tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34770134829268658072024-03-13T13:09:24.848+00:00Tainted SaintsGrad student, American expat, food, photos, and... well, anything else.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-62197195523314154962011-05-27T20:30:00.001+01:002011-06-03T20:37:26.745+01:00Dim the LightsI've desperately missed having a television. I hadn't realized how often I turned it on for background while cooking or puttering around until I didn't have one anymore. Unfortunately, my limited bank account didn't offer up the funds for both a new television and the tv license here (seriously, I still don't understand why I have to purchase a license in addition to the tv here just to watch...).<br />
<br />
Which means, I have to stream it. Or find more creative ways of getting my television that only involves me and my laptop. Or a friend's laptop, if there are more than one of us since I have a small screen on mine. <br />
<br />
<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/052711-01.jpg"><br />
<i>The poor grad student's home theatre.</i></center><br />
<br />
Luckily, the internet provides options not just for shows where I am (how much do I love <i>Doctor Who</i>? I'm still hoping to walk down the street and find a TARDIS chilling somewhere) but also for shows I miss at home. Such as <i>Justified</i>, which my friend Sarah and I make an event out of. <br />
<br />
Well, as much of an event as you can make out of such an... impressive... home theatre system...Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-92091633037124847342011-05-24T11:56:00.001+01:002011-05-24T18:34:39.239+01:00When in Doubt, Add Butter. And Bacon.<i>All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast. <br />
~John Gunther</i><br />
<br />
I'm not a breakfast person.<br />
<br />
I take that back -- I love breakfast, but I am a confirmed night owl and I just am rarely up early enough to make a difference between breakfast and lunch. And I'm not usually hungry right after I wake up, so maximizing sleep before rushing out the door to work when I was working make breakfast near an impossibility. <br />
<br />
But today, today I celebrate. For the past few weeks, I've had the darnedest time sleeping. When I get stressed, sleep eludes me, and then I'm up in the middle of the night and it's so quiet and calm, it's a shame to waste that island of calm in the middle of the storm with sleep, so everything gets off kilter and I feel even worse. And I don't get hungry. So sleep and hunger goes... not a sustainable method of living, huh?<br />
<br />
But last night, I slept. 7.5 hours of blissful sleep -- while it was dark. At a normal sleep time. Of course, that means I woke up at 6:30 this morning, which oy, who's up at 6:30? My flatmate, but I digress. On the other hand, we have such thin walls, and she has such a pleasant alarm...<br />
<br />
But I was up after sleeping and I decided -- I want breakfast. But not cold cereal and milk 'borrowed' from my flatmates. No, I want <i>breakfast</i>.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/052411-01.jpg"></center><br />
<br />
I want eggs cooked in real butter. I want bacon cooked to crispy -- or as close as I can get to crispy with the thicker cut bacon here. Seriously, streaky bacon is close to American bacon, but still cut too thick. And I want grits, that lovely taste of home. A croissant to mop up the runny egg and a delivery system for more butter.<br />
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Oh, and tea with a splash of milk. Hey, I'm in the UK -- I've developed a few British habits after all.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-74645869795724865732011-05-18T08:31:00.001+01:002011-05-18T08:32:33.728+01:0050 Questions Meme, Part 4Next installment of the <a href="http://taintedsaints.blogspot.com/p/50-questions.html">50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind</a> (questions 10-13)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?</span><br />
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<b>10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?</b><br />
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I go back and forth with this, because you'd hope that they were the same thing but they rarely ever are. I'd probably lean towards being more worried about doing the right things, because there are a dozen different ways to do things 'the right way' and get the same result. <br />
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<b>11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?</b><br />
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Oh, I've had this happen before. The only way I've found to deal with this is a dose of 'Oh, I've found 'Shirley' to be quite different than that'. Not that that usually stops the bashing, but at least I wasn't a part of it. <br />
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<b>12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?</b><br />
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Life sucks. In general, life sucks. You have to do things you don't want to do, you have to be friendly with people you don't care for, listen to bosses who know less about your job than you do, you'll have teachers who will play favorites, kids won't want to play on the playground with you because of silly reasons, and there are people who are just generally mean as vipers for no good reason. You will have heartache and heartbreak and sadness and loneliness regardless. That's just life. <br />
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But. And there's always a but. But if you find a few people who are trustworthy (and you will find a couple, I promise) let them hold on to a piece of your heart. You don't have to be the belle of the ball, you don't have to have the most friends, or the most powerful friends, or the coolest friends -- this isn't the standard you should hold yourself to. Find a few people who you can trust, and let them hold a piece of your heart, be they friends/family/or lovers. A burden shared is easier. And when it comes time that you face that inevitable heartache and heartbreak and sadness and loneliness you'll know that some small part of you in protected from it because someone else is holding it. And they can and will help you get back.<br />
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<b>13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?</b><br />
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Yes. People mean more than laws. Easily.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-69934988980588546022011-05-06T17:00:00.004+01:002011-05-07T01:40:44.350+01:00Rehersals<i>Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. <br />
~Berthold Auerbach</i><br />
<br />
The St Andrews Chorus is a lovely refuge on Friday nights. No matter how bad or stressful or long the week has been, Friday night I get to sing. And I've realized it's something my soul desperately needs. <br />
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And many times I'll wonder what would've happened and what direction I would've gone if I'd studied music and tried to go professional. Different roads and all.<br />
<br />
But this semester we are doing Elgar's <i>The Dream of Gerontius</i>. It's rare that we come on a piece that I haven't at least heard of in passing, but this was a new one on me. And I've determined from the recordings that I've been able to find that it's much more popular in Britain and Australia as a performance piece than in the US. Which is a shame -- the work is intricate and powerful and one that is worth a listen if people get the chance. <br />
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<i>Break in Younger Hall, waiting for the rehearsal to start back up.</i></center><br />
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And tomorrow we'll perform it. Saturday afternoon is blocked off for the dress rehearsal and Saturday night is performance. <br />
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I love performance.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-60350469870259374932011-05-05T23:30:00.002+01:002011-05-06T03:46:43.322+01:00Cinco de MayoOne of the banes of my existence has been the lack of good Mexican food here in St Andrews. And I feel like I can use that to speak for the UK in general. If you want Indian, the UK is great. Apparently Mexico is too far away (and what with it never being colonized by the Brits) to get good (or even adequate) Mexican food here.<br />
<br />
But, with it being Cinco de Mayo, the most American of Mexican holidays, many of us here take it upon ourselves to do the best we can and recreate the flavors so many of us Americans are craving. <br />
<br />
It's funny what you miss when you're half way around the world, isn't it?<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/050511-01.jpg"><br />
<i>Sarah and Kate making food. Mmm, homemade guacamole...</i><br />
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<i>Guacamole, nachos, shrimp, black beans that were finishing up on the stove so not in the picture, and the always classic Cinco de Mayo staple -- Corona. The classiest of beers.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/050511-03.jpg"><br />
