Insch, Soctland

September 28th 2009

Spent the weekend in the beautiful town of Insch, Scotland. The study abroad program I came over here with set up a family stay, where each student is placed in a family, somewhere in Scotland for the weekend. I stayed with Maureen and Greg Manning (+3 dogs, a cat, a horse, a chicken and a parrot!) and loved every minute of it! Here is what I saw when I first arrived...

Amazing?! I mean this in the most literal sense when I say I was out in the middle of nowhere. It turned out, however, to be one of the best weekends I've had in a very long time.

On Saturday morning we drove up to the Glenfiddich Whiskey distillery, where I learned that watching and learning HOW to make whiskey, does not make me actually like to drink it. Ha! The process itself was very cool, and we saw barrels of whiskey that had been sitting for over 30 years, just waiting until the perfect time to be bottled. Then, just by luck, the little town we were in happened to be holding its annual Whiskey festival! There were a dozen different groups playing bagpipes, little girls doing traditional highland dancing, food, music, and lots of fun things to look at! After that, it was off to Huntley Castle. The castle itself was hundreds of years old, and only half was still standing. Fortunately, we were allowed to walk around that half and see what it looked like on the inside! If you think that you have seen big houses in the U.S, you have obviously never been in a castle. There was a golf course built about 25 years ago right next to the castle. Talk about an amazing view! Headed back to the Manning's after the castle for "tea time." Which really exists here, and I am learning to actually look forward to most days! On Sunday, Maureen took us to Bennachie. (Pronounced Ben-he.) It is an old, but very tall "hill" that people hike up. One word...stunning! We went in the museum there and got to see coins that had been found on Bennachie from when the Romans invaded what is now Scotland in 83 A.D. Very cool! Then it was on to see the "Maiden stone." The story goes that this maiden made a bet with the devil that she would be able to bake so many loaves of bread before he could build a road up a hill. She lost, and was meant to marry the devil. She ran away and as she was running, prayed to God to help her, so in order to save her He turned her into a stone. Right as He did, the devil reached out and grabbed her shoulder, which is why there is a chunk of the stone missing. Here is a picture...

Afterward, we headed to the old "Stone Circles." Pretty self-explanatory; two large circles made entirely out of big rocks and stones. They were used as a place of worship, sacrifice, and cremation, but here is the catch. They were built and used 5000 years ago! And they are still there to this day! It was surreal to walk on rocks and stones, and to think that 5000 years ago, people were doing the same thing I was, in the very same spot. You would have to be there to understand the feeling. After that, it was back to the Manning's for lunch, and then time for me to head back to Edinburgh. A weekend that I was not looking forward to turned out to be quite an amazing experience!

Am back in Edinburgh today, but unfortunately very sick. :-( Boo. Went to the gym to meet up with my trainer today, and got sent home in about 5 minutes. Nothing too strenuous today or tomorrow as far as classes go though, so I will be able to get lots of rest in. Tomorrow night the study abroad program is taking us all to dinner. Who am I to turn down free food?! ;-) Am looking forward to really getting going with my classes and getting past these first few "introductory" lectures. Have also been feeling a bit homesick. Miss my friends mostly, but am lucky that Facebook and Skype exist so that I get to talk to them quite a bit!

That is all for now. Nothing too exciting coming up this week, but will keep you updated! Until next time...

September 24th, 2009

Well classes have officially started, and so far...I've only had one. Ha! Unfortunately that changes today when I have to go to 3. :-/ I went to my Scottish Medieval History class on Tuesday, and I was terrified that my teacher was going to have a really thick, impossible to understand, accent. I was wrong. My teacher...and all 4 of the lecturers' are American, and one is from Canada! Go figure. Each of my 3 classes meet 3 times a week for 50 min, but each class requires that you sign up for a "tutorial," where you meet with a smaller group and teacher to discuss what you should be learning. If you've ever taken a science course at ASU, I guess I would compare it to recitation.

I went up to the student union today. It is a castle...in your face M.U! ;-) Haha, but really every building here looks like a castle to me. Everything is so old, but so beautiful! I went up there because I had a Society meeting there. Ha, I joined the Chocolate Society! Don't judge me...lol...I also joined the gym!

Peer pressure won again last night & I went out with some of the basketball girls last night! What started as, "Okay, I guess I will just come out for a little bit to hang out. But I'm not drinking," magically turned into drinks, and shots, and flirting shamelessly for VIP at a club (and getting it!) Then walking all the way to McDonald's...only to find out that it closes at midnight during the week. :-( Major bummer. I wish I were exaggerating when I say that NOTHING stays open late here. And I hate to say it, but there have been nights when I REALLY could have gone for some Jack Tacos! Here you go...some before & after pics of the single most disgusting shot I have ever taken in my entire life. You can quote me on that!


The shot we took in these pictures had something in it that made it, like, coagulate I guess, for lack of a better term. So, when you take the shot, it literally feels like you are swallowing chunks of throw up. Too graphic? Sorry. LoL!

