I go on vacation and all that suffers in my blog. Having taken the last few days off I have some catching up to do. Where Tarentino would start now and work to the beginning, I feel that chronologically best suits me. This is a long one, if you need to use the washroom you should do so now.
So back to Thursday where I spent all day in classes one of which was my international financial management which I think I will enjoy, despite it being far more difficult than the others. I then bussed to Buchanan station to grab another bus to get me to the airport where I caught a plane to Birmingham to catch a "Rail-shuttle" to the train station in order to catch a train to Birmingham city center where I hailed a cab to get me to Gail's flat. Yep, that's what I said to. Everything would have been perfect if London airports tower radar had not gone down which then in turn held up air traffic in 90% of the UK for three days. The flight was delayed to the point that I barely caught the final train of the night into Birmingham. However, I did make it and was welcomed by the ever smiling Chez who lives next to Gail and may be one of the happiest and kindest women I have ever met. She made me a lasagna that could have fed a family of 4, Sheppard's pie, soup, Chicken stew (with a whole chicken in it), and all the juice, tea, coffee, bread, eggs and milk I could handle in a weekend. Being a starving student I worked my through all of it and think I put on around 9 pounds this weekend as a result. Above all, the lasagna was unparalleled, and I have had some damn good lasagna care of my own mother. I don't know what was in it, but wow! (Note to self - acquire that recipe.)
After getting settled in I went to visit Gail who was in great spirits despite her present living arrangement. I have to had it to her, by anyone standards she has had more than rough past couple of years, and yet, she is still doing as much as possible on her own and is happy that she is still better off than most of the other people in the Neuro ward. We had a great weekend end of visits which included, some walks around the grounds, me going through all my photos from the past few years, talking about the family as well as life in general, a few visits from some of Gail's friends, a trip into town where we went to a pub and had a true British Sunday lunch (I had the roast lamb with potatoes, veggies and a pint.) and just general chatting, something every Taylor is good at. After each days visit with Gail I would have the cabbie drop me at a pub near the flat and have a pint while watching the afternoon football match with the locals. They don't sell Tennents as it is brewed here in Glasgow so I was forced to expand my horizons. I still can't bring myself to drink warm Guinness and still get enjoyment out of the fact that the bartender asks me if I would like my pint "regular", "cold" of "extra-cold". In Canadian those mean "Piss warm", "chilled beer in a regular glass" or "Chilled beer in a chilled glass."
Monday I was unable to visit with Gail as she had a full day of appt's and I had an early afternoon flight so I took the morning and spent it exploring in the city center. I walked all over the place and saw the majority of downtown. I walked to the "Think-point" which is the science center but decided against spending the day in there. Instead I walked clear across town to the Sea-life discovery center. I refused to pay the 18.50 pounds (that's about $37) they were demanding and instead joined a private school group and walked in with them. I had more fun with them as I helped one group with their scavenger hunt, and although I didn't wait around for the results, I am sure we dominated those other 9 year olds. I saw the entire center for free and then continued my walk back to the train station to do the whole trip in reverse order. In walking back I stumbled across what might be the most ingenious or craziest concept ever. Birmingham, being a land locked city, felt that the citizens would appreciate a beach. So, they created a beach right in the middle of the city! Out front of city hall there are a large set of stairs that end at a large open, cobblestone area, and then the street. So they city trucked in enough white sand to fill the open area at the bottom of the steps, set up lawn chairs and one of the local bars has set up a beach bar that only serves beach drinks. So at 12:30 on a Monday the majority of a Conservative convention was headed to the beach in their suits in downtown Birmingham. Oh those crazy English!
This trip reminded me of three things. One, be happy with what you have while you have it. I take being able to cut my own food for granted, and until I broke my spine I could not have imagined what it would be like to not be able to do certain basic life tasks. That day reformed my life in a major way, and this trip reminded of all those things I had start to forget about and take for granted again. On that note, next time you see anyone who has any form of disability, acknowledge them. After talking with Gail all weekend I only heard her complain of two things and only one of which was to do with her current situation. One was how disgusted she is by people who can't seem to find a trash bin for their rubbish and how people just throw cigarette butts anywhere nowadays. Spoken by a previously long time smoker no less. And the second of her complaints is that when in a wheel chair, people try to pretend she is not there. She understands that they are trying to be polite and not stare but to not acknowledge she exists is down right rude. A simple smile, "cheers," "al'lo" or anything or the sorts will suffice. On the other hand I would like to thank the very kind waitress at the pub Gail and I went to, who went out of her way to grab doors, assist with steering and was overall an excellent host to us both. The third reminder of the trip is that Confidence can do wonderful things! With a little confidence I managed to ride First Class on the train both two and from Birmingham International, I saw the entire Sea-Life Discovery center,walked through the Convention Center and it's gardens which was closed for a Conservative convention of sorts and managed to sit in the seats with more leg room on both the flight there and back again.
Arriving back in Glasgow last night and moving like a bat outta hell to get to hockey practise I found out practise was cancelled for the bank holiday.
In other news, I want to congratulate my pops on landing a great job with a great company where they are as excited to have him as he is to be there. Finally, after dealing with every jack in the box out there, he will get the respect he has earned and so rightly deserves! Congrats Pops! I could not be happier for you!!
