Getting Down to Busy-ness
Posted by Kalie on November 29, 2009
Sorry for the lack of posts the past couple of weeks! It has been very busy for me lately. My parents and Shawn came to visit this past week, which was great! But I had three 2,000 word essays due (well, two…I got an extension on one of them) before and during their stay, so I spent the bulk of my time trying to complete those before they arrived. For my essay about football fans for Gaelic Folklore, I went to a pub and asked a random man about his views on fans, traditions, and chants. It was quite informative! Maybe I’ll post my essay once it’s finished if I deem it interesting enough. :) So, I’m spending tonight updating my blog for all you followers dying to know more about my life! 😛
Cheers!
Filed Under: Uncategorized - Comments: Be the First to Comment
A Wee Moment – November 14
Posted by Kalie on November 14, 2009
Lately I’ve noticed a seagull outside my window. He stands in the grass stamping his feet in place like he’s dancing. He does this for hours at a time. Every time I see him I crack up! I’ve named him Stampy. You can (hopefully) check out a video of him ‘doing his thang’ by using this link: http://www.facebook.com/kwhidden?ref=profile#/video/video.php?v=1295054499381
Filed Under: Uncategorized - Comments: 2 Comments to Read
Classes – Week 7
Posted by Kalie on
I suppose I am in Scotland to learn something, so here’s an update on the classes I’m taking.
- Global Worlds, Global Challenges – This is an introductory level one geography course. Basically it’s an umbrella course that covers all things related to geography. Some parts are pretty interesting (biodiversity), while others are not (economy). Last week, a Scottish girl and I gave a presentation in our tutorial about the effects of McDonald’s on the environment, diet, trade, and culture.
- Philosophy of Art and Literature – While it’s still a topic that doesn’t interest me (or rather, it makes my head spin because I can’t quite grasp the concepts being talked about), I came to like the professor much more than I initially did. He was funny and had a very pleasant Scottish voice to listen to. So far we’ve covered the topics of art, photography, and humour. After six weeks, we have a new professor now who will be focusing on the literature aspect.
- Gaelic Folklore – This is probably my favourite class. We learn about the traditions of Gaelic people, anything from calendar holidays to birth and death rituals. For our final project, we each chose a topic and have to write a paper and give a presentation on it. I chose Scottish football (soccer) for my topic. I will be focusing on the superstitious traditions of football players and fans, as well as looking at the football chants and their historical value. On Wednesday our class took a trip to Edinburgh to do research at the School of Scottish Studies. Since there wasn’t much written about these topics, though, I’m going to have to do some fieldwork. This entails going to an “old man” pub and interviewing a willing football fan. I’m looking forward to this far more than I should!
- Gaelic Culture – This class is taught by the same lady who teaches Gaelic Folklore. We look at how the Gaelic language and culture has declined over the past few hundred years. Just recently we read poems of Gaelic poets and related those poems to the political and historical events that were happening at the time. I’ve probably learned the most from this class. There’s so much about Highland Scottish history that I didn’t know about, such as the Highland clearances, Battle of Culloden, and breakdown of the clan system.
So with only 5 weeks left of classes, I have 5 essays to write, 1 presentation to give, and 1 exam to take. Wish me luck!
Cheers!
Filed Under: Uncategorized - Comments: Read the First Comment
An American/Scottish/Irish Weekend
Posted by Kalie on
Last weekend I had my first visitor, Lindsey! It’s complicated to explain how we know each other. Saying it the long way, she’s my sister’s friend’s husband’s little sister…but I suppose we’ll just stick with ‘friend’ for now. She is from Minnesota, but is studying in Dublin, Ireland for the year.
She arrived at the airport on Friday at 4pm. From there we took the bus to Union Street, where we stopped for a pint at the Slain’s Castle pub. Since Lindsey likes to cook (and I lack in that area), we decided to make a midwestern dish for supper – Runza casserole. It was quite delicious and simple to make!
