My Journey as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar

All Good Things Must Come to an End...

2010-07-18T12:04:00.000-07:00

As I near the end of my scholarship, I can't help but feel nostalgic about the past year. Time has certainly flown by, as many told me it would. Looking back, I feel I have grown so much in the last year and had some amazing adventures that I will never forget. I think the highlights of the year was meeting Past RI President, John Kenny, my Rotary trip up to Stornoway, and also participating in the scholar fundraiser/matching grant which rose over $15,000 (collectively) for such a wonderful charity. I look forward to becoming a Rotarian in the hopes that I too, may someday make a positive difference in someone's life as Rotary has done with mine.

As far as my progress with school, I am nearly complete with my dissertation and I remain on par to graduate with distinction. Also, I have recently been accepted into the PhD program at Edinburgh University. I am blessed to have the opportunity to continue to study in Scotland for at least 3 more years.

These final pictures are of my recent excursions around Edinburgh. The Queen recently had her exclusive Garden Party next door at Holyrood Palace. We were able to catch a glimpse of her. (She's the tiny blurry figure in the lemonade blue dress coming down the stairwell near the old abbey.) Bryan and I also took a short trip to North Queensferry and we took this amazing picture of the Firth of Forth Bridge. It is a tribute to the brilliant Scottish ingenuity.

Rotary has changed my life and I will forever remember the generosity, integrity, and goodwill I experienced as an Ambassadorial Scholar. Many thanks for your interest in my blog and thanks to Sally for her proof reading. As I indicate in the title, all good things must come to an end, but for me this may be the end of my scholarship, but it is hopefully the beginning of a long and prosperous relationship with Rotary as a Rotarian. Again, many thanks or as the Scottish Gaels would say: moran taing!!

Rotary Project a Great Success

2010-06-18T14:40:00.000-07:00

Wow, can't believe it's been a month since my last post. How time flies!! I've been busy with my dissertation which is coming along nicely. I have the grades to graduate with distinction (essentially there's distinction and regular MSc) but now my paper must be as good in order to graduate with that elusive yet distinguished degree. I'm working hard on it!!

The rest of my time was spent planning the Ambassadorial Scholar dinner event to raise money for Maggie's Cancer Care Centre. All nine of us combined our talents and efforts to put on this dinner which was attended by over 80 guests including the District Governor (he's the one in the middle of the picture). All in all, we raised about 2,000 GBP, which will also go towards our part of the matching grant. (I'm so proud of this grant because I helped to write it, and it got approved!!) This wonderful charity will receive over $15,000!! I am so glad to be a part of this project. It was a lot of hard work, but was well worth the effort. I hope I have made a difference with my efforts.

I have seen firsthand how Rotary can make such a positive difference. I will hopefully have the pleasure of becoming a Rotarian someday, so that I can continue to make a difference. This scholarship year has changed my life in so many ways and cemented a permanent relationship with Rotary. I hope to make a difference in someone's life as Rotary has in mine. Until next time...

Adventures in Stornoway

2010-05-16T11:48:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of the Ambassadorial Scholarship programme of sharing cultures, myself and three other scholars travelled up to Stornoway, a lovely seaside community on the Isle of Lewis, where we were welcomed by Rotarians. We were then whisked away to the lovely home of Kenneth and his partner Sandra, a generous Rotarian who opened his home to us. We then spent the next couple of days exploring the wonderful island. With clear crystal blue waters, the sandy white beaches and waters took my breath away. Although it was really cold, the waters looked exactly like that of the Caribbean. The island embraces its Gaelic traditions, as many locals still speak the poetic language. We were able to pick up a few words. We also toured the mystical Callanish Stones (like a Scottish Stone Henge), as well as traditional blackhouses, and the Lews (not Lewis) Castle. We were also treated to exploring the Harris Isles which is home to the world famous Harris tweed. Wow!! Each day, two Rotarians offered to take us out and we were truly impressed by their generosity and eagerness to show us the magic of the island. (If I had the money I would buy a vacation home there. It was so relaxing!!) By the way, my friend Sally has pointed out that the first picture is of me in my 'Scottish bathing suit' of a long coat, sweater and wellies, which I find to be hilarious and I thought I would mention it. I'm still waiting for warm weather!!

We also spoke at the Rotary Club, where we were also welcomed and hosted by the Stornoway Club. Their hospitality and extreme generosity was heart-warming and we were so glad to have the opportunity to exchange cultures. We definitely embraced some of their culture as they did us. We even were given the opportunity to try to play the bagpipes and I have a new appreciation for the pipers. It is no easy feat!! Although I have experience in music, I could only get one note; however, it was fun trying to play. Words cannot express the gratitude I have for these kind Rotarians who shared their home, time, and wonderful experiences with us. I had an incredible time and I will never forget my time spent in Stornoway. Although Rotary has already fostered a lifelong relationship with me, this trip with their generosity and willingness to show us students a marvelous time has permanently cemented a relationship with Rotary. Someday, I hope to return the favour by not only supporting the incredible programmes that give students this opportunity, but also extending this experience to visiting students once I am a Rotarian. What an amazing trip!! Thanks so much!

I must now start to work on my dissertation. I am proud to say that I am on track to graduate with distinction, a large feat that only a small minority can achieve. I now descend into my world of research and writing. Hopefully I will come up soon for air. Wish me luck!! Until next time...

Rotary, Rotary, Rotary

2010-04-28T05:51:00.000-07:00

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...

No Joke! I got to meet the RI President

2010-04-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

Well I am delighted to say that I just met the Rotary International President, John Kenny. Ken graciously brought me along to a meeting of his home club, which is just a town over from Polmont (Ken's town). John gave an interesting speech about places he's been and the impact Rotary has had on places like Haiti. He's very soft spoken and humble. In my mind, he is the epitome of Rotary's service above self. I am so blessed (and grateful to Ken) to have had the chance to meet him. It's truly an honor.

On a school note, I'm deep into writing my final essays for the second semester. I have 3, 12 page essays due on April 20th. I've just completed one, so I have a lot of work to do!! Back to work. Happy April Fool's Day! Until next time...

Fun at the zoo

2010-03-21T07:54:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, I ventured out from under the mound of books I have littered around me for a fun day at the Edinburgh Zoo. This zoo is by far the largest one I've been to, but strangely it didn't have any elephants, bears, or giraffes...oh my! However, this zoo makes up for it because it has the largest penguin enclosure in the world! Better yet, everyday they have a penguin parade, where they open the gates and the penguins are voluntarily allowed to waddle around a paved sidewalk lined with visitors. There were only 4 penguins that wanted to come out when we were there, but it made the experience more personal to see them walk by. Below is video footage of the parade. They also have a penguin web cam set up so you can go on their website and check them out.

They also had this amazing exhibit where you could go into an aviary filled with rainbow-colored and extremely friendly birds (I didn't catch the name of the birds). It was temperature controlled for them, so it was tropical and very humid, reminding me of Texas. For a small fee, you could also feed them nectar, which is what I was doing in one of the pictures. They would sit right on my hand and two began to fight over the nectar. One bird in particular liked to climb my arm and sit on my shoulders, going through my hair. An employee said they like long hair because they are nesting. It was quite an amazing experience.

