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.