Firbush

Firbush center

Alexa and me running the bar

This past weekend we were offered to go on a trip to Firbush. Pretty much, it is owned by the school and it is a place with a bunch of different outdoor activities. We embarked on this journey not really knowing what we were getting ourselves into and what to expect. After a two hour bus ride, which I think we all felt like we were going to die at some point...the guy drove worse than Rhode Island drivers, we made it to the place. With only an hour before dinner time and a meeting to go over what we were going to be doing for the next few days, what better time to have a few drinks. When we asked where the bar was the guy, whose name is Dennis, asked who was going to run it. Well, Alexa and I volunteered so after a 10 minute run through of what they had and where it all was, we opened the bar! After everyone had their drinks, including Alexa and I it was time for dinner. The meals were actually really good and they had a lot of food for us. For breakfast, there was cereal, oatmeal, eggs, tomatoes, bacon, ham, beans, sausage, yogurt, bread and fruit. We packed our own lunches simply because we would be out doing some activity. Then for dinner there was soup to start off with, bread, then whatever they were offering for dinner, which I think was ham the first night and then Saturday night we had a traditional Burns Supper.

Haley, Alexa, Sarah, me and Ciara

Beginning of hike

So after dinner, we went downstairs to have a meeting and to hangout and meet the other Arcadia students. Dennis explained that on Saturday we would all go on a hike up a "hill", the reason why its in quotations because I think it was pretty close to the mountains we are used to in the states. But, because the weather was not looking to promising (snow, rain, 30 degrees, wind up to 50 mph, and low clouds) we would not hike up the big "hill", but we would do the other hill. Saturday morning came a lot quicker than we were expecting. We started our hike around 10 and did not get back until 430ish. The hike started off really nice. We were walking through trees that started off green and then as we started going up became covered with snow. 
We stopped along the way a few times to take a breather, but to also take in the view. Well, they weren't kidding when they said the clouds were going to be low...there was not really much of a view until later in the day when we were on our way back down the mountain.

Sarah, Chad, me and Haley in some part of the forest

Around 12 we stopped to have lunch in this pretty cool wide open area surrounded by rocks. However, the down side of sitting and eating was we all suddenly got really cold. We thought that we only had another hour to the top of the hill, but we were sadly mistaken. It took us about another two hours to get to the top. And once we did, there was absolutely no view, again because of the clouds. And the way Alexa said it the view looked exactly the same on the bottom as it does at the top. So my response...why did we hike all the way up here. I mean we really hiked, at times the snow was up to my waist, we were on our hands and knees scaling rocks covered with snow to get to the top. The only way we knew we finally have reached our destination was because there was this little stone monument.

Us literally climbing the mountain

Haley and me with the stone monument

After we reached the top, took a few pictures, caught our breaths, we headed back down the hill. Well now if you could see the incline of the hill we walked up there was no way we would be able to walk down it without slipping so what did we do? We created some slides! This was the best part of the whole day! Getting the opportunity to slide down the hill was so much fun and each time we did it the slides got longer and longer. However, once we reached the flat part we thought we were close to Firbush, but quickly we were told we had another hour until we would be back! My reaction...WHAT?!

Me videotaping myself sliding down the hill

and again

Us walking down the mountain

Once we made it back to Firbush we had some muffins, coffee, tea and took showers and then it was time for the Burns supper. For those who didn't read my post a few weeks ago, Robert Burns is a famous Scottish poet and they celebrate him, Burns Night, on his birthday. Even though his birthday was about a month ago, we still had the traditional dinner, haggis and then we had another Ceilidth (Kay-Lee) dance. It was more fun this time than the last because the instructor, Bob, really broke the dances down and there was not to many of us so we could hear what he was saying. Around 12 or so the Ceilidh was over and it was time for bed...yippee! We were all pretty tired from the day and knew that Sunday was going to be another long day. Well, Sunday came even faster than Saturday did. This time we had choices of what we wanted to do. So in the morning a few of us went kayaking on the water and then came back for lunch. Then after lunch we all split up again and could choose something different to do, or you could stay back and relax. A few of us girls decided we would take a bike ride into town and see what Killin was like. Well, there really wasn't much to it. A few houses, there were more hotels than homes, a bunch of coffee shops and bakeries, but nothing was open because it is the off season. So we snapped a few pictures and went back up to Firbush were we relaxed for a little bit and then headed back to Edinburgh. We got back around 7 and I would say we were all wiped out from the weekend. Being outside for 6 or so hours each day, doing these different activities was pretty exhausting. But it was a lot of fun and I wish we had the opportunity to go back when it was warmer. It would be so much fun in late April early May, when the snow has melted and we are able to hike up the bigger hill and actually appreciate the view!

