So far, everything has been really great here: my flatmates, my new friends, the Scottish weather, the Mars bars, the pubs, the churches. I'm sure I won't be on a happy high for the next three months, since soon the weather will get wetter and colder and darker (11am sunrise-3pm sunset=yikes!) and classes will actually start and I won't be able to hang out and chill 24/7, but I'm having an excellent start to this semester. Yesterday I met with my adviser and here are my classes: New Testament Greek Language I, Words and Meaning: Lexis and Semantics, Birth of Modernity: Politics, Culture and Science in Europe 1700-1870, and (this one is going to be my favorite) Arthur in Medieval Welsh and Gaelic Tradition. Yup, that's right, a class all about King Arthur. :) :) :)
There is still an empty room in my flat, but I'm starting to get to know my other flatmates. There are three Scottish girls, one from Edinburgh, one from Glasgow, and one from Aberdeenshire. Another girl moved in last night from Bulgaria. In the flat across the hall are girls from all over: England, Poland, Slovakia, Sweden, France, and somewhere else. There are soooo many international students here. It is really cool. And it's so weird when you meet up with other Americans. The other night, at a free dinner put on by the Aberdeen University Christian Union and local churches, I talked to a guy who was from Chicago. It was really weird.
Fresher's Week is crazy. On Saturday night, our whole Scotland Program group went out to dinner for Hannah's birthday. On our way back to Hillhead (where all our halls are) there were tons and tons and tons of people out going to the clubs and pubs. (There is a club called "Tiger Tiger" and I don't like clubs, but I think I'm going to have to go there once before the term is over.) And everywhere on the street were people handing out flyers and speaking on megaphones, trying to draw you out to their clubs. I have accumulated quite the collection of flyers. Tonight some friends and I are going out to a "Pub Quiz" with the Christian Union. Yes, that's right, the Christians here drink together. It is so weird not being on a "dry campus" like back in the states.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Well, I'm in Scotland Now
I don't know where the time went. One moment I was sitting in Tante Jos en Tante Bep's parlor trying to explain that I was Leo Vandervlugt's daughter, the next I am on the other side of the North Sea, wandering around Aberdeen and trying to find a store with bedding so I don't have to sleep on a bare mattress in my new room. If you want to find out about my visit to the great aunts or my Kermis experience, you'll have to ask me in person the next time I see you, because too much stuff is happening and I need to start recording my Scotland adventures.
Jess and I were supposed to meet Edith, the program director, at the Aberdeen airport. But we didn't. Our flight from A-dam to Heathrow was about 30 min late, and the lines to get through border security were really, really long. So we missed our connecting flight by about, oh, ten minutes. Because annoying airport lady wouldn't let us go in the shorter line or cut in the long line, even though we explained that we were going to miss our flight. But I shouldn't have gotten angry because everything worked out and we got on another flight to Aberdeen 2 hours later. We had to pay for a taxi to get to Hillhead, and we missed lunch, meeting with the group, and important information. But so far, we are not suffering from any repercussions because of that. It was only annoying that we had to venture downtown (a forty minute walk) to find bedding for my bed, and we did not know where the shopping was downtown, only a vague direction. And it was getting late, 5:30, and we weren't sure when the stores closed. But we made it to Primark and I found some cheap sheets and a duvet in time. Jess and I also had a near death experience when we tried to cross the street and looked in the wrong direction and a car came zooming at us out of nowhere. The little green man light at the crosswalks is now my new bestfriend.
On friday our whole group drove to Arbroath, to see the ruins of Arbroath Abbey. It was amazing. There are pictures on my facebook, check them out.
Jess and I were supposed to meet Edith, the program director, at the Aberdeen airport. But we didn't. Our flight from A-dam to Heathrow was about 30 min late, and the lines to get through border security were really, really long. So we missed our connecting flight by about, oh, ten minutes. Because annoying airport lady wouldn't let us go in the shorter line or cut in the long line, even though we explained that we were going to miss our flight. But I shouldn't have gotten angry because everything worked out and we got on another flight to Aberdeen 2 hours later. We had to pay for a taxi to get to Hillhead, and we missed lunch, meeting with the group, and important information. But so far, we are not suffering from any repercussions because of that. It was only annoying that we had to venture downtown (a forty minute walk) to find bedding for my bed, and we did not know where the shopping was downtown, only a vague direction. And it was getting late, 5:30, and we weren't sure when the stores closed. But we made it to Primark and I found some cheap sheets and a duvet in time. Jess and I also had a near death experience when we tried to cross the street and looked in the wrong direction and a car came zooming at us out of nowhere. The little green man light at the crosswalks is now my new bestfriend.
