What an adventure indeed these past three months have been!! I woke up about a week ago and truly realized how privileged I am to be in the position I am—I wake up every day and experience something new, whether it’s a completely new place (like Glasgow or St. Andrew’s) or something as simple as finding a new coffee shoppe. I am trying to soak this all in and really grasp every moment. It’s funny how you can take something for granted simply because you are experience it on a regular basis—but my life the past 3 months has been far from ordinary and I am so lucky to be living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, pursuing my Master’s at one of the world’s top universities, and meeting some of the most amazing people.
Edinburgh is gorgeous. It’s a city quite unlike any other I have ever visited—and the more time I spend in and around it, the more I fall in love with it. I love picking a new coffee shoppe to study in or going out to a new place to eat. Yet, I often find myself not taking advantage of this as much as I should…this sounds awful, but there are days (esp with Final Assessments in the past 2 weeks) where I hardly leave my room!! Next semester I am making a resolution to get out more!!! To study out more! To eat out more! And to travel more! As mentioned in previous entries, I find I don’t actually go somewhere unless I plan it out and mark it on the calendar indefinitely—so my plan is to put on the calendar where I want to go next semester and buy the tickets in advance—then I’ve strategically roped myself in!! ☺
As much as perhaps the programme I am enrolled in is not what I was anticipating, I am enjoying being back in school again. I am enjoying the opportunity to broaden my perspectives (which I am dramatically doing), while simultaneously strengthening and further shaping what I believe and why. Next semester I am taking three courses (and also continuing the French classes at the Applied Language School)
-Corporate Social Responsibility and the Law
-Economic Issues in Public Policy
-Global Politics of Public Health
I have made some of the greatest friends here. The first, which I have mentioned several times, is Laura Scott. Basically, we’re two peas in a pod, Shirley and Vern, peanut butter and jelly (you get the point!) She’s 23, from Texas, and enrolled in the Global Health and Public Policy programme. She is going to go to medical school after this year and then progress on to be a doctor! We both love working out, chai tea, hot chocolate, and candy more than any other humans I have ever met. I seriously don’t know what I would have done without her this semester! Laura knows what I’m thinking without me having to say it. She is a great advice-giver and possesses a gift of saying the right words of encouragement when I need it.
Another friend I have become really close with is Rebecca Manias (my St. Andrew’s buddy!) She lives next door to me and keeps me sane in Richmond! I cannot verbally describe how funny she is—my late-night YouTube buddy (check out Greg the Bunny on YouTube when you get a chance…just sayin’!), mid-afternoon study break entertainment, and garlic baguette-loving partner in crime.
I’m sad to leave Edinburgh at the moment, but thrilled at the thought of Christmas with my family! And catching up with my friends from home/New Jersey. It’s been too long without seeing them and I am ready for Gordon-Maggie morning workouts, baking with quality appliances, and Wal-Mart (yes, I miss Wal-Mart!! You all have NO IDEA how much you take this place for granted…in Europe, there doesn’t seem to be any stores where you can get groceries, craft supplies, and electronics ALL in the same place…) An hour left on the flight and I am back to enjoying Forrest Gump and perhaps another nap (I’ve already slept for 4 out of the 7 hours…which is good considering I went to bed at 4am and got up at 545am)
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