Home at last!

First of all, I would like to thank everyone who has been reading my blog. The past month I have spent in Scotland has been truly unforgetable. In case you haven't read the title, I am finally back home. In some ways, it was great coming home because I got to see my family and friends whom I haven't seen in quite some time.

When I landed in Newark, I did experience a slight culture shock. I just kept looking around and trying to grasp the fact that I was acutally back in the United States. I think the one thing I had the most trouble wrapping my mind around was the fact that everything was so much bigger than it is in Scotland. Also, at this point in my trip, I had been awake for over 12 hours, and therefore starting to get a bit loopy. I also caught myself calling certain things with a Scottish accent, and giving the UK word equivalent.

When I got to Tulsa, I was amazed by how hot it was outside. It felt like someone had taken me from Scotland and stuck me next to the equator! Well, maybe not that extreme, but you get the idea. Both of my parents immediately wanted to know about Scotland, and when you have been away for a month, it's hard to start in, partly because I did not know where to start.

Now, I have been home for almost a week. I think my schedule is still slightly messed up, but not too bad. My first night back, I only got about 7 hours of sleep, when I needed more like 12 hours of sleep. I also keep expecting to pull on jeans, tennis shoes, and a rain jacket, but then I realize that it is too hot outside for any of those things. It's interesting how a few degrees of latitude makes a huge difference!

And even though I have been home for almost a week, I already miss Scotland, and I am already planning my next trip back.

Orkney

Hello everybody!
This past weekend I got to go to the Orkney Islands, which are about 6 miles north of the Scottish coast. Orkney is made up of about 59 islands, with the number fluctuating. According to Orcadians, the definition of an island is a rock that has grass on it in which it can support a sheep or two. If a wave comes and washes the grass away, it is no longer an island. Orkney itself was quite pretty-I enjoyed it even though it was really cloudy and cold. But then again, I was at 59 degrees north, which is the furthest north I had ever been. It was definitely worth it, and I would definitely go again! Only 4 days until I'm home!

4th of July Scotland Style

Howdy and Happy 4th of July! I have a good reason for not posting-I'm being responsible and doing my school work. I finally have my first paper out of four completed! I got that turned in earlier today. The 4th of July is an important American holiday, but here in Scotland, all the stores were having their 4th of July sale with things 50 %, even 70% off! Stirling was quite crowded because of this. I was able to join about 30 other Americans and we had a mini cookout on a tiny BBQ site, which is a small block of concrete about 4 ft. square, right outside our dorms. We're all out there having a good time, and it's sunny outside, but at the same time, it's raining. It was a pretty interesting combination. But the overall temperature was nice-about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. I did manage to wear red, white,and blue, even though I had not planned on it.

Overall, it was a lovely day, and it was fun celebrating with other Americans even though we are so far from home. I'm going to sign off because we're going to Edinburgh tomorrow! I will get pictures up!

Hey everybody.
Sorry I haven't posted in almost a week. I feel really guilty about that, but I do have a good reason! I've been really busy lately, going out and seeing Scotland-it's great. On Monday, I went into town and rented a bike for about 15 pounds (under $30 in the US). I then biked the three miles back to Alexander Court. I was pretty tired after that, but I was able to convince them to give me a bike helmet at no additional cost. I will try my hardest to be careful, but no guarentees. My classes are all going very well-I'm now halfway done, so only two more weeks! In my Scotland on the Screen class, we learned how to analyse films according to different aspects, which was really cool. I might use that to write my paper. Tomorrow, we are going on our all day excursion to Glasgow. I'm really excited, but I've heard that the forecast is calling for rain. It's very ironic that everyday I have class it is sunny outside, and everyday I go somewhere outside of Stirling, it's raining. I really wish this pattern would reverse itself. Besides that, life here in Scotland is going well. I'll post tomorrow!

St. Andrew's

Today was our first all day excursion and this week we went to St. Andrew's, Scotland. It has the oldest university in Scotland, founded in 1410, and it is also where Prince William and Kate Middleton met. When we got there, it was actually very cold for this time of year, and pouring down rain. And it got worse as the day went on. I went on a 9 am walking tour, and we saw mainly parts of the old city, which was really interesting. We even saw a tree that was planted by Mary, Queen of Scots back in 1562! Even more amazing, the tree is still alive! On the way back, we stopped at a strawberry stall on the side of the road where they sell fresh strawberries. I decided to get some, and they are quite good, some of the best I've had.

Today was the first day I have felt a bit homesick. It's not funny walking around in cold (at least to me) temperatures and freezing rain. I really do not know how the Scottish people can stand it. But, I had fun even though the weather was bad. I've been here a week already-it is going by so quickly, but I am enjoying every minute. I do have an excursion tomorrow-for my Scotland on the Screen class, we are going to Doune Castle, which is where they filmed Monty Python and the Holy Grail! Since it is not until tomorrow afternoon, I think I'll go to bed early and sleep in-I've pushed myself pretty hard this past week. I'm just glad to be back in my room, cozy and warm.

Today, I didn't have any classes, so I got up early anyways and did the Wallace monument! I went with two other girls I met in my classes-Jen and Clare. We decided to walk there from campus. When we got to the monument, we had a 10 minute hike up the craig, which is called Abbey Craig, and then a grand total of 246 steps up a spiral staircase to get to the top. There, we got amazing pictures, which I will post tomorrow. Then, we had to do the same journey to get back! So, I'm pretty tired.This afternoon, I had high tea at the King Robert Hotel in Bannockburn, which is nearby the place where the Battle of Bannockburn took place in 1314. In that battle, Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, led the Scottish forces against the larger forces of King Edward II of England and won their independence. If you don't know what I'm talking about-look it up or go watch Braveheart. Anyway, tomorrow, we are going to St. Andrew's, so that should be interesting!

Some interesting things about Scotland...

Ok. So, I've been here a few days, and I'm starting to notice some differences between Scotland and the U.S. And no, I am not counting the accent or the fact they drive on the wrong side of the road. I've noticed that smoking is allowed on campus, which I am not comfortable with-at Oklahoma State University smoking is not allowed on campus. Also, in Stirling itself is where I've seen a lot of smokers, much more than the U.S. Also they say "Cheers"as a greeting either as hello or goodbye. I haven't seen very many of the native Scots meandering down the street. They all seem to be on a pretty tight schedule, but they are quite friendly. I am starting to get the coins figured out! This is the first day I have gone where I haven't had to get the cashier to help me get it right. It's nice that I'm starting to blend in. I do miss home-everything is not as convienent as I am used to. To go to the grocery store, you really do have to plan ahead. I pretty much went straight from class into town without coming back to my room. So, I was gone for about 7 hours. But it was fun because I went with two other girls from my Scottish History class-we all get along pretty well.