Snow?

Well, so much for the St. Andrews Bubble. It snowed for most of the day today, ending up with about two inches total. And of course, I forgot my camera when I went out, so I didn't get to take any pictures of the snow. I'll have to steal some off the other students later. I feel bad for anyone who was planning on golfing today, but the students are having a blast. A lot of people from my hall skipped all their classes today so that they had more time to play in the snow, building a huge fort outside the front entrance to Andrew Melville. There are now fleets of snowmen overrunning St. Andrews, to the point where someone even built one on the fringes of the cemetery near the cathedral ruins. I also passed through multiple snowball fights and whaled my friend James in the side with a good one. My dorm even got bombarded by the residents of New Hall, the next dorm over, who stormed the front door when someone opened it and attacked. Apparently the fort was less than effective.

Other than the snow, not much has been happening here. The Societies Fair was yesterday, where all the student organizations gather together to try to get new members. I actually ended up missing it because I forgot it was yesterday, but I've found enough friends in my dorm that went, so I plan to just follow them to anything that sounds like it would be to my liking. For instance, the St. Andrews Whiskey Tasting Society had an event tonight at the Old Course Hotel. Unfortunately, James and I were unable to attend due to our lack of semi-formal clothing, but this is an issue we intend to remedy as soon as possible. We'll not let a little thing like clothing get in our way. Whiskey might not be my thing, but hey, when in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Scotland, learn to drink Scotch. Especially when you can get free samples from hundred pound bottles of whiskey by paying a four pound entry fee for the night! That's a deal, especially when your entry fee is donated entirely to charity. How could I pass up helping people like that? Apparently local distilleries donate bottles to the Society, since it raises money for charity.

However, since we were lacking the correct clothes for whiskey night, James and I went along with some other friends for ballroom dancing. When we arrived, that was canceled due to the snow, so we wandered around St. Andrews, awkwardly walked through a private party in a bar and generally had a good time. The JSAs (Junior Semester Abroad) in my hall have tended to band together. For example, tonight I hung out with Katherine, a girl from Austin who is in my Scottish History class, Stephanie (Mt. Holyoke College), Sarah (not sure, but here on a program with... Baylor? Butler? Update later), James (William & Mary) and Kelsey (UVA!!!!). I think it's mostly because all the people in our hall have been here for a semester already. They have their friends, and while they're nice enough, they're less likely to come knocking on your door on their way out to see if you want to go. JSAs will do that, because they don't have set groups of friends already. But we'll have to see how it progresses as the term continues. I've found people I like, so hopefully that's enough! I have people to go out with and eat with, so I'm happy. Kelsey and I have even bonded over the fact that we'll never complain about Newcomb Dining Hall food again. Oh St. Andrews...