My favorite animal is the tiger and they had two gorgeous Sumatran tigers. I am amazed how they have the same mannerisms as my cat, Pharaoh. I also enjoyed gazing at the lions, whose discarded lunch carcasses all over were reminiscent of a horror movie. They are so majestic and I can see why they are dubbed, 'king of the jungle'.

As an anthropology major, I had to take a couple of courses in physical anthropology, so I have a soft spot for apes and monkeys. My favorites are the chimps because they are so human like; in fact I think they are smarter than some people. The gibbon monkeys were probably the most entertaining, because they are very fast and active, employing their longer arms to their advantage.

The sun came out for the day too, so it was a perfect break away from the books, but alas, these essays won't write themselves, so I'm off to work on them. Until next time...

I conquered Arthurs Seat!!

2010-03-09T07:18:00.000-08:00

A funny thing happened in Edinburgh last week...for two straight days it was completely sunny, not a cloud in the sky! Like a vampire, the sun burned my eyes at first and I realized how much I miss the sun and (also like a vampire) how incredibly white and tanless I am. That being said, Bryan and I decided to get some much needed sun and climb Arthur's Seat, which is literally a stone's throw away from our flat.

The view is spectacular!! My pictures above don't really do it justice. Not only were we higher up than Edinburgh Castle, but we could see a 360 degree view of the city from the Firth of Forth to the south mountains near Penicuik. This large nature park is an oasis in the middle of the city. It was breath taking! I noticed several young artists sitting on various rocks painting all they saw before them. What a great place to find that artistic expression that's in all of us.

Final essay papers are looming on my horizon, so I'm sure it will be hard to write a new entry with all the stress and craziness that will be my life. I will try though...For now enjoy the beautiful pictures of our rare sunny day!

Gave 2 more speeches

2010-02-28T08:07:00.000-08:00

Well, there's not much to report for the past couple of weeks. The first picture is of Bryan and I in Glencoe. I've given two speeches, one at Penicuik Club (pronounced Penn-y-cook) and another at Larkhall Club. Both went well and in total I've given 12 speeches. I have one more in the books, up in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. I'm excited about that one too. I wanted to visit the beautiful island and I happened to meet a Rotarian who had a Rotarian contact up in Stornoway. As it turns out, some of the other scholars were interested in going, so we are going to go up and give a presentation about our lives. I don't think they get very many scholars so I thought it would be interesting to share cultures.

On a school note, it's business as usual. I am super busy. There is some slightly exciting news there however. Since Edinburgh University is one of the top universities, I've been contemplating coming back for my PhD. I've decided I want to study Catholicism and Scottish Identity because there are several small islands that still speak the old Gaelic (which I intend to learn) and I want to explore how their Scottish culture affects their Catholic practice. My professor loves the idea and one of the top experts on Scottish identity is a professor here of sociology. (We jokingly and lovingly refer to sociology as the dark side of anthropology.) My professor has even volunteered to be my doctoral supervisor. Seems like things are falling into place! My Master's dissertation will be on the anthropology of Christianity, in preparation for my PhD. Consequently, this is a hot topic among the anthropological world. We'll see how things play out.

That's all I've been up to recently. Tonight, I'm taking a break and going to watch the Olympics. USA men's hockey team plays the formidable Canadians. There is a girl in my programme from Canada, so a few of us are meeting at a pub to watch the game. There's something about the Olympics that brings the latent patriot in me!! Well, that's all for now, hopefully next time I'll have something more interesting to talk about...

P.S. I've also included a funny picture of my cat, who is staying with my mom, which will hopefully brighten your day!

Parents visit to Scotland

2010-02-10T01:53:00.000-08:00

Well my parents just left after a fun-packed week in Scotland. It was their first time to Europe and they had a blast! My dad, who is usually very reserved and stoic, had a constant smile painted on his face. He made new friends where ever he went. We went to all the great places, the castle, Mary King's Close, and even took a bus up to Loch Ness. (4 hour bus ride was completely worth it!) My dad came to Loch Ness not believing in Nessie, but left a believer. We took a boat ride on the loch (which is Gaelic for lake). On the boat, there was a nice man, who was a MIT grad in marine biology, who had taken various photos of the animals (they are not monsters) on his cell phone. They even had DNA samples that showed these animals (there are several) are descendants of the plesiosaurus, a large water dwelling dinosaur. He's trying to get these animals protected before they can come forward and publish these incredible photos. He also mentioned that these animals exist all over the world such as in Lake Tahoe, Lake Champlain, and other southern lochs in Scotland. Wow, I'm a believer!

It was fun and interesting to show my parents Edinburgh and all its beauty. I like seeing their expressions at the wonderful and old architecture that takes your breath away. It is how I must have looked during my first time to Edinburgh. They even enjoyed the food here, especially the fish and chips.

While my parents spent the night in an 800 year old castle, Bryan and I went to our first rugby match with my host. It was Scotland vs. France and the city swelled with people wearing red, white, and blue. It was almost like Halloween. Many on both sides had their faces painted, donned the French flag themed wigs, kilts, and other costumes. They had tailgate-like parties before the game at the surrounding hotels and pubs. I even saw a barbecue serving people hamburgers, which is the first one I've seen here. Before the game, a great piper band marched onto the field and played both national anthems to which the crowd sang along, it was not solemn like ours, but more jovial. The pipes were amazing to hear in the stadium. Rugby is a lot like football, only with no pads and if someone gets hurt, the game doesn't stop. Everyone just plays around them (unless they are knocked out, I assume). Throughout the game, the crowd would sing songs urging their team on, and flags waved in the chilly air. In the end Scotland lost (as predicted) 18-9, but it was so much fun!! Both sides were cordial to each other, and no fights broke out. In fact, Bryan lost his wallet at one point and received a call from a Frenchman who had found it (his phone number was in the wallet too). So to my relief, Bryan got it back and I thought it was quite nice for that man to return it. Despite the losing of the wallet and Scotland losing, it was a fantastic afternoon!

It was sad to see my parents go, but I'm glad they enjoyed it. Next my sister plans to visit in May and I hope she will enjoy it as much as my parents did! Now it's back to business...

Click here for a clip of the piper band playing the Scottish anathem and notice everyone is singing along.

Burns' Night

2010-02-01T10:56:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the lapse in entries. My internet connection isn't the best right now. It takes literally 6 weeks to get internet in my new flat, so I have to rely on a horrible pay-as-you-go public kind that is completely unreliable. Well Jan 25th, last Monday, was an unofficial holiday in Scotland. It was Robert Burns' birthday, which the Scottish mark with Burns' Night. The one I went to was on Friday (thrown by the Corstorphine Rotary Club), but they called it Scottish Night. One Rotarian explained to me that the traditional Burns' Nights are terribly boring because it consists of hours of Burns' poetry being read aloud. (That sounds okay to me, except the hours long parts.) Their version takes all the fun stuff about Burns' Night and adds a Scottish band with dancing, also called a ceilidh.