Today, I took a field trip with my archeology class to the Kelvingrove museum which I saw last weekend but this time had to go through it and look for answers to lecture questions. The real kicker here was that the museum did not in fact provide any answers and we were "to interpret the knowledge within the museum and create our own answers. I did not learn this until I had been wandering the Kelvingrove for about an hour and fifteen minutes. For those who know me, you can imagine how pleased I was. Tonight was football practise where we started to hit. Turns out enough years of both hitting and getting hit in Hockey taught me how to lower a shoulder. I am now the starting middle right line backer for the Glasgow University Tigers. I can hear my mother right now saying something like "Oh Andrew, I hope your being careful." Don't worry mom, my coach even gave me my own pads today and he gave me a gear bag to boot. He likes me cause I "don't back down" and he is from Winnipeg. And mom, you'll be even happier to know that the actual season does not start until Nov. so I will only play a few games before I am done anyways. It is great fun and I am thoroughly enjoying it thus far. And between Hockey and Football I am in training three times a week and hope to stay in shape while I am here.
Day off tomorrow and other than going for a "work-out" jog I am going to attempt to read the first 110 pages of a 680 page Scots Law textbook. Exciting times! I am sure I have forgotten something but I will try to remember and fit it in during the coming days.
Tuesday, 30 September 2008
Wednesday, 24 September 2008
Classes and Fellow Canadians
As friends at Dalhousie prepare for midterms, I have finally started my Scottish schooling. With business law on Monday and both law and archeology on Tuesday, I have not done a lot of classes, but enough to get my feet wet. I am looking forward to the archeology class as the professors seem to enjoy what they do and the course material should be interesting (hopefully). Law is terribly boring and I fight to stay awake each class. It is just getting started and I like the prof so I have hopes that it will get better. Thursday I start Environment of International Business and Friday I would be starting Intermediate Finance but won't be here for the first class (I will come back to that in a minute).
Monday I had my second tryout for the hockey club and think it went pretty well. I can't say it is comfortable for a broken spine to be hunched over for prolonged periods of time, but I do enjoy learning a new game. I tried out for the tier one team at the suggestion of one of the other players, because even if I don't make tier one, the training is better and I should make tier 2. So we will see. American football is still happening and being one of the few rookies to know the rules, I have been dubbed rookie captain. This position means nothing at all but that I now answer a lot of rookies questions about the game, count cadence and general rules.
"It's a small world after all" is the background tune every time I meet another Canadian and we somehow piece together how we know each other or talk about the places we both know so well. The reason I point this is out is that I have spent the both yesterday and today enjoying the company of my fellow Canadians. Not strangers at all however. Stu Brown who I went to school with and lived in res with in Thunder Bay has been traveling across Europe with a friend of his for the last (almost) three weeks and spent their last two days of holidays here in Glasgow. So yesterday, bearing our Team Canada jerseys, we went to a pub on Ashton Lane (little back alley lined with pubs) and today we took the train out to Stirling to see Stirling castle and the Wallace Monument. I had a pint at the William Wallace pub and thought how much Colin would enjoy this place. Even the floor was the Wallace Clan Tartan. Although I did not get to go up the tower in the monument, it was still very interesting seeing the building and statue and the area where his great battle took place. I was supposed to head back out with Stu and John tonight but have been struck with some sort of food poisoning and have been ill instead. As much as I love getting lost and not knowing a soul, it felt good to reminisce of the times in T-Bay and of all the people we know from there.
Wandering south tomorrow as I head off to Birmingham, England to see my Aunt Gail. It has been a few years and I am looking forward to catching up and also learning where she shops as she has found the most interesting gifts for us over the years. I hope to do a little souvenir shopping over the weekend as well as visiting. I am not sure of the access to the Internet so I may not blog till Monday night when I return.
Monday I had my second tryout for the hockey club and think it went pretty well. I can't say it is comfortable for a broken spine to be hunched over for prolonged periods of time, but I do enjoy learning a new game. I tried out for the tier one team at the suggestion of one of the other players, because even if I don't make tier one, the training is better and I should make tier 2. So we will see. American football is still happening and being one of the few rookies to know the rules, I have been dubbed rookie captain. This position means nothing at all but that I now answer a lot of rookies questions about the game, count cadence and general rules.
"It's a small world after all" is the background tune every time I meet another Canadian and we somehow piece together how we know each other or talk about the places we both know so well. The reason I point this is out is that I have spent the both yesterday and today enjoying the company of my fellow Canadians. Not strangers at all however. Stu Brown who I went to school with and lived in res with in Thunder Bay has been traveling across Europe with a friend of his for the last (almost) three weeks and spent their last two days of holidays here in Glasgow. So yesterday, bearing our Team Canada jerseys, we went to a pub on Ashton Lane (little back alley lined with pubs) and today we took the train out to Stirling to see Stirling castle and the Wallace Monument. I had a pint at the William Wallace pub and thought how much Colin would enjoy this place. Even the floor was the Wallace Clan Tartan. Although I did not get to go up the tower in the monument, it was still very interesting seeing the building and statue and the area where his great battle took place. I was supposed to head back out with Stu and John tonight but have been struck with some sort of food poisoning and have been ill instead. As much as I love getting lost and not knowing a soul, it felt good to reminisce of the times in T-Bay and of all the people we know from there.
