we will see. We have to get up super earlier tomorrow, as in we have to be on a bus at 7:45, we are going to St. Andrews for the day.

First Day of Class

I had my first class today , but it wasn't until two. So My alarm went off at nine but I didn't get up till almost ten. Got ready for the day made myself a sandwich as I prepared to go on an adventure to explore the rest of the campus. But first I went and got a notebook, then I began my adventure, but not five minutes in I ran into all of my flatmates and we decided to go back and all eat lunch together. We had a good time just sitting and eating and drinking juice and soda out of wine glasses. And then talking some more after lunch until i went to class.

It was my religion and conflict class and it was taught by a nice older man who was originally from wales. Unfortunately It was kind of an intro day so it was boring, save for the end where we discussed how/if we could define what religion is.

Afterwards I met up with my flatmates to go to the Med (meadowpark) again for dinner, where I had a scottish dish called Stovies (basically sausages).

We had a very long dinner, it reminded me very much of our long dinners at school. Afterwards I went to the gym induction so that I can use the gym and swimming pools and stuff. Then had half an hour to chill before people came over before they all went out to a pub quiz night.

I on the other hand went to meet up with some girls to plan for going to london and other day trips. Doctor Who fans be Jealous: I'm going to go see Arthur Darvill in Doctor Faustus! hopefully =). Then we all went in search of ice cream, but couldn't find any cause it was after ten but we didn't realize it because it stays light our really late here.

Well i should go my semi semi intoxicated flat mates are back.

Craziness

These first two days have been extremely crazy, so I'm going to try and remember everything. Forgive me if this turns into a long post.

Our airplane landed at 730 in the morning, we go off and got through customs just fine and where meet by the stirling direct company to take us to the school. The driver talked to us nonstop there but it was really interesting, he talked about the history and different scottish things to do. We eventually arrived at the school and got to our flats. I was the first one at mine. I'm sharing it with four other people but we each have our separate rooms and a decent sized common room and kitchen. They had a box of food waiting for us. (When my flatmate Vinny arrived later, he was saddened by the fact that they had bread and jelly for us but no peanut butter, he bought some today). Heres a picture of the room:

Anyways so I unpacked and took a nap till noon, when two of my flatmates (Annie and Vinny) arrived. Vinny is very social and so is annie so we all went around to meet people and then decided to go explore town later after naps and showers. So at 230 a group of us explored a bit of the campus and then head to the Bridge of Allen which is a small town area nearby.

I ended walking back earlier then the rest of the group with a girl named Sarah, we explored the lake (loch) on campus tormenting some geese and ducks who thought we had food.

Then we headed to the welcome at the Airthery Castle, which involved us just getting drinks and mingling. So story time: We walked in and were in a line to get drinks and all i could see was glasses of wine, so i took one not to be rude and later on found out there was orange juice and soda that I cold of had, so basically i ended up having to hold on to a full glass of wine the entire time.

Afterwards a group of us headed to a recommended pub call Meadowpark, which was really quite nice. It had a lovely view. We hung around there for awhile, some people played pool most of us just watched and zoned out. Afterwards we walked back and had a pajama party in our room. Basically just a bunch of us hanging out trying to keep awake so that we would go to bed at a semi normal time.

6/12/2011

Woke up early this morning to go to an orientation of sorts, we had a walking tour of the campus, ate lunch outside and then went on a bus tour of Stirling and the surrounding area, just to give us a taste so we can decide what to explore later. We went to Bannockburn and Stirling Castle as well as a church in Dunblane and learned a small bit about the history of the area. We then did an informal tour of the city center of Stirling which included going to the nearby mall and then to the Tesco which is a really cheap grocery shop. The flatmates and I stocked up on some stuff and I got an areo bar!!! Then we came back for half an hour before we gathered a big group together to go to the william wallace pub, but by the time we got there they weren't serving food. So we went next door to an Italian place. Julia (a girl i met and hit it off with because of her doctor who tshirt) and I decided to split and Irn-Bru (pronounced Iron- brew) to try it. It is a scottish soft drink, which tastes delicous but it was very sweet so I don't think i could of drank a whole can. Afterwards half the group went back to the pub and the rest of us headed back. After we got back I ended up talking to Julia and Kim till almost eleven.

Now I am making this and preparing for my first day of class tomorrow...I still have to get a notebook. I will do that before class starts, since it doesn't start till two.

Sorry for the length of this, the next couple days will be shorter because they wont be as hectic.

Hello From Newark

One leg of the trip is done. I met up with Leah at O'hare and we got on our flight to Newark, NJ without any problems. The plan trip was a little less than two hours, so I did a crossword puzzle and a half.

We are now sitting in the Newark airport waiting for our flight at 7:40 to Glasgow. Unfortunately one of my ears didn't pop, so I can't hear and it hurts. I'm afraid I'm not very good company right now.

The next leg of the trip is the long one and I'm going to try and sleep through part of it to try and get on track.

Not much else to mention right now.

Three Days!

So I have three days till I leave for Scotland, and I'm not packed at all.... Oh well!

Anyways so mom thought I should start a blog to document what I do on my trip (having seen several friends and relatives do the same). So my goal is to remember to update this, we will see how that goes.

I'm going to be in Stirling, Scotland for four weeks at the University of Stirling. I will be taking two classes: One of Scottish History and One called Religion and Conflict. We only have classes Monday through Wednesday and then on Thursdays the whole Summer school goes on a trip and then we have class specific trips that we go on some Fridays.

It is an international summer school so I will be studying with people from all over!

I'm super excited, but should really get on that whole packing thing. =)