The night began with a young piper playing wonderful Scottish tunes in the entryway of the golf club (where it was held). After a short greeting period where everyone gets a drink, we headed to our tables. Haggis is the traditional food served, but it is brought into the room with great style. The young piper escorted it in the Scottish style...with the bagpipes of course! The silver platter full with a large haggis is placed at a head table in front of the master of ceremony. This man recites a Burns poem (which I can't understand most of it because it is in Scot's) and then he dramatically takes a sword and slashes through it. It is a blessing of sorts. Then the master toasts a wee dram of whiskey with the young piper. (He's 18 by the way, okay to drink here.) Then the piper withdraws and the guests are served the haggis with a serving of neeps and tatties (turnips and mashed potatoes). To my utter surprise the haggis was delicious! It was piping hot and a little spicy. It was yummy, but just like turkey, I can only eat it on special occasions. After dinner, there was a comical toast to the lassies, which was a small play of sorts with sarcastic and playful jests about ladies and their nature. Then another Rotarian sings a couple songs written by Burns. The man had a beautiful voice and the melodies were haunting. Once such song is called, 'Green Grows the Rashes O' which has a Texas connection.

According to the legend, Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie were second generation Scottish. As most Scottish children, they grew up with the songs of Burns, one of which is the 'Green Grows' song. In fact, while facing the soon to be historic Battle of the Alamo, they sang this song. The Mexicans heard this singing but couldn't understand the song, but they gave the Alamo fighters a nickname that would stick forever...Gringos. What a great Texas story!

After the songs, the Burns' Night ended and the ceiligh began. It was a blast! I am quickly learning the steps and I hope I can show the Corpus Club how to do Strip the Willow. Again I felt very welcomed and was so delighted to be invited to such a fun evening. Thanks to the Corstorphine Rotary Club for putting on such a fantastic evening!

Here is an excerpt of the "Green Grows the Rashes O'

When in Rome...

2010-01-18T12:01:00.001-08:00

...do as the Romans!! Just got back from a 4 day holiday in Rome and it was as spectacular as I imagined!! Rome is a feast for the senses. We stayed in a wonderful B&B in the shadow of the Colosseum. Besides marveling at the intricately-carved Trevi Fountain, exploring the massive ruins of the old Roman Forum, and wandering the hallowed halls of St. Peter's, we sampled the most delicious food in Europe. The wood-fired pizzas were delicious, but the wonderful sauces took my breath away. If I lived in Rome, I would gain so much weight just because the food is irresistible!

The sights were wonderful and hard to see in such a short period. My husband loved the Colosseum the best, imagining himself to be a long lost gladiator returning to his old stomping grounds. For me as an avid Renaissance art lover, I loved the astounding paintings of Michelangelo and Raphael. Their elaborate works are the essence of the Renaissance and I am blessed and humbled to have witnessed such masterpieces. I also loved St. Peter's. As the spiritual capitol for all Catholics, I imagined it must resonate this reverence that so many place upon it. In truth, it was the most sacred place I've ever been to. This beautiful basilica emanates holiness and a kind of unseen magic. Although I am not a Catholic, I still found myself sitting in the surprisingly comfortable pews, gazing at the intricate crucifix in front of me. The energy in that place was unlike any I have ever witnessed.

Perhaps the most annoying thing about Rome is all the commercialism that holds the city hostage. I understand that aspiring entrepreneurs want to take advantage of the average 100,000 visitors to Rome each day, but the way that they approach you is annoying and tiring. First there are cheesy (although handsome) men dressed in Vegas-like gladiator costumes that essentially beg to take a picture with you in front of the Colosseum for a fee. (They are not part of the Colosseum staff.) They don't take no for an answer either. I think 'no grazie!' was the most used phrase on my trip! When it rained there were literally men on every corner selling a variety of umbrellas. Bryan and I shared an umbrella and consequently were asked at each point if we wanted one. In fact, when we were in the subway and shaking off our wet umbrella, a man approached me and asked if I wanted a 'grande' umbrella. I was astounded by his tenacity and forcefully said no. On top of that, every restaurant along the Colosseum (and others too I suspect) had an employee stand outside and hassle the passers-by, trying (and begging) them to sit down and eat/drink at their establishment.

Over all, it was a wonderful trip and the 50 degree temperatures were a nice break from the freezing 20 degree temperatures and snow in Edinburgh. Our next destination will be Spain where I can hopefully practice my Spanish. Thank goodness for cheap European flights...Ole!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-02T11:45:00.001-08:00

Can you believe it is already 2010?! I graduated high school in 2000 and I find myself reflecting on the past decade. It's been a fun ride and I hardly feel as though 10 years has passed. Although nostalgic thoughts cross my mind, I'm looking forward to the future. Just a couple of years ago, I wouldn't even dream of having this opportunity to study abroad in Edinburgh. It's been both a crazy and exciting 2009 and I cannot wait to see what 2010 has in store for me.

Here in Edinburgh, there's just not one evening to celebrate the New Year (or Hogmanay as they call it here), but about a weeks worth of events. The celebrations began on the 29th with a torchlight procession from the Royal Mile, in the shadow of the castle, up to Carlton Hill where there's a huge bondfire. Imagine 13,000 people, with wax torches in hand, walking with an escort of an iconic Scottish pipe band dressed in full kilt attire and a Viking group with huge torches to light the awaiting bond fire. It is like a sea of fire, and quite dangerous on second thought. I still have wax on my jacket from the wind that blew the wax sparks onto the crowd. It was extremely cold, but great fun.

On New Years Eve, I went to an early party at a friends, then we headed towards the city center. There were 4 stages, a carnival, and thousands of people braving the cold weather to toast the new year. At midnight, fireworks went off from the castle, although I must admit they were not as good as the fireworks at the end of the Fringe Festival in September. After the hugs and kisses, the masses sang Robbie Burns' Auld Lang Syne, which I had no idea was from the Scottish poet. It was freezing but fun nonetheless. Now I am looking forward to my upcoming trip to Rome. Rome is my dream destination and I am ecstatic about having the chance to go. I will be sure to take lots of pictures, but I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year!! 2010 is sure to be a better year!! Until next time...

Boxing Day Explained

2009-12-28T12:42:00.000-08:00

Every year, the week before Christmas, I stare at the calendar, planning the exciting week to come, and I always see Boxing Day noted on the 26th. I've never given more than a few thoughts to what it is. Honestly, I associated it with boxing and thought it was perhaps some English tradition having to do with boxing. However my host Ken, has demystified this elusive British holiday.