Am headed to Insch, Scotland this weekend. If you dont know where that is, dont feel bad. I haven't met one person FROM here that does either. It is pretty much an hour and a half train ride north of where I am now, plus another hour car ride after that. :-X From what I've read, it is more or less in the middle of nowhere...and has a whiskey distillery. Well...that sounds good enough to me! Should be a blast. I will put up pics after, but there is a good chance I wont have another blog coming your way until next Monday. Sorry!

Until next time...

September 19th, 2009

The last few days have been pretty hectic, but a complete blast! A couple of nights ago, I went on a "Ghost Hunter" tour. Edinburgh has a pretty violent and bloody past as far as hangings, murders, the plague, etc...so i didn't know what to expect. We walked around to various spots where we were told stories of people killed where we were standing. For awhile, the whole thing was more entertaining than anything. BUT, then our guide took us underground to "the vaults." Apparently, the vaults have a very gruesome past. Hundreds of people died, were murdered, or had their bodies hidden there after being murdered. We went into one, and immediately everyone got very, very cold. The guide said, "I'm not going to tell you the story of what happened here just yet. I just want you to close your eyes, and keep your hands at your side." So, I did. After about 45 seconds, I jumped because I distinctly felt someone pulling on my jeans by my knee. I told the guide what I had felt, and she went on to explain that there is a ghost named Jack, who was killed when he was just 3 years old in that vault, (along with about 25 others.) And, occasionally during her tours, "Jack" picks the most "motherly" (HA) figure, or someone who reminds him of his mother, and tries to pull her to get her out of the room and away from the spirits that still are in there. HOW CREEPY IS THAT?!?!

Ooooh, other news...I went to the sports fair the other day and happened to walk past the basketball stand. One of the girls gave me a piece of paper with the time and day of try-outs and suggested that I come. Those tryouts were from 5-8 last night, and after the most intense 3 hour practice I have been to in 4 years, haha, go figure...I made the team. They started with about 50 girls, and as the practice went along, would make cuts and the group got smaller and smaller, until we were left with just 12. :-) Im very excited. After try-outs, we all went home to shower and go out for the night. We ended up meeting up with the boys team and heading to a club called "Oh Ya!" It was a blast, and I am finally feeling like I am settling in and actually belong to a group.

Classes start on Tuesday and my schedule has been finalized...for now. I am taking Medieval Scottish History, Sociology 2, and Chemistry for Biologists. The chem class is up in the air for right now, so that I can go and figure out whether or not these are things I have already learned in the ASU chem classes or not. So, I will let you know. All in all, things are starting to settle down and work themselves out. Once classes get going and my schedule really gets a pattern going I am hoping to do some traveling. Stop #1...going to see Scott in Ireland! Yay!!

Until next time...I will leave you with some pictures!

("The Watcher's Room." The single most haunted room in all of Britain)


(The view of Edinburgh Castle the J.K. Rowling had as she sat in the Elephant Pub and dreamed up Harry Potter!)

Quickie

September 16th 2009

A word to the wise if you are ever visiting Edinburgh, or anywhere in Europe for that matter; when you are going to cross the street, make sure that you look to the RIGHT before you start crossing. Generally, as impatient Americans, we look to our left to see whether or not cars are coming, then step into the street and THEN take a look the other direction. I learned this lesson very quickly after coming within 2 seconds of getting squished by a bus today! haha!

Today is day 4 of Fresher's week, and I am already exhausted from all of the activities that have been going on. Yesterday, I spent 3 hours in "the meadows" playing soccer. There were a few players from the actual University team, and they invited me to tryouts on Friday! Very exciting! We'll see how that goes, but even if I don't make that team, apparently there are quite a few intramural teams that i can get involved in. Last night I went to a comedy show, where a good deal of time was spent making fun of Americans. Crude jokes, but all in good fun. Today I have been taking it easy. I think I may be getting a cold. :-( Phooey. But, tonight is a hypnotist show, and then a headphone party! LoL, never heard of it? Apparently, from what i gather, everyone just shows up with their headphones and rocks out dancing to whatever they are listening too. Should be interesting!

I met with my adviser today to finalize my schedule. 3 classes is the maximum course load here, so I have Scottish History, Sociology and a Chemistry class w a lab. Shouldn't be too rough.

Anyone reading this, let me know if you have skype! It has pretty much been my lifeline to friends and family back home, so if you have it, i am sure i would love to talk to you!!

Sorry so short today. Am about to do laundry and take a nap so that i can be ready to go out tonight. But I promise i will update again soon with what else has been going on. Until next time...

"Fresher's" Week

September 12th 2009

Blogspot is being sassy and wont let me post a picture of the view i get from my window! I am on the top floor and look right out at the Firth of Forth, Holyrood Castle, and mostly, Arthur's Seat which was formed by an extinct volcano 350 million years ago. Google it. Welcome to my life!