Wandering south tomorrow as I head off to Birmingham, England to see my Aunt Gail. It has been a few years and I am looking forward to catching up and also learning where she shops as she has found the most interesting gifts for us over the years. I hope to do a little souvenir shopping over the weekend as well as visiting. I am not sure of the access to the Internet so I may not blog till Monday night when I return.
Sunday, 21 September 2008
Mr. Moose
The weekend was spectacular and absolutely packed full of things to keep me busy. As previously mentioned, it was the sports tasters weekend and I took full advantage.
Friday I started by playing a couple games of volleyball which was followed by an hour of boxing, and two hours of squash. I also played a very small amount of badminton between squash games just to see how the team was and I honestly hope that the players who were there are not their best. I have not played in years and was playing exhausted and it was still a show. After the day at the gym I spent latter part of the afternoon on the pitch in the west end playing hockey. Not my kind of hockey but the closest they have. I experienced the game of field hockey. It is absolutely nothing like the hockey I know and love and yet I still find it entertaining and look forward to playing as much as I can while I am here. I was asked to tryout Monday night for the tier 2 team which plays all across the UK against other universities and other private clubs. I will need to curve my ice hockey tendencies as I was quickly reminded there is no hitting, no contacting another players stick, no using the backside of the stick, no contacting another player with the ball or your stick and no taking a slap shot if there are people in a hazardous area. But they like the way I play D and I am going to tryout anyways. Of 85 guys on the pitch I placed third in kings court and am proud to say that is first among rookies and first out of all the tier 2 players. Alright done bragging.
Friday night I went out with the hockey club for a true welcoming party in which we drank for free and ate for free all night and we played drinking games both at the debate chambers as well as at the bar. From this day forward I am known to the hockey club as only Mr. Moose! This is the name they came up with for me and I have no idea why but after hearing some of the guys names I am pretty happy with this one. The night was a blur but I know it was good!
Sat. I sweat out the booze with a taster session on American Football. Which is an American sport, played in Scotland, coached by Canadians. It was good but the football was terrible. Many of the guys have never seen a football before and had no idea what the rules were. So we spent the day doing the basics. If I have the time I might go out and play with them but I am afraid the schedules for games may overlap with hockey. Sat. night I took in a flick (Tropic Thunder) with John, Jess and Adam and found out you can take entire meals complete with bottles of wine into the theater with you. And the seats and leather lounge chairs with wide arm rests! Sat night I also fell in love with a banana chocolate crepe. (For the record, John is the American from Jersey, Jess is a girl down the hall from Northern England, and Adam is a Scottish guy who also lives down the hall.)
Today I spent wondering the Kelvin Grove Art Gallery which is as much of an art gallery as it is a natural history museum. I enjoyed it and did learn a little more about the country and its roots. I feel that I will return there if I choose to stay in my history class.
Classes start tomorrow and although I only have one, it should be interesting to see any similarities/differences in the education system from here to home. Tomorrow I start business law and as Will Durant once said "Education is a discovery of ones own ignorance" so I am off to once again, begin discovering.
Friday I started by playing a couple games of volleyball which was followed by an hour of boxing, and two hours of squash. I also played a very small amount of badminton between squash games just to see how the team was and I honestly hope that the players who were there are not their best. I have not played in years and was playing exhausted and it was still a show. After the day at the gym I spent latter part of the afternoon on the pitch in the west end playing hockey. Not my kind of hockey but the closest they have. I experienced the game of field hockey. It is absolutely nothing like the hockey I know and love and yet I still find it entertaining and look forward to playing as much as I can while I am here. I was asked to tryout Monday night for the tier 2 team which plays all across the UK against other universities and other private clubs. I will need to curve my ice hockey tendencies as I was quickly reminded there is no hitting, no contacting another players stick, no using the backside of the stick, no contacting another player with the ball or your stick and no taking a slap shot if there are people in a hazardous area. But they like the way I play D and I am going to tryout anyways. Of 85 guys on the pitch I placed third in kings court and am proud to say that is first among rookies and first out of all the tier 2 players. Alright done bragging.
Friday night I went out with the hockey club for a true welcoming party in which we drank for free and ate for free all night and we played drinking games both at the debate chambers as well as at the bar. From this day forward I am known to the hockey club as only Mr. Moose! This is the name they came up with for me and I have no idea why but after hearing some of the guys names I am pretty happy with this one. The night was a blur but I know it was good!
Sat. I sweat out the booze with a taster session on American Football. Which is an American sport, played in Scotland, coached by Canadians. It was good but the football was terrible. Many of the guys have never seen a football before and had no idea what the rules were. So we spent the day doing the basics. If I have the time I might go out and play with them but I am afraid the schedules for games may overlap with hockey. Sat. night I took in a flick (Tropic Thunder) with John, Jess and Adam and found out you can take entire meals complete with bottles of wine into the theater with you. And the seats and leather lounge chairs with wide arm rests! Sat night I also fell in love with a banana chocolate crepe. (For the record, John is the American from Jersey, Jess is a girl down the hall from Northern England, and Adam is a Scottish guy who also lives down the hall.)
Today I spent wondering the Kelvin Grove Art Gallery which is as much of an art gallery as it is a natural history museum. I enjoyed it and did learn a little more about the country and its roots. I feel that I will return there if I choose to stay in my history class.
