Discover Who You Are

       We begin any journey with a sense of unease, nervousness, and agitation for what lies ahead, whether it be the changes we must face or the great and mysterious unknown which exists in this big ‘ole world. Yet as our adventure comes to a close, we are filled with an overwhelming amount of joyous energy and rejuvenated confidence in our own selves for being a part of something which can only be defined as purely amazing.

       It is difficult to say in mere words the extent to which I have loved my experiences the past few months in Scotland. I am blown away at how spectacular and magnificent and truly awe-inspiring this great country is and deeply saddened to be leaving my newfound home. It has been a long journey, no doubt, but worth every minute of it.

       And so, as I write my final words of advice to all ye wee travelers out there in the world while I am laying down in my comfortable bed back home in good ole New York, I urge each of you to complete the most rewarding task any person on this Earth could do while on an adventure: discover who you are.

       I can say without a doubt in my mind that I am not the same person I was three and a half months ago. I was filled with a sense of uneasy confidence in myself and unaware of how much beauty and life and excitement there is in this world. Yet now, I feel as if I could take the world by storm. My confidence is overflowing in the knowledge that one day, I will succeed in traveling the world, seeing new and thrilling and different places to challenge my mind and excite my soul. As humans, we are constantly distracted within our lives, witnessing events with a narrow vision and focusing only on the small things that matter throughout our everyday lives. Yet if we can reach beyond that, if we can see into the distance and take that one momentous step, there is no stopping us.

 
       I now know who I am, what I can still become, and what I want to see myself as. I want to be able to look at a series of photos when I am old and wrinkled and be able to remember and feel every single emotion I felt when that photo was taken. I want to be able to look at a photo of Glencoe and remember my trip to the Isle of Skye and the feelings of amazement and overwhelming awe at the great beauty of Scotland for the first time. I want to be able to see and photo of my great friends while here and remember the nights we spent in pubs and bars, getting to know one another so well that we became, in our special and unique way, a family. These moments helped me to discover who I am and I cannot express in words the immense joy I have for knowing this.

       A journey has one purpose, one underlining meaning which stands true no matter what: helping us to find ourselves. Throughout our daily lives, there is so much that goes on around us that we sometimes find it hard to focus on ourselves. So I now challenge you, my dearest readers, to fight these distractions and take that leap- endeavor into an adventure to discover yourself and feel these emotions of great content and fulfillment that I do. Every moment of my study abroad experience was an absolute blast and I would take nothing back, because through all the nervousness and agitation, all the laughter and chatter, all the dancing and fun, and all the smiles and tears of joy, there stands one truth which will never go away, one truth which reassures me now and for every moment of the rest of my life that I have discovered myself in the absolute best way possible, one truth which I will forever remember in my heart:

       I have had one hell of a good time.

 

 

Reflect

       As any journey winds down, we must accept the unfortunate fact that things will be coming to an end. This process can leave us saddened and longing for more time, yet we cannot forget an important truth- how much we ourselves have learned, have changed, and have developed over the course of our venture. And so, with only two more lessons to be taught, I should now recall everything that has happened over the past amazing fourteen weeks.

1.      Explore and discover lands that remind you of the great places from your childhood imagination and let absolutely nothing in this world hold you back.

2.      Embrace your inner cheetah and welcome changes with open arms.

3.      Appreciate the guiding hands and gracious hearts that allow you to experience your journey.

4.      Be a newbie- experience everything that comes your way with an overflowing desire to see even more.

5.      Sing like no one is listening and dance like no one is watching by truly living in the moment.

6.      Create amazing memories with people whom you will remember for your entire life.

7.      Witness something truly life-changing.

8.      Roll with the punches so that, in the end, you can call someplace entirely new your own unique home.

9.      Do not be so afraid of life’s uncomfortable and unexpected curveballs- you never know what could happen.

10.  Interact with as many people as possible no matter where you go.

11.  Chase your dreams and never let them go.

12.  Remember that it is perfectly natural to miss home.

13.  Explore every inch of a new area without a map to guide you.

14.  Admire the great beauty of our own little world.

15.  Find a true friend who will always be there to pick you up if you fall down.

16.  Allow your mind to be open and free to everything new and exciting in the world.

17.  Reflect on what you have learned and appreciate the great gifts you have been given.

       I cannot stress enough how important it is to remember everything you have learned throughout your journey. Doing so allows you to reflect on all the great memories, all the hilarious laughter, and all the beautiful sights you have been a part of.

       There is, however, one final lesson still to be learned…

Learn And Live Part 2

       As the final chapters of this blog come to a close, I would like to refer back to one of my earlier posts regarding my trip to the Isle of Skye in the great Scottish Highlands. I emphasized the beauty of the world in which we live and how much we can reflect on our own lives in this amazing planet by appreciating everything it has to offer. Well, boys and girls, there is still more to learn.

       A significant part of these past three months have been spent studying at the University of Glasgow, educating myself on the ins and outs of Scottish literature, culture, and history. I have learned so much and I can only thank the university with sincere and honest gratitude for allowing me the chance to have this entire experience. I have read texts that helped define the nation and create a culturally-aware society like none other. Though, to be honest, schoolwork was not my most absolutely favorite aspect of studying abroad, I must admit that I learned very interesting facts and stories about certain authors which I find truly valuable.