Today is move in day for all international students and "freshers." I was put in Darroch Court...pronounced "derek." Ha, okay let the jokes start flowing in. ;-) It is actually one of the newest and nicest flats on campus. The only one with washers and dryers and one of few with internet in every bedroom. I got lucky. It is right next door to the campus sports center (handy) and a pretty central location (VERY handy since everybody walks everywhere here.) I went and picked up a few necessities at Boots (equivalent to a small Walgreens) today, and on my way, walked past about 25 kilt stores. There are lots of places to buy them, but no, unfortunately there arent actually any people walking around in them!

Cool story for all my fellow Harry Potter fans: A few hundred years ago, a woman named Maggie Dickson was convicted of getting pregnant out of wedlock and hiding the pregnancy. This was apparently very illegal and she was hung in the center of Grass Market for her crime. After the hanging, as she was being brought to the cemetery, there was a knocking from inside the casket and it was discovered that Maggie had survived. The people took this as a sign from God that she was meant to live, so they let her go. But, from then on she was known as Half-Hangit Maggie. Well, J.K. Rowling wrote a good chunk of the Harry Potter series at the Elephant Pub here in Edinburgh, and Half-Hangit Maggie was the inspiration behind the character "Nearly-Headless Nick!" Love it!

Ahh, what else is new and exciting? Tonight is the beginning of "freshers week," which basically means that for the next week there are a million things to do everyday! Lots of tours of campus, parliment, castles, etc...Hang gliding, three-legged pub crawls, and i cant even think of the other activities they have going on! Should be a blast though! Oh! I tried something called irn-bru. LoL, here is pic of the can. The actual stuff is about as orange as the color of the can, and it tastes exactly like the bubble gum barbie toothpaste i had as a kid. The Scots go nuts for this stuff! It is the number one selling drink among sodas here. Ha! Awful stuff if you ask me. Also, i rode in a car for the first time today...on the wrong side! The way every drives, plus being on the opposite side of the car on the opposite side of the road is enough to give a girl a heart attack! :-) Until next time...

First 2 Days...

September 9th, 2009

FINALLY in Edinburgh! Setteling into the beautiful Apex hotel which will be my home for the next 3 days while i go through orientation. The flight over wasn't as bad as I expected. I left Phoenix at 8:45 a.m, landed in Newark, NJ around 4, and then got on the student flight at 8:30 p.m. A bit of advice if you are ever traveling overseas; Virgin Atlantic! They hook you up! Food, snacks, pillow, blanket, toothbrush, and cute pair of red socks with airplanes on the toes. :-) Landed in London around 9 a.m. where I learned my first of, I'm sure many, lessons. Don't eat the Caesar salads. The caesar dressing consists of pretty much mayo and pepper. Ew. From London we took a very bumpy, hour long flight to Edinburgh. By the time we landed it seemed like everyone was in a jetlag trance. My sleep pattern is so messed up at this point, it is 1:48 in the morning, but I am up writing this because my body is telling me it's only 6 p.m. Arizona time. This is going to take some getting used to. The hotel fed us some tasty lasagna and then I headed back to my room to jump on Skype and Facebook to let everyone know I am alive! All in all, a pretty non-eventful trip over. Orientation starts bright and early at 7:30 with breakfast! Some meetings to follow that about safety abroad...blah blah blah...then a guided city tour! I'll make sure to take lots of pictures and report back! Until next time...

(photo of Edinburgh Castle outside my hotel room)

September 10th, 2009

After a very informative day, I am finally getting a chance to relax! Orientation was very helpful today. I learned a lot about the culture; like, police men dont carry guns...just mace and wands. AND, that if a guy offers to buy you a drink in a pub, by accepting, you are basically implying that you will "return the favor" later. Tipping apparently is not standared as it is in the U.S. The only place one is expected to tip is in a restaraunt...and 10% is great!Also, I figured out where all the street signs were hiding! Ha! For the first 2 days I was wandering aroun, trying to figure out where things were based on landmarks I knew! Today I finally saw that the signs are on the sides of the buildings on each corner!

Went on a guided tour of the city this evening, which was cool mostly because my guide wore a kilt! Lots of fun pics, including; Edinburgh Castle, the Firth of Forth, a couple of random monuments with facinating back stories, and the castle that the Royal Family stays in when they visit (which was built hundereds of years ago by Queen Mary of Scots!) To give you an idea of how old this town really is, it is divided into 2. Old town and New town. New town was built in the early 1700's. Haha, so imagine how old OLD town is!

It is 11 p.m. and I can hear a band playing in the pub across the street. I fall in love with this place more and more every single day. I also fall in love with technology, since it is the only thing connecting me to my family and friends at this point. I bought a pay-as-you-go cell phone to be able to talk to the friends i'm meeting, and I have 300 international minutes, so if you see a phone number come up on your caller i.d. that has way too many numbers, it is probably just meeeee! Ah, another early day tomorrow, consisting of registering for classes and shopping for fun things for my flat! Until next time...

(Firth of Forth)

(The Queen's Scotland Residence)