<i>The bright idea to make churros. It's apparently a three person job to fill the ziploc aka piping bag.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/050511-04.jpg"><br />
<i>They didn't come out quite churro shaped... but still tasty.</i></center><br />
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I could've eaten an entire bowl of Kate's guacamole. Seriously, just give me a spoon and I'd be set. <br />
<br />
Actually, maybe I should just make that for dinner tomorrow night. No shame in doing that if no one's watching, right?Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-27461454115426919832011-05-03T13:39:00.000+01:002011-05-03T13:39:14.148+01:00May DipOne of the traditions here at St Andrews is the May Dip. At dawn on the morning of 1 May, students gather on a beach and run out into the North Sea. They've usually stayed up the night before, bonfires on the beach, and then stripping down and running into very cold water. <br />
<br />
Some say it's in honour of John Honey who over a hundred years ago dove into the sea to rescue five persons who would've drowned after their boat capsized out at sea. Others say that it's the only way to remove the curse placed on undergrads if they step on the cursed PH stones on North Street. Others just think that it's a really good idea.<br />
<br />
My intention was to stay up to do it. The reality was that I had climbed a mountain the day before and I was TIRED. <br />
<br />
So, instead of 4:30am when everyone else was doing it, my friend Kate and I decided to wait till the more sane hour of 7am to go down to East Sands and walk into the sea. Sure, it wasn't technically right, but... sleep was good.<br />
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<i>North Sea from East Sands on May Day.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/050111-02.jpg"><br />
<i>Looking out towards the town and the Fife Coastal Path.</i></center><br />
<br />
And honestly, I think this view was better. The sun was brilliant overhead, even at 7am. It amazes me how early the sun rises here now that we're on summer time. The water sparkled like crystal, the beach was empty save for the few other people who were doing the same thing we were, and we got the experience of the North Sea in May.<br />
<br />
Which, if you couldn't guess, is... COLD. Seriously, there needs to be a better word than cold because it was further than cold. And I've been polar bearing in the Chesapeake Bay in December. That was cold. This was COLD. I got into the water up to mid-calf before the cold burned so much that I had to get out. I don't know how some of my friends dove in head first at 4am, although I'm gathering that alcohol, lack of sleep, and peer pressure all played pretty significant roles in that decision.<br />
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Me? I think I'll appreciate the uncrowded beach and the sunshine in my own version of the tradition.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-2212809273484712242011-04-30T23:30:00.006+01:002011-05-03T02:30:19.413+01:00Breakaway: SchiehallionIt's amazing how quickly this year has gone by. I hadn't realized just how quickly it was going until I realized that this was going to be my last trip with Breakaway -- really? The last one already?<br />
<br />
Usually we split into three or four groups to go on differing level walks (from low level strolls focusing more on distance to high levels helping people bag munros). For our last walk, we all do the same one and reach the top together. Well, together within 10 or so minutes of each other -- someone has to bring up the caboose and I'll be honest, that seems to be my coveted position many days! But that's okay -- slow and steady, right? I'm usually much more of a distance person than a height person, but I'll accept the challenge.<br />
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For the last walk, the tradition is to scale Schiehallion, a munro in Perth and Kinross, because while challenging, it can be done by people of varying skill and it's a straightforward walk so almost no chance of someone getting lost if they fall behind.<br />
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A munro is a mountain in Scotland over 3000ft (914.4m). There are 283 munros in Scotland and they are named after Sir Hugo Munro, who first cataloged them. It's a popular goal for hikers to 'bag' or climb all the munros in Scotland. <br />
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Schiehallion is a munro at 3547ft (1083m).<br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/043011-02.jpg"></center><br />
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Schiehallion is located in the area of Perth and Kinross and is considered the centre of Scotland, as well as holding its own place in history:<br />
<blockquote>Schiehallion's symmetrical shape earned it a place in scientific history and discovery in the late 18th century. In 1774 the Rev Neville Maskelyne, Astronomer Royal, camped out there collecting data, with the aid of a plumb line and the stars, on the gravitational pull of the mountain. 237 measurements were taken from two stations, still discernible, on the N and S of the hill. The calculated weight of the earth was substantially correct. At the end of the season a highly successful party was held in which the surveyors' bothy burned down! Charles Hutton, during his work on the survey data, devised the concept of contour lines, so important for modern hillwalkers.<br />
<br />
--From the John Muir Trust website, maintainers of East Schiehallion</blockquote><br />
<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/043011-03.jpg"><br />
<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/043011-04.jpg"><br />
<i>Halfway up Schiehallion, overlooking Loch Rannoch and Rannoch Moor. And about the place where I'm wondering what the hell I've gotten myself into climbing this thing.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/043011-05.jpg"><br />
<i>It's like climbing a giant cairn, it's so rocky. But I'm within sight of the top... I think. Each time I thought I was, I'd crest the peak and oh look, another stretch to go. It was a tease.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/043011-06.jpg"><br />
<i>But good things come to those who persevere! From the summit of Schiehallion, and my first officially bagged munro.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/043011-07.jpg"><br />
<i>Coming down seemed even steeper than going up, but instead of rocks we get an entire mountainside of heather. In about a month, this entire view will be purple.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/043011-08.jpg"><br />
<i>As the last official Breakaway walk of the year, we set up camp in a sheep pasture to cook out. And I know that I should be concerned while eating lamb burgers in a sheep pasture but... I'm secure in my place on the food chain. And lamb burgers are delicious.</i></center><br />
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From there it was another 5km down the road into the next town, Kinloch Rannoch, where the bus was picking us up. By that point we were all exhausted, and I was thankful that I'd been able to borrow some sun block from one of the other girls -- with that much sunshine, and as the first really sunny walk of the year, there were more than a few splashes of red on people's faces. And I've got a stripe of red on the back of my neck from where I didn't quite get the most sunblock. <br />
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It's odd to think that was my last walk with the group. I started out the year popping into the general informational meeting because it sounded interesting and hiking was never something I'd really done before (other than the one odd hill in Iceland and meandering a bit outside back home). It sounded new and a good excuse to see more of Scotland. Turns out that fresh air is really good for my soul, and while claiming my one bagged munro isn't that impressive in the grand scheme of hillwalkers, it's a big deal for this hiking newbie. And I'm going to wear it with pride.<br />
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And now I want to do another one.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-3391273761523127462011-04-29T17:54:00.001+01:002011-04-30T01:25:01.975+01:00Happy Wedding Day, Wills and KateHappy Wedding Day for the Royalists out there, and Happy Extra Day Off for Your May Day Weekend for the Republicans.<br />
<br />
I went over to Rachel's to watch the wedding with her flatmate Sorcha and a couple other of their friends. Man, I miss having a television. But considering my other option was to stream it on my laptop (since I didn't get a ticket to the breakfast going on in St Salvator's Quad), I'll walk the 20 minutes to their flat. <br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/042911-01.jpg"><br />
<i>Wills whispering to his bride, 'You look beautiful'.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/042911-08.jpg"><br />
<i>Walking out of Westminster Abbey.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/042911-02.jpg"><br />
<i>First official kiss for TRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.</i></center><br />
