Home Again

It's nice to be home. I've been dragging around my jacket for the last three days, unable to believe I don't actually need it. Other than the warmer weather, I forgot how many great things were in California. Family, friends, good food, cars I can drive, dogs I can cuddle. Even with all that though, I miss Stirling and my friends there like crazy. Compared to California, Scotland is gray and cold and made of mostly stone. But wrapped up in that cold, gray, stony place is warm fires, bright kitchens, and loud laughs. Over the last few days though, I have been constantly reminded to keep my eyes focused on God, not me. 

On a lighter note though, my heart is now taken. He is almost as tall as me, brown hair, green eyes. He's super sweet, and just a little too energetic. He might be canine, but I am sold. My family has been watching my friend's dog, Dagger, for the last few days. Although first impressions have him as a jumping, hyper brown blur, on closer inspection he is adorable and pretty well behaved for a 4 year old lab. If we didn't already have three dogs, I might just have to steal him. 

Tomorrow I am going into town with my sister and mom, and might even go into a wedding dress shop and pretend I am getting married. Bailey had the idea, but wimped out at the last minute. Hopefully we'll find a clerk that believes my story about getting the ring resized and lets me try on some pretty dresses :) 

Goodnight Stirling!

Today was my last day in Stirling. So weird! I've said all my goodbyes, so now all I am left with is my luggage and a final trip to the train station with Ros. I'm slightly concerned about overweight luggage, but have decided to not worry about paying extra. It's not like I'm leaving any of my precious souvenirs! Tonight was a nice last night, starting off with dinner at Phil and Ros'. I got plenty of hugs goodbye from Gracie, and a mix of Jingle Bells and "Caitlin is leaving on a plane" from Elsa. A nice send-off. Then I went over to have cheese and crackers with Aaron and Julia, and even played a moderately successful game of Settlers of Catan. I decided it's a much better game when geniuses like David aren't making it impossible for anyone else to win. Tomorrow I am off to London for Harrod's and Covent Garden, and then I fly out on Wednesday!

(Photo taken by Mari. I am definitely not that good.)

Sad goodbyes

Friday and yesterday was all one big, blurry day. Friday was Ashten, Mari, and Rebekka's last day here, which was really hard. It was also Mari's birthday though, and I would say we did a pretty good job at keeping the mood at least semi-happy. That night we had a party, which was an ideal way to say goodbyes. Filled with pie, Taboo, songs, and banter, it was the perfect night. By 2 or 3, most people had left, leaving only a few of us to pull an all-nighter, refusing to let such a great semester go. I have to say, I am impressed with myself. Around 6 I got pretty tired, but up until then I was doing well. Saying goodbye to the three of them has to be one of the hardest things I've done, and one of the most exhausting. After dropping Ashten off at the airport at 10 am, I couldn't wait to sleep. Now that they are gone though, I am just so lonely. Not the kind of lonely where I am bored and need to hang out with someone. I mean, I have other friends here as well. But the kind of lonely where I'm missing those girls, and know I won't be seeing them for awhile. The kind where I miss Mari stomping a greeting on my ceiling, Ashten laughing her adorable giggle, and Rebekka playing the guitar or knitting insanely good hats. 

But, I still have two days here, and I am determined not to ruin them by moping around. I still have a night of pizza-making and movie-watching tonight with Colin, waaay too much packing to do, and an afternoon with Ros tomorrow. Plus, it has been snowing in Stirling and is just gorgeous. 

In the picture from left to right: Ashten, Mari, Me, Rebekka.

Down Time

It seems like ages since I've had time to write. It's not like I've been doing anything big, but filling my days with lots of little things to keep myself busy. It started on Saturday after I was left alone for the day. Bad idea. Mari and Rebekka were in Glasgow, and Ashten was studying, so I found myself alone, moping about leaving. Before I knew it, I was on the phone with my mom, sobbing. For a loooong time. All I wanted in that moment was to be on the couch, crying my eyes out as she made calming noises and figured out a solution. After convincing her that it wasn't necessary for her to take the next flight over though, she got me to call Ros (my bible study leader) and spend the afternoon with her. After a few hours of making mince pies, wiping tears, and watching little girls dance around the kitchen, I was nearly myself again. After that though, it was agreed that I wouldn't be spending time alone anymore. So, the last few days have been pretty packed. And by packed, I mean staying up until 3 am. My body has finally started to resist though, telling me to slow down with an unfortunately timed sore throat and headache. 

Anyway, I want to update you more on what fun things I have been doing, but I'll wait for some other posts to do that. 

Heels, Crackers, and Quizzes

Yesterday I bought the cutest pair of gray heels. And today I decided to wear them aaalll over Stirling. So now I hate them and have a new found appreciation for all those Scottish girls that wear ridiculously tall heels on wet, uneven brick streets every night. Other than minor foot pains though, today was pretty great. This was all thanks to Amy, who made Mari, Rebekka, Ashten and I a traditional Christmas dinner. Chicken, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, parsnips (delicious!) and mashed carrots followed by Miss Rich's delicious oatmeal cookie sandwiches. And best of all? Crackers! Like, the kind that you find in Harry Potter where you pull them and stuff comes out. How fun is that? After forcing myself to leave the coziness of friends and Christmas decorations, I headed to my friends' church, where I bonded with the most precious little girl who said that I had "the prettiest, shiniest, silkiest hair." I like this girl. Afterwards, a group of us headed over to a pub quiz, something I have discovered is definitely not one of my talents. I blame it on the cultural differences, but even I will admit that it is a pretty weak excuse. The only questions I got were ones that everyone else knew as well. Which is just depressing. I did learn a pretty great trick involving...cup holders? (sorry, I am totally blanking on the word. you know, what you put down so you don't leave a stain on the table.) At the end of the night, I successfully managed to walk down the slippery street without falling and breaking an ankle, came inside, checked my facebook, and realized that a guy I know just submitted his life to Christ. Sometimes, God just takes my breath away.

Glasgow at Christmas

Yesterday some friends and I went to Glasgow for a shopping trip. The overall goal was to find dresses for the Christmas ceilidh, but since I already had one, my main goal was to resist buying cute sweaters and pretty scarves. I was almost completely successful. The outing was perfect for putting me in the holiday mood though. Glasgow does a great job at Christmas lights. And afterwards, we topped the evening off by seeing New Moon. I am contemplating switching over to Team Jacob. Actually, that's not even funny. Sorry Edward. 