All and all a very eventful weekend. Only 5 weeks of classes left and 4 papers to write in the next three weeks and then SPRING BREAK!! I'm going to leave you with a few more pictures capturing this weekend.

The view from Firbush

Firbush and Loch Tay...I think

Me and view from Firbush

Half way up the hill...Alexa is thrilled

What we thought was the top...but nope

View from half way down the hill

Bob, me, Dennis and Owen...yes they are wearing KILTS!

Haley and Dennis dancing

On our way to town

View from the town

View again

Second group going kayaking

Valentine's in Scotland

You either love the holiday or you hate it! My feeling, I love Valentine's Day...it just gives me more of an excuse to tell everyone how much they mean to me!

Lets see, nothing to exciting happened on this day except I finally got to open up the package from my parents that mom insisted on me waiting to open until Valentines day. Also, I was pleasantly surprised the package Jane sent me had arrived. The package was stock with homemade chocolate chip cookies and pretzels! I have already eaten half of the bag of cookies (good thing there is another container full) and almost a bag of pretzels. My plan is to not eat anymore until next week that way they will both last and I can enjoy some homemade baking for awhile!

For dinner, the girls all got together, made some pasta and celebrated being single and living in Scotland! After dinner some of them made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies from scratch! It was a nice feeling smelling the cookies baking and after a long eight minutes they were finally ready to eat. We eat probably half of them and before I left, Katie cut a cookie for me in a shape of a heart to take back to my room for later! The heart shaped cookie was really yummy!

Well here is to another Valentine's Day and to all the cookies I will be eating...cheers!

The Hairy Coo

The Hairy Coo Tour Bus

Today, Alexa, Cahrissa, Haley and I took a tour on The Hairy Coo around the Highlands of Scotland. What is neat about this tour is you pay through tips. So at the end of the trip, you decide how much the trip was worth and tip the tour guide that much. Yes, this is the bus we rode in for the day. It was bright orange, had hair on the front window and a tongue sticking out of the front grill. It was supposed to look like a Hairy Coo, sort of similar to a cow except brown and they have horns.

The Forth Bridge

Our day started around 9 when we headed towards the world famous Forth Bridge. It was then we learned that the bridge on the right has been around for over 100 years and still a perfectly good bridge, while the bridge on the left has only been around for 50 years and engineers expect that it will only last for another 20 years or so. 

Then, we got back on the bus and headed towards The Wallace Monument in Stirling. We hiked up a hill to the top, took a few snap shots of the monument and the view, then proceeded back down the hill and onto our next stop. 

The Wallace Monument

From there, we took a little ride around Stirling and passed by Stirling Castle. We couldn't stop because the tour guide, whose name is Donald, explained to really appreciate Stirling castle for what it is it would take around 2 hours. And lets be honest, we can always make another day trip to see the castle, so I was cool with just a drive by. As we were driving along, Donald told us some very interesting facts, played a few Scottish songs, and clips from the movie Monty Python because our next stop was Doune Castle, which is where they filmed Monty Python. I won't show pictures of this just because it looks like every other castle I have shown, except not as interesting. But if you have seen the movie and want to see a picture of the castle then let me know and I will send you it.

View from The Wallace Monument

Heather

After our quick 15min stop at Doune Castle, Donald brought us to a town called Aberfoyle where we had lunch. We eat at a small restaurant called Mhore (more) Fish. Apparently, it has the best Fish & Chips; I got a burger. Once we stuffed our faces, we walked around the small town and then made our way back to The Hairy Coo bus and onto see Hamish, which is the famous Highland Hairy Coo. He just celebrated his 18th birthday a few weeks ago, has a girlfriend named Heather, also a Hairy Coo, and she is pregnant and is expected to have a baby hairy coo in the next few weeks. So it has been a busy few months for Hamish. But he was a good sport and let us take pictures of him and he was more than happy to let us feed him.

Hamish

Then we headed towards Loch Katrine, which was very pretty. I kind of wish we had more time there to walk along, hike up, and explore this Loch a little more, but oh well. I can do that with the family when they come (only 60 more days!). Anyways, like I was saying it had some great views and the pictures we took don't do its justice. Our journey continued up to a few other Lochs were we had the opportunity to see some more Hairy Coo's, as Donald says there is no such thing as seeing too many coos, see some more views of the mountains and take some pictures. It was really cool to see this part of Scotland. Most people don't know about the Highlands and how pretty they are, so getting the opportunity to see just a few Lochs was pretty awesome. The tour took one more stop to have a quick break, use the toilets (yes toilets, not bathroom or restroom), get something quick to eat, or what I used the time for, stretching your legs. We then headed back to Edinburgh to end the tour. 

