So it's been awhile since I've written, mostly because I haven't actually been in Scotland for the past week or so. I left here on the 13th to go back to the United States for my Model United Nations Conference, which took place the week of the 16th. I got to spend a few days at home for a nice break before going into the city. It was also really convenient that Mark had the same flight home as I did, so I had someone else to ride with on the train and bus to the airport. Since we had to leave St. Andrews at quarter to six in the morning to catch our train, Mark and I actually ended up staying up all night watching movies and helping him pack. He's a very last minute type of person, as he started packing around 2am.
It's interesting to come back after a week or so to find St. Andrews in full bloom for spring. It's not particularly warm here, and still very windy, but flowers have appeared everywhere. There are large patches of crocuses and daffodils all over the place, which is really pretty with all the old buildings. Students are really great about not taking them as well. At UVa, there are usually signs next to the tulips saying not to pick them, but I haven't seen anything like that here. Maybe because there's so many it doesn't matter! It's a really big contrast to how brown things still are at home.
The conference itself was a lot of fun. It's nice to have friends like the ones I have on staff- it's possible for me to go almost a year without talking to them but still have them run over to give me a hug when I show up in the hotel. They're very low maintenance. It's great. Possibly the only downside to the week was the complete lack of sleep I suffered. Unfortunately, when we have 71 college student to take care of 2500 high school students, it's a lot of responsibility. A big part of this is trying to stay on the good side of the hotel, so we arrange and run our own security patrols on the floors that have our students on them. It was really effective this year, with a record low number of noise complaints, but it was also exhausting, as security shifts keep us up really late. Then we have to be up before our students as well, in order to be in our conference rooms before them to get everything set up. So over the end of the week when students were there, I think I averaged 4 or so hours of sleep a night.
But the funny part is that even when we had a chance to sleep more, most of us wouldn't take it. Instead, we spent the time hanging out in the Penthouse, where our Executive Staff lives, in order to spend more time with each other. It's actually very interesting how close to people you can get in a week or so, even if you didn't know each other beforehand. Of course, we also spend a ridiculous amount of time together, so I guess it does make sense.
When the conference was over, Dad actually came down to spend the day with me, since my flight didn't leave until ten that night. We spent most of the day at the Museum of Natural History. It's a huge museum, and we didn't really get a chance to read too much of the material, because we were trying to see everything at least briefly. The Butterfly Conservatory was probably one of the coolest parts. We got to go into a room filled with butterflies and walk around to see them all. There were hundreds of them and all really close, since it wasn't a very big room. Dad and I managed to get some great photographs. After the museum, we walked through Central Park to the Carnegie Deli for dinner, then went for a quick drive through Battery Park before heading to the airport.
At this point, I was beyond exhausted. Thankfully, on the way home, I had three seats to myself on the airplane, so I slept the entire time, not even waking up for food. I've also been sleeping a lot since I got back, and think I'm finally back to normal. Which is good, because I leave this weekend for Germany and my Easter Break trip! Hopefully I'll be able to update throughout the trip, but we'll have to see. None of us are planning on bringing our laptops, so it will depend on what kind of internet setup the hostels have. Either way, I know I'll end up giving a full report eventually. I'm so excited!
Wednesday, 25 March 2009
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
St. Andrews Culture
So I've been here a few weeks now, and I'm finally starting to get friends among the full time students in my hall. It was difficult, as they tend to be somewhat grouped into cliques, especially the people who live in my block. Andrew Melville Hall, my dorm, is separated into 5 blocks of rooms, A-E. I live in A block, where the top floor is eight girls and the rest of the floors are boys. And everyone here is always together. A block is actually known throughout Melville by the other blocks as being very insular.