A Time to Trust

So, the second post for the night. I always feel like my motivation for blogging goes in spurts. Anyway. Tonight was my last real bible study with 3:11. We still have two weeks to go, but one is a "surprise" night that Phil (one of our leaders) ruined, and the last one is our Christmas party. Sidenote: the surprise is going to Edinburgh to go to their Christmas, German market and get mulled wine and other very Christmasy things. I'm hoping to get in a little ice-skating as well. Back to the story though, this was our last real study. After us girls had finished, Ros had everyone gather around Ashten and I and pray for us, as we are both leaving at the end of the semester. It was such a blessing. Yes, I have to leave these beautiful people that I have just started to get to love. But all of us huddled together, sniffing and crying quietly (or in Mari's case, not so quietly), talking to an Almighty God, that is the way to go. I hate that I have to leave. But more than that, I am so blessed to have been able to come. My friend Cath read out a verse for Ashten and I tonight. Above all, I am thankful and overwhelmed by this God. 

"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26

COLD

No more dirty rooms scattered with Reeses wrappers and clothes (debatably clean). No more sore bottom from endless hours at the computer. And most of all, no more essays!!! I am officially done with the semester. I celebrated by showering, cleaning my room, and starting to pick up the neglected bits of my little world here. And just as I got ready to take afternoon walks and day trips, it got COLD. Like, really cold. No, it is not snowing. But for all of you friends in SLO, imagine going up to the snow. Then take out the powder, jacket, and trees and add in a few buildings and me. You have Scotland! It was actually below freezing today and yesterday, but has failed to bring the wintery wonderland I have been dreaming of since mid October. I mean, if it is going to get this cold, I might as well have snow. I am beginning to learn the tricks of the trade though. But I am still on the 101 level. Leggings under jeans, scarfs INSIDE the jacket, and two pairs of pajama pants to bed. And now off to bible study!

My First Thanksgiving

Well, the first one that I cooked. And the first thanksgiving for the majority of my guests. The last few days have been all about planning, shopping, and getting ready for The Big Day. Monday was cranberry sauce (homemade, yum!), tuesday was pies and jello (the jello was a failure), and wednesday, our Thanksgiving, was for everything else. Thankfully, I was not alone, but had help from my Alaskan friend, Ashten, and my Wisconsin roommate, Heather. Still, I don't think I have ever been more exhausted. The first three hours of preparation were pretty fun. Christmas music, mash potatoes, toasty kitchens. After the 2:30 mark though, everything started to get a little old. Let me tell you, I have a much bigger appreciation my family now. And the idea that everyone brings one dish. Even being tired though, I have to say, it was definitely worth it. It didn't exactly feel like a real thanksgiving without family and a cozy living room, but it was still pretty great. If you can't spend a day about family with your real family, why not spend it with great friends? Plus, the food was a hit. Here it goes:

Cranberry sauce- I loved it. Who cares if the others did? 

Gravy- never thickened. It definitely did not live up to its "Its so Simple!" advertisement.

Stuffing- not as good as Stove Top, but with cranberries and apples, definitely passable. 

Turkey- had major potential, but was extremely dry. 

Mashed Potatoes- delicious, thanks to Ashten's mashing and numerous taste tests. 

Biscuits- all Heather. And sooo good. Weird fact though: British people don't have biscuits. They only have scones. What kind of life is that??

Pies- Apple, berry, and chocolate pecan. Yum!

And to all of you back home, Happy Thanksgiving!! Someone, in the memory of Bailey and I, watch the dog show! 

Sharing over Tea...kind of

Tonight I went out with a few friends to do some outreach. The plan was to offer people standing outside of pubs and clubs tea, engaging them in conversation with the ultimate goal of sharing God's love with people. Sounds good, right? When tonight came though, I was exhausted and totally not in the mood. Still, I dragged myself out of the apartment, knowing this was something God wanted me to do. It was raining, cold, and my tights and flats were getting increasingly wet. Because of the insistent rain, not many people were outside of the pubs. We talked to a few people, but didn't even give out a full thermos of tea. The only people who wanted it was a homeless man, Colin, and a student who thought tea was some kind of code word for alcohol. Needless to say, the night didn't go as planned. At all. But as we walked back from town,  I think we all realized the faith that evangelism requires. I will most likely not see Colin or the lesbian pub owners again. All I know is that God wanted me out in the rain. Sometimes, lots of times, we don't see the end result. But isn't it beautiful that we get to be a part of what God is doing? 

Questions

Why would a good God allow suffering? 

How can heaven be a perfect place is loved ones aren't there?

How can Christians reconcile their belief in an all-knowing God with the idea that people have free will?

I am just know starting to realize how great questions are, and how much I like discussing them. I am sooooo far from knowing all the answers, but that is part of the point. Yes, I know that I have been saved by an almighty, loving God. But shouldn't I be able to answer questions about him better? Today I went around with some people from the CU, doing a survey for next semester's topics. The question we asked was: If you could ask one question of a Christian, what would it be? We got one or two semi-hostile responses, a few joke ones, but also a good number of serious ones (see above). For Christians reading this, I encourage you to look into these. For non-Christians, what would you ask? If you have something, ask! This is too important of an issue to keep pushing it aside. 

On a lighter note, I went to see 2012 last night. It was a typical end of the world film, kind of cheesy, but still entertaining. For me at least. While I was pulling my hair out from anxiety over who would make it and who wouldn't, Rebekka was curled up sleeping in the chair next to me. 

A Birthday in November

Since the second or third week of bible study, I have taken on the role, and joy, of baking some form of dessert. It is a great way to fulfill the desire of measuring, mixing, and tasting, without having to eat it all yourself. Though I have to admit, thinking up new recipes is starting to pose a problem. So, sidenote, if anyone has a good recipe that is semi-simple, let me know. Anyway, this week Mari and I made oatmeal chocolate chip cake. Yummmmm. I had to come late, so I sent the cake with Mari and Rebekka. After arriving and eating "tea" with the group, Ros (one of the bible study leaders) came out with the cake. Everyone started singing happy birthday, and after me commenting on how I didn't know it was someone's birthday this week, I cluelessly began singing along. It took me way too long to realize that the cake was for me, and it was my "birthday." Ros decided that since I won't be here in June, my 21st would have to be celebrated in November. This is a long way of saying that I have been blessed. By a Godly woman that cares for me. With friends that look on laughing as I sing along to my own birthday song. With cozy fires, light "banter," and honest heart-to-hearts. I love bible study :)

On a lighter note though, I'm desperate for recipes! 

Too Much?

