Cheers from Glasgow!!

Geez! What a jerk I've been! I can't believe it’s been nearly 10 days since my last post! I hope you all have somehow managed without word from me.

One thing you should all be happy about, I've begun posting pictures from my trip! WOOHOO!! It’s all on my facebook account so if you don't have one, you will either have to make one and friend me or have someone else who is fb friends with me to show you them. They are quite glorious (well, not all) but it will give you a little taste of what I've been up to over the past month.

Anyways, I'm now in Glasgow, Scotland and I've been here for 5 days now. It’s been terrific. Eleanor (Mrs. McLean) has taken me in as one of her own and I've enjoyed the splendors of home-cooked food, a nice, BIG, warm bed and a hot shower. Not to mention the fact that I've had loads of fun doing and assortment of things here!

I was overly happy to see Scott waiting for me at the station. I thought I was lucky because the heavy snow had hit 2 days prior so my train would not be affected. A bit surprised I was when the conductor started sending people off to other stations because our overhead lines were messed up only to find ourselves departing moments later without warning! I was barely given time to contemplate my decision but I bet the loads of people who got off were ticked to see it speeding away. Anyways, all in all I was 70 minutes late (which after 2 years of not seeing Scott, wasn't much) but nonetheless I was happy to see him.

I spent the next day wandering around some cathedrals and museums (religious art) in Glasgow before having lunch and spending the afternoon window shopping. Okay, truth is, I didn't just window shop, I actually bought a jacket--and a splendid jacket at that. It was only £15 so I couldn't even feel bad at the price since it was leather! If anything, I only feel guilty because I am not sure I have any room to pack it. I'll just have to go travelling wearing two jackets all the time. haha. I also managed to stumble across a thrift store, at which my excitement flared. I had been missing the lack of intellectual stimulation I have had while travelling and I managed to find 3 books at just 75 pence each. The three include The Life of Pi, The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe, and of course, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. J These made me very happy and complete.

The following day, Scott and I went to Edinburgh. We walked the Royal Mile and visited the castle as well as the palace and parliament and the works. It’s quite a beautiful city and there is always a good vantage point regardless of which end of town you are on. We went out that evening, Scott, Laura (his wonderful sister,) and I to a bar downtown. Keith even met up with us (McGregor—from Clemson!) and I was thrilled to see his and have that connection. I am hoping to be afforded the opportunity to see him again before I leave.

Saturday, we headed to a football match. It was wicked cold, and the opponents weren’t the most skilled, but I loved watching every minutes of the Celtics victory. It was brilliant, and made me miss playing soccer a bit too much. I'm fairly confident that my toes were actually colder (as in numb and unable to be felt) as we walked to the car (Scott, his father, and myself) despite the fact that I was exerting energy and moving rather than sitting balled up in a cold, plastic chair. The wind whipped all around and I was quite glad to regain feeling in my extremities.

In Scotland, 18 is the legal drinking age so it’s quite a fuss when one turns 18. I was privileged enough at attend Scott's "wee cousin's" party that night. Let's just say that despite the fact that my family is an exceptionally boisterous American family, I'm not sure I could have been prepared for what I faced that evening. On top of the volume, everyone was speaking with, of course, a Scottish accent which is actually more difficult to understand than you would imagine! Seriously, I am astounding by the fact that it’s English but I still have to concentrate to understand what is being said and sometimes I just nod along in agreement without a clue of what was actually said.

So I spent the evening chatting with Scott's family and watching as everyone gave a shot on the karaoke machine, or maybe two or three. I received several questions about how long Scott and I had been dating and even some asking whose child I was. Funny stuff. It was nearly 3 when we arrived home and I stayed up a bit later just writing to myself. (I've also recently posted loads of stuff I've written while on the road.)

Sunday was a lazy day. Scott was busy doing group work so Laura was placed in charge of entertaining me. So the two of us, as well as Eleanor, went to Scott's gran's for sandwiches and tea (a necessity) and drove around the countryside. The snow was beginning to fall quite heavily at this point so we headed back for some hot chocolate and biscuits--quite delicious and perfect given the weather.

Because of the masses of snow that had accumulated (to my great enjoyment!) overnight, I went out today to play! I made a massive snowman (pictures to be posted soon!) and had loads of fun. It was an even lazier day and I just spend my time relaxing, reading, and enjoying the rest. (Also, posting the loads of pictures I'm hoping everyone is thrilled over.)

So I have 2 days remaining prior to heading back to London and then off to Dublin. I am quite thankful of all the comforts I have had here and though I look forward to visiting another city, I will still quite miss being with the McLean’s.
So until you hear from me again, check out the pictures and new posts I’ve had to my facebook. If you have any questions, please feel free to shoot me an e-mail, as I’ve had surprisingly few since I’ve been here. I miss you all greatly and look forward to seeing your beautiful selves again one day.