Rotary, Rotary, Rotary

Well sorry it's been so long since I posted an entry. Final essays are all completed and I just finished my PhD application (fingers crossed). However, I've also been really busy with Rotary stuff.

The best news I have to report is that the matching grant that I helped write was approved! Thanks to partnership between this Scotland district/local club and LA district/ club in LA along with the support of the Rotary Foundation, Maggie's Cancer Care Centre will receive a generous grant. What a great donation to this phenomenal organization which provides comfort, care and support to cancer sufferers and their families! The Ambassadorial Scholars dinner that we are having in June will donate more money to this deserving cause. What a great way to make a difference!

Speaking of making a difference, I also had the pleasure of attending a senior citizen concert held by the Polmont Rotary Club (my host club). Each year, they arrange for a free concert held for over 600 local senior citizens. It's a great night out for them and the musical acts were amazing. They featured a wonderful piper band with toe-tapping Scottish songs, a brass brand which played nostalgic hits, and a singer who had a booming voice and played oldies to sing along to. The night was incredible and what a humbling experience to witness how much good this club does for the local community. The picture above is of me with the brass band. They were my favourite!!

At another Rotary event in the nearby town of Roslin, (the small village with the Rosslyn Chapel from the movie The Da Vinci Code) I was able to hear the small bagpipes, an instrument I've never heard before. Instead of blowing into the bag, like the traditional booming pipes, these required a small accordion-type device that pumped air by pressing on it with the arm. It created a smaller, yet haunting melody. Here's a sample:

The night also included some energetic Scottish dancing, which I can say with some confidence, I finally know how to do some of the dances. The haggis that was served was delicious to boot!

Finally, you may be wondering what the bottom picture is. Well, I think it is finally safe to say that Spring has finally come to Edinburgh. The temperature is often in the low 50's and the flowers have cautiously started to bloom. Here is a picture of a beautiful tree growing in an off-the-beaten-path close (aka an alley). It is hardly noticed by the walkers on the nearby sidewalk, yet stunning. Beautiful! Here people often take advantage of the rare sunny days, by laying in the soft grass or going to the park. Even businessmen can be seen with their shiny shoes off, with bare feet in the grass. It makes me think of all the sunny days in Spring (when it's not yet boiling hot in Texas) that I took for granted in Corpus Christi. Here, it's funny how I appreciate them more. So take advantage of these Spring days and have a picnic or drive with the windows downs!!! Until next time...