dancing in the moonlight

So now that classes have begun, things seem to be in full swing here at St Andrews! I'm beginning with a Basic Math/Stats/Computer programming class all rolled into one....it's really as delightful as it sounds. I actually only have one or two classes to attend every day so I really have a lot of free time to sort of do whatever I want. It's a strange feeling after being one of those ever-busy Emory students. I went for the most incredible run down the East Sands one afternoon, and it definitely in my top five runs of all time. Amazing.

All this free time gives me time to do all those typical Scottish things you're supposed to experience while here. For instance, the fried mars bar. It's exactly that - a fried candy bar. We took a trip to the nearest joint that will fry anything (surprise, it's called the Fry Bar) and decided to try one out for ourselves. The boys loved it (as evidence by their approving faces in the photo)...in my opinion it leaves a little something to be desired. I guess it's an acquired taste?

I joined the women's cricket team! It's great fun to swing the paddle at the ball, provided the bowler doesn't toss you a googly, hit the wicket and knock off the bails before you can run back. Don't ask me what that means yet, I'm still learning how to manage making contact between the paddle and the shot-put-like ball they whirl at you! Don't worry, mom, we wear helmets and padding. And anyway, I was in need of some girl friends after hanging out with the boys so much.

This weekend was exciting - I went on an ecology study hike in Glen Clova, Scotland with all the students in my masters program. It was incredible and absolutely insanely beautiful! We hiked up a 3,000-foot peak to an arctic alpine environment where we were literally couldn't see more than 10 feet in front of us with the thick fog that surrounded the mountaintop. We saw herds of red deer, the endangered golden eagle, hares, and sheep - lots of sheep. I got a lot of flack from all the Scots in the group for getting so excited about sheep. I told them I had this urge to go hug a sheep. I mean, they look incredibly soft and well, so hug-able.

After a day of hiking, we hit the hiker's pub at the bottom of the mountain. I had a good pint of cider with everyone and three of our professors - they're all fabulously quirky and intelligent middle-aged scientists, so it was good fun. After a day full of hiking, I had a quick turnaround from my boots to high heels and a gown for the Opening Ball. It is one of supposedly many black-tie balls that happen at St Andrews, so I donned my green dress, took many-a-picture with the girls on the hall, and headed to St Salvador's quad. We were greeted by charming British boys in kilts who handed all the girls roses and a glass of champagne upon arrival. It was a night of drinks, dancing, and lots of crazy fun memories. Ask Steve for a little more exciting story of his ball experience - because I like giving away endings, I'll tell you it involves him in boxers and his tux bowtie.

To finish off the busy weekend, we did our first road trip in the Bobby Jones Volkswagen to visit Edinburgh. It's only about an hour away, and it was great to get away and visit a little bit bigger of a city than quaint little St Andrews. We saw the famous castle which is apparently the inspiration for L. Frank Baum's Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz, had a great meal at a little pub on The Royal Mile, and just wandered the city streets for a bit.

All in all, another busy week gone by - lots of new experiences, lots of good pictures, lots of fun!