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Of course, as if there was any doubt, the whole thing was beautiful (well, except for Princess Beatrice's hat/headpiece -- what on earth was that antler looking thing?) Her dress was gorgeous -- how much did I love those lace sleeves? -- and the best part was they actually seemed to be happy. They seemed to genuinely both want to be there, and genuinely happy to be there with each other. Which I think comes from them waiting, getting to know each other, being older than 20... You know, silly little things like that. <br />
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And as one of the significant locals in their love story, St Andrews was once again swamped with press. And with 6,000 people vying for the 1,500 breakfast seats to watch the livestream of the wedding on the big screen in the quad, after 1pm, they opened up the quad to everyone in town to come, listen to pipers, mingle and enjoy a beautiful day.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/042911-03.jpg"><br />
<i>Mingling in the Quad.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/042911-04.jpg"><br />
<i>Students and townspeople decked out in their tiaras, Union Jacks, and other assorted finery to pose for the cameras of the various news stations alternating broadcasts.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/042911-05.jpg"><br />
<i>I somehow ended up in the circle for one of the BBC broadcasts with who I was told was one of the Radio One DJs... apparently for an event this big, you pull out all of your BBC employees and put them to work, normally on tv or not!</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/042911-06.jpg"><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/042911-07.jpg"><br />
<i>Masks were also a popular accessory -- one's the real Queen and one's a fake, can you tell which one?</i></center><br />
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As an American, I find the pomp and circumstance entertaining and so distinctly British. There is no direct correlation to something American. If they were celebrities of some ilk, they'd be trying to keep cameras away from their wedding. If they were elected officials, they would probably be too worried about election cycles to do a big wedding, and we more than likely wouldn't care. But here's someone who was given a public role by circumstance of birth, by fate. Americans don't care much for 'fate' -- but we do like a good party, and a good party with British accents, all the better. <br />
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And now the sky is darkening for that rain that's been threatened all week, but at least the festivities went on without a cloud -- at least here in St Andrews. London had a few clouds, but again, at least no rain. <br />
<br />
And to the newlywed couple? I wish you nothing but happiness. Goodness knows your family is due for some.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-34817034361404566662011-04-28T23:30:00.003+01:002011-04-29T01:33:31.686+01:00Sky on FireOne of my favorite things to do (especially when I need to take a breather from whatever is stressing me out at the moment) is to go out and wander around town at sunset. Which, to my delight, is getting later and later as we slowly make our way towards summer. As of right now, sunset is around 8:50pm and quickly making its way later.<br />
<br />
I needed some fresh air, so I made my way down to West Sands, the beach next to the Old Course on the west end of town. Not to be confused with East Sands... unsurprisingly, the beach next to the harbour on the east side of town. <br />
<br />
I like names that make sense.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/042811-01.jpg"><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/042811-02.jpg"><br />
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For anyone who's seen <i>Chariots of Fire</i>, this is the beach where they filmed the beach running scene at the beginning of the movie. I haven't seen the movie, but that's what the little plaque at the end of the road tells me. <br />
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And in celebration of that fact, the town is hosing <a href="http://www.chariots2011.co.uk/">Chariots 2011</a>, a 5K run in May to celebrate both the 30th anniversary of the movie and to raise money for Sue Ryder, a hospice charity. Run along the beach, dress in all white, splash around in the water, and get a t-shirt. <br />
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For some reason, especially as I sit here and stuff my face full of gummy bears from the easter basket my parents sent to me from across the pond, I'm considering doing this. Mainly for the t-shirt. I do love a good t-shirt. It's been a long time since I ran, but it's only 5K. It's a good excuse to get outside and enjoy some sunshine. And did I mention I get a t-shirt?Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-59048338852050930592011-04-27T18:00:00.002+01:002011-04-27T18:07:13.448+01:00Wedding WindowsMan, April has just gone by in a flash. The semester ending and papers and proposals due... ugh, don't even want to think about that for a moment. Why did I want to go back to school, again?<br />
<br />
But, at least I'm in a cute little town that's pulling out all the stops for the weekend. See, there's this small matter of a second bank holiday this Friday celebrating some two crazy kids getting married or something. <br />
<br />
With the Royal Wedding on Friday, the town is basking in its role as part of the love story. And as any small town can attest, you don't let an opportunity to be on the national stage go to waste -- no no, you gussy up to put on your freshest face. <br />
<br />
The merchants' association in town decided to have a little window competition, so most of the store fronts in St Andrews are decorated with their best wedding celebration decorations. You can't walk ten feet without running into Union Jack bunting, or a cut out of the happy couple, or Wills and Kate cupcakes. Which I just think is kind of fun.<br />
<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/042711-05.jpg" /><br />
<i>Clinton Cards, for if you want your own Wills and Kate bunting.</i></center><center><br />
<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/042711-01.jpg" /><br />
<i>Wills and Kate cupcake, anyone? Yes... I'm probably going to buy one. Cause it'll be delicious.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/042711-02.jpg" /><br />
<i>Faremore Interiors, for a more tasteful explosion of Brittania.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/042711-03.jpg" /><br />
<i>Sue Ryder Care charity shop, with its second hand unique celebration pieces.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/042711-04.jpg" /><br />
<i>Waterstones, with all of your Wills and Kate books, including but not limited to paper dolls of the happy couple.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/042711-06.jpg" /><br />
<i>Bonkers, for... well, anything with a Union Jack on it.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/042711-08.jpg" /><br />
<i>Simply Scotland, putting up its best wedding dress flair.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/042711-07.jpg" /><br />
<i>Even the optician is looking forward to the wedding 'spectacle'. I love a pun!</i><br />
</center>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-86189037105450936142011-04-14T23:18:00.002+01:002011-04-27T18:02:42.838+01:00Royal Romance<object width="500" height="305"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JAlnM7RUDcA&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JAlnM7RUDcA&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="500" height="305"></embed></object><br />
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This has been going around my Facebook, and it just makes me smile. It's the male a cappella group here at St Andrews, The Other Guys, and their parody of Lady Gaga's 'Bad Romance' in honor of a certain soon-to-be-royal alumna. <br />
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One, I'm a sucker for well-sung a capella. Two, it's witty. Three, if you've never been to St Andrews, you can see the pretty ancient little town I call home at the moment.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-75523305983129263692011-04-10T17:00:00.001+01:002011-04-13T01:45:38.061+01:00Vacation's Over<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/041011-01.jpg"></center><br />
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Chris-Anne hopped the bus back to Edinburgh this afternoon. Her flight back to the States is at 7am tomorrow morning, so it made more sense for her to stay in Edinburgh tonight than to try and figure out how to get out of St Andrews at 4am. Something about liking sleep... I know, crazy. <br />
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So her pallet is rolled up, blankets are folded, and her little nest is gone. The floor is clear again and I don't have to worry about falling over her as I try to open the door while she's asleep. <br />
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It's not a lot of space in my room, but it sure feels a bit big and empty right now.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-831684742972959942011-04-09T22:30:00.002+01:002011-04-12T23:33:39.619+01:00Did You See Nessie?Short answer -- no. But that doesn't mean that our visit up to Loch Ness was any less awesome.<br />
