Last week was Innovative Learning Week, in which there are no required courses. Lectures are held to attend out of interest, or further examination into one's studies (hence innovative learning!) but basically, it's just a week off for the Edinburgh students to travel, catch up on sleep, and write midterm papers.
Yes, Innovative Learning Week is week six. Week six is the half-way mark.
That's absolutely nuts.
As it finally sunk in that the semester is halfway through, I began thinking about how much has happened in these past six weeks. It feels as if I arrived in Edinburgh a year ago, yet at the same time it feels as if I still have a full semester left to spend, here.
Being abroad is truly an incredible experience; everything happens in accelerated mode: coursework, making friends, spontaneous traveling.
I can't believe the knowledge I've gained, the friends I've made, experiences I've had, the growing up I've done.. in only six weeks!
Thinking about the way Edinburgh felt when I first arrived: the way the city felt huge, and now it's familiar. The way I felt alone, and now I have friends to greet me on any street I walk down. The way I felt young and inexperienced, and now I feel as if I can take on anything.
My parents are coming to visit at the end of the month, and I am greatly anxious to see them. It's been wonderful to study at the University of Edinburgh, but it makes me sad to think that I can't share this experience with anyone from home. I'm hopeful that my parents will get a real feel for the city. And I'm proud to say I can be the one to properly show them around.
I'm amused by the thought of a shrinking city. Even in Oslo, which we were only in for two days, the city felt so much smaller and more familiar upon leaving it.
It's incredible now to look back on the streets in Edinburgh that I first remember passing, the landmarks I remember seeing, and the "ends of the city" which I was so convinced I had reached. In reality, everything is in very close proximity to one another, and I was never far from where I needed to be.
One of the greatest wonders I've found about being in Scotland is that nothing gets old. I know, a semester abroad: of course I'm going to appreciate everything I experience. But in Ames, at this point, when things became familiar they also became boring. I was less amused by the community.
Everything in Edinburgh is still just as exciting and fantastic as it was when I first arrived.
I hope that I can change my perspective when I return, and find things to appreciate in Ames or Medina everyday. It's such an uplifting outlook, to experience a city in this way.
My challenge for you is to imagine that you are abroad, and the things around you are new and peculiar. Force yourself to re-examine the things you might find banal, and appreciate them again.
Perhaps you can discover something new about your old city, and perhaps you can find a new eagerness in your experiences.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Oslo
Seven of my friends and I went to Oslo, Norway on Monday.
So let me tell you about the best city I've ever been to.
We arrived late to Oslo, and had to take an hour long bus ride to the city center. Immediately, I was psyched to be in Norway. But our priorities were in finding our flat.
For dinner, we had ramen, and we played card games and had drinks to celebrate our arrival. Then we were off to bed, to prepare for our 7:00 wake-up time.
Hayden, who was the one to initially suggest we go to Oslo, set up a detailed itinerary for the three days of our stay. He put in a lot of work, and it was much appreciated. The two days were filled with all we could have wanted to do, and all we could have wanted to see.
The first morning there, as we stepped outside to start our adventures, I could immediately feel how crisp the air was. The entire day was gorgeous and sunny; since there was minimal wind, it felt much warmer than Edinburgh.
Everything about the city was wonderful, and we got some incredible views.
We went to plenty of museums (including the Viking Museum), the National Gallery, Akershus Fortress, the Nobel Peace Center, and (probably my favorite) the Holmenkollen ski jump. We also did some aimless walking and explored the city. This trip was worth every penny (and that's saying something, considering how expensive everything is in Norway).
I can honestly say that Oslo is one of the greatest cities I've ever visited.
One thing that I appreciated was the smaller city feel, but also being able to take a fifteen minute bus to the mountains, where it felt rural and cozy. It was so odd to see people on the bus with ski gear..
I think it's worth saying that this trip was excellent in part due to the city, but also because of the friends I spent time with. There's nothing like finding a good group of people that you will be able to have fun with or relax with: whatever is needed in that moment.
We were pretty good about sticking to the itinerary that Hayden set up for us. We even got a little ahead of ourselves on that first day. We turned in at about 6:00, and most of us took a much needed nap.
It was my friend Angie's birthday that day, so after we rested up, we found ourselves a hole-in-the-wall burger joint (where every burger option also had a veggie alternative!), which was excellent.
