April 2011
23 posts
Scottish Gaelic →
After spending some time in a place where I heard Gaelic spoken, I would really like to learn most of these. Especially the phrase “Who was that sheep I saw you with last night?”
March 2011
12 posts
Love Reaches Everywhere
Thankfully, I’ve mostly been able to avoid homesickness while in Scotland. A large part of that comes from good friends and the recognition that if I were back at BW, I wouldn’t be going home very often anyways. I’ll be the first to admit though I’ve had moments of missing my piano, all of those clothes I had to leave behind, and even Mom and Dad. Modern technology has...
Things I like about studying in Scotland
1. The way the mid-semester break is sometimes referred to as “reading week”.
2. Only having class 8 hours a week.
3. A library with a self-checkout option.
4. The way I have no idea how the grading system works, so I don’t have the chance to be worried about it.
5. Being able to learn things outside of my American bubble.
Train Travel
Next week is my mid-semester break, and in preparation I was purchasing some train tickets. I’m going to be traveling up to the Isle of Skye and I’m looking forward to the time I’ll spend there, but I have to admit, I’m looking forward to the journey as well. Why? Because trains in Scotland sometimes look like this:
Trains just aren’t something we do well back...
Five-Day Forecast →
Springtime weather is a beautiful thing. What’s the weather like where you’re at?
Watch
Thrifting
It’s been a month since I’ve arrived in Scotland and I’m happy to report I have not blown my food budget on clothing purchases. Yet.
The good news is right in Stirling there are at least 5 different thrift stores where I can get my shopping fix without breaking the bank. Here they’re classified as charity shops (how appropriate for all of you who know my sister!) and...
Things I'm developing an addiction to
1. Tea. So much tea. It’s really getting out of hand.
2. Sleeping in.
3. Black Books. (If you have 2 minutes, check it out here.)
4. Only having classes 3 days a week.
5. BBC iPlayer.
6. Not having a phone.
Viewpoints
Yesterday, seeing as I had no class, I had the chance to explore around the immediate area of the University. First, I wandered up to the lookout by the Wallace Monument with Patrick and then later in the day up the cliffs behind my flat for a bonfire with a bunch of new friends. It was a long day full of steep hills. But, as evidenced by the photos below, the view upon reaching the top was...
February 2011
14 posts
Banana Flapjacks
If you’re one of my American followers the phrase “Banana Flapjack” might make you think of breakfast pancakes, like the ones Jack Johnson croons about. Here in the UK, a flapjack is a dessert bar primarily made out of oats, something I discovered after enthusiastically interrogating the Scottish host of the church group I was attending about what exactly I was eating. It...
Glasgow
Today I took a day trip with some friends to visit Glasgow. A few of the highlights:
St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art. The religion major part of me just went crazy in here.
The beauty of the Glasgow Cathedral.
A variety of street performers, including some truly Scottish sounding bagpipes.
Paying to use a bathroom for, I think, the first time ever. It wouldn’t be...
Scotland v. Pennyslvania
Population:
5,194,000 / 12,440,621
Number of Golf Courses:
over 600 / 811
Famous William:
William Wallace / William Penn
Unofficial Song:
Flower of Scotland / Pennsylvania Polka
Food you don’t really want to think about while eating:
Haggis / Scrapple
Roundabouts
Most people know cars drive on the left in the UK. So, I was prepared for the switch and although it is a bit unnerving, I don’t flinch every time a car comes barreling down the left side of the road anymore. What I was not prepared for was this:
The roundabout. I’ve encountered a small handful of these back home, usually to great enjoyment, but being here feels like this. They...
Things I'm glad I brought with me to Scotland
1. Watch
2. Warm Clothes
3. A few friends
4. Camera
5. Cosmic brownies
