The Joy of Care Packages

I received my first care package from the States on this overcast Scottish morn, thanks mom and dad! Nestled in with new socks, my favorite tea, and macaroni and cheese were my favorite seasonal treat. Yes, I do believe that Girl Scout Cookie season is one of the officially recognized American seasons, it helps us Southern Californians know that we are moving towards summer once more, as the weather leaves little indication. 

In the true spirit of international exchange, I made certain that both my roommates from Aberdeen, Kathy and Mariella, tried their first Girl Scout Cookies. They were both quite taken with the peanut butter in the Tagalongs. Although I am able to buy peanut butter in great variety from Tesco, peanut butter still really hasn't caught on here. Kathy admitted she hadn't liked peanut butter until last summer and Mariella hadn't tried it until last fall! Anyway, I have made two Girl Scout Cookie converts and that's all the really matters!

Poll: What's your favorite Girl Scout Cookie?

My First Ball

Study Abroad is all about doing new things, so I went to my first ever ball last night! St Andrews has tons of balls throughout the academic year that are very much a part of the student culture here. This ball was hosted by the student housing buildings that I live in. The apartment building complex I live in has the most university students in the town. Attire was black tie and a few people went all out!

The quality is a little rough, but a few of my friends rented kilts for the ball!

The ball was not quite like they depict in Cinderella, but still a good time was had by all*!

*There may be some people who are feeling the effects of last night and thus may not be having a good time today.

Day Trip to Stirling

After letting one drink turn into closing down the pub, we miraculously were able to roll out of bed on Sunday and got to the bus station by 9.50 to take the train from Dundee to Stirling. And Sunday was a beautiful day! Here in Scotland in February, we seem to get one beautiful day sandwich in between a week ugly weather. So you have to be on your toes for when the sun comes out. 

Aubree on the train to Dundee

Stirling is known for Stirling Castle, which dates back to the 11th Century but most of the buildings that stand today were constructed between 1490 and 1600. It was a key site and underwent numerous sieges during the Scottish Wars of Independence. It was a Renaissance palace for the Stewart kings and Mary, Queen of Scots kept residence there throughout her life. 

The outer defenses of Stirling Castle and a statue of Robert the Bruce

A view of the gardens that were built in the 16th Century that lie outside the castle walls

The Royal Palace on the left stands next to the Great Hall, which was the first example of royal Renaissance architecture in Scotland. 

Below the Castle, which sits atop the highest hill in Stirling is the Church of the Holy Rude and it's large cemetery. The Church is where James VI of Scotland was crowned the King of Scots in 1567, he later succeeded Elizabeth I of England to unite England and Scotland as James VI and I. 

The Church of the Holy Rude

It was wonderful to see the Castle. I had only seen the outside of it when I was in Scotland in 2010. Most of the buildings and outer statures stand as they stood during the reigns of the Scottish Kings, although a little weather beaten. But the insides of the castle and grounds have and are currently undergoing a massive restoration process. The castle was used as barracks and recruitment by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders from 1800 until 1964.

Naturally we could not resist spending as much time as we could out in the sun.

Jack, Elena and I being goofy on the Nether Bailey

Golf: Round Two

Despite the wind, it was a much nicer lesson at the driving ranch. I'm working on my grip, but I still have a tendency to shank it to the right. Practice makes perfect, right?

I took this picture to show how cold it is (I am wearing four layers), but you can also see the driving range over my right shoulder and the Old Course Hotel over my left!

Winter is Coming

Now I'm sure my kinsmen from more northernly parts than the winter wonderland that is San Diego will guffaw at this display of frozen water on the bonnet of these vehicles. But as a native of such a southerly locale that averages in the mid-60s (degrees fahrenheit that is) throughout the entirety of winter, I must say I am looking to the weeks ahead with great trepidation and numerous unanswered questions. How is one expected to stay warm when venturing outdoors? Am I still expected to attend class? And most importantly, what is this white stuff that's starting to fall from the sky called?

On a Game of Thrones-related note: Did everyone see that 14-minute teaser for season 4?

Sunday Afternoon Tunes

Sometimes the best way to stave off the boredom that follows occasional bouts of inclement weather on a Sunday afternoon is to embrace said boredom and just play some tunes. This weeks selections include an up and coming band my dear friend Taylor turned me on to and a perhaps slightly more successful group of lads from Liverpool that are celebrating their 50th anniversary of their arrival in the States.

The Intermission Project | "Find a Way Home"

The Beatles | Abbey Road Medley including "Golden Slumbers," "Carry That Weight," "The End" and "Her Majesty"

Stay warm, stay dry, and have a lovely day

Sundry Photos from Saturday

Seen on a walk through Lade Braes 

The ruins of the Cathedral of St Andrews which was built in 1158

Did a Pier Walk in my new jumper and wellies

Some of the houses at the end of Market Street

Golf and Chips

It would be a criminal act to spend four and a half months in St Andrews, the Home of Golf, and not pick up a club. Never having played more than just a dozen rounds of miniature golf, beginners lessons was the place to start. So this afternoon, I traipsed through the rain with two of my flatmates to the driving range which is within spitting distance of the Old Course.

Today's lesson was holding the club. Over the next few weeks I'll have a lot to work on, but the instructor said by the end of the semester he would like to see us playing 18 holes (watch out Dad!). I've got a powerful stroke, but my dad's tendency to shank it to the right (the small fleck of light in the  upper right hand corner of the photograph is the ball).

After braving the dismal conditions during golf lessons, we decided nothing was better than some warm pub food. Like any grown adult, I ate macaroni and cheese for dinner and added a side of chips and cheese. Which, as far as I am concerned, is the best combination there is!

Chinese New Year and a Day Trip to Edinburgh

Friday night, my flatmate Kathy made us all dinner in honor of Chinese New Year. There is nothing better than home cooked Chinese food. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of the lovely meal she prepared. After dinner we went out on the town St Andrews style, which means in the rain. We ended the night at the coolest bar (to be honest there aren't many) in St Andrews, the Vic, which was full and bustling with fellow students. Shockingly enough, I ventured onto the dance floor. We left before the night got to wild and turned the corner into one of the few late night eateries in town and got chips and cheese. The person who came up with melting shredded cheese on French fries deserves a Nobel Prize and perhaps a small island nation. If I could, I probably would live exclusively on that combination. Luckily, however, the shop is only open between the hours of sundown and 3am.

Light fixtures at the Vic

On Sunday, along with my friend Aubree (a fellow USFer here at St Andrews), I ventured into Edinburgh. We were going to take the train, but with maintenance on the tracks, we took a bus from the train station at Leuchars to Edinburgh. The journey was beautiful as the sun was out for the first time in a number of days. We arrived at Edinburgh Waverley just after noon and had lunch at a cute little coffee shop off of Princes Street. We enjoyed the warm weather and spent the afternoon at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.  

The facade of the Scot Modern One

I highly recommend going to both the Scottish National Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art, they  are brilliant ways to spend a few hours and, most importantly for a college student, FREE. 

An installation piece outside the Scot Modern Two

The galleries feature works by a number of contemporary Scottish artist as well as quite a large collection of paintings by Picasso and Miró. 

Aubree outside of the Scot Modern One

After the galleries closed, we took the free shuttle back to Princes Street and wandered around for a little looking for the few places that were open on a Sunday evening before grabbing a quick dinner and boarding our bus to Leuchars and then on to St Andrews. It was a wonderful little day trip!

In Edinburgh with the train station behind me