I took my first trip to Edinburgh Scotland! It was absolutely gorgeous – full of old buildings, castles, tea shops, shopping – and this time of year…snow and the German Christmas market.
Our day in Edinburgh…
6:00 wake up and drive through the snowy, snowy roads to the train station.
8:00 feeling like we are in the ‘Chronicles of Narnia’ with our posh coats, furry hoods, and snowy mountainside.
11:00 arriving in Edinburgh and going to a really cute tea shop with delicious sweets!
…spending the day shopping at Cath Kidston, exploring the German Christmas market tents(with tons of toys, beer, pretzels, and gingerbread cookies), walking to the Royal Mile leading to the Edinburgh Castle, getting into the Edinburgh Castle FREE because of St. Andrews Day weekend, exploring Edinburgh Castle and getting our picture taken by Spaniards and taking picture of funny furry animal hats, shopping for tartan scarves, seeing beautiful stained glass windows and cathedral architecture, taking photos in telephone booths…
15:00 mid afternoon tea and coffee.
…shopping, shopping, shopping…
17:00 relaxing dinner at a lovely vegetarian restaurant.
19:30 train back to Aberdeen!
22:00 return from the snow in Edinburgh back to the snow in Aberdeen.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thanksgiving in Scotland
This has been my second consecutive Thanksgiving away from ‘home’ in West Virginia – and as I celebrate this beloved American holiday with a new group of family and friends in Scotland I am reminded of new things I have to be ‘thankful’ for…
I’m thankful for…the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship and the opportunity to study abroad in Scotland for a year! I would truly not be able to be in Aberdeen without the Rotary and my time thus far would not have been as meaningful without the support of local Rotarians!
I’m thankful for…my new friends in Aberdeen! You all make Scotland feel like home.
I’m thankful for…the concept of ‘warm drinks’! Coffee & Hot Tea (a new favorite)! And that Diet Coke is international.
I’m thankful for…the RGU Sport Center – for supplying friends, treadmills, and enough endorphins to replace the lack of sun and warm weather I would LOVE to be getting.
I’m thankful for…my new home church in Aberdeen, CITY CHURCH – a true blessing! And…for all the girls in my small group women’s Bible Study <3 love them all for their encouragement and friendship.
I’m thankful for…my understanding of the ‘Scottish English language’… wearing my wellies, throwing rubbish in the bin, lovely castles, posh dinners, not being bothered, nip to the loos, ace pubs, trying not to look shattered, knackered after Masters assignments!
I’m thankful for…sticky toffee pudding MMmmmMm!
I’m thankful for…spontaneity and a sense of adventure!
Making the Most of Every Opportunity – this Thanksgiving and always.
I’m thankful for…the Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship and the opportunity to study abroad in Scotland for a year! I would truly not be able to be in Aberdeen without the Rotary and my time thus far would not have been as meaningful without the support of local Rotarians!
I’m thankful for…my new friends in Aberdeen! You all make Scotland feel like home.
I’m thankful for…the concept of ‘warm drinks’! Coffee & Hot Tea (a new favorite)! And that Diet Coke is international.
I’m thankful for…the RGU Sport Center – for supplying friends, treadmills, and enough endorphins to replace the lack of sun and warm weather I would LOVE to be getting.
I’m thankful for…my new home church in Aberdeen, CITY CHURCH – a true blessing! And…for all the girls in my small group women’s Bible Study <3 love them all for their encouragement and friendship.
I’m thankful for…my understanding of the ‘Scottish English language’… wearing my wellies, throwing rubbish in the bin, lovely castles, posh dinners, not being bothered, nip to the loos, ace pubs, trying not to look shattered, knackered after Masters assignments!
I’m thankful for…sticky toffee pudding MMmmmMm!
I’m thankful for…spontaneity and a sense of adventure!
Making the Most of Every Opportunity – this Thanksgiving and always.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
'The Good and The Great'
Making the News :)
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Sunday, November 21, 2010
First Race in Scotland
This week I ran my first race outside of America! Although over the years I have enjoyed running along the streets of China, Hong Kong, Scotland, and beaches of Thailand – I have never run an official race in another country.
I ran in the Scottish University Sport Cross Country Championship at Stirling University in Scotland! It was a 6K race – approximately 4 miles of hills and mud on a true cross country course. I ran the race as part of The Robert Gordon University Running and Triathlon Team.
I’m looking forward to even more running in Scotland and future races! On December 5th I am running a ‘Santa Fun Run’! It is a 5K race where all the race participants dress up and run in Santa suits!
I ran in the Scottish University Sport Cross Country Championship at Stirling University in Scotland! It was a 6K race – approximately 4 miles of hills and mud on a true cross country course. I ran the race as part of The Robert Gordon University Running and Triathlon Team.
I’m looking forward to even more running in Scotland and future races! On December 5th I am running a ‘Santa Fun Run’! It is a 5K race where all the race participants dress up and run in Santa suits!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Scottish Road Trip
After nearly 2 weeks of continuous studying and 3 days straight of living in the library, all to turn in a massive mid-term assignment – I decided it was time for a much needed break!
So when an opportunity to take a road trip of Scotland came about, I decided to go for it!
Jumping in a car and in 5 days I saw some of the most majestic Scottish mountains, royal Scottish castles, went mountain climbing, and experienced the booming city of Glasgow!
We drove along the West Coast of Scotland…up to Inverness and around the back roads of Loch Ness (home of the Loch Ness Monster)…up to the Isle of Skye…back to the mountains that surround Inverness to go mountain climbing…then back home to Aberdeen…then down to Glasgow…and back to home sweet home Aberdeen!