Today was a depressing day. After Bailey left, I just kept on dwelling on the little time I have left here. I can't help but think that I didn't really think the whole study abroad thing through. Don't get me wrong, it's great. But how did I think it would be a good thing to get attached to a place so far away? I am falling in love with Scotland. And the people that I have met and gotten to know here. I came expecting tartan and Gerard Butler and bagpipes. But I got so much more. I got tea with milk and Hobnobs and Digestives. 3:11 Bible study and afternoon talks at Phil and Ros'. There is Mari and Rebekka and Ashten and Colin. Kendra, Julia, Aaron, Cath, Fraser, and so many more. There is constant cold, talks in pubs, and tea in kitchens. Stressful essays balanced out by lots of laughter. I love home. And I love slo. And friends from back home reading this, there is NO WAY you could be replaced. But I am growing to love Scotland. It's a good thing most days, but right now it just feels like a little too much to handle. 

Blue

I love getting to see Bailey, but afterwards, it is just so lonely. So this afternoon has been a little blue. But I get to go to a birthday party tonight, and I am sure I will feel cheered up after that. 

A Very Lazy Day in the Life

So I am being a total slacker and not going to class for the mere reason that it is rainy outside and I can still miss 2 class periods before I get punished. Instead, I have decided to write a blog. A much better use of my time, don't you agree? And not just any blog. I am finally doing my day in the life post. Pretty exciting, right? I will say though, I do actually work here. It just happens that I turned in my last essay for awhile on Monday and therefore have  a good amount of free time. 

After waking up around 10 (I'm still recovering from a very tiring week of traveling, haha) I putted around until 12, and then went to get my hair cut. It was slightly pricey, considering the exchange rate, but it came with a 5 minute head massage. I always love watching the people that come into salons as well. The vast majority are just ordinary, slightly worn women looking for a little pampering. And Rainbow Room International does a pretty good job at that. 

Afterwards, I walked back to my apartment, debating on whether or not my hair was too short. I had lunch, putted around some more, and then went for a chat at my bible study leader's house. Ros is one of those Godly women that you just want to talk to and listen to, trying to soak in as much of their love and wisdom as possible. So for the next 4 hours, that's what I did. Of course, with two little girls, it wasn't exactly the peaceful image that I might have just painted above. But I walked away with a warm heart and a priceless portrait drawn of me by her 5 year old, Gracie. 

I headed onto campus and joined in on a discussion on why God allows pain and suffering. If anyone reading this is interested in hearing reasons, give me an email, or check out the book "The Reason for God" by Timothy Keller. The discussion ended around 7:30, so some friends and I went to the pub on campus so they could get something to eat. It was Guy Fawkes Night, so there were fireworks and bonfires going on around town, but we were a little late for them. Instead, we walked back into town (a nice 45 minute walk) and ended up at this great pub called the Settle Inn. It's adorable. I ended the night talking about languages, accents, and movies. I am learning two languages (unfortunately, neither of them is Spanish). Norwegian and Scottish. (Sidenote: for that one reader who I will keep nameless, remember, there is no Scottish language- well, besides Gaelic. I'm just talking about their accent.) My sentences I am working on:

Norwegian: Det er kaldt ute i dag/kveld. It is cold today/tonight. Mari had to text it to me so I could remember it.

Scottish: The broad bricht moonlicht nicht. I think that one is coming on quite nicely. 

Anyway, I have made this a very long post. Sorry. I just have nothing else to do, and am in quite a blogging mood. And guess what?? I see Bailey tomorrow!!

Pictures of the Tour

1. The "walk" we took through the mountains of Skye. 

2. At the start of the walk, thinking the rain was bad. I had no idea how much worse it would be. By the time I was back in the tour van 2 hours later, I looked like I had fallen into a swimming pool.

3. The Skye coastline. 

4. Me after dipping my face in a fairy enchanted (freezing) river. Those seven seconds of cold will supposedly bring me a lifetime of youthful looks. 

5. Me deciding I love whisky....at least the way it warms you up! 

A Week Off

Mid-semester break was great. Saturday to Thursday with Bailey, Friday to Sunday on a tour of the Highlands and Skye. Busy bee! Everyone keeps asking how Ireland was, and honestly, it was wonderful. I didn't really feel like a tourist. Instead, it was more like I was just visiting family. Which I was...but you know what I mean. It just made for a much more relaxing trip. Bailey put together a one day tour for us, to the cliffs of Moher, which was...interesting. The cliffs were beautiful, though I will admit that I was a total wimp and wouldn't let Bailey go near the edge. (People fall off!!) Besides that though, we had this really pervy leprechaun guy as a tour guide. Still, I couldn't get over the fact that I was with Bailey again. It was amazing. 

The tour of the highlands was pretty great as well. We had this very very Scottish Scot as a tour guide, some great fellow travelers, and beautiful scenery. There are some great stories, but honestly, I don't really feel like writing them out. But if you want to here more, I love emails ;)

All the traveling was great, but I am happy to be "home." Leaving Bailey was pretty difficult, but getting back together with friends here quickly reminded me why I love Scotland so much. So yeah, that was the week in a nutshell!  I left a lot out, so skype or write if you want to hear more! Here are some pictures of Ireland, and I'll post some of the Highlands as well. 

(sidenote: the second picture is where people fall off. scary!)

Bailey!

So, I am sitting in Bailey's luxurious (to my standards) living room, listening to Coldplay, and catching up over random stories from the past month that didn't make it into skype conversations. Today was a long day, starting out at 4:30 as I took a very awkward taxi ride with a driver that felt obligated to make conversation, yet wasn't very skilled in it. It's the thought that counts though, right? It reminded me why I don't like mornings. I spent the next few hours dwelling on every negative aspect of my life, becoming thoroughly depressed about leaving Scotland and stressed about upcoming Spanish classes. All that disappeared though when it was time to land. Once again, I was a twin. This afternoon Bailey introduced me to her roommate, Colleen (so nice and funny), and took me around Galway's city center. No major purchases yet, but it is bound to happen. Tomorrow: church and revisiting a promising dress shop downtown. Fun!

Laser Tag

Tonight I played Laser Tag for the first time in ages. So fun! My first game I was 17 out of 22, and pretty happy to just not be last. By the second game though, I was 8 or 9. Impressive, right? I had to leave early though, so I took the train by myself. Ummmm, very sketchy people live in Scotland. Falkirk, to be exact. I think it makes it worse when you can't really understand their accent as they pass around joints. Still, with a little help from friends and nice strangers, I was able to find my way to the right train. And guess what??? Tomorrow, I get to see Bailey!!!!!!

