If you know anything about St. Andrews, you have probably heard about Raisin Weekend.There is a tradition here of having academic families, Steve is consequently the dad of most of us in Deans Court and our friend Katharina is our mum, given they were both undergraduates here.The weekend of Raisin Monday, you basically have loads of parties, get a bit drunk and have loads of fun with your family.This includes kid’s games, scavenger hunts, dressing up, giving and receiving presents, and other such shenanigans.Our Raisin weekend was quite mellow as it was only Sunday, but it was a blast. Then Monday comes.The whole point I guess is to get utterly pissed on Sunday, go to class hung over, then get dressed by your parents in ridiculous costumes on Monday morning and go to the foam party.The foam party is a foam fight that takes place in St. Salvator's quad with shaving foam. It was amazing. I am so glad that I was involved. You have to buy foam early because the whole town and surrounding towns totally sell out of the stuff.This fight is renowned worldwide, and most big papers will have a picture on the front page of it.Steve actually made the front page of an Australian newspaper when he was an undergrad! Moral of the story is, it was an amazing fight, bloody cold, but so much fun. Pictures will be provided later, but you could Google search for the University of St. Andrews Foam Fight and would probably get some fantastic shots.To follow, later in that same week, we had a formal dinner for postgraduates, which was an excuse to get all gussied up, drink wine and spend a load of money on a nice dinner. It was excellent, I simply love it here!!!
I just thought I should mention the weather here in St. Andrews.All fall it has been quite mild, what I would expect for a coastal fall, wet and chilly, honestly not much different from Vermont.Well let me tell you, when that wind starts whipping down the scores, it gets damn cold.Last weekend it was very cold, cold enough to SNOW!I was so jealous of mom and dad because I had talked to them on the phone and they said it was snowing, even in NJ and I really wish I had snow.Saturday morning there was a nice little dusting on the rooftops and covering the grass in the garden, I thought that was fantastic as it hardly ever snows here.Then on Sunday morning I awoke to a solid several inches on the ground and everywhere. It was absolutely gorgeous. It really made my day to see some snow, I hope it snows again, and I hope there is some snow for Christmas at Steve’s in Birmingham.
Also in the past week we had Thanksgiving! So happy late Thanksgiving everyone!I was quite depressed that I couldn’t watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. That is such a critical part of my thanksgiving that it was truly sad I couldn’t watch. The dinner Deans Court made us was utter crap; I can’t even describe how awful it was to come down to dinner, on Thanksgiving, to essentially have thick lunch meat which had been cooked in water, a poor excuse for mashed potatoes and some mushy cauliflower. There wasn’t even any proper pie.BUT most of us were planning to do our own Thanksgiving dinner thing on the weekend which was good.I am working with the education department at the museum here at St. Andrews and I worked there for an event, a kid’s workshop, on Saturday and Sunday so when I got back on Saturday I made a mini Thanksgiving meal for me and Steve. It turned our pretty well given I didn’t have a proper kitchen, proper cook ware, or even all the right ingredients.Another highlight of the weekend was Deans Court (or at least the cool kids who live here) all went out for a Charity Shop Challenge Pub Crawl.Basically you had 10quid to buy the most hideous outfit in charity shops, and then we go on a pub crawl.It was pretty spectacular, and hey, it was a bit of good for charity!
Right, well I think that about catches me up to what I’m doing right now, other than planning a birthday for Steve on Wednesday, so take care until my next post which will probably be after Christmas.Let’s be honest, you won’t want to hear about my exams, papers, or how much I’m stressing.
Sorry for the delay in posting about my trip but hey, it happens.
We started our journey on Nov. 6 when I spent the morning making sandwiches and snackies for our clan for a full day of travel.The group going was three of my girlfriends here (Kelsey from NC, Meg from TX and Emily from GA) and Steve. We went and got a train at Leuchars to Edinburgh, crossed through Edinburgh to a different station and boarded a train to Glasgow and eventually to Prestwick the airport there.The train ride was uneventful but humorous as we were all trying to navigate our little backpacks and our large packs through various places.The flight was only about an hour and a half from Prestwick to Stockholm, I think we all just napped.We took a bus from the airport when we landed (another hour) into the city itself and found our hostel that we would call home for the next four days.It was called City Lodge and it felt quite safe. We had a room to ourselves and there were three different locks to get into the building so we felt good about that.The first night was exhausting as we had traveled all day and by the time we got to the hostel it was well after midnight, we pretty much just crashed.