On friday our whole group drove to Arbroath, to see the ruins of Arbroath Abbey. It was amazing. There are pictures on my facebook, check them out.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
All the trees of the field will clap their hands
Yesterday and today have been very busy, but now Jess and Ome Maarten en Tante Coby and I are all sitting in the living room, relaxing and watching Andre Rieu on the television. There is a creepy lady singing opera and dressed up as a doll. Angelee, this could be your future. Just kidding. You'd better be reading this, Ang, because that is the second special comment I've made just for you.
Well, yesterday Jess and I ventured off alone to Amsterdam (No Plan in Amsterdam '09). And we sat on some really sketchy seats in the train because we weren't sure what we were doing. But we got there, we bought a map, and we set off, without consulting the map. Well ok, I exaggerate, we did look at the map, but we didn't settle on a destination. Our strategy for the day was to wander the streets until we came to a church or large ornate building, then consult the map to see where we were, and set off again. We did find our way to the Anne Frank house, because we both wanted to see that. It was amazing. It's been at least ten years since I've read her diary, but the museum had excerpts painted on the walls, which was really cool.
Ok Ang, we just decided that you are more like the lady who is about to sing on t.v. now. She had voluptuous dark hair. On second thought, maybe not. For those of you who were wondering, she is singing "The Earth Song" and there are little children in white standing behind her for backup.
But the Anne Frank museum was really great. I wanted to cry a little when we got out. After that, we decided to go to the botanical gardens. To get there we walked through many streets, walked past many "coffee shops," and saw many people. The gardens were amazing. Jess and I were really excited about all the trees and ran around the greenhouses like children. But it was awesome because there were little paths and bridges and a catwalk up in the trees.
Today Jess and I were supposed to go on a bike tour with Gert en Joke, but the wind was too strong, so instead, we went to the dunes to hike. It was beautiful. Sand and trees and grasses. The leaves were starting to fall, so it was crunchy underfoot. And it smelled good. Leaves are probably the only things that smell good when they decay. And while we walked, we could hear the distant rush of the ocean, until the trees got thinner and shorter and dissapeared. We hiked over a giant sandy dune, and then we could see the beach. Jess and I took our shoes off and jumped over the waves and stole shells from the sea. It was so beautiful. I love the ocean. Then in the afternoon we went to Warmond with Gert and Joke and took a boat tour around some lakes and stopped at Kaag island where a little village was.
Well, yesterday Jess and I ventured off alone to Amsterdam (No Plan in Amsterdam '09). And we sat on some really sketchy seats in the train because we weren't sure what we were doing. But we got there, we bought a map, and we set off, without consulting the map. Well ok, I exaggerate, we did look at the map, but we didn't settle on a destination. Our strategy for the day was to wander the streets until we came to a church or large ornate building, then consult the map to see where we were, and set off again. We did find our way to the Anne Frank house, because we both wanted to see that. It was amazing. It's been at least ten years since I've read her diary, but the museum had excerpts painted on the walls, which was really cool.
Ok Ang, we just decided that you are more like the lady who is about to sing on t.v. now. She had voluptuous dark hair. On second thought, maybe not. For those of you who were wondering, she is singing "The Earth Song" and there are little children in white standing behind her for backup.
But the Anne Frank museum was really great. I wanted to cry a little when we got out. After that, we decided to go to the botanical gardens. To get there we walked through many streets, walked past many "coffee shops," and saw many people. The gardens were amazing. Jess and I were really excited about all the trees and ran around the greenhouses like children. But it was awesome because there were little paths and bridges and a catwalk up in the trees.
Today Jess and I were supposed to go on a bike tour with Gert en Joke, but the wind was too strong, so instead, we went to the dunes to hike. It was beautiful. Sand and trees and grasses. The leaves were starting to fall, so it was crunchy underfoot. And it smelled good. Leaves are probably the only things that smell good when they decay. And while we walked, we could hear the distant rush of the ocean, until the trees got thinner and shorter and dissapeared. We hiked over a giant sandy dune, and then we could see the beach. Jess and I took our shoes off and jumped over the waves and stole shells from the sea. It was so beautiful. I love the ocean. Then in the afternoon we went to Warmond with Gert and Joke and took a boat tour around some lakes and stopped at Kaag island where a little village was.
Monday, September 7, 2009
In Patria Mei
So I have been really busy and tired and haven't felt like blogging everything, but as Jess mentioned to me, I'd better post something so you don't think I never made it to Holland. We've been here three days now, and I am so happy. As the plane was descending over Amsterdam, I stared out the window at the land, and I couldn't stop smiling. The old guy sitting next to me, who never said a word during the 45 minute flight from Heathrow to Schipol, must've thought I was crazy. And the first morning here, I woke up at 7:00. I was about to try and go back to sleep, but then I realized that I was in the Nederlands and I got too excited and couldn't sleep anymore.