Houseparty

I know its been almost a week, but this past weekend was very eventful and deserves its own post. The Christian Union had their "Houseparty," or retreat, and we all went up to the Scottish Highlands. It was gorgeous. The weekend was just what I needed. Lately I have been feeling slightly frustrated, because I have soo much work to do, but hate to be cooped up and not taking advantage of being in Scotland. Most of the time was just hanging out, but we had a guest speaker that gave four solid, challenging sessions on God's grace and what it means for our lives. Other than that, the weekend consisted of walks, taking pictures of the changing colors, late night talks, and ping-pong. Or table-tennis. Which is just a ridiculous name, because then you have to call the table a table-tennis table. But I guess ping-pong is just a ridiculous of a word. Anyway, I started off really great, and even impressed the guys with my sneaky serve. But then the pressure got to me and I started to lose it. Not that you are all interested in my ping-pong success. Another highlight was archery lessons, though I was AWFUL. In a one hour session, I only hit the target board once. Needless to say, it is harder than it looks. 

I'm adding some pictures of the weekend. Enjoy!

I left my heart in...Scotland?

Every day I stay here, I just get this awful sinking feeling. I am falling for Scotland. I've not sure how hard I've fallen just yet, but I definitely have. I love the country. I love tea and biscuits and kilts and bagpipes. I love traditions and crazy accents and friendly people you can't understand. I love my bible study, Phil and Ros (the leaders) and all the friends I've made. 

Yesterday I had a great day. I know I said I would write a "day in the life" post, but this was just so much more enjoyable that I would rather write about it. I woke up early to turn in two big essays I have been obsessing over, took a nice nap, and then officially got up for the day. Mari and Rebekka (my Norwegian friends) have been raving about this one pub's scones, so I went up and got one for myself. Probably the most delicious thing I have ever tasted. I felt slightly like a loner as I was sitting all by myself, but I enjoyed some great people-watching. I then headed up to the castle's gift shop to do some shopping. After some hefty purchases I made my way through the historic part of Stirling, stopping to read plaques and spend time in the old cemetery. I wish I had my camera...it was the stereotype of a spooky cemetery. All these old tombstones sinking into and earth and sticking out at weird angles. The earliest one dated back to the mid 16th century. Crazy.

After giving in to some more shopping (I know, I'm weak) I went to the town library, where I met a friend and found a good reason not to do much reading. As they would say, we had some good "banter," before we left for bible study. It was my night to give my testimony, and though I was nervous beforehand, it went really well. Something about opening up and being vulnerable with people. (Sidenote: if you haven't heard my testimony before and would like to, just send me an email. I would love to share it.)

All in all, it was a great day. But it just reinforces these feelings. I love it here. But I love home as well. Why do they have to be so far away?

Some Things Don't Change

I'm supposed to be proving to myself that it is possible to write a research paper in two days, start to finish, so I will make this short. But as I was desperately searching JSTOR for my research paper it struck me how much some things don't change. Like procrastination. Or the fact that I am once more at the computer, college sweatshirt on, bangs pulled back, with a word document on the right of my screen for notes and online articles on the left. Its funny to think that if I was in SLO right now, there is a good chance I would be doing the exact same thing. Actually, I would probably be snoozing away, but you get the idea. I feel like its been awhile (if ever) since I have done a "this is what my life in Stirling is like" blog post, so maybe I'll do that tonight. If I get this research done :)

Girl Talk

It's been awhile since I've had any. Such a crucial part to being a girl. Tonight I sat around with some new friends, eating shortbread and drinking tea. What better way to get to know someone better?

Bus Romance

Today I was on the bus and watched this elderly couple come in. He was using a cane with one hand, and the other was using her shoulder as support. They walked slowly to their seats, him holding onto her the whole time. They made sure they sat next to each other, even though it would have been much easier for him to sit across from her. The whole time they were bent together, talking. They were this ordinary older couple on a bus. But at the same time they weren't. I want that.

If You Were Coming in the Fall

So I'm not a huge poetry person, but there are a few that I just love. I was looking through Emily Dickinson poems tonight and though I would share one of my favorites with you. I just love how smoothly it all runs. Also, look up "Death is counted sweetest" and "Hope is the thing with feathers."  Okay, here it is:

If you were coming in the fall

I'd brush the summer by 

With half a smile and half a spurn, 

As housewives do a fly.

If I could see you in a year, 

I'd wind the months in balls, 

And put them each in separate drawers, 

Until their time befalls.

If only centuries delayed, 

I'd count them on my hand,

Subtracting till my fingers dropped

Into Van Diemen's land.

If certain, when this life was out, 

That yours and mine should be, 

I'd toss it yonder like a rind, 

And taste eternity.

But now, all ignorant of the length

Of time's uncertain wing,

It goads me, like the goblin bee, 

That will not state its sting.

Lin-lith-go and Edin-bur-a

I think I have finally mastered how to pronounce these two names. It doesn't seem like it would be that hard, but my mind just couldn't wrap itself around Linlithgow. Yesterday I went on a day trip to both cities, starting in Linlithgow and making our way to the capital. I think we picked the coldest, windiest day for the trip, but it was still a lot of fun. Our group was quite international, consisting of two Norwegians, 2 Americans, 1 Northern Irish, 1 German (with an Irish accent...she is engaged to Aaron, the Northern Irish guy with us), and one Scottish. We had all met at the CU (Christian Union) and Colin, Aaron, and Julia were nice enough to be our tour guides for the day. Even though Edinburgh is really pretty, I would have to say the best part of the day was Linlithgow. We visited the palace there, so I was able to see where Mary, Queen of Scots was born (!!!!). The palace was mostly in ruins, which only made it more beautiful. And it was SO WINDY. I loved it. In Edinburgh we mainly walked the Royal Mile, and ended up watching a street show for way too long. The guy was mediocre at best, but some of our group got picked as volunteers (thankfully not me). All in all, it was a great day. I got to see some more of Scotland and was able to spend time with some awesome people.

I'm adding some pictures as well. 

1. The top of Linlithgow Palace. Pretty!

2. The first window up is where the room was that Queen Mary was born in. I can't even wrap my mind around it. So cool. 

3. Bagpipes!

4. A failed attempt at a group shot. 

5. Edinburgh Castle on our hunt for food.

August Rush

I have recently discovered the beauty of listening to an ipod in public. Next time you walk somewhere, make sure to put in your ipod, even if it does make you look anti-social. So worth it. Suddenly, I feel like August Rush. As he would say, there is "music everywhere." Everything goes along with the song. The leaves sway with the background music, people step in time with the beat, birds fly in a way that makes you think they must hear the song as well. It is so cool. Maybe I am the last to figure this out, but if not, you have to try it!!

Rwanda or Internet?