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For our last day in Inverness, I wanted to up over to the loch and see both the water and the castle. Our train tickets home weren't until almost 5pm, so we had plenty of time. So Chris-Anne and I (and a new friend we met at the hostel, Rachel, who was traveling by herself so we invited her to tag along with us for the day) headed up to Urquhart Castle up on Loch Ness to get our daily castle fix. <br />
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The fog had rolled in over the loch overnight, which only added to the mystery and age of the place. For anyone who's imagining Scotland from movies or classy paperback novels, I'm pretty sure this is what you're imagining.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040911-01.jpg"><br />
<i>Urquhart Castle, through the fog.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040911-03.jpg"><br />
<i>Chris-Anne searching out through the fog... and probably climbing on something she should be climbing on. Doesn't she know that's not a 500 year old step stool?</i></center><br />
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We explored the castle while we were waiting for the fog to burn off with the sunshine. Loch Ness was lovely with the fog, but I wanted a clear picture down the water.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040911-07.jpg"><br />
<i>Loch Ness, with the fog slowly burning off.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040911-06.jpg"></center><br />
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It took a couple of hours, but the fog finally burned off and we were able to get our clearer pictures -- even if the fog did add a certain romance to the area.<br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040911-09.jpg"></center><br />
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So, with our craving for pictures sated, we had about an hour before we had to catch the bus back to Inverness. Since there is a footpath that follows the road, we decided to walk the 30 minutes down to the village of Drumnadrochit and catch the bus from there. It was a nice walk (something that I love) and a good chance for Chris-Anne to get pictures of all the new and fluffy lambs in the pastures by the road. <br />
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It's always funny the things that tourists want to take pictures of. For someone who grew up in the city (that would be Chris-Anne -- my hometown is just that, a town, but it was more likely to see a soybean field than a sheep pasture) the sight of sheep all over the place is cause for pictures and poses and 'look at the fluffy little sheep!' Good times, good walk, and good sheep. <br />
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When we got to Drumnadrochit, we skipped the Nessie exhibits and grabbed a drink to sit at a park bench outside the post office which doubled as the bus stop. As an addition, we didn't just get drinks, but a show as well.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040911-10.jpg"></center><br />
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A piper was playing in the park, which just added to the atmosphere. I've decided that I need to learn how to play bagpipes -- or at least just play them once -- before I head back to the states. I'm musical, I can pick it up. Just show the fingering and I'm good to go.<br />
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After that, we headed back to Inverness, said goodbye to Rachel, and headed back to the train station to hop the train back to St Andrews. And as we couldn't have a day without a travel mishap, the train was only delayed a little bit coming out of Inverness. Something about a mix-up with the track. Par for the course.<br />
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We'd thought about hitting the town when we got back to St Andrews, but by the time we got in, all we could think about was dinner and bed. Chris-Anne to her pallet on the floor, and me to my cheap, single, uncomfortable mattress. But... that mattress is mine, and after sleeping on a top bunk for days, boy did it feel good.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-25402742046755187502011-04-08T23:59:00.002+01:002011-04-12T04:04:17.899+01:00Elgin CathedralThe second half of the day, after visiting Culloden, was spent hopping on a bus to a neighboring town to visit cathedral ruins that got Chris-Anne all excited in the brochure. Like I've said before, we're suckers for ruins -- castles and cathedrals. <br />
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So, after eating a quick lunch at Culloden, we returned to Inverness in time to catch the bus 90 min out to Elgin. Well, it should've only taken 90 minutes. Instead we got stuck on what was either road construction or someone thinking it would be absolutely hilarious to bring traffic to a standstill in Nairn. We sat there for so long, someone got off the bus in frustration to walk to their destination. Which, heck, for as long as we were sitting there could've been Aberdeen for all I know. They would've gotten there before we got to Elgin.<br />
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But we did eventually get to Elgin, and found the cathedral ruins that we were searching for. <br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040811-10.jpg"></center><br />
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What we didn't expect was that there would be a wedding going on. Or at least the after photos and lingering of a wedding. The docent said that they were finishing up and we could go in and take pictures, but for some reason Chris-Anne doesn't cherish the thought of being random people in the background of people's wedding photos. I said that it was a risk they ran having pictures taken outside in a public place.<br />
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Genteel southern manners won out, so we went to walk around a local park for a half an hour while we waited for them to finish taking pictures and leave the ruins.<br />
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But, by the time we got back, the sun and the shadows were in an even better position for taking pictures, so we all won out in the end. <br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040811-12.jpg"></center><br />
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Elgin Cathedral, from Historic Scotland:<br />
<blockquote>Elgin Cathedral is one of Scotland’s most beautiful medieval buildings.<br />
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The cathedral was the ecclesiastical centre, the spiritual heart, of the diocese of Moray. The bishop’s cathedra, or seat, was not always at Elgin – it had previously been at nearby Kinneddar, Birnie and Spynie – but once it was transferred to Elgin around 1224, it remained there until the Protestant Reformation of 1560 effectively left the cathedral redundant.<br />
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Elgin cathedral is affectionately known as the ‘Lantern of the North’. From the time of its construction in the first half of the 13th century, through to the time of its demise at the Reformation in 1560, this monumentally impressive building dominated the flat and fertile Laich of Moray. The proud boast by one of its former bishops, Alexander Bur (1362–97), that his cathedral was ‘the ornament of the realm, the glory of the kingdom’ is certainly borne out by a visit to this beautiful site. </blockquote><br />
<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040811-08.jpg"></center><br />
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It really is a beautiful ruin, and I can only imagine what it looked like when it was complete. We climbed the stairs in the tower -- the narrow, winding, narrow... did I mention narrow? -- stairs to get that previous shot (half way up) and some from the top. Which, truthfully, I like the angle on this one better. Narrow stairs do not put me at ease with my slight claustrophobia, but I'm a trooper. <br />
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The sun at that time of day was just gorgeous, and only gave the ruins a more ancient and romantic feel. Totally worth the excursion out of town to find them. <br />
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And worth watching the 'incident' go down at the bus station as we were waiting to hop back on to Inverness. The 'incident' is what we're taking to calling watching three drunk 20somethings (it was only 6pm, mind you) attempt to board a bus, cause a ruckus, get thrown off, spit on a driver, and threaten the station manager before stumbling off. Hey kids, if you're going to do stupid things that technically count as assault, don't do it in an area completely surrounded by CCTV cameras. I've had more interesting public transit stories with Chris-Anne these past two weeks than in my entire other time in Scotland combined. I do hope they get the jerk who was causing trouble, though.<br />