After enjoying the cathedral, Steve and I went in search of a hot drink and a snack while the girls were still in their tour.We found a little place that was really cool.It was in a basement and was sort of wine cellar/dungeon like.There were lots of cool antiques stuff, old furniture and lots of little nooks and things to sit in.We had a simple sandwich, tea and hot chocolate, which on a cold day touring Stockholm in November, totally hit the spot.It was nice to warm up, and just relax for a few minutes in a place we ‘discovered’.We then went to a touristy street to do some shopping and just walk and enjoy the day.We ended our day and headed back to base, where we napped for a bit (as it got dark by 3:30pm) then went out to look for some cheap food.Scandinavia is damn expensive, just saying.We ended up eating in a little taco bar, odd to be eating tacos in Sweden, but hey, it tasted good and was cheap.
The second day out, we went back to Gamlanstan (the old part of the city) and finished exploring there. We went in churches, where I spent loads of time enjoying paintings, architecture, sculptures and just the general atmosphere of them.We explored different touristy sites, wandered the shops, and had some food.Once we finished and the sun had practically set, we went to the National Museum for the rest of the afternoon. It was a bit disappointing actually as it hardly had anything.I guess I expected much more, as it was a National Museum.It was still fun walking around with Steve.There were some really great works though, a few wonderful sculptures and some still life paintings I really enjoyed. They were by Jan Davidsz de Heem which were hyper detailed.After leaving the museum we went Ice skating.This was something we had seen the day before and decided to pay the few kroner to go.I can’t even remember the last time I went ice skating!It was soooo much fun, it was an outdoor rink, all lit up and there was music playing. Nothing solidified the idea we were in Sweden than when we were skating, outside in the cold, in the middle of a city and ABBA started to play.So great.We only had a few spills, nothing major, and all hysterical.We spent the rest of the evening chilling out which was nice.
The third day in Stockholm we went to Skansen.Skansen is a historical town/theme park.It reminded me of Williamsburg VA, or even Clarks Trading Post.There were period characters around, old buildings from different time periods in Sweden, all sorts of stuff like that and there was a zoo like element to it as well. There were lots of native animals to Sweden that they had in pens and things. I saw a big brown bear for the first time and a wolf.It was really neat, here is a website to look at of it - http://www.skansen.se/pages/?ID=221 – it’s pretty cool.The pastries were sooo yummy, the straw crafts were pretty, the pottery as well and the hand blown glass was spectacular.The glass from Skansen and Sweden in general is apparently renowned.After spending the majority of the day in Skansen, we walked a short distance to the Vasa Museum, a museum dedicated to a ship (the Vasa) which sunk on its maiden voyage in 1628.The ship was salvaged in 1961 and has been preserved amazingly.The ship is 95% complete.Pictures don’t really pay it justice. It is truly spectacular to walk into a HUGE building, the lights are all quite low, and then there are spot lights on this enormous ship, just chillin in the middle of the room!Dad would have really enjoyed it.I made sure to film some of it so you could really see the detail.Website: http://www.vasamuseet.se/InEnglish/about.aspx After visiting there we walked back to the hostel to meet up with the girls, as they had left early to go do some shopping, and had some fantastically greasy pizza from a kebab shop up the street.