Classes start tomorrow and although I only have one, it should be interesting to see any similarities/differences in the education system from here to home. Tomorrow I start business law and as Will Durant once said "Education is a discovery of ones own ignorance" so I am off to once again, begin discovering.
Friday, 19 September 2008
Registration, Face-plants and Sports.
For one of the top schools in the world, Glasgow is hurting on its technology front. Majority of classrooms still use chalkboards, the library has over 1 million physical books rather than just having everything online, and only small select places on campus have Wi-Fi. However, above all else, Glasgow has yet to conform to the online registration process and instead has 16,000 student wonder around campus for the day attempting to register for all their classes! It was nearly as bad as I had originally expected but it not something that I would enjoy doing again. I spent the first 7 hours of my day sorting out my classes and other than currently being registered for too many, I think I am set.
Today also marked the beginning of sport tasters which allow all students to try any of the club sports they wish. Each club has their taster at a specific time and place and today I played some volleyball (which was a joke), did some boxing (which was hilarious and a great workout) played a couple hours of squash, some badminton, and then attempted to go curling but the team never showed and those of us who were waiting got fed up and left. It was an athletic filled day and it was only the first of many.
Thought of the day - How do you stumble?
Between a couple of my registration sessions this morning I was sitting on a bench, near the front drive of the university, people watching. With all the events going on this week there are a lot of electrical cords and power outlets being run from buildings to nearby tents or out to speakers and whatnot. They create a minor obstacle but still one that can be hazardous. After seeing a few people stumble I started thinking about how I stumble. I usually try to walk away and pretend like nothing happened or I make a comment similar to "He's OK" and throw my hands up to prove it. Anyways, a woman was texting and not watching, caught her foot and full out biffed. I started walking over to her to help her out fully expecting she would be standing by the time I got to her. Not a chance, she actually never moved. Lay face down for a good 8-10 seconds before trying to get up. Never hit her head, just lay down. The quote "It doesn't matter how times you fall, it matters how many times you get back up" came to mind. For this lady - 0! So my thought for the day, don't ever stay down, it looks way to similar to giving up.
Today also marked the beginning of sport tasters which allow all students to try any of the club sports they wish. Each club has their taster at a specific time and place and today I played some volleyball (which was a joke), did some boxing (which was hilarious and a great workout) played a couple hours of squash, some badminton, and then attempted to go curling but the team never showed and those of us who were waiting got fed up and left. It was an athletic filled day and it was only the first of many.
Thought of the day - How do you stumble?
Between a couple of my registration sessions this morning I was sitting on a bench, near the front drive of the university, people watching. With all the events going on this week there are a lot of electrical cords and power outlets being run from buildings to nearby tents or out to speakers and whatnot. They create a minor obstacle but still one that can be hazardous. After seeing a few people stumble I started thinking about how I stumble. I usually try to walk away and pretend like nothing happened or I make a comment similar to "He's OK" and throw my hands up to prove it. Anyways, a woman was texting and not watching, caught her foot and full out biffed. I started walking over to her to help her out fully expecting she would be standing by the time I got to her. Not a chance, she actually never moved. Lay face down for a good 8-10 seconds before trying to get up. Never hit her head, just lay down. The quote "It doesn't matter how times you fall, it matters how many times you get back up" came to mind. For this lady - 0! So my thought for the day, don't ever stay down, it looks way to similar to giving up.
Wednesday, 17 September 2008
Catch Up
Missed a few days. Brief Summary is as follows:
Monday - Registered as a student at the University of Glasgow, received a student card and everything! Effectively the only student currently registered wearing a baseball cap in their student id photo. Go Jets Go! (The guy that took my photo was informed it was not allowed right after I had mine done and was on my way out.) The rest of Monday was spent in a productive manner sorting out timetables and when/where I need to register for classes on Thursday. Also trying to figure out which classes to take and how to fit them all in. Monday night was spent relaxing and organizing my life.
Tuesday - I awoke with grand plans to either go see Edinburgh or to visit Lanarkshire and track down the house my Great Grand Mother was born and raised in. Neither of these trips actually occurred due to the torrential downpours we were receiving. (As was Edinburgh according to The Weather Network) So I thought my day could be best spent indoors and around res. I played some Foosball with some of the new students, watched UK soaps with some of the other students and slept for a good portion of the morning. It was a good day in which I stayed dry!
Today - Very early breakfast at around 7ish and then back to bed for bit. Down to the Sports Fayre - That is not a spelling error, that's how they spell it. - Spoke with reps from nearly every club on campus and have decided to try out the rifle club, American football, cricket, potholing (spelunking), field hockey (Which I don't know if I will actually play, so much as want to try), boxing, badminton and squash. I think I am actually coaching the Badminton Novice and Intermediate teams which should be entertaining. So, if classes don't take up too much time, I should still be able to keep busy. If I have the time I would also like to join the kayak club and rowing novice team.
Had a free "international students" lunch which was terrible and consisted of some poorly cooked rice and weak chili. I think it was mistaken as a parish dinner because I sat next to a 30 year old crack addict who told me all about the times he has been stabbed, when he lit those cars on fire to mess with the cops and of his two children, which, through some strategic questions, I learned that he has not seen in the last 8 years. Very sad state of affairs and very interesting lunch.
The afternoon was spent at the gym which was great but made me realize exactly how out of shape I am. It was good and I found a guy who will play as many sports as I will and who will also frequent the gym so it may make me go as part of a regular routine.