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But with that behind us, we caught the bus back to Inverness and headed back down to the banks of the River Ness in the city centre to watch the sunset. The glorious purples in the sky were too good to miss out on.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040811-13.jpg"></center>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-36538228991945597292011-04-08T21:10:00.004+01:002011-04-12T03:34:38.670+01:00Culloden / Cùil Lodair<i>'S i'n fhuil bha 'n cuisl' ar sinnsreadh, 'S an innsgin a bha 'nan aigne...<br />
Our blood is still our fathers, And ours the valour of their hearts...</i><br />
(inscription at the entrance to Culloden battlefield)<br />
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It both surprises and humbles me when I'm confronted with a piece of history that means so much to a country or group of people, and I have to admit sheepishly that I don't just know little about it, but that I've never even heard of it. And that's what happened with Culloden. It's one of the things that's listed as a must see on a number of lists when you talk about going up to Inverness and the Highlands. And I'd heard Jacobites mentioned (again, embarrassingly for the first time) at the other historical sites I've visited during my time in Scotland. So of course it's something that Chris-Anne and I put on our list for our visit, again mostly for views on the moor and the Scottish countryside, but also in an attempt to connect some of the snippets of history I'd heard mentioned in passing at Edinburgh Castle and the like. <br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040811-02.jpg"></center><br />
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The short (and very incomplete) story of the time is that in 1688 King James VII of Scotland and II of England, a Catholic and a Stuart, had to flee to France because of the divisions between England, Scotland, and Ireland as they attempted to avoid civil war and function as 'Britain'. The parliaments of England and Scotland took on a more prominent role in governance, even though they invited the Protestant William of Orange and his wife Mary to come and rule in James' place. Also, the Scottish parliament made Presbyterianism the Scottish state religion, replacing Protestant Episcopalianism. <br />
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Flash-forward to 1745, with political infighting between the Whigs, the English and Scottish political party who argued against the Stuarts with their belief in an absolute monarchy and instead supported power sharing between the king and parliament, and the Jacobites, who supported the Stuart claim to the throne in the form of Prince Charles Edward Stuart (aka Bonnie Prince Charlie).<br />
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Add in support for the Jacobites from France, because things are never good between the English and the French, and you have a back and forth for the best part of a year with both sides taking and losing strongholds, until April of 1746, with the Jacobite army stretched thin and Prince Charlie wanting to make a decisive stand.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040811-01.jpg"><br />
<i>Inside the Culloden exhibit: throughout the halls, the right side tells the story of the Jacobites, the left, the story of the government.</i></center><br />
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From the National Trust for Scotland:<br />
<blockquote>Rather than risk a pitched battle in their weakened state, the Jacobites agreed a final desperate plan: a surprise night attack. This night march to surprise the enemy in their camp could have been a brilliant strategy. Sleeping redcoats would have been no match for Jacobite troops. In reality, as the trailing Jacobite column stumbled along in the dark, it turned into a chaotic disaster. The Jacobites had failed in a critical gamble.<br />
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As dawn broke, battle was still not inevitable. Even now there was time for the army to draw back to Inverness and regain their strength at a safe distance. Bitter arguments broke out between the senior commanders - even the French envoy pleaded on his knees for the Prince to withdraw.<br />
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But the Prince was determined and took the decision to fight then and there. Many of his soldiers were asleep, exhausted from the night march, while others were away looking for food or had yet to arrive in the area.<br />
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Some Jacobite leaders favoured a retreat to high ground south of the River Nairn, others a withdrawal to Inverness. The Prince preferred to fight where they stood, on the moor at Culloden. With Cumberland's army in sight, Charles's luck was finally running out. The pipers began to play and the tired army struggled into position. <br />
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Towards one o'clock, the Jacobite artillery opened fire on government soldiers. The government responded with their own cannon, and the Battle of Culloden began.<br />
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Bombarded by cannon shot and mortar bombs, the Jacobite clans held back, waiting for the order to attack. At last they moved forwards, through hail, smoke, murderous gunfire and grapeshot. Around eighty paces from their enemy they started to fire their muskets and charged. Some fought ferociously. Others never reached their goal. The government troops had finally worked out bayonet tactics to challenge the dreaded Highland charge and broadsword. The Jacobites lost momentum, wavered, then fled.<br />
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Hardly an hour had passed between the first shots and the final flight of the Prince's army. Although a short battle by European standards, it was an exceptionally bloody one. <br />
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Following his victory at Culloden, the Duke of Cumberland was determined to eliminate the Jacobite threat once and for all. He wanted revenge: his army would crush the unruly Highlands, capture the Prince, and return to the main war in Flanders as soon as possible. There was to be no question of a further rebellion.<br />
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Within a few days of the battle, around 1,500 Jacobite soldiers gathered at Ruthven Barracks, ready to continue the campaign. To their surprise Charles gave the order to disperse and then went into hiding. For him, the Rising was over.<br />
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Unopposed, the government sent its army and navy across Scotland, punishing anyone suspected of Jacobite sympathies. The policy of 'pacification' of the Highlands had begun.<br />
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The government began to dismantle the structures of Highland society. Chiefs were deprived of their legal powers and clansmen of their weapons. Jacobite estates were seized by the Crown. The kilt and tartan were banned. </blockquote><br />
Culloden was the last battle of its kind fought on British soil, and it was bloody. Instead of capturing survivors to hold as political prisoners, Scottish Jacobites were slaughtered where they lay on the battlefield to send a message. <br />
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The visitor centre and exhibition were fantastically well done, and really educational for someone like me, who knew nothing going in. The set up of having the Jacobite story along one wall and the government story along the other all throughout the timeline was a great help and I think really allowed the centre to flesh out the story from both sides, instead of trying to combine it into one narrative. <br />
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They also were having a demonstration on weaponry before you went out onto the field. I learned that musket would be way too heavy for me (and I can only imagine the kickback from firing it), but I was pretty handy with a broadsword. And a shield and a hidden dagger. <br />
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The other great thing about Culloden is that the audio guide is included in your admission. Now, I'd never used an audio guide, so when they gave us the pack as you're walking outside, I almost said no. But there's something to be said for the story of a place being told in a local accent to make it feel even more real as you're walking through the battlefield. <br />
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The moor is beautiful and vast, and we were lucky with a beautiful day to go walking through it. There were two lines of flags (red for the government, blue for the Jacobites) standing where the lines of each front were, and the trail goes down and between them to tell the story of the battle as you walk through the moor. <br />
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The only buildings are a house that's a replica of one that was standing there, and probably used as a military hospital for the government as it was behind their line, and the memorial cairn erected for the fallen Highlanders at Culloden.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040811-04.jpg"><br />
<i>The inscription reads: The Battle of Culloden was fought on this moor 16th April 1746. The graves of the gallant Highlanders who fought for Scotland & Prince Charlie are marked by the names of their clans.</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040811-07.jpg"><br />