The next day we got up early and hopped on a train to a town to get a ferry across the Baltic Sea to an island of Sweden called Gotland. We were going to a medieval town Visby. {http://www.gotland.se/komverk/forvaltn/tf/hamn/visbyport/index.htm } We only stayed one night but it was worth it I think.Unfortunately the weather was not so great so we really couldn’t see anything while crossing, but I can honestly say it was the biggest ship I’ve ever been on.It was pretty neat.Once we got to Visby, we checked into our posh hotel then went and did a wee bit of exploring.We only had a few hours of daylight left so we made the most of it.Visby is a little town but really cool.Steve and I got up good and early the next morning so we had loads of time to explore and see things before we had to catch the next ferry back.We saw lots of ruins of churches and cathedrals, a few castle things and the really cool medieval wall of the city.We had a really great time going around town together, and I even did some shopping.It was a rainy day but it was still beautiful.We gathered all of our things and boarded the ferry again for our voyage home after a long day of museum going and ruin exploring.There was a bit of a fiasco when we got back to mainland however because it was getting late, but we managed to get a bus back to Stockholm, then a taxi to the airport where we were staying at a hostel right there at the airport for the night.And by ‘the night’ I mean we had maybe three hours sleep by the time we got there.
Travel day again! We flew into London where we would be spending the next few days.Steve and Emily stayed with friends/Bobby Jones scholars who live in London as the reason we were there was because they were having a little event.I stayed with my friend Jess from Wellesley, we played Frisbee together.It was SOOOO great to see her, to see a friendly face from home!Hopefully we’ll be able to see each other a few more times while we are here in the UK.For about three days, Steve and I were total tourists in London. It was so fantastic to have someone who is so patient with me going into churches and museums.We saw St. Paul’s, Westminster Abbey, a load of little churches along the way, the London Tower Bridge, London Bridge, walked by the Globe Theater, spent 4 or 5 hours in the Tower of London and of course enjoyed food out and time with Jess.It was simply superb.The night before we left, we stayed in a hotel close to the train station so it would be easier in the morning for us.I can honest to god say it was one of the sketchiest places I’ve ever stayed in my life.Oi.But hey, it was only one night.
The train ride home was a long one, about 5.5 hours, but the countryside was nice to see, and we managed to get a little bit of work done when we weren’t sleeping.Our friend Dan was actually in our carriage as well.It was a long 10 days, full to the max with walking, exploring and general fun.It took a good week to recover!
So that was my big trip to Sweden during reading week!Hope it entertained you to read this; I certainly liked reliving each moment as I typed this, now a month later.There will be more updates, sorry for the lack of promptness in posting, it’s a bit time consuming to sit and do this, but it’s a fantastic procrastination tool!Well now I’m done and must go do some work, papers to write, presentations to give and exams to study for.Christmas break can’t come soon enough!
Hey Everyone! Sorry for the lack of blog posting, its been a bit hectic here. Since my last post, I have:
- walked along the sands - found myself a boy - planned a trip to Sweden (this week YAY!) - written a paper - given a presentation on that paper - studied for an exam (ok, that is still in progress) - dressed as April O'Neal from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - planned and succeeded in throwing a Halloween bash - eaten Indian food take away more times than normal - tried to plan my life - contemplated how beautiful St. Andrews is - figured out where i'm going for Christmas (with the boy to Birmingham England) - made some amazing memories - caught those memories on film - been caught singing by my cleaning lady and upstairs neighbor on a regular basis - created some amazing friendships that will last forever - went to a bookie to place some bets (okay i didn't but the boy did) - speaking of which - became a fan of Aston Villa - cheated on Jose with Sauza - been cooked for - including handmade chocolate biscotti
and really that is all I can think of right now. But really, its a lot, I've been busy!
Things really are great here. I love where I live especially, the people are great, we have so much fun but can manage to motivate each other as well. Classes are okay, lots of reading that I get a bit behind on, but thats what you get when you are a slow reader. As I said above, I have my first actual exam today in my Venetian art class, which is going to be a bit special as I haven't taken an exam in like two years. My Bernini class is fantastic, the discussions are great and although there is a lot of work, I'm really enjoying it.
Friday was of course halloween, and although it isn't nearly as popular here as in the states, we rocked a party like no other. As I said, I was April O'Neal from TMNT and went with the boy (hmm maybe I should give him a name...) Steve, who went as a Turtle of course (michelangelo and raphael to be precise, as he had the fork things and numchucks) We had sightings of Sara Palin, McCain, a pimp, his ho, a few devils, a pirate, a cowgirl, an arobics instructor, a few vampires and so much more. It was one hell of a time. Next on our list to celebrate is Guy Faulks day and for us Americans, Thanksgiving! We have to track down buying an american football...