Read on for my favorite parts of the adventure...
So when an opportunity to take a road trip of Scotland came about, I decided to go for it!
Jumping in a car and in 5 days I saw some of the most majestic Scottish mountains, royal Scottish castles, went mountain climbing, and experienced the booming city of Glasgow!
We drove along the West Coast of Scotland…up to Inverness and around the back roads of Loch Ness (home of the Loch Ness Monster)…up to the Isle of Skye…back to the mountains that surround Inverness to go mountain climbing…then back home to Aberdeen…then down to Glasgow…and back to home sweet home Aberdeen!
Read on for my favorite parts of the adventure...
Seven Scottish Highlights
Top 7 highlights of my completely random spontaneous road trip around Scotland:
1.Getting my picture with some sheep! Definition of a stereotypical Scottish sight – sheep grazing on the rolling hills of Scotland. Take a trip nearly anywhere and yes, that is what you will find!
2.Seeing real Highland Cows for the first time – up close and personal! Highland Cows basically look like buffalo – they have horns and are really ‘furry’! I’m pretty sure they are friendly, but I don’t want to find that out the hard way.
3.Seeing ‘snow-capped’ Scottish mountains!
4.Going Mountain Climbing! To be fair, I was told that I wasn’t really mountain climbing and that it was more of a ‘hill’ and we were on a ‘nature trail’ – but I refuse to think that, because that was the highest and longest ‘hill’ I’ve ever seen! It was really steep and we climbed more than 2000 feet – and there was one point where I literally was scaling the mountainside! It was beautiful and the sight from the mountain was breathtaking, I enjoyed every minute of it.
5.Ordering a Kilt! Usually males wear kilts, but they do make female kilts that are more like ‘skirts’ – the female kilts have less pleats because the front of the kilt is not pleated at all. The female kilts are also typically shorter (although not too short – haha). Each family clan has their own tartan pattern, which means that depending on your last name, the kilt’s plaid pattern and colors will represent your family clan. Since my great, great, grandfather is Scottish; I was able to order my family’s plaid tartan pattern! Now I can wear my kilt with true Scottish pride and it represents a little part of who I am today.
6.Seeing more castles that I ever thought possible!
7.Eating Sticky Toffee Pudding – the most delicious toffee flavored cake served with your choice of ice cream or custard.
1.Getting my picture with some sheep! Definition of a stereotypical Scottish sight – sheep grazing on the rolling hills of Scotland. Take a trip nearly anywhere and yes, that is what you will find!
2.Seeing real Highland Cows for the first time – up close and personal! Highland Cows basically look like buffalo – they have horns and are really ‘furry’! I’m pretty sure they are friendly, but I don’t want to find that out the hard way.
3.Seeing ‘snow-capped’ Scottish mountains!
4.Going Mountain Climbing! To be fair, I was told that I wasn’t really mountain climbing and that it was more of a ‘hill’ and we were on a ‘nature trail’ – but I refuse to think that, because that was the highest and longest ‘hill’ I’ve ever seen! It was really steep and we climbed more than 2000 feet – and there was one point where I literally was scaling the mountainside! It was beautiful and the sight from the mountain was breathtaking, I enjoyed every minute of it.
5.Ordering a Kilt! Usually males wear kilts, but they do make female kilts that are more like ‘skirts’ – the female kilts have less pleats because the front of the kilt is not pleated at all. The female kilts are also typically shorter (although not too short – haha). Each family clan has their own tartan pattern, which means that depending on your last name, the kilt’s plaid pattern and colors will represent your family clan. Since my great, great, grandfather is Scottish; I was able to order my family’s plaid tartan pattern! Now I can wear my kilt with true Scottish pride and it represents a little part of who I am today.
6.Seeing more castles that I ever thought possible!
7.Eating Sticky Toffee Pudding – the most delicious toffee flavored cake served with your choice of ice cream or custard.
Meeting The First Minister of Scotland
I have been participating in many, many Rotary events, meetings, conferences and volunteer opportunities in Aberdeen – definitely fulfilling my role as an Ambassadorial Scholar! Each new meeting and event I have the chance to meet Rotarians and interesting individuals with impressive life stories. It has been a rewarding opportunity to serve as an Ambassadorial Scholar and I feel very appreciative that the Rotarians and community of Aberdeen have welcomed me with open arms!
My most recent and exciting Rotary experience was meeting the First Minister of Scotland – Alex Salmond. The Dyce Rotary Club, located just outside of Aberdeen was holding its 25th Charter Dinner, celebrating its 25th Birthday as a club. One of the guest speakers for the night was Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland (the equivalent to America’s Barack Obama)!
I talked with Alex Salmond for about 2 minutes about visiting America, and he told me that although he had not been to West Virginia, he had been to Virginia. So, of course I told him how great West Virginia is and that some day he should come visit! Then he gladly took a picture with me “say cheers”!
My most recent and exciting Rotary experience was meeting the First Minister of Scotland – Alex Salmond. The Dyce Rotary Club, located just outside of Aberdeen was holding its 25th Charter Dinner, celebrating its 25th Birthday as a club. One of the guest speakers for the night was Alex Salmond, First Minister of Scotland (the equivalent to America’s Barack Obama)!
I talked with Alex Salmond for about 2 minutes about visiting America, and he told me that although he had not been to West Virginia, he had been to Virginia. So, of course I told him how great West Virginia is and that some day he should come visit! Then he gladly took a picture with me “say cheers”!
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