FINALLY! SORRY!!!!!

I know! I know! Finally another post from the unfaithful blogger. I figure to make it up to you, I'll tell a joke. :)
So this man goes into a pub in Ireland and orders three pints of Guinness. He sits at a table and takes a sip from each, one after the other, until they are gone. He does this same thing, the same day, every week. So of course the bartender and other people in the pub are starting to wonder what on earth he is doing. So the bartender finally asks him, "Why do you order the three pints and drink them like you do every week?" The man answered, "Well, I have a brother in America, and one in Scotland, and we all decided that once a week on the same day, we would go into a pub and order three pints of Guinness to drink as if we were together". The bartender and everyone who heard thought that was pretty cool, and so time went on. Suddenly, the man came in on his usual day, but only ordered two pints. Everyone got very concerned. Finally the bartender went over to him and said, "I'm very sorry for your loss". And the man answered, "Oh no! I just gave up beer for lent!"
HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I know you all thought that was funny....
So anyways, I will blame my inconsistency on the fact that it was essay week this week! Literally for the last three weeks I've been sort of freaking out. For some reason, most modules like to put their essays all due in the same week....yeah, that was a brilliant idea. "Hey, let's freak the students out and put all of our essays in the same week! Muahahahhahaha....." You know that's what they were thinking.....So I turned in three essays this week, one on Monday, and the other two on Friday. I gave the biggest sigh of relief I think I've ever given once I dropped the final essay in the box. I'm telling you it's a whole different ball game when you're in a different country. All of a sudden, you are so particular about making sure the format is right, and sweating over how many sources they might want, and so on and so forth. Yeah that was me for the last two and a half weeks. Good fun! But they're in, and last night to celebrate, we went out for a drink. That's what you do around here when you finish a project. You don't go out for ice cream or anything, you go for a drink. So I had the St Andrews Ale in honor of the victory....then I dashed down the street to the Byre because I had to SM (Stage Manage) Romeo and Juliet! That was really fun actually. Since the company had all the people they needed for everything else, I really just did what I did as an ASM back at VU. I made calls, to both the cast and audience, timed the show, and then locked up afterwards and all that jazz. But I got to sit in the wings at the prompt desk the whole time (which is really just in case of a fire, during which I would get the actors off stage and outside). So I got to watch the show which was really fun! It wasn't my favourite rendition of the play, but the adaption was interesting and it was only a cast of 5, so everyone, even the lovers, played multiple roles. Something tells me Sue would have something to say about this version. But overall it was good. The guy who played Mercutio was also the nurse, Friar Laurence, and the Prince. It was quite comical. But that was fun. And now it's saturday, and Meg and I are going to be outside in the beautiful March weather! It's getting steadily warmer here across the pond! Woohoo!

Cheers

The love of a Nation

So for those of you out of the loop about sports this side of the pond, let me enlighten you. For the past month, Europe has been having what is called "6 Nations" which is basically the big rugby championship between England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, and France. It dominates every TV you see, in every pub, hall, or just general restaraunt. Basically it is everywhere. Last night, it being Friday and all of us having been severely deprived of hang out time with each other, decided to meet up for drinks at a lovely pub called The Rule. Good food, good prices, good atmosphere. Meg, Natalie and I got there just at 7.30. I was actually a bit afraid that it would already be super crowded since it was a Friday night. But we walked in, and there were several booths empty so we grabbed one and settled in. The rest of the group showed up (which by the way was three more people than we thought were coming! Gonna need a few more glasses over here!) and no sooner did they walk in and go to the counter to order (that is how most pubs do it) then literally I looked up and there had to be at least thirty people at the bar waiting to order. Then it hit me "Oh, it's Friday night.....6 Nations.....France vs Wales....I should have known!" It was so fun though. Even though Scotland wasn't playing, the fact that the other team was France, EVERYONE was rooting for Wales, which was super fun to join into, even though my rugby knowledge is next to none. It's actually a bit easier to follow if you know about American football. The game was one of the most exciting I'd seen, and even though France won (blah!), Wales scored a wonderful goal within the last 20 seconds of the game. They really came back in the second half, having not scored at all in the first half. But it was such a fun atmosphere, chowing down on beer-battered onion rings (the greatest thing since sliced bread by far!) and Tennents in hand. Over all, it was a fun, relaxing evening with friends. I'm telling you though, the mindset of the uni students over here is something else. Even this JSA who came along from Sally's kept on saying how this was the most sober rugby match he'd ever watched. I thought that was a bit silly, not to mention stupid to keep repeating. We went to the student union after that where we played everything from Fuse ball, to darts, to pool. I finally was dying, not to mention I couldn't hear myself think with all the noise! Come 11 pm, that place is packed full of students! It was nice to finally get out in the quiet night air, even if it was drizzling! Meg and I are running again this morning, and then we are going to have a go at starting our essays! AHHHHHH! We'll see how that goes. First ones for each class are due in two weeks! This could be interesting folks......

Cheers

A sunny, cold, sunny, cold update.....

