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!