Out of the frying pan into the fire

Fact: The title of this blerg is meaningless, and I couldn't think of anything better. So, go read the Hobbit because that is the location of my inspiration.
Other, more pertinent fact: Time here seems to move faster than I am used to it moving.

 This might have something to do with the fact that there is simply much more for me to do here than in Mount Pleasant. Sorry Mount Pleasant, but you're a small town. Walking 40 minutes in any direction would have me in the middle of a field somewhere - an incredibly flat field that is likely to be filled with corn or soy. In Glasgow, I walk 40 minutes from my flat and I'm in the middle of a city. Continue walking 40 more minutes? Still in the city. Even without anything planned for the day, I'm able to just spend time walking around, watching people. As they say, "People Make Glasgow", so watching them is really experiencing the city.

Since my last post, I went to visit both Loch Long and Loch Lomond on one of the many sunny days that have happened since I've been here. Now, I must preface my awe at the beauty of this place by saying that I love Michigan. The Mitten State is beautiful and my love for the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, Lake Michigan, Traverse City, the mighty Chippewa River, etc. holds a special place in my heart. Scotland, though - at least the little bit of it that I have seen so far - is amazing. Just describing it is difficult for me, since I've never seen anything like it. 

Now, a smattering/sampling of the photos I took on my jaunt out with two of the Clark boys. Again, Stephen and his phenomenal Fiat Fi(ona?) have made it so simple for me to enjoy this place. I'll let the photos mostly speak for themselves, because in this case, I would agree a picture is worth a thousand words.

Loch Long

 Look, the Clark brothers!

 Loch Lomond

 Proof that I was there. Double thumbs up = classic Katie pose

 There was a boat just sitting there. Naturally, we climbed aboard and pretended to drive it.

 I felt this was the natural thing to do when wearing such an iconic brand of shoe.

 They were looking for the perfect skipping stones.

Luss 

My camera does panoramic shots! 

 Yay! Stephen bought the poor American ice cream!

So those are just some of the photos that I took, and I can't honestly tell if any of them do the places justice.

Also, my brother Nate is in town,  visiting for a month and sleeping on the couch. Oh! And school finally starts... next week. All we have this week is an induction. So, plenty of time to further wander around and learn the streets of Glasgow. Let's hope the rain stays away some more!

Arrival, the Referendum, and the Munchie Box

I arrived in Glasgow, Scotland on the 16th of September, 2014. Flew into Glasgow International Airport, went through UK Border Control and walked into Glasgow It was just before 7am.  I was met by friends whom I was lucky enough to meet a few years ago back in Michigan. Andy and Stephen Clark are good people. If you ever meet them, you'll be happy you did. Stephen drove me back to my flat, which I would not have if Andy hadn't made literally all the arrangements. (see, nice people!) Then I began my time in Scotland.

That first day was long. I didn't sleep on the plane and I didn't nap that first day in an effort to avoid the problems of jet lag. Andy led me around and we saw some of the city's sites. Now, I should say I remember only bits of that first day. I think I said "I'm tired" a minimum of 100 times before noon. Honestly, I'm not exaggerating. I don't think my brain was able to say much more at that point. I know we made it to the City Centre and toured some buildings at the University of Strathclyde. Then we went down to the BBC Scotland studio where Andy did an interview for NPR's Here and Now, which I very much recommend you listen to if you have the time. The interview was about the Independence referendum, which took place the 18th. More on that in a bit.

That first day was also my first journey to the Park Bar, which I imagine could become something of a regular place (I've been here for a week now and I've been there twice already).  So the night went and I met some of Andy's and Stephen's friends and then eventually I made it to bed and sleep finally set in. Sleep is a good thing. A very, very good thing.

I've wandered back to the city centre by myself now, trying to get my bearings over my surroundings. I've never lived in a city, so all this is new to me - using public transport, tall buildings, lots of people. But my initial impressions are that I could very much get used to this type of life. Don't get me wrong, I love Mount Pleasant and smaller towns, but there's something quite nice about having the ability to just walk somewhere new every day. I like walking everywhere because its good for me and also free. Who wants to pay for a bus when they've got to perfectly good legs?

The Referendum
Looking back on 18 September, it ended up being a rather depressing day. The vote came out to be 45% to 55%, where the majority of Scots did not vote for Independence. Until those votes were counted though, it was electrifying to be here. The Yes supporters were everywhere in Glasgow, waving flags, singing, and generally being happy. There was clear excitement in the air, excitement that led to voter turnouts that I think are unlikely to ever happen in the US. I stayed up watching the results all night, which came in so. very. slowly. It would have been amazing if Yes had had more votes, but unfortunately it was a series of depressing announcements. But! I, in my rather uneducated opinion, don't think Scots should be disheartened. They had massive turnouts, showing that people cared about this. They also have hopefully energized those who were once apathetic about politics to actually care about the running of their country. Finally, it was not the Yes campaign that was rioting in George Square on the night after the Referendum. It was those people that had won the vote, turning up in a strongly Yes area to simply be ass holes. For an article describing the events, click here or search for yourself and see the number of articles and images that come up.