The next morning we woke up early, making chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast (also delicious!). We walked the two miles to the bus station, showing her my campus along the way. We took the bus to Oldmeldrum, a small town about 15 miles north of Aberdeen. In Oldmeldrum, we toured the Glen Garioch whiskey distillery. Since it was Saturday, the systems weren’t operational. We still got a tour, though, as well as tour wee drams of whisky to try. The distillery owner’s exact words before giving us the tasters, “Are ye over 18? Have ye had breakfast? Are ye driving?” Good to know he was looking out for us. We tried one whisky at 40%, which I had straight. The next one was 54% – yikes! I had to dilute it with water in order to finish it all. Before leaving we were given coupons for free tours when our families come to visit. It was a nice quick trip to Oldmeldrum.
We got back into Aberdeen after noon, had lunch, and began making our way to the football stadium, as we had tickets to watch the Aberdeen vs. St. Johnstone football (soccer) game at 3. I wasn’t quite sure how to get to the stadium from Union Street, so I asked a man for directions. The man replied, “See the guys singing up ahead? Follow those idiots,” which we did and made it to the stadium fine. The game was quite exciting! Aberdeen ended up winning 2-1. After a long day, both Lindsey and I were pretty tired. We stayed in that night watching the British version of Casanova.
Sunday was a much more relaxed day. We spent the morning talking, ate lunch, then went to the bus station so Lindsey could go back to the airport for her flight. Overall it was a splendid weekend! I’m so glad Lindsey came to visit!
Cheers!
Filed Under: Uncategorized - Comments: Be the First to Comment
English Gentleman
Posted by Kalie on November 13, 2009
I had an encounter with the nicest chap from London last week. It ended with a free cab ride to the airport…
My goal was to make it to the airport by 4pm to meet a friend who came to visit. It got to be 2:30 and I decided I should probably start getting ready to leave. I checked the airport bus schedule and realized they only left once every hour, the next one leaving at 3. So I hurried over to the bus stop at the Hillhead Central Building, waited for the next one to arrive (about 2:40), rode to Littlejohn Street (about 2:55), and pretty much ran to the bus station. It was raining at this point, and I got splashed by a passing bus, soaking my entire left side. I arrived at the bus station ten minutes later – and ten minutes too late for the bus to the airport. Desperate to make it there on time, I stopped the next taxi I saw. I asked him how much it would be to get to the airport, and he simply said, “Hop in! This fellow is going there too!” So, I followed his orders and got in. I was so flustered at this point that I didn’t even care that I was getting into a cab with two male strangers. But as I collected myself a bit more, I began talking with the cabbie and man sitting next to me. The man, Tim, was from London. He was in Aberdeen just for the day for business. He asked me about America, and if the fraternities are just like in Old School. Not having seen the movie in its entirety, I told him yes. As we chatted, I kept an eye on the price as it kept rising. I had no idea how far away the airport was and worried that I wouldn’t have enough money, as I only had just under 20 quid with me. Finally we arrived at the airport, and the total came to £20. I got out my pocketbook to pay but Tim told me I wasn’t going to pay anything for the cab ride. I insisted that I should pay something, but he said to use my money to take out my friend that night and have fun. I was (and still am!) very grateful to this English gentleman. I know the Scottish don’t much like the English, but I suppose they’re not so bad. 🙂
…And that’s how I got a free cab ride to the airport.
Cheers!
Filed Under: Uncategorized - Comments: Be the First to Comment
A Wee Moment – November 3
Posted by Kalie on November 3, 2009
I broke in my new wellies today and tested them by walking in the rain and jumping in puddles – they work! I love wearing wellies in Scotland! 😀
Filed Under: Uncategorized - Comments: Read the First Comment
Kalie’s Umbrella
Posted by Kalie on
Kalie’s Umbrella unfurled one final time early November 3, 2009 at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.