<i>The Field of the English: While the Highlanders graves are marked by stones carved with the names of their clans, the burial place of the government dead isn't known, and is marked with only this stone at the edge of the field.</i></center><br />
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While I was going through Culloden, I kept trying to think of a proper American parallel to use when I made this post. The closest I can come is the feeling I had at Gettysburg as I walked through the battlefield there, but even that's not completely right. But then, why do I need an American parallel? It was it's own battle, it's own history, and one that I'm thankfully not so ignorant of any longer.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-72270481015153032802011-04-07T23:30:00.005+01:002011-04-10T23:19:55.333+01:00Fàilte gu Inbhir NisFor the last part of Chris-Anne's visit (after a couple of days of work for me and independent nosing around for Chris-Anne), we decided to head up to the Highlands so she could claim she'd seen most of the country. We decided to base ourselves out of Inverness because, one, castles nearby, two, Loch Ness nearby, and three... did I mention castles? We're suckers for pretty history. And as the northern-most city in Scotland (and the entire United Kingdom at that), our other option was picking a tiny town with minimal bus service. So, Inverness it is!<br />
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Plus, going up to Inverness meant that Chris-Anne could get the train ride she'd been hoping for for the entire trip. It's cheaper to take the bus to Edinburgh and to Glasgow, but I'm not sitting on a bus all the way to Inverness when there is a comfortable and frequent set of trains that leave from both Leuchars and Dundee. <br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040711-01.jpg"><br />
Going from Dundee to Inverness, you have to switch trains in Perth -- which also means navigating the M.C. Escher like staircases in the Perth station to get from platform to platform.</center><br />
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One of the awesome things about heading into the Highlands is that all of the location signs and most other signs go bilingual -- both the English (Inverness) and the Scottish Gaelic (Inbhir Nis) in an attempt to preserve the native language of the area. While there are no longer any monolingual speakers of Gaelic once you hit school age, the language is experiencing a renaissance in an attempt to preserve its every day usage. <br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040711-02.jpg"><br />
Overlooking Inverness, and the River Ness which runs through it.</center><br />
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By the time we got into Inverness and checked into the hostel (we're young, we're cheap, and since all we were using it for was a place to store bags and lay a head down for a few hours each night, a hostel is the perfect choice) we'd missed a lot of the last buses out to any of the historical areas outside of town, so we set about walking around the city itself and exploring picturesque Inverness. <br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040711-03.jpg"><br />
Overlooking Inverness down the River Ness, from the lawn of the Inverness Castle and the Flora MacDonald monument. This is also the official ending point of the Great Glen Way.</center><br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040711-04.jpg"><br />
It was crazy windy, and I couldn't find my hair tie at the bottom of my purse, so all of the pictures we have include me attempting to hold my hair back.</center><br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040711-05.jpg"><br />
A better view of Inverness Castle from the opposing bank of the River Ness. While this is a modern (and by modern, I mean from the 1800s) structure and now houses the court house, a castle/defensive structure has stood on that spot since the 1057, and associated with the scandals and murders surrounding Macbeth and Malcolm III.</center><br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040711-06.jpg"><br />
Down by the River Ness. I love a pretty walk, and after sitting on the train for a couple hours, I want to move around. Chris-Anne, on the other hand, has about reached her walking around limit and votes to head back to the hostel for next day planning and finding food.</center><br />
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We ended up staying at the Inverness Youth Hostel which, while a bit of a walk from the city centre, was lovely. It's a new building, and we ended up in a four bed dorm room with lovely people. On the downside, there was apparently a whole bus load of French teenagers on what we're assuming was a field trip of some kind also staying with us. Thin walls + idiot teenagers = it's a good thing I remembered to bring ear plugs. But it's apparently a universal truth -- teenagers are loud and idiots everywhere. Which is kind of comforting knowing some things stay the same. But if people are ever in Inverness, I'd totally recommend the hostel. Even with it being a 10 minute walk from the city centre -- you pass right by a Morrison's, which makes it easy to pick up food and drink on the way back in.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040711-08.jpg"><br />
Our dorm room at the hostel. Chris-Anne and I were the last two in, which meant top bunks for us. Not too keen on the top, but beggars can't be choosers.</center><br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040711-07.jpg"><br />
Chris-Anne with the spread of bus timetables as we attempted to plan out the next day. </center><br />
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The general consensus was to get up early and head out to Culloden Battlefield the next morning to take advantage of the gorgeous day that it was forecast to be. And after a day long of traveling and walking Chris-Anne all over the city, and even with loud teenagers in the new rooms over, we crashed just as soon as heads hit the pillow.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-28006339406014379362011-04-04T23:59:00.004+01:002011-04-06T15:00:16.726+01:00Glasgow a-go-goSpent the day in Glasgow, after once again missing the bus that we intended to get on. I swear, with Chris-Anne here I've apparently lost all ability to read a bus timetable. This has never happened! It was only once she got here and I had to show off my ability to get us places in a timely fashion that it all went downhill! <br />
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But after that got sorted out, we made our way to Glasgow. Considering that the only 'big city' in Scotland I'd been to was Edinburgh (unless you count Dundee, but we only go for the Primark...) Glasgow was quite the different flavor. Less historic, more architectural, more industrial. Honestly, coming out of the bus station and on to Buchanan Street it looked remarkably similar to any other big city I'd been in. Tall buildings with shopping and food, busy roads, and... that's about it. <br />
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And the rain -- oh the rain. The cold and the wet and the windy. Which, I know, Scotland.<br />
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But it was a day in a city I'd never been in, so that's a win right there.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040411-01.jpg"></center><br />
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Chris-Anne wanted to go to the Glasgow Modern Art Museum. She is an artist. I can doodle squiggles on a napkin. Which, apparently, qualifies as modern art. I don't get modern art, I don't understand art that's just supposed to make people uncomfortable (like some guy dressed as a piece of luggage and sitting on a shelf at his own party while people sit around him going 'what is going on?'). I like my art pretty. But I'm a good friend and a good sport. Even if it took us forever and a day to find it. <br />
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The trade-off for me is that I wanted to go see Glasgow Cathedral. I'm a sucker for an old cathedral or castle, and Glasgow is one of the delightfully old ones with amazing stained glass. According to its website, "The first stone built Glasgow Cathedral was dedicated in the presence of King David I in 1136. The present building was consecrated in 1197. Since that same period the Cathedral has never been unroofed and the worship of God has been carried out within its walls for more than 800 years."<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040411-02.jpg"><br />
It's also apparently one of the few (or the only) ancient cathedral in Scotland to survive the Protestant Reformation unscathed. With that in mind, I find the statue of John Knox looking down from the Necropolis on the hill by the cathedral amusing.<br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040411-03.jpg"><br />
The main window, but only a taste of the amazing stained glass throughout.<br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040411-04.jpg"><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040411-05.jpg"><br />
The relics of St Kentigern (better known as St Mungo, patron saint and founder of the city of Glasgow). Sadly, the first thing that popped into my head was 'oh, isn't that the name of something in Harry Potter?'<br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040411-06.jpg"><br />
