Time Flies...

Well folks,

That's it. After 105 days, my study abroad experience is over, I can't believe what I've managed to do in that time. As cliche as it sounds I feel like it was only a few days ago when I first met Savannah and then the roommate I didn't know I was going to have, Anjali.

For the last week there, I worked on an 8-hour essay exam, and turned in a semester's worth of lab reports. The school aspect of me study abroad was a little too real with having to write final essays and work on projects. Anyway, I made it out more than alive :) 

The morning I left was quite an experience in itself, as I (idiotically) boarded the bus to take me to the airport I realized I didn't have enough money for both that ride, and the transfer so as I'm in tears from saying goodbye, the nice bus driver just waved me through. Then the bus, being just a little later than it should have, wasn't going to get me to the connecting bus in time. So I frantically asked the bus driver what his suggestion was, he kindly told me he would let me know which was the right one. When he indicated such, he got off of his seat and slipped the next bus' fare into my hands and wish me Merry Christmas, I could have cried! What a generous man :)

So I got through airport security and made it to London Heathrow without a hitch. I even had time to be offered a dessert wine sampling and a chance to try on as many perfumes as my nose would muster. Knowing my previous experience in Heathrow, where I missed my flight and lost my luggage back in September, I didn't have high expectations. The time was approaching 20 minutes until we were scheduled to depart the as I sat in the terminal waiting. Then the PA came on announcing some technical issues that the plane was having and finally after an hour of waiting, we boarded the plane. When I arrived in Chicago, I had missed my flight, but thank goodness for one last one that they had flying out that night. I befriended a girl going to Minneapolis and we figured that whole situation out together, which was a relief after being awake for 23 hours at that point.

All in all, at 11:50 PM I was lovingly welcomed by my family into the lovely state of Minnesota :) And since then I've begun to be reacquainted with those I missed the most, so much happiness at such a wonderful time of the year!

I just wanted to give a big shout out to all of the people who have supported me throughout this awesome experience, and to the lot of you who actually kept up with my blog, thank you. It's a great feeling knowing there's people who stand behind you.

As for now, I'm signing off. I might throw in another blog about readmission into the States, but we'll get to that later.

Thanks so much,
Emily :)

Last night in Aberdeen

Slumber Party!!!!

Last Weekend Trip: Edinburgh

Good Monday everyone!

Seeing as I have a paper to write, lab write ups to do, and an exam to study for within the next 7 days I thought the most important would be writing this blog- obviously.

We began our trip late on Friday night by train- in tow with me were my favorites, Anjali and Savannah, as well as my Mac in attempt to write my paper due at noon on Monday. Once I was able to tune out the drunk middle age women singing 'Blurred Lines', I actually got something accomplished.

For about a month I had tried to find people to Couchsurf with in Edinburgh, but it seems like the bigger the city, the less likely people are to respond, interesting huh? So basically we ended up in front of a hostel asking if they had room in their inn- thank goodness they did :) The bed I slept in there was a million times more comfortable than the one in my flat so that alone was worth the money!

The next day we got an early start and meandered around the city- walking through cemeteries, churches, and the castle like it was our business. By 10 that morning we had already gotten asked on two different occasions to be in people's photos haha!

I'm fairly certain we stopped in every tourist shop in hopes of finding those stereotypical gifts everyone seems to want. It was almost overwhelming how many shops had the same things, but my favorite item I kept seeing time and time again was the full length dress- clad with a kilt-like pattern and corset to match in classiness. If only I had 100 quid to dole out for that gem!

As we made our way down the Royal Mile we came across the Mercat Cross, which we found had a nasty history of blood and gore. Directly across from it was St. Giles Cathedral, a gorgeous place, it even had a thistle chapel, how cute :) On that road we hit Holyrood Palace, the Queen's residence for a week or so and then we began the trek to Arthur's Seat-which is basically a lovely view of the city from atop a hill. It had rained earlier that morning so we saw a number of people eat it including one man who I swear managed to keep his balance for 15 seconds until finally succumbing to gravity. The view from the top was marvelous, you could see in all directions. The only issue was the bloody wind. On multiple occasions I thought my mittens were gone for good, but my agility outperformed Mother Nature's evil ways haha!

Then we headed back to see the Christmas market, what a happy place! We all got a brat and it was absolutely delicious. There was soooo many people and vendors there, and mulled wine and hot toddies were literally everywhere- if only drinking was free... There was even a ferris wheel (which they call the big wheel), an ice rink, and a carousal.