Boxing Day has nothing to do with boxing; in fact, it is the traditional day where families would give their servants their Christmas presents in boxes, which is where the name comes from. Nowadays, it is an extra holiday where there's a large meal, but not as big as the day before. It gives everyone more time to enjoy the festivities with family and friends. This Boxing Day, Bryan and I spent the day with Ken and Rose and their lovely family. We had a scrumptious feast of steak pie with potatoes and veggies. We began the feast with popping Christmas Crackers. You can see them on the plates in the picture of the dinner table. Two people grab each end and pull. The cracker pops open with a loud crack revealing a prize, joke, and a paper crown. It is a lot of fun!! I often wonder why I would see British Christmas ads featuring the people donning these paper crowns. Since the trains don't run on Boxing Day, we spent the night. It is still very icy and snowy. (We did have a white Christmas here!) I like this tradition. It is an extra day to eat, drink, and be merry! It was a lovely dinner and we had a great time. Ken and Rose are great hosts and we feel like part of the family.

As another year draws to a close, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year. It is hard to believe it is 2010! I want to share with you a funny commercial from Scotland's official soda (or juice as they say here) called Irn Bru. This delicious soda is rumored to cure a hangover and I will be testing this rumor out on Jan. 1. The commercial features a boy flying through the iconic parts of Scotland and it is hilarious. Enjoy and Happy New Year again! Until next time...

"Walking in a Winter Wonderland..."

2009-12-17T03:46:00.000-08:00

I just had to post these pictures I took today. For the first time other than a few flurries, it snowed here!! It's snowing huge flakes. The first picture is of the Meadows, if you look very closely you can see the outline of the castle above the houses on the right of the church steeple, just above the trees. The second picture was taken right outside of my flat. I love snow especially since I don't have to drive in it!! Right now they are also forecasting snow for Christmas. White Christmas!!

German Christmas Market

2009-12-16T08:39:00.000-08:00

Now that the first semester is over, I am free to enjoy the holiday, although I must confess I've been spending a lot of time at the German Christmas Market. Edinburgh knows how to throw a great Christmas Festival, complete with a large, lighted ferry, carnival, outdoor ice skating rink, and both a Scottish and German Market. Each year, vendors from Germany are invited to come to Edinburgh's center to sell delicious foods, crafts, and mulled wine. My grandmother was from Germany and the market reminds me of her. They have the best bratwurst I have ever tasted and large, delicious pretzels which I haven't found anywhere else in Edinburgh.

The Castle is highlighted in blue (seen in the last picture) and adds to the wonder and magic of this market. Bryan and I tried to ice skate and were somewhat successful. I didn't fall at all but I haven't mastered how to stop. It's the iconic image of Christmas. Here's a clip of some carolers singing:

Edinburgh also throws a world famous and week long party for New Years called Hogmanay. There's a torch procession that kicks off the celebrations. The people line the streets of the historic Royal Mile with lit torches in hand and escort a large straw bull up to Carlton Hill. The bull is then lit on fire followed by fireworks. It is sure to be fun!! I also have tickets to the New Years Eve street party. Fireworks go off from the Castle at midnight. People come from all over Britain and Europe for this party. I am so excited, but a little apprehensive of all the drunkenness that is sure to come. I am glad I will have Bryan there as my bodyguard! I'll be sure to take pictures and post them of the fireworks. Until then Merry Christmas!!

Yay Christmas vacation!

2009-12-16T08:01:00.000-08:00

Well I am sorry about not adding any new posts. I've been so busy with my final essays. I just turned them in on Monday and good riddance!! I've also been giving speeches at Rotary clubs. Since my last entry when I spoke at Kilsyth, I've spoken at Monklands, Larnark and Biggar. It was fun seeing a different part of Scotland even though it is too dark to see everything. (It gets dark here around 3:30.)

I recently fell into some knowledge about my husband's ancestors. (I will explain how I 'fell into' in a second.) My mother-in-law loves to research the family history and she recently found out that they have Scottish roots. They are from the Maxwell/Johnstone clan who were bitter rivals of each other. The Johnstone's settled outside of Glasgow. They are equivalent to the Hatfield and McCoys we hear about in school. At some point though, they inter-married and the Scottish Romeo and Juliet settled the long standing feud. I believe my husband's family is a product of that peace.

Here's the part where I 'fell into' history. I was speaking at the Larnark Rotary club and discovered that it is the birthplace of Marion, the wife of William Wallace. In fact a lot of the movie Braveheart is true in that she was murdered to get to Wallace, igniting his fight against the English. Wallace is from a small village just outside of Glasgow that is named for the clan who predominantly lived there and were supporters of Wallace, the Johnstones– the clan that Bryan is descended from. A couple of the Rotarians were experts on the subject and found my husband's connection to the Wallace family interesting. In fact, we have been invited in the spring to take a full tour of Larnark and of course of Wallace's house site. Perhaps we will meet some modern-day Johnstone's. Ahh, I love when history comes to life! My mother-in-law is doing more research upon hearing this, so I'll keep you posted on any updates. In the mean time, I am working on convincing Bryan to wear the Johnstone kilt. I think he would look very handsome in it.

Busy, busy, busy!

2009-11-21T09:17:00.000-08:00

Well it's been a little while since I posted an entry. I've been so busy with the semester almost complete. It's hard to believe so much time has gone by. It just seems like yesterday I arrived in Scotland. Well I'm happy to report that I've written 1 out of 3, 4,000 word essays, so there won't be any new entries for a little while.

I've been also attending Rotary events. I went to another ceilidh that was held in Linlithgow. It was so much fun. I think I only sat out for a couple of dances. I'm trying to learn the steps so that I can teach everyone back home. Perhaps a Rotary charity ceilidh in Corpus is an idea? Here's video of another scholar Alice and her dance partner, Antonio in action!

I also gave a speech at the Kilsyth Rotary Club. It was raining horribly and my train was half an hour late, but luckily I made it on time. I never believed the rumor that it rains sideways in Scotland until it happened on that day! Good Scottish weather I guess. At least I got to wear my wellies afterwards! The speech itself went well and they had a lot of questions about Texas. My favorite was about 'it is true things are bigger in Texas?' There were only 14 Rotarians in attendance because of the weather and another concurrent district meeting. There were a lively bunch!

Well I'm sorry that's all the time I can spare. I need to get back to my papers. This week I'm planning on having 11 people over at my tiny flat for Thanksgiving. It will be my first one cooking a turkey so I hope it all ends well! Should be interesting, if not disastrous. I'll report back and I hope all have a happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for Rotary!

"Remember, remember the 5th of November..."

2009-11-07T09:33:00.000-08:00

"Remember, remember the 5th of November.
Gunpowder, treason, and plot.
I see no reason why the gunpowder treason should ever be forgot!"

The 5th of November was Guy Fawkes Day. Although this is more widely celebrated down south, there was mass merry-making through out Edinburgh. In the 1600's several plotters, including a chap named Guy Fawkes, decided they had enough of King Charles II's rule and planned to blow up the Parliament building in London to announce their displeasure. (The king was known as the Merry King, so I wonder why these gents were so disgruntled!) However, just before Guy Fawkes could ignite the tons of dynamite set up to blow Parliament, he was caught, and well...you can guest the rest. Yes, like William Wallace and other "traitors" to the Crown, he was hung, drawn, and quartered. In celebration of the Parliament not being blown up, there are fireworks, some professional and some amateur, large creepy puppets, drummers, and just general mass merry-making. It is sort of like the Fourth of July. The fireworks were amazing and I'll post some pictures when I get a chance. So "remember, remember the 5th of November!" It's one of my new favourite holidays!!