       One of the pieces I read was a poem by Edwin Morgan titled “The Loch Ness Monster’s Song.” [A copy of the poem, as well as a recording of it, can be viewed here- http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/singlePoem.do?poemId=1683. Trust me, you will want to see it.] The poem is written in a very unique style in which it appears the author slammed his head against the keyboard a few times and then sent it out for publishing. The first time I read it, I laughed. Yet when we discussed it in class, I discovered something very interesting. Edwin Morgan was homosexual; and this, his seemingly deranged rant against the English alphabet, was his coming-out story. The sounds which begin the poem are Morgan’s own proclamation about himself, screaming out to the world who he truly is and he has lived in secret, similar to the mysterious monster. Edwin Morgan, in an attempt to define his own self through his poetry, compares himself to the secretive and oh-so-great Loch Ness Monster.

       The poem stands as an emblem of confidence, of courage and self-awareness, refusing to accept society’s standards for defining who he is. When I discovered the meaning of this poem in class, I was amazed, bewildered, and absolutely stunned. Perhaps it is just the English major inside of me, but I found this piece of work so powerful. My study abroad experience was no doubt highlighted by the travels I undertook and the wondrous sights I witnessed, but it will moments like this one that will forever stay in mind. The education I have received in the past three months will exist as some of the best in my life because, in truth, it is like none other. Like my visit to the Isle of Skye, there is more out there in great, big world for us to see as well as learn.

 

 

Have A Great Friend

       You remember that scene in a movie when the main character is standing on a street corner in the rain after facing unseemly obstacles and is at their absolute lowest point, so the director, in order to add comic relief, has a car drive by and splash the character with a huge amount of water? Well if that had happened to me today, I would not at all be surprised.

       Today, I traveled with one of my friends, Rachael, to Aberdeen- a city of absolute beauty in Scotland, as told by various people I have met in Glasgow. The day was no doubt eventful and no doubt the worst trip I have taken, for both comical and physically painful reasons. Yet after it all, I found a silver lining that is never to be forgotten.

       Our day began in a frantic rush as we both missed our bus, forcing us to buy a more expensive ticket for the next bus and endure an oddly uncomfortable VIP-treatment bus ride for three straight hours. Once in Aberdeen, we were shocked by the, shall I say, grayness of the city. Buildings, signs, clothes- nearly everything embodied the pure color of gray. We ate by far the worst muffins ever, as my apple-cinnamon muffin tasted like a plain bagel that the baker realized needed to be a cinnamon muffin so they mixed in a cup of pure ground cinnamon to recover from their mistake.

       Our main goal for the day was to walk along the 2-mile stretch of beach, relaxing for one last time as we prepare for the last week of finals. The weather, however, did not agree with our well-intended plans. The wind blew around us with an endless fury and as the day went on, the sky opened up and let out a torrent of rain. As we walked along the beach, our pants became soaking wet and covered in sand. Best of all- when we had to walk in the direction of the wind, the sand would be swept up and attack our faces like a horde of bees heading for the mother-load of honey. My face has never been in so much pain; eight hours later, it still stings.

       We decided to get away from the beach as fast as possible, proving to be more difficult than one might assume as we had to trudge through the heavy, heavy winds. There was, however, a light at the end of the tunnel: Brew Dog, the oh-so-glorious pub and bar which have fallen in love with while in Glasgow. We found where it was in Aberdeen and headed to it in the hopes that a drink from our favorite craft beer will make the day better. After cleaning myself off, I stood at the bar, ready to order a drink as I have done numerous times in the past three months, when the bartender came over, took my order, and asked for identification. I showed her my license, but she declared that she needed a passport or I could not drink. My day was officially ruined.

       Referring back to the movie scene where the main character is splashed beyond belief, the director always adds in a final glimpse of hope, a symbol that enlightens the mood and tone of the whole story. For me, that came in the form of Rachael, one of the many friends I have met throughout my study abroad experience who have been with through it all. Once we realized the day had gone to ruins, Rachael put on her optimistic, comical persona to make the best of every situation.  We need people like this, friends who will be there for us and make us laugh in even the most disastrous of situations, friends who, when you are both shivering cold walking in the fierce wind and rain, will declare that they wish they could just pee themselves in order to feel some semblance of true warmth.

 

       I would like to now thank all the great friends I have made since being in Scotland and urge you, dedicated readers, to seek out these great companions while on your own journeys. Friends are with us through it all- through the times of stress and anxiety, times of curiosity and wonder, and times of utterly spontaneous excitement and amusement.

 

 

Watch A Sunrise

       On one night last week, my friends and I were casually hanging out, trying to relieve ourselves of the stress of schoolwork, the anxiety of our upcoming final exams, and the frustration that our study abroad experience was coming to an end. We decided that we should go hiking the following morning to witness the beauty of the Scottish Highlands, yet as the night progressed, we all slowly lost interest in that plan and did not want to leave the comfort of each other's presence. Out of nowhere, the suggestion was put forward to watch the impending sunrise. What followed was one of the longest and funniest nights I have had yet.

       So much can happen in one night. We watched videos, took random online quizzes, played cards, and learned what a geoduck is. As for the latter, I suggest that if you do not already know, to wait to find out until you in a comically-induced state of mind. Overall, it was a great night because I was spending it with the same people with whom I have spent my time in Scotland.

       Anyway, when the time finally came to walk up to the main campus of the university and watch the sun rise over the great city of Glasgow, we all sluggishly moved through the fog and the darkness to see a truly spectacular sight. The sky lit up in pink, purple, and orange hues, beautifully outlining the city's landscape and opening our eyes to a bright new day.

       The best part about the sunrise was that as I looked out over the city of Glasgow, a city which can often be bursting with excitement and energy, all was silent. There were no noises, no bustling crowds. The city was at a total peace. It is nice every now and again to just sit back and admire what is right in front of us. Glasgow is a truly vibrant city, but seeing it in a state of blissful harmony made me love it even more.