From walking around campus I received boat loads of free stuff and advertising, most of which I turfed except for the 30 or so pens, hooded sweatshirt, multiple cans of rockstar, water bottle, USB memory chip, candy and gift cards.
Spent the night prepping for tomorrow's class registration day, and sending all my info on the Charity Game back to the crew in Halifax. Skipped the Res meeting as I felt I have heard a few of them in the last 6 years. Tomorrow is going to be a long one, taking it all in stride.
Monday - Registered as a student at the University of Glasgow, received a student card and everything! Effectively the only student currently registered wearing a baseball cap in their student id photo. Go Jets Go! (The guy that took my photo was informed it was not allowed right after I had mine done and was on my way out.) The rest of Monday was spent in a productive manner sorting out timetables and when/where I need to register for classes on Thursday. Also trying to figure out which classes to take and how to fit them all in. Monday night was spent relaxing and organizing my life.
Tuesday - I awoke with grand plans to either go see Edinburgh or to visit Lanarkshire and track down the house my Great Grand Mother was born and raised in. Neither of these trips actually occurred due to the torrential downpours we were receiving. (As was Edinburgh according to The Weather Network) So I thought my day could be best spent indoors and around res. I played some Foosball with some of the new students, watched UK soaps with some of the other students and slept for a good portion of the morning. It was a good day in which I stayed dry!
Today - Very early breakfast at around 7ish and then back to bed for bit. Down to the Sports Fayre - That is not a spelling error, that's how they spell it. - Spoke with reps from nearly every club on campus and have decided to try out the rifle club, American football, cricket, potholing (spelunking), field hockey (Which I don't know if I will actually play, so much as want to try), boxing, badminton and squash. I think I am actually coaching the Badminton Novice and Intermediate teams which should be entertaining. So, if classes don't take up too much time, I should still be able to keep busy. If I have the time I would also like to join the kayak club and rowing novice team.
Had a free "international students" lunch which was terrible and consisted of some poorly cooked rice and weak chili. I think it was mistaken as a parish dinner because I sat next to a 30 year old crack addict who told me all about the times he has been stabbed, when he lit those cars on fire to mess with the cops and of his two children, which, through some strategic questions, I learned that he has not seen in the last 8 years. Very sad state of affairs and very interesting lunch.
The afternoon was spent at the gym which was great but made me realize exactly how out of shape I am. It was good and I found a guy who will play as many sports as I will and who will also frequent the gym so it may make me go as part of a regular routine.
From walking around campus I received boat loads of free stuff and advertising, most of which I turfed except for the 30 or so pens, hooded sweatshirt, multiple cans of rockstar, water bottle, USB memory chip, candy and gift cards.
Spent the night prepping for tomorrow's class registration day, and sending all my info on the Charity Game back to the crew in Halifax. Skipped the Res meeting as I felt I have heard a few of them in the last 6 years. Tomorrow is going to be a long one, taking it all in stride.
Monday, 15 September 2008
A week in and the Rain is still falling.
I have survived a week. I arrived last Sat so I guess it is a little more than a week now. And this should have been written last night, so I am definitely over a week now. It has been an incredible week and I look forward to the many approaching.
Sunday I decided to head downtown again but this time do it on my own. I enjoy the wandering aspect without the constant need to keep up my end of the conversation. I learned some more about the bus system as well as how the subway works. I was able to find some great Scottish shops where I think I will return to for souvenirs. I saw George Square and Glasgow City Hall. Some incredible monuments around town as well as more remarkable architecture. The highlight of my day and maybe one of the top street performances I have ever seen was a group of buskers. I had seen them separately earlier that day. Two guys (looked around 18/19) one playing the bagpipes and one playing a snare drum. At the other end of the road I saw two Rastafarian men playing djembe drums. On the way back they had grouped together, two guys in full Scottish garb, kilts and high socks included, and two dread haired, rag dressed rasta men. And what makes it the best of all - They were playing "We Will Rock You!" on the pipes and drums. Amazing!
The frosh have all moved in now and I met the crew in my hall way. It is myself and a guy named Adam who is a carrot topped fellow who looks like he might way 90 pounds soaking wet. If he wasn't living here I would have him pegged for 14. Other than the two of us there are 6 girls who all seem very nice. Overall, I am feeling a little old when they are taking part in their freshers week activities but it does allow for some entertainment and it is certainly better than when this place was quieter than a tomb.
Monday is Registration and then a week of sports! Looking forward to it.
Sunday I decided to head downtown again but this time do it on my own. I enjoy the wandering aspect without the constant need to keep up my end of the conversation. I learned some more about the bus system as well as how the subway works. I was able to find some great Scottish shops where I think I will return to for souvenirs. I saw George Square and Glasgow City Hall. Some incredible monuments around town as well as more remarkable architecture. The highlight of my day and maybe one of the top street performances I have ever seen was a group of buskers. I had seen them separately earlier that day. Two guys (looked around 18/19) one playing the bagpipes and one playing a snare drum. At the other end of the road I saw two Rastafarian men playing djembe drums. On the way back they had grouped together, two guys in full Scottish garb, kilts and high socks included, and two dread haired, rag dressed rasta men. And what makes it the best of all - They were playing "We Will Rock You!" on the pipes and drums. Amazing!