I know it's been awhile since I last blogged and I apologise. I warned you that I might not be faithful! But I am trying, so I'm back. The last week has been fairly normal for me, but that is nice. And I know normal for you is what you want to hear. Meg and I have found a wonderful church to go to. The Kingdom Vineyard is a very student oriented, contemporary worship kind of church. The first time we went, we both cried because we had missed out on such fellowship for so long. It is now something we look forward to every week. I'm getting into the swing of classes, even the crazy Thursdays I have where I literally run back and forth from St Mary's to The Scores from 2 to 3 to 4. It's interesting....but it works. The first test is coming up for me as my first essays are due in two weeks....that could be interesting...see how I do with the British system, which runs on a 20 mark scale. Basically, I really want a 15 or above. Meg and I have also started to try to get into a routine of running three times a week. So far so good! And I really enjoy it too! (who knew I could enjoy running....) By the end of term, I'll be ready to do Jail runs at the ranch! I also run barefoot, which I really like. Yes, it is a bit cold here still, but I really enjoy running on the beach barefoot! I'm glad Meg is keeping me accountable in this. I'm finally exercising on my own time! I never thought I'd see the day.....
The Byre internship is going very well. I had my second day today, and no sooner had I got there that Stephen and I jumped into his car and were on our way to Kirkcaldy to meet with a lady in the beginning stages of refurbishing a theatre. It was actually kind of a waste of time; four hours spent away with only about half an hour of actually talking to her. Four hours because it took us about an hour to get there because we had to take the back roads to get there because it was snowing and the coastal road was getting flooded. The drive was beautiful though! Snow-covered hills untouched by footprints, with a soft fuzz about them from the beautifully falling snow. Rural back roads that were so quiet and lovely and white. It was sort of like being in a fairy tale, as corny as that sounds. Kirkcaldy itself however, was miserable. Right on the main coastal drag, where the building was, it was windy and cold and rainy (since it was too warm for snow by the water) We stopped in a car park and met up with Gordon (the technical manager of the Byre) and it took us another half hour to actually find the place, since we had no idea what it was called! And we finally get in.....and the lady is out until half past. Stephen up and puts us in his car and we drive to a place called Rejects (yes, that is the actual name) It is a mixture of a department store (sort of) and a little cafe. We stopped in for hot drinks and a treat (on the Byre of course!) and then Gordon and I really began to admire the store. It is the kind of store that is a prop person's dream! Filled with every kind of random thing you could imagine, from a dalmation covered chair, to a gigantic trunk with CALIFORNIA written in big letters on it. It was so much fun! The gaudiest lamp shades you could ever imagine, teal rugs...I mean this place was the mother load! It was super fun. So we finally had our meeting with the lady (which was a bit fruitless I'm afraid because she wasn't in a position yet where we could help her) and we went back to the Byre. From then on it was pretty relaxed for me. I did some computer stuff with Gordon and ordered some things for the theatre, and finally got out around 8pm. It was a day to be indoors, that's for sure. Cold and wet, the kind of weather no one wants to be out in. The theatre is hosting "Guys and Dolls" right now.....I know, ironic. So as the show began, we packed up and went home after a long day. Gordon kindly offered me a lift home, which I gladly accepted considering now it was dark, cold, and rainy! I'm really getting into the rhythm of things now, and like keeping busy. Stephen says there is going to be some kind of social thing next Wednesday, so that should be fun. I love the girls who work under Stephen too. They are really sweet! Well, here's to another full day!

Cheers

Breaking news at 11.....well, 20 past....

I've been here for a total of three weeks and already I have a technology crisis (that is currently being fixed, before you all freak out!). I open a seemingly harmless facebook message that leads to a video link...very normal....it required me to download adobe....again, very normal....however, after a few failed tries to open it, I decided to leave it. Next think I know, I'm getting random websites popping up and my computer is apparently in "danger of security breach!!!!!!!!!!!". Or something like that. So I take it to IT, and they tell me I have a facebook virus that they can do nothing about, take it to the PC clinic....thank you very much. They tell me it will cost 30 pounds and will take a week to even get an appointment.....you have GOT to be kidding me.....welcome to the UK. Then they tell me, "oh and there is a place by the West Gate on South Street too". Ok, I'm going there because I don't want to wait a week. So currently, my computer is in surgery for the next 24 hours, getting rid of the so-called facebook virus.....I hate facebook right now.....But for now, that's all folks....back to you in the studio, Bob.

Cheers

When in Britian, do things the british way.....

Well.....today was the refreshers fayre, and it was very interesting. To put it in one sentence, I went in to look at the Volleyball and drama societies, and came out a member of the Polo club! As in, the horses, the sticks, all that jazz. I look back, and it may have been hasty, but I don't believe I am going to regret it. It is something I can't do back home, and looks like a fun group of people, and a new way to look at riding. I just thought I'd let you all know I am conforming......at least in the sports way :)

Cheers

Who knew what you could miss so much...

It was like Christmas morning.....you wake up, run downstairs and see all the.....SUNLIGHT!!!! You'd never guess after a week of rain and gloom, that waking up to blue skies and sun would make me grin from ear to ear! Meg and I practically ran outside to bask in the sunshine. Cold as it was, I could put on my SUNglasses, and warm up in the sun. Supposedly it is supposed to be like that tomorrow too! WOOHOO!

Cheers :)

Cold? Ceilidh!

Well, it is official. I am now a fully matriculated, registered student at the university of St Andrews. And what better way to end orientation than by the full Scottish welcome of a Ceilidh! (kay-lee). There is also no better way to warm up on a cold, rainy night in the coldest Scottish winter in 100 years! (true fact ladies and gentlemen...) For those of you who are not familiar with what a ceilidh is, just think of a barn dance or line dance.....but the Scottish equivalent! With live music, laughing faces, and traditional Scottish morsels (Haggis included!), this was about as Scottish as they come! And yes, I did try the haggis.....it tastes like corned beef hash.....yummy! Along with that lovely traditional food, there was Iron Brew (of course) which basically is the sweetest soda you could possibly imagine, shortbread (duh!), potatoes, and the best tasting thing in the town, Caramel shortbread! People, it doesn't get much better than that!
Dances include crazy songs such as The Gay Gordons, The Dashing White Sergeant, and one of my favorites, The Flying Scotsman! After days of matriculation lectures and procedure, it was the perfect way to usher in the first of many weekends!

Cheers!