 

 

Discover The Meaning Of True Exploration

       It has been a crazy ride. Nearly three months ago, I boarded a plane across the Atlantic Ocean to experience what has been, without a single doubt in my mind, the best months of my entire life.

       One of the main points of traveling is to explore, to discover and find things that we never knew existed, opening ourselves up to the vast world in front of us. The past few trips I have done, Dublin and Amsterdam, have allowed me time to just go out into the city and see what it has to offer. I may not have a plan or a set destination, but that is okay. I let the winds take me wherever they want.

       While in Dublin, I had a series of places I wanted to see- old historical sites, college campuses, shopping districts –yet I had an entire day to get there, an entire day to explore and witness the life and energy of the city. I would leave my hostel early in the morning, head in a certain direction, and see what happens. I first went along the pattern of following a crowd, walking down alleys of small boutiques and quaint cafes. Once the group separated, I would simply follow the largest existing group, yet again venturing into unknown, exciting areas of the city.

       The same occurred in Amsterdam as I walked along the canals and cobblestone roads, passing by bicyclist after bicyclist. I ran into many different markets selling international foods, unique gifts, and flowers galore. The entire city was purely picturesque, admirable from any vantage point. And so, once my legs were tired from a day of walking, I found a small park hidden in the distance and sat there, relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere of the city itself. Soon after, I got up and sat along the canal, admiring the great fortune I must have for being able to experience this while studying abroad.

       Sometimes it is really nice to not have a plan, to go somewhere and simply explore. My advice, dearest readers, is to merely discover the meaning of true exploration, to not have a goal and a schedule for every day of our lives. Find a city, find a park, find something where, for one day, you can go and walk around, opening yourself up to the wonders you may find.

 

 

It's Alright To Miss Home

       It’s getting near the end folks. The finish line is within sight. Before I know it, I will be boarding United Airlines Flight 162 back to the good ‘ole U S of A. Our journeys in life will always have a beginning and an end, a start and a finish. We all know this, but still- I really wish this journey would keep on going.

       To describe the extent to which I have loved the past two and half months would be impossible. Glasgow has become my second home, filled with great people, amazing memories, and an overall sense of satisfied fulfillment. Now, however, is when the irony starts to set in. I both miss my home in Albany greatly, but do not want to leave here. Someone seriously needs to develop a teleportation machine within the next four weeks so that this dilemma can be resolved peacefully.

       A constant thought going through my mind lately are the things I both miss back home and will miss here. Sometimes it helps to create lists, to visualize our thoughts and figure out how our mind is working. So I thought I would share my lists with you. Let’s begin.

Top 4 Things I Miss About Albany

1.      I miss my family. Plain and simple. I miss spending time with my cousins playing card games all night, I miss going on random shopping ventures with my mom and my aunts, I miss sitting down and talking to my gram about everything and anything going on in my life. I love my family.

2.      I miss American foods (i.e. Chipotle, Goldfish, Cheesecake Factory, Cheezits, Potato Stix, Chipotle [again], Homemade Lasagna, Coffee Cake, etc.) and the endless hours I would spend eating American foods to the horror and disgust of others around me.

3.      I miss talking to my friends, whether it be those I see constantly throughout the day or those I simply run into around campus. Not having all of them here has been hard, but I cannot wait to share all my stories to make them insanely jealous. Insert maniacal laugh.

4.      I miss my dog. No description necessary. I love my old pup.

Top 4 Things I Will Miss About Glasgow

1.      I will miss the friends I have made here. Thinking of leaving them is not an option right now. I cannot express the immense bond I have formed with all of them. December 20^th is going to be an incredibly hard day.

2.      I will miss my two favorite pubs: Brew Dog and Hillhead Bookclub. I want to take home with me an endless supply of BookClub burgers and every bottle of Brew Dog’s Dead Pony Club.

3.      I will miss the ability to travel easily and, more important, cheaply. I have been to so many amazing places and I cannot imagine going two weeks without visiting another country or city for a few days.

4.      I will miss the energy of Glasgow, that friendly, positive, inviting, cultural, innovative feeling that comes about with every step I take around the city. This city has redefined my dreams for what I want in my future and I could not be any happier about that.

       It is perfectly acceptable to miss our old lives. It is natural sensation we cannot ignore. It reminds us of how far we have come and how far we can go. I love Albany. I love Glasgow. To say that I have had a worthwhile experience by studying abroad would be a severe underestimation of the truth. Glasgow has changed me for the better, and I cannot wait to bring a little bit of this Scottish city back home to New York.

 

 

Chase Your Dreams

       The following advice should not come as a surprise, as I would both hope and assume many have heard this phrase throughout their childhood and adolescence, but I must say it nonetheless.

       Chase your dreams. Chase them down like a lion hunting for his lunch.

       Sometime in the spring of 2009, a trailer for Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was released, featuring, in its opening scene, two characters standing atop an immense rock in the middle of the water and looking up towards cliffs that can only be described as dumbfounding. Despite the waves crashing against the rock with colossal power, the beauty of the scene could not be diminished. I learned later on that the scene was filmed at the Cliffs of Moher, a tourist hotspot and visual magnificence located on the western coast of Ireland overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. I knew from that moment that somehow, someday, I would have to go there. And finally, that day arrived.

       I took a day tour from Dublin to go see the cliffs, admiring the Irish landscape along the way. My fears began to set in when our bus driver alerted us of hurricane winds moving along Ireland’s coast and that the cliffs may be closed off to visitors. Due to the already intense winds at the cliffs, the hurricane could make it very dangerous for people to see. Luckily, the winds subsided slightly and we were allowed access.