Researching the Rwandan Genocide...or facebook? The answer should be easy. How cool is it that I get to do an essay on that, out of all topics? But instead, I have been wasting the afternoon. I have a word document open, my book sitting open in front of me, and still I reach over the pages to click on that ever-so-tempting compass icon that brings me once more onto the internet. In my defence though, I have had quite a productive day internet-wise. I set up lunch with a friend for tomorrow, planned a movie (5oo days of summer finally!) for tonight, made plans to visit Edinburgh on Saturday, wrote on two facebook walls, and am even writing a blog. Impressive, right? And that only took about 2 hours of my precious study time. But every time I "x" out of the page and see my empty note page with only the question "Why was there a genocide in Rwanda in 1914?" written over a white page, I just can't bring myself to start typing. Starting is always the worse part. Yuck.

Friends

I'm making friends. Thank you thank you thank you God! 

scottish differences

Some days, I feel like I need an interpreter on hand. I had no idea how hard it would be to understand some people. To be fair, the majority of the time I can understand everyone when they are talking to me. But if they start talking to another Scottish (or Northern Irish...there are a ton of them here) person, it all goes downhill. To add on to that, they have a number of different words as well. They always sneak up on you when you least expect it. I thought I would share a few of their words with you.

dear= expensive. for a second, I thought the guy I was talking to had a close relationship with the nearest grocery store. 

kip= sleep. such as "have a nice kip." 

crackin'= happening. kind of like up in "what's up?"

ta= thank you

tea=dinner. while staying in glasgow, that was always a confusing one. 

wee= little. you probably already know that one, but they actually say it...all the time!!!

oh, and other differences. these are to do with food, specifically ketchup. one, they have these things called bacon rolls (basically a roll with bacon and butter in it) and they put ketchup on it. to sound totally uncultured, ew. secondly, they put ketchup on french toast. NEVER syrup. funny!

Faithful

Tonight at the Christian Union, the speaker shared a great quote from St. Augustine. "Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee." Tonight was a great reminder that I have to center myself around God, and when I do, He is faithful. 

Colds and Ceilidhs

Colds: not so good. Ceilidhs: totally make up for them. I am spending today recovering from the choice to go to my second ceilidh last night. I just couldn't resist. For those who don't know, ceilidhs (cay-lees) are scottish dances, and SO MUCH FUN. I don't even like to dance. Steph, you would love it. They are kind of like the very energetic, easy version of those dances you see in Pride and Prejudice. Or...scottish square dancing. Somewhere between the two. The best part has to be when you hold hands with your partner and they spin you around as fast as they can. Plus, there are an enormous amount of Northern Irish students at Stirling, so I definitely wasn't the only one having to learn the dances. All in all, it had to be one of the best nights so far. 

I posted a picture of my first ceilidh I went to, set up by the church in Glasgow. It was just as great, PLUS it had a live fiddler and all the guys were in kilts. How great is that?

New and Old Friends

Tonight I went to a bible study through Stirling's Christian Union, which is kind of like their version of Campus Crusade. I loved the group and everyone was super welcoming. We just played games, and they didn't even make fun of me for not being able to wink in the game murder. Nice, right? On one side, I am kind of bummed I am just staying a semester.  There are so many great people to meet, and I know that a semester won't be enough when it comes to those friendships. 

On the other side though, I have never appreciated my friends from back home as much as I do now. I love them SO MUCH and it kills me to see them going on with life without me, whether that means dying hair black (love you Steph) or playing dye wars on retreats. 

With all of this going on in my head though, I am becoming more and more grateful for God's faithfulness. In the end, it will be him who is always with me, not my friends, family, or even twin sister. 

A Swiss Sister

One of the best parts of the trip was getting to reconnect. That and playing with her camera.

Names

Caitlin Caitlin Caitlin. Without Bailey for people to confuse me with, everyone says my name. I love it.

First Week in Stirling

Today marks my first week in Stirling. I have been dreading writing this post, because I don't know how to sum it up. I should have been writing more often, but I had quite a lot on my plate already. So, how to describe the week? Overwhelming, surprisingly hard, different...but also good. Here are some highlights that describe the week:

1. Running to my plane only to find I had 8 minutes to spare.

2. Meeting my 5 roommates. 2 Americans, 1 Maltan, 1 German, and 1 Mexican.

3. Breaking down in the computer lab on campus as I facebook chatted with Bailey on Monday.

4. Having a bonding moment with my roommates one morning as we sat around in the hall in pjs. 

5. Planting chrysanthemums in mugs and watching them bloom.

6. Watching Stirling's rugby team and trying to decipher what they were doing. Intense game! And SHORT shorts. 

7. Making toasties with the Christian Union for people coming out of the pub, bar, and club on campus (only in Scotland, right?) Toasties are the most delicious things ever. They are grilled cheese, but made in sandwich presses, and you can put whatever you want in them. The winner so far: cheese and tomato. Nutella, marshmallow and banana is also delicious.

Anyway, that kind of sums of the week. If you want details on anything though (ie toasties), I love emails :)

Finished!

I feel that it is appropriate that I finished my "Scotland: The Story of a Nation" book the day before I leave for Stirling. Perfect timing, right? For those of you who don't know, this dense, 692 page book has been my constant companion for the last few months. Okay...well, not constant. The closer I got to the end of summer though, the more constant it became. I was determined to finish it before I began my semester abroad. Although I started it pretty hesitantly (not even a history major can find Pictish kings THAT interesting), the further I read, the more I found myself enjoying the content. I fell head over heals in love with Mary, Queen of Scots (cliche, I know). I got goose bumps while reading about the Covenanters (look them up). And (confession time) I got a little teary when I read about the last Parliament in 1707.

I thought I would share a funny quote with you. Charles II had numerous mistresses, one of them being Nell Gwyn, a Protestant. At the time, there was quite a lot of hostility towards Catholics. One day she was in her carriage and was stoned by people who thought she was one of the Catholic mistresses. She lowered her window and said: "Pray, good people, be civil. I am the Protestant whore!" 

Misadventures

I have had a busy last few days. Jess took me to meet her host family from when she studied in the french-speaking part of Switzerland. We even took a ferry to France for an hour! Of course, I over packed, stuffing everything in a huge red backpack with the Swiss flag on it. Hm...could I be a tourist? Besides having to lug around the beast of a backpack, I thoroughly enjoyed myself, and loved meeting the family of nine. Seven kids. Seven! They lived in this great, rambling farmhouse in a tiny village. The next day Jessica, her host brother Arnaoud (a name I could not pronounce- to the amusement of others), and I visited another town, Bielle. It was quite a day of bad luck, and I think we missed almost every train/bus/boat we planned on taking. In Bielle, Arnaoud took us to the restaurant where he worked as a chef and treated us to an appetizer. Who knew that roast beef could be that delicious? I am posting some pictures of the trip as well.