Kalie’s Umbrella enjoyed a brief, yet fulfilling, life. It was given to Kalie by Megan Spath on the evening of September 4, 2009. It left its birthplace of Lincoln, Nebraska at only four days old. From there it traveled the world to Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, and Scotland. After two weeks of travel, it settled down to live in Aberdeen, Scotland. Once there, though, it stayed indoors most of the time, despite the lovely Scotland weather. The few times it did make it out in those early days, the weather was unfit, which took its toll on Kalie’s Umbrella. As the weeks progressed, the condition of Kalie’s Umbrella worsened. The Scottish weather did a number on it, first breaking one limb, and then another. Kalie tried to brace the injuries, but to no avail. This season has been especially hard on the Umbrella family. The constant Scottish rain and high winds have raised the Umbrella death toll to over 250, many of which are sadly strewn all over the city streets.
Kalie’s Umbrella is survived by two owners: Kalie Whidden of Aberdeen, Scotland, and the gift giver, Megan Spath of Omaha, Nebraska. It is preceded in death by the hundreds of other Umbrellas lost to the unfavorable Scottish weather.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at the Rubbish Collection Point outside of Block 13 of the Burnett House.
Memorials may be sent to Kalie Whidden to purchase a new Umbrella.
Filed Under: Uncategorized - Comments: 2 Comments to Read
It’s The (Not So) Great Pumpkin
Posted by Kalie on November 2, 2009
I suppose all good things must come to an end (i.e. my jack-o-lantern). In this case, it came in the form of a moldy pumpkin. I woke up this morning to find the pumpkin that I’d carved had collapsed sometime during the night and covered in black mold (I swear this all happened overnight!). I was a bit sad, but didn’t think much of it. As I was just about ready to leave for class, though, I grabbed my notebook with all my class’ notes in it…it was soaked. The juices from the pumpkin had leaked out during the night and made its way to my notebook. As I cautiously picked it up, I noticed my geography notes had been transferred to my desk as the wet ink stuck to the desktop. I guess that’s one way to make myself study! I went into the hallway, saw Nicki, and said, “I’ve had a bit of a pumpkin mishap.” So with Nicki’s help, I managed to throw away my pumpkin, sop up the liquid, and put my notes in a plastic bag to take to class. Despite sounding like a horrible experience, it really was quite funny! The ink came off of my desk with some elbow grease, but the memory will live on through my now moldy-pumpkin-smelling notes. (Isn’t that the best way to remember things?!)
Cheers!
Filed Under: Uncategorized - Comments: 2 Comments to Read
A Wee Moment – November 2
Posted by Kalie on
Today was the first day ever that I tasted a coffee drink I actually liked! Sandy gave me a drink mix from Hong Kong that was a special blend of tea and coffee. It was absolutely amazing! Even though I love the smell of coffee, and at one time even wanted to own a coffee shop, I’d never liked the taste of it – but that’s changed now! Hopefully I can find a place in the states that sells it. 🙂
Filed Under: Uncategorized - Comments: Read the First Comment
Halloween in Aberdeen
Posted by Kalie on
Halloween lived up to its scary reputation as I attempted to celebrate the holiday in Aberdeen…
Nicki, Pauline, Joanna, and I got ready to go out for the night. None of them had celebrated Halloween before and were very excited! I dressed up as a “cereal killer” (small boxes of cereal fastened to my belt with bloody knives stabbed through them), whilst the other girls drew spiders and webs on their faces. We walked to the bus stop to head downtown, only to found mounds of people waiting for the bus. The first bus filled up quickly and we were unable to get on. We waited another 30 minutes for the next bus. This is where it got scary. Nicki pulled me into the crowd of people with her to get onto the bus – it was like being swallowed alive by a fire-breathing dragon! Imagine a mosh pit, but with garden gnomes, Miley Cyrus, the Grinch, etc. I feared for my life! I ducked my way out of the crowd to find the other girls who (smartly) hadn’t even tried making it on the bus. We then decided making it downtown would be too treacherous and instead spent the night in The Watering Hole. It was still a very enjoyable evening and I was glad to help my friends experience their first Halloween!
Cheers!
Filed Under: Uncategorized - Comments: Be the First to Comment
« previous top next »