       The Cliffs of Moher stand, at their highest point, at 702 feet. I knew this fact going in, but nothing can compare to their size when you are standing right on top. They are gargantuan, enormous, and magnificent in every respect. Visitors are allowed to walk all along the tops of the cliffs, allowing people to look out into the Atlantic, feel the spray of the water hit against their face, and smile at the absolute perfect beauty in front of them. I cannot express the amount of positive emotions I felt while I was there; it is another one of those moments that reminds each one of us how large the world actually is and how much there is to see out there.

       Seeing the Cliffs of Moher was a long-sought dream of mine and I completed it. Dreams are meant to keep us going, to keep us reaching for things throughout life, allowing our ambitious nature to reign and seek out new and exciting experiences. With dreams on our side, nothing can stop us.

       For anyone that would like to see photos of the two day tours I did while in Ireland, please see the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10202277686648760.1073741831.1388736035&type=1&l=3311e9d0bc

Interact With The Strangers

       We interact with people on a daily basis. Family, friends, classmates, colleagues, even the cashier at the grocery store around the corner. Whether it is for a long span of time or even the briefest of seconds, these many people occupy a unique moment in our lives. And that can make all the difference.

        Two weeks ago, I traveled by myself to Dublin for five days, seeing many wondrous sights and meeting some great people. I stayed in a hostel not too far out of the city center in a 12-person room. Little did I know when planning the trip, but that weekend was actually a bank holiday weekend, which meant that my hostel was full almost every night. Over the course of my stay, I met various people staying in my room, from teachers to students to families, all enjoying the magnificence of Dublin in various ways.

       On my first night, I met two girls who were studying abroad in Finland for the semester. We talked about the different things we each had planned to see while in Ireland, glorifying over our mutual love for the Cliffs of Moher and learning about the many odd and different museums in Dublin, such as the Leprechaun Museum. It was particularly enjoyable to have them to talk to on my first night; I began to feel welcomed and excited for what Dublin offered.

       Throughout the next few nights, the people in my room cycled in and out, leading me to meet a new group every single night and then to never see them again. On one night, I met a pair of post-graduate English teachers studying in England and we shared our common interests in being English majors. They talked about the haunted bus tour they went on that day and I discussed my day in County Wicklow and Kilkenny. Another night, I met a French family taking a short vacation by passing through various cities in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Finally, on my last night, I welcomed in a group of Brazilian and Mexican friends studying in Paris and told them all about where I had been and where they needed to go in Dublin before they left.

       I remember when I was a little kid and I was learning about fate and destiny and all that. I imagined that each person’s life was a piece of string, or this one straight line. As we met people, our lines crossed and intertwined, creating a beautiful pattern of endlessly intersecting lines for each new person we met. The longer we knew someone, the longer their line stayed alongside ours; yet even for those people with whom we only interacted once, their line still passed along us.

       I may never these people I met in Dublin again, but they were there, their lines had an impact on me. For various reasons, they affected me on my journey, by making me feel welcome, by telling me about some great sights, by sharing common interests. This may all sound like a ramble right now, but I think it is important to remember on any journey that we should try to meet new people, to interact with the strangers out there for even a brief moment. You never know what could happen…

 

 

Wear A Pair Of Wet Jeans

     Sometimes, ladies and gents, a pair of wet jeans marks the beginning of a long and exciting journey.

     For the next five days, I will be exploring the ins and outs of Dublin, Ireland- a city and country I have always desired to visit and admire. Yet, to get there, I had to endure a very interesting morning. I began my day at 4AM where I proceeded to get ready to leave at 4:30 for my thirty minute walk to the bus station downtown, which would consequently bring me to Edinburgh Airport for my flight. In retrospect, not choosing to take a taxi downtown was an incredibly stupid decision, but I choose otherwise with the thought that walking for a while would wake me up. Well, it did do so...in its own way.

     I woke up with eyes still half-closed and struggled to get ready, leaving my flat five minutes late. Yet just as I walked a few blocks, I realized I forgot a few essential items and rushed back. I was now 15 minutes late and only had 30 minutes exactly until my bus left. I walked like a cheetah, pacing my step off another man who appeared to be late for a bus as well. The walk took much longer than planned and so I was forced to sprint about 6 blocks and charge up a hill with fierce intensity. Did I forget to mention it was pouring rain out as well? Well yeah...that too.

     After finally reaching my bus and removing every layer of clothing possible, without being inappropriate, to relieve my sweaty body, I passed out for the entire ride, waking up in a comatose-like stupor once we got to the airport. I got through security with no issues and ate breakfast, passing by the hour and a half wait I had until my flight boarded.

     Now in reference to the wet jeans... Let me summarize: I washed all of the clothes for my Irish adventure last night but despite two rounds in the dryer, all of my clothes were still soaking wet. Yes, I could have waited for another dryer to be open and dry them then, but as I believe we have established, I have not made the best life choices in the past twenty-four hours. Consequently, my jeans throughout this whole morning have been soaked and with every step, felt more and more like I was wearing a diaper. The fact that it was raining as well did not help my situation.

     Back to the present. Eventually I found out what gate I was at and walked to it all the way at the other side of the airport, far away from security. So there I sat, waiting for them to commence the long and arduous boarding process when I started looking through the photos on my phone. I had screenshots of various things I had to remember for my trip- directions, times, etc. I started deleting the ones I did not need and came upon one which I did not recognize. Just as I am about to zoom in and read it, a lady with a perfectly shaped bun on her head calls out for boarding.

     I wait in line for about ten minutes as this lady comes around to check on tickets. At the moment, it is precisely twenty five minutes until the plane takes off. If you have been paying attention, you will know what comes next. The lady, with the impeccable bun that it almost seems fake and actually could anger you at how much time she obviously spent doing that bun that morning and is still as cheerful as an elf on Christmas Day while you are tired and wet, looks at my ticket and says I need to check-in my visa paperwork down by the main entrance. Oh yeah, and she says, "You best move quickly."

    Words cannot describe the intensity with which consumed my body for the next thirteen minutes. It took me about 5.2 seconds to comprehend what she said, after which I began to sprint faster than I ever have beforehand. I ran by people boarding flights to London, Belfast, and multiple other cities. I passed so many cafés and restaurants that their smells began to simply meld together. I frantically asked every security personnel where to go, shortening my story down to, "I screwed up. Where's the visa place?" I ran back and forth on the main level to find a short line, got my boarding pass stamped without having to show any documentation, and ran through security in two minutes. With every little muscle in my body, I sprinted back to my gate, only running into one person. 

     I was the second-to-last person to board the plane and the last to sit down. I sat right next to the lovely bathroom and a couple who slept on one another the entire flight until, right before we began descending, they decided to get drunk on teeny-tiny bottles of vodka. Once I was sitting comfortably, I unlocked my phone and, as usual, my most recent  page was up. It was the picture. And as I zoomed in, I remembered what it was. It was a reminder from RyanAir and Edinburgh International Airport to check-in my visa at the service desk by the main entrance, the same desk I was at only a mere five minutes ago. And what did I do then? I laughed. I hysterically laughed like never before at everything that just went down. In thirteen minutes, I accomplished the entire boarding process. I needed a laugh.

     This entire venture lasted no more than four hours, and it all began with a pair of wet jeans. Sometimes little things like that really get on our nerves and force us to work through an uncomfortable or unpredictable situation. Yet these moments could turn out to be the best. Sure, I nearly missed my bus and my flight, but I didn't. Looking back, it was a great morning.

     I would now like to thank the woman at the security desk, who, in my frantic state and giving my best puppy dog face, allowed me to cut past nearly fifty clearly pissed-off people in the security line. In addition, I would like to apologize to the man who I ran into on my way back to the gate outside the coffee shop, preventing an obviously endearing hug between his wife and him as I ran between them.

     It should not be a surprise that life will, ever so often, throw us a curveball. We instinctively want to try and work around it, but sometime it's just fun to go along. Be risky and crazy and spontaneous. Therefore, my word of advice, dear readers, is to not always be afraid or worried about life's curveballs. You never know what adventures lie ahead when you put on a pair of wet jeans.

Roll With The Punches

       As with all journeys, we are to expect some hurdles along the way. With my first UK adventure behind me, I can say that this past weekend trip to London threw every unfathomable and unearthly obstacle in my way, resulting in one of the most interestingly comical trips I have ever had.

       I was accompanied to visit London with one of my friends, Rachael, as we left early Friday morning. We spent each day traversing different parts of the city center, seeing nearly every tourist site desirable, from Big Ben and Buckingham Palace to Kensington Gardens and the Millennium Bridge. One of the most amazing aspects of such a large city as London is the fact that there is something new around every corner. On Sunday, we walked around Hyde Park, leading us eventually into Kensington Gardens and a modern art gallery, and while walking around the nearby Kensington Palace, we ended up on the avenue where Ambassadors from various nations lived. Each spot was different in its own light and that in itself was amazing.

       Our difficulties came down to one thing: transportation. In search of a cheap hostel, we choose one which was located roughly 30-40 minutes out of the city center via subway. This did not stop us, however, as we began to plan our days around starting earlier in the day. What did throw us for a loop is when the only subway line leading to our hostel was closed on Saturday and Sunday, forcing us to take a combination of subways and buses that took nearly over an hour to get into the city. We persevered, however, by making light of every awful situation that came our way, such as when I accidentally triggered a series of events that led my foot to be drenched in a puddle. After this weekend, there is no doubt that Rachael and I deserve the awards for “Most Optimistic In Face of Certain Frustration.”

       London is visited by 15.3 million tourists each year, becoming one of the most well-known and popular cities in the entire world. Everyone who visits London can go on and on about its great historical significance, its elegant beauty, its rich and vibrant city-life. I did not have this experience though; instead I had one filled with comical memories and great sights. But in a way, is that not the point of any trip? We often do not go to a city to see the city, but to make memories to remember the city. I will forever remember that after this weekend, I took two planes, two taxis, one train, one airport bus shuttle, four buses, and over 20 subway rides on at least six underground lines. I will remember the struggle Rachael and I had on Saturday night to find a place to go out and have fun. These are the things I will remember more-so than the city itself.

        There was one great highlight to the weekend, however- an aspect which I would not have discovered had I not been to this great city. I called Glasgow my home. When things seemed like they could not be any worse, I simply said I wanted to go home; but I did not mean to New York, I did not even mean to the United States. I meant Glasgow. It seems strange that after being here for only a mere six weeks, I could see myself living here much longer than one semester. My friends and family back home are most likely shaking in their shoes right now or screaming at me via this blog, but it is true. I did not realize how much I would love Glasgow and to think about leaving in two months is a dreadful and saddening thought.

        On any journey we must anticipate the bumps in the road and roll with the punches. To believe that they will not come takes away from the innate purity of the experience. For after all the chaos and confusion, you may find a pearl hidden deep within, just waiting to be discovered.

        In any case, I am happy that I visited London. After all, how many people can say that?

        Oh right…15.3 million people.

 

 

 

Once again, I have uploaded pictures from my London trip which can be viewed here:

 

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10202217080573646.1073741830.1388736035&type=1&l=032a5dc9b0

Learn And Live Part 1

       I swear to you, my dearest readers, that it was life-changing.

       This past weekend I took a school-sponsored trip to the Isle of Skye in the Scottish Highlands. Along with a large group of truly amazing international students from various countries, this trip included stops at numerous beauties in nature, from waterfalls to statuesque mountains to immense cliffs overlooking the ever-reaching sea. And while our days were filled with historic sites and wonderful sights, our night was filled with raucous laughter and seemingly endless excitement.

       We witnessed so much this weekend that it is quite hard to pick out one favorite place. I thoroughly enjoyed Glencoe, a spectacular mountain range where various movies have been filmed, most recently the new James Bond film, Skyfall. I also loved the cliffs along the Isle of Skye as it reminded me very much of my times in Portugal during high school. Every place we visited was just fantastic in its own unique way.

       There was a moment on the bus ride back when nearly everyone was asleep and I looked out the window and saw something truly spectacular. There were mountains in the distance of every shade of green, surrounding a valley of lush trees and fields, scoping every color you could imagine that would make up a beautiful landscape. The lake right in the center was a fluorescent blue and reflected the small rays of light breaking through the dark clouds above. It was like a portrait, a puzzle scene, an image out of a movie that you could only imagine seeing and never really thought it could exist. And then in the blink of an eye, it was gone. The bus kept driving, people kept sleeping, and the dark trees on the side of the road blocked all vision of ever seeing that landscape again.

        It was right then that I remembered something, something I had only known once before in my lifetime. It was that my goal in life, my purpose, was to see these images, these moments when my mind is literally blown away by the wonders of the world. I first realized this while in Portugal three years ago as I stared out into the Atlantic Ocean and dreamt of all the things I could see in the world. Whether it is a sight only Mother Nature could have created or an encounter with an amazing group of people, I want to experience it. All of it.

       I think we need these moments- moments when we remember that we are not masters of our own universe, that there are things out there in the world that are bigger than ourselves, that we are here on this planet to learn and to live in the most grandeur of ways.

       For all of you who desire a little more, I have attached the link to a photo album of this trip equipped with everything your heart may desire.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10202110756115601.1073741829.1388736035&type=1&l=757dc353e3

Meet Some Amazing People

       Each new week in Glasgow seems to have one of those nights that just take my breath away. From the nights where I really got to know some amazing people to the wild dancing at Scottish ceilidhs to partying until the morning to silent music, each night got me more and more excited to be in this spectacular city with some spectacular people. And last night was no different.

       At the end of my first class this week for Scottish Literature 1A, a group of people came in to quickly offer an invitation to join the Scottish Literature Society on campus. They seemed very welcoming and so I thought I would give it a try. Their first event was a pub crawl in the West End of Glasgow to some of the most popular pubs and bars for students. We all met outside the subway station and we all instantly connected, knowing it would be a great night.

       Our first pub was in the QMU at Jim’s Bar where a few of us bonded over Harry Potter, social awkwardness, and drinking games. As we were leaving though, we got to talking about television shows we watch and luckily, there were a few Breaking Bad fans that I talk to about the upcoming epic series finale. I was also told to watch Sherlock, which I will probably start doing soon because I guess it’s another one of those shows you can really binge-watch.

       The second pub was on Ashton Lane and was called VodkaWodka. Ashton Lane is definitely one of my favorite streets because at night, there are lights strung above the entire street; it is such a beautiful sight. That bar was really nice but it was incredibly crowded so we stayed for drinks and then moved on.

       We next went to the Hillhead Bookclub, a favorite of mine since coming to Glasgow because during the day, the food is amazing and during the night, the entire hipster atmosphere is just so alluring. There are even game rooms with ping-pong, chess, and 90’s video games; awesome, I know. I played a horrific game of ping-pong before heading off to our last location, Òran Mór.

       Òran Mór is known throughout Glasgow as one of the top pubs to visit for one specific reason: it’s a church. Well, now a converted church as it holds a stunning bar and underground nightclub. The entire vibe was very relaxing and it just made me admire the great city of Glasgow even more.

       I arranged this blog in a play-by-play format because that is strangely how this amazing night went. Each new pub that we went to, I got to know different people more and more. I met people from Scotland, England, France, Italy, and Spain, and for the first time, I was the only American. I was so incredible to get to know people from all diverse cultures and backgrounds, figuring out the differences we have all had in our lives. Yet despite all the cultural variances, we were all there, together. We shared common ground on literature, education, television, drinking games, you name it. Despite our various upbringings, we were all able to spend a night together and have a truly astounding time, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

       God I love studying abroad.

 

 

Live In The Moment

       Imagine a night that is so filled with excitement, energy, and pure bliss that it does not merely fly by, but soars through every open sky it can. It is a night to remember every day for the rest of your life.

       This past Wednesday, my friends and I attended an event at the QMU called Headphone Disco. Basic premise is that everyone gets a pair of headphones to listen to two separate DJs throughout the night. There is a switch on the headphones that allows the listeners to decide which DJ they want to personally hear, but if people were to take their headphones off, they would hear no music, no beat, no rhythm. They would solely see the crazy dancing styles of every audience member and hear the nonsensical singing of a group of people literally beating to their own drums.

       It was truly an amazing night; by far one of the best I’ve ever had. I was finally able to sing in public and no one could judge my horrifically awful voice because they were focused on their own music. I was also able to show off some of my “smooth” dancing moves. Insert hysterical laughter now.

       The best part about the whole event was the option of choosing between DJ A and DJ B. By the end of the night (which ended up being about 5 hours because it was that good), I had listened to each DJ for about half the night. Both energized the crowd and got people moving and each played great music, from current hits to pure classics in every genre. Everyone tuned into one DJ when Imagine Dragons’ “It’s Time” played and then back to the other for Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” High quality music all night long.

       Thinking back, I have a theory as to why this idea is such a genius one. As humans, we seek a level of privacy and solitude, finding a comfort in that. At the same time, we want to feel a part of something truly profound that connects us with others. This event allowed for both as each person was able to feel comfortable dancing and singing however they please without fear of judgment, something which I consider a huge achievement. We need nights like this one, where we can just sing like no one’s listening and dance like no one’s watching. All we need is to truly live in the moment.

 

 

Be A Newbie

       To speak bluntly, this week has been amazing.

        Does anyone remember those times when you were the newbie? Maybe it was the first day of college as a freshman and you stared out into the campus as your parents drove away with tears in their eyes. If so, you probably experienced two key phases. Phase One: Initial anxiety and reluctance with a small dose of fear at the prospect of beginning in an entirely new environment. Phase Two: Pure bliss and acceptance, knowing that where you are, in this moment in this place at this time, is exactly where you are supposed to be.

        God I love Phase Two.

        This week is known as Fresher’s Week at the University of Glasgow, similar to any freshman orientation at college but with one simple twist: non-stop activities and enjoyment. There have been parties every night at both student unions on campus, allowing my friends and I to decide which one we wanted to go to. In addition, there were fairs and activities for every club, academic program, and sport on campus as well as local clubs, pubs, and shops promoting themselves with discounts and free food. I have never experienced so many possibilities for free things in my entire life; I love it.

       Starting Monday night, my group of friends and I made it our mission to get the most of our £40 Fresher’s Pass, which allowed us access to everything that went on throughout the week. We first attended a concert hosted by the Glasgow University Union (GUU) that began with two small bands and headlined with a UK award-winning band titled We Were Promised Jetpacks. They were sort of an indie rock band but were really good performers. My favorite song by them was called “Quiet Little Voices.” They ended around 10pm and in the city of Glasgow, that’s early; so we all came back to mine and Joe’s flat and played Cards Against Humanity until about 1am. It was a hilariously great night.

        The other student union (which I personally prefer over the GUU) is called the Queen Margaret Union. Every week, they host a trivia night with prizes for the top three teams. Thinking we were going to do horrible after looking at some of the sample questions, my team actually did fairly well and though we did not win, we discovered some pretty interesting facts and met some Glaswegians along the way. We stayed in the QMU until about 2am that night, but y’all are going to have to come back because the rest of the night is going to be an entire blog post on its own. Just wait.

        One of the last things I did this week was sign up for the University of Glasgow Hares and Hounds. It is the running club here on campus where anyone can just come Monday through Thursday to just go for a run with some pretty cool people and get a different look at the city. I did a 5 mile run on Thursday and we went along the river that cuts through Kelvingrove Park. I had never been down there and it was such a beautiful sight; hopefully sometime soon I can go back there to get pictures.

        The last few nights have been mostly relaxing and hanging out. I’m getting to know some people really well and seeing some of the things we all want to do while we are abroad together. Hopefully the next few weekends are going to consist of traveling around the UK. Apparently I’m just an anxious little person because while I am thousands of miles away from home, I still want to keep moving and see more. That’s the best part about being a newbie- you allow your mind free reign over every opportunity that is out there.

 

 

Learn New Life Skills

       I can recall during one of my writing classes at Siena when we learned about how women’s colleges years and years ago taught Life Skills courses, instructing students on how to cook, clean, and even manage kids. These classes seemed strange to me as I questioned the true purpose of them. I would assume that any necessary life skills would either be taught by parents or just learned instinctively. Well, you know what happens when you assume.

       I have yet to discuss my living situation and the various changes in lifestyle that I have had to face since arriving in Scotland. So let’s have at it. I live in a five-person flat consisting of five single bedrooms for each of us. At the moment, I have three other flat mates: one from the US, one from Scotland, and one whom I have yet to meet due to our busy orientation schedules and therefore his origin is unknown. Our rooms are all connected by a hallway which links up to two closets, a shared bathroom and shower, and a communal kitchen/lounge. I have linked a video that gives a very rough outline of the flat, though mine is a little bigger than the video makes it out to be: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfSaz-6rG4g

        Probably the most challenging “life skill” that I have had to adapt to is balancing my budget between getting food, preparing for the semester, and, well, shopping for my own selfish personal benefit. My residence hall is in perfect location, however, because it is only a five minute walk to two grocery stores as well as a fresh produce and butcher’s shop. I have been the produce store a few times now and the food is unbelievably delicious. Plus there’s a student discount! It is difficult though to adapt to this style of dining when compared to the pigging-out I would do at Saga three times a day back at Siena. Oh well.

        Many of my friends back home (you know who you are) would be very jealous of what I am about to describe. I took the subway today down to Buchanan Street which is right in the City Centre and one of the main shopping areas in Glasgow. I have never seen so many stores in my entire life. This place puts the half-mile long Crossgates Mall by my house to shame. There are stores lined up for what appears to be miles, and all of which sell various goods from clothing to mountaineering gear to shoes to furniture. Each store off this street typically had at least 2-3 floors of merchandise and they all led up to what is called the Buchanan Galleries; this is basically your typical mall but with three floors of shopping and a fourth floor of dining. It was amazing. I could see myself going there very, very often.

        Lastly, I have finally figured out my class schedule for the semester which will consist of three classes: Exploring Scottish Culture, Scottish Literature 1A, and Irish and Scottish Literature in the 18^th and 19^th Centuries. They all look really interesting to me except for the part where I had to order twelve books for all the classes and each new book that I get in the mail sets a new record for either “Smallest Font” or “Most Amount of Words Cramped into One Page.” The best part about my schedule is that I have no Friday classes so I will be able to easily travel on the weekends. Additionally, one week in October is Reading Week at the university so there are no classes then either. I think I am going to attempt to plan a long trip during that week.

        I keep thinking about those Life Skills classes and I actually find myself a wee jealous. I still think a lot of those skills come to people naturally, but there are so many opportunities for people nowadays where those classes could come in handy. Whether you are studying abroad or starting a new job in a different city, it’s helpful to have a guiding hand to get you there safe and sound. And so while I may not have taken courses in school that taught me how to not waste 3000 pounds on everything interesting I lay my eyes on, I had friends and family supporting me along the way. I believe those Life Skills courses evolved within our society; they became a form of second nature for all of us to teach one another. With this thought, I would like to dedicate my third tip to all those people who have supported me on my journey to this moment. Thank you for helping me to fulfill a life-long dream of mine, whether it was by giving me advice before I left, encouraging me to explore foreign areas of the world, or simply displaying a proud smile as I left for the airport. To all of you, thank you.

Side Note: For anyone that would like to see my pictures, please follow the link below. I believe it should update every time I post new photos. So far, these are of the university campus, Kelvingrove Park, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Loch Lomond, and Dumbarton Castle.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10201909152835645.1073741828.1388736035&type=1&l=c4d78cfe1e

Embrace The Changes

       For those of you who may know me, you will most likely agree with the simple fact that I, well, walk like a cheetah. It’s not my fault; I simply have a genetic mutation that gives me unbelievably long legs. Consequently, I have longer strides and walk at a pace that appears to be 90MPH. Good news: EVERYONE IN SCOTLAND WALKS LIKE A CHEETAH.

       Due to this spectacular revelation, I would like to devote my second tip to the cultural changes I have witnessed over my first two days in Scotland. No matter where you may travel there will no doubt be some slight differences in the way people act, talk, and behave. For example, when I traveled to Spain and Portugal during my senior year of high school, I was slightly shocked that they spoke an entirely different language. Whoa. Shocker!

       Cultural differences are to be expected whether you are traveling to another part of your home country or an entirely foreign land. The accent, or brogue, that Scots have is one huge adaptation, yet during our orientation program, they actually embraced it, making fun of how other people cannot understand them. We watched this hysterical video about it that I was able to find: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAz_UvnUeuU. Please enjoy.

       While I was out the other night with some friends for drinks, we each said what we liked about Glasgow so far. Many of the comments referred to the close walking distance of everything and how, despite being a city, it is not incredibly crowded or overwhelming. People are very welcoming here, and because the international program at the university is so large, many vendors are accustomed to curious little minds like myself as we stroll around aimlessly.

       Back to the point, when it was my turn to say what I liked best, I said how the dining style at the pubs and restaurants that we had been to thus far were more concerned with the overall experience of the customer’s time. Let me elaborate. The first dinner I had was with two other study abroad students from the US at this small pub called Distill. After strolling around a popular street for about a half hour, we decided on this place because of its decent prices and interesting menu. We each ordered food and drinks, but the waiters were not in a rush to get us our food. It seems that many people here love the experience of dining, those small yet beautiful moments where we connect with those around us and truly have a pleasurable experience. I have gotten to know so many people since I have arrived in Scotland, and it largely occurs around the comforts of a small dining table.

       Change is to be expected wherever you go in life. We face it at every corner when we start a new job, attend a new school, or welcome a new and unique person in our lives. These changes, in my opinion, should be admired and adored because they welcome us to a newer part of our own world. We are often blinded by our own tunnel vision, only seeing what we want in order to create some sort of self-defined normalcy in our lives; but if we allow ourselves to be open and vulnerable to the many differences in the world, we could witness something truly spectacular. You may even find that out there, in the not-so-small world, there are other cheetahs just like yourself.

Explore The Places You Could Only Imagine Exploring

     Take the world by storm. Venture into areas your childhood mind could only dream about. That’s what I’m doing.

 

     On this new and profound experience to the University of Glasgow in Scotland, I plan on fulfilling one of my most heart-felt dreams- to go out into the world and experience it for everything it has to offer. I have always desired to study abroad during college and I am unbelievably ecstatic that I have this opportunity.

 

     Now onto business- this blog serves as a guide, specifically the college student’s guide to studying abroad. Do not fear, however. If you do not fit the genre of “college student” or the specific journey of “studying abroad,” this guide can still serve some purpose. First and foremost, it is hopefully somewhat of an entertainment as I detail my experiences and adventures in extravagant literary fashion. Secondly, I have high hopes that this guides points out what anyone should do while they are on a journey, whether it be a spring-break vacation to a beautiful beach-side cottage or a family wedding to an amazing foreign land.

 

     Long story short, I wish to share my experiences with you while giving you tips on how to enjoy the most of your own adventure. And so as I am about to board my plane in good 'ole Newark airport and cross the little pond that is the Atlantic Ocean, I would like to reveal my first tip: explore the places you could only imagine exploring. There are a million and one places to see out there, and a million and one opportunities to do so.

     As the infamous Dr. Seuss once said, “Oh, the places you’ll go!”