We spent the rest of our evening eating a Norwegian dessert, having drinks, playing games, and telling stories.
By the time we finally made it to bed, we were all exhausted. The second day started later (we got out around 9:30) and since we had already done some of the planned items the previous day, we were able to take it easy.
It snowed most of the day, which was beautiful. It was also exciting to have the full spectrum of Norwegian weather, within our two days there. We found a neat marketplace, where we had lunch. We also walked along the river, and marveled at ducks (I know they are just ducks.. but they are Norwegian ducks).
My favorite part of the second day was finding a dog. He came running at us from nowhere, and ran right past us. All the girls squealed, of course, and soon he came running back. He was pretty cautious, but as we started throwing snow chunks into the air, he became friendly and playful. We decided to name the dog Oslo (which is actually a GREAT name for a dog.. think about it).
We spent two very full days in Oslo.
And I am satisfied, but was also extremely sad to leave.
I guess that's just one more reason to return, someday.
So let me tell you about the best city I've ever been to.
We arrived late to Oslo, and had to take an hour long bus ride to the city center. Immediately, I was psyched to be in Norway. But our priorities were in finding our flat.
For dinner, we had ramen, and we played card games and had drinks to celebrate our arrival. Then we were off to bed, to prepare for our 7:00 wake-up time.
Hayden, who was the one to initially suggest we go to Oslo, set up a detailed itinerary for the three days of our stay. He put in a lot of work, and it was much appreciated. The two days were filled with all we could have wanted to do, and all we could have wanted to see.
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| Hayden, our fearless leader. |
Everything about the city was wonderful, and we got some incredible views.
We went to plenty of museums (including the Viking Museum), the National Gallery, Akershus Fortress, the Nobel Peace Center, and (probably my favorite) the Holmenkollen ski jump. We also did some aimless walking and explored the city. This trip was worth every penny (and that's saying something, considering how expensive everything is in Norway).
 |
| View from the top of the Holmenkollen |
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| Holmenkollen |
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| View of the City Centre |
One thing that I appreciated was the smaller city feel, but also being able to take a fifteen minute bus to the mountains, where it felt rural and cozy. It was so odd to see people on the bus with ski gear..
I think it's worth saying that this trip was excellent in part due to the city, but also because of the friends I spent time with. There's nothing like finding a good group of people that you will be able to have fun with or relax with: whatever is needed in that moment.
 |
| Me, Hayden, Zubin, Nolan, Angie, Lindsay, Rentao, and Christine |
It was my friend Angie's birthday that day, so after we rested up, we found ourselves a hole-in-the-wall burger joint (where every burger option also had a veggie alternative!), which was excellent.
We spent the rest of our evening eating a Norwegian dessert, having drinks, playing games, and telling stories.
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| The birthday girl with her cake, candle, and of course a Birthday Shot! |
By the time we finally made it to bed, we were all exhausted. The second day started later (we got out around 9:30) and since we had already done some of the planned items the previous day, we were able to take it easy.
It snowed most of the day, which was beautiful. It was also exciting to have the full spectrum of Norwegian weather, within our two days there. We found a neat marketplace, where we had lunch. We also walked along the river, and marveled at ducks (I know they are just ducks.. but they are Norwegian ducks).
My favorite part of the second day was finding a dog. He came running at us from nowhere, and ran right past us. All the girls squealed, of course, and soon he came running back. He was pretty cautious, but as we started throwing snow chunks into the air, he became friendly and playful. We decided to name the dog Oslo (which is actually a GREAT name for a dog.. think about it).
We spent two very full days in Oslo.
And I am satisfied, but was also extremely sad to leave.
I guess that's just one more reason to return, someday.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
London
A day and a half in London isn't nearly enough.
We left at 10:30 pm on a bus, Friday night. Imagine the worst night of sleep you've ever gotten, then imagine it while being surrounded by fifty sniffling/talking/snoring people: that's what it was like trying to "sleep" on the bus.
So when we arrived at 8:00 in the morning.. I was not ready to take on London.
My friends Tayllor and Shannon were on the trip as well, so I stuck with them for the weekend.
We first found a place to eat and get coffee. We spent most of the morning there, until we had a tour of London at noon.
The tour was great, because it hit on all the main sightseeing places.. but we did move a little too quickly for me to really soak it all in (I didn't even get many pictures).