Hairy Coo Hat

Loch Katrine

Haley, Cahrissa, Alexa, and I at Loch Katrina

Pretty sunset off the water

. . . and again

Loch Archy

If you ever have the opportunity to come to Edinburgh and want the chance to see the Highlands, I would recommend The Hairy Coo Tours. Donald was a great tour guide, he talked the whole time, but it wasn't annoying. He knew so much about Scotland (more than I even know about Farmington), he explained the history of Scotland and the different Kings or Queens. He had a few jokes and told some good stories of his other tours. Overall, it was a good day and a lot of fun.  

 

SUPERBOWL...in Scotland?!

Alexa, Cahrissa, Haley, Katie, and me at the Sports Pub

Well even though the Giants didn't make it to the Superbowl and I am not really a fan of the Packers or Steelers, I was still looking forward to watching the Superbowl in Edinburgh and seeing how Scottish people react to this wonderful game.

On Sunday night around 10, we headed to the Sports pub on campus to have a few pints and actually watch American football for the first time since we left to come here. The pub was full of either a. Americans who were actually interested in the game, b. Scots who came to drink and enjoy watching some sort of sports, or c. really drunk people and/or girls who had no idea what was going on; so really your typical pub/bar. We found some seats, settled in, and waited for an hour and a half until the game started. Once it did, I felt like I was at home. There would be all this chatter and then once someone made a good play, people would stand up and start cheering. However, we were told they would be live streaming the broadcast, and so we would be able to see the commercials, which is the best part of the Superbowl, but within 5 minutes we realized we were not told the right thing. So instead of watching the commercials (which I ended up watching Monday) we had to listen to three men make some stupid comments about the game, while the commercials were airing in the States. 

The game ended around 3 and I came back to my room to sleep for a few hours before I would have to get up and go to some ridiculous Biblical class. I would say that I enjoyed watching the game here, but I would much preferred watching it in my room back at school in my comfy clothes. Oh well, it never hurts to do something different once in awhile!

Only 6 more weeks of classes left (thank heaven!); but I am stressing hard core. When you are abroad, you shouldn't be stressing, so I would like to thank the Uni and RWU for making my life miserable this week.

Keep the time moving!

Are you Chelsey?

I LOVE America!

Probably the greatest question I have been asked since coming here. I got back from class, started editing my paper like a good student and heard a knock at the door. When I answered, and saw who was standing there I became the happiest person! Receiving mail is always exciting, but a package is even better especially when filled with food they don't have in Scotland.

The UPS men asked so nicely if I was Chelsey and to sign, well I was so excited to see my package on the ground that I could barely sign my name. He had to ask me what my last name was just to clarify!

So instead of coming back and finishing editing my paper, I ripped opened the box to see all of this WONDERFUL food starring me in the face. The sight of yummy food, well actually snacks in this case, can really make a day so much better. The only way I can describe to you my excitement is to say I instantly went on Facebook to update my status as "Just got the best care package in the world!!!". The even sadder part about not only updating my status to let everyone know how excited I am to have gotten this, within five minutes five different people "liked" my status, each of them either being abroad now or have already been abroad. Obviously care packages are a BIG deal and very EXCITING to get.

After a lot of thought and counting I have come to realize if I have one of everything once a week, I will have enough to get me through the semester. Hmm, so what should be my first American snack for the day? So many choices, I just don't know what to pick!

Thank you Dad and Mom!

First and Goal

So who would have thought that in this past month, I would have packed my life away into two suitcases, gotten on the airplane without crying, arrived in a unknown city, become comfortable, seen the oldest golf course, gone to London, wrote almost two essays, while Connecticut is getting absolutely pummeled with snow! In the past four weeks, which have probably been the LONGEST four weeks of my life (that I can remember), I have made the biggest transition in my life and I love it. I have adapted to "city" life and being with Scottish people, who are just so nice and are always willing to help. I am so happy that I chose to not only study abroad, but to also come to Edinburgh. Words can't describe how awesome this city really is and how much I learn about it each day.

I have gotten into a routine of classes, lunch, gym, shower and work, but instead of work I skype with a few people, play a few games of Rummikub, and then go make dinner with the girls. This lovely routine makes the days go by faster, which ultimately makes the week go by faster. It was the best feeling in the world to cross out all the days in January and flip the calender over to March...I had a little celebration in my room when I was doing this.

I have been skyping with my parents almost every day. We have started to skype each other when they are making dinner. So its like I am actually sitting at the counter watching them make food. Yesterday, I skyped with mom when she was making cookies. I think the only reason why she did it though was to have someone remind her when the beeper goes off on the microwave to actually take out the cookies. I LOVE skype, without it I am pretty sure I wouldn't be able to handle being abroad. It is a nice feeling to see my house and the furniture; it keeps reminding me that home never changes really.

Only four more months to go, three until my family comes, two until classes are over and one until we get to the best month ever...MARCH!

I just have to keep saying to myself:
"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can"
The Little Engine that Could understands exactly what I am talking about!