Tomorrow is my last day before heading to Scotland. Exciting!!

Walking

This afternoon I went on a "walk" with Jessica's mom, Judith. When she asked if I wanted to go on a walk by the river, I was imagining a leisurely stroll, stopping to put our feet in, etc. My first doubts started when she came out carrying walking poles. Suddenly I wasn't nearly as keen on going. And she walked FAST. At least in the beginning. And anyone who knows me knows how slow of a walker I am. Thank goodness for the rocky ground that slowed her down. The scenery was definitely worth the speed though. Switzerland is gorgeous!!

Chocolate!

Yesterday I went to a chocolate factory. Amazing!! They have free, unlimited samples. Jessica and I brought water bottles to make sure we could eat as much chocolate as possible, but we were still disappointed in ourselves. We thought we could do much better. 

Today, Jessica had a wedding to go to so I went with her mom to see a nearby castle. Soo pretty. Honestly, I might have I liked it more than Edinburgh Castle. That is a heavy "might" though. Edinburgh was great as well. My favorite room that I saw today had to be the parlor, which was decorated as it was in the 18th century. It seriously looked like it came right out of a Jane Austen novel, and even had an old piano (or the forerunner to the piano) in the corner. Perfect!

Even though I love my days in Switzerland, I am getting antsy to get to Scotland. I have been researching some of the churches in the area, and found one that looks pretty great. Some people in Glasgow even recommended it. It looks like they have a solid student group, and even have an outreach that is similar to what I was doing in the UK.  Exciting!!

Glory

I thought I would share a verse that I read this morning. Sometimes, reading the bible, I just skim through the words and don't really take them in. But when you really pay attention, what it says is pretty amazing. "To this (being saved) he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 2: 14) By submitting to Him and relying on Him as the ruler of our lives, we will share in God's glory. It's insane.

Switzerland

I'm in Switzerland! As I write this, I can actually here their bell tower chiming the hour. How great is that? The last few days have been good- but hard. It is strange not to have Bailey here with me, and I have to make sure I stay busy as not to dwell on it. Which is something Jessica has done a great job with. Today we went to visit a reconstructed village in the southern part of the country, giving me the chance to see the GORGEOUS countryside. I just couldn't get over it. Yesterday was just as fun, the highlight being a going away party that we went to for Jess' godmother's son. He is about our age, so most of the guests were also college-aged. I was pretty apprehensive, as I don't speak any Swiss German, but I had a great time. There were a number of people that took pity on me and talked with me in English. At one point everyone was singing Happy Birthday to one of the guests in English, which was funny. Instead of "birthday," the whole group sang "birfsday." It was like my own, private joke. Not that I should be speaking at all. I have felt pretty slow the last few days, not knowing a word of Swiss German, High German, or French. I am painfully American.

As much as I am loving Switzerland, I can't wait to get back to Scotland. When I was there I just fell in love with it. Everyone was so friendly, even when I couldn't understand a word they said. (Side note: who knew the Scottish accent could be so hard to understand??)

To end this, I would just like to apologize for any weird phrasing that I might have used. After three days talking with only Swiss people, I have started to think like they talk in English...if that makes sense. 

Almost There

These last few days have been slightly overwhelming, leading to a minor breakdown yesterday. There seems to be a never ending list of last things to do, and not minor things like getting shampoo or tylenol. It's more like finding a place that exchanges dollars for pounds (apparently, it's a rare trade) or activating a new phone. Today was much better though, mainly consisting of packing and watching Friends. I am proud to say I was able to pack everything I need under the 66 pound maximum. 

I leave tomorrow. AAAAHHHH!!

Relax

Today was a perfect Saturday. First of all, I discovered the joys of my front lawn. Spending quality time with the bassets and God while laying in the grass was definitely the highlight of the day. Sad that I discovered this at the end of the summer though. I ended the day with an evening swim and  a hot shower. Then I cuddled up on the coach to watch Star Wars with Bailey and Dad. Why did Luke and Leah have to be brother and sister???

advice

oh, and what do you think of the new background? kind of weird, but I think I like it...let me know.

Twin Studies and Breaking Points

So, today I had a minor break down over my visa. It's amazing what a few tears can do though. It felt great to finally get all my worries off my chest, and who better to tell than my mom. She sat with me and reassured me with talks of check lists and packing.  I am still stressed about getting everything together, but am feeling slightly more optimistic. The British have really tightened their visa requirements this year, adding stress and worry to my plate. To make it worse, I have to wait until I am in the airport in London to get my visa. With only a week before I leave, I am having to constantly remind myself that God is still here and has me in the palm of his hand. Which is an overused image, but overused for a reason. It's such a comforting picture. Wherever I am, God is there as well, and has a perfect plan for me. 

On to a lighter subject, Bailey and I had our twin study this weekend. I am thinking of making this my full time profession. The actual study itself was a little long (5 hours) and a slightly boring. Everyone was so nice though, and the drug that they gave me (yes, it was approved) was WONDERFUL. Sooo relaxing. This wasn't the most welcomed piece of information for my mom, who I'm pretty sure is afraid I will become addicted to it. The second day was Bailey's turn for the study, so I had the day to wander around downtown Palo Alto. The highlight had to be spending an hour on Stanford's front lawn as I did a quiet time with God. That and all the cute guys in scrubs ;)

Bayne Street

Bayne Street

Stirling 

FK8 1PG

My new address!! The other day I received a letter from the University of Stirling telling me where I would be living. Although I had wanted to be on campus when I first applied, I was having second thoughts about a third year of dorms. I was thrilled to learn that I will be with four other girls in a "flat" about two miles off campus. In close proximity of me is both Stirling's "Old Bridge" and the castle. Can't wait!

Florida

Yesterday was our first day back from Florida. I am missing Cammy and Grady, but definitely not the humidity. Our family went down there for my mom's conference, a yearly occurrence for us. While I am too old to actually be a student there, I thoroughly enjoyed my "guest pass." The highlights included the fancy dinner, or "gala," where I was able to dress up; that night's entertainer- comedian/magician Tim Gabrielson; and hearing Erin Gruwell (the teacher that inspired "Freedom Writers"). She was awesome. After the conference, the four of us and my friends from Minnesota headed down to Key West for a few days. While there, we went jet skiing. I thought it would be a smart move to go with Grady, since he was the only one who had ridden one before. However, I had been forgetting though that he is a 17 year old boy. Needless to say, I spent the next hour screaming into his ear to "slow down" and that I was "slippery". He threw me five times, which is pretty impressive considering how hard I was holding on to him. Anyway, I left Florida thoroughly depressed that Minnesota is so far away from California and that plane tickets are so expensive. However, I did get about 1/3 the way through my Scottish history book with all the traveling I did, which was a major achievement.

