Importance of Friends

I love my friends (and family) very much. If it weren't for my parents, sisters, and friends I never would have made it on this little journey of mine. Cleaning and packing with one arm was much harder than anticipated. It also calms me to know that Gillian is in good hands with all of you. So thank you very much!

On my end, I have been fortunate in my first month and a half here to not only make some new friends but to see some very dear folk in my life. On day 10 of my Scottish existence, my friend Linz came to stay for about a week. It just happened to be when she was already going to be in the UK and I was not going to turn away a friendly face as I tried to adjust to my new home. My mom was very excited that Linz was coming but that was because she's a doctor and felt it was good for someone of the medical persuasion to be around in case my shoulder spontaneously fell off (or something of the like). Linz is an OB/GYN so I'm not entirely sure what she would have done about my shoulder but if it made Mom feel better, so be it.

Linz lived for her week here on my brand new double tall, double sized blow up bed. So those coming to visit...it's here waiting for you. (or you can cozy with me! But I talk in my sleep - I'll say it for everyone out there "Shocker!") Immediately upon her arrival at the Ladybank train station, I put her behind the wheel of the car so she could feel competent exploring the Kingdom of Fife while I was at school. We fell into a comfortable routine of her dropping me off at school in the AM and picking me back up again before we made dinner and turned in for the evening. On the weekend we played tourist in Edinburgh and a place called the Hermitage. Seeing how at that point I was very disheartened about the students I was teaching, her company provided me with that bit of fresh air I needed to persevere. When she left me for a few days in London (and then a cooking class for a week in Italy and trip through Ireland), I was a little sad and lonely for a few days. It was the reminder that I really was on my own for the year.

This past weekend I ventured to London myself for a Fulbright reception at the US Embassy. It was nice but probably sounds more impressive then it really was. However, the best part of my weekend was another friendly encounter. Yet another of the Jersey girls, Andrea, has been living in the UK for the past two years with her husband Brian. They live in the adorable neighborhood of Marylebone next to a butcher and a French cheese shop and two blocks away from the lovely Regents Park. But they could be living in a tent under the bridge and I still would have loved seeing the both of them. Though I have met some warm people since my arrival, there is something so calming about being around people with whom you can really be yourself.

We did little besides eat and drink and walk (and walk some more in my case but that's another story) and it was great. It was what I needed to recharge my battery for another few weeks. I plan on seeing them soon for a Thanksgiving chow down. If I can't spend Thanksgiving with my family I am fortunate to be able to spend it with dear friends.

My final note on friends relates to my gimpy shoulder. It seemed like having shoulder surgery 2 weeks before leaving was going to be a bit of a disaster for me. What a blessing in disguise it's turning out to be. My first real friend here is my physiotherapist who lives about 1/8 of a mile down the road. She loves science fiction movies and is a chatterbox too. I am going to go hiking with her family (husband, 2 year old, and 4 year old) this weekend and we hope to go to the movies soon (Time Traveler's Wife). It never ceases to amaze me the circumstances under which people can find kindred spirits.

To Linz, Andrea, Louise, and all those yet to visit - thank you for your friendships. They mean more to me than I can say - especially during this year.

The Braemar Games

Two weeks ago, I met up with the Scottish Exchange Club to venture up north to the town of Braemar for the very famous Braemar Highland Games (more specifically called The Braemar Gathering and Highland Games). The exchange club is comprised of Scots who once went on a teaching exchange to American, Australia, or Canada. I'm sure they would include anyone who has taught abroad but those seem to be the only places anyone has traveled. I certainly hope there is an exchange club at home because it was so nice to be sought out by this group who arrange a variety of outings for any current exchangees in Scotland. I met a number of Australians teaching in the area and listened to the Scots beat themselves up about how they have failed to track down the visiting Canadians. What a lovely idea....

So early Saturday, September 5, I headed off with two Scots and one Aussie (but met up with about 10 more!). The weather was not promising but, let's be honest, the weather never is very promising here. We were prepared with warm layers, boots, and rain jackets. As we entered the low highlands, we drove through hills lined with freshly blooming purple heather. Apparently only in bloom for a few weeks each year, even the Scots thought the heather was the most beautiful it has looked in years. They probably say that every year to the new exchangees.

What are Highland Games? Good question. Highland Games are a sort of track and field set of events with a very Scottish twist. There is a hammer throw, track sprints, and the long jump. Those are pretty normal sounding events for the most part. More unique events include the hill run where contestants do a lap around the main track before heading up to the top of one of the neighboring hills. This is a HILL. Once they reach the top, smoke is sent up signaling that the first person has reached the top and is starting his (or her) descent back to the main field. The real interesting bit is watching them come back down the hill. Going up, the runners must follow a designated path; on the way down, no holds barred. Though only really visible with the help of binoculars, watching the runners basically fall/run down the hill was amazing. And they do the whole thing in about 30-40 minutes.

