It has been an absolutely shocking amount of time since my last post. In fact, so much time has passed that the layout of my blogger account has changed! I promise there will be a number (well at least two!) posts detailing all the exciting happenings that have occurred since my last post. These posts will be penned by the amazing and incredibly talented authors that are my brother Michael and dearest friend Kelsie. I am hoping this flattery will inspire them to actually begin writing!
As I said much has happened since cycling the Isle of Cumbrae... to be honest, that feels like decades ago! My family popped over (or took a series of painfully long flights) to the UK! It is hard to describe how wonderful it was to have my family visit. It was so exciting to have them see all the places I have come to know and love over the last year and to meet all the people that have come to mean so much to me. While living abroad has certainly been the most enjoyable challenge I have ever had to tackle, every challenge has certain downfalls that are impossible to overcome. And what might be this downfall? Well, it is now practically impossible to have all the people I love the most in the World together in one room at the same time. My family's visit made this fantasy a bit closer to a reality!
I was terribly sad to see my family go but also excited about the numerous things a summer is Glasgow was to offer. I have often been told that this is the absolute best year to be living in the UK and so far this summer has certainly proven that statement. First, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee happened early in June. I was able to celebrate in true British style (even while living in Scotland!) with a Jubilee party. On the eve of this Jubilee party I also attended a birthday party and a going away party. I would love to say that my social calendar is always so jammed-packed... sadly this is not the case, I must admit to spending quite a few nights in my sweat pants pretending to work on my dissertation while watching game shows. But, not on this night! Instead I got to throw on my best party clothes and hit the town... Sadly, I did not win "most British" at the Jubilee party but the evening was still a great success.
To continue a summer of British pride it was time for Glasgow to celebrate the upcoming Olympics! I personally celebrated Olympic Fever by purchasing tickets to one of the events. Yes! Just when I thought all hope was lost and I would never fulfill my dream of seeing an Olympic event, it was announced that soccer/football was coming to Glasgow! And, because I couldn't settle for just one match, I will be attending four Olympic soccer matches, one featuring the US women! An interesting bit of sport/Olympic English jargon. Unlike in America the term "athletics" does not refer to all branches of sport. Instead, "athletics" means track and field and "athletes" are track and field participants.... For my American friends just imagine trying to complete a crossword here in the UK!
To further the Olympic fever the Olympic torch was run through Glasgow earlier this month. Fortunately, we snagged amazing seats perched on a wall opposite the main gate of the University. The streets of Glasgow were transformed into a giant party parade as the Bank of Scotland party bus and Coca-Cola bus came racing down the road with music blaring and riders dancing. The crowds of people felt a rush of Olympic spirit and came crushing down the road in high hopes of seeing the famed torch weave its way brightly through the streets. However, this passion was met with despair as the number 62 bus destined for Faifley came chugging down the road. But, alas! Olympic spirit was renewed as the torch came past a mere 20 minutes later, whizzing by in just under five seconds. Having been lucky enough to see the Olympic torch in 1996, I knew what to expect with the passing of the torch. However, my torch viewing companions were a bit unimpressed by the anticlimax that is the torch. I love the Olympics and I love seeing the torch. I would see the torch race past a million times if I could but it is slightly anticlimactic, they run past pretty quickly and the flame is not quite the tower of fire power you might expect. But, honestly if you get the chance to see the torch.... GO! And celebrate with a cold one from the Coca-Cola party bus.
I was invited to take part in the University's Open Day as a student volunteer. It would be my job to escort busses filled with students and parents from the University to their tour of student accommodation. I had a great day and met lots of interesting people, I even met a woman from Kansas City! To make the day even better I was paid for my services. Because I was being paid by the University I had to register for a National Employment Number. This consisted of some time on the phone spelling out passport and visa details. I know many of you are interested in the small and sometimes great differences between America and the UK.... well lets start with the small to some but the great to me, my name. Kathryn, is the American (and more beautiful) spelling of the English Katherine. As you can imagine this spelling causes some difficulties, witnessed in the following conversation with the very helpful number agency man.
Number Agency Man: What's your Name?
Me: Kathryn, K-A-T-H-R-Y-N
Number Agency Man: Okay just a moment... K-A-T-H-R-Y-N
Me: Yes, perfect
Number Agency Man: So no "E"
Me: Nope, no "E"
Number Agency Man: Are you absolutely sure
Me:....... Yes, I am sure there is no "E"
Oh what fun it is to continuously shock the British.
I apologize for my excessive use of exclamation marks..... but look forward to telling all about my first Fourth of July in the country that started it all!
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