While these riots were going on, I was enjoying my time at the Park Bar, reading news reports slowly come in about flag burning and general douchebaggery. When we left the Park, though, we simply got on a train and headed back to the flat. Before going home, though, we had a stop to make. At the end of my street is a wonderful place that makes wonderful things known as munchie boxes. We got one, brought it back to the flat and ate it. I had never had anything like it. It was a mixture of Donner meat and fried things. That's the best way I can describe it, but I can only say it was amazing. I had heard stories of these, never believing they could possibly be as good as people said. I was so wrong. I'll have to be careful to not indulge too often though, as it is a heart attack in a box. A delicious heart attack that even Paula Deen would think was a little heavy on the grease.

I've done some other things that I'll save for another post, because if you've read all this, you deserve a break! Just know that Glasgow is an amazing city, and I'm very grateful that I have the chance to spend this much time here. Also, if anyone wants to help me open a place to sell munchie boxes in Michigan, I would be very happy to be your business partner. We'd make so much money in a college town!

Cheers!

I'm writing a blerg. Oh, and going to Scotland, Bitches!

[What is a blerg? Well, it's a blog that recognizes what it really is. According to Urban Dictionary, a blog is "A meandering, blatantly uninteresting online diary that gives the author the illusion that people are interested in their stupid, pathetic life. Consists of such riveting entries as 'homework sucks' and 'I slept until noon today.'" I recognize the self-aggrandizing nature of this venture and don't care. So, a blerg.]

Every so often we all have thoughts that we want to share to the world. Social media makes this rather narcissistic habit super easy. Social media also makes it incredibly easy to keep in touch with the many people we meet during the course of our lives. However, I'm not good at Facebook. I have the bad habit of using Instagram for photos of food. I only use Twitter when I'm too lazy to read whole news stories. So, I've turned to this blerging format to share the experiences of my year in Scotland. 

So here we are. Soon I'll be there. In Scotland. On a different continent. Across a freaking ocean. For about 9 months. That's simply mad. 

I've been restless all summer, waiting around to leave while at the same time being terrified of leaving. I'm a creature of habit and comfort, so this whole experience is going to be one giant out of my comfort zone learning experience. Did I mention I'm going to a whole other country? For months? What is this life?!

I'll be in school most of the time I'm gone, but naturally I plan on seeing as much of Europe as I can. If you know me, you know I'm kinda into ancient history. And museums. And cool scenery. And food. And beer and wine. So, while the following list isn't at all exhaustive, these are some of the things I'm looking forward to accomplishing:

In the UK (or whatever it will be after the Referendum on 18 September)

1. Earn a MSc in historical studies from Strathclyde University. (yup, obligatory school related item)
2. Go to Loch Ness. (I was never good at Where's Waldo, so I doubt I'll find Nessie)
3. Go to cool Viking Festival, Up Helly Aa.
4. Go to Bath and see the baths.
5. Learn to appreciate Scotch and visit distilleries.
6. Visit my Grandparents' friends that own a farm with both cows and sheep.
7. Hike around the countryside.
8. British museum and all other touristy London things that strike my fancy, including seeing Les Miserables at the Queen's Theater.

The continent (mostly cities that I want to go to, open to suggestions)

1. Rome.
2. Rome. No joke. I've read about Rome almost my whole life. To go here will be surreal. I'll probably cry when I see the Forum. Also the Colosseum and museums and pretty much everything else.
3. Spend Christmas time in Germany. Christmas markets and spiced wine and friends!
4. Pompeii - it's sinking! If not now, when?!
5. Athens. Same reasons as Rome, really. If I'm being honest, though, I'll settle for anywhere in Greece. Santorini or Crete would be pretty neat.
6. Paris - this is a biggie. The Louvre, Notre dame, the Eiffel tower, and then Versailles. I'd like to do this in spring when flowers are blooming. Also, I'll probably put a lock on one of those bridges proclaiming my love for wine.
7. Vatican City. Museums! Architecture! History!
8. Florence. That's right, THE Florence.
9. Amsterdam. 
10. And since this list is a wish list: Istanbul. They were Constantinople, guys. Roman capital part deux!

So, I realize that all of these things probably won't happen. However, the fact I finally have the chance to do any of them is crazy to me. The reality that I'm leaving hasn't fully sunk in yet and I don't think it will until I land in Glasgow. HOLY SHIT THAT'S ANOTHER COUNTRY. I'll post again sometime after I land, so I'll see you on the other side of the ocean. Cheers!

PS. I'll try and swear minimally on this blerg, but sometimes there is simply no better exclamation or expression of feeling than a good old-fashioned swear.