Members of Her Majesties Armed Forces compete in a massive tug o'war competition throughout the day as well. It really puts Field Day at MEH in perspective. I think we all really need to start training our kids a bit earlier to make a real contest of it. Each team even has a coach to get them into a pulling rhythm. In the midst of the running, hammer throws, tug o'wars, etc. on the field is a little stage where children and teenagers dressed in delightfully colorful kilts compete for the title of Best Dancer (in different categories and age groups of course). Additionally, pipe bands from all over take the field every 20 minutes or so to compete for the title of champion Pipe Band. All in all, a very odd conglomeration of competitions going on at the same time.

There are highland games all over the country (and the world for that matter). But what makes Braemar so famous is that the Queen always makes an appearance for at least an hour - just in time for the tossing of the Caber. What's that? I haven't mentioned the caber yet? So sorry... Basically, big strong men pick up what looks like a skinny telephone pole (called a caber) and have to toss it so that it flips over at the 12 o'clock angle. It was amazing how quickly we all became experts on what angle the caber fell at. (yes, I ended with a preposition - I'm over it) Even more amazing, none of the other events made room or cleared out once the caber started getting tossed. A few times, the caber definitely did not fall in the desired direction causing a bit of excitement on the sprinting track.

As I peered through the binoculars at the Royal Family from our perfectly lined up grassy patch directly across from the Royal box (did I mention the exchange club has gone to the Braemar Games a few times and knows how to work the system?), it came to my attention that not only was the queen in attendance (with Phillip, of course) but so was Prince Charles and Princess Anne! I even waved at Phillip who looked like he was peering my way with his binoculars. He did not return the sentiment. Oh, well...

To check out more about the games, you can head to http://www.braemargathering.org/index.html. I will try to get pictures up tomorrow so you all can look at the events in action. We ended the day in the town pub rubbing elbows with the participants and listening to wandering pipers. Definitely worth seeing if you are ever in Scotland for the first Saturday of September.

What a Lovely Day!!

As I sat on my couch this morning, curled up and trying to recover from my first Scottish cold, I realized this was looking like the nicest day since I've been here. Finally I gathered my strength and ventured outside. Sure enough, it is BEAUTIFUL out today. Basically every day has been the same 62 during the day, 59 at night, rain a bit, sun a bit, etc. Today, however, is completely cloudless, rainless, and about 72 degrees. Positively balmy.

So I first made myself finally go join the gym in the larger town nearby called Glenrothes (Glen-ROTH-es) before walking across the major highway near my house to explore the Garden Centre. Turns out the Garden Centre, aside from being a good garden center, has a rather nice restaurant where I enjoyed tea and scones and did something I have been putting off since I got here - I wrote in my journal. Now, I wrote for a while today and am still only "in the States" but it felt good to finally get over that hump and get it started.

Writing the date on my journal entry made me realize that I've officially been here for over a month!! Wednesday, in fact, was my one month anniversary. What have I learned in that month? Well, I'm pretty confident driving on the wrong side of the car and road (though I still try to get into the car on the wrong side every single time). I can somewhat drive down narrow roads and pass another car without wincing quite as much as I did when I first got here. I've also learned that as much as driving to a cheaper, larger, more well stocked grocery store is nice, there's something to be said for walking to the more expensive local shop around the corner (literally). And I've also learned that as good as I think I am at understanding the Scottish accent, at least once a day I still stare at someone (often one of my students) with a rather puzzled expression wondering what we are talking about.

But I'm doing well (except for this whole being sick thing). I get to visit London this weekend for a reception at the US Embassy and see my friend Andrea. I'm VERY excited. I still need to tell you about the Highland Games I went to last weekend but my camera is at school and many events require visual aids.

I am going to post pictures of my beloved Muller's Fruit Corners - a yogurt yumminess that I enjoy every morning. They are simply divine and make me happy even when I'm having a rough day. It's the little things...

I Went to Starbucks

You know, I was going to treat this like my dirty little secret and keep it to myself. But I realized, I am not ashamed of my actions. For over three weeks, I've had tea and coffee and tea and coffee and tea and coffee. The Scots love their tea and coffee and the breaks that revolve around the consumption of these drinks. They are break times.

So on Saturday, I was visiting St. Andrews for a lovely pedicure (I've been craving one since I got here!) and a wee wander about. There are probably 8-12 coffee houses/bakeries within the 4 blocks I was exploring. But when I saw that familiar sign, all I really wanted was a Chai Tea Latte (a Grande Skim Chai to be exact). I sidestepped a landmine before I ordered by reading the menu carefully - you are charged MORE MONEY if you eat/drink in the store. So I wisely chose to "carry out" my Chai Tea (for lack of a better term).

It was too hot (all hot beverages here are scalding hot to me - I admire those who can immediately down their cups), had an overly strong Chai flavor (especially towards the end), cost an amount that I am ashamed to say I spent, and caused problems when I brought it in my car as I have no cup holders. And it was the most perfect Grande Skim Chai I have ever had. *contented sigh*

So it may not be a weekly treat (did I mention that I don't want to tell you how much I spent?) but it really hit the spot.