Outside, we decide to walk up the hill to the Necropolis because we both kind of have a fascination with old graveyards. The Necropolis is a Victorian cemetary dating from 1833 and anyone who was anyone within Glasgow society was buried there during it's time. <br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040411-08.jpg"><br />
There are many opinions on where the name Glasgow came from, but many scholars argue that it means 'the place of the grey rock' (instead of the more common 'the dear green place') and it refers to Fir Park, also known as the Glasgow Necropolis. <br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040411-07.jpg"><br />
On a clear day, like the day became once we got out of the museum, you can see far across the city from the grey rock. We would've lingered longer, but after getting stuck in Glenrothes the day before, I'm not taking any chances on waiting for the last bus.<br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040411-09.jpg"><br />
So we head back down, hang out with the pigeons in St George Square for a while, before hopping the bus back to St Andrews. And collapsing because boy were my feet tired after the past couple of days!</center>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-17860796607307798722011-04-03T23:30:00.003+01:002011-04-10T23:26:06.349+01:00One of Those DaysEven days that are on a whole good can be 'one of those days'.<br />
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Chris-Anne and I decided to go back into Edinburgh today for a proper visit, since when we wandered around she was coming off of 24 hours of transatlantic travel and it was rainy. Today was supposed to be gorgeous, and that made it the perfect day to wander around.<br />
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That perfect day started off with both of us ignoring the alarm clock for an hour. Which put us on the later bus than we'd intended. <br />
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No worries, so we're an hour behind. It's all good.<br />
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It's all good until the kid behind us makes the comment that he's 'not keen on transport'. Okay, sure, not everyone likes being on a bus for an hour and a half. Apparently he missed the memo that if you get motion sick, you should take a pill, sit in the front, and have a plastic bag with you as a courtesy to other passengers. Because no one likes it when you vomit on a bus. Especially when it goes between the seats and gets on my arm. Win. <br />
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After that 'but at least it makes a great story' start to the day, we make it to Edinburgh Castle, which was one of two things that Chris-Anne just had to do. Which, I love the castle, so I'm always up for exploring it. <br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040311-03.jpg"><br />
Chris-Anne looking fashionably nonchalant beside one of the cannons.<br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040311-04.jpg"><br />
Since it's Mother's Day here in the UK, they had costumed actors all through the buildings, which was pretty cool. Here in the Great Hall, there was Queen Mary and that Protestant rabblerouser John Knox having words.<br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040311-05.jpg"><br />
And with a beautiful day, we climbed to one of the high points to get a shot overlooking New Town. It was ridiculously windy and cold at that point, though.<br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040311-01.jpg"><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040311-02.jpg"><br />
Which meant that we decided to take pictures of each other taking pictures and being cold. Artistic, no?<br />
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With all of that walking around, Chris-Anne's next statement was 'we need a pub'. A good seat and a good drink sounds like a plan to me, especially with the second thing that she wanted to do coming up.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040311-06.jpg"><br />
Ah, this one will do.<br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040311-07.jpg"><br />
The delightful mix of exhaustion and excitement.<br />
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With our whistles whetted, we move on to the next thing she requested -- Chris-Anne wanted a ghost tour. Apparently Edinburgh is one of the most haunted cities in Europe, and that's too much to pass up for her. Me? Never a huge fan of something to intentionally scare me. But Chris-Anne wants to go down in the vaults, so why not?<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040311-08.jpg"><br />
Why not? Vaults are small, and stone, and underground, and dank, and dark, and did I mention small? Oh... did I not mention I'm slightly claustrophobic?</center><br />
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The tour was slightly cheesy, but the feeling of being in a small space was enough to make me uncomfortable and give me the heebijeebies. Fresh air for the win, after that. <br />
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But at least we still had plenty of time to catch the last bus back to St Andrews.<br />
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Oh, wait, here's the other part of that 'it makes a good story' time. Apparently they've changed the Sunday schedule without changing the time tables in the bus stations, or indicating the new start date on the web. So what nine of us thought was the bus to Glenrothes to connect to get into St Andrews turned out to just end in Glenrothes. With the nine of us standing outside in the cold and realizing there's something wrong when no bus comes and a look on the web on what is indicated as the unchanged normal schedule (last updated Dec 2009, my ass) now indicates that this was the last bus to Glenrothes and the last connection to St Andrews left an hour previously. <br />
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It cost £35 between me and Chris-Anne to get a taxi from Glenrothes to St Andrews. Color me unamused. I'm sure that someday it will be a funny story, this trip to Edinburgh, however, tonight I want nothing more than a sandwich and to curl up in bed. <br />
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Tomorrow we're going to Glasgow... surely the travel gods have to smile on me more this time...Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-83672770461990834432011-04-01T22:30:00.003+01:002011-04-04T02:37:05.281+01:00Fife Coastal PathChris-Anne and I decided to explore a bit of the Fife Coastal Path -- which runs from the Forth Estuary in the south, to the Tay Estuary in the north and stretches for 150 kms. We explored just a tiny, tiny part of it, including the bits within view of St Andrews and down to the spindle, which is a rock formation that looks similar to a sewing spindle. <br />
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Again, as soon as we walk outside the beautiful day turns into something infinitely more gray and cold. We're pretty sure bad weather is following Chris-Anne through her vacation.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040111-02.jpg"><br />
In case you were wondering... yes, it was still incredibly windy.<br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040111-01.jpg"><br />
The beach past East Sands along the coastal path. With the tide out, the rocks are strewn with moss and the green is both surprising and amazing.<br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040111-03.jpg"><br />
Chris-Anne indicating St Andrews in the background.<br />
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Contemplative on the beach.<br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040111-05.jpg"><br />
I'm a fast walker, so inevitably I'm the first up to the top of the hill. The seagull approves.<br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/040111-06.jpg"><br />
I'm much less contemplative and much more 'ooh, look at the pretty' out in the wonders of nature.</center>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-17607363351643355332011-03-31T23:16:00.002+01:002011-04-01T02:04:18.346+01:00Visitor From HomeBeing on spring break has been a lovely reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the regular semester -- even if I know it goes into hyperdrive as soon as we get back. But one of the best things about spring break? <br />
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A friend from home coming across the pond to visit!<br />
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My friend Chris-Anne decided to grace me with her presence as she's killing time before becoming a productive member of society again. And what better way to kill time than to come and visit bonnie Scotland? Nothing, I say. We need to figure out what's up for the rest of her visit, but today we wandered around St Andrews and I introduced her to my cute little burg. <br />
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The cute little burg that had been sunny and warm for the past 2 weeks straight. As soon as she lands? Cloudy, windy, rainy, and really <i>really</i> cold.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/033111-01.jpg"></center><br />