A few friends and I are going to Sweden on Thursday which should be amazing. I'm so excited to go somplace new!! We'll be there for about 5 days then we go to London for a few days where I'll get to see my friend Jess from Wellesley, bum around some museums and maybe even shmooz with some rich and important people. I'm excited and there will definately be posts about that trip! Along those lines, sorry for the delay in getting pictures up, I'm working out doing things via another site, as this one isn't ideal for pictures. I'll let y'all know when I get that sorted.
Anyway, that is it for now, just a quick update to satisfy those of you who have been badgering me for several weeks now. But I must be off to study, I'll figure out the picture thing soon!
On Friday my friend Andy and I walked down to the old course to watch some of the Dunhill Golf Tournament going on here. We had heard there were some celebs to be seen. We parked ourselves at the 17th green where we could see the players put the 17th and tee off for the 18th. It was sunny but damn cold in the wind, but having our hands, ears and nose freeze was well worth who we saw.
We saw plenty of pro golfers i'm sure, but I have NO idea who they are, some guy named Casey? anyway, we saw Hugh Grant and Samuel L. Jackson play which was really cool. We not only saw them golf, take cheezy pictures on the bridge but we heard with our own ears, S.L. Jackson laugh.
Whew! I have finally landed in Scotland! It has been about two weeks now since I moved into my new home Deans Court. St. Andrews is amazing. I don’t really think I can explain how wonderful it is here. The views from my room are gorgeous, featuring the old town buildings and the town hall clock tower. Out the other side of Deans Court you have a front row seat to seeing the sea and the ruins of the cathedral. While mom and dad were still here, we explored the town a bit and traveled out of St. Andrews up to the highlands, to the grand metropolis of Kirkcaldy, and to another town on the coast called Anstruther which has the best fish and chips around. (and let me tell you, these UK folk take their fish and chips seriously) So I guess I’ll recap from the beginning…
We landed in Scotland on the 15th, after far too lengthy of a day, including flight delays, faulty toilets and a so called station wagon the size of an escort. Fighting through exhaustion and hunger, we got all the baggage sorted (as it actually did arrive) and got a rental car. We managed to find our way out of Edinburgh and into the countryside where we were marveled by the beautiful fields that looked like a patchwork quilt ranging in color from golden yellows of the straw, to a deep green of the grasses and fields of the richest clay dirt I think I have ever seen. Unlike the countryside of Ireland that is pungent with the smell of burning peat, the air was fresh and smelled of rain mixed with the newly harvested straw and hay. (the marshmallows here are not white, they are black) Dad did brilliantly managing the road; i.e. driving on the opposite side of the road. The roads here are winding but much wider than a lot of roads we’ve driven on here in Europe.
Rounding a corner and down a hill St. Andrews came into view. With a few spires of churches, the clock tower and ruins already in sight. I must admit, I was horribly tired so I was less enthusiastic than I probably should have been or normally would have been. As we entered the town we soon realized I would be right at home given you were through the town in 3 minutes. It is a small but wonderful town, so much of its population consists of University students. We drove past the cathedral ruins and through some beautiful arches that lead down to the harbor where we were staying. The apartment that Mom rented was/is right on the sea wall practically, where we could wake up and walk onto the balcony or look out our windows to see the hustle and bustle of the harbor, boats in and out going to pull in traps of lobsters and HUGE crabs. Mom bought a few of both to try, they were really tasty. We saw dolphins off the pier, plenty of fun sea birds, including a brave swan family that would venture out into the sea itself.
I moved into Deans Court, a beautiful 600 year old building towards the sea end of town. My room is enormous it is fantastic. Everyone here is great, so many nice people from all over, though I must say there are a lot of Americans. (which is a little bit nice, as it is like a piece of home). The food isn’t so bad here, but apparently the Scots don’t like green veggies. (fantastic at meat pie though) Since I’ve moved in, I’ve learned some favorite pubs, got class schedules and watched loads of movies while I wait for classes to actually start.
