Yesterday was my birthday and most of it was miserable. Then my exam was over at 5 and it was wonderful from then on. I came home to the most wonderful package from my mom and Miz Nancy, and then had 20 people at my birthday dinner! We had a wonderful meal, then I bought everyone Cadbury eggs to celebrate and was able to make it a pretty early night since today I fly out to Belfast!
I am still not recovered from exams and now our shower has no hot water at all. It's freezing and stays freezing, so i am putting off the shower until the hostel in Ireland tonight. yay. Paige and I did go to Northpoint for pancakes and hot chocolate this morning, though, so that made everything a little more bearable. Anyhow, in honor of my birthday, I blog today about ten of the ways that I've changed since getting here. Hopefully I will be able to blog while in Belfast as well. Enjoy!
1.I eat a LOT of cheese.
2.When in America or Switzerland I have an irresistible desire to shower not once, but twice a day.
3.I now know what capers and scallions are.
4.My laundry detergent is called “Automatic Biological Washing Powder”. Can you tell it’s generic?
5.I can use cathedral ruins or a castle as landmarks when telling people how to get to my house, depending on whether they are coming from North Street or The Scores , respectively.
6.I collect aprons and tea cups as if it’s a disorder.
7.I have a computer charger, blowdryer, and straightener built for UK sockets.
8.My flatmate said that she could not imagine how anyone could find me to be difficult. Without a note of sarcasm.
9.I live without air-conditioning, and get heat from water in an ancient-looking contraption.
10.I drink my tea with a spot of milk and half teaspoon of sugar, not iced with a cup of sugar.
What has not changed is that I love and miss you all.
K
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Procrastination means two pathetic pillows.
A Friday night in St Andrews is leaving your flat to walk to the library at 9 o'clock at night to pring out exam study materials, and being passed by an Audi limousine, blasting some sort of techno music gently within its auspiciously haughty self. I would not be at all surprised if Prince William had been inside. Thank goodness I was wearing my color coordinated scarf and hat courtesy of my Gramma with a nice coat to hide he faded DARE t-shirt underneath. Just in case I've been glimpsed by royalty I mean.
I finally broke down yesterday afternoon and went into Ponden Mill to buy myself what appeared to be a very fluffy pillow on sale for 6 pounds, and a new bath mat just to be extra domestic. Opaque-plastic-packaged pillows are not always what they seem as it turns out, and I have taken my semi-understanding of the English language for granted by failing to read the description. Inside that wrapping were two very flat pillows, exactly like the one I found on my bed upon arriving here in October and have been sleeping on ever since. Honestly, sometimes I don't realize it has, in fact, fallen off the bed. It is that flat. Needless to say I will attempt to return these two sad jokes for one good pillow.
That's what I get for going pillow shopping when I should be studying for exams. On a much more positive note: For those of you who asked about Scotland and heard more than you'd ever want to hear about how awful my shower is--I had a wonderful shower this morning, hot AND with water pressure. This put me in an unusually good mood, and inspired me to blog. When I should be studying for exams.
I return to the End of History now. I cannot wait.
I finally broke down yesterday afternoon and went into Ponden Mill to buy myself what appeared to be a very fluffy pillow on sale for 6 pounds, and a new bath mat just to be extra domestic. Opaque-plastic-packaged pillows are not always what they seem as it turns out, and I have taken my semi-understanding of the English language for granted by failing to read the description. Inside that wrapping were two very flat pillows, exactly like the one I found on my bed upon arriving here in October and have been sleeping on ever since. Honestly, sometimes I don't realize it has, in fact, fallen off the bed. It is that flat. Needless to say I will attempt to return these two sad jokes for one good pillow.
That's what I get for going pillow shopping when I should be studying for exams. On a much more positive note: For those of you who asked about Scotland and heard more than you'd ever want to hear about how awful my shower is--I had a wonderful shower this morning, hot AND with water pressure. This put me in an unusually good mood, and inspired me to blog. When I should be studying for exams.
I return to the End of History now. I cannot wait.