Now I'm not sure if the reason it's taken me this long to get to know them is because it took them awhile for them to open up to us new kids, or if it's just that I was intimidated by how close they all are, but I'm finally starting to be more comfortable around them and hang out with them more. Partially, I think I have Mark to thank for this. About two weeks ago, I went out with Mark, my friend from Model UN, Stephanie and Kelsey. While we were out, one of Mark's friends, Harry, from Northern Ireland came over. It turns out that he lives in A block, and he ended up spending the rest of the night out with us. Since then, it's almost like we've gotten the seal of approval from the rest of A block. The ones that are in my class are more likely to sit with me or ask me to sit with them. They've invited us to go out with them. Steph and I sat with them at dinner. And they're all really nice. I'm glad we've finally "broken in" to A block, as Steph, Kelsey and I joked. I guess it was a combination of the two factors I mentioned above- them being so close to each other already and us being intimidated. It took both sides a little while to open up. But it's nice to be making more friends among the full-time St. Andrews students, rather than just the JSAs.
Although I love my JSA friends as well. Kelsey, Steph and I have pretty much become joined at the hip in a lot of ways. Hannah too, but to a lesser degree only because she doesn't live in Andrew Melville. We joke that we're the three musketeers and Hannah is our D'Artagnan. We're definitely closer to each other than to the other JSAs, which is good since the four of us are spending our Easter Break traveling together. It's coming up quickly and we're all really excited. We managed to narrow down the places we wanted to go to a manageable number, so we'll be spending about two weeks in three separate countries. I'm sure I'll be writing all about it then.
We're also slowly starting to adjust to the culture of St. Andrews. Surprisingly for us, there aren't that many actual Scottish students here. There are a good number, of course, but less than we expected. We found out that University of St. Andrews is actually known colloquially as "The English University of Scotland", because so many students come from England. Quite a few are also from Northern Ireland, like Mark and Harry. We're starting to pick up on the differences is accents, which is good. Then we can avoid making mistakes like that of another JSA, Brian, who told one of the A block girls, Tatum, that he thought she was "the epitome of an English woman", only to find out that Tatum is from Northern Ireland. Needless to say, Brian was slightly embarrassed. We're also starting to get more phrases that we don't use in the US. One of my favorites is saying "half seven" or "half three" instead of seven-thirty or three-thirty. That's one that we all picked up on relatively quickly and use ourselves now. It's shorter and easier to type when texting. I also like the word "knackered", meaning exhausted. Although you also have to be careful when using British terms-- if you say them in an accent, like one JSA always does "by accident", you tend to get made fun of.
Now I'm not sure if the reason it's taken me this long to get to know them is because it took them awhile for them to open up to us new kids, or if it's just that I was intimidated by how close they all are, but I'm finally starting to be more comfortable around them and hang out with them more. Partially, I think I have Mark to thank for this. About two weeks ago, I went out with Mark, my friend from Model UN, Stephanie and Kelsey. While we were out, one of Mark's friends, Harry, from Northern Ireland came over. It turns out that he lives in A block, and he ended up spending the rest of the night out with us. Since then, it's almost like we've gotten the seal of approval from the rest of A block. The ones that are in my class are more likely to sit with me or ask me to sit with them. They've invited us to go out with them. Steph and I sat with them at dinner. And they're all really nice. I'm glad we've finally "broken in" to A block, as Steph, Kelsey and I joked. I guess it was a combination of the two factors I mentioned above- them being so close to each other already and us being intimidated. It took both sides a little while to open up. But it's nice to be making more friends among the full-time St. Andrews students, rather than just the JSAs.
Although I love my JSA friends as well. Kelsey, Steph and I have pretty much become joined at the hip in a lot of ways. Hannah too, but to a lesser degree only because she doesn't live in Andrew Melville. We joke that we're the three musketeers and Hannah is our D'Artagnan. We're definitely closer to each other than to the other JSAs, which is good since the four of us are spending our Easter Break traveling together. It's coming up quickly and we're all really excited. We managed to narrow down the places we wanted to go to a manageable number, so we'll be spending about two weeks in three separate countries. I'm sure I'll be writing all about it then.