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Did I mention windy?Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-86774250650504813372011-03-28T19:45:00.001+01:002011-03-29T05:24:41.969+01:00Spring ForwardThe clocks moved yesterday here in the UK to British Summer Time. Usually I'm dreading moving to daylight savings (as we refer to it in the US) because it means I lose an hour of sleep. However, me not having any real set schedule, especially now that we're on spring break, means that that doesn't phase me at all. <br />
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On the contrary -- having the sun not start setting until quarter to 8 in the evening is now glorious. Such a reward for getting through winter and the sunset at quarter to 4. <br />
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So with it being a glorious day, I present more pictures of the beauty that is Scotland in the spring time.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/032811-01.jpg"><br />
<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/032811-02.jpg"><br />
<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/032811-03.jpg"><br />
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<b>Fun time change fact:</b> Americans remember the time change by the saying 'Spring Forward, Fall Back' (moving the clocks ahead one hour at the start of Daylight Savings Time and the moving the clocks back one hour at the end, in reference to the seasons in which these time changes happen and using the seasons as verbs to indicate movement). This phrase causes great confusion to Brits and they looked at us like we're bonkers when we tried to explain it. The confusion comes from the fact that the season is referred to as Autumn here, and not Fall. So, you can't really 'Autumn Back'...Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-51141097822514506132011-03-27T22:30:00.000+01:002011-03-29T04:54:41.312+01:00Tastes Like HomeAh, spring break. That glorious time where students forget that they have work due soon and pretend that they are carefree. I'm going to take a couple of days and pretend I'm carefree!<br />
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Part of that carefree needs to grab some motivation to go to the grocery store because I am quickly running out of food. In an attempt to once again put it off, it left me scrambling to figure out what I had to eat in this place. Which then I remembered... I'd been sent grits in a care package. I could make breakfast.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/032711-01.jpg"></center><br />
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For those who are not from nor have visited the southern US, grits are basically coarsely ground corn that when combined with boiling water forms a thick porridge. And it is <i>amazing</i>.<br />
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So I had grits and toast and it was like I was tasting home at that moment. All I'd need is some country ham and if I closed my eyes, I'd think I was home!<br />
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But it was surprising to me that food made such a difference when dealing with a little homesickness. It's amazing what grits, or American lemonade, or a Reese's cup will do. I needed that little taste of home more than realized, and the smile that ended up on my face from that little bowl of grits? Well, the Tesco can wait one more day.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-89872521262690764052011-03-22T21:00:00.000+00:002011-03-22T21:00:00.643+00:00A Walk In The WoodsIt was another gorgeous day today -- really, I can see why people want to visit Scotland in the spring. If this is how it is now, I can only imagine it when May and June roll around. It's getting warmer, and it's <i>finally</i> sunnier. I never realized how much of an impact on mood and disposition the lack of sunlight has until I moved here. I have my room set up so that my bed faces the window to take full advantage of the burst of sunlight in the morning.<br />
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I may regret that once sunrise gets any earlier, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.<br />
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After class today, and after lugging maybe 20 books from the library for my paper due this Friday, I needed some of that sunshine. The Lade Braes walk was so pretty when I last went on it that I figured I could take one of the side roads and see where they led.<br />
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So, I tried the Viaduct Walk off of the main Lade Braes trail, which was a lot shorter than I thought that it would be, leading as a cut off to The Cannongate, which is one of the roads here in St Andrews (which apparently also is the home of the St Andrews Botanical Gardens -- did not know we had botanical gardens. This must be investigated on another sunny day, as when I walked past it was already after 5pm). I figured, might as well walk down the road until I get to the point where I need to turn back and head home to beat sunset.<br />
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Ended up at Spinkie Den, which is at a cross with the Lade Braes walk, so I figured I might as well turn and just go back down the Lade Braes walk since it was such a gorgeous day.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/032211-04.jpg"></center>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-10551048737357101112011-03-22T17:07:00.000+00:002011-03-22T17:07:25.076+00:00Welcome SpringYesterday was the first day of spring, and it couldn't come soon enough. The days are getting longer, the sun seems to be out more and more each day (way to burst through the Scottish clouds, sun!), and the temperature seems to be creeping ever so slightly up. Today I was even a bit warm in my fleece. Tomorrow I may, gasp and astound, just wear a sweater. Love it. <br />
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And to welcome spring, there was a bonfire on the castle sands last night. A good chance to sit, chat with friends, welcome in the new season, and check out the awesome supermoon that was hanging over the horizon (because Astronomy is great, I don't care if that does make me a space geek). <br />
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It also gave everyone a chance to chuckle at me because no one realized just how much of a space geek I am. Yes, I had to point out the supermoon whenever anyone mentioned how big it seemed tonight. Of course, they also had a moment of 'how do the tides work?' since we were sitting on the beach. With me trying to bite my tongue, because they don't want the lecture -- until Rachel rolls her eyes and goes 'alright... Rebecca, how <i>do</i> tides work?' Again, not my fault I know thing *lol*<br />
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My epitaph will read "Rebecca... she knew things."<br />
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The pictures are dark, but then it was the middle of the night.<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/032211-01.jpg"><br />
<i>The moon coming up over St Andrews from the castle sands</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/032211-02.jpg"><br />
<i>The bonfire that brave souls were jumping over to cleanse negativity from the winter and start spring fresh</i><br />
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<img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/032211-03.jpg"><br />
<i>Me and Rachel chilling on the beach</i></center>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3477013482926865807.post-1996625399706585132011-03-21T20:46:00.000+00:002011-03-21T20:46:47.122+00:00Census 2011The best way to know that a census is coming is whether or not I'll be in the area once the results matter. US Census 2010? Filled out the form a couple of months before I both moved out of that state and out of the country. So... wasn't really a concern if that area got more federal funding. And now what did I get through my door?<br />
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<center><img src="http://i1036.photobucket.com/albums/a450/taintedsaints9/Blogger/031211-01.jpg"></center><br />
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Apparently 2011 is Scotland's census time. And even as a student, we have to fill out the thing. Again, won't be here when the results matter, so... glad to know that you're counting me, Scottish government! Give Fife more money. <br />
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And the interesting part is that we don't just mail them in -- apparently we have to return the forms to the building manager. Which, for my building means the Residence Manager in one of the undergrad halls. Who have their office in the undergrad residence.<br />
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... which my card does not give me access to.<br />
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Thanks guys, for making me return a folder to a building that I can't enter and have to stand outside and wait for an unsuspecting first year to come out so I can go 'hey kid, I'm loitering outside your building, so let me in'.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00603017112229336355noreply@blogger.com0