Fun Birthday Weekend

2009-11-05T07:35:00.000-08:00

With 3 finals and 12 page essays due in about a month, I am suddenly feeling more and more pressure. School is intense but great! I just got my paper back and I made a 65! Before anyone thinks how could I do that, a 70 is a distinction or an A. I'm not that far off. I'm glad to have the feedback too. I am learning so much! Of course I had to take last weekend off and celebrate my 28th birthday! (I can't believe I'm 28!) I actually went to 2 parties on the 30th. The first was thrown by a fellow MSc student in his fabulous flat. The party really didn't get started before I had to leave to meet some friends at a hookah bar.

All the scholars, minus one, were there and we enjoyed the relaxing hookah pipe and some delicious chocolate cake. It was very mellow! I must say that even though it looks like we may be smoking something else, it's TOBACCO! Fruit-flavored tobacco to be exact. Unfortunately we had to sit on the terrace outside and it was freezing cold! Luckily they had blankets on hand so in the pictures it looks like we are in some strange cult. The food was amazing too! I will definitely be going back to that place. If you're wondering about Bryan sitting next to me, no he is not sleepy. He just doesn't take good photos. If you hadn't had a chance to try the hookah I would highly recommend it. It doesn't taste like tobacco, nor do you smell like an ash tray afterwards either. As I say, hooray for hookah!

Unfortunately, there was no alcohol served at that place. ("No alcohol?" You say!) I found it weird that in Scotland such a place exists, so we headed to a pub and had a wee drink or two. It was a lot of fun. Next week is another scholar's birthday so we'll be going out for hers too. I know, it's a tough life right?...

Halloween was fun too. Since I procrastinated I dressed up as a cowboy (cowgirl I guess) and headed over to a friends for a late dinner party. By the time we decided to go out it was already 12:30 am and the pubs were closing, but we ventured out anyway to see what we could find. Once we reached the Royal Mile street, it was like a scene from a movie. I saw ghostbusters, chickens, men in drag who strangely looked better in red tights and a sequined dress than I would have (not that I'd ever tried), pirates, and zombies. It was a mass but mild hysteria from those who had too much to drink. I will never forget the image of a banana getting sick in the middle of the road. What does a banana throw up anyway? A banana split? I'm glad Bryan was there to be my buffer between the crazy drunks and just the crazies. It was all in good fun though. Unfortunately, I missed the Pagan (not sure if that's what they call themselves) festival of the solstice though. It's a parade where they celebrate the onset of winter. I'll be sure to catch the Beltane Festival in March to celebrate the onset of Spring.

Well I can hear my paper calling my name and I can't put it off any longer. This weekend should be fun. I'm going to another ceilidh so hopefully I will learn the Scottish dances.

District Conference in York

2009-10-30T10:42:00.001-07:00

This past week, Bryan and I traveled with my host Ken and Rose to York, about four hours south of Edinburgh, for the District 1020 Conference. Right when we pulled into the ancient city, I could tell that it had been there for a while. The city is surrounded by an old Roman/Medieval wall that people can stroll along and take in the magnificent sights. I believe York just celebrated its 1900 anniversary in the 70's. That's old! There are many ancient Roman sights and Medieval buildings that mix with the newer Victorian ones. We stayed right along the river with a great view of York minster, a old and captivating cathedral. The Rotary went to great lengths to arrange this weekend and it was wonderful! On Friday, the scholars and other guests attended the Governor's Reception where we met with the Lord Mayor of York. Then after dinner we went to an amazing concert performed by Scocha in the beautiful York Theatre. This Scottish rock band is like a Scottish Flogging Molly. Click below for a listen, sorry about the background noise, we were seated "in the gods," as they say here.

On Saturday, after an array of enlightening and engaging speeches, we attended a magnificent Governor's Ball at the Railroad Train Museum where we danced all night and gazed at the many trains on display (actual life-size trains!). After the ball, the scholars and I toasted the evening and Rotary (again and again) at a hotel room party hosted by most host club's president, Graham and my host Ken. It was so much fun! I think I had a little too much of a good time though.

Sunday morning was all business, as the Ambassadorial Scholars took the stage. At first it was intimidating standing in front of 1000 Rotarians, but we only spoke for a few minutes and then Robin, another scholar, showed her short film about our lives and trying all things Scottish. It was hilarious seeing ourselves on the big screen making various and amusing faces to the taste of a fried Mars bar, or for me I tried haggis. I am happy to report that it was a big success!! Great work Robin! All in all it was great fun! In between speeches, we managed to go to a few pubs, including one in a cellar that was really interesting, and see the breath-taking York minster. It was a ridiculously fun weekend.

On a side note, today is my birthday and I have two parties to go to. One is thrown by one of my classmates and the other is a bit unusual...The scholars and I are going to meet up at a Hookah bar and have a few drinks and of course smoke the hookahs. I've never tried it so I thought I would give it a go. It is sure to be an interesting night! I better get going or I'm going to be late for party #1. Hooray for Hookah! Until next time...

Exploring Roslin and Meeting GSE Group From South Africa

2009-10-22T05:51:00.000-07:00

Robin playing peek-a-boo at R. Castle

I've been very busy this week...In fact, I am neglecting my homework, but I wanted to talk about my fun day in Roslin this past Saturday and meeting the South African Group Study Exchange members last night.

Roslin is a beautiful and sleepy town about a half hour south of Edinburgh. Amongst the large birch trees and large babbling brook, lies Rosslyn Chapel at the top of a hill that was built in the mid-15th century by the St. Clair family. It was made famous by Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code, although much of it is different than what was featured in the movie. However there is an interesting legend that still haunts the intricately carved chapel. Many of the St. Clair family are buried in a crypt beneath the hallowed hall of the chapel. Since the 17th century, the St. Clair's have sealed off access to their crypt, not wanting to disturb their buried ancestors; however, they recently allowed experts to use a sonar device to map out the empty space of the crypt beneath. Now this is where the mystery unfolds...Reportedly, beneath the St. Clair crypt exists an empty space twice the size of the chapel itself. This is where the storied Templar treasure is said to rest with the St. Clair's, its immortal guardians. It is an interesting story, one that cannot be proved (unless they allow access to the crypt beneath), but that is part of the allure Rosslyn has, drawing in hundreds of visitors a day.

After exploring the beautiful chapel, Robin, Lindsey (two other Rotary Scholars), and I wandered the surrounding forest. We climbed the ruins of Roslin Castle and walked along the trickling brook. It was relaxing to be amongst the ancient trees which have reclaimed much of the castle. I would definitely recommend a trip to Roslin if you are ever in the area.