The travelling here went very smoothly. Our only problem, which didn't turn out to be a problem, was that 30 minutes before we were supposed to board our first flight, from Chicago to London, the person at the airport announced that boarding was delayed due to a water leak in the plane, and engineers were now trying to figure out if the water made it's way into the hull, which it didn't. So half an hour after we were supposed to board, and after the plane's water pipes had a final flush, we were able to board. We made up the lost time during our flight. Everything went well in London and Amsterdam. Actually, a very funny thing happened around our connecting flight:
The incident with the Hope sweatshirt lady
Jess and I are approaching our gate at Heathrow, scanning the rows of chairs for two empty seats. "Hey look! A HOPE sweatshirt." I point to a girl, sitting between two guys, in a gray sweatshirt that has big blue Hope letters on it. "Do you think she's from Hope College?" "I don't know, I mean Hope is just a regular word." I am thinking that she could just be a really inspirational person and has a sweatshirt that says hope on it, becuase really, a hope college person in london at the same time we are? "But it looks just like all the ones from the bookstore. She's gotta be from Hope." So Jess and I find some seats and sit down, but we are too tired and shy and I don't want to be the loud, intruding American, so we stay put and keep glancing at her. Maybe we will have an opportunity to approach her while we are in line, boarding the plane. But she slips ahead and I don't see her on the plane. While we were weaiting for our suitcases to come around on the baggage claim belt, we see the girl again, standing a few feet away. Jess asks bout the sweatshirt. "Oh yeah, I graduated in 2004." "Cool! We go to Hope right now. Well, we're studying abroad in Aberdeen this semseter, and visiting family right now." I look down at her pants, and I point to the Dance Marathon picture. "Hey!" But she thought I was pointing at her hand, which she brings up, a sparkly ring on her finger. "I'm on my honeymoon right now. I'm half dutch (yay!) and I've never been to Amsterdam, so we came here." We congratulate her, smile and nod at each other some more, and go our own ways.
Today Jess and I went to Haarlem with Gert en Joke Hartsuiker to go shopping. It was excellent. Yesterday Marten en Cody took us to Delft, and Jess and I went on three walks and one bike ride. Annnnd I am getting really tired. So more details later. Tomorrow Jess and I are going to Amsterdam!
The travelling here went very smoothly. Our only problem, which didn't turn out to be a problem, was that 30 minutes before we were supposed to board our first flight, from Chicago to London, the person at the airport announced that boarding was delayed due to a water leak in the plane, and engineers were now trying to figure out if the water made it's way into the hull, which it didn't. So half an hour after we were supposed to board, and after the plane's water pipes had a final flush, we were able to board. We made up the lost time during our flight. Everything went well in London and Amsterdam. Actually, a very funny thing happened around our connecting flight:
The incident with the Hope sweatshirt lady
Jess and I are approaching our gate at Heathrow, scanning the rows of chairs for two empty seats. "Hey look! A HOPE sweatshirt." I point to a girl, sitting between two guys, in a gray sweatshirt that has big blue Hope letters on it. "Do you think she's from Hope College?" "I don't know, I mean Hope is just a regular word." I am thinking that she could just be a really inspirational person and has a sweatshirt that says hope on it, becuase really, a hope college person in london at the same time we are? "But it looks just like all the ones from the bookstore. She's gotta be from Hope." So Jess and I find some seats and sit down, but we are too tired and shy and I don't want to be the loud, intruding American, so we stay put and keep glancing at her. Maybe we will have an opportunity to approach her while we are in line, boarding the plane. But she slips ahead and I don't see her on the plane. While we were weaiting for our suitcases to come around on the baggage claim belt, we see the girl again, standing a few feet away. Jess asks bout the sweatshirt. "Oh yeah, I graduated in 2004." "Cool! We go to Hope right now. Well, we're studying abroad in Aberdeen this semseter, and visiting family right now." I look down at her pants, and I point to the Dance Marathon picture. "Hey!" But she thought I was pointing at her hand, which she brings up, a sparkly ring on her finger. "I'm on my honeymoon right now. I'm half dutch (yay!) and I've never been to Amsterdam, so we came here." We congratulate her, smile and nod at each other some more, and go our own ways.
Today Jess and I went to Haarlem with Gert en Joke Hartsuiker to go shopping. It was excellent. Yesterday Marten en Cody took us to Delft, and Jess and I went on three walks and one bike ride. Annnnd I am getting really tired. So more details later. Tomorrow Jess and I are going to Amsterdam!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Stepping out of my insecurities and into the wide, wide world
I am leaving in less than 24 hours. Yikes. The excitement and stress is getting to me, as is the allergy medicine I just took (I am about to fall asleep). My flight leaves O'Hare at 7 pm tomorrow, then a connecting flight in London, and Jess and I should be in Amsterdam at 2 o'clock the next day. I really dislike flying and navigating airports and doing all this connecting flight stuff and worrying about the plane mysteriously crashing or my suitcases getting irretrievably lost. So please pray for me that everything goes well and I stay calm. My next post will actually be about my trip and not preparing for it. Yay.
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