The frosh have all moved in now and I met the crew in my hall way. It is myself and a guy named Adam who is a carrot topped fellow who looks like he might way 90 pounds soaking wet. If he wasn't living here I would have him pegged for 14. Other than the two of us there are 6 girls who all seem very nice. Overall, I am feeling a little old when they are taking part in their freshers week activities but it does allow for some entertainment and it is certainly better than when this place was quieter than a tomb.
Monday is Registration and then a week of sports! Looking forward to it.
Sunday, 14 September 2008
Culzean Castle and Ayrshire
I spent my morning walking through a building that had been built, destroyed and and rebuilt all before my own country even existed. The Culzean Castle was incredible! The building is haunted which added to its character. The architecture is impeccable ensuring the carpets matched the ceilings which matched the fireplace. The system of servant bells and back door stair cases where unbelievable and the view looking out over the coast line and across the way to Ireland was exquisite. Although it was very foggy when we first arrived, by the end of the tour you could start seeing the outline of land across the water.
I took it upon myself to take the more scenic tour and through a mix of scaling and sliding, I wandered down the cliffs to the shoreline. I got lost in the woods for a while and found a cellar in the middle of nowhere. I mean nowhere, I was at least a 25 minute walk from the castle and in the middle of a very large forest which was bordered by coastal cliff on one side and a glorified swamp on another. This cellar was, in its day, either an escape route that tunneled under the castle, an icebox to ensure meats did not spoil, or a disposal sight for bodies/prisoners. It was very interesting and I wish I had been able to investigate more. It was approx. 20 feet deep (below ground level) and maybe 10 feet wide by 15 feet long. It was completely made of stone, including the floor and only seemed to have this one noticeable entrance/exit. It was literally a stone doorway in the middle of the forest that went into the side of a knoll. What I have deemed a glorified swamp is referred to as the Swan Pond, on the castle ground. I also wandered through a walled garden which is similar to that in the movie "The Secret Garden."
Ayrshire is a town near the castle that is right on the water and other than some nice little shops and restaurants, was not really all that exciting. I enjoyed it and also managed to get lost there. However, I am happy I was lost because I found a children's playground where they had an IPLAY. It is an electronic playground toy, forcing kids to run, jump, and play, all the while obeying the commands of the IPLAY. It was more than entertaining and I think if Nick was there with me we might have spent the rest of the day trying to beat the game.
First catered dinner tonight which consisted of a spaghetti with chicken sauce, veggies and an incredible citrus cake. I never would have thought orange and cake could mix so well.
Tomorrow I finally am able to rest for a while and then I am headed into the city center.
I took it upon myself to take the more scenic tour and through a mix of scaling and sliding, I wandered down the cliffs to the shoreline. I got lost in the woods for a while and found a cellar in the middle of nowhere. I mean nowhere, I was at least a 25 minute walk from the castle and in the middle of a very large forest which was bordered by coastal cliff on one side and a glorified swamp on another. This cellar was, in its day, either an escape route that tunneled under the castle, an icebox to ensure meats did not spoil, or a disposal sight for bodies/prisoners. It was very interesting and I wish I had been able to investigate more. It was approx. 20 feet deep (below ground level) and maybe 10 feet wide by 15 feet long. It was completely made of stone, including the floor and only seemed to have this one noticeable entrance/exit. It was literally a stone doorway in the middle of the forest that went into the side of a knoll. What I have deemed a glorified swamp is referred to as the Swan Pond, on the castle ground. I also wandered through a walled garden which is similar to that in the movie "The Secret Garden."
Ayrshire is a town near the castle that is right on the water and other than some nice little shops and restaurants, was not really all that exciting. I enjoyed it and also managed to get lost there. However, I am happy I was lost because I found a children's playground where they had an IPLAY. It is an electronic playground toy, forcing kids to run, jump, and play, all the while obeying the commands of the IPLAY. It was more than entertaining and I think if Nick was there with me we might have spent the rest of the day trying to beat the game.
First catered dinner tonight which consisted of a spaghetti with chicken sauce, veggies and an incredible citrus cake. I never would have thought orange and cake could mix so well.
Tomorrow I finally am able to rest for a while and then I am headed into the city center.
Friday, 12 September 2008
Ceilidh and Taste of Scotland!
To keep this as chronological as possible I will begin with yesterday. It was a full day of lectures from different services around the campus as well as from both student Unions and the international society. I am now the proud new member of the international society (mostly because they go on a different trip every weekend). The two different unions are the Glasgow University Union (GUU) and the Queen Margaret Union (QMU). The GUU was originally a men's club which did not allow women and still remains more of a frat house than a union, while the QMU was started by a bunch of woman activists but is now both for men and women. I will be joining the GUU for their sports and social scene.
The day would have been really quite boring if it had not been for my first ever Ceiledh! This is the Scottish version of a ho-down, full of singing and dancing, a fiddle, an accordion and plenty of booze. Met a good crew and had a blast there.
Today started the same as yesterday with plenty of lectures to fill the morning, however, just prior to lunch we had a great talk with "Ped" from Haggis Adventures who talked about all the ways we can see Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales for cheap and with a guide of sorts. I will be utilizing their service beginning of October to see the highlands and the Isle of Sky.