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Last night on the train to Polmont, I sat reading an article for school, pen in hand. A Scottish women sat across from me. She was carrying a card of some kind and asked if she may borrow my pen. This particular pen is a special Texas State Aquarium pen that allows the user to choose their color by pushing on the correct sliding tab. I told her it was the red ink and to switch it if she wanted to write in black or blue ink. A quizzical look came over her face and she handed it back to me and asked if I could do it. It was an interesting exchange, because I have never seen those types of pens here. I am sure they are here somewhere, but it was fascinating that such a small thing like a pen could cause confusion. I guess you can see my anthropology reasoning come into play. It is very interesting to me to see how we all have certain rules (or culture) that we employ to operate our daily lives. When something new comes across us, we are confused or even sometimes intimated because we don't know what to do or how to act. It is fascinating. Ahh anthropology...

After my interlude on the train, I attended the weekly Rotary meeting at my host club in Polmont. There, I had the privilege of meeting an exchange group from South Africa. It was an absolute delight to talk with them. They gave an amazing presentation that highlighted their lives in South Africa. I was blown away by the varied beauty of South Africa. There are also lions and giraffes. Who wouldn't love to go there? I am looking forward to talking with them some more in York at the District Conference this weekend. Well I can hear my homework calling me. I have so much to do, so little time. What a wonderful experience so far!! I am so grateful for the hospitality of Ken and the Polmont Club!

The Road Not Taken

2009-10-18T08:04:00.000-07:00

I took this picture yesterday in Roslin. It reminds me of my favorite poem by Robert Frost. For me, this picture represents the road less traveled and the one that I have chosen by coming here. And it has made all the difference...

Full Week

2009-10-16T08:11:00.000-07:00

This week has been extra busy for me. On Monday I gave a speech at the Edinburgh-Waverly Club. It was in this lovely hotel that overlooks the Prince's Gardens with the formidable Edinburgh Castle towering above on the ancient and dormant volcano. The food was amazing and the speech was more intimate, for only 5 Rotarians could make the meeting. It was very informal and it was interesting to see the differences of rituals from one club compared to another. The speech went well and everyone was able to ask a few questions. They were quite interested in the Corpus Christi Rotary Club. The most asked question is about the age of the club and about recruiting new members. I think all clubs have the problem of recruiting new Rotarians and they were interested to see how such a large club like the Downtown Club confronts the problem.

On Wednesday, I witness the birth of a Rotary club. It too was an interesting experience, and one that someone doesn't witness everyday. My host Ken, is helping them get started and at that meeting, they elected people to offices. They almost have the required 20 Rotarian-elects and almost all of them are young and represent a diverse group of people. I offered to speak at their club once they are officially charted. There was a sense of contagious excitement in the air and I am sure they will be a great addition to the Rotary family.

After that meeting, Ken and I headed off to the Rotary meeting in Polmont, my host club. It was exciting to finally meet the Rotarians of my host club and they were so welcoming. That club has about 30 or so members. The meeting was held in a lovely hotel that was once an estate. Ken gave me a warm introduction. I presented them with the wonderful book about South Texas wildlife, explaining to them this is a tradition at my sponsor club in Corpus Christi. They were touched and loved the photos. They intend to place it on a different table each meeting so that everyone can look through the book. It was a wonderful idea!! Many thanks to District Governor Dennis Roberts for the great suggestion!!

The speech went well and they were very curious about Texas. A few had even visited Texas (Dallas and Houston) and recall the food being tasty and the people were very hospitable.

All in all, it has been a busy week. Yesterday I met some local Rotaract members at a pool event. (Not swimming, but billiards.) It was fun. After my busy week I am looking forward to having a drink with the other scholars at a local pub. We try a new one each time. I definitely could use a drink! School has been very intense and I just turned in my first paper. I can't wait to find out my grade on it. Well I'm off, I promised myself I would let my mind defrost. Until next time...

Fun with Ken and Rose

2009-10-11T04:22:00.000-07:00

Bryan and I had an extremely fun time yesterday. My hosts Ken and Rose took us to the Falkirk Wheel. An amazing piece of Scottish ingenuity, this wheel transfers boats from one canal to another. It is sort of like a Ferris wheel for boats. We got to ride in a boat and see for ourselves how it works. It was so interesting. It is the only one in the world like it. Before the wheel, boaters had to navigate through a series of locks that would take hours. Wow!

We also explored the buildings and grounds of Stirling castle, once home to Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland. It was a formidable fortress and a lot of fun exploring the great hall, wandering the large kitchen, and running along the fortress walls. This castle also offered a great view of the countryside.

We then headed back to Polmont, which is about a 20 minute train ride from Edinburgh, where Ken and Rose live. Rose made an incredibly tasty meal and I was able to meet the President of my host Club, Graham Smith and his partner Caroline. It was a great time and Ken and Rose are such great hosts. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful host couple. They are also planning on taking us to a football (soccer) match as well as a rugby match. I am determined to explore as much of the Scottish culture as I can. Well now I must go polish up my first paper for school. I have two speeches at Clubs this week, including my first one at my host Club in Polmont (YAY!), and I will let you know how they went. Until next time...

International Night and Ceilidh

2009-10-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

Bryan and I had a wonderful time last night, thanks to the Portobello Rotary club who threw an International Night and Ceilidh (pronounce kay lee) in the Ambassadorial scholars' honor. The food was delicious! I had the lamb and the sticky toffee pudding (which is a must try when in Edinburgh). The highlight of the evening was a Ceilidh band from a local high school who played traditional Scottish music. In fact a Ceilidh is a Scottish gathering usually in conjunction with music where you come to listen and dance. The music was lively, the laughter infectious, and the wine/beer plentiful. It was so much fun! Both Bryan and I learned how to dance a Scottish step. To see me try to dance a Scottish jig click on the link below.

To hear a sample of the band's music click on the link below...

It was a fantastic night and I got to meet so many wonderful people. I feel so welcome here!! I also traded banners with the club's president. I have now collected two, with two more speeches in October and three in November, I will quickly triple that amount. My goal is to learn the steps so well and can show everyone back home how to dance a Scottish jig.

Larger Meeting of the Minds

2009-09-28T11:22:00.001-07:00

I just got back from a great weekend in Leicester, England for a LINK weekend of all Ambassadorial Scholars assigned to universities in the UK and Ireland. I stayed with a great host couple, Howard and Jane, who showed me and three other scholars the beautiful English country side around Leicester. We went to a wonderful lock with an old English pub at the foot of the locks. There we sipped cider and ate tasty sandwiches and jacket potatoes (baked potatoes). We also had tea in their amazing garden and marveled at the fresh tasting vegetables from their garden at dinner. The next morning we explored the sensory-stimulating botanical gardens. (Pictured above.) It was another heaven on earth garden that I wanted to take home in an air freshener with me.

In addition, all the scholars met at a space museum where there happened to be a bunch of sci-fi characters interacting with the crowd. (The four of us were accosted by British storm troopers.) I also got a picture with Indiana Jones and a rather realistic Sean Connery. We all proceeded to the Leicester courthouse where we where met by the Lord Mayor dressed in his fine regalia. He hosted us for tea then he took us on a tour of the Victorian courthouse. It was fascinating.