We then headed over to The Elephant House- the place where J.K. Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book. On that note, did you guys know that in the UK the first book is titled: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone? I thought that was crazy! Anyway, we had some lovely coffee there and the bathrooms were superb- they were filled with notes to J.K. about how much people love her books and of course there was just some funny themed comments :)

Miss Savannah had heard that it was a must to go on a ghost tour so we did entitled Ghost and Ghouls. It even took us down into some catacombs five stories underneath Edinburgh where body snatchers and illegal drinking occurred. If anyone knows how easily it is to scare me, let's just say that I was scared poopless at one point and I SWEAR that there was something tugging on the hood of my jacket. Good thing I have friends to scare me when there aren't ghosts to do such….

At that point our feet were practically numb so to dethaw we hit up The Elephant House again, but this time for dinner. I had a very Scottish dish of chili nachos, super delicious. And we even got talking with an old guy who told us a bit about his life- it's always neat to hear how people end up where they do.

We wandered some more and came across the Greyfriars Kirk- the grave yard where the famous puppy spent the last 14 years of his life sitting beside his master's grave. At this point it was quite dark and as we walked through the first gate to the cemetery some guy thought it would be a great idea to startle one of his friends- well he scared me instead!!! For the rest of the dark graveyard venture, I held my umbrella in hand just in case, but I'm pretty sure the only things I had to worry about were the two goons with me who thought it was HYSTERICAL to frighten me…figures.

Late that night we were wandering around when we stumbled across a jazz bar. There was a live funk band playing all night long and it was just great. Everyone was dancing around and the beat was just so catchy that you didn't want it to stop :)

The next day we were pretty beat so we did a bit of shopping and stumbled across 'The American Candy Shop'. I didn't think it would be that interesting to go inside to see candy I can see every day back home, but ohh my goodness, the prices they were charging for things was outrageous! My favorite was the Froot Loops for eight pounds, which transfers to $13- incredible! After looking at all of those candies it reminded me of this things I hadn't seen for a few months- funny how you don't often notice when something is gone until it reappears like that!

We went to go check out a group of monuments (or statues as Savannah calls them) and then took off to a pie shop to get some fine grub in our tummies. After consuming too many of those and getting crumbs EVERYWHERE we headed off to the National Museum of Scotland where, instead of actually looking at the museum itself, we played dress up with all of the mock clothes they had everywhere :) We got some pretty strange looks, but let's be honest, they were just jealous!

After having walked more miles than I care to determine, we headed back to the hostel to chill out until we had to take the bus home. On the way back to Aberdeen, a guy started talking to us because he realized we didn't have the typical Scottish accent. We explained our situation and he told us he was from Canada and was making a surprise visit to see his girlfriend. We finally arrived at Union Square at 3 AM he ended up walking back with us most of the way as we were trying to give him directions to his girlfriend's flat. You just never know who you'll meet in the world.

So that about sums it up. There were so many things we did that I'm sure I missed something, but I guess you'll have to talk about it with me if you want more details- you probably don't considering I'm the worst story teller on the planet, but anyway I'll be home in a week so start preparing your questions now ;)

Christmas Market!

Only in Scotland...

Edinburgh Castle

Playing Dress Up :)

Highland Games

Hello there!

Well see as I said I would write this last Sunday, it looks like I'm finally starting to get a bit lazy with these, good thing I only have 12 more days left here! Actually that's super sad just thinking about leaving- it seriously feels like I just got here...

Anyway, I've got to say, this past weekend was quite lovely! I was able to spend it with some of my favorite Scotland peeps in a cute lil bothy in the Highlands. A bothy is pretty much a hut where you can stay while mountaineering and whatnot so you don't have to drive in and out of civilization, which would be a huge pain because the drive is rough (more to come on that!) It was surprisingly cozy and even had a stove top, bathroom, and running water (although it needed to be boiled), and a seating area fit with a wood burning stove.

We began our journey on Saturday morning, and after two of the most carsick hours ever, we stammered out- a good third of our party looked pretty grim after that drive, thanks Charlie :S After settling in we took to the trail for a small hike before it got dark. Walking through the Highlands is just one of those experience you have to have for yourself- the landscape is absolutely breathtaking :) As we reached the point in which we were to turn around, the woodland opened up into a glacial valley, fit with a running waterfall directly across from us. I could have stayed there all day, it was just so majestic.

When we got back we kickstarted our Highland Games with a drink, McEwan's Scottish beer, very fitting for a visit in the Highlands! We split into two teams, the Sap Sucking Caber Tossers (that was my team) and The Scrumps. The night was a wonderful time filled with friendly rivalry consisting of lard tossing, wellie tossing, fitness test, a potato peeling content, and food competitions. Following that we had to, of course, have haggis and potatoes- a staple on all adventures. I definitely can't say that I was thinking I would have that much of it over here, but then again, things never cease to amaze me :)

Such a good time, and another one to come tonight for me, Edinburgh tonight woo hoo!!!! Until next time!

Me and the team :)

The gorgeous valley

I would kill to have a house here...