The afternoon was spent wandering the true downtown of Glasgow which is filled with great pubs, plenty of shops, buskers and more. It was a fantastic afternoon in which I felt that I was able to truly enjoy the city! I also took in a walking tour of campus, followed by "A Taste Of Scotland" put on by the QMU. I was able to try Haggis, Scot's Balls, Smoked Salmon, raisin scones, cheese scones, and potato scones. In the words of the QMU president "This event has no alcohol, just whiskey from the bar downstairs." It's official, I actually enjoy Haggis!
Tomorrow is the Calzean Castle and the Town of Ayr.
The day would have been really quite boring if it had not been for my first ever Ceiledh! This is the Scottish version of a ho-down, full of singing and dancing, a fiddle, an accordion and plenty of booze. Met a good crew and had a blast there.
Today started the same as yesterday with plenty of lectures to fill the morning, however, just prior to lunch we had a great talk with "Ped" from Haggis Adventures who talked about all the ways we can see Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales for cheap and with a guide of sorts. I will be utilizing their service beginning of October to see the highlands and the Isle of Sky.
The afternoon was spent wandering the true downtown of Glasgow which is filled with great pubs, plenty of shops, buskers and more. It was a fantastic afternoon in which I felt that I was able to truly enjoy the city! I also took in a walking tour of campus, followed by "A Taste Of Scotland" put on by the QMU. I was able to try Haggis, Scot's Balls, Smoked Salmon, raisin scones, cheese scones, and potato scones. In the words of the QMU president "This event has no alcohol, just whiskey from the bar downstairs." It's official, I actually enjoy Haggis!
Tomorrow is the Calzean Castle and the Town of Ayr.
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
Organized Chaos
Or so I would like to believe that it is organized. I began my international student orientation this morning which also brought upon the start or course registrations. As it turns out this process is not a simple point and click type registration that I have become accustomed to. Instead it is a feeding frenzy of hundreds of students running around in a large room talking to professors and gathering as much info as possible. I thought 'What the hell, I had nothing else planned today anyways, might as well get this out of the way.' After waiting for the better part of nearly two hours to speak with a prof. it turns out that I can not actually register for anything today and that registration, as it were, takes place over the course of the next two weeks. Also in those next two weeks is the rest of my international orientation as "Freshers" week which seems very similar to our Frosh week. The only positive of the morning, I figured out which Bus NOT to take and I did sign up for a Bag piping class. The kicker with that class is it it not directly through the University so I would have to pay extra and although I don't know for certain, it is rumored to be upwards of 400 pounds.
After a somewhat bland morning of lectures and prolonged sitting, I wandered around Campus getting lost in the most incredible places. I wandered the castle, wound up in a cathedral, tried to climb a bell tower, was escorted down by the same man I had met earlier in the accounting office and found both a book store as well as drugstore to buy paper and shampoo. The travel size is running low.
This evening I was able to do some grocery shopping and got my nights entertainment out of laughing at odd names of food and flavours of chips. Had some great steak pies, meat pies and sausage rolls for dinner.
I stumbled into a store called FAT FACE this afternoon and on the roof they have an incredible quote. I hope to go back and take a photo of it so I can remember it all but the key line that I did hang onto reads "... a bad day on the slopes is still better than a good day in the office, life is out there - Go on and get it!"
Tomorrow I am going to attempt to sneak onto a city bus tour and, if the weather co-operates, possibly venture into the true City Center. We shall see
After a somewhat bland morning of lectures and prolonged sitting, I wandered around Campus getting lost in the most incredible places. I wandered the castle, wound up in a cathedral, tried to climb a bell tower, was escorted down by the same man I had met earlier in the accounting office and found both a book store as well as drugstore to buy paper and shampoo. The travel size is running low.
This evening I was able to do some grocery shopping and got my nights entertainment out of laughing at odd names of food and flavours of chips. Had some great steak pies, meat pies and sausage rolls for dinner.
I stumbled into a store called FAT FACE this afternoon and on the roof they have an incredible quote. I hope to go back and take a photo of it so I can remember it all but the key line that I did hang onto reads "... a bad day on the slopes is still better than a good day in the office, life is out there - Go on and get it!"
Tomorrow I am going to attempt to sneak onto a city bus tour and, if the weather co-operates, possibly venture into the true City Center. We shall see
Monday, 8 September 2008
Walking Tour
Went for a walk this morning. Left around 10 and returned at half past 8. Needless to say it was a lot of walking and am bloody well exhausted. Saw the science center, the tall ships, the river Clyde, the river kelvin, Kelvingrove park, the botanical gardens, my uni. and the majority of the west side of downtown. Although I never actually made it into the city center, it was still a very successful walk in which I began to orient myself with the city.
I have found a few more people who live in the res. Teresa and Ashley. Ashley is a fellow Canuck from Vancouver and Teresa is from Denmark (I think). They seem nice, and are able to help me out when trying to figure out my way around the city.
Orientation tomorrow. Depending on the schedule, might try Edinburgh or Inverness early next week. Just a thought because it does not seem that school starts until two weeks from today. I hope to find out more tomorrow.
I have found a few more people who live in the res. Teresa and Ashley. Ashley is a fellow Canuck from Vancouver and Teresa is from Denmark (I think). They seem nice, and are able to help me out when trying to figure out my way around the city.
Orientation tomorrow. Depending on the schedule, might try Edinburgh or Inverness early next week. Just a thought because it does not seem that school starts until two weeks from today. I hope to find out more tomorrow.