Since coming back, I have been moderately productive, at least by summer standards. I have started to go through Galatians with my dad, started sewing my sock monkey again, and booked my flight to Switzerland. Tonight I am taking the next step to total geek status and going to see Harry Potter for the third time. Yikes. 

Yosemite

Yesterday our family got back from a night in Yosemite. I knew it was going to be beautiful, but it was way more than I was expecting. Our trip was definitely Hitch-style: stayed in a nice hotel, star-gazed on the hotel lawn as people watched, and drove (never hike!!) to our destinations. The highlights included:

1. Seeing the Wawona Hotel- It was built in the late 1800s and was soo pretty. Bailey and I found great amusement in the name 'Wawona,' as it sounds like 6 year old me struggling and failing to say my r's. 

2. Discovering that my mom thought that fanny packs were still an acceptable piece of f ashion. She was blown away when we told her that that was not the case. Yikes. 

3. Driving to Glacier Point- For all of you who know my driving skills, you can probably imagine how much I hated it. Windy streets, driving on the edge of a cliff, smoke from fires limiting my view. Fun fun. There was even a point where I screamed in the car. Needless to say, Bailey drove back. The view from the point was definitely worth it though. You could see Half Dome, waterfalls, and the Valley. 

All in all, the trip was short but fun. Happy Fourth of July!!

So, second post in about 3 minutes. I found this video as I was looking at pictures of the year. It was our last night together before Amy left for Thailand. I love my friends!!

Xena

I love my dogs. Xena has a habit of hiding things she counts as valuable. Once in awhile we will find water bottles, flip-flops, and other items around the property, her attempt at saving them for a later date. Today Bailey and I watched her as she took her dog bone outside and into the pasture to hide it. She took a very round-about way, weaving through farm equipment and looking over her shoulder to make sure no one was following. This story might seem uninteresting, but after two days of being cooped up with the flu, you have to search for your entertainment. 

Davis

This weekend I went up to Davis with Bailey and Sarah. I love spending time just the three of us. The outing included a perfect chick flick, some nice purchases from Gap and Borders, and laughing until I cried (not pretty, as I decided to drink water in between my fits). Sarah also  introduced the two of us to this discount movie store, where I bought the 10th season of friends for $15. Such a steal. Just what I needed to get me ready for second week of lessons.

4 down, 12 to go

First week of swim lessons is over! Yay! I celebrated by getting a pedicure, which I promptly ruined by putting my flip-flops on. Happens every time. I also had my first cello lesson of the summer today. I love my teacher from past voice lessons, but she is slightly intimidating (and by slightly, I mean extremely). Which is actually a good thing, because I am way too scared to slack off and not practice. Sarah came over later and we watched arrested development and consumed about half a box of wheat thins. I then ended the night by starting Battlestar Galactica with Bailey. (I know! It's terribly sci-fi geeky. I blame David.) It was good, but somehow didn't stop between episodes, which meant we watched for about 2 hours before calling it quits. We, of course, found the cutest guy on the show and have become his biggest supporters. Go Apollo!!

I'm Back!

Driving into Oakdale, the song "Hollah Back" came on the radio. I found it quite fitting. The drive back was horrible, as I had to do it all myself. I think the worst part was that I got no sympathy from anyone. Still, four hours and two sweaty palms later and I was home. Leaving SLO was harder than I expected. I love how God has really made this my second home. I no longer cry every time I leave home (just sometimes :P) and have started getting a little teary when I say bye to SLO. Well, maybe more than a little teary, as my friends could attest to.

Which leads me to my second point. I love my friends. It makes me wonder why I want to go to Scotland. Who will be there to hug me as I cry over some burly Scottish man??

These last few days have been full of unpacking and getting settled in. I started off my summer at church by making an idiot out of myself as I read with five ten year olds, got to have lunch with my grandma, and even introduced my parents to the world of Kirk and Spock. In one hour and twelve minutes I will be starting swim lessons (noooo!). 0 down, 16 to go. 

Yes or No?

What do you think of the new background? Stephanie inspired me with her new one. I am hoping that  a new background will get me posting more frequently. What really got me was it's name, "Orange Blossom." I just couldn't resist a background with the same name as my street address. I'm not sure about the little flowers on the side though... (I know, this is a serious decision!)

Buddies

This weekend was great. On Thursday I took a drive to Montana de Oro where I spent some much-needed one-on-one time with God. Just writing that makes me more in awe of Him. How wonderful is it that I am able to talk to the God of the universe intimately? After baking on top of the dunes for awhile, I went down to the water where I played in the waves. It took me back a few years. Friday was my first day with my Little Buddy, Michelle. I picked her up from school and we went to Pismo together. I put together a picture scavenger hunt, which included petting the puppies in the pet shop, posing like models in Pancho's, and eating free samples of taffy. Anyway, Friday I am getting together with her again, so if anyone has any suggestions for what we could do, that would be great. I am playing with the idea of baking a cake from scratch, but a few more ideas would be great. 

Random

Lately I have been obsessing over Scotland. Most nights before I go to bed I look something up about Scotland or Stirling (the town I am going to), whether it be the weather, some pictures, or a youtube video of Scottish accents. I know! It's weird. 

This weekend I became an official Big Buddy. I am so excited. I am mentoring an 8 year old girl, Michelle, who seems really sweet. I have been spending the last few days thinking of a good first activity to do together. I'm still working on it, but I think I have decided on a picture scavenger hunt in Pismo. Then next week we could do something fun with the pictures. What do you think?

Farmer's Market

Tonight at Farmer's Market we broke out of our usual routine of walking back and forth while debating food options, finally making the decision to eat at Chino's, and talking about getting fruit and veggies until seeing the price. Chase McBride was playing so we spent over an hour listening to him. Not only was he great, but the atmosphere was perfect. Some people were dancing, there was a girl hool-a-hooping (it even glowed in the dark!) and there was even a "Bag Monster." I think Laura's brothers got bored, but hopefully a very funny Office episode made up for it. I finished the night by inhaling a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory cookie. Those usually take me a few sittings to get through, but not this time. It was gone before we were at the car. Anyway, tomorrow should be fun. Bailey and I are heading down to Santa Barbara. I'm hoping for some warmth, frozen yogurt, and Erika time.