When the tour was over, we were exhausted. So we went back to the hostel to take a quick nap before dinner. We ate at a nice Italian restaurant, which was a little pricey, but absolutely delicious.
Then Shannon was off to the Apollo to see Wicked (which she didn't end up making it to, we later found out, due to a sketchy taxi service.. we're just glad she ended up being safe!).
Tayllor and I, meanwhile, spent about three hours looking for a souvenir. We tried breaking it down to a science, and ended up over-analysing the process. Is it too obvious? Do I want it to be subtle? Does it represent my two days here? Does it seem like I was here for longer than two days? Is it the right size?
We finally just went into the mall and did mindless wandering, and also searched for a cookie for about thirty minutes. I don't know what made us crave a cookie suddenly, but let me warn you: there is no where in London to get a cookie late at night.
The next day we went to Harrods (which is incredible, and ridiculous). This is where I ended up getting my souvenir (a Harrod's bunny, one of the few items I could afford in that store!) I also bought some Ladurée's macarons.
But Harrods is as insane as you would think it to be. We found a pair of mint-coloured leather pants. Guess the price..?
Then we found Sherlock's door (from the series) which is sadly not labeled with 221b Baker Street, but we were guaranteed it is the actual door that's used while filming. It was pretty neat.
Then it was time to eat, and go home. Luckily we were on a train for the ride back, and luckily it wasn't a night train.
Even though I feel as if I didn't do much (or at least didn't do all I would have wanted to do in London) I was exhausted returning home. And tomorrow I have to get up and prepare to go to Oslo, Norway.
But I shall return to London, someday. I hope to spend a week there, next time. Seriously, a day and a half in London isn't nearly enough.
We left at 10:30 pm on a bus, Friday night. Imagine the worst night of sleep you've ever gotten, then imagine it while being surrounded by fifty sniffling/talking/snoring people: that's what it was like trying to "sleep" on the bus.
So when we arrived at 8:00 in the morning.. I was not ready to take on London.
My friends Tayllor and Shannon were on the trip as well, so I stuck with them for the weekend.
We first found a place to eat and get coffee. We spent most of the morning there, until we had a tour of London at noon.
The tour was great, because it hit on all the main sightseeing places.. but we did move a little too quickly for me to really soak it all in (I didn't even get many pictures).
Then Shannon was off to the Apollo to see Wicked (which she didn't end up making it to, we later found out, due to a sketchy taxi service.. we're just glad she ended up being safe!).
Tayllor and I, meanwhile, spent about three hours looking for a souvenir. We tried breaking it down to a science, and ended up over-analysing the process. Is it too obvious? Do I want it to be subtle? Does it represent my two days here? Does it seem like I was here for longer than two days? Is it the right size?
We finally just went into the mall and did mindless wandering, and also searched for a cookie for about thirty minutes. I don't know what made us crave a cookie suddenly, but let me warn you: there is no where in London to get a cookie late at night.
The next day we went to Harrods (which is incredible, and ridiculous). This is where I ended up getting my souvenir (a Harrod's bunny, one of the few items I could afford in that store!) I also bought some Ladurée's macarons.
But Harrods is as insane as you would think it to be. We found a pair of mint-coloured leather pants. Guess the price..?
Then we found Sherlock's door (from the series) which is sadly not labeled with 221b Baker Street, but we were guaranteed it is the actual door that's used while filming. It was pretty neat.
Then it was time to eat, and go home. Luckily we were on a train for the ride back, and luckily it wasn't a night train.
Even though I feel as if I didn't do much (or at least didn't do all I would have wanted to do in London) I was exhausted returning home. And tomorrow I have to get up and prepare to go to Oslo, Norway.
But I shall return to London, someday. I hope to spend a week there, next time. Seriously, a day and a half in London isn't nearly enough.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Galentine's
I'm going to London tomorrow, with my friend Tayllor.
So we decided that all the ladies in our friend group would celebrate Galentine's a day early.
We prepped yesterday by purchasing roses, champagne, chocolate and strawberries, and ingredients to make chocolate chip cookies.
We all arrived at Christine's flat around 7:00 with no makeup on, and wearing our pajamas. Then we started making the cookies, and melting chocolate.