Monday, 11 January 2010
My Fearless Dragon Necklace
Today I put on the Dogeared dragon necklace my daddy picked out for me for Christmas. It's part of their collection where each necklace has a meaning, like Willow tree dolls-you just can't ever have too many.It's meaning is Fearless, and its card tells you to put it on and remind yourself that you have nothing to fear. So I took it out of it's little bag for the first time and put it on before I began to study this morning at 7 a.m. for the 7th straight day in a row. My first St Andrews exam was today and I prepared with the dragon around my neck, literally and metaphorically I suppose I could say, and the little card that came with the necklace next to my pages and pages of notes. It worked. I forgot my fear.
Until after my first essay when I realized I had used up half of the three hours I had for three essays. So yes, I feel like my first essay was strong. I hope that my next two are legible. It is wonderful to have it behind me now, and I have a much more solid idea of what to expect for next Monday. Did I tell you that they told us this would be the last year that post-grad IR students would have to take exams?? I did? Well it is.
So I came home, after stopping for three sugar free chocolates to reward myself...and aid my digestion as it turns out. I came home expecting my new computer charger to be waiting for me so that I could have a mindless evening of skype, online television, and games to recuperate before starting in again for the next exam. My computer cord was not there. I ate all three chocolates and laid down on my bed surrounded by coffee cups and papers that reminded me of my awful handwriting on the exam and felt pathetic. Until I remembered my kindle. That precious little companion. I bought Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol and didn't look back. I don't care what all of you people say about the hype and let down. I don't regret it, it was like a lazy massage for my brain. Then I came to the library to return some books I forgot to return this afternoon, and got online to find carb/sugar free pumpkin pie recipe! Just canned pumpkin and cream cheese basically. So the post-exam evening has redeemed itself and I MIIIIIIGHT get to go to vienna with my best friend before next semester starts, so I am going to keep my fingers crossed and get on easyjet.com
Miss you guys...and french fries.
Until after my first essay when I realized I had used up half of the three hours I had for three essays. So yes, I feel like my first essay was strong. I hope that my next two are legible. It is wonderful to have it behind me now, and I have a much more solid idea of what to expect for next Monday. Did I tell you that they told us this would be the last year that post-grad IR students would have to take exams?? I did? Well it is.
So I came home, after stopping for three sugar free chocolates to reward myself...and aid my digestion as it turns out. I came home expecting my new computer charger to be waiting for me so that I could have a mindless evening of skype, online television, and games to recuperate before starting in again for the next exam. My computer cord was not there. I ate all three chocolates and laid down on my bed surrounded by coffee cups and papers that reminded me of my awful handwriting on the exam and felt pathetic. Until I remembered my kindle. That precious little companion. I bought Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol and didn't look back. I don't care what all of you people say about the hype and let down. I don't regret it, it was like a lazy massage for my brain. Then I came to the library to return some books I forgot to return this afternoon, and got online to find carb/sugar free pumpkin pie recipe! Just canned pumpkin and cream cheese basically. So the post-exam evening has redeemed itself and I MIIIIIIGHT get to go to vienna with my best friend before next semester starts, so I am going to keep my fingers crossed and get on easyjet.com
Miss you guys...and french fries.
Saturday, 9 January 2010
Patrick Hamilton Burned Here
I remembered to walk around the PH initials in the cobblestone on my way to the library tonight, even though they were hidden beneath snow. There are cobblestones around St Andrews that mark places where Protestant martyrs were burnt at the stake. The PH stones outside St Salvators, just before you turn the path for the awful library, mark where Patrick Hamilton was burnt alive. Traditionally, if you step on these stones, you will fail your degree. The remedy is to either run completely into the North Sea for the May Dip (and no, people do not dip in the North Sea for fun even on a summer day), or to walk around the pole on the end of the pier 3 times. Mind you, I have already stepped on these stones as their power was unbeknownst to me upon my arrival, so I will be doing the May Dip regardless. But tonight, tired and freezing and blind to the presence of the stones on my late night begrudging trek to the library, I realized after I passed them, that I had sub-consciously deliberately sidestepped them...any deliberate sub-conscious act is possible. I believe I am settling into this funny little town.
