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!)