Underrated Sleep.
I spent the day coming to the conclusion that "Sleep" is far to underrated. Everyone knows that you need plenty of "rest" but if you spend the day sleeping then it is widely considered a waste of the day. I went to sleep at 9pm last night and woke up at 8:30 for a true Scottish breakfast. After my eggs, ham, blood pudding, fruit pudding, toast, croissant, yogurt, coffee unfit for a vagrant, potato triangles, and hash browns, I promptly climbed back into bed. I awoke about half past three and spent the majority of the afternoon doing absolutely nothing. To many, I wasted the day. And after the jam packed last few I was in dire need of a good sleep and to me, I capitalized on a morning that presented no interruptions and no necessary prior obligations. I did not waste a moment.
Dinner was a chicken a bacon baguette that I had the fellow at the newsagent warm for me in an industrial sized oven. It was incredible and I foresee a few more trips up the road for such meals.
I met my first res. mate this evening. His name is Mustafa. He is originally from Turkey but has been living in Glasgow for the past nine years. He is living in res because he does not get along with his family. He is, however, a truly giving person and has offered me tea, oranges, beer, tea, a peach, more tea and his cellphone if I need it. He does not seem to comprehend the fact that anyone would not drink tea, but none the less I appreciate his kind nature. Mustafa is a barber in town and has offered to show me around after he gets off work tomorrow. He is taking aeronautical Eng. and wants to become a pilot. He is truly fascinated by my own flying experiences and of Canada in general. For the first person I met, he seems like a pretty good guy. We will see what tomorrow brings.
Dinner was a chicken a bacon baguette that I had the fellow at the newsagent warm for me in an industrial sized oven. It was incredible and I foresee a few more trips up the road for such meals.
I met my first res. mate this evening. His name is Mustafa. He is originally from Turkey but has been living in Glasgow for the past nine years. He is living in res because he does not get along with his family. He is, however, a truly giving person and has offered me tea, oranges, beer, tea, a peach, more tea and his cellphone if I need it. He does not seem to comprehend the fact that anyone would not drink tea, but none the less I appreciate his kind nature. Mustafa is a barber in town and has offered to show me around after he gets off work tomorrow. He is taking aeronautical Eng. and wants to become a pilot. He is truly fascinated by my own flying experiences and of Canada in general. For the first person I met, he seems like a pretty good guy. We will see what tomorrow brings.
Saturday, 6 September 2008
The End
Chirchill once wrote "This is not the end, this is not even the beginning of the end. But perhaps the end of the beginning." I thought of that as I was waiting to board my flight last night (although it is all one day to me right now). I felt excited to be leaving on this trip not because it was a new and strange place, not because the education was supposed to be superb or even at the thought of all the new people I will meet, but instead at the concept that there is still so much left to do. I am one very small trip in one small location in the world. I am looking forward to it all.
However, while I am here and I am going to enjoy here. "With no future to aspire too, you are able to live freely in the here and in the now" and I plan to. in the past 14 hours I have said good bye to my parents, watched Harry Potter and What Happens in Vegas, had an incredibly delectable airplane meal (Chicken Curry with Bread, Cranberry Loaf, and Rice), met incredible people on the plane who gave me some insight as to what to see while I was here (I find it interesting that no Scot can seem to agree with another one on what the best part of their country is), I met the mom of the girl who rented me my tux for high school grad (proves the world is pretty damn small) I have been shuttled through Glasgow and spit out on its extreme west end where I was given three keys and polite "Enjoy." I walked around the NW end of Glasgow, was hit on by a drunk hooker (at noon) that may have been a guy and ate at the most incredible little fresh deli around the corner from my res. So, to the say the least, I am taking it all in. I can only hope that everyday is as packed as this one.
Interesting story about that mom of the girl who rented me the tux. As she put it "she is completing her bucket list." Has dual citizenship so quit her job in Canada, packed one suit case and a large purse and moved to Glasgow Scotland. She has booked accommodation for three days and then -- nothing. She says she always wanted to try it so she figured why not now. She is my Hero for the day.
However, while I am here and I am going to enjoy here. "With no future to aspire too, you are able to live freely in the here and in the now" and I plan to. in the past 14 hours I have said good bye to my parents, watched Harry Potter and What Happens in Vegas, had an incredibly delectable airplane meal (Chicken Curry with Bread, Cranberry Loaf, and Rice), met incredible people on the plane who gave me some insight as to what to see while I was here (I find it interesting that no Scot can seem to agree with another one on what the best part of their country is), I met the mom of the girl who rented me my tux for high school grad (proves the world is pretty damn small) I have been shuttled through Glasgow and spit out on its extreme west end where I was given three keys and polite "Enjoy." I walked around the NW end of Glasgow, was hit on by a drunk hooker (at noon) that may have been a guy and ate at the most incredible little fresh deli around the corner from my res. So, to the say the least, I am taking it all in. I can only hope that everyday is as packed as this one.
Interesting story about that mom of the girl who rented me the tux. As she put it "she is completing her bucket list." Has dual citizenship so quit her job in Canada, packed one suit case and a large purse and moved to Glasgow Scotland. She has booked accommodation for three days and then -- nothing. She says she always wanted to try it so she figured why not now. She is my Hero for the day.
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