I’ll update again soon, when something exciting happens CHEERS!
It is official. I have the money, I have the tickets, I have housing and finally I have my Visa! I will be living in Deans Court, one of the older residences at St. Andrews, and by old I mean REALLY old. The main part of the building was built in the sixteenth century... yeah. I don't have many details about it, other than it is small, meaning 50 so prostgrads, but the rooms apparently tend to run large, sweet! Some even have fireplaces haha. So that is exciting, but even more exciting is that the UK government will let me stay in the country. I officially received my Visa via UPS today!!! I must say, my picture is pretty fantastic haha. So now, there is nothing left for my preparation but to somehow decide what to pack. As so many of you know, I LOVE to pack. Its sort of my thing. When mom dad and I went to Europe, i packed like a month before. China, same deal. Well, nothing has changed with me... I did a pack job last night with the MAX clothes I would take, and hey not too bad, my entire wardrobe fits in 2.5 suitcases. Good thing I've got some high quality bell hops coming with me :-p Mom and Dad will be packing in one suitcase, and I get their others haha. Parents rock.
Well, I could keep blabbering on and on about what I plan on packing, but lets be honest, you have better things to do.
So I am getting closer and closer to actuallly going to Scotland. I am officially on vacation until I leave. Although I'll miss my paycheck... I have so much to do, I'm glad I left work now to have two whole months to work on getting my life in order. Speaking of getting things in order, Dad and I went up to St. Albans VT yesterday to get my "biometrics" done at a US homeland security office for my Visa. Basically it was a picture for the database and fingerprints. So after the 2.5 hour drive, I was at the apointment for all of 12 minutes. So after we were through, Dad and I spent the day in Burlington which was fun. Now that the UK has my "biometrics" I get to send out my Visa application and documents tomorrow, so I will hopefully get my Visa soon!! Other than that, we are officially going to scotland, whether or not i can stay will be up to the UK Government by giving me the Visa, but we booked our flights! We leave from Boston on September 14th! I'm really getting excited, but there is still so much to do... but honestly, I'm excited to do all the packing stuff too. Once I have a guarentee of my housing and I have my Visa in hand, I'll be way less stressed. Well, guess thats it for now, another fun filled blog update :)
I've wanted this crazy plan of mine to actually start for so long, that now that it is happening, I'm sort of freaking out! I'm so excited to be going to the University of St. Andrews I can't even express, but I'm also in shock that all of this is really happening... Okay lets be honest, I'm not so excited about the paperwork, the visa applications and outrageous amounts of loans... but overall I can't help but smile every time I think of Scotland.
Figuring out all the logistics though has been a bit crazy. Between communicating via email with the school due to the time difference, trying to find my way through loan apps and answering five million questions for getting my Visa, my head is spinning. That aside, I've already started to plan what to pack, what bags to pack in, I've bought a few new electronics (totally necessary for keeping the fam updated) and I've already started to agonize over what books I must leave at home. I have also started to plan weekend trips to London to see my friend Jess, and perhaps ventures to France to see a few young friends abroad and then hopefully I'll be spending Christmas in Vienna with another college friend. I can't wait for all the adventures I'll be going on. Just hope my damn ankle will be right-as-rain by then. :-p
Travels aside though, the nerd in me is excited to get back to class. I'm so glad I took a year off to give my brain a bit of a break. Up until a few months ago I was pretty happy just chillin at home, working, enjoying Vermont, but it got to the point where I was sitting at home after work saying to myself "OK, isn't' there a paper I should be working on? Do I have a book I need to frantically finish for tomorrow?" That's how I knew I was ready to go back to school to get my masters. I'm so thrilled I'll be going to classes, I'll be taking books out, staying up late, getting hand cramps from writing notes and of course getting far too behind on laundry to be healthy.
So I guess this is my first official blog post... I can't believe I actually got a blog. Hopefully this will make keeping everyone posted on my crazy adventures in Europe/Scotland soooo much easier. :)
This is my blog, my adventures in gradschool over in Scotland among other things. There will be plenty of posts on all the crazy adventures Buddha and I have :)
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