It's been snowing for days. This magical factor made my transition into being an ocean away from family and boy a little more bearable. Today, I walked down the Lade Braes taking pictures and successfully slid down a frighteningly steep hill that I was intimidated by but masked my fears well in front of the 3 little people in poofy snowsuits that were probably quite young (not just insanely small adults) and who were all acting as if the dramatic incline and potential crash into a tree or playground equipment were nothing. They eyed my little cookie sheet as if it must be a joke, but I proved them wrong. By screaming as I flew down the 5 foot hill to the bottom. It was a beautiful walk and a beautiful feeling. It was also a welcome but not needed escape from my studies for my first exam on Monday. Yes our exams are a month after classes ended. No I do not remember anything.
I noticed right before my return that I apparently behaved as a bear preparing for hibernation in the winter over Christmas break. If that were the case, I would be an ignorant bear since obviously I should already be hibernating by Christmas, but nonetheless, while it has served me well in this excessively cold barren land, the carbs and chocolate must stop. Bears don't eat either of those things anyway unless its by accident, or in the stomach of a hiker that came to close to a cub. So I am eating lots of meat, nuts, and greenery. I've been living this way for 6 days now. Days 1-2: I felt proud, certain and idealistic. Days 3-5: I hated everything. Day 6: I discovered Cadbury Eggs have finally made their appearance on this island. I ate one. But only one.
By the way, Cadbury cream eggs from the USA are the sad stepbrother of the true Cadbury chocolate cream eggs of their homeland. I will ship some home to be kept cryogenically for my return. As for my other meals today, I thought of that cream egg while I ate leek soup over cauliflower and parsnips, a salad with oil and vinegar, and grapefruit for a snack. The upside is that I recently discovered that the cheesemonger on south street sells fresh Jersey milk in bottles! this is something i can get excited about consuming.
I bought a teapot that looks like a castle. With a tiny british flag and little soldier heads in the windows. Goodwill shops here are full of treasures.
love you people. you few who remember i have a blog and check it occasionally...every three months or so. i love you.
It's been snowing for days. This magical factor made my transition into being an ocean away from family and boy a little more bearable. Today, I walked down the Lade Braes taking pictures and successfully slid down a frighteningly steep hill that I was intimidated by but masked my fears well in front of the 3 little people in poofy snowsuits that were probably quite young (not just insanely small adults) and who were all acting as if the dramatic incline and potential crash into a tree or playground equipment were nothing. They eyed my little cookie sheet as if it must be a joke, but I proved them wrong. By screaming as I flew down the 5 foot hill to the bottom. It was a beautiful walk and a beautiful feeling. It was also a welcome but not needed escape from my studies for my first exam on Monday. Yes our exams are a month after classes ended. No I do not remember anything.
I noticed right before my return that I apparently behaved as a bear preparing for hibernation in the winter over Christmas break. If that were the case, I would be an ignorant bear since obviously I should already be hibernating by Christmas, but nonetheless, while it has served me well in this excessively cold barren land, the carbs and chocolate must stop. Bears don't eat either of those things anyway unless its by accident, or in the stomach of a hiker that came to close to a cub. So I am eating lots of meat, nuts, and greenery. I've been living this way for 6 days now. Days 1-2: I felt proud, certain and idealistic. Days 3-5: I hated everything. Day 6: I discovered Cadbury Eggs have finally made their appearance on this island. I ate one. But only one.
By the way, Cadbury cream eggs from the USA are the sad stepbrother of the true Cadbury chocolate cream eggs of their homeland. I will ship some home to be kept cryogenically for my return. As for my other meals today, I thought of that cream egg while I ate leek soup over cauliflower and parsnips, a salad with oil and vinegar, and grapefruit for a snack. The upside is that I recently discovered that the cheesemonger on south street sells fresh Jersey milk in bottles! this is something i can get excited about consuming.
I bought a teapot that looks like a castle. With a tiny british flag and little soldier heads in the windows. Goodwill shops here are full of treasures.
love you people. you few who remember i have a blog and check it occasionally...every three months or so. i love you.
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