Once the snacks were ready, we turned the lights off and watched The Parent Trap. Our glasses filled with champagne, we sipped and snacked while watching our chick flick.
Next, we played music, and sang karaoke (really poorly, might I add).
We ended up getting a noise complaint, so after that we decided it was time for toasts and talking.
We all got up and made toasts to each of the girls, after which Christine presented us with a rose.
Then we chatted until we were all sleepy, and went off to bed.
It was simple. It was girly. It was stereotypical.
I loved it.
So we decided that all the ladies in our friend group would celebrate Galentine's a day early.
We prepped yesterday by purchasing roses, champagne, chocolate and strawberries, and ingredients to make chocolate chip cookies.
We all arrived at Christine's flat around 7:00 with no makeup on, and wearing our pajamas. Then we started making the cookies, and melting chocolate.
Once the snacks were ready, we turned the lights off and watched The Parent Trap. Our glasses filled with champagne, we sipped and snacked while watching our chick flick.
Next, we played music, and sang karaoke (really poorly, might I add).
We ended up getting a noise complaint, so after that we decided it was time for toasts and talking.
We all got up and made toasts to each of the girls, after which Christine presented us with a rose.
Then we chatted until we were all sleepy, and went off to bed.
It was simple. It was girly. It was stereotypical.
I loved it.
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Weekend Adventures with Gina and Blair
This weekend Gina and Blair, who are studying in Swansea, Wales, visited!
I was extremely excited to host them, and show them around Edinburgh.
Our weekend consisted of a few planned events (seeing the Edinburgh Castle, climbing Arthur's Seat, doing the Scotch Whiskey Experience tour, and going to The Elephant House), but we also spent plenty of time just walking around and experiencing Edinburgh.
I was finally able to be a tourist, myself, and got plenty of footage of the city!
I was extremely excited to host them, and show them around Edinburgh.
Our weekend consisted of a few planned events (seeing the Edinburgh Castle, climbing Arthur's Seat, doing the Scotch Whiskey Experience tour, and going to The Elephant House), but we also spent plenty of time just walking around and experiencing Edinburgh.
I was finally able to be a tourist, myself, and got plenty of footage of the city!
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| View of Edinburgh from Arthur's Seat |
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| The Elephant House |
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| Street bagpiper |
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| Edinburgh Castle |
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| Scotch Whiskey Experience collection |
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| Arthur's Seat climb |
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| At the top of Arthur's Seat (windy!) |
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Tea, Elephants, and Magic
In case you don't already know, it's the café where J.K. Rowling was first inspired to write the Harry Potter series.
I'm not surprised; I experienced a great view of the Edinburgh Castle from the window.
Although there is plenty to say about the atmosphere, the delicious teas and desserts, and the very consistent elephant theme.. I think my favorite part about The Elephant Hosue was seeing the bathroom.
Graffiti'd all over the walls are notes to J.K. Rowling, and other Harry Potter related phrases. As we've already established, I'm no die-hard fan, but it was really neat to see, regardless.
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| Bathroom mirror selfie.. not something I'd usually do, but this one seemed justified |
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Durham
This past Saturday, my friends and I spent the day in Durham, England.
It was a three hour bus ride each way, on which we found ways to entertain ourselves:
sleeping, music, eating biscuits, picnic game..
Once in Durham, we immediately decided coffee was the priority. I was glad for this decision, but as it turned out, our pit stop for coffee stalled us past getting tickets for visiting the castle. This was a disappointment, but we were still able to make it to the cathedral (absolutely gorgeous, might I add!) and we wandered around the city on a beautiful sunny day. So all was well.
Part of the cathedral is where Harry Potter scenes had been filmed. I'm no HP fanatic, but I had an overwhelming sense of excitement upon walking out into the hallways. Maybe you recognise some of it?
The cathedral was beautiful, and we learned a lot about St. Cuthburt and the history behind it all. It's quite interesting, if you feel compelled to look into it!
After that, we got lunch at La Spagettata (we were all STARVING). This took up a large chunk of our afternoon, the rest of which we spent exploring and shopping.
I had a great time with my friends, and Durham was an excellent place to spend my Saturday. We even found out where The Muffin Man lives!
This upcoming weekend, Gina and her friend Blair are going to visit. I'm stoked to see her, and it will be a fun weekend where I can shamelessly act like a tourist and get photos of Edinburgh.
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