Journaling

Wow, I am starting to slack on the whole blogging thing. I am determined that this will not end up as one more attempt at journaling. Looking through old diaries, all of them are very similar. They start off saying something like: "I have been bad at journaling in the past, but I am determined to be better this time." After about two days of dedicated, lengthy entries, months (and in a few case, years) will go by with only a few small paragraphs, each one apologizing (to the journal?) for how long it has been and promising start writing regularly again. Anyway, that was one very long way of saying that, although it is time to go to sleep, I am staying up and writing a blog. This week has been pretty busy, but in that 'all stress, no productivity' way. I have a knack for making myself feel productive, when really all I do is procrastinate. The weekend was great though, leaving me with a tinge of homesickness and a delicious, smokey smell in my hair and clothes. 

Monday was bible study, and as much as I like it, I have grown to love the few hours I have after everyone but Steph leaves. She, Bailey, Laura and I have gotten into the habit of using that time as catch-up time. Not in the way of telling all of our important news, but more for the really important stuff like random fits of giggles, funny stories, and (of course) guys. 

A Big Day

Today was a big deal. I wore my hair down in public for the first time in almost two weeks. I am coming to a semi-acceptance of my new hair-cut. It's been a slow process. 

Someone help me. Is that last sentence grammatically correct? It's late.

Sisterly Love

This weekend was full of sister time, as Steph and Laura were both at Campus Crusade's Women Retreat. Friday night we had a movie night, watching the second Lord of the Rings and Step Up 2. Lord of the Rings went fast, as we always fast-forward the Gollum parts. Watching Gollum writhing silently and abnormally fast has become part of the Lord of the Rings experience, as both Bailey and I find him extremely creepy and annoying.  Step Up 2 was a completely shameful treat. It's one of those movies that has terrible actors and yet you still find yourself transfixed. Saturday was much more eventful, shopping at The Nest, getting lunch at High Street Deli, and painting some measuring cups at Red Hot Pottery. And don't forget buying matching shirts at Old Navy. I can't wait to get the cups back. Bailey messed up one of the handles when she attempted drawing a egg on it, but I more than made up for the mistake with my awesome blueberries on the 1/4 cup. When they finish firing them I will definitely be posting pictures, no matter the results. 

First Days Back

It's really odd. I just noticed this big freckle that I have on my face. I've never noticed it before and am not that happy about it. I was convinced that it had appeared overnight, but Bailey convinced me otherwise after looking through some pictures. So weird. 

Anyway, besides this disconcerting discovery, my week has gone pretty great so far. Monday's classes were good. My Aero 310 professor honestly has a twinkle in his eye. He is this older man that wears ties that match the subject for the day. Yesterday's tie had paper airplanes on it. At the end of class he had us all make planes out of scratch paper and see how far they would fly. Needless to say mine made it about two feet and then took a nosedive into my neighbor's lap. 

Today was a holiday so I went downtown and got a few job applications. I was so impressed with my productivity that I gave myself the rest of the day off and hung out at Tim's for the afternoon. A renewed love for Lord of the Rings and a flower crown are what I have to show for the day. 

Highlights

So, since I didn't write at all over break I thought I would just give my highlights of the last week. 

1. Taking a drive in the country with Bailey while blaring Shania Twain. The hills are so green, and when you get out far enough there's nothing but hills and cows, allowing you to drive fast and sing loud :)

2. Talking with Mrs. Wearin. We went to dinner and talked for two hours, making me extremely happy and the waitress very annoyed. When I describe her as my 7th and 8th grade teacher, it just doesn't cover it. So so much more. I left the restaurant feeling refreshed, happy, and a little nostalgic.

3. Getting a letter from Venancy, the child I sponsor. A picture of him in his Christmas present (a new shirt and pants) came with it. His smile makes me melt.

4. Watching the complete third season of Grey's Anatomy. Shameful, but such a treat.

5. Spending Saturday with my dad and Bailey in Slo. We walked down to the creek and over into the Mission's garden. Pretty and peaceful.

6. Spoiling and cuddling my dogs. My poor parents are having to deal with the aftermath. 

7. Getting a new phone. I am having some major problems texting on it, but besides that I'm happy.

8. Meeting Buckwheat, my neighbor's dog. He is this old golden retriever with the cutest face I've ever seen. Well...excluding Hugh Jackman. His eyes look a little weird in the picture because I messed up while trying to fix the red-eye and couldn't figure out how to undo it. I'm that computer savvy.

9. Going to the Civil War Reenactment in Knights Ferry. We weren't able to stay for the battle, but it was still fun. Bailey and I have made a tradition out of going each year. A history major's guilty pleasure.

Potato Overload

After checking up on panicky Stephanie and her "Feed the Homeless" program this afternoon, the four of us roommates went down to help her make enough twice-baked potatoes for over a hundred people. We found her alone in the rec room's kitchen frantically hand-mashing potatoes. A very sad sight. Not even a free potato could lure students out of their apartments the sunday before finals. Anyway, after about an hour and a half of preparing, we went to serve the dinner at the homeless shelter. I wanted to go, but was a little hesitant about interacting with the homeless. I've never been that successful at it in the past. I just feel like we have nothing in common. But I really enjoyed this. It's not like I had any deep conversations with anyone, but it was fun joking around and making small talk with them as I handed them silverware (yes, my job was that important). So know I am considering helping out at the shelter. There's no question it would be challenging, but I think it would be worth it...

Les Miserables

Okay, I know this is the second post of the day, but I just needed somewhere to have my outburst. I spent the night listening to the soundtrack for Les Miserables. So so amazing. And it makes folding laundry much more enjoyable. I was going to post a link to a youtube video of one of the songs, but I just don't think it does it justice. 

Daydreamings and Buddies

It's official. I've decided where I want to live after college: Prince Edward Island. For those of you who have read Anne of Green Gables, the reasons are pretty self-explanatory. For those of you who haven't, I've posted some pictures of it. After a hectic dead week and a oceanography final looming in my near future, escaping to the world of Avonlea and the "Lake of Shining Waters" sounds pretty ideal. I'm sure a my own personal Gilbert is just waiting for me to show up.

Besides daydreaming about my new future home, I've had a pretty productive day. This morning was the training for the Big Buddies  program (very similar to Big Brothers, Big Sisters). I can't wait to get assigned to someone! I'm really hoping for a girl, but I think they have a shortage of guy volunteers so that might not happen. Not that I mind having a boy buddy, it just might be a little harder thinking up activities for the two of us to do. I don't know how much he would enjoy getting a pedicure and baking cakes...