To close the night, we had dinner and a barn dance at Leicester University where we were entertained by the Morris Men Dancers. You can see them dancing below. This type of dance is a traditional English folk dance that goes back at least 500 years. There is the leader, or "fool" as they termed it, who leads the dancers and has a traditional black face. They were wonderful!

All in all, I met so many great, kind, and intelligent people from all over the world, including Antigua and Zambia. I talked so much that I have lost my voice...seriously!! I hope I find it soon! What a stimulating weekend organized by the wonderful and talented Rotarians at RIBI. I am so grateful for this scholarship/life altering experience. I cannot wait to become a Rotarian myself someday with the goal of helping others have this amazing experience. What a wonderful organisation!! I will always be thankful for the opportunity and faith Rotary has in me. There may be hundreds of scholarships out there, but this is the best one. They are not only investing in my education and future, but also helping me to make a difference in the world through service. I hope I live up to the great responsibility they have entrusted with me.

On Wednesday, I am attending an International Night hosted by a local Rotary Club. There will be a Ceilidh (Scottish Dance) and I am sure scrumptious food. I'll take pictures. Stay tuned...

I am officially an Edinburgher!

2009-09-21T07:17:00.000-07:00

I had my first Rotary speech today. It was a large crowd of 54 Rotarians and guests, including another Ambassadorial Scholar. I thought it went well and the crowd seemed to love my quirky Texas facts, my joke about whiskey/scotch, and the numerous pictures. None, to my knowledge previously knew anything about Corpus Christi and they were excited to learn about it. I traded banners with the Club President, Sandra Watson (the lady in the picture with me). I was also given a wee whiskey and a CD of Scottish songs. They were very hospitable and the food was delicious! At the beginning of the meeting, we toasted the Queen. All in all, it was a lovely experience and great kick off to my year.

Now, you are probably wondering the source of my title...On the way to the catch the bus home, I was approached by a lost couple who was from Russia, I believe. They needed directions to a street and not quite understanding their thick accent, they pointed to a place on a map. I was able to give them effective directions to their destination. I considered that to mean I am an official guest Edinburgher! I start school tomorrow and strangely, I am not nervous. I have an exciting and crazy-busy year ahead of me and I am looking forward to sharing it with all of you.

Cheers! (As they say here)

Meeting of the Minds

2009-09-20T12:46:00.000-07:00

Sorry, about the lapse in entries, I have been very busy. Classes start next week and I have been busy with school meetings. I will be taking 3 classes, including one about ritual and religion. A majority of the work is done at home, so I don't have much lecture time, only about 2 hours per class. There are about 25 students in the Social Anthropology department and I am the only one with a prior degree in Anthropology. Ironically, there are also no Scottish people going for the degree! There are students from all over the globe, from countries like Poland, Finland, and China, but no Scotland. I love that the group is so mulitcultural and I feel that I will have a great experience. In fact, after our meetings our Programme Director, Dimitri, treated us to a glass of wine at a nearby pub. We spent a few hours getting to know each other, it was a lot of fun!

Today, I got to meet the other scholars assigned to Edinburgh. There are nine of us, two from Japan, one from Italy, and the rest from the US. I have gone out with two of the scholars previously and it was nice to meet the rest. What a great group of people. We are talking about doing a great group project for a charity, but I'll let you know the details later. We figure we can make a larger difference as a group. I love working with Rotary! The picture above was taken today.

Tomorrow I have my first speech at a local Rotary Club. I am more excited than nervous I think. I can't wait to tell them about the Corpus Rotary Club and about Texas. I will let you know how it turns out tomorrow. Wish me luck!!

Amazing Fireworks Show at the Castle!

2009-09-07T10:43:00.000-07:00

Last night, we braved the wind, slight chill, and mass crowds to see the spectacular fireworks show over Edinburgh Castle. It was the best I've ever seen with amazing displays. At one point, the fireworks looked like a magical waterfall cascading down the dormant volcano that the castle sits atop. Watching from nearby North Bridge, it was hard to get a good picture, but I did my best.

The fireworks mark the end of the Edinburgh Festival. I hope to attend the coveted Military Tattoo next year. Tickets go fast, so I have to be quick.

On a related note, I've found that the weather here in Scotland changes so quickly, that I can go into a coffee shop for my tea (I've developed the habit of having hot tea in the afternoons) with sunny weather, and come out and it will be overcast and with the smell of rain in the air. Although there were slight sprinkles during the hour long firework display, it started to pour as we got back to the flat. It was quite a night!

On an unrelated note, my husband, Bryan, has two interviews tomorrow, both in sales. Let's all think good thoughts and wish him luck! That's all to report right now. I still have another week until school registration, which I'm sure I'll have plenty to talk about. Until then...

We moved into our new flat this week!!!

2009-09-03T09:58:00.000-07:00

We got to move into our flat this week. It is a lovely flat in a great part of Edinburgh called Morningside. The flat is in a Victorian-age building complete with a beautiful fireplace, squeaky hardwood floors, and tall windows. The flat has a lot of character and is right around the corner from a grocery store. We are near a great pub too. (There's always a pub around the corner!)

However to my husbands horror, there is no cable tv! We cannot get satellite either because the building is under a conservation law and forbids drilling into the walls. All is well though. We discovered you can buy a digital box and get about 40 channels for free. (A tv license is required to have a tv though.)

The vacation mentality is slowly wearing away, as we have moved into our flat from a long stay in hotels. I had my first "Scotland dream" last night. That says wonders. It is theorized that dreams are expressions of the subconscious, trying to tell us what our conscious will not or cannot recognize. Up until last night, I have had my normal dreams that all take place back home. In fact, I would sometimes wake up with a momentarily feeling of forgetting I was here in Edinburgh. Last night my dreams took place in Edinburgh. It's interesting how the subconscious expresses itself.

This Sunday marks the official end of Edinburgh's month long festivals. They have a huge fireworks display near the castle. Bryan and I hope to go. Hopefully it won't rain too much. It poured today and was in the mid to low 50's. I'm not complaining though, I get to wear my sweaters and it is only September! I love Scotland! Until next time...

Geetings from Edinburgh, Scotland!

2009-08-25T14:02:00.000-07:00

Hi from beautiful Edinburgh. It was such a relief to leave the hot, suffocating Texas heat for the cool 60 degree weather here. I am definitely missing the food though. It takes some getting use to. Well, I made it to Scotland and met my host counselor, Ken Donald and his lovely wife Rose. They are great!! I feel so welcome here.

Things started off rough at first. I missed my connection flight to Edinburgh and the airline lost my luggage, but things are getting sorted out slowly. Edinburgh has beautiful parks and I love to sit on a bench and watch the beautiful fountain. There's a large park below the castle and the whole place is filled with ancient trees and rows and rows of sweet smelling roses. It is heaven on earth!! Just in case you forgot where you were, a man dressed in full kilt-attire, plays beautiful and haunting melodies on the bagpipes on the steps of the park. It is wonderful.

In case you are wondering, the picture above is what I refer to as my "mug shot." This was taken just after I found out that my bags were lost. It is of me, my husband Bryan, and my host counselor Ken. I haven't had much time to take pictures of Edinburgh, but I will soon! Stay tune for more updates!!!

"I'm leaving on a jet plane..."

2009-08-20T14:47:00.001-07:00

...well, you know the rest. Tomorrow I leave for Edinburgh. I hope a have a stress-free travel day too. I am so excited, but also a little melancholy. To all my friends and family, I hope you will check my blog often and see what I am up to. I will cherish my memories of Corpus and San Antonio.

I want to thank my sponsor counselor, Tiffany Hull, for all her hard work. I want to also thank the Corpus Christi Rotary Club for their support. I am so proud to be representing such a wonderful group of dedicated and talented people!

I've already scheduled a couple of speeches with the Edinburgh Rotary Clubs. I like to hit the ground running. I've also scheduled a couple property viewings. I hope we find a flat soon! Well better sign off for now. My family is having a little going away dinner for me. Time to eat cake!!Wish me luck!!!

By the way, the picture is a young me enjoying a yummy whipped cream cake. I love cake!!

On Vacation...

2009-08-07T13:32:00.000-07:00

Today, we got everything into storage. My mom and dad helped us move so it went a lot smoother than expected. I've also sold my car. Now, I can relax and spend time with friends and family before I head off to Scotland on August 21st.

I also have great news...I finally have my host counselor! His name is Ken Donald and he seems really nice. He is from the Rotary Club of Polmont. He loves to travel and he probably has great stories to tell about his travels. He has been to Rome, which is my dream vacation location. I would love to see his pictures. He and his wife, Rose, are meeting us at the airport. I am relieved to have some guidance! I've also found a beautiful B & B to stay in Linlithgow, near Edinburgh while we search for a flat. Now it's time to get some much needed R & R!

Last Day at the Texas State Aquarium

2009-08-03T17:16:00.000-07:00

Well, Friday was my last day at TSA. It was a bittersweet day, because I am so excited to be starting my studies in Edinburgh soon, but I am also sad because I am leaving such a wonderful and fulfilling job. There is a common saying that you should work to live and not live to work, but working at the Aquarium was both. Although it is often hard work, we also get to raise money to help inspire, educate, and rehabilitate. We get to learn about and even play with the animals. Work doesn't always seem like work and you end the day feeling like you made a difference.

I heard, Doug, a TSA staff member say last week that he was busy with an alligator project. Questions like this, and "where are the 'sea beavers'" (a.k.a. the river otters), can only be heard at the Aquarium and it made me reflect on the unique and wonderful job I had. Available TSA staff gathered in the Dolphin Bay Underwater Viewing Room on Friday, to take a group picture for me and another girl leaving to take with us. Although this is only a fraction of the hardworking staff, I was touched that staff from all departments showed up. Of course, I ended the day with a goodbye tequila shot from a neighboring bar. It was a great ending to a wonderful chapter in my life. As I look forward to the next chapter of my life, I will always reflect on this chapter with fondness and laughter.

Gave a Great Speech at Rotary

2009-07-31T07:20:00.001-07:00

Last week, I gave my Scotland presentation to my sponsoring club, the Corpus Christi Downtown Club. The whole week leading up to it was torture! I was nervous and hoping the Rotarians would love it, because it was about the club, Texas, and my life in general. Turns out, the speech went well! I got all positive reviews and some great suggestions to add to my speech. Although I spent the whole week with nervous butterflies in my stomach, I was calm when I went up there to speak. I got the best compliment from my friend and co-worker Sally, who came to hear me speak. She said I looked a lot like a professor. I guess giving these speeches are good practice for my future professor aspirations. Speaking gets easier as I do it more. I can't wait to show the Scottish Rotarians the presentation. I think they'll like it.

Painting with Shadow

2009-07-15T17:24:00.000-07:00

I had the most amazing day yesterday! Sally (my co-worker/supervisor) and Mary (my boss, boss) got me the most incredible going away present...Shadow, the dolphin, painted a beautiful picture for me! I was shocked and touched. As it turns out, Shadow did sort of a self portrait. (See the long blue line that looks like a dolphin holding a ball.) I am so thrilled to have this one-of-a-kind beautiful painting. I will treasure it always.

Yay, I got my Visa!

2009-07-08T17:24:00.000-07:00

I just got my Visa! I am so excited because that was the final hurdle towards Edinburgh. Full steam ahead now!

On a bittersweet note, I handed in my notice this week and have begun training my replacement. The Aquarium is such an amazing place to work, my first job where I feel that I am making the world a better place, and I'm going to miss it terribly! However it is sweet in that I am now on my path towards becoming a professor and helping to make a difference.

On second thought, I've always been on that path, but I've simply taken the scenic route. In fact, my favorite poet, Robert Frost, explored this theme is his poem, "The Road Not Taken." The last line sums me up perfectly. "Two roads diverged in yellow wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference."

I have heard it said that the journey, and not the destination, matter most, and I am excited and hopeful for this new journey I am about to embark on. Perhaps what makes the journey most exciting is not knowing the destination, but finding it along the way.

What I want to be when I grow up

2009-07-05T12:35:00.000-07:00

I was an unusual child...Where most kids want to become a princess, astronaut, or a football star, I wanted to become a paleontologist and often played in the dirt that was my backyard, burying my plastic dinosaur figures and trying to find them again. (The Triceratops and T-rex were always my favorite.) Soon that progression of a love of really, really old history evolved into the love of people and their history. I wanted to discover old relics, clues really, left in the past that give us valuable insight into how people lived their lives before us. Almost like Indiana Jones, but without being chased by fearsome indigenous tribes or Nazis. However, my interest evolved in college into the study of cultures and their rituals, their belief systems in particular.

Like many questions in life, "What I want to be..." is not an easily answered question, but a progression of interests and passions that eventually culminates into a career. My main academic interest has always been history, but I now find that I am most interested in studying religions, or belief systems, within a culture. Religion is such a powerful force that can drive its believers to do the most benevolent things yet also the most malevolent. My ultimate goal is to become a professor and explore the shaping, evolution, and application of many beliefs for the purpose of creating cultural awareness, tolerance, and understanding. The epitome of peace makers, Mohandas Gandhi, once said, "It is the duty of every cultured man or woman to read sympathetically the scriptures of the world. If we are to respect others' religion as we would have them respect our own, a friendly study of the world's religions is a sacred duty." This wisdom rings so true in our world where advancing technology brings people of many cultures and faiths in closer proximity of one other.

Though the question may be difficult, I can now say with confidence and assurance, I want to be a social anthropology professor when I grow up and encourage peace and tolerance.

Many thanks to Rotary

2009-07-05T12:18:00.000-07:00

Hi there! I want to first and foremost thank the Corpus Christi Rotary Club and District 5930 for their generosity and support. I am so blessed and honored to be representing them in Edinburgh, Scotland. What an amazing program! Thank you for giving me my dream!

I am new at this blogging thing so forgive me while I gain my bearings. The rapid evolution of communication technology continues to amaze me and I am delighted for this new tool which I can use to communicate with people back home as well as give them an opportunity to get to know more about me.