We're also slowly starting to adjust to the culture of St. Andrews. Surprisingly for us, there aren't that many actual Scottish students here. There are a good number, of course, but less than we expected. We found out that University of St. Andrews is actually known colloquially as "The English University of Scotland", because so many students come from England. Quite a few are also from Northern Ireland, like Mark and Harry. We're starting to pick up on the differences is accents, which is good. Then we can avoid making mistakes like that of another JSA, Brian, who told one of the A block girls, Tatum, that he thought she was "the epitome of an English woman", only to find out that Tatum is from Northern Ireland. Needless to say, Brian was slightly embarrassed. We're also starting to get more phrases that we don't use in the US. One of my favorites is saying "half seven" or "half three" instead of seven-thirty or three-thirty. That's one that we all picked up on relatively quickly and use ourselves now. It's shorter and easier to type when texting. I also like the word "knackered", meaning exhausted. Although you also have to be careful when using British terms-- if you say them in an accent, like one JSA always does "by accident", you tend to get made fun of.
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
A torchlight procession
Well, this weekend was highly uneventful, especially compared to last weekend. I'm not even sure I could tell you what I did the past few days (but here's a hint: it wasn't much). Today was an interesting day though, because we got to participate in a University tradition that occurs only once every three years. This year, a new Rector of the University was elected. They are chosen directly by the students to serve as the head of the University Court (the supreme governing body of the University) for three years. In the past, people as varied as Rudyard Kipling, Andrew Carnegie, J.M. Barrie and John Stuart Mill have been elected to the position. Originally, the person elected was supposed to be one of "great national or international distinction who would be installed with much celebration but was seldom seen again in St Andrews", according to the school website, but this has changed over time, especially since the 1960s. Today, the student body aims to elect a person who will promote their interests to the University Court. Our new Rector, Kevin Dunion, will take on the role tomorrow after an official ceremony, but today marked the fun part of the tradition.
The day before their installation, the new Rector arrives at the University, traditionally in some spectacular or odd manner. In the past, methods have been as varied as the Rector getting himself shipped by post or riding up onto the beach in a historical landing vessel from World War II. Famous comedian and former Rector John Cleese apparently arrived carrying a pig. I still haven't gotten the full story on that. (He later went on to dramatically change the post of Rector, making changes such as making the role of Assessor, who can act in the Rector's stead in meetings, into a position for a student, elected by the whole student body. This granted direct access and representation to the student body for the first time in over 500 years). Kevin arrived today pedaling a vintage bicycle ice cream cart from Janetta's Ice Cream Parlor in St. Andrews. He brought some ice cream to hand out, and was even dressed in a red apron and straw hat over a white shirt and black slacks. After his arrival, he participated in the Rectorial Drag, where he rides around town from pub to pub in a carriage drawn by students. Along the way, he is met in these pubs by students of the university, in order to spend some time with the people who have elected him.
Later at night, there is a torchlight procession from the center of the school down to the pier that stretches out into the North Sea. The procession was quite a sight, with hundreds of students showing up. Most of them were wearing the traditional St. Andrews robes, with red for Arts and Sciences students and black for Divinity students. The robes are interesting, as they are worn differently for each class. Freshmen wear them normally, but as you progress through years, you wear your robes further and further off your shoulders, so seniors wind up with theirs around their elbows. My friends and I were originally packed into the middle of the crowd, but Kelsey and I managed to sneak around the side up to the front. We weren't fast enough to get a torch, as there were very few, but as we walked in the procession, we both spotted broken torches on the ground and snatched those up. Once we had them lit off of other people's torches, you couldn't even tell they were broken. As our torches put us in the minority, we were a novelty. I don't even know how many people borrowed our torches to take a picture for the night. And even more pictures were taken of us by people we don't know. Events like that gave the night a really strong feeling of unity among the university students, which I'm sure is the main purpose of the procession. It was definitely worth being here for.
Tomorrow is the official Rectorial Installation, which my professors keep joking sounds like a painful medical procedure. It's actually just the ceremony that instates Kevin into his role for the next three years. The event is free to attend, but it has limited seating, so I decided to leave the tickets for students that actually go here. Instead, I'm taking advantage of the fact that all afternoon classes are cancelled by going with three friends to the University Travel Services, the travel agent just for students, to talk to them about our plans for spring break. The four of us have planned out a trip for our two week Easter Break that looks to be absolutely fantastic. I have to leave a bit early because Mom and Dad will be coming to Scotland to visit me during that time, but before I come back here to see them, the plan is to go to Germany, Austria and Italy-- Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Venice and Rome. After I leave, the girls are continuing on to Florence and Sienna, then flying back out of Pisa, but I'll be there for most of the trip.
We are really excited. The four of us all did separate research on transportation methods, and we've gotten the whole trip planned for a few hundred dollars. And that's without any help from the travel services people. Tomorrow, we're going to see if they can get us even better deals than the ones we've found, so with any luck, our trip will cost even less. It's going to be great to actually see the mainland, because while I've been to Europe before, I've never left the British Isles and Ireland. Getting to see some of the rest of it was one of my goals for the term.
The day before their installation, the new Rector arrives at the University, traditionally in some spectacular or odd manner. In the past, methods have been as varied as the Rector getting himself shipped by post or riding up onto the beach in a historical landing vessel from World War II. Famous comedian and former Rector John Cleese apparently arrived carrying a pig. I still haven't gotten the full story on that. (He later went on to dramatically change the post of Rector, making changes such as making the role of Assessor, who can act in the Rector's stead in meetings, into a position for a student, elected by the whole student body. This granted direct access and representation to the student body for the first time in over 500 years). Kevin arrived today pedaling a vintage bicycle ice cream cart from Janetta's Ice Cream Parlor in St. Andrews. He brought some ice cream to hand out, and was even dressed in a red apron and straw hat over a white shirt and black slacks. After his arrival, he participated in the Rectorial Drag, where he rides around town from pub to pub in a carriage drawn by students. Along the way, he is met in these pubs by students of the university, in order to spend some time with the people who have elected him.
Later at night, there is a torchlight procession from the center of the school down to the pier that stretches out into the North Sea. The procession was quite a sight, with hundreds of students showing up. Most of them were wearing the traditional St. Andrews robes, with red for Arts and Sciences students and black for Divinity students. The robes are interesting, as they are worn differently for each class. Freshmen wear them normally, but as you progress through years, you wear your robes further and further off your shoulders, so seniors wind up with theirs around their elbows. My friends and I were originally packed into the middle of the crowd, but Kelsey and I managed to sneak around the side up to the front. We weren't fast enough to get a torch, as there were very few, but as we walked in the procession, we both spotted broken torches on the ground and snatched those up. Once we had them lit off of other people's torches, you couldn't even tell they were broken. As our torches put us in the minority, we were a novelty. I don't even know how many people borrowed our torches to take a picture for the night. And even more pictures were taken of us by people we don't know. Events like that gave the night a really strong feeling of unity among the university students, which I'm sure is the main purpose of the procession. It was definitely worth being here for.
Tomorrow is the official Rectorial Installation, which my professors keep joking sounds like a painful medical procedure. It's actually just the ceremony that instates Kevin into his role for the next three years. The event is free to attend, but it has limited seating, so I decided to leave the tickets for students that actually go here. Instead, I'm taking advantage of the fact that all afternoon classes are cancelled by going with three friends to the University Travel Services, the travel agent just for students, to talk to them about our plans for spring break. The four of us have planned out a trip for our two week Easter Break that looks to be absolutely fantastic. I have to leave a bit early because Mom and Dad will be coming to Scotland to visit me during that time, but before I come back here to see them, the plan is to go to Germany, Austria and Italy-- Berlin, Munich, Vienna, Venice and Rome. After I leave, the girls are continuing on to Florence and Sienna, then flying back out of Pisa, but I'll be there for most of the trip.
We are really excited. The four of us all did separate research on transportation methods, and we've gotten the whole trip planned for a few hundred dollars. And that's without any help from the travel services people. Tomorrow, we're going to see if they can get us even better deals than the ones we've found, so with any luck, our trip will cost even less. It's going to be great to actually see the mainland, because while I've been to Europe before, I've never left the British Isles and Ireland. Getting